On a Funny Note....

Last night we were watching this really stupid movie called White Out. I asked Gino if it was taking place in Alaska (because I truly wasn't paying attention) and he said, yeah... in the arctic, up North.


And here's our conversation... please, laugh with me!


ME: Gino, they just said that it is in Antarctica, that's south


Gino: No, it's North... I know my GEOLOGY!!!!!


I busted up laughing.... I almost told him maybe he should just go make a CASE-A-DILLA and call it a night, because the last time I checked Geology has nothing to do with the positioning of Antartica LMAO


He of course said he was joking around.... YEAH RIGHT, GINO! Moments like these make me smile and realize why I love you so much.

The Whitest Hispanic EVER!

My husband is Hispanic. He's a nice mixture of Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican. What I'm getting at here is he should not only know Spanish, but he should know how to spell things like.... quesadilla.


He had left a status update on his facebook about how he was hungry.... a comment was left telling him that he should make a quesadilla.


HERE'S IS WHERE I LAUGHED MY ASS OFF!


Gino: Um, why did he spell it wrong?


Me: What wrong?


Gino: Erran left a comment telling me to make a CASE-A-DILLA


Yes, people... he actually pronounced it like it was written in English.... WOW!


I don't think that I'll ever let him down for this one. I make fun of him EVERY, SINGLE DAY and he's gotten to the point where he makes fun of himself with me.


At work people come up to him all the time and start asking him questions in Spanish, and he always has to say, "Um, I'm sorry let me find somebody who can help you." SO FUNNY!


Don't let his skin color fool you, people.... he's the whitest Hispanic person I think I've EVER met in my entire life.

Another Year... Another Decade... Another Recap

This isn't only the close of another year, but another decade. A decade that for me seem to fly by too quickly. Let's first do a breakdown on 2009:


Recapping on this year that almost seems like a blur, a few things stand out in my mind.

• Once again, we almost lost our precious Ella this time to a MAJOR accident. She overdosed on her heart medication, but thankfully right after she received her blessing from dear friends in our church she did nothing but get better. There was a horribly, scary chance that she wouldn't make it.

• Jayden started 2nd Grade! The teacher that he started out with was absolutely WONDERFUL! But budget cuts made it so that there were over 30 kids in his class, so the school made a decision and some kids went to a 1st/2nd grade mixed class.... Jayden was chosen and went back to his 1st Grade teacher!!! I absolutely LOVE Mrs. Roberts and even though at first this change was a little irritating, we all adjusted well.

• Gino has dedicated himself to going to the gym EVERY, SINGLE DAY! I have to say I am beyond excited for him.

• Gino and I partnered with a company that is exploding in our life! I can't even begin to describe the success that we now have at our finger tips. We are with a telecommunications company that only continues to go up during our economy. We feel EXTREMELY grateful that this was placed in our lives. If you are currently unhappy with your current JOB (you know, Just Over Broke) or are open to making extra income VERY PART TIME then get in touch with me. My goal this year is to get as many moms and dads out of the corporate world, home with their families, and having financial freedom.

• Last but definitely not least.... we have learned in the last month of this year that we will be welcoming a new baby into our family in 2010!!!

Now on to the decade.....


2000: We met
2001: We had our first son
2004: We got married
2006: Our marriage was tested, but we prevailed. We got pregnant     w/our 2nd baby... only to lose
her before she was born. Then got pregnant with our 3rd baby... Miss Ella
2007: Welcomed our baby girl Ella into the world. Discovered how precious life is as we almost
lost her to her heart problem.
2009: Partnered with a multi-billion dollar company that is changing our lives. Found out that we will be having
yet another little Garibay in our world


This past decade has definitely been based around our family. Learning who we are. Growing together instead of apart.


This decade that we are entering into is going to be the decade that we make a bang! It's going to be the decade where we focus on personal growth. Where we gain complete financial freedom. Where we change not only our life for the better but the lives of all our children and their children to come. And I'll be blogging my way through it all.

Tonight My Heart is Heavy

Life is short. Boy is it ever so short. I talked on my blog a while back about my problems with my IUD and how I was going through hormone testing and the Nurse Practitioner that I was seeing was WONDERFUL. She was so nice, layed back, took the time to hear you out. I loved her! I just found out that in April she fell and slipped into a coma... and she never came out of it.  Just like that, a wonderful person gone from this world.  

