Aren't I Special?

Natalie sent this award to me, and I couldn't help but toot my horn. Thanks, Honey!!! xoxo


I have been blessed with many sisters in life...but I wanted to say that having Natalie in my life has been one of the sweetest kisses from the Lord! First friends, then sisters by marriage, now and for all eternity: Sisters In CHRIST!!

Thankful Thursday

-Lord, thank you for Vanessa and Kimberly. They each were so loving and so generous with their amazing baking skills! I know you care about the details, Lord, but having not just one, but two of my sweet friends bake me some 'preggie delights'...well, I am just so in awe of your love for me. So, thank you for using them in my life in such a sweet way!! (A review on 'preggie delights to follow soon)

-Lord, I also want to thank you for helping me to get over the nausea hump of the first trimester of pregnancy. That was a long one, but I am so blessed to know we have hit 15 weeks!

-I am also thankful for the Christmas music playing all day. I shamefully admit that instead of praying for O' Holy Night or Silent Night to come on, I am anxiously waiting for Wham's 'Last Christmas'. What can I say... I am an 80's girl and product of that time 100%.

-Jesus, having Tim for a husband has been so sweet lately!! So, I thank you especially for him. I have truly enjoyed our late night talks about baby names and reminiscing about our first kiss. What a cutie he was with his hat on backwards. What a cutie he is NOW! I am super blessed. (Plus, last night Timmy let me drive his car home from bible study... that means no kids, no car seats, and I can listen to the radio as LOUD as I want. Guess what came on and I sang it at the TOP OF MY LUNGS!!! Thanks, Baby. I truly enjoyed that time to myself!)

-Lord, I could list all you do for me in an unending post, but will keep it at 5 this time: So, Father, lastly thank you for our mountain. It has been so beautiful this past week with all the rain. I have truly enjoyed the change in temperature, although as a socal girl, temps under 60 is pretty drastic...but, this is all you, Lord. Your handiwork in each raindrop. Your handiwork in each blade of green grass and outstretched tree. Thank you, Lord, for I see your love in each of these things.

My 3 1/2 Foot Tall Date

Walker and I got to enjoy some 'alone time' together today after church. We all (The whole family) went to Target, but then separated so that we could go to the 'restaurant' in the store.

As I ordered some popcorn, Icee's, and pretzel's, Walker went to pick out our table. He took this all so seriously and It blessed my heart, so. As I sat down we talked and he says to me, "This is the best date I have ever had." Could he be any cuter? He said that he loves dates that include food. We then agreed that we would go look for Zack's gift.

We did run into our family a couple of times, so he said I needed to start calling them on the cell phone to make sure we wouldn't keep running into them because it was supposed to be 'alone time'.

He got his shopping done. It only took him 3 different trips up and down the toy aisle. We did run into a very cute little red-headed girl in the store. She went up to Walker, introduced herself and asked his name. He told her and she said, "What a nice name." He then looks at me and asks if she can come spend the night at our house. I have NEVER been asked if another girl can come spend the night when I have been on a date.

I love having date's with my kids...not as much as with my hubby, though. I have to set one of those up soon.

Have you dated your child today?

Secret Santa....well, sort of

With this many kids, and an economy that is not doing well, our budget is extra tight this year. So, I had an idea. How about doing a secret santa with the kids? They usually like to get eachother gifts each Christmas, but that gets expensive and honestly, we don't need more toys around here. So, we decided to put all 5 names of the kids in a hat and they could draw a name and that is the brother or sister they would buy a gift for this year.

Walker was very excited about this and offered to do the legwork to get it started. He got out his safety scissors, a pen, and his red ball cap. He wrote out QB on one slip of paper, then Walker on another, and needed a bit of help with the other names. It took him awhile, but he was so proud of himself (I was proud, too) for getting it done. He was a little disappointed with his work on Karizma's name...he spelled it Karisma, but I told him it was ok.

The rules are:
- The gift is to be purchased with their own money. They must use their allowance or earn some extra cash. I think this makes it extra special because they know they worked to buy the gift themselves.

- They get to pick out where they want to shop and what they want to give. No hints allowed and this will encourage them to buy with their hearts. I think this will also teach the recipient to have a grateful heart.

- The kids did not want to keep who got who a secret but the gift must remain a secret until it is opened on Christmas day. This should be interesting, and I think may be the hardest rule to follow for the little guys.

I think it is going to be funny to see what Zack picks for Miguel. Since he is only 2, and has no idea or clue what we are doing, I wouldn't be surprised if Miguel gets a box of animal cookies or a hot wheels car that Zack will most likely assume is his anyway.

My mini-husband, Walker, asked if we could go on a date to shop for his present for Zack. This is a reminder to me that each of the kids really loves to have one on one time with me and I have to be better about that. I do spend lots of one on one with Karizma and Zack, but not as much with the other boys.

I can't wait to let you know what they each got their siblings!
Karizma got: Christian
Miguel got: Walker
Christian got: Karizma
Walker got: Zack
Zack got: Miguel

p.s. As I was about to hit 'publish post' Walker walks up to me with his piggy bank. "Is it full yet?" He had already asked me as I had started this post, and it was about 3/4 of the way full...now, it is full. "Where did you get the extra money, Walker?" "Christian said I could have it." Walker had helped himself to what Christian had in his piggy bank and left him with a whopping one penny. Hmm, I want to encourage a giving heart (Christian), but not a little conman (Walker) for a son. I better go figure out whose pennies are whose.

