Tu Habla Ingles??? Our trip to Puerto Rico!!!

I know you all have been patiently waiting for this bliggity blog. :) Our spring break in Puerto Rico could not have been more FUN. It was totally action packed and a complete blast. Imagine a Spanish speaking Hawaii, that's what Puerto Rico reminds me of.  We got tons of sun therapy and also went on some really awesome hikes.

This was a really cool waterfall that we hiked to. The kids were jumping off the cliffs and swimming. FUN!!!

My baby boy climbing up the rocks.

The hikes weren't the only thing to die for... The beaches were so beautiful.

Have you ever gotten a parking ticket with instructions entirely in Spanish? I still have no idea what to do with the ticket, I only know it was $15.00. If anyone ever comes after me for not paying it, my reply will be " no comprende espanol". Thankfully, my friend Arelis speaks espanol and was able to tell me it was for parking in the wrong spot and not to worry she has about 6 of them lying around her house. LMAO. Ordering food  through the drive thru window was pretty interesting especially when the person on the other end does not speak or understand English. How do you say muffin in Spanish? Thank goodness my friend was behind us in the line and so graciously descended from her vehicle to order our food.

Speaking of food... I have NEVER eaten so much fried food. Bacalaitos, crunchy cod fritters; surullitos, sweet plump cornmeal fingers; and empanadillas, crescent-shaped turnovers filled with chicken, crab, conch, or beef, plaintains(my favorite), and mofungo were some of the main cuisines.  I honestly think i could go the rest of the year without eating anything fried!

Aside from gaining at least 5 lbs, getting sun therapy, and hiking, we traveled to old San Juan. The kids got to fly kites at EL Morro. They had a blast!!!!!

Here's a picture of Old San Juan. Lots of shops and restaurants!!!

On the way to El Morro, sits this totally packed cemetery

The kids got to fly kites!!!!! There were tons of people flying kites there.

I love going to new places;there is always so much to see and learn. Its the ultimate adventure and I feel so blessed that this time we were able to spend it with great friends, who just happened to be the ultimate tour guides. Thank you so much Mike and Arelis!!! We really had a terrific time and quite honestly the pictures and this blog just don't do it justice. I will post more pictures (A LOT MORE) on facebook.

My BC/AC Personality Disorder.

I never thought growing up would be so hard, after all we dream about it from the time we  learn to play house. How many times do you remember saying to your parents..."I cant wait till Im an adult!", "I cant wait to move out of this house". We have all said it and at the time we really meant it. Then eventually it happens. LIFE happens. We are forced to get "real" jobs to pay our "real" bills. We fall in love, get married, and have children, not always in that order. :) Out of all these, children change our lives profoundly! We become role models to these awesome little beings. They watch every move we make, they hear every word we say, and we have a responsibility to society to not raise them to be disrepectful little brats.(Obviously some of us parents are better at this than others) I for one, have taken my job as a parent very seriously...dare I say too seriously.

I admit, Im a little extreme. I will sacrifice my happiness if I feel it is not condusive to my role as a mother. Repeatedly doing this has left me feeling pretty torn. I think every mother is essentially composed of two parts, BC and AC. (Before Children and After Children). While I LOVE being a mom, there are times I would just like to be that person I was before children. That person is not better or worse than the person I am today, its just a different person. A less responsible, more of a good time, kind of person. A person who doesnt really care if dinner is on the table before 6pm. A person who doesnt worry about the hangover I might ensue from a night of drinking. So Is it possible to be both?? Thats the question I find myself revisting. I have always believed the answer was NO. Once you become a mother there is no turning back. I think alot of women are feeling this way. Is it fair or necessary that we lose some of our "fun selves". I love that part of me just as much as a love being a mother.

I am a good parent, so I will ultimately lean towards my super responsible AC side. However, Im thinking I may just find a way to nuture that BC side seperately, at least some of its elements... I encourage all of you to do the same. You just never know...You may be better parents because of it!!!!! If you are already doing so...Hooray for you and please feel free to share your tips. :)

I mean really......how could I be anything less than perfect for these two crazy awesome kids. :)

Bliggity Bloggity BLAH

***Caution.....this blog may depress you or piss you off ***

I'm finding it very hard to maintain my positiveness this week so I thought I would share my negativity.(You're welcome) I am just outright grumpy and disgruntled. Have you seen the price of damn gas? I am seriously over it! $3.50 a gallon, you have to be shitting me!! It makes me want to revolt and never by a damn gallon of gas again. I promise you that I would bike my ass to work or take public transportation if this was at all possible. However its not, because I work 50 miles away  and the south lags behind in the public transportation arena. I guess I could bike to work but I would have to leave 4 hours before my shift starts and quite frankly I just don't have that kind of time to allott to transportation purposes.

It's not enough that my family spend 700 bucks in gas a month, but we are also expected to pay more for our groceries, airfare, and dinners out. McDonald's has even raised their prices!!!! Our wages on the other hand, have either stayed the same or decreased.  Americans have always seen the U.S. as a powerhouse. Are we though??? We import billions of goods from China, outsource work to the Philippines, and depend on other countries for oil. We fight other countries battles while our own country falls apart. Compare the children in China to American children and you will find our kids are lagging drastically behind, yet because of budget cuts many states are going to a 4 day school week. This country is in some serious trouble. WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!