Today is a little girl that will just melt your heart's 2nd birthday.  However, she's not here to celebrate it.  I've seen her pictures all over people's blog and waited until today to finally head over to her mom's blog and get to know sweet Maddie.  Oh my goodness..... I sat here tonight reading her mom's letter to her today and cried and cried and hugged my babies.  One day she was here, the next day she was gone.  Life is so short.  And Maddie's story really makes you stop, think and appreciate every moment that you are given with your babies.

To read all about Maddie... go {HERE} for her mama's blog or {HERE} for her Daddy's blog.  I waited a really, really long time to suck it up and cry with them... but I'm so happy I did.  I hope you too will go and become a friend of Maddie... she'll melt your heart.

I have been so close to losing Ella, that stories like these crush me.  I've been there.... I've actually sat there hearing them call codes on my little girl.  At one point I thought she was gone... I know what it's like to drop to your knees and pray that your baby won't die.... and I'm so fortunate to still have her here.  I can't imagine what not only Heather & Mike (Maddie's Mama & Daddy) but all of the parents in this world that have had to suffer the heart wrenching loss of a child have had to go through... and still go through every, single day.

My heavy heart can go on and on.  I feel like I'm mourning a sister.  I haven't unleashed the drama that's been going on, but I've decided to break my silence and talk about how I feel.  My sister has turned into somebody that I do not like.  Somebody who talks disgustingly and someone that I am ashamed to say is my sister.  My sister wouldn't act the way she's been acting.  But in the end I think I've learned something that I've always known.  You turn into who you hang around.  So, it's so vital that you choose to hang around people that inspire you, challenge you to grow, and have virtue, values & morals.  Because if you choose to hang out with anything less, unfortunately you will be less.  I am in mourning, because things that have been said can't be taken back.  I have been challenging myself to personal growth, and during personal growth you need to ensure that you are not surrounded by people who hold you back, live negatively and have no virtue, values or morals, because the last thing you want to do is turn into them.  

Life is short though, and I'm sad to say that I've had to accept the fact that my sister and my brother are both individuals that will always be stuck in their rut.  Living a life that is not something to be proud of, and until they accept this and learn and grow from this they'll never change.  They will continue to always be hustling their way through life.  A life without honesty, a life without morals.... it's so unfortunate.  But I have to remember that in order for me to continue with my personal growth I have to stay away from them.  I have to look at the negativity they hold, the hate they hold, the evil they hold in them and pray for them.  My brother is not someone that has ever had good in him.  I've been through it all with him, and honestly feel quite secure in not being in his life.  Anybody who can walk away from their own flesh & blood child and deny them is evil.  My sister, however, I've always loved her.  It's unfortunate what's happened, but I'm okay with it now.  Yes, Jessica, I do check your myspace status, because I want to see how my niece and nephew are doing.  The things you put on there lets the ghetto and trash in you shine on.  I wish we could mend this crap we're going through, but I've realized since it's started that you are not a person that I want in my world... and fortunately I get to choose who's in my world.  I choose class, virtue, morals, and people striving to better themselves, which are things you don't hold.  I hope one day you learn how to.

My heart is heavy, but at the end of the day I have a wonderful husband that makes me happier than I ever thought possible.  A son that never fails to put a smile on my face and warm my heart and a daughter that is and always will be  my rainbow after the storm.  My heart is heavy, but I love every thing I have in my life.  I feel fortunate to have the blessings that continue to pour down on my family.  I will continue to keep my prayers with those in this world that truly need it..... and I will continue to send my balloons to the people in heaven like Mya, my precious daughter who will always have a huge piece of my heart with her, Maddie, who has touched a world of people with her beautiful eyes and smile, and Karen... my nurse who woke up one day and didn't know it was going to be her last.

I am Simply Blessed

I love it when I find carnivals that has a purpose for something I like to write about. Today I stumbled upon a blog called {Simply Blessed}. The carnival that she hosts is something that I was going to write about today anyways, and this just gave me an idea to spin it off in another direction.

