Cruise Trip

The first day of our trip was just to head out to Tehachapi to meet our friends Katie and Eric and their kids, who were our awesome traveling companions, and head out to their time share just outside of San Diego at a beautiful place called KQ Ranch. It is a few miles away from Julian, CA, which is an historic town that used to be a mining town. I loved that town, (not just because of the name.) We arrived there at about 9:45pm and it was freezing! It was 35 degrees and at about a 4,000ft elevation. We unloaded vehicles and began loading our friends' trailer. The kids (7 in all) watched a movie and then we called it a night. Their trailer was amazing-all 11 of us fit and we were nice and toasty.

CRUISE DAY 1

After a 2 hour long check-in process we finally got onto the ship and to our cabins-4 in all. They were spacious and super comfy. The ship took off around 6pm, right at dinner time and the rocking gave me motion sickness-I thought for sure I was going to vomit! Thankfully I didn't and was able to enjoy the rest of the cruise. Later in the evening we checked the kids into their respective "Carnival camps" all done by age groups. They had tons of activities to keep them busy so that the adults could enjoy themselves! We checked out a very fun musical show and then called it a night.

CRUISE DAY 2

The boat docked in Ensenada, Mexico by early morning, set to stay until 5PM. We had some of the kids go with us into Mexico (of course Elijah wouldn't stay at camp Carnival) and did a little tour of La Bufadora and some fun shopping and lunch. After heading back onto the ship we continued with an awesome dinner, a few shows, some duty-free shopping and just had a wonderful time with the kids and our friends.

CRUISE DAY 3

The ship just stays out in the middle of the ocean on this day and I found it unnerving for some reason to look out at the vast ocean and see no land. It was breathtaking and made me feel so small. We took the kids to swim on the deck and enjoyed yet another lunch and dinner. If there is one thing of abundance on the ship it is FOOD. Lots and lots of food. For the evening we enjoyed another show and got ready to arrive back in Cali the next morning.
....Day 4...off the ship finally and back to KQ Ranch where we enjoyed the beautiful surroundings, the quiet and just relaxing. We swam, played mini-golf and relaxed more. The kids absolutely loved it ALL. We are talking about doing it again...without kids, sorry kids! I think the adults loved it more!

The Fun Ship Sails!

And it has returned. From San Diego and into Ensenada, Mexico. Out of Mexico into the middle of the ocean and back to San Diego. 3 days of fun, food, and sun. I am still trying to unpack and get laundry done, but I will definitely post more about our cruise...

Props

For about a year and a half Juan has been pursuing his Masters at Cal State to become a nurse practitioner. He has done this while continuing to work full time and has made it on the dean's list again! We are so proud of him and we just had to give him some props. Only one more year to go!

He's in LOVE!

My son has found true love. I know he will be true and loyal. Dedicated and loving. He will no doubt dote on his true love. All his attention will be focused on her...



He will only have eyes for her...




Ahhh...true love. Isn't it sweet?...



Such a cute couple...












HAHAHA!

Sophia's First Dance class (and a mom who wouldn't shoosh!)

Today was Sophia's first official dance class. We put it off for a long time because she kept saying she was too shy to dance in front of people. But at home all she would ever do is dance and pose like a ballerina, so...I finally enrolled her. While we were getting ready she was still hesitant and guess what? As soon as she saw the dance studio her eyes lit up and she was so excited. She loved it! And my heart is glad.
During this first class there was a mom (and dang it, I'll be seeing her once a week)who talked very loudly during the entire class. And she was so snooty. Don't get me wrong, I can talk your ears off, but this lady was something else. In one hour I now know where this lady lives, what the interior and exterior of her house looks like. Her neighbor's house as well. I know what she pays for her monthly utilities, all about her mom and husband...and on and on. And she wasn't even talking to me, she was actually rude to me, but I tend to ignore rude people, though it was hard to ignore her, she talked so loud. She actually turned to me at one point and asked Elijah's age. She then says "oh" and then turns back to the lady she was chatting with. And then totally ignored when I asked the age of her little boy. Seriously, I just wanted to tell her to "shoosh"! That's nicer than "shut-up" right?
Anyway, Sophia can't wait for her next class! I'm so happy for her, however, for the next class I'm bringing my mp3 player!

Sophia's favorite dress at the moment. She wears it daily, twirling and doing ballerina poses. It is supposed to be her Easter dress and it is now ragged and torn in a few places. Which should make Easter pictures quite interesting.

It's always gray on this day...

Today marks the 4th anniversary of Julian's passing. The day he died, the day was gray and gloomy and it even briefly rained. Every February 25th after has been the same. Today is no different. The memory I have of the day he died is still so vivd. Some days I want to remember every detail and on other days I would rather forget. We were by his side when he took his last breath and nothing in the world can prepare you for the moment you know your child's life on this earth is over. He died peacefully, in his sleep. It was anguishing for Juan to hold back from doing CPR and let him go.
I know that I will see him again, but having that knowledge doesn't make me miss him any less. I find great comfort knowing that he is no longer in any physical pain and that his suffering in this life is over. For 12 years and 8 months we were privileged to have a special spirit be a part of our lives. Throughout his whole life we were ever thankful to get to have him yet another day. And on this day I am thankful to know he is still my son and I'm still his mommy. He was well loved by our whole family and is greatly missed. Today my tears flow freely as I remember his death, and I know I will have tears of joy as I remember his life and how I cannot possibly imagine how happy he is in the kingdom of our Heavenly Father.

He is the reason his daddy is a nurse and future nurse practitioner.

Sorry Toys R Us

I will no longer be buying toys. My kids prefer playing with, take a guess...flashlights. They will fight and scream and cause physical harm over a flashlight! Even though they have boxes and boxes of toys. Fancy, expensive toys. They love flashlights.
Just imagine Elijah running down the hallway, one arm in the air, with a death grip on a flashlight screaming "Noooo, I first!" (no 'r' in first) and Sophia giving crazy chase behind him screaming at the top of her high pitched lungs, "I had it first!!!" A fierce fight ensues. And why bother offering another flashlight, when they want to fight to the death for the very same one? So...the flashlight is now safely hidden away, my voice is a little hoarse, my sanity slightly intact and Toys R Us won't be seeing me anytime soon.