Welcome Sunshine!

It may have rained over night, but during the day..no rain! Paul and I ran a couple of errands before picking up my friend Gloria to take her to the airport. She is going to visit our friend Evin in Louisville. In fact...she is already there! Wish I was there too..with my girls... But I have a husband and a 2 year old to contend with......

After Paul's nap he and I went outside and he played in his police cozy coupe. He likes to do it himself and he allows me to push him too. After about 15 min of that he wanted to go for a walk..and I do mean a WALK! Probably a mile or so. He loves to look around and notices everything. By the time we got back home, I was a little sweaty.....and his cheeks were rosy!

A new word this afternoon.....CHIHUAHUA....my MIL went to CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO and brought him back a cute red shirt with an actual Chihuahua on it and today he noticed in on his shirt and when I said what kind of dog it was..he repeated it..pretty clearly I might add. So, he doesn't say (not b/c he can't--but he doesn't) Mama, but he loves to say CHIHUAHUA. Seriously, where did Master Paul acquire his feisty personality??!! Does anyone know??!!! Oh and another new thing he does now....carefully pulling over the BOSE speakers that are by the TV. He waits for you to look at him..he already has it in his hands and is starting to pull it down, but he waits until you are looking at him before he lays it down.

Danny's friend Todd is coming over tomorrow AM to assist Danny in putting together Paul's outside play set. Please please..no rain until they are all done!! We've been waiting for a while now to do this! Danny is giving Paul a bath and I got things ready in his room. Danny and I make a good team!

I think we're going to watch a movie tonight..BOBBY. I need to visit the grocery store, but it can wait until the morning. I will end this entry with His word:

Good thing God is in the cleanup business. He is a patient soul-janitor who can restore cleanliness and order. In Ezekiel 36, He promises those of us who trust in Him:
"You will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh...I will save you from all your uncleanliness."

Time to build an ark!

Eeeee ho le! The storm blew in around 9am this morning. Paul and I were headed out to run 2 errands before meeting Miss Rhonda, Caroline and baby Crawford for a 10am FREE showing of Clifford's Big Movie! Down came the rain. The flooding along Thousand Oaks was unreal and a little scary to be truthful. The movie was great and the kids had fun! Still raining when we came out around 11:30. Lunch and then a nap..for both of us! This rain kicks my ass. People who have aches and pains and arthritis know what I am talking about. All I want to do is lie down and sleep.

Two hours later..time for the Veggie Tales Sing a long DVD. Paul is addicted to it! Then we played with blocks and did some flashcards. He can count to 10 now...and NO..not in Spanish! Daddy comes home and 6 and then I am headed to the bed! He and Paul can have some time alone for a couple of hours while I rest. No GNO for me tonight!

My friend Erin found this site from another blog and you must visit it and read all about the young woman who died from breast cancer at age 28. Her sister has done something truly amazing in her honor. Thanks Erin for letting us know about this site. :-) http://www.uptownliz.com/

Beer anyone?

Is it wrong to sit at the computer paying bills, deleting old emails and searching for airline fares all the while drinking a beer..while your toddler is napping?! I don't think so......

Paulie funnies: head butting Danny's tummy while he sits on the floor. How this got started I have no idea... giving Mommy a kiss..then running over to Daddy and giving him a kiss and back and forth..and each time saying in a sweet voice.."thank you." when DVD movie is over and menu is on...bringing Mommy the remote to start it again..and saying "please..."

When Paul wakes up from his nap I am throwing him into the stroller, grabbing my IPOD and going for a nice, brisk walk! My gal pal Evin sent me this site to check speed traps in your area. Click on state and then city. I don't need this really, b/c I don't speed! :-)http://www.speedtrap.org/speedtraps/stetlist.asp

Three weeks from today Paul and I will be enjoying Michigan's summer weather and having fun with my Mom and Wayne! We leave on Aug 13 and return to San Antonio on Aug 20. I know Danny will miss us terribly and we will miss him of course! Oreo can keep him company!

