GO SPURS GO

Well, the SPURS closed out the first series of the NBA playoffs last night against Phoenix. Yeah! Bring on New Orleans!

Paulie has horrific snot and we don't know if it's due to his surgery or if he is sick. When he wakes in the morning--it is caked on all over his lip and even some smudged on his cheeks. GROSS! And there is an awful odor coming from his mouth. Dr. Moe said one side effect from having adenoids out---bad breath for a week....but this is MORE than just bad breath. He and I had to take Miss Oreo to PetSmart this morning at 7 so she could get a bath, nails, haircut, ears cleaned and so on. Danny flew out to El Paso this morning and will be home tonight around 7.

I had a cleaning lady come yesterday afternoon and she did a pretty good job. My Dad and Jean arrive tomorrow for a few days and I only have a few things to do tonight. Oh, and go to HEB..which is so NOT my favorite thing to do.

Monday--had lunch with two of my favorite people..Tina and ZZ. I know them from my parish and we are also ACTS sisters. Last night Jennifer came over to be with Paulie so Danny and I could attend yet another gala at The Omni. This time it was for The Mexican American Unity Council. The CEO is a new client of mine. He is a super nice man. MAUC was giving out 3 scholarships to graduating seniors from Lanier High School here in SA and also recognizing Our Lady of the Lake University and Rosemary Kowalski for Lifetime Achievement Awards for their efforts to help educate young people. It was a great dinner and nice awards presentations.

Here is my little man during his school's Fiesta parade last week. Check out his face--this is soooooo me! I soooooo love my Paulie Waulie.....he cracks me up and is so sweet and loving!

Cheers!

I Love My Paulie Waulie and Viva Fiesta!

This is has been another busy week! Danny was in Houston all day Monday and I am busy at work having meetings, talking with prospects and preparing proposals! I had lunch with a long time friend from Frost Bank Tuesday. She now works at Plains Capital Bank..we had a nice visit.

Our friend Barney is in town all week for Fiesta! If you aren't from SA--check out our annual party--the whole town goes crazy and one big party and events all day long for 10 days. Lots of eating and drinking too!

Paul is doing so well at school. He has a lot of friends and his teachers love him a lot and he adores them too. Ms. Laura calls him Paulie Waulie and so do about 6 of his classmates. It is really cute and makes Paul smile and laugh. Interesting tidbit--Paul has a close buddy and her name is Jazzy. They are joined at the hip, hands and sometimes lips! Oh my----my little man is getting started early with the ladies. I am not surprised! :-) Jazzy will need an invite to Paul's bday party in June. Don't know yet what we're doing--but there will be some kind of party on June 14. He turns 3 on June 16! I cannot believe it!! They are having a school parade this morning at 10am to celebrate Fiesta, and I am going to enjoy and take pictures.

Paul is having his surgery tomorrow morning. Tubes in his ears and Dr. Moe is taking his adenoids out. My sweet friend Linda is meeting us at the surgery center. Danny goes to Houston tonight and doesn't come home until late tomorrow night. I needed someone to go with me. I am a little nervous since Paul will be going "under". I bet he is sensitive to anesthesia like his Grandma Jones and his Mother...we'll see I suppose.

My Dad and Jean arrive next Thurs for a long weekend visit. So much to do before they arrive. I broke down and hired a cleaning person and she will be coming on Tuesday to help me get the house in order.

I am off to get ready.......adios peeps!

Ear Infections, ER Trips and Galas, OH MY

Another busy week in the Niño family. Paul was diagnosed on Sunday with 2 ear infections and probable sinus infection. I was busy with work and the house and Paul Monday and Tuesday.

Early Wed morning Danny told me he had been up most of the night with horrific chest pains and at one time he had some numbness and tingling in his left arm and fingers. Silly man wanted to wait until 9am and go see our family doctor. Uh, no. We're going to the ER Mr. So, I took Paul to school and away we went to NC Baptist ER. I dropped him off at the ER door and went to park. By the time I got in there--he was already taken back and hooked up for an EKG. I had to wait in the waiting room. About 20 min later--they put him in a room and I could go back too. Hooked up to machines and then blood drawn. The doctor came in and asked a lot of questions. Long story short---he doesn't think it was his heart. He also had an ultrasound on his gall bladder, pancreas and liver. The dr thinks it is a peptic ulcer or gastritis. Either way Danny needs to change his diet, lose weight, stress less and get a stress test done sometime in the next couple of months. We were there for 6-7 hours. Good care though!

