Unconditional Love

I'm not too sure who read Sofia's birthday note---And So She Grows--- but I had mentioned that Sofia and Sergio often hold hands as we travel from place to place. It all started when Sofia was just a newborn and lucky for me thier love has only grown stronger. I promise, there are few moments that get better than this...

Making Cookies!

I'm not too sure what we were celebrating or if I was able to conjure up an excuse for my sweet tooth in my mind cookies were the answer. So I started to gather the things I needed to make some cookies and my little chickens came over to see what I was doing. I knew that it was a risk having them help me but I was feeling incredibly patient so I went for it. I picked up my little ones and we started making some cookies. Much to my surprise they were doing fantastic. Everyone was happily taking turns and attentively watching the others contribution. I was thrilled. I think that my favorite part was when I cracked the eggs and "we" poured the yolk inside the bowl. My kids barely had a finger on the egg and yet there was such accomplishment in their face when the yolk came out. I LOVED IT...but little did I know that it was only going to get better from there.

Mami's Little helpers. They did wonderful, the only temptation came with the last 1/4 of a cup.

"Sofia, put the stuff in there", Sergio Arturo.

She had this face for a while....(long enough for me to notice, laugh about it, run to get my camera, focus, and take a picture) then she turned to staring at the chocolate....uh oh.

Finally she went for it...sneaky Little Girl! I knew that you were up to something!
And the love of Chocolate begins...why do I doom my children?

Rain, rain...time to play?

So let's be honest I'm one of those mom's that has a hard time getting dirty. ----Sonia, Melissa, calm down. I know that I wasn't always this way but can't a girl change? I was ONLY a wee girl :).-----Anyways back to those who don't know me as well as my sisters. I don't mind if the kids get all guewy but ME? Eh...I don't know. Granted most of the time I suck up my crazy ideals and just go for it. But lately I've been thinking about lots of unusual things.

For instance, for some time now I've been hankering to play in the rain. Maybe because me and Sonia did it a lot growing up...I don't know. But then my thought led to if I'm thinking this I bet Sergio Arturo has been dying to get his feet wet. He does love a good puddle and unfortunately for him we usually find them on days we are going to church. So one rainy day I just went for it. I told Sergio to get ready because he and Sergio Arturo were going to go out and play in the rain. Deep down inside I really wanted to go to but Sofia was going a little crazy and I thought that it would be a good father son moment. Sergio, my husband, was a little shocked and a little hesitant but lucky for me he is usually up for anything so in less than five minutes they were out in the rain. Oh you should have seen Sergio Arturo. He was so giddy. No puddle was safe in his path and the rain that dripped from the house doubled as a shower head. Oh it was great to see the love that my husband has for his son and the fun that they can have together, even in the rain.

My Walking Monkey...

I promise. I was and am still as surprised as you are that Sofia is now an expert walker. She is a crazy little girl but I deep down inside I knew that she was just waiting until the right moment to show us what she knows. Sneaky Little Girl!

It happened on the 17th of Aug. We were wrapping up our Sunday when Yheymi started calling to Sofia and UH, HELLO... 8 steps with out falling? What?!?

Sergio wasn't that happy that I was insisting on video of his little princess while she was A-LA-NATURAL... so I put some clothes on her...

Thank You Children...

As a mother I feel that we all have the right to be over joyed by the simplest accomplishments. Personally, it could be that we made the bed before noon that day or that we found the time to shower before we presented ourselves to the public. However, when it comes to our children the feelings are so much more than words can describe. I often find myself thinking that it's impossible that there could be a child "cooler" or as "smart" as my little ones. Silly I know. But there is something that makes me so proud and yet humble all within the blink of an eye. At our stake leadership training we spoke of Christ and his love for all children. In scripture we find that He, unlike many, calls to them to be by His side, to hear His word, and to be blessed. Why. Why would he call all of the little children to come forth when he has multitudes of adults ready to receive His word. In my opinion, it is because it is only the spirit of a child that can clam some of the hardest of hearts. It is only a child that can beckon the call to repentance with one single glance or one sweet Innocent response. I know this because it is something that takes place all too often in my own life. I am grateful that I have the determination to rise my son and daughter in a righteous home complimented with righteous actions and with that said I am and will forever be in debuted to my children for reminding me of the principals that I have tried to teach.