My husband and I have been married now for 5 years. We have lived together for going on 9. From the time I turned 18 my husband and I have been together. Choosing to spend your life with someone at such a young age can sometimes lead to unhappiness, divorce, trials..... or you could just be lucky and have truly found life's bliss.

I didn't find life's bliss at such a young age. I found that love is nothing like the movies. I found that fighting can pierce your heart. I found that happiness doesn't exist every, single day. I found that becoming parents at such a young age can put so much pressure on your relationship that you forgot how you even liked each other to begin with. I found that keeping house is downright impossible especially when it wasn't just me to keep up after. I found that silence hurts, that screaming relieves, that breaking phones releases. I discovered what it was like to hate, I think he discovered this as well. I found that sins are easy to make, and take a long time to heal.

So how is this all a blessing? Because despite the above we stuck together. We made it work. After changes to ourselves and for each other we are happy. We love each other. It's not like in the movies, but it's our love. It works for both of us and I go to bed with a smile on my face almost every, single night.

My marriage is a blessing. I couldn't be more thankful for my best friend and the heart of my soul. He has grown into a man that I am proud to say is my husband. A man that I am proud to say is the father of my children.

There is no bigger blessing to be able to say that this marriage has overcome some things that people get divorced over and we're still growing strong. I truly am blessed, and madly in love.

On a different note:

Join me on Monday for my carnival Just a Motivating Monday it's an inspirational carnival, where we as bloggers share things that have inspired us, or things we think will inspire others. And on Thursday 7/23/09-Saturday 7/25/09 for the {HAPPY BLOGNERD PARTY}!! It's for us nerds not making it to BlogHer and to celebrate my BIRTHDAY ~ GIVEWAYS WILL BE HAPPENING!!!!

We are a RAIDERS family!

I know, I know, we have a terrible team, but IMO it's just that we have a terrible owner. I just found this picture while looking through my memory card and I had to put it on here. I love this picture of us! We went on Superbowl Sunday to a house FULL of Steelers fans, so we showed up all decked out in our Raiders gear and rooted for the opposite team.... unfortunately we all know how that ended.

A peek into my heart.... on Father's Day

Unfortunately, Father's Day was never an important day for me. I have a dad, but growing up I refused to refer to the man as that. I am now older and have tried to accept him as my father, but continuously don't feel it in my heart.

My father was 16 when I was born. That pretty much sums it up right there. He was never there, went on to conceive 3 more daughters with 3 different women. Each one I'm sure has their sob story about the man, and I still cling to mine every, single day. I want a dad. I want a dad that cares enough to call me at least once a week and see how I'm doing. I want a dad that can put me first for once... not always focus on his youngest 2 daughters. I want a dad who cares enouch about being a grandpa that he asks how they're doing, or wants to see them. I just want a dad.

I have a couple of memories that stab my heart, and I think it's time I talk about them. The first Father's Day that I spent with my father was in 2006. I was newly pregnant with Mya. We drove all the way up to where I now live just to spend Father's Day with the man. In addition to him, it was also the first time I was going to meet his 2nd daughter.. dysfunctional, unstable Britney. I know, I have hate issues.... I told you Garibay Soup is the ingredients to a dysfunctional family.... which is EXACTLY what I have.

Anyways... continuing on. I had mentioned to my dad that he could play catch or baseball or fricking something with his grandson {Jayden} that he never sees and the man actaully had the nerve to say to me, "Well, I have Tiona too... it is Father's Day." Wow..... this man is a loser.

My dad married his 4th daughter's mother who is a whopping 2 years 11 months older than me. SICK! At the wedding in the middle of the ceremony they had her come up and be a part of it and even gave her a ring.... I was his only other daughter at this wedding. I felt {AWKWARD}

His 2 youngest daughters are his everything, I am nothing. For this reason alone I have not care for Father's Day all that much. The 2 situations above are just a couple of things that have stabbed my heart.... there are many, many more, and I need to learn how to let go and be grateful that my children will never have to feel the way I have felt.

My children have a father who loves this both so much and distributes it between the two equally. They will never, ever have to feel the feelings I have felt growing up, because their dad would do anything in this world for them. I am proud to say that this man is my husband.