Tonight my friend Gloria is taking me to a late dinner for my birthday. Danny has a meeting with a client and when he arrives home..I am outa here! We're going to Piatti at The Quarry! I have a feeling wine and smores will be involved! Can't wait!!!

Adios amigos!

What Makes You Laugh?

What makes you laugh? And when I say laugh, I mean that deep, belly laugh that makes your toes tingle and your face hurt. Some of us don't have the opportunity to laugh like that very often. The power of laughter is incredible. Scientists have proven that laughing can heal our bodies and, of course, lift our spirits.

My List: Oreo and Paul playing together and chasing one another around the house; when Paul dances....bouncing his legs with his tush stuck out shaking as he bounces; Danny or Paul tickling my feet; many of Jay Leno's jokes during his monologue; honestly--telling my dime dime quarter dollar joke....everyone is usually laughing so hard that it makes me laugh and cry; hearing a dirty joke from my 80+ mother-in-law; being with friends--there is always something that is said or happens; stories my sister Nikki tells about almost anything..she tells good stories and seems to always have funny things happen to her

Nehemiah 8:10 Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This say is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

Laughter is a gift from God. Today and everyday, I ask our Lord to put a smile on my face, and allow me to share that smile with all who cross my path......and let me laugh. AMEN

I'd love to know your list! Please share! Email smnku721@satx.rr.com

We're drowning here in San Antonio

Old Blue Eyes..Frank Sinatra once said..."I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day."

Took Paul to the playground this morning for an hour. Ran him around and we played a lot! He is napping now and I am listening to the thunder and hoping it does wake him!!!! Oh and get a load of this...an F1 tornado existed Sun morning around 2:30AM and damaged some homes, but no people...a mere mile from our home! It was a pretty loud storm and I recall thinking...wow it sure is windy! DUH!

I receive this really neato subscription called Bottom Line Personal. My Dad has purchased this for me since about 1991. Lots of neat and helpful information on every and any topic. Example....FREE on-line legal advice can be found on www.Nolo.com or www.Public.FindLaw.com And tidbits like watermelon is most healthy when stored at room temperature..did you know that? I did not! And a survey says that 54% of American adults think nude sunbathing should be allowed on some public lands.....not this American adult! And this one is important....when replacing two tires ..both new tires should be installed on the rear of the car. This helps the vehicle to grip the road better and maintain stability.

Carry on friends....

Four Feet Under: Hidden stories of child abuse

There is story on MYSA.com regarding the problem of child abuse and children's deaths here in San Antonio the past several years. Danny is on the board of our local children's home who takes in abused children from ages 2-18. There are currently about 90 living on campus. I know our local CPS is overloaded and we need to find a way to help and work all the cases and get these little ones out before it is too late.

The morticians did their best with the tiny lifeless infant. Two hours they spent trying to mask baby David's injuries. They disguised the chunk missing from his leg with plastic and special cream. They covered his bruised face with makeup. Only five months earlier, David had been brought into the world to replace another child, one the mother lost to Child Protective Services because of a drug habit. He weighed 11 pounds when he was beaten to death in December 2005. Somebody bludgeoned his head and smashed his jaw. Someone bit his thigh and bruised his arm. A list of his injuries filled two pages of the medical examiner's report and informed the mortician's notes. "Baby in bad shape," the undertaker wrote.
When they buried David 4 feet under, a common depth for a child's grave, on the Friday before Christmas, his mother wasn't there. Devon Arlene Vega, who was 25 then and had a cocaine habit, was locked in the Bexar County Jail, accused of beating David to death less than two weeks after CPS had begun investigating her for a second time on allegations of neglect. **Last month, at the age of 26, she pleaded guilty to murdering David and was sentenced to 40 years in prison.

