Diego is TEN

Today my baby boy is 10 years old! Time flies for sure. When he was born I was scared out of my mind. That the tiny 6lb 2oz bundle coming home with us was my responsibility. I had to care for him, love him, teach him, discipline him and share far more experiences with him than I knew I was in for. Loving him was the easy part.

He was a happy baby.  Never cried never fussy. (Okay maybe once or twice) As soon as he was a toddler he was off. Talking way before most babies talk. Dancing. Potty trained at 18 months. This kid was ready to be an adult by the age of 2. And I always wondered... am I doing okay? Is he going to grow up and be a good man? Someone people admire and respect?

When he became a brother even at 2 years old you could see the person he was becoming. He adored his sister and immediately took the brother role. He protected her and wanted nothing more than to be around her, protect her, and see her happy. 2 more sisters later he is still this way with each one of them.

He loves his Mama. I know all my babies love me but I am not sure if it's cuz he is a boy or because he is Diego but he loves me more than anyone I know. He wants to please me and see me happy. He is my other half around here. Without him I couldn't function. He helps me in so many ways physically and emotionally. And he takes this on like its nothing. Most kids dont have a care in the world. And as much as I try and make him just be a child and play and get into trouble and just not care and let loose. It is just not Diego.

So here we are... I have spent a decade with this boy. I've seen him deliriously happy. I have seen his heart break. I have seen him take on things that children shouldn't have to deal with. And each and every time he is the one who is teaching me something. All along I thought it was me who had to mold him but in truth I can't take credit for him. He was born as great person. Everything he is, is him alone. He is naturally a person that people admire and a respect. God gave him these qualities and I stand by in amazement because I dont know what I did to be so lucky to be a witness to how awesome he is. I REALLY don't.

We had a conversation recently about parent child roles and I tell him its so hard to be a parent to him because I feel like when we have conversations with him... his daddy and I... he understands everything and is so mature. I told him, "Diego when you were born our job was to take care of you. Teach you. Raise you. And your job is to learn from us and become a great man. Instead you already have knowledge within you to be a great person and we stand by here and watch you with our hands up because all we can do is surrender." He replied,  "Mom you had me at a very young age. You were still in high school. But you finished and set an example... so whats wrong with me and you growing up together and learning from eachother? Then we can teach the girls to be good people. I can help." This kid is  amazing. Seriously.

I love you my son. Happy birthday! I hope today we can make you a bit as happy as you have made me and your Daddy! You are our everything!

8 years

I really can't believe that my son is 8 years old today. Really? I know I say this like every year but this year it's just a little harder to swallow for some reason! I can remember in detail like it was yesterday the day he was born. I can remember specific conversations word for word. I can play it in my head like a movie. It's really very crazy to me. 8?! I wish time would slow down. That means I have been out of High School for 8 years! I had him 2 months before graduation! Yeah pretty crazy that my H.S. reunion is like 2 short years away. Oy!

But back to my son...

I guess all I want to do is remember him the way he is RIGHT this second. Because if 8 years went this fast then 8 more can fly by in the blink of an eye.

{Diego}

Diego is the oldest of 4 and the only boy. And he lives this role. He is a leader. He is a take charge type of person. He is very orginized and responsible. He loves to be this way. He helps me with the girls, he gets on their cases when they aren't listening, he tries to make everyone around him lives easier. If I am cooking he helps, he cleans the table, he feeds his baby sister, he sits the girls down and helps serve them. And he does all this without asking. He is the most helpful, compassionate, caring, and mature child I have ever known.

He lives to please others, to serve others and to make my life as easy as possible. He does this not for rewards, or praise, just purely because he genuinely wants to see everyone around him happy. I don't know how many times in a day he will ask me, "Mom what can I do to help you?" "Let me help you!" He takes on so much responsibility on himself that I have to stop him many many times and tell him, "Diego you are not the parent, I am... so please just be a kid!" If we are at dinner he will make sure the girls and I all have what we need before he will even sit down. I had to ask him to sit and eat a few times and he still gets up to serve juice, get napkins, push Arielle's chair in, or make sure I have a drink too. And sometimes as I go to sit down I will say, "Oh I forgot the cheese (insert anything I forgot here)!" And he will automatically jump up and grab it before I have a chance to. He cleans up the girls plates, he gets his and Alayna's stuff ready for school the next day. I mean I can go on and on about how amazing this kid is.

They say a Mom has a special relationship with her son. That boys love their Mamas in a unique way... a love that's hard to describe. I know exactly what they mean. He will make a woman very happy someday. He has the upmost respect for women. He tells me everyday that he loves me. Without fail. He tells me everyday how much he appreciates what I do for him and the girls. It's not always in the same way but it can be a hug he gives me out of the blue and says Thank You Mom. Sometimes when I am working on bow orders he will come over and ask me to take a break... he will then voluntarily give me a massage or rub my feet. Yes. He does this all on his own. At various times thoughout the day he will check in on me to make sure I am not hungry, thirsty, or need anything. It's wonderful to know that my son, merely a little boy, can appreciate me for who I am... the good and the bad.

I still to this day don't know what I did to get so lucky?! If you know Diego personally you know exactly what I am talking about... I am sure anyone can vouch for me on that! I am so glad I get to be a part of this little boys life... Diego will do great things I just know it. He is the most humble and caring person. And his determination to be a GOOD person, a genuinely GOOD person, is incredible. He has told me many many times he wants to eventually help as many people in the future. What he will do is unknown but this boy has it in him to succeed in anything he chooses.