{Gino}, I know I tell you a lot, but I'm going to say it again....... you are a wonderful dad. You have made choices and changes that they will someday be so thanful and proud for. I just want to thank you for being a dad to my children, I couldn't have picked a better guy. You make their eyes light up, you put smiles on their faces, and it all makes my heart melt.

Friday Favorites

Been a while, but I want to get back into this.....

My favorites of this week are as follows:

• Jayden finally made it to the dentist for the first time and did AMAZING! My 7 year old doesn't even have a cavity. I'm so proud of him :) I highly believe that this is because I never let him go to bed with a bottle or anything to suck on, but it might just be because he's a super star brusher.

• My superstar husband helped me to start clearing out the clutter out of our garage. We have one section completed and a shelving thing in its place. I love organization, even though I suck at it, and am glad we're on an organizing mission. He also cleared off our old kitchen table and carried upstairs so that it can serve as a return on my desk. I LOVE IT!!! We were actually going to spend money on a new desk and now I really have no reason. I can even use my table as my sewing area.... THANKS WONDERFUL HUSBAND!!

• Ella has begun potty training and to my shock and surprise is doing amazing with it! My little girl isn't even 2 and is telling me when she needs to go potty and even held up on a 2 1/2 hour outing of the house!! WTG, Ella!!

• We got to bring in my husband 28th year with him. Thursday was his birthday and we got to go as a family to dinner. Amazing thing is - we got together when he was 18. We've last almost 10 years together and 5 years of marriage. I love him. Here's to another year of his life that will be spent with ME!!

• Jayden tested for another belt in Karate. He got called on in Karate class to give a Code of Ethics and he said, "I will forget my mistakes and concentrate on the future." That made me proud. He makes me proud. I sure was blessed with a special little boy. I can't wait until we find out if he earned his belt!! I think he did a great job.

That pretty much sums up my favorite things of this week. I love my life. I know sometimes I can complain and get overwhelmed and discouraged, but at the end of the day....I love my life, and I'm so thankful for it and the many blessings that are poured on my family. I'm excited for the next week to come and to talk about my favorite things.

I Love My Marriage

Marriage to me is one of the most powerful things on this earth. It is a bond that you form and choose to stick with someone forever. In my case for all eternity. It's a bond that you can't break, it's a bond that you don't want to break even when it's the one thing in this world you'd love to break.

I met my husband 8 1/2 years ago and I've been happily married for almost 3 years. Married for almost 5. We've been through some disastrous situations, ones that end marriages, but we overcame them together. Divorce has never been an option, even when it should have been. Instead, we learned to love each other again, maybe for the first time. We learned what it means for better or worse. I learned to appreciate my wedding ring and it's symbol of a never ending circle. This marriage will never end.

This man that I'm married to is my best friend. Nobody can make me more mad, but nobody can make me more happy. We're this powerful team that can conquer anything together, because we've almost been through it all in our eyes. We are proof that the most horrible marriage can survive and I feel like for us sticking it out through the thick and thin that God has blessed us with a great marriage.

I don't think I tell him enough how thankful I am for him. I don't think I tell him enough how there's no way in this world that I could do this life without him, that there's no way in this world that I'd want to do it without him. But I'm telling him here, now. Someday he'll read this blog and when he comes upon this entry I want his heart to smile.

You are an amazing husband, Gino. I'm proud of the choices and changes that you have made to better yourself and our family. You make my heart smile every day. I'm thankful to have you as a husband, friend, and father of my children.

When Kristen announced the SWAK carnival I was so excited. I love to brag about my marriage and my husband. So, if you want to brag about your husband or read other's entries go to her blog and start reading away.

What our FHE taught me

On Sunday I woke up and I really thought that it was going to be a great Sunday! We all had our church clothes laid out and then the unexpected (well, I should have expected it) happened. Gino asked if he'd like me to keep Ella with him. This threw me! THREW ME for a loop. I didn't flip, and I just said, "No, thanks, but she's going to nursery this Sunday." The kids and I proceeded to get ready and we went to church. Okay... I know, I wouldn't walk out the door that easily w/out saying something horribly harsh and stabbing. So, luckily I had Gino to start me off by saying to me, "I'll pray for you today." I turned around and said, "Hmmm.... I'll pray for you and ask for your name to be taken off the rolls of the church so you can join Satan's church."

