A piece of peace

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There are times when having twins and teens is challenging..... Summer is definitely one of those times. These smiling faces are truly the reason I wake up in the morning looking forward to the day. I love spending time with my kids and slowing down during vacation from the school year hustle.. but sometimes these little angels can take monkey see monkey do a little too far and drive me crazy. 

I have an echo on most occasions and have to confiscate electronics over and over... how do they keep finding all my hiding spots???? Most days its all I can do to keep it all together and think up a new activity to get everyone to relax and try and build a memory.This momma is ready for back to school like yesterday even though we have to wait till Monday.  

How are you holding it together the final stretch before back to school??

Here are a few almost free things we have done this summer to keep busy: 

Reading READING Reading is the go to activity. I mentioned confiscating electronics- this is what they can pick up instead- we read together too.

Took a drive to find a nice spot and star gaze.

Homemade coloring and drawing sheets using Sharpie and printer paper on hand.

Got kids in the kitchen -Basic skills like sandwich making and homemade pudding were a hit!

Kids can cook ! Snack and lunch prepping skills for kids was fun - and mom got a break! 

Planted vegetables and flowers in the garden and tended to them- learned about photosynthesis etc.

Tried a new spot for treats- Boba tea is definitely a new favorite! 

Made S'Mores indoors- We used a few methods including oven, BBQ, then a microwave- 

Twins voted micro method as best.

The marshmallows get insanely puffy and they can DIY!

Visited the beach! This is always the all time favorite- spend on gas but packed eats and drinks.

Today is the first day of tomorrow's new plan.....

I am looking at my motivational plaque from my bed ; post-exercise recovering from unprepared wedges and dress after work kind of spontaneous excercise.....

(( 😅Ok Im whining -but i really did have so much fun- This exercise I'm talking about was yesterday at Whole Foods Vineyard with my lady blogger friends- Thanks to @adeeafter30 for the invite- I'm down to be your +1 whenever!😀#bloggerevent #satxbloggers "Blogger Power Hour" #wholefoodssatx with @JOYridetexas))so fun we totally killed it - but I'm still so sore!!!!)

Its midnight and im thinking about the lactic acid building up on my fluscles-

 This is my 'made up' new term for people who use to have muscles and now are fluffy but strong- hence "fluscles" : I have them ..... do you?

Fluscles: Definition- Once fit and muscular layers on the human body covered in a delicious layer of fluffy decisions; Aka: fat- but the tight kind that remembers that it was once muscles.

😋your welcome --- now there's a word for you (and me)  

 I know i was excited too when I thought of it. 

Anyway i was contemplating my renewed mindset and my fluscles when i noticed i had been staring at my motivational plaque for way too long ........ really long ..... like an hour and decided that yesterday was a great workout and i feel motivated somewhere under the sore ......

But something about making my fat cry makes me sad today... it could be that I'm feeling vulnerable because I can barely move - I so "brought it" yesterday- or maybe it's the fact that I'm tired- or simply that I get distracted and start thinking about things like ways to describe myself other than fat..... I dunno but it's soooooooo not happening tonight.

So I handed my fat a hanky grabbed my remote and a glass of wine and decided to console my fluscles until tomorrow .... tonight this gal is not going to sweat it !!

lol.....Goodnight y'all

Welcome Winter wonderland

It was a cold monday morning nap- time and all  through the house not a twin tot was stirring not even a ....  Wait I hear twins giggling... What is that smell??? *sneeze*  Oh yes, that's right they were not napping my friends , no...
Whilst I was tiptoeing through or apartment December's Woman's Day magazine and who knows when I served myself this coffee in hand... being ever so careful not to make a sound...
My little double trouble angels had  somehow smuggled the baby powder, a whole bottle of baby powder into the others room and made a wonderful winter wonderland that to me now smells like baby fresh bottoms.

Much ads'o' bout nothing.....

So, as we all know Christmas is but heartbeats away, and with the kids gift shopping and wrapping done we are definately staying far away from stores, malls and shopping centers except for milk etc of course. Unfortunately, our television is becoming Mom and Dad's #1 enemy!! Seriously!! How many new toys will be added to the ever growing list?? What happened to "all I want for Christmas is my two front teeth".. albeit no one has lost any pearly white's lately... *sigh* Since I'm having a blogger tantrum anyway, what ever happened to children asking for simple things like a bike or skates??? No one said, hey kids Santa is a Millionaire so you can ask for the moon... like there are a zillion laptops lying around to be wrapped up for kids at the North Pole... *sigh* ok I'm done, I feel better! Phew! Now to have coffee with my bicycle guru.. :D

Can turkey make you sad ??

Thanksgiving is fast approaching and Christmas around the corner... This time of year makes me feel like I'm drowning in lost and neverending to do lists. Missed my sons school thanksgiving lunch, my best friends birthday, Sergiowas almost late to my daughters talent show, not sure if I forgot any thing for my community event planning for work, office potluck, kids club family luncheon, our thanksgiving with abe on overnight. He's the Thanksgiving guru, but I am thanking my lucky stars we will have my sisters company.