Diego,
Mommy still can't believe you're 8! Please don't grow up too fast.
I want to hold on a little longer to the boy who isn't afraid to kiss his Mom in front of his friends.
The boy who shows me off to the world like I am a prized possesion.
The boy who isn't afraid to stand up to people at school who mess with his sisters, who isn't afraid to stand up for other kids who are being bullied, and who isn't afraid to defend himself against teachers and principals who question why he got into an altercation with another little boy who was bullying.
You my dear have a kind heart.
A selfless heart.
A heart of gold.
I appreciate you everyday of my life. You make me prouder than you can ever imagine.
Thank you for being you... amazing you.
Love, Mom

Joe Cool's 51st... err... 11th Birthday!

My Dad said today "If Life begins at 40... then that makes me 11 today!" Yup my Daddy-O is another year older. But he ages rather nicely don't you think?



I invited some family over and we had coffee and cakes/mexican bread in honor. There was a plethora to go around. And we sang him Happy Birthday.



And he got not one, not two, but three new outfits! Score!







But sorry Dad... the stars of the night were these three:

Atalie: "Laila is that you? You look almost as beautiful as me!" Laila: "Atalie! How dare you steal my shirt... it's my favorite!"


Ramon: "Oh my Gaaahhh what do these people have on their heads!"


Ramon: "Oh Mom if I ever needed you it would be now... get me out of here please!"


"What does Ramon know? We're hot."

Nichole's 23rd Birthday!

My sister turned 23 so she decided she wanted to go out to Westgate. It was an all girls night and we had a blast! A blast may be an understatement. We bar hopped... started off at Calico Jacks Cantina, heard it was a good place. Some of us ordered some appetizers and some ordered drinks. The drinks were way expensive for the tiny glasses they came in! Not to mention the one my sister got tasted like Robitussin... nasty! The food way okay. The service wasn't that great. The atmosphere was kinda borning. And above all the chairs were hard and out butts were hurting after like 5 minutes! So we paid and got out of there.

Hello Westgate! The FUN has arrived!


My sister Nichole the Birthday girl and I


My Bestie Tiffany and I


Me and my Aunt Kika


Me and my cousin-in-law Sindi


Denise and I. Denise is my Mom's Best Friend :)


Me and the BEST sister-in-law ever Jennifer!


Ladies!




Falsies! That's how we roll...


Last year for my sister's birthday we went to Saddle Ranch and we loved it there so our next stop was Saddle Ranch. Got some drinks... bigger and better! We spent the majority of the night there. Talking, laughing, taking millions of pictures. Really having a good time.

Sisters at the Saddle Ranch








Group Shot!


Made Nichole take some shots


At midnight some of the girls went home because they had to work and such. By this time everyone had a good amount of drinks and fun and we were in the mood to dance. Although they play hip-hop music videos all night there's no where to really dance. So we decided lets head out.


Next stop was McFaddens. I hadn't been there but ever since it opened I had wanted to go. See the problem is though I never get out. One, because I have 4 kids and it's SO hard to get a babysitter. But even if I did... my husband hates going out dancing. He hates clubs, bars, anything of the sort. And although I can't do it all the time... it's nice to go out dancing once in a while. So I was excited about going. We walked over and let me tell you the last 2 hours of our night were the best! The place is cool, they dance on the bar a la Coyote Ugly style. They have a live Dj and lots of dancing. The people were interesting. It was just party atmosphere and we had a blast.





My aunt made me take a Patron shot... it was brutal. I spit half of it out back into the cup LMAO! I'll stick to what I like next time.






After all was said and done we had my Dad be our DD and he picked us all up and shuttled us all home. It sure was an adventure but it was so much fun! And we have MANY stories now!

The Brother Turns 32!

He's getting so old!



My brother turned 32 so my sister-in-law invited a few people over for some hot dogs and hamburgers. He wasn't supposed to know about it. It wasn't anything fancy but since he was at work all day we figured we'd just all show up and have a little gathering. Well he ended up finding out anyway. LOL And he thought it was so funny. Oh well... it wasn't that big of a deal anyway... but it sure was funny.

I didn't take many pictures because my camera died. Who does that? I don't think my camera has every run out of battery on me. But thats what I get for not making sure it was charged. Oh well.

Ramon & Daddy




Happy Birthday Time!


...You belong in a zoo... you look like a Monkey... And you smell like one too!


Cracking up cuz Juanito blew out the candles before he even got a chance too.


High Five Son! Thanks for helping!


Jr wanted to be the first to give him a gift...


Happy Birthday Brother!

My Husband is 24!

Happy Birthday My Love!

Today my husband turned 24 years old. Aww he's getting older!

So to celebrate I made Enchiladas per his request. And a few other family memebers as well. And I planned on making him a cake but due to technical difficulties I ended up just buying two small little cakes for him.

And we sang Happy Birthday!






And he shared with the kids... how nice!


And Arielle kept seeing him serve people so she kept going back up and asking for more even though she had a piece in her plate. She did it like 3-4 times and he had to pretend to give her more each time. Then she walked away happily.


Then he got a few gifts:

His sister gave him 2 shirts and 2 pairs of jeans to go with them! Awesome cuz he needs clothes!




And these are from Diego and Alayna




And then while Arielle and I were out shopping for his gift yesterday (just her and I) she caught sight of this box and asked me for it. And I said no. Then she got sad and walked over and picked one up. And then she said "Peas Mommy?" So I thought... Well... she did pick up the white cheddar ones and they are one of Jr's favorite snacks... okay you can get them and share with Daddy. And she was happy. :)


So it was a nice day with a few friends and family.

We're actually celebrating his birthday and my Grandpa's birthday with Carne Asada on Saturday so it was just something small for now.

I hope he doesn't expect another gift from me!