Sergio Arturo, you are right.

• I shouldn't have had an attitude with Papi. And thanks for reminding me that all I have to do is say I'm sorry and he'll feel better.
• We did forget to say our personal prayers. Thank you for the reminder.
• Singing "Follow the Prophet" in Forte, no matter the location, shouldn't bother me. I should be grateful that are excited to know the song.***Lucky for me I learned this one after the first WalMart visit***
• I should laugh because being frustrated only causes heart ache.
• Love is unconditional....I know that even if I just gave you time out for 10mins and took away Blues Clues for a week that you will still give me a hug and kiss only seconds later.

Sofia, yep, you're right too.

• Life is lived better when you're the first to smile.
• Brothers are hard to understand sometimes but they are always there to make you smile, even when your crying.
• Your first time out was hard for the both of us. Thank you for not holding a grudge.
• Singing is the cure for almost any ailment.
• We should always be alert and be able to recognize the whispers of the spirit. (I figured this one out when I realized that Sofia could recognize Julia by her footsteps.)

I could and would go on forever if I could. I thank the Lord every chance I can get for my children and when I stray and block out to whom they really belong oddly enough it's my children that call me to repentance. They are the best decision that Sergio and I have made. I know that to be true because it was a decision that was met with heart felt prayer, fasting, studying and faith that even though to the world we weren't and still aren't ready for children that the Lord in His ultimate wisdom knew that this is His PLAN.

Does anyone else want to add to my plate?

The reason for my month long absences is one that I wish I was making up but my incapability of sleeping well, my tear filled nights in the corner, the white hairs that have become more predominate and my tired eyes are all proof of my reality. Never in my life have I ever aspired to be a working mom. I knew that I just couldn't do it. Mainly because of the fact that I've always had the tendency to put all my time and energy in on one thing hoping to make it perfect while letting everything else slip. I know that being a mother is the one thing that I can't let slip but this past month I feel like that is exactly what has happened.

Let me begin with a little background. We have been living with Sergio's parents since December 2006 and since then I've always known that they have had their money difficulties. As the months past and I finally got the hang of being a first time mom I started to notice that things with my in laws finances were worse that I thought so I made an attempt to help get them a little more organized. The result was a lot of screaming and a lot of heart ache on my part so I took a step back. Then in Nov of 2007 my father in law extended his stay in Mexico and since he was the one completely in charge of the finances my mother in law was lost. There was no organization and from the looks of it they were behind in just about everything. So she spoke with me and asked for help. I couldn't say no. They had done so much to help my family and as I spoke with Sergio about it he reminded me that not everyone has the gifts and talents that I have. That maybe this was my opportunity to be the fisher and to teach someone to fish. So I spent two months opening mail, making files, having family meetings, punching numbers and collecting cards. Now my in laws run their own business so taking on their finances not only meant their household finances but the business aspect as well. So I have a lot on my plate. The good thing is that even though my in laws have made some bad choices the consequences have never wavered their faith. And with that faith and devotion to Our Lord and Savior we have been able to pay off over 15 debts and I testify to you that there is no way on earth that I or anyone else can claim that we have come this far because of one specific person. It was the Lord. My in laws were humbled, they repented, they changed their ways and they called upon to Lord make up for what they lacked.

So with that said (sorry it was a little long) in June my in laws had a family emergency down in Mexico and told me that they were going to be gone for a week and a half. Of course my first thought were not completely supportive because they have a business to run and just leaving it up to our secretary in my opinion wasn't fair and wasn't going to help them pay their bills. But as Sergio consistently reminds me....everyone isn't like me and very few think the way I do....so I held my tongue and they left.