In San Antonio (Bexar County), the deadliest 12-month period was the state fiscal year ending Aug. 31, 2005. Eighteen children died. That's a child every three weeks. And from Sept 2005 - Aug 31....we have lost 14 children to abuse.

Who will stand and be a champion for abused

and neglected children?

Countdown to the big 38!

One week from today...I turn 38! Hard to believe I think b/c I often feel like a kid! :-) Plans for the day....maybe a family activity in the AM and possibly a facial in the afternoon followed by dinner (place undetermined yet) with friends.

Danny's Mom went on a trip to Copper Mountain and Mexico for a week with her brother and his wife...otherwise known as Uncle John and Aunt Lupe. When they returned to SA, I picked her up and she spent the weekend with us. Then on Monday morning, Mary Esther, Paul and myself loaded up the car and headed to Houston...Friendswood actually. It is about 20/25 min south of Hobby Airport..just off Interstate 45. The trip wasn't a lot of fun. Paul was very fussy and cried and screamed a lot. I did not know what was wrong. I tried everything. And he never fell asleep even though I know he was tired. We made it to the Niño house around 3pm. Paul was not himself. He seemed to be kind of upset most of the time we were there. I had a hard time putting him to bed Monday night too. He and I slept together, which I have to say....was sweet. However, I did not get much sleep..maybe 4 hours. He moves around ALOT and always wanted to be snuggled up to me. And Danny can tell you..when I sleep..I don't want anyone touching me!

Morning came around 7:15..when my little boy started patting me to wake me up. Auntie Veronica, cousins Marisa and Daniel and the two of us headed to a recreation park pool around 11am. Maybe it was all the people in the pool, but for the first time around water, Paul was not interested in going all the way in. Finally he allowed Veronica to hold him in the water, but all the while he looked unsure and wasn't having any fun. And he did not take a nap again once we returned home. Maybe too much excitement....different house..different bed....young cousins around to play with..who knows?! Like I said above, I am a kid at heart. I spent time in the cul-de-sac with the kids and the neighbor kids on scooters. I was trying to catch/chase them while on the scooter. They all thought it was pretty fun to avoid and chase "Aunt Susan."
Around 5pm...hot and humid outside, I took all 3 kids to a park about 5 min from the house. We had fun playing. Thank goodness for a nice summer breeze, otherwise, we all would have fainted. Paul was still acting up a lot and I was totally exasperated and decided we would go home a day early. I knew late Tues night that something was bothering him, but I did not know what. Poor guy cannot tell me either.....so frustrating for both of us.

Wed morning around 7--my boy had an exploding diarrhea diaper all over himself and the game room carpet. So I knew then..his tummy was hurting. We packed up and left around 9:15. Then on Thurs I became ill with a really bad cold...but also some flu symptoms. YUCK! I am still sick as I write this entry and headed off to bed.... I am doing better though...and hopefully will bounce back soon!

Above is a pic of Paul and his 2 cousins at the pool.....Marisa is 11 and Daniel is 6.

Peace out dog...

Quick..it's not raining here right now....

Ahhh yes, the rain came pouring down about an hour ago. Now, sunny and I assume a little muggy outside. This morning was decent..cloudy and not too hot! Paul and I ran an errand and then he played at Kid Space so I could visit Target and have lunch with my friend JoAnne.