Look Who Just Turned 2...

Zack as our little clown. This costume would be appropriate any day on him, because he is the comedian of the family and is always trying to make someone laugh. I can't believe he sat still to let me put the makeup on him. He was a really good sport...even if he wiped it all off as soon as I took the pictures.

Christian, Zack, and Walker.

Christian dressed up as a skunk. Wish you could have seen the cute tail. He was an adorable little stinker.

"Paging Dr. White, paging Dr. White..." When Walker was dressing himself for the party today he asked me if I would draw a pair of glasses on him and a mustache. I asked him what kind of mustache he would like. "A curvy one like this, because I am going to be french doctor." Where do they come up with this stuff?!?

From left to right: Zack, Christian, Jacob as a mailman, Levi as a giraffe, and Walker. It was fun having Zack's little friends there, since Christian and Walker have their own big friends. It was truly Zack's day.

Tim and Karizma putting the finishing touches on the bbq'd pork. It was delicious!!!

Grandad sitting at the kiddie table. His presence was requested by one of the 'little' guests.


Zack hitting the pinata. It was a solid one. None of the kids could put a dent in it, so Karizma and Miguel finished it off.

Zack loved having everyone sing Happy Birthday to him. I think it was his favorite part of the day!

"Grandmom, thanks for the yummy cake!!!"



Zack's 2nd birthday was this past Sunday. We had a little costume get together for him and his little buddies. Grandmom and Grandad opened their home to us, Uncle Chris, Our Pastor and Mary, The Loren's, The Marquez's, Tio Temo and Tia Jackie and we can't forget, his little cousin, Temito. It was a nice time to watch the little guys have fun and have a great meal compliments of Tim. Zack (Or Boozee, as I lovingly call him) has been such a delight to us the past 2 years, and we thank God for lending him to us; to our family. He shares a special relationship with each member of our clan, and is the baby in each of our eyes. He knows exactly what to do, say, or how to act to get us to do whatever he wants us to. But, don't get me wrong, it isn't always about Zack. He is also very loving, and thoughtful and caring. He is learning from the best: His older brothers and sister! Thank you, Zackadee, for being our buddy...the sweetess icing on top of our cake! We love you, little guy!

Mountain Life

You know you are a mountain mama when...

-There are broken tree branches all over the road.
-The usual 70 degree weather you are used to in sunny San Diego, on a December day, is now a crisp 55 degrees at noon.
-The winds are so strong that your patio table chairs (which must weigh about 15 lbs each) are all blown over.
-Your above ground pool is no longer where it was this morning, but is now in the bushes somewhere.
-You see more tumble weeds on your ride into town then you do cars.
-The Christmas lights hung around the house with the staple gun are now hanging on the floor.
-You have a fire going at 12:19 in the afternoon.

Hope this means snow this winter!!!

Loving life,

V: the Mountain Mama

Pictures From Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving this year, was probably one of the nicest ever. They are always great, but this year just felt extra special for some reason. It could have been the amazing gravy, or the sweet fellowship, possibly the time that we took as a family to pray together and have my parents bless each of us, but I think it was most likely the time we all spent worshipping God before our meal. That was such a special time.
Thanks, Mom, Dad, and Elisa, for a Thanksgiving to remember!


Mama with Zack, Walker, and Christian.


"I love my life as mommy and wife!"


"Jesus, thank you for this day, thank you for this food..."
I love watching Christian when he prays. He always looks so reverent, and so humble by putting his little face in his hands and focusing on what he is saying to God.


Daddy carving the turkey.
My Dad never fails to make the most moist, tasty bird each year. Dinner was so delicious!

"So many marshmellows, so little time!"
Tia Elisa made yams with marshmellows, and Zack had 4 heaping, helpings.


Me and my sweet thing, Timmy.
Can you believe we have been together for almost 10 years come January? Also, please note the gravy boat right in front of the pregnant woman!! I had about half of that boat all by myself, thank you very much!


My little brother, Manny, and his lovely wife, Susan.
(Don't they make a super cute couple?)


My Parents: Mami y Daddy, married over 35 years now! Praise be to God!


"OK, who's going to clean?!?!" (Both my parents did all the cleaning. Aren't they too kind?!)


Happiness is hangin' with Tio Manny!


"My Tio is stronger than your Tio!!!"



Tio Manny-aka Tio Guacamole Sauce, showing his Popeye skills to Walker and Christian
















"MY HAIR!!!"
I let Christian take some pictures with my camera, and this is one of the shots he captured. I really wanted to post the candid he took of my Dad's bottom, but thought that would be rude and do unto others as you would have them do unto you, and all that... I would be so mad if a picture of my bottom, close up, was floating around on some blog! I think we do have the makings of a pro-photographer in QB, though. He caught some really funny moments.

I do not recommend this look!
My feet were cold, ok?! So, I put on my fuzzy pink socks with my kitten heel shoes. Hey, being pregnant means getting away with pretty much everything. ( Just wait for the Christmas fashion blog I have coming up... think, pregnant elf.)