Thanks for letting me rant ...feel free to put your two cents in, it may just make you feel better. :)

My thoughts about Sundays!!!



Sunday.... we loathe it because it's an official reminder that our weekend is OVER!! Sunday simply says, "Haha, it's back to the grind tomorrow". Sunday reminds us that work,school, and deadlines, await us. With its laughter comes speed; it's always amazing how fast Sunday flies by!!! Yes, like the rest of you, I have been known to loathe Sunday... until recently that is.

My family and I have been spending our Sunday mornings at church. Ok before I go on, I want you to please place your right hand underneath your chin and push your mouth closed. Yes, I know it's shocking, especially to those that know me as the "non organized religion" type of girl. Even more shocking than me stepping foot into a church, is the fact that I truly enjoy going!!! It has changed Sundays for me! I look forward to Sunday. Sunday lately has brought a sense of clarity as well as peace within me. It's a feeling that is hard to describe. It's an awesome feeling, like the kind of feeling you have on the first day of your much needed vacation.

So Sunday is almost over and the week ahead is jam packed with things I have to get done, an interview I hope to ace, and trying to squeeze some exercise time in. Even knowing these things await me, I still feel relaxed and happy. I have spent my Sunday exactly as I have wanted. I feel at peace and ready for whatever the week brings me. HAPPY SUNDAY FRIENDS!!!!!!

Just a Reminder!!!!!

"We do not remember days; we remember moments"

There's nothing more exciting than having things to look forward to. I love the feeling that something new and exciting awaits me. Come to think of it, it's the one reason I LOVE moving. It's a fresh start, with new beginnings, and brand new experiences. Life is not about money,success, or material possessions, but is more about experiences and making memories.

If I could only leave one thing behind when I die, It would be happy memories. I hope my friends, family, and children remember the hysterical times of laughter we had together. I hope my children remember all of our travels and take away something important from each one of the places we've lived and all the different people we've met.

There are times when I get caught up in the hustle and bustle of this crazy thing called life. I focus on making more money, having a clean house,and just keeping life in order. This my friends, isn't what lifes about. People who truly love you, don't care if you make tons of money, have a clean house, or have everything together. So today I just wanted to remind all of you (and myself) to make the happiest memories you possibly can because they will be all that's left and all that really matters once you're gone.

Really Y'all????

You all know by now that Jacob is a pure genius, but on occasion he will come home from school telling me that he really doesn't understand what is being taught. As luck would have it, I am normally smarter than a 4th grader and can help him to understand. The week before last however, I proved that I was not smarter than a 4th grader.
I couldn't help the little man with his hmwk. I just didn't get it! Yes, I have 3 college degrees but I couldn't get "generalizing". I had Jason look at it, he didn't get it either. At this point, I did what I would like to think most parents would do, I emailed the teacher for help. She did not respond and to be honest, I just kind of forgot about it. Fast forward to this morning.... My son in tears because he still doesn't understand and he is going to be tested on Friday. Now for those of you that don't personally know my son, this may seem a little extreme, but Jacob is like me 100%. When he sets the bar, he sets it high. He doesn't want to ruin his straight A streak. I can completely relate!! Jacob and I don't do  "average".  I tell him not to worry and I will email the teacher.

Fast forward to her response.... "Y'all do not need to be stressing about the generalizations" Some kids get it and others don't. There will only be 2 questions on the test regarding generalizations so he shouldn't be so worried because even if he misses all of them, its only 2.."

Now my response.... First... Y'all isn't really a word that should  be used in an email to a parent. Second.. I really don't care if its one question or ten, my child is asking for help. I don't give a shit that the test only consists of 2 questions, when a child doesn't understand something... its your job to see that he understands it. 

Really? WTF? I'm left thinking.... This is why Alabama has earned its place in the top 10 states with the worst education system. Is this what we teach them? Don't worry about understanding it, you can still make a B. Eff that! Some people strive to understand, IMAGINE THAT. I really wanted to email her back just this one line

ANYTHING WORTH TEACHING IS WORTH UNDERSTANDING!!!!!



I know every school system has its bad and its good teachers.... but this to me is just pure laziness... and this is whats teaching your children but Hey Y'all..... Its OK to be average!!!!  :)


The apple doesnt fall far from the tree!!!!

All of you who know me well are very aware at just how super smart I am! Yes, its true that at one time "people"( you know who you are) convinced me  it was possible to take a ferry from Hawaii to Alaska, but nevertheless I'm smart! Not common sense smart, but the nerdy bookworm smart, the 3.96 college gpa smart!!!

I have been known a time or two (severe underestimation) to brag about how smart my children are. Jacob is in 4th grade and reads at an 8th grade level. Sierra whizzes through kindergarten homework( that my fellow parents complain is too hard) in a matter of 10 minutes. Yes, Ive said it time and time again.... My kids are smart. They're more than smart actually, they are the BEST! They have yet to disappoint me on any level. I can only help but be proud of what awesome human beings they are.

I never thought it was possible to be prouder of them than I already am, but today I realized it was possible. I got news today that Jacob was accepted into the gifted program and I could not be prouder of him. He is a great kid who has brought home straight A's without fail since the day he started Kindergarten. I was ecstatic that his hard work has paid off!!! Just wanted to share this great news with you guys and remind you one more time....."MY KIDS ARE SOOOO SMART"