This took me a second

This Artist is Inspiring! I have an Urge to Paint Skin and this makes my Urge Pulse with Excitement! What do you think? Artist for the Ocean

Video: First-ever albino killer whale adult spotted in wild

Wow, Look at this whale! Iceberg is living a normal life with his family. This whale is beautiful!

Teacher/Bully: How My Son Was Humiliated and Tormented by his Teacher an...

What this Teacher does turns my stomach. I hope she never teaches again. I love what the father says at the end.

Working Out with kids

I have always been a very athletic person. I  made sure I workout during both my pregnancy with my children. I was unbelievably fit with Justin. With Christopher I didn't do as much because my right leg was the size of an elephant's leg which made me look funny. My body didn't match my leg at all. Steve was always on the go when I was pregnant with Christopher. We were always doing something walking the mall with the mall walkers. Something was always on our list of things to do daily.

yoga

I know what you are thinking you can't workout with kids. I'm here to tell you of course you can. My hubby used to laugh as he sat there watching Justin and I workout side by side. I wanted to make sure my son was fit in life. I made all his baby food myself. Steve and I insisted we didn't fill our son with all that junk they put in the stuff they sell at the stores. Justin did everything I did from boxing,yoga, running, walking, swimming,biking, hiking,martial arts everything. He still does. He is a very active little boy.

Here I am eight years later getting fit with my second son. He loves it. We have so much fun in the morning, afternoon and evening which ever works for us. I still have time to hit the gym for some alone time which is great. I love it when the whole family takes timeout to do it together. Steve and I never talk about losing weight in front of the boys we call it "Getting Fit for Life!" I don't want my children to have a negative outlook on their physical appearance.

All my hard work I guess is paying off since a lady at Walmart thought I was to young to buy a frozen pina colda mix. Her words were" Girl, you have some good genes honey!" That made me feel great since I'm older then Steve by a year technically speaking I'm the old lady.(Laughing) When I'm 80 I will look 40. I'm okay with that.

Steve and Jay have been keeping fit lately playing basketball. I love watching them pouring sweat laughing and joking on the court. Steve loves to run around after Christopher he prefers it actually. I don't mind it with our work schedules he can take the boys whenever he wants. I make sure I walk everyday no matter what. Little by little you can find many ways to stay fit. Take the kids to the park and use the monkey bars to do legs lifts and throw in some crunches while you are at it. The key to getting fit is staying consistent with whatever you are doing. Remember everyone is different it took me nine month to put my baby weight on it has taken me just that to get rid of it. I'm in the toning stage now. Wish me luck!

Earth Day

For Earth Day my thoughts are with the Polar Bear. This is a poem that I wrote about the tragic fate awaiting this most magnificent of all the bears.

The Passing of the Bear

The probable loss of the Polar bear is something that fills my heart with immense sadness. This is my tribute to the Bear.
...
Like a ghostly wraith he drifted through the heavy snow and sleet,
Powerful muscles rippling, eyes taking in every dropping snowflake
Upon the ice he trod quietly on massive padded giant feet,
He lowered his head to lick the ice, his mighty thirst to slake.

Monarch of a whitish kingdom, unblemished and remote
Whiter than the Arctic snow at forty-eight below,
There is no garment on this Earth as warm as his white coat
With razor sharp ebony claws manicured into every toe.

He is living, walking, gleaming, iron, smiling, stoic and enduring,
There is no danger that he dreads, his dire anger strikes deadly fear,
He hides within the powdered snow, unwary seals he’s luring.
And men who try to track him often turn to find him to their rear.

He is Nanook, Lord of the frozen North.
His strength doth spread across the top of the entire world,
And all life trembles to see his silhouette as he strides boldly forth
Stalking through flickering darkness with the Northern Lights unfurled.

Those lights that define both polar space and time,
Lights dancing with greenish hues and silvered all ablaze
The Aurora and the bears movements both with nature rhyme.
As the one moves through the shadow of the other in a blinding haze.

And so it has been for thousands of years but not for a hundred more,
For now the ice melts underfoot and the wary seals grow rare,
The ice no longer extends from rocky shore to rocky shore,
And no longer can Nanook stride forth barely without a care.

His days are numbered as the ice retreats and the seals move far away,
Once he moved without fear, a life both noble and free,
But now his fate lies on the scales and there is nothing he can do or say,
For in a hundred years, no more will he walk upon the frozen sea.

There are few animals with such majestic flowing grace,
There are few whose babies are so deceptively cute,
A savage merciless temper masked by an innocent face,
Victim of pathetic men with little dicks that shoot.

In a fair fight, he would win, yes he would win for sure every time,
But little in this time and space is fair for plant or beast,
As mighty rivers grow sick and die and turn to putrid slime,
As species after species fade with the never-ending feast.

I watched him walk and his trail broke through the crusted snow,
His footfalls grew heavy as he searched for ice holes now long gone,
His body was growing lean and still the seals did not show,
In his mind he knew not why, but he knew something was very wrong.

I followed his tracks over the chalky waste, seeing sadness in every step
He was clinging to life as best he could in that vast white domain,
And at nightfall up to his silent unmoving form I cautiously crept,
And saw at once that his breath had ceased and so also had his pain.

I placed my hand upon his broad savage brow and felt that it was still warm,
I saw his eye, blue, and deep open wide in a vacant stare,
And in that eye I saw reflected the face of death upon my human form,
For life goes on each day down south and the fate of bears stirs not a care.

The wind blows harsh and silently across the frozen splendour of the North,
The Northern Lights still blaze in a spectacular symphony so rare,
But Nanook no longer prowls the ice or across the tundra sallies forth,
The Northern winds will mourn forever the passing of the bear.See More

 

https://www.facebook.com/AArtistfortheOcean

Help us save polar bears and other species

Aquarium Maintenance which is our family business along with my son Justin helps the Polar Bears every month won't you help them too. Look into your heart and give what you can. You can write it off at the end of the year.
www.NeedhamAquariumMaintenance.com
www.facebook.com/placesintime

I seen this on facebook.

