You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. This is my Family.

Fact for Friday

2011-01-21T09:15:00.001-08:00

Brooklyn Bagel Deli is HEAVEN!

January 2011

2011-01-19T13:36:00.000-08:00

3 Special events happened this month

January 1st 2011

My sister became Mrs. Braswell... The wedding was amazing and I am so proud of her.

Also on this day Ryan became 100% potty trained ( a day I thought would NEVER come!)

January 16th 2011

Alexis Ann turned a sweet and sassy SIX years old. I am excited to see what this year will bring us. It amazes me how much she has grown from this little baby girl to such a smart and intelligent lady.

May 2010????

2010-05-02T15:01:00.000-07:00

What? No way May 2010 is already here.... It seems like growing up you can't wait for the time to pass, now coming from a mother I want to stop time in its place. Julia is 10.5 months old now and she is the most wonderful child every imaginable. Alexis and Ryan are thriving and doing so well, they have a love/hate relationship but would be lost without each other. Over the last 7 months God and worked wonders and brought me to an awesome Small Group family and for them I will be forever grateful. My rocks when I need rocks, my shoulders when I need shoulds, they are always there even when facing problems of their own!! =)

I have also taken on a new endeavor- Thoughtfully Themed Parties

I hope these next few months I will have time for work and family and new adventures in my life while trying to overcome and learn to let go... When one door closes another one opens, yet its so hard to actually allow that door to close. Praying for all those that are struggling in life and need that extra prayer, you know who you are and you always are with me in my thoughts.. =)

On a better note, my baby sister will be getting MARRIED Jan 2011, I am sooo trilled and excited for her, she is awesome and she deserves the best!!!

Congrats Jennifer and Corey!

2010 MS walk!

2009-12-14T14:42:00.001-08:00

Last year I attended my first walk for Multiple Sclerosis, I had a close friend join me with our 4 year olds and it was a blast! I am hoping with this year I can recruit more people to walk. It does NOT cost anything to walk, but donations are accepted. I would love the support of those that would like to walk! It was a great overall event this past year. Entertainment, free food and just a wonderful feeling going across the finish line. If anyone would like to join please email me at mom2lexnryn@aol.com. The date is Saturday April 10th.. Lets make it a date!!

Visit my website by clicking HERE

WE HAVE TEETH!

2009-12-07T15:14:00.001-08:00

Miss Julia Marie now has 2 teeth. I never figured my child would have teeth before learning to roll over. =) Her first tooth(the bottom left) came in Wednesday Decemeber 2, 2009 and her bottom right followed 2 days later. She is handling it like a champ. It amazes me how quickly she is growing up!

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-12-07T14:52:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving 2009 was really nice this year, My cousin and myself cooked dinner for the family. I am glad I had many days to spend with my cousin It was a nice time to sit and chat with friends and family while filling up our bellies with warm food. Below are some pictures of the Holiday events!

Halloween (better late then never)

2009-11-30T12:40:00.000-08:00

Halloween this year was a lot of fun. Ryan had a blast, Alexis was something other then a princess (which made mommy happy) and we all had a lot of candy to share! Julia enjoyed the walk in the stroller and seeing all the kids walking around.

Kids ready to go!

Julia's picture time!

Out in the neighborhood!

Ryan loved the deecorations.

Julia relaxing in her strollerAfter trick or treating its snack time!

Loving the hat, did not want to take it off!

Miss Julia

2009-08-19T22:18:00.000-07:00

My little girl is 2 months old today!! (8/19/09) We am so very blessed to have her in our lives and I can't believe how fast she is growing! I have to admit we all agree that she is a great addition to our family!

Julia watching daddy play Guitar Hero

Miss Julia

My pretty little girl!

Watching daddy

Clean baby!!

The new addition in the household

2009-08-18T22:32:00.000-07:00

That would be baby Guitar Hero! Not only is it fun but it is an awesome Daddy sitter =). Raf is like a kid in the candy store, It is so awesome to see him actually enjoying something so much lately! It brings a smile to my face =).

We all wanted seconds!

2009-07-14T21:41:00.000-07:00

HERE I AM!! I have been missing in the blog world but I am here to say I am back in action! I have a lot of catching up to do! I can't think of a better way to get back in the motion of things then to post about food!