Paul is napping now and we'll see how long it lasts since he was up until 11:30 last night and up at 7:15am today! Our sweet friends Julie and David Seguin invited us to go out to David's brother's home last night for a BBQ and fireworks! Keith Seguin is married to Cindy. Cindy attended the ACTS retreat in April and I had the chance to visit with her a little. She is VERY sweet and I was excited to see her again. They live in Spring Branch..close to Canyon Lake. A beautiful new home on a cul-de-sac. The lot next door and across the street are available and after last night..Danny and I both wish to live out there! Cindy's Mom was there too and Mary and Ken Melley and 2 of their 3 kids. And Audrey Seguin was there too...she is 14. Cindy's son Kyle also present. He turns 16 this Sunday I think..or Monday. Oh to be 16 again....seriously, no thank you! And some other friends were there too. James, Michelle and their little toddler Thomas. Hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, salsa, deer sausage, and all the drinks possible! Yummy food! Paul made a few friends. He seemed to like Dr. David Seguin a lot. Grabbed his hand and led him over to the couch so they could sit together..WAY cute! And Paul also liked Mr. Ken Melley. And I say..what is not to like about these 2 men?! And the FIREWORKS they set off....unreal, beautiful, and so much fun! There was a lot of clapping, running back, smoke, laughing, oooooing and ahhhing...even some liturgical dancing with sparklers! Did I mention wine, beer and margarita's?! Sonterra should hire Keith, David and Ken and the teenage boys (Kyle and Trey) to do their fireworks next year.....awesome dudes!

Then back inside for dessert! Paul was still awake and running around the house laughing and being silly. I don't know where he gets that behavior from...do any of you?! :-) We left Spring Branch around 10:45. And your question..did Paul fall asleep in the car.... UH NO! I think he had such a good time he was flying high..like his Mommy! On the way home I about cried when I told Danny how much fun I had and that it felt like being with family! And they really are family..our Holy Trinity family. I know..kinda corny...BUT TRUE!!

Victoria M and Audrey S were asking Julie, Mary and I what our wedding songs were? And I told them they had at least 10 years before they had to think about that! But, Victoria already had her song picked out and I cannot recall right now. Us girls busted out with singing and dancing while the "men" where lighting the fireworks. Did I mention there was a blowtorch?! At one time, Julie asked for the blowtorch to light some firecrackers and Audrey and I said..UH NO..keep the torch out of her hands please..we were a little worried.....

Don't be surprised if our new address one day soon is *** Jackson Creek, Spring Branch, TX!!!
Thank you to Keith and Cindy for allowing us to crash their party! It was the VERY BEST time! I don't think I have had so much fun on the 4th in MANY MANY years! Thanks for the memories and all the good food! I took ZZ and Erin's broccoli salad..it was a hit!

Back to some chores while P is still sleeping.....

Time for bed again

Where do they days go??? We had a Teams of Our Lady meeting tonight and returned home around 8:45. Our dear friend Meliza (mother of Michelle and Robert) was here caring for Master Paul. I am responding to some emails from a new Mommy source I found on the web...I sent out a question today and have already had 2 wonderful and helpful emails from Mommies in SA with good suggestions/advice. Check it out and sign up...FREE! http://www.mamasource.com/

Writing a little here. Then taking a hot shower and heading to bed. Goal..to be asleep by 10:30pm. I know I can sleep well because God will be awake!

From Isaiah 40:11 "Beloved ...He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young."

Locked Out of house...$96 later...

Ho Hum..we all went to church this morning and when we came home...someone had locked the garage door..leading into the house. And neither myself nor Danny had a key. It is hot, we are all hungry and we have 3 kids with us! Called a locksmith....was about an hour later and $96 and less than a minute of work and we're in! I understand charging oh maybe $50, but $90? (I think I need to get in that career and obtain those tools!) And for about 30 seconds of work. Granted he had to come here..but he said he lives 10 min away! I suppose there are worse things that could happen.

Michelle and Robert's folks are on their way home from their retreat. I am taking the kids shortly to their house so we're there when they arrive. Apparently they are driving in some heavy rain. Not fun I know....

Then, Danny and I have our monthly Teams meeting tonight and Meliza and Michelle are coming to watch Paul. I told them we would take him to Kid Space, but she insisted.

Overall, it was a nice weekend. Kind of busy really. Poor Danny is headed outside to mow the back jungle. A joke I heard yesterday from my 8 year old friend. "Why did the chicken cross the playground?"...to get to the other SLIDE! HA HA HA