A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said:

'Doctor, I have a serious p...roblem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 year old and I'm pregnant again. I don't want kids so close together.'

So the doctor said: 'Ok and what do you want me to do?'

She said: 'I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting on your help with this.'

The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady: 'I think I have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for you too.'

She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request.

Then he continued: 'You see, in order for you not to have to take care of 2 babies at the same time, let's kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms.'

The lady was horrified and said: 'No doctor! How terrible! It's a crime to kill a child!'

'I agree', the doctor replied. 'But you seemed to be OK with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution.'

The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point.

He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that's already been born and one that's still in the womb. The crime is the same!

If you agree, please SHARE.

Together we can help save precious lives!

Love says, 'I sacrifice myself for the good of the other person.' Abortion says, 'I sacrifice the other person for the good of myself.'See More

By: One Sonogram

 

I use to say I was against Abortion reading this I think my mind has been changed. I mean really what would be the differences? I don't think this woman has a case for Abortion. I still think only in extreme case as of rape. Not all woman are strong enough to have a child of rape.

Khloe Kardashian Odom on Loving Her Body

I think this is a very positive way for everybody to look at themselves. I love that she is very out spoken reminds me a little of myself. No, I may not be a size 0 but I love who I am inside and out. Every woman should love their bodies. I think what has helped me over the years is not paying attention to what I eat. I don't count calories or tell myself I can't have something. I workout everyday regardless of my busy schedule being a wife,mother trying to make it work as a writer and taking care of my small business. It gets a little overwhelming at times. That's when I take a step back and take a nice little walk. It helps clear my mind set for the rest of the day. Yes, I do miss a few days here and there no big deal.

I love my body! My biggest supporter is my hubby. He tells me all the time I'm beautiful and sexy. I'm 5'3 and I'm happy to say I weigh 138. I wear a size 7. The picture was taken a month ago. I was thinking about fixing a page up since the blog post "All about me " is a huge hit. Let me know what you think?

Panama City Beach

Steve and I surprised the kids with a trip to Panama this past weekend. What I didn't know was that my wonderful hubby made sure we had an ocean view from or hotel room on the tenth floor. It took my breath away.  When I asked him why? Steve said " I will do anything to see you smile." I didn't know what to say once in my life. I love Steve with all my heart. He amazes me daily.

I love the ocean there is a sense of calmness that falls over me when I see it. I could sit and watch the ocean all day. The hotel room was huge for a family suite. It had two bunk beds and a king size bed. Justin wanted to go swimming once we were there. It was a little late to do that. We did go take a walk on the beach. Putting our feet in sand was an experience all in itself. Steve hates the sand but walked in it for his family as he was grinning his teeth. The next morning we woke up at 6am ate breakfast then straight to the beach.

The boys had a blast! Christopher was stuck in the sand all morning. He really didn't care to much for the ocean after the waves knocked him down a few times. He did get his first taste of salt water that made him mad. Justin I swear he should have been born a fish. He was in the water like a pro. Daddy was showing him how to catch the waves on his kick board. He would ride a wave in fall try to get up and the waves would take him down. All we seen was Justin rolling down the beach as we are yelling for him to get up. It was great until he got hurt and started to bleed. He ran to the water to rinse the blood off. Steve and I were trying to stop him but it was too late because he ran back screaming"It hurts It hurts!" We couldn't help but laugh. I know laughing at your kids is wrong when they are hurt. Justin now knows not to do that for next time. We finally called it quits when Christopher was shaking like a left.

                                            Our next step of the day was Gulf World.

The outside of the building looks very small. It doesn't give it justice for what is inside. There he goes again my wonderful hubby made my day. He brought tickets for a meet and greet with a dolphin. Here we are touching a Dolphin. It was an awesome experience I still don't know what to say fully. I loved the fact that we were working with one dolphin and the baby of the four named Lilly kept coming over to play. Justin and I got soaked. How many people can say we played with a Dolphin who thinks it's funny to splash humans. When I mean wet Justin and I needed to change clothes after the meet and greet. It was still great. It was so much fun to feed him fish. They feel weird. Their skin is slimy.  Here is another one of my favorite animals the sea turtle. 

This thing was huge. It was really cute. I wanted to take one home. We were able to watch the workers feed them and the sharks they had in the same tank. Evey kind of animal you could think of we seen. We seen a magic show which is the only thing Justin talked about later. He loves magic and anything that has to deal with it. Watching a lady getting sawed in half. Justin says" I can do that it's easy to do." He is mister know it all like his daddy.  We took a walk on the pier.

The water is very clear. There had to of been at least fifty people fishing that day. We can see the pier from our hotel room. I would love to live on the ocean. I don't think anything else can compare to it. We are all in love with it. We will be back for Justin's birthday for sure. He will take the jet ski out next time with daddy of course. I will miss sitting on the balcony those two day drinking my coffee looking out seeing the ocean. I'm the happiest I have ever been in life besides getting married and having my children. This runs in at a close second. I can't wait to go back.

Crazy stuff

Kids are daring each other to eat ground cinnamon, no water allowed, in 60 seconds. Kids can experience severe coughing fits, choke, or suffer from pneumonia or other medical conditions as a result. Another one is choking game,and chugging water. I don't know about you but all of these are as stupid as can be. I heard about the ground cinnamon on 89x awhile back. Cinnamon plain is nasty. I don't know where these kids come up with this stuff but my question is why? Where are the parents? Justin is not out of my sight at all expect to go pee and maybe playing basketball. No, he can't go over any one's house unless I know them and I'm in the other room talking with the parents where I can still hear him. Call me overprotected sure but I'm not half as bad as Steve is with Jay. Jay has to be where Daddy can see him no ifs ands or butt's about it. I hate to see how we would be if we had a little girl on top of two brothers. She would really hate life. Whatever happen to playing at the park? Watching TV with your buddies? Maybe playing a game outside and riding a bike. I can remember playing from sun up to sun down when I was Justin's age. If I came inside I had to help my mom clean. I stayed outside as long as I could as long as I was back before I heard her whistle or the street lights came on. Her whistle is so loud that Steve and I heard her in that huge crowd at the Taylor fireworks one year. I told Steve which way to go because that is yup my mom calling us. (true story) Thanks Mom I love you to death.