Wow.

Did I REALLY say that? YUP. I most certainly did, and felt like bawling all the way to church. I've been so confused as to why Gino is going backwards when all I want to do is make it to the temple and get sealed.

I walked into church and of course the bishop's wife who has that motherly touch was right there and hugged me and..... I LOST IT! I started bawling and couldn't stop. Then I went to the bathroom, got myself together then my friend Kari came to sit by me and I lost it again. I mean, the tears were FLOWING! It was horrible. It was a momentous day, the first day Ella went to nursery and I was sad that Gino wasn't going to be there for it. I had many emotions that day, and I felt beyond emotional.

So, Bishop and I talked and I'm not going to be in primary anymore. I didn't have to ask, but when I told him that I think it's my calling that's keeping Gino from coming to church he said he'd take care of it. I wanted to be in primary so badly. I loved being in there with Jayden, and I just might sneak in and hang out in there after Sunday school.

I have to do what's best for my family, and if Gino's not ready for me to leave him for the last 2 hours of church by himself, then I have to put his needs first. I feel good. I came home and we had a great talk and I think that he'll be at church on Sunday. I hope he is.

This is an example of where I need to try to Be like Jesus. Just like our Family Home Evening lesson LAST NIGHT. I need to be compassionate of Gino's feelings, be patient with his journey, and understanding. I also need to put him first. Right now, he's got to be feeling somewhat insecure, because this is really all new to him. I may have been active now for a year, but Gino's just really starting out here. There's so much to learn and instead of feeling pressures, that's exactly what he should be doing. If there's a Sunday where he doesn't want to go to church I need to be understanding and not push. Not get mad, but love him even more for the progress that he's already made. The hard steps of changing his life because he loves us that much.

The Next American Idol

I personally think that the American Idol thing is stupid. A few really good singers have come from it, but a lot of them I really can't stand, or I think they SUCK. So not nice, I know.

We did watch the first episode this season, because there was nothing else on, and we thought Jayden would really enjoy it.

Jayden loved it and told Gino, "Dad! You need to go on there. You're a great singer!"

It touched Gino so much that he asked me to put it on my blog. Gino never asks me to put anything on my blog, so here it is.

Our trip in pictures and some words

Our trip to California was quick. We had such a fun time though. Friday after Jayden got out of school we took off and got into town around 8:30pm. At 10:30 pm we went to the movies with my sister while my mom watched the kids. We saw that 3D My Bloody Valentine movie - I actually really liked it!

Saturday I picked up my niece Alana so that she could go to the birthday party. She is such a beautiful little girl. I hadn't seen her since she was 6 weeks old, so it was an amazing reunion. And so fun to watch her and Ella with each other.

We went to Chuck E Cheese for Vani's 2nd Birthday. Ella was in HEAVEN there! She'd never been to anything like it before, so her eyes lit up and she was having the time of her life. The little smarty pants even figured out that you needed tokens and would take the token and try to put it in the machine.




We finally got a picture of all of the cousins together. This is the first time that they've all been together at the same time. Sad it took so long, but we FINALLY got it!!




Then on Sunday morning we woke up early and went to Stockton to see Gino's mom and little brother, Gabriel. We took them to Arroyo's, which is probably the best Mexican food I've ever had in my life. It was a nice visit. I really do enjoy visiting with his mom.




After lunch on Sunday we headed on our way home, but we had one more stop to make. We were going to do a surprise visit to Gino's dad and step-mom's house. We pulled up and they were so happy to see us. We only stayed for a couple hours, then we ventured on our way home and arrived at 9:30pm. And we went straight to bed.





So, it was a quick, but very enjoyable trip.

Marriage, Life, Church - UGH it's all hard

Life isn't always perfect. Pictures don't always show the whole story. My smile sometimes is a lie. I don't know what is going on right now, but I feel like things are falling apart. It's funny, because in the primary class that I teach we were talking about apostasy and restoration.
There was a time of apostasy on this earth when the fullness of the gospel was taken away. Then when Joseph Smith had the first vision, the start of the restoration started.