So I was sitting here the other day thinking I needed to spice up dinner once again and I was searching the Internet for some yummy recipes and I decided to take a look at this website called Home Ec 101, its a website I have been very fond of for some time now. They have some awesome recipes!! I once used their weekly planned out recipes and they were all a hit with me and the kids, Raf didn't care for some of them.(then again hes harder to please then the rest of us) I came across some similar planned meals that they were suggesting with great feedback- Check it out here. The first one I tried which went over great was "Quick Pasta Carbonara" and we all wanted seconds, it was absolutely delish! I cant wait to pick another one and give it a shot!

38 Weeks and still Pregnant!

2009-06-12T15:12:00.000-07:00

Today I am 38 weeks, which to some isn't so bad, but since Ryan was born at 37.2weeks I just KNEW I wouldn't make it this far this time.. I am now realizing how Ryan's pregnancy was a fluke and this baby may never come out! I was 3-4 cm at my appointment last Wednesday but I am not having strong or regular contractions so we have not made a trip to the hospital yet. I really want to meet this little boy or girl. I bet this stubborn baby is a little girl since Alexis was stubborn and born at 38.5 weeks. I was sick at the beginning of this week so I have been playing catch up with house work. Besides the kids room the house is baby ready. We even have all our bags packed. Now its just a sit and wait game, Hopefully I can post soon with a birth story!

Little Update

2009-06-05T13:13:00.000-07:00

I have been slacking on updating so here is what is new with us. My Maternity leave from work officially starts on Monday, which means tomorrow will be my last day. I am super excited to be home with the kids, and doing some last minute things before the baby arrives. Alexis is very excited to see if this baby is a boy or girl, She has been hoping for a girl the entire time! Ryan has enjoyed kissing my belly and saying "baby". We have been teaching him how to be nice to some of the dolls around the house also, I'm very excited to see exactly how he will react! I have some pictures from Memorial Weekend, the kids had a blast swimming and playing with their cousin!

RYAN'S ROAD RASH

ALEXIS ENJOYING THE WATER

RYAN HUNTING FOR ANTS

SWIMMING LIKE A BIG BOY

CHILLING IN THE SPA

ALEXIS AND RILEY--BEST COUSINS

2009-05-09T13:09:00.000-07:00

Dear Mom,

There isn't a day that goes by that I do not think of you or miss you. I wish you were here with me so I could come to you with questions about my own kids. I know God has a plan but he took you to soon from us and for that my Kids will never meet their "Grandma Carleen". I pray that you are watching over me everyday, I have noticed I have picked up some of your parenting habits(both good and bad).

Holidays are just not the same anymore--Not having you here to buy a gift for or to celebrate is very hard for me to handle. Some holidays are harder then others but NONE are easy. Alexis is a wonderful child, from what I have heard she is very much like me, I know you would adore her! Ryan is a pistol all in his own world, nothing can slow him down. Alexis knows that you are in Heaven now and that you are God's Daughter, she very much wants to grow old so she can meet you (bless her heart).

I don't want to dwell on the things that can't be, I want to celebrate the life that you lived and the 3 beautiful children you birthed! I want to laugh about the good times we had, the moments that I will always remember, I want to pray that I will leave these memories in the minds of my children. I want to have hopes and dreams that I can see them through life even when they are grown. I have these hopes and dreams because of the mother you were. We did not always see eye to eye, we did not always get along but we always had that bond that you cannot break between a mother and a daughter! I will be eternally grateful for the years we did get to share and the many memories I will carry with me for the rest of the my life. I am Thankful that you are my Mother, My very own mother!!

Carleen Ann
Loving Daughter, Mother Sister and Women
March 18th 1965-June 9th 2003

We finally did it....

2009-05-04T17:06:00.000-07:00

We finally gave Ryan a BOYS HAIR CUT!!!!! I have held on to his long cirly hair for the last 21 1/2 months and it was just time for him to look like the handsome young man he is. I was ready for it to go as im sure he was. He can play without it all in his face or in on his neck, with the upcoming hot summer it was just time. He did very well, the lady that cut his hair was absolutly wonderful! He enjoyed playing with bubbles and watching Thomas on the tv while sitting in the firetruck seat. I took a lot of pictures in the last 6 months so I will always have memories of his beautiful curly hair. Here are some pics of his first "official" hair cut: (these were taken with my old camera.. lol)

Waiting for Ryans Turn

Playing with Bubbles

Sitting in the firetruck

He HAS A NECK!

MY big boy!

Handsome man!!