 Now, that we live by neighbors I'm more cautious then ever before. Steve is a nervous wreck when I let Justin play Basketball outside with the neighborhood kids. Which has been okay for the most part. I find it to be a little strange that I'm the only mother that is checking on her kid. I seen a kid a little younger then Jay with his little sister who look to be about three or four months old. I had to restrain myself from going over there and asking if I could carry her where ever he was going. Not in a million years would I have let Justin carry Christopher around when he was that young. Come on use your head people!

Christopher's First Hair Cut

We just had Christopher's hair cut the other day. He looks like a little man now. It makes us sad he has grown up so much since his birthday. Right before my eyes the little baby I once held in my arms is now a toddler. He is extremely smart beyond belief. He amazes me by how fast he picks up anything you say and do. He reminds me of Justin when he was little. The outgoing, catch me if you can, take my breath away little heart breaker. Christopher has the eyes you can get lost in as for his Big Brother's smile that will melt your heart. My boys mean the world to me. Today watching them take a bath together made me happy to hear Justin talk to Christopher as he listen. Christopher soaks up all the information like his daddy. He is a free spirit like Justin and of course he has his momma attitude all the way. I can't help it I'm Mexican! Steve refers to me as his little enchilada.(his favorite food)  Christopher is something else. He makes our family complete. He brings nothing but joy to our lives. If you blink you will miss something. I have to push Steve out of the door in the morning to go to work even though we see him we work at the same place.That's the great thing about working as your own boss you can bring your kids to work. He doesn't want to leave Christopher's side. My little Popsicle has his daddy wrapped around his little finger. Well he has all of us wrapped around his litlle finger.

Siku Highlights - 04/03/2012 - Polar Bears - explore

Siku Highlights - 04/03/2012 - Polar Bears - explore

Missing Daddy

It has been a very long month since the boys have seen their Daddy. It has been really hard on them not being able to see Steve. It has taken us two days to get to our new home. The boys are stuck to Steve like glue. They don't want anything to do with me. That's okay it gives me a short break.  To think Steve was worried that they forgot who he was. Not a chance from this picture. They still love you to death. They missed their Daddy! They love and adore you still. Like Justin said  "You are his Hero!"

Gift

This is very beautiful. This was a gift from my mother for a safe trip to our new life by the sea.

Alf

Watch "Alf tries to eat the cat" on YouTube
I love this show. I' m really happy I can share this with my boys as my father did with my sister and I. Justin and I can't seem to stop laughing.
I have seasons one,two and three. I will be looking for season four soon. Take a look.

This is very true for many.

"I can't go back to yesterday - because I was a different person then." - Lewis Carroll -- Great Minds Quotes (@GreatestQuotes)

Brothers

I have been taking my boys out to the park to play this past week. Christopher needs a little help to fall asleep. Justin and I will take a walk as I push the stroller. It's something we use to do when he was little now we will have mother and son talks. There is so much life in Justin. He is always happy and has a smile that lights up any room. He is a great Big brother. He always puts his little brother first. He will sit for hours and play with Christopher. I know they are still little but they have an unbreakable bond. Christopher loves to be near his Big brother as this picture will tell. I couldn't push the stroller unless Christopher held Justin' s hand. I'm very proud to be a mom their mom.

Three Avocados

Bulopa, Uganda


Our story begins in the humble village of Bulopa Uganda. Bulopa, like many other villages in Uganda, is a very remote and extremely poor village. There is a small church there, which amounts to nothing more than a few sticks in the ground and some benches. We had been invited to worship with the people of Bulopa. Despite the fact we were over four hours late, the entire village was there to welcome us.

It had been a long day, we were all tired and eager to get back to the comfort of our hotel in Jinja. And then it happened. As the offering basket was passed around, a poor widow placed three avocados in the basket. It was literally all she had. And she gave it up, all for the sake of others. You see, in Uganda, the pastors do not receive any pay. The food they eat is given through the offering as they visit different villages. That widow had given all she had to ensure someone else could eat. What a beautiful gift.

It was that simple gift that inspired us. We left Uganda brainstorming ways that we could help. Though our efforts could never match the generosity of that widow, our goal is to do everything we can to ensure the poor throughout the world are cared for and are never forgotten. And we deeply thank you for being a part of "Three Avocados."


$8.95
 Just put my order in for these things. Check it out they need your support.
 $10.00       $11.99 I'm not sure about this but I'm up for anything new. 100% of the profits go to providing clean drinking water in Uganda. Now, this is the best part. Please go to the check and buy something today.

Gas

This is very cute. Thought I would share with everyone. I can remember paying only a dollar something for gas when I was in high school. I use to laugh when my boyfriend at the time would complain about gas prices. Oh, how time has changed things. Just yesterday I was rocking out with music from the 90's with my boys. It was funny to hear Justin ask "If this was music from back in the day." I had to laugh when I told him "Yes, honey this is music from when I was your age." God I feel old!

Paint

It's time to paint the house. Steve and I have decided that we are going to go with the color raspberry wine for a wine theme kitchen.
I can't believe it but I have a dinning room now which is great. I can now pick out a theme for that room. I now have to look at tables. I'm focus on the boys room right now then the rest of the house can fall into place. Justin has picked out a comic blue for his walls. I don't know what else is going in there but I'm glad I talked him out of a black bedroom. Trust me that one was  hard to do.I swear black has been Justin's favorite color since he was one.
 I have a fireplace in the living room which the wall it's on will be a canyon sun color. The other walls be a golden chime color for a Mexican theme.