I feel as if my family is about to go through the apostasy. Yeah, a little harsh - and I know there are probably a lot of members that know my family that gasping. Life sucks sometimes and I don't know what went wrong.

I for one will say that being a member of this church is hard to be a part of. They ask a lot of you and it's not easy. You get to go to church and see all these "perfect" families that were born into this and have never known a different life and think to yourself, 'Hmmm we'll never be there.' We are not perfect. I don't have a husband that thrives to serve others like all the men in this church seem to do; I have a husband who thinks the world revolves around him and is probably the most narcissistic person that I've ever met. He gives murmuring a whole new meaning. But he's my husband and with or without the church I love him. I'm not perfect.... I have so many faults, but I'm trying. I'm trying to be the Mormon wife, the Mormon mom. But life is not so sugar coated as it seems, well at least not when you're starting out at this so late in life.

I do know this. It's hard, but it's what we're supposed to do. With or without my husband, I will continue to be a member of this church and hope that it gives my children the morals and principles that I want them to have with them for the rest of their lives. Getting up on Sunday and going to church for 3 hours is hard sometimes, but what's 3 hours out of 168 hours? 3 hours out of our week is NOTHING. There are things that my husband doesn't understand. Things he thinks are inconvenient, and I don't know how to go about showing him the reason why we are called to do callings that take our time, why we have to go to church for so long, and why he should be going to church instead of watching that stupid football game that could have been DVRed.

I'm bitter today. I see him slowly pull away and by the time that we'll be able to finally be sealed together as a family he won't be in the same spot I am. What a horrible thing. Apostacy sure has a new meaning for me, and I hope to God that it doesn't hit this family that has come SO FAR from what it used to be.

Mixed Feelings

I'm having mixed feelings about my new calling to Primary. I think that the calling is great and I know that I could learn a lot from who I'd be teaching with, but I just think that the timing is not right. I don't feel comfortable leaving Gino to attend Sunday school by himself. He's so new to all of this and I can see him falling away from the church a little bit. Not wanting to stay after Sacrament, and I just think he's too new of a member to do this to.

I feel bad going and turning down my calling, but something inside of me keeps screaming that I need to turn it down.

I don't know what to do. :(

I KNEW it was gonna happen - JUST KNEW IT!

So, I've been waiting ever so patiently for Ella to turn 18 months so I could shove her into Nursery and actually listen during Sunday School & Relief Society. I've always had this feeling inside that right when she was ready to go to Nursery that I'd get a calling that would be in primary.

Today I got called to teach the 8 year olds turning 9 this year. The ones that just got baptized. I'll be teaching the class with the Bishop's wife, Wendy, who I absolutely love. So, I'm pretty excited, but had to giggle inside that what I had a feeling would happen actually did happen. This year we had made the decision to stop going to Gospel Essentials and start going to Gospel Doctrine instead... especially since they'd be studying Doctrine & Covenents, but Gino will get to hang out in there all by himself.... or with Ella until she turns 18 months. I"ll still study the weekly lessons with Gino at home so I can learn, and so that he'll be prepared and understand what they're talking about.

Today was Testimony Sunday at church and I still didn't feel like I was ready to get up and share my testimony... I don't know why, because I do have a strong testimony. I've seen this gospel completely turn my family around. We're not even the same people as we were before. Gino has done a complete turn around and I'm so thankful for the gospel. It's only been a year and 1 month that we started coming to church, and a year and 1 month ago I never would've thought we'd be where we are now. I'm thankful that I now have a better understanding of why I'm here on this earth. I'm not just lost in this world wondering what the point of it all is. I know what the point is, and I know what I'm supposed to be doing, and I'm striving my hardest to do it all. I'm not perfect, and neither is my husband, but we've come such a long way and it feels good to be on the path that we're on. I hope we never lose track of it, because it feel so right and so good.