New Camera

2009-05-04T15:09:00.000-07:00

YIPPIE!! I Finally have a new camera, Nothing special just a point and shoot but considering my old one was purchased in Dec 04, I am thrilled! I purchased the Canon Sd790, and im in LOVE!! There are a million options, that I got bored reading about, so I will just brush up on what options I have from time to time. I have to say I thought I would always buy Sony Brand, based on how much I loved my old one. But after a test run from a dear friend over at Devastating the Obvious. I was sold on the Canon! Now I am in picture heaven and my children are tired of saying "CHEESE".

The True Stress Test

2009-05-02T10:42:00.000-07:00

Read before scrolling down::

I am not exactly sure how it works, but this is amazingly accurate.

The picture below has 2 identical dolphins in it. It was used in a case study on stress levels at St. Mary's Hospital. Look at both dolphins jumping out of the water. The dolphins are identical. A closely monitored, scientific study revealed that, in spite of the fact that the dolphins are identical; a person under stress would find differences in the two dolphins. The more differences a person finds between the dolphins, the more stress that person is experiencing.
Look at the photograph and if you find more than one or two differences you may want to take a vacation.

After seeing this study I will now be on vacation! =)

Tip for the day: Its okay to not take life serious sometimes, because nobody every gets out alive anyway

Fact for Friday~

2009-05-01T14:45:00.000-07:00

I DISLIKE GRUMPY MEN!!!

My little man is not so little!!

2009-04-24T08:54:00.000-07:00

Wednesday night was Ryan's first night in his toddler bed, He was just a couple days shy of 21 months. I did not think he would do so well. He never cried, but it does take him a bit longer to fall asleep. I mean which child would not like to get up and explore when all the lights are out? The only downfall is his WILD sleeping habits! I check on him throughout the night and he normally ends up on the ground, Here are a couple pics from his first night and his first nap-- I am not sure how any one can sleep like this. He is so innocent when hes sleeping, I can't help but chuckle at him for his craziness!

Ryan's First Night in his Big Boy Bed!

His first nap!

Hi/Lo Thursday

2009-04-23T13:31:00.000-07:00

Some High's this week:

Reading good updates in the Blog world
Being able to participate in the Remembering Noah Project!
Having great and much appreciated family time!
Ryan sleeping in his new TODDLER bed

Some Low's this week:

Emotional roller coast in regards to Raf's court date
Reading not so good updates in the blog world
Feeling left behind by some friends who just don't have time anymore.

Priceless Request

2009-04-23T11:22:00.000-07:00

Can you guys take a moment of your day to read up on "Project Remembering Noah" Over at Rachel's blog Sweet Angel Memories. One of the strongest people I have ever been oh so lucky to call my friend. She is doing something so inspirational and It would be awesome if you could say that you were part of it!!

Fun in the Sun!

2009-04-21T08:12:00.000-07:00

Sunday was a beautiful day! Alexis had soccer class and Ryan enjoyed himself by playing soccer with dad, playing on the slides and chasing gnats, Which he calls anything that flys "beeess".. we had a grand ole time. We all went home a little more red then when we showed up! Next Sunday I am packing sun Screen!! Here are some pics of the day

Cooling off with some Ice Cream!

Practicing our balance

Look at those red cheeks

Trying to Catch the Gnat

Dads Favorite Pic

Go Alexis Go!!

Cheese Silly Boy!

Practicing his soccer skills!

Cant get enough of the toys!

Belated Easter

2009-04-18T21:23:00.000-07:00

I am nearly a week late, but I have been know for that so its no big deal. Here are some pics of the kids on Easter and Easter Eve coloring eggs. Ryan had fun even though he tried drinking the dye--lol We had a good Easter Morning at church and then headed over to Raf's parents for so yummy grub!! I hope everyone had a good Easter as well!

Here are some pics from Easter Eve and Easter day Sorry for the overload! lol

Sibling Love

2009-03-17T15:11:00.000-07:00

When my son was born I never pictured what it was like as a mother to witness the sibling love between him and his sister. Even when they are always fighting I know that deep down they love each other and have a bond that cannot be broken. I have to treasure these moments--because as they get older im sure they will start to drift apart, I just hope that they know how important they are to each other.. Here are some pics to remind them--

American Idol here we come....

2009-03-07T11:36:00.000-08:00

Alexis enjoys singing songs and creating words to them while playing with toys or dress up and pretending she is a princess---Gotta love that imagination. Her newest song is from "Maggie and the Ferocious Beast" about Hamilton and his cardboard box.. Here is a video of her singing it, its semi dark because my camera is FOREVER old but it still does the job! =)

Interview With Alexis (4 yrs old)

2009-03-03T17:02:00.000-08:00

I have to jump on the interview Wagon!! Alexis didnt seem to know how to answer some of the questions but she did her best!