Steve at first said no to my idea but later caved in.He loves me. He is painting this time. I hate painting all the lines you have to worry about not making is just too much to deal with. I'm excited about our house. There is so much to do. I love it! Steve and I have our own sinks plus we have a shower and a tub in our master bathroom. The kid's have there own bathroom which is Awesome. I love our new house!

For every ten bottles of Rainbow Light vitamins sold, one bottle will be donated to Vitamin Angels. Please go pick up your bottle today.

One third of all childhood deaths are attributable to undernutrition. We can change that. For young children, essential nutrients help build the foundation for good health and the opportunity to lead meaningful and productive lives.

Vitamin Angel's mission is to mobilize and deploy private sector resources to advance availability, access and use of micronutrients, especially vitamin A, among at-risk populations in need. We focus on two main programs that ensure maximum impact:

Vitamin A.Worldwide, an estimated 190 million children under five suffer from vitamin A deficiency (VAD), a major underlying cause of child mortality and blindness around the world. However, with a simple, cost-effective vitamin A capsule every six months we can prevent VAD blindness and reduce under-five child mortality by about 24% in at-risk populations.

Multivitamins.Essential multiple micronutrients, or multivitamins, reduce the effects of undernutrition and malnutrition in children under five. Our program offers infants and children the nutrients they need to grow up healthy, increasing their potential for educational and economic achievements in life.

https://www.vitaminangels.org/about

I love my Life!

 I took the above picture from my deck. I guess all in all I will miss Michigan. I can still share a sunset with my hubby many states away.

Art Work

 The kids sat down and made pictures last night. Justin made sure we sent a picture to Daddy. Justin says"Home is where daddy is!"

This is Christopher's first art work. I know more will come. I love my boys they are the reason I am who I am. They made me a proud mother!

What do you think?

"Loving a child who is not biologically yours is no different then choosing to love your spouse. Both relationships are choices, not a biological bond."

Someone had this on cafemom I read it a few times over and over unsure how to respond to this. I think if a stepmother/step dad choose to love her/his husband/wife child like her own it shouldn't be a problem unless she tries to over step her boundaries. The boundaries I'm referring to would be wanting the child to call her mom because she wants the child to. I think if a child wants to call their step parent mom/dad it should be on the child's terms.(ONLY) Their are a lot of families that are made up of a lot of different people who have no Biological bond at all. Sometimes those relationships are the best. I have never been in a situation like this one but knew a friend who was. The step parent didn't want the child to call her mom but the child understood who was mom and who was mommy. The father however didn't see anything wrong with it sadly this is why he no longer sees his child. The Biological mom took the child and left. Who knows where they are. I still talk to this couple and not once heard either of them mention the child in ten years. I guess it is what it is. Steve and I have talked about this when the time comes if the children come looking for me from my days as an egg donor. I guess I would be their Biological mom but I wouldn't have any connection with them but that. I will not be their mother that JOB is left to whoever raised them. Who went to school plays, basketball and soccer games. I will welcome them with open arms if they want to get to know me. I guess I will have to see if that ever happens. Other boundaries that another parent would cross would be disciplining a child that is not theirs. I don't promote spanking and I believe that should be left up to the parents with a little input from the step parent who spends just as much time with the child. It should be a strong unit with parents and step parents to be on the same page. It makes the child's life better to see everyone happy.

Here are some comments left by other on cafemom.


1.That is a great way to say it!

A biological bond is automatically unconditional love.

With a spouse, or spouses family, it is work to fall in love with him/her and their family. I can tell you it has taken me about 5 out of 7 years to enjoy one sister in laws company... and that is because she matured a lot the past couple of years!

2.The BM's jealousy makes sense, since it is actually her child. It wouldn't be surprising if it would hurt a mother to see her child love another "mother." Her feelings of jealousy would be normal and expected.

But the SM's jealousy of BM is different, because it's not "her child", it's someone else's child. So when she is jealous of the BM, the rightful mother, it's like loving a married man... meaning a man you can't have because he is taken already. The SM is choosing to love that child in the mother/child way, and really, that may not be a very good decision, if the BM is still around.

If the BM is out of the picture, of course it's a different story


3.I *kind of* agree with that statement.

How does it play a role in a blended family.....

well, for one thing, it could cause problems because if you choose to love a child that way, the child might not choose to love you back that way. And then you have an unrequited love... which as we all know, doesn't end well.

Secondly, if you choose to love a child in the parent-child sense, are you able to deal with the fact that the child's biological parent is still around, and the child still loves her? (if that applies).

Often we have SMs who fall in love with their stepchilren in the mother-child way, and it causes problems because the SM is jealous of the BM, who is still involved in the child's life.

So, overall I'd say it can cause all kinds of problems in steplife. If you want to compare it to "choosin to love your spouse," I'd say maybe it compares to falling in love with a married man who wont leave his wife.


Yes, loving someone is a choice people choose who they want to love and who they don't. Either way it's  an honor to love a child that is not yours. It's a shame that many children don't get the chance to love step parents because the real parents have issues they need to work out as adults. There should never be a jealously problem because it's okay for a child to love both. I believe the best thing to do if you are a step parent is to try to be the child's friend at any age. Let them know you are not their parent but a friend. You will not go against their real parent unless it is needed for safety reason. Some step parents step into the role of a parent in the absence of the real parent. I give a lot of credit to these people who take on this huge role. Sometimes it is in the best interest for the child. I wish you all luck. Tell me what you think.





                         I love this quote! Love is a choice not an Obligation.

As in for loving your spouse you love all of them the good the bad, past and the present the furture is what you are. Take it don't look back because the past is in the past. It can't be changed there is no time machine to change it. You let it go and don't look back. People try and hold you down for the choices you made as a woman,man,mother and father at that time you seen it as the best choice you had right or wrong it was your choice move on. Life is only what you make it so make it count.