They headed out on a Wednesday morning and I was left to "man the fort" for the next couple of days (our Secretary was out that week) so I helped where I could but I felt incredibly overwhelmed so after the first day I kinda threw in the towel and decided to start a project that I knew I could handle.**** Call it a death wish or a cry for added stress but it seems like every time my mother in law takes off that I try to get something accomplished that has been on HER to do list for months. Honestly I really enjoy surprising people with organization in hopes that the end result will take that pressure off of their shoulders.**** So I cleaned out and organized her food storage, pantry, and ALL of her cooking appliances and dishes. It took me abut a week to get everything done and put in it's place. On paper it doesn't sound that difficult but I was doing this in between calls, crys ad paper work. Stressful, yes but my light at the end of the tunnel was the fact that my in laws were going to be back that Saturday. But that didn't happen.

They called our Secretary and told her that they were going to be staying for another week. I was upset and disappointed. Then to add to my plate I on Sunday it was my 1st counselor's last Sunday in Primary, my 2nd counselor (who had been gone to South Africa for 6mths with the promise to come back) was released because her family was being sent to Mexico for 1 year, and all of the names that I had discussed with the Presidency for possible candidates were either already taken or shot down. What was I going to do? Then to make my heart hurt a little more my former 2nd counselor didn't seem too enthused to say hi. I thought that we had become ok acquaintances but I guess I've found another---It's nice and fun to say hi but that's just about it friend. I'm probably way off.

Anyways the first week that my in laws were gone was hard but nothing compared to week week 2: The phones were going crazy, I dealt with unsatisfied and upset clients, I was trying to keep and comply with our new and returning clients, I was practically stalking those who hadn't fulfilled their end of the contract, I was dealt blow after blow in regards to their bills, I struggled to find time to type up, print out and mail out all the new contracts and some how feed and bathe my children, fulfill my calling and keep our home maintained. It was a lot to swallow all at once. I wanted everything to just be done with but my in laws had to stay for an additional week.

I couldn't handle it. Sergio and I were constantly fighting (at least that's what I felt like) and my kids were turning to the TV for company. There were so many things that were gushing through my mind and yet I felt like there was no one there to pressure me to talk like Karon would. Yes Sergio was there but he's a guy and of course he knows me best but sometimes you just need a woman and not just one on the phone but in person. I guess that's one of the things that I miss most about college life. Having someone there that demands more than just your habitual one word responses....

The night they came back I they knew I had many things to say and thankfully they let me say them all. I couldn't hold back the tears of pain, anguish and relief. I told them my fears, concerns, and disappointments. It was so much so that as we ended the night kneeling in prayer I was overcome with nausea and one of the biggest head aches that I've ever had. I felt terrible. My mother in law gave me a treatment and the pain slowly subsided.

You know now that I have the opportunity to reflect on it I guess I felt like I had to take on all of the responsibilities of my own life as well as the responsibilities of my in laws. Obviously it was more than I could bear. I just thank the Lord that I got though it without completely messing things up. I did what I could and pleaded to the Lord to get me through the rest.

Can I go to Melissa's House?

So my wonderful sister Melissa came for a visit during the weekend of the fourth of July. It was a really nice break for me to see my sister and her kids again. You know I hate to admit it but when I was younger I use to be SO embarrassed of Melissa. I thought that she was super lame and I never got why everyone else liked her and I didn't. Pretty Terrible huh. Luckily (for me) I was able to over come my teenage thinking and come to the realization and acceptance that my sister is really truly funny and she has an incredible ability to draw people into her circle. You know I'm not too sure if many know this but I owe my sisters a lot. Melissa stepped up early and took the responsibility to help my dad raise me. She took a lot from little girl who didn't understand and resented the fact that her older sister was trying to act like her mom. I may not remember a lot about my childhood but I do know that I wasn't the easiest sister to live around. And to make me feel even smaller (in a good way) and my debt that much larger Melissa, to this very day, still continues to put up with me and give all that she has. Thanks Melissa. I know that I don't say it often enough but you are the jam in my PBJ sandwich :) ....hey I had to do something...this was getting way too mushy!:)

Anyways I put this video in to prove the magical power that Melissa and her little family has on my kids.

Everyone needs a little help looking beautiful....Thanks Jess