I'm feeling absolutely horrible today and I don't know what's wrong. I don't have a cold or the flu, but I just don't feel well. It may just be my body telling me that it's had enough of the torture I've put it through these past few days of doing major stuff around the house, so maybe I need to listen to it and just relax for the rest of the day.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Nothing's better than celebrating the New Year with your family. Prior years we've gone out and let me tell you from experience, IT FEELS SO MUCH BETTER TO START THE NEW YEARS WITHOUT A HANGOVER!!!

We rang in the year with movies, Uno and a little Welch's Grape Bubbly. It was the perfect night! I got to kiss my babies right after kissing my husband and was happy that we were all safe at home.... together.

Here's a couple pics and a video of Jayden singing. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

She conked out until the blowing of the New Years horns I bought woke her up

Early Christmas for Ella - Elmo's World

Yesterday I took the entire day to myself. I shopped, spent time with one of my sisters (one of the daughters of my dad... the 16 year old) and got my teeth cleaned, checked in w/my orthodontist.... it was a BUSY BUSY day. I absolutely loved every single second that I was out of the house without my kids.

While I was gone Gino had the kids helping out around the house. He told me Ella even had the swiffer and was mopping for him. Excuse me, but why don't my kids do this for me??!?!?! Why is that my husband can get them to be productive but I can't? Ridiculous!

Anyways... Gino went into our garage, which is nightmare beyond nightmare beyond nightmare to try to find my stocking that I've had since a baby. No luck, but he found a ton of other stuff! One of those talking Elmo's that Jayden had as a baby that Ella now has fallen in love with. It's like Christmas for her! So tonight she's been going around pressing Elmo's hand so that Elmo will sing Elmo's World to her. He found tons books and their Finding Nemo movie... little did he know that I bought the movie yesterday for Ella. Now I have to take it back LOL.

I was going through some of the pictures that I took and found this one of Jayden... what the heck was going on with that expression? He is a crack up.

Jayden never ceases to make me laugh!

Jayden told Gino last night that Spiderman wasn't real. Personally, I think this shocked Gino. Not because Jayden doesn't think he's real, but because Gino does think Spiderman is real. Conversation proceeded like this:

Gino: Just because you can't see something doesn't mean it isn't real, Jayden.

Jayden: I know, Dad. I believe in Jesus and God, but I think Spiderman is a bunch of bologna.

Snow Day Pictures

Yesterday we took the kids up to my Grandparent's property to get some pictures of them in the snow - so I could finally make some Christmas cards and get them sent off before Christmas. I can't believe how fast this holiday is creeping up on us. Next week is Christmas and I'm really not all that prepared. There's not 1 present under the tree (not because we haven't bought any, but because we have a very rambunctious 16 month old daugher) and it's weird. Also, this is the first year that Gino and I won't have surprises under the tree and that's kinda sad, but I'm happy that we're both getting exactly what we want. I'm getting a sewing machine! I'll pick it out and he can wrap it and I'll act surprised and excited.

Anyway... so, they had lots of fun in the snow. Jayden got sleds and went sledding down the hills on their property, and even sled right into Ella. It was so sad. So, I took Ella inside by the nice fire and had hot chocolate. I finished our Christmas card last night and sent it off to Costco for printing. I'm not going to post it on the blog until Christmas ~ I'd like everyone to be surprised when they get it.

Daddy & Jayden's Little Secret

High School Musical annoys more than anything, but Jayden has loved the first 2 and really wanted to see the 3rd one. That was until it actually was in theaters. I asked Jayden if he wanted Gino to take him and he got really defensive and said, "NO WAY!" I figured that some boys must have made fun of the movie at school so he felt like he couldn't see it anymore, and that made me sad.

Today Gino and Jayden got up really early to go see Madagascar 2. They were having a special showing at 9:30am for a local boy that was recently diagnosed with an aggresive form of brain cancer. All proceeds from the movie would go to his family to help with travel costs back and forth from Portland where the 7 year old boy is getting treatment.

Well, they got to the movies and it was sold out. Jayden was so upset. They had opened up another movie to support this boy and the movie was High School Musical 3. Jayden was mad and wanted to go home. He told Gino, "That movie is for girls!" Gino knew that Jayden really wanted to see it, so he told Jayden, "J, it's okay. We can go and see it and it will be our little secret...I won't tell anybody." And Jayden smiled and agreed and danced all through the movie LOL.