                                          Love is a choice not an Obligation.

Life Quotes

                                          Make it a point to take at least one small leap
                                                     into the unknown today and
                                    challenge yourself to learn a bit more about yourself.

What a View

What a view of the ocean Steve just sent me last night. I love it! I can't wait to meet him there. The boys and I miss him dearly. I know it's only been a week or so but we have never been apart for not even a day since we met. Well it was for only a day when he had to fly to DC. He left that morning and was home for dinner. He is very home sick right now. I talk to him on the phone like crazy. I think I finally have the web chat down it's been a very long time since we have talked on video. Christopher at first didn't understand why Daddy was in the box. Now, he kisses the screen it's too cute. Justin is learning how to cope with not having Daddy around to talk to. He calls him first thing in the morning and first thing after school. He wants me to fly him to Daddy he even started saving his money. If it was up to him he would web chat all day with Daddy.  Justin and Steve do everything together.

On the up side Christopher likes to have screaming contest with Justin all day. Pretty soon I will not be able to hear. I have a pro pitcher on my hands now that Christopher throws his food across the room. He hit me with a banana piece yesterday in the head. The boys thought it was hilarious the way they couldn't stop laughing. I have to admit it was funny he even had sound effects to go with it. Then talking to my hubby Christopher was writing on the walls with a pen. Then my face and he licked his brother. He also decided he didn't want clothes on as he ran though the house naked. Let me tell you there is never a dull moment in the Needham House.

Pinterest

I have been looking at this site Pinterest for a few weeks now. It is kind of like Facebook just with more picture and less talk. It's nice for a change.  Anyhow I have been looking at some wedding idea's that Steve and I might use to renew our vows. Since we will live about two hours or so from a beach. I'm thinking of a beach wedding. I would love that site. Then I came across another picture that may work for a Michigan wedding better with our family. That's it I fell in love with this picture below. This is what we will have.



.This is gorgeous I can't wait to show Steve. Steve is very much involved in the planning of renewing our vows. He has already seen my dress just not sure if we are going to go with red as planned or blue. If I can get my bridesmaids and mother free before I leave in a week or so we will be visiting David's Bridal. I'm excited I can't believe we are going to do it this time. It seemed like every time we planned on this something came up like the military or a baby.

My mother the cake maker will make this cake for us. I'm still floating around a cupcake cake idea.


I also came across a neat invitation to send out. This is an original thought. We even have a buddy of our that can do these. I hear a discount coming on. (Hint Hint)




 I'm really excited to put all this together. I still have to look for a photographer and a DJ. Wish me luck. Take a look at the link below for some dresses. I just read that and forgot about the ring we are going to give Jay. Wow, how some things change so fast. From last October to now has been a few  crazy months for us by far the most amazing ones yet.
http://lifeisonlywhatyoumakeit.blogspot.com/2011/10/dilemma.html

Give Blood

Attention Riverview Area Blood Donors!

Save a Life Sunday is back and needs your help to be a success! Sign up today to donate blood on Sunday, March 11, 2012, from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Riverview Donor Center ( 14031 Pennsylvania Road )!

As a thank you, the American Red Cross is offering a fantastic gift to all who sign up online and come to donate on 3/11/12 at the Riverview Donor Center only ---- a free $25 gift certificate for Target (non-transferrable, for personal use only).

Give others something to be thankful for this winter---donate blood!

Please click on the link below to sign up for an appointment time today, and please forward this email along to any interested family or friends!

http://www.redcrossblood.org/make-donation-sponsor?field_sponsor_code_value=sas

Savannah Hardin

Authorities say 9-year-old Savannah Hardin died after being forced to run for three hours as punishment for having lied to her grandmother about eating candy bars. Severely dehydrated, the girl had a seizure and died days later. Now, her grandmother and stepmother who police say meted out the punishment were taken to jail Wednesday and face murder charges.
http://news.yahoo.com/2-charged-death-ala-girl-forced-run-082216169.html


This breaks my heart to hear that Savannah's own step-mother would allow this kind of punishment. First of all running for three hours is not any kind of punishment a child should have. I would be crying if I was in her shoes being forced to run without water. She was in thrid grade. My son is in thried grade. How could anyone do this to a human being. My heart and prayes goes out to the father and mother of this little girl who won't be able to enjoy life. I hope the stepmother and grandmother gets life. I can't even began to imangine what the parenst are going though. I think they should subject the stepmother and grandmother to the same punishment they gave Savannah.

Polish Foods

Polish food has a reputation for being heavy. Polish immigrants brought their cuisine to America and other parts of Europe, which has influenced regional cuisine. Food staples in Poland include potatoes, cabbage and pork, which appear in many Polish dishes. Polish food does not differ from many other Eastern European cuisines, which are heavy on potatoes, sausage and sauerkraut.

Read more: List of Polish Foods | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_6855105_list-polish-foods.html#ixzz1n2HI9fxq


I remember the first time I cooked Pierogi's for Steve. My family loaded him down with the potatoes dumpling. Up to this point Steve never had a Pierogi. Who doesn't eat a Pierogi? Steve now loves them along with kielbasa and Sauerkraut which we have for Christmas ever year.  Stuff cabbage has been a childhood favorite of mind. If you never had it before you should.  It is a little bit of ground beef, pork, rice and spices to help along with the cold winter months. You can have it really anytime you feel the need to cook. Enjoy as I will today when I make these dishes to share with my family.

Re-Blog Fat Tuesday.