The wonderful memories of hugs and tables laden with favorite recipes of all families present sharing the work and the bounty and love flowing around the room like the warm glow from a candle. It was a time for sharing and reconnecting, a time for coming together and enjoying each other. I remember , the craziness before everyone arrived, and how impossible it seemed to make enough and make it all in time, and how as soon as everyone began to arrive all that melted away and smiles grew to abundance. It was wonderful.
I wish and long for this so much everyday.

I feel like today I'm drowning in regret and nostalgia and loneliness in my lil world full of people. Like I'm singing a sad song only I can hear. I need to find that person inside the one that knows how to pull it all off.

O M G

My Bicycle Guru suggested I read the title to this book today:

'Go the F**K to Sleep' by Adam Mansback.

After the juicy title.....I couldn't resist reading more.

I believe now she is a funny genius for sharing.
Thank you.

She blogs faithfully at http://thatluvelywife.blogspot.com/ ...

I didn't realize it was going to be depends worthy,
It was a masterful recounting of some parents every night, Ours definitely X2 children + twin tots - brilliant book!

Truly a winner for funniest adult read according to me :D

So hilariously inappropriate; I must have a copy.

You can purchase the book on Amazon.com
Here is the link:
http://www.amazon.com/Go-F-Sleep-Adam-Mansbach/dp/1617750255/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

Round and Round we go........

This has been another twin-riffic MOnday and I cant believe we managed to get everyone to bed on time. Bedtime is no surprise to anyone in this house, as it is the same time everyday and yet somehow all four of our children still manage to paste that look on their faces, and top it off with a "but Mom I didnt get to ____insert favorite missed opportunity here______" *sigh*

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Terrific Tuesday

We had marvelous plans for today. It was Abe’s day off and we could think of nothing better than checking out some new places off the beaten path here in San Antonio, Texas. We would wake up early, and we would faithfully mail out the girl scout cookies to my family in California. Then we would set out to the Army Surplus to rummage the racks of pea coats and window shop in the glass cases of “hardware". Then we would be off to explore a new gourmet shopping venue in Serna, Texas called Specs. We dreamt of casually strolling the isles of je ne se quoi, maybe a tasting, cheese and wine, or just a trendy treat. All of this was to add up to an afternoon of delight. 

Not to be so. Our day turned out to be neither terrific nor marvelous. We woke up late, still a little sick and it was raining with a bitter cold that could deter even the most determined. We definitely are no ordinary shoppers though, as we could be classified “a stubborn bunch”. So, the morning wore on, and I, as most extraordinary shoppers do, began to justify in my mind the kind of coats to be found in the Army Surplus, and a desperate need for stinky cheese.. I decided that for our health’s sake, we should all brave the elements and mosey on down the way and check it out anyway. All for one, and one for all, right? We put off the trip to the post office and drove down there to the Army Surplus. What do you know? It was no longer there. So much for nice wool navy blue matching pea coats.

Once we decided to ditch our plans for the morning and just go with the flow of traffic a while, things started looking up. We stumbled on a Boricua Market, and picked up some much craved foods, just like grandma made them back home. How can you go wrong with a couple of junta’s of pork and yucca pasteles, a Puerto Rico style tamale, and a fresh jar of Sofrito? Sofrito is a blended aromatic base of onion, cilantro, garlic, salt and pepper. It’s our cultures building block to almost every recipe. No stinky clean up in the kitchen to make it, either!  Fabulous! They even had a ‘ready to fry’ box of bacalaito, cod fritter mix. Tasty! Oh, and I can’t forget the batata, which is a sweet potato candied paste we picked up at the register. That store was a yummy reminder of childhood. After our little shopping spree, in now my favorite market, we headed home to put away our finds. It was then time to pick up the kids from school, and we realized that it had turned out to be a pretty terrific Tuesday after all.

Christmas Time is near... OMG it's here!

It's almost that time again, and I am running behind my to-do list as usual.. Where did I put those stamps? I can't believe another year has passed by! With the lights dimly lit I gaze at the christmas tree and reminisce about Christmas' past. Just a couple of years ago, I was putting up trees with friends at work and wondering what new holiday drama would unfold before the fateful day! I can almost taste the roast my grampa makes every year and smell the wonderful deserts all laid out for everyone to enjoy!

I remember my children would run around grama's house and just light up with laughter chasing each other and getting scooped up for hugs and kisses from family and friends. It's not the presents under the tree, or the hurried preparations that I remember most; It's everyone's smiles and all the warm hugs and the love filling the room that tears me up inside across the miles from home.

Don't get me wrong... We have love and laughter, sometimes even a roast. We are together, my husband, children (now four of them) and I here in Texas, and we are a family through and through, but I miss everyone so much. I feel so sad that we can't share the excitement and anticipation of new exciting things like the upcoming Christmas day with everyone.