1. What is something your mom always says to you?
I love you
2.What makes your mom happy?
A hug and a kiss
3. What makes your mom sad?
Nothing
4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Jokes and silly things
5. What did your mom like to do when she was a child?
Do what i do
6. How old is your mom?
10
7. How tall is your mom?
"This tall" (stretching her hand from the ground to her head.
8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Play with me

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
PLay with Rafael
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Umm.. Being in a show (i didnt even know she knew what famous was!!)

11. What is your mom really good at?
On the computer

12. What is your mom not very good at?
Running

13. What does your mom do for her job?
Umm, go to work

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
mushrooms

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
When she does good stuff

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
A barbie in the diamond castle

17. What do you and your mom do together?
We play in my room

18. How are you and your mom the same?
Our hair is the same ( i think she means curly!)

19. How are you and your mom different?
We both dont have socks or shoes on or necklace or earings, or boobies.. (LOL)

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Because she does good things for me sometimes

21. What does your mom like most about your step-dad?
Playing with him

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
To the store and work (not my favorite by far, just the places I go the most!!! lol)

Attempt at trying new things

2009-02-21T12:22:00.000-08:00

We have a very boring dinner menu, mostly consists of Chicken Chicken and MORE chicken, throw in the occasional beef and Steak. I am trying to spice up dinner with new recipes, I found a WONDERFUL website (momswhothink.com) with simple meals and weeks menus already typed out and thought out for me, so I don't have to think, just shop and cook! We are doing the shopping tonight and I will adjust some of the sides to make it more "our family friendly", there are particular seasonings that we don't care for. But these are my dinners for the first week:

Day One:
TUNA CASSEROLE

Day Two:
BAKED PESTO CHICKEN
ANGEL HAIR PASTA W/HERBS
FRENCH BREAD

Day Three:
CHILI COKE ROAST
MASHED POTATOES
GARLIC GREEN BEANS

Day Four:
BACON AND CHEESE QUICHE
HOME FRIED POTATOES

Day Five:
HONEY PECAN PORK CHOPS
BAKED SWEET POTATOES
BUTTERED BROCOLLI

Day Six:
EASY CHICKEN STROGANOFF
ITALIAN BREAD
TOSSED SALAD

Day Seven:
BUBBLE PIZZA

I will admit, that there are cheats I will take along the way for example when I make the quiche it allows me to use pre-made pie quest, and I am all for that! I hope that some of these go over well.. I am thinking of grabbing some hamburgers just in case Raf doesn't care for something and I can make a quick hamburger for him. Off to make my shopping list, the simple things in life get me so excited! =)

I am a day late...

2009-02-20T09:57:00.000-08:00

Ryan 1st Haircut!!!

2009-02-15T18:15:00.000-08:00

I think everyone already knows the story.. I came home from work and my son that I once knew was gone and replaced was a boy lacking his hair that I so much loved!! Granted I knew Ryan would be getting his hair cut soon I just thought I would be there to witness it =) Here is a before picture and some after ones, I tried my best to get some good ones..

BEFORE

AFTER

Here Are some other angles

Hump day!

2009-02-11T13:59:00.000-08:00

Today is Wednesday aka hump day (since the week is almost over) We had a very blessed past 2 days! Court turned out well, we go back in June, the drs appt went well. I may have updated some via email but I will repost the outcome of the appt..

We have our u/s with the specialist today and it was amazing seeing the baby in such high quality compared to just the routine machine. Baby looked great, blood flow was good, heart beat was 140's. Still did not ask for the sex =)

It was confirmed that I have a Circumvallate placenta, where the outside ring of the placenta curls and grows up instead of being attached to the wall like the rest of it. He did say that it is very low risk and dont let anyone convince me otherwise. I will have more ultrasounds throughout the pregnancy to watch the baby's growth because the entire placenta is not attached to the wall there is a chance that the normal flow of nutrients are disturbed which will cause the baby not to grow at a normal rate.. There is a slight chance that the curled area of the placenta can continue to grow up eventually detaching which would cause for an emergency c section but the risk is very low and they will be able to determine by the following ultra sounds the condition of the placenta.

Our next u/s is March, I will keep you all posted.. I am very glad that this turned out not to be as serious as the damn Internet said! lol

I just want to say thanks for those that have been praying and giving me positive thoughts the last week! Now that these 2 days are over we can focus on Ryan's hair cut! haha

Hitting the bottom or taking a turn for the top?