Fat Tuesday is paczki day. I’m going to send my loving husband to Hamtramck tomorrow to get a dozen of that 260- 300 calorie baked fat donuts. I can remember ever since I was little eating a paczki with my grandpa talking about the news that day. I will miss this Tuesday talking to him he passed away last Christmas. We love the custard ones and blueberries. Its okay I may not be able to eat a full one but I will surely have to pull double time at the gym. Get ready Amanda to bust out some sweat this week. The paczki are traditional Polish deep fried pastries, usually filled with some sort of jelly filling. While Paczki Day is observed the day before Ash Wednesday .The making of paczki started hundreds of years ago and came from the need to get rid of all forbidden food items in the home before Lent began, which included sugar and eggs. The paczki is similar to a Bismarck or jelly doughnut and is usually filled with rich fruit or crème fillings. So with that Steve is going to give up red meat as Justin and I will give up sweets for lent. I think it should be the other way around considering Steve has a sweet tooth mainly me. Lol No really I guess it’s not that bad until Easter comes. I have been sharing this day with my son upholding on to my polish heritage now I can share it with Christopher. He may be too young to eat one but he will hear us talk about the past history. Did you know that Polish immigrants provided labor for Detroit's early auto manufacturers, beginning in 1914, when Dodge opened its first plant in Hamtramck? The American Polish Century Club holds its festival every July in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The 2011 celebration marks the Festival's 30th anniversary. The 2010 festival featured children's events and activities, carnival rides and music by Polka bands such as The Kielbasa Kings and Duane Malinowski & the Polka Jamboree. There were also traditional Polish dance performances by the Zajaczek Dance Ensemble and a craft exhibition featuring more than 50 local artisans. Vendors served pierogies, kielbasa and paczki. My family will be there in July. Yes I’m polish and I will eat a Paczki on Tuesday!


2012 Paczki Day

Today is Fat Tuesday. I had to read what we did on this day last year. It seems so far away. I guess that is why they call it the past. We missed the festival last July we were in New York. Steve didn't make it to Hamtramck he is setting up our new house today. I'm going to make today about our family history. We will sing songs, dance and of course eat a Paczki. Christopher will sink his new teeth in one this year. Today is also a very special day it's my amazing hubby's birthday. We love you more then you know Steve. We are very proud of what you have accomplished in life. I love that you fill up my coffee pot with water. You make sure I have my French vanilla k-cups stock and ready. You always make sure I have gas in my truck. I love it when you brush my hair or run your fingers though it. I love you not because you treat me as the Mexican Queen that I am. You are not just my husband but my friend. You are someone I can count on. I gave you my heart and soul to you on our wedding day. Even standing in that church you still had your way of annoying me. I think about it you were very cute. I can come to you and talk about anything. I love that even when I'm wrong you never really tell me I'm wrong. I can tell by the little smirk you give me that I may consider another path. I fall in love with you more and more each day we have together. I love that you laugh at my jokes.  Who would have thought at 21 and 22 we would still love each other as much as we do?  That we would be able after seven years together we can still talk for hours without stopping everyday I find out something new about you that makes me love you even more.  I catch you off in the distance looking at me with a smile that could light up the world. You love me most of all. You show me daily how much you love me by the little things you do. Taking my hand to dance out of nowhere in the living room just melts my heart. Hearing you last night talk about the ducks and squirrels that we will have in our pond was cute. I love that you work hard at everything you do. That is where our boys get their drive from seeing Daddy do his best. You inspire me daily to be the best I can. I'm a better person, mother and wife because of you. I haven't seen anything you can't do. The word (can't) does not exist in your vocabulary. You are a great outstanding father! I never have to worry about you not spending time with the boys.  If you only have ten minutes you call to check up on them. Every waking minute you have is with our children. Sometimes I have to admit I'm a little jealous when you come home from work and kiss the boys first. I think that is why I love you the most. Your kids mean everything to you. I love watching them run up to you with their little arms wide open for you to catch them. You play, read, and pretend with them as much as you can. Most of all you spend time with our boy's. You let them down. They know you love them no matter what. That is what they will remember the most about you. When you have to be the one who lays down the law they still know they can wrap you around their finger. Happy Birthday! Today is a very special day because you were born.  We love you!

Sweet Tomatoes

 

These little tomatoes pack a big punch. I grew these in my garden for my nephew Landen. He loves these things. I have also found out that Christopher and I do as well. These are a great snack food on the go. Steve thought I was pregnant again. I would just wander down to the garden pick some tomatoes and go about my day. Vitamins and Minerals are loaded in these little red balls of deliciousness. These are very good to eat if you are an athlete or pregnant. Cherry tomato has less 1g of protein and 4 g of carbohydrates per serving. That's great to hear. This is another all time favorite in the veggie world. Check them out. They also go well on a salad.

New Foods

Christopher and I have had a thing for green peppers lately. I'm not sure why but we love them. If you cut a green pepper up like an apple dip it in some Cesar dressing it's a very good snack. I have never been the one to eat anything green but a salad every once in awhile. I guess I have my wonderful hubby to thank for this. You see he was very picky about what I ate when I was pregnant with Popsicle. He would drive me crazy! The one thing I would argue about with him was having a cup of coffee. I never drank coffee until Justin. One day at work I turned into a demon when I smelled it. "The girls were like you can't have coffee blah blah blah." Someone was going to give a cup of coffee or else. Don the backroom coordinator gave me a half of cup of creamer and just a little bit of coffee. It was the best thing I ever tasted until Justin made me puke it up five seconds later. Once he was born Steve had me a cup of coffee from Tim Horton's in his hand. He is the best! To this day that has been our only argument in our marriage.

Green Peppers are a good source of Vitamin C which I didn't know. It helps with rough skin which I have. I never go a day without lotionize. It helps with eye sight with a little bit of Vitamin A by your side. It's good that I can eat these. It has helped in the losing the baby weight game. Which I'm still working on I'm happy to report I have lost four more pounds last week. It brings me to 138. I can't wait to get to 135. I still can't get Jay and Steve to eat them but I'm working on it. If you have any other foods that you like please tell me about them.