Most days, as my wonderful husband leaves for work, I am happy and fulfilled, but around the holidays I can't help but think about all of the love and support I had when he was away working, and I can't further help but get misty eyed.

Yes, there are worse things, and I know that there is a reason for everything, and we had and have our reasons. We moved here to find ourselves, to build up our family, to stand on our own two feet, (well four if you only count the parents), and find our own rythm to life together. Now that we have found everything we came here hoping for I realize there is still a hole in my heart that only home can fill during the holidays and it kills me to be unable to travel. So I wish and wish and wish and wish... on the big bright Texas sky full of stars that our efforts and struggles will someday soon reap great rewards in the travel budget...

So until then..... if I cry at the light because Home for the Holidays came through so crystal clear on my radio, don't be alarmed, I just miss being home, I miss you all, so I'll quote a lil' of the song Theres No Place Like Home For The Holidays, it was written by Al Stillman, and the music composed by Robert Allen, who both must have felt just as I do right now when they put this song together, so as the song goes:

Oh, there's no place like Home for the holidays

'Cause no matter how far away you roam

When you pine for the sunshine Of a friendly face

For the holidays, you can't beat Home, sweet home.
I met a man who lives in Tennessee And he was headin' for

Pennsylvania And some home made pumpkin pie

From Pennsylvania folks a travelin' down

To Dixie'’s sunny shore

From Atlantic to Pacific,

gee The traffic is terrific.
Oh there's no place like home For the holidays,

'cause no matter How far away you roam

If you want to be happy in a million ways

For the holidays, you can't beat Home, sweet home.

It's New Years Eve, and there is nothing I would like more than to ring in the New Year with my Husband! This is the first year in about 4 years that he will be home from work in time for this particular holiday! I am so excited! I wish I had the time/funds/gusto to get all festive and make it super, like "party" special, but it'll just have to be togetherness special! That is absolutely what I wished for on Christmas!
Does anyone still faithfully do the whole resolution thing?? I have always put tons of thought into mine and then sidesaddled them just weeks and sometimes days after that fateful moment at Midnight! This year I really didn't think about it until a few moments before I sat down infront of the computer. I don't really have too many of the usual resolutions so to speak. I really hate being toooo traditional, but I still have this nostalgic need to make them nonetheless! My resolutions are a little on the classic side; To work harder on being healthy; To spend more "Quality"time with each of my children, and of course: To give 100% to everything I do, not just 99%! lol! I am especially vowing to myself just two things, to keep up with my interests outside of my family, (like scrapbooking, blogging, drawing and painting, my appearance and reading) and to keep up with my Husband, ie: take more time to do things together that are fun! Not so much that it takes away from our children, but since the twins were born it has been really difficult to see beyond the "schedule". I will work harder to make sure we have as much free time as possible, and network for a sitter that we can trust! I wish I could say I will positively do these things, but as most resolutions go I can only do my best and hope that they don't get put on the side burner by March! lol!

JINgle BeLLs

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OOOHH! We all had such a happy Halloween!! The babies slept through most of it, but they seemed to enjoy all the attention! It was a bunch of fun to get all the kids all dressed up and cute! I cant wait for next Halloween already! In my opinion we have too few nights where people can dress up and just be anything you want to be as well as get free candy! lol!

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So far!

Babies! They are getting so big! Evie and Sebi are over 10 lbs now and they are starting to roll around and gurgle and coo more and more everyday! I love the little faces and the new sounds that they are making ! I even love the new cries that they have found! I can't wait to hear and see the new stages everyday, forget being tired!
Alex and Kathy are doing soooo good, Alex is even chillin out in school a little! Kathy's teacher said that she is the best in the class, and Alex's teacher says he's such a sweet boy and that he's trying soooo hard!
I am excited about tomorrow because my Kathy is starting Math tutoring and choir tomorrow and she is so excited about it! I can't wait till she gets home to hear how it went! Alex is having a substitute teacher tomorrow so I am a little worried about what may happen tomorrow! With Alex, any little change and he can have a bad no good day! I will be here at home with my phone on my hip and my fingers crossed!

September fun at Live Oak city park!!!!!!

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3 months and liking it!

This is the life I think? Babies and children all over the place and husband and wife smiling sleepily at each other!!!

The babies are so healthy and getting sooo big!

Sebastian is holding his head up really well, and trying to push himself along the floor a little bit. He is starting to coo and gurgle a little, and smile alot! It is too fun to watch him progress and develop!

Evangelina is holding her body and head a little better, she is now smiling a ton and gurgling and cooing alot! She loves to look and bat at her toys a little! She is just so fun to watch as she takes it all in!

They are just over 2 months now and I can't believe that in just a few more months they will be mobile! OMG! We are so lucky to have them as healthy as they are!!! I feel so blessed!

Our Twin Pregnancy

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2nd shopping trip with new babies...

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The Twins so far

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The Twins so far

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