2009-02-09T15:15:00.000-08:00

Do you ever go through life wishing for the best, praying for the best then all of a sudden it seems like you ran 100 MPH into a brick wall, and everything is now out of your control?

Thats how I feel our life is right now. I am doing my best to pray and stay positive but sometimes that doesn't even seem within reach.. We have recently discovered that "our" plans for our family and life are not the same that God has for us because he has thrown us a HUGE curve ball in this game called life.

All I can do is tell ourselves is that God's plan must be a lot more beneficial and will take us to higher and greater places.. On that note, Maybe there is a positive side to every dark negative situation.

Slacking

2009-02-07T16:24:00.001-08:00

I know I have been a total slacker with keeping up with the blog, Life has been nuts here recently!! I will make it my blogger promise to keep more current posts =)..

New this week:

Ryan's First hair cut =)
U/S appt to look at the placenta--(send some prayers our way)
The big bomb, Raf's court date... (once again send prayers)

Here are some pics of when my sister visited and Alexis 4th bday!!!

Ryan && my Sister

Gotta love that face

My sister, me && ryan

Alexis && Corey

Alexis && Aunty Jen

Alexis && her BFF Emily!

BIRTHDAY PRINCESS

PEACE OUT 2008!!

2008-12-27T15:34:00.000-08:00

Can you really believe it's already Dec 27th 2008? It seems like just last month Ryan was celebrating his 1st bday and learning how to walk and now next month my little girl is turning 4!!!! This yr has flown by like lightning, Wham Bam and thank you ma'am!

While I sit here and think I wonder what have i done this year that is so special? What have a really accomplished and what are my goals for next yr? Will i dare to eat sour kraut this new yrs at midnight to bring me good luck? At my going rate I just might give this a shot!

I remember welcoming in the yr Y2K . With my sister, we stayed up watching Nickelodeon until the wee hrs, at midnight we went and woke our mom! It was exciting. I remember how ppl thought we were done and the world would end now look, 2009 is literally days away. For those of you who are some of my closest friends you know what '08 has been like for me and I am SO THANKFUL that I get to start fresh in '09.

With the new yr I do get to celebrate my growing relationship with God, I also get to share this with my daughter! Hopefully I get over some trials that I am going through and overcome them and beat the odds. I tend to think that good things come to those who wait but sometimes you have to get out there and fight for what you want.

I wish the best wishes to all my great friends and family that have stood by me and continue to do so through the old yrs and new yrs to come.

PEACE OUT 2008 and WELCOME HOME 2009!!

Christmas 2008

2008-12-27T15:25:00.001-08:00

Christmas 2008, where do I begin? I guess I can say it was interesting at the least.. The kids had a blast, visiting family, preparing "meals" and the best of all, opening gifts!!! Here are some pics of them enjoying the day!

Ryan saying CHEESE with his new Truck!

Alexis with her new Ponies!

Ryan Riding his new horse!

Alexis giving it a shot!

Ryan eating dinner... Hungry hungry boy!

Alexis and her new kitchen!! So proud!

Coming to visit..........

2008-12-23T14:21:00.000-08:00

That would be my sister!!! My favorite sister in the world (granted shes my ONLY sister in the world). Her and her bf corey are coming in just about 2 weeks and are staying for a little over a week.. I'm sure we will have a blast.. Alexis is trilled that "auntie Jen" is coming to visit! She has her games already lined up! It will be nice to be a tourist a couple nites and go down to the strip and check out the new things going on. I know my sister is just as; if not more excited then me!!!

YAY to sisterhood!

Our Attempt at Holiday Treats

2008-12-22T12:50:00.001-08:00

Alexis and myself made a very successful attempt at holiday treats! We use this fabulous recipe from Heather's wonderful website (Home Ec 1010). Alexis had a great time rolling the balls out and she even made some "worms" for her and her brother..(even though mom is mean and he is not eating them) I have started to spread them around work since I cant possibly eat all of them! =) Alexis had a blast helping with the

mixing and mashing! She was a great help when it came to crushing all the graham crackers!! Our next stop is some muddie buddies.. The Chocolate and peanut butter recipe using chex mix!!!Yum I cannot wait!

Giving it a shot

2008-12-17T12:51:00.000-08:00

Well here it goes:
I have experienced a LOT of changes in my life in the past couple months. Some have been great, others seem to be more challenging, in the midst of it all I thought- "Heck what's one more challenge for me." So here I am creating a blog with my first entry.. Not much to say expect for that I hope I lead a life full of enough adventures to fill my blog pages =)