Hockey has come to an end

This is my little boy. He is growing up so fast. Steve and I are proud to be his parents. Justin has really grown this past year with the birth of his little brother. He adores Christopher to death. There isn't anything he wouldn't do for him. Justin is very helpful around the house. He has to make sure he blows me a kiss before he walks into school. Everyone loves Justin energy and kindness he has. You should see Christopher after we pick up Jay from school. He is all over Jay kissing him bringing his toys to him to play with. The first thing Jay does before his homework is play with his little brother. They are too cute. 

Hockey has come to an end because we are moving. Sadly but we will enroll Jay in hockey again once we find out what team he will be playing for. Steve is very proud of son. He skates like a pro or like his daddy. Jay is really good at it. The only reason he wanted to play was because his daddy plays. Justin wants to do everything his daddy does. I love the fact that Justin looks up to him. His daddy is his Hero. There is nothing Steve can do wrong in Jay's eyes. He has his daddy's back to the end. 

I shot this video of them on the ice. I love it! It's father and son bonding time. It melts my heart to watch both of them on the ice until they are completely exhausted from all the hard work they put into the sport. There is nothing these two can't do. Justin is currently trying to talk us into taking him to Niagara falls for his birthday. I don't think that will happen since we are planning on taking the boys to Disney Land. That might be a trip for next summer to think about. Justin brought home his reports card with all A's and B's. He is doing great in school. I love how Justin no matter what pushes though anything in his way. He had a big report due two weeks ago on the Massachusetts Basketball Hall of Fame. He came back with an A in everything. He was really nervous about getting up in front of the class. The teacher wrote a little note on how Justin was one of two students who did very well on that part. I think that is wonderful I hated getting up in front of the class myself. I think Justin is a natural in that area. He definitely has no problem talking about any subject. I think he gets that from Steve. I swear Steve was born in a three piece suit. Justin takes right after him. Mommy and Daddy are very proud of you Jay. We love you with all our heart. Keep up the good work little man.

Moving

This has been a interesting challenge. We are moving out of Michigan. I love that we are going to trade in our winter coats for shorts. I can't wait to buy our new home in the land of no snow. Knock on wood. The boys are ecstatic about it! It was just going to be a family trip to Disney Land it has turned out to be much more. I love my hubby. He always surprises me when I least expect it. Since Christmas it has been up in the air. I love our house. I'm getting it to be just the way I want it. I guess I'm a little sad that we are moving. I will have to wait on my farm with chickens and ducks. I'm looking forward to walking on the beach hand in hand with my hubby. The boys already love the water they are like fish. There is so much to do still. I don't mind it. It's kind of fun packing with Steve. The boys have a lot of stuff.  I didn't realize how much. Just last month alone Steve and I have new jobs.We are starting a new adventure together with our boys. I can't wait for it to start. I'm not looking forward to the long drive with the kids. It will be my first time driving on the freeway. This is going to be a blast.

New Test Could Prevent Miscarriages

Forty-year-old Deborah Fischer is finally pregnant after years of trying, and she said it's because of a new type of genetic test called Array Competitive Genomic Hybridization, or Array CGH.

"I don't think that we would be pregnant without it," said Fischer.

"One of the biggest frustrations as a fertility specialist is our inability to determine which embryos that we have that are capable of becoming healthy babies," said Dr. Michael Alper, medical director at Boston IVF, a New England infertility treatment center.

Studies show that 10 to 25 percent of all pregnancies will end in miscarriage. But by using Array CGH, doctors can now see beyond the microscope to figure out why.

I think if they could narrow it down to which embryos were good it could save many couples money when they visit a infertility clinic. I know when Steve and I went to a clinic to help others that was a big concern of the couple who were receiving my eggs. They had to be a certain cementer before the doctor could retrieve them. I was a very good candidate for the donor program because I'm very fertility. I was called many times due to my profile. When a couple is looking for an egg donor they can almost play God in a sense. They look at pictures of women to choose what their son or daughter most likely will look like mix with their husband genes. I can't wrap my head around that their are children out their that have features like mind but are not mind. I'm glad I spent three years of my life to help others be able to have a child. I know that the couples who choose me did get pregnant. However that is all I know. Since it is soley up to them to let me know anything.

John 15:13

"Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
John 15:13

Hate in your heart

Throughout life people will make you mad,

disrespect you and treat you bad.

Let God deal with the things they do,

cause hate in your heart will consume you too.

- Will Smith

http://bestquotesfb.blogspot.com/

Family Trip

This is going to be awesome. I just told the boys they will be swimming in the ocean in a month. I just paid for a family trip that is going to top New York. It will be their first time ever. I can't wait to see Christopher's face. Justin is really excited he wants to learn how to surf but not get eaten by sharks. Laughing I told him I think he will be okay. I won't let that happen. Dame jaws movie. It ruins people! We just ordered new business cards they look great. Steve made the designs he is really good at that stuff. I paid him in kisses. He can't claim that on taxes. On another note Steve took me to my first cage fight on Friday. It was a blast. I have never been but I watch it on TV with him. Seeing it for real right there in your face was a new experience for my sister in law and I. There was a girl fight between a chick name Nicole the Beast (Laughing) and Julie. There was a point in the fight when Julie was pounding away on the beast big fat thick thigh. She had some weight on her. She was punching like no tomorrow. It was great I had to root for the Baddest Chick Nicole. She can beat any one's ass RIGHT? She did win when they called it. Steve and I made a bet on the ladies he lost. I told him you never go wrong with women who look like men and besides she came out looking crazy eye. I won a beer! Donny another fighter came out looking Hot! He had a Mohawk that was yellow, pink and green with shorts to match. He kicked ass! To bad Ray didn't win but he did get his nose broken and arm took out of socket. Ray is a great fighter. Steve used to train with him last year until he hurt his back and dislocated a rib. Steve stop because his son asked him to so he didn't have to worry about his Daddy. Justin has a heart of gold. He put on his sad face on and all. I think the fighters should get rid of the shorts that have eyes on their butts. That was a little weird. I felt like they were looking at me. Justin had his Pinewood Derby Race yesterday my baby boy won. He will be going to District's in April. I'm so proud of him. He worked on his car this year with no help from Daddy. Although Daddy was there to supervise when Justin melted the metal in the car. Thank god! Today my hubby and I are going to go get a Tattoo with each other names. I'm freaking out! Wish me luck.

What about you? Are you one of the healthiest women in the world?

http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/im-one-of-the-worlds-healthiest-women/

After reading this article I guess I'm a healthy person. I cook all my meals for my family. We hardly ever eat out even when it would be easier to do on Justin's sport days and boy scouts days. I will cook with olive oil and make veggies. I try to incorporate all the food groups. I hate veggies just like Steve. Cooking meat has been a huge task for me lately. Every time I see any kind of meat it makes me want to yak. I don't know why. The boys are picky eaters. I think any child is at a point in time is. I know my nephew is the only kid who will eat tomatoes instead of a candy bar. I have been really working on losing the rest of my baby fat from Popsicle which is turning out to be very hard with my busy schedule. Word of advice don't try to do jumping jack holding a 15 month old. Your arms will ache the next day. I swear I'm getting too old for all this high demand to be fit. It was very easy after I had Justin. I think I have to give up driving break out the stroller to get the rest of the weight off. Steve laughs at me for the walks I still take to clear my head. Even if it is on the treadmill in the basement. I won't walk down my street people are crazy.  I think the whole idea of being healthy is to watch what you eat. Give yourself a cheat day and don't obsess about it. Steve and I workout together we make it fun. Sometimes it's a family event like running in the yard, ice skating, riding bikes, yoga. I even have Christopher doing baby yoga. It's adorable to see him do downward facing dog. I had to teach him how to do it so he would stop climbing on me. Tell me what you all think how do you stay fit?

Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have A Dream" Speech

This was a man who set out to make his dreams come true no matter what the cost. He fought for equal rights for all people. His words are strong and bold. Let today be the day you honor his words. Let today be the start of a new day. Be kind to others.

Monster Jam

Steve and I bought tickets for Justin back in December for one of his Christmas gifts. He loves these trucks. Grave digger is his favorite of all time. Steve was able to get grave digger to sign a shirt for Jay so he can wear it. We also stood in line for two hours to get the other drivers to sign another shirt.  I had a blast hearing Steve and Jay yelling and betting on which truck would win the race. It was great! I think there where sixteen drivers total. Steve wants to get tickets for March if we are still in town. Some man sat next to Steve just talking away like he knew him for years. He makes friends everywhere we go. The man was real nice. I met another woman in the bathroom who did the same thing. I find it funny how someone doesn't know you but starts talking about anything and everything to you. Justin was hoping to see some turn over and wrecks which we did. One driver lost her horns. She gave them to someone in the crowd. We seen the person in line waiting to get it signed. Traffic was all clear by the time we left which was great. I hate sitting in the car after New York last year. We did past this pastry shop on the way to the car. I love this place. Steve and I are going to have to find a reason to go to Greek Town now besides the Casino. I ate the most delicious red velvet cupcake in the world. I don't know what it is since Christopher has been born. I have had this thing for cupcakes. Justin ate some peanut butter mud pie while Steve had a brownie. There is no way I could ever own a bakery shop. I would be a 600 pound Mexican. I can't have that! Thank God it's in Detroit. I don't like to drive down there. As we were leaving I saw a Chocolate Cannoli calling my name. I ran out of the shop. I couldn’t handle it anymore! I have a weakness for fabulous goodies like Baklava and Cheesecake which we are debating on if that will be our cake when we re-new our vows. I'm so excited to start planning it. I could go on forever just talking about it since I always have a lot to say. I 'll give a little now and a little later to keep you coming back. Have a good night.
http://www.astoriapastryshop.com/index.asp

You know who you are

I think I like how your body feel next to me.



Aw baby when you kissing me, aw baby when you loving me.


I can't describe what I want to do to you tonight.


Aw baby when you come to me, I'll make it so you'll never leave


Can you rock with me (aw baby)



Non-stop with me (stop with me)


Can you take it to the top with me


I just wanna love you babe (love ya babe)


Always thinking of you babe (wanna love you babe)



Can you roll with me (ooh baby)


All over me (over me)


Can you take control of me


I just wanna love you baby (love you)

Finding Nemo Trailer

Omg! Finding Nemo will be in theater's in 3D in September 2012. This is the first movie we watched as a family with Justin. He used to love this movie. He still does. I remember when Steve came over with a giant orange Nemo. Justin slept with that thing every night. We are going to see it when it comes out. It's really funny that this movie started it all with us. It even turned into a great Business which I own. Any how I love that Disney is bringing back all the great movies from their vault to theater's. I can't wait to see what else comes out. Dory is my favorite!

Happy Anniversary

A successful married life requires falling in love many times, but always with the same person.

Today will mark six years that Steve and I have been married. Thinking about today six years ago when we walked into that church with our son Justin by our side was the best day of my life. I was about to sign up for a lifetime of happiness with the same person forever. Steve was wonderful that day all he could talk about was getting married. I was a little nervous that day. Steve and I have know each other for awhile before we said I do. We were young and even though we had a baby together I wanted to make sure we were getting married for all the right reasons. We loved each other that's all that matter to us.Now six years later we are stronger together with another child that came from our love. I'm very happy that we have made it this far. We have a long road ahead of us with new journey's along the way. I can't wait to move forward from today. I'll see you later sweetheart. Happy Anniversary Stud Muffin.



The bonds of matrimony are like any other bonds - they mature slowly with time. Time is all we need.

2011-2012 New Years Eve Times Square Ball Drop. Lady Gaga & Mayor Bloomberg

Bring in 2012 it's here. Steve and I had a wonderful time at the Greek Casino last night then we were off to eat at Nikki's and back to the Casino. I had a blast we lost too bad. We had a lot of fun downtown. Detroit City was crazy! Happy New Year everyone!