Danny's Mom was in town this week, but the only day we saw her was Wed..after the whole ER trauma/saga. I picked her up in the late afternoon and then picked up Paul at school. Mom got to see Paul's classroom and meet one of his teachers. Then home to hang out with Daddy. Before I took Mary Esther back to Uncle John's house--I took her to Francesca's up on 281 North. I finally found a purse Danny could purchase for me--our anniversary is in 3 weeks. And no TMZ--it wasn't $550 or even $300 --- although I really wanted one of those--from Nordstrom.

Thursday was a good day at work. Erin took me to lunch to meet with a VIP prospect. He needs to be with us! And he's Catholic--and a super sweet man! A nice lunch at Luce at The Strand. Thanks Charlie and Gary--and Nick!! I also had a good meeting with one of our new mortgage folks. We just purchased a successful existing mortgage company and added them to our current mortgage division. Welcome friends!

Thursday night---my company had a table at The Child Guidance Center's dinner/gala event. I headed out to The Omni around 6 to meet up with co-workers for a drink before the event started. Really nice glass of pinot grigio--thanks Connie--I mean Nick!! :-) Silent Auction, nice meal and lots of laughs. Mr. Curt Anastasio CEO of NuStar was being honored. He's short....but a handsome man.

Whew--almost done with the week. Friday was catchup at work and make calls. I also worked on a couple of proposals. I also wasn't feeling too swift from the night before---one glass of wine too many! :-)

I need to do some chores while Paul is napping. Danny is at an appt with a client. We went to a bday party today from noon - 2pm. Paul rode the pony in the backyard 3 times. He did not wish to get off of Freckles..the pony! Danny and I said, "hmmmm, we might have to hire Freckles for Paul's birthday...!"

"New Again"

This is a new song and video by Brad Paisley and Sara Evans titled New Again. Even if you aren't a fan on country music--please watch. Enjoy. It will touch your heart and open it up wide.

My Sick Little Boy

Paul battles congestion and a runny nose all the time. He has allergies and is on 2 kinds of meds..but STILL they don't eliminate the problem. And then what happens when he has all the congestion---ear infections. I could tell Fri and Sat he prob had them....cranky boy. But he had a ton of energy on Sat and he and Daddy went to the zoo while I laid low. I am not feeling well myself. So we decided late last night we would take him to Good Night Pediatrics today. I was convinced he had at least one ear infection. So this morning again--super cranky and then at 8:30am--he threw up. Three more times before we left at 11am. He was very lethargic and tired. He vomited 2 more times as we waiting for 90 min to see a doctor. Yep--2 ear infections and she believes he also has a bad sinus infection. Like Mama like Paulie. UGH! He was holding his little tummy b/c it hurt. Poor baby. I almost cried looking at him and knowing he felt really bad. Dr. Payne prescribed Zofran for the upset tummy and naturally an antibiotic for his infections. Both he and Danny are sleeping right now.

April 25 is Paul's surgery. He is having his adenoids out and tubes put into his ears. God I hope this helps with all the damn ear infections. Fortunately, all these infections have not affected his hearing....yet anyway. Danny goes to Houston tomorrow and I really don't want to miss work. I was out Fri b/c I felt like crapola. But--Paul has to come first and work will have to understand I suppose. We'll see how the rest of the day and night goes. The doctor said if he doesn't throw up anymore--he might be ok for school tomorrow. Uh, we'll see!

The Masters is on and I am off to watch it. I have not checked ESPN yet and do not know who is in the lead.

Jesus, Life Coach / Funny Paul Story

Many of you might know that I wish to one day get training and certification to be a life coach. Keep in mind the one and true life coach is Jesus Christ. Have you ever thought about this...Jesus is more about transformation than success?! (my opinion that is...) With Jesus as your personal life coach, he asks you a question: What do you want me to do for you? Jesus wants us to focus now. All the power is here and now. All the intent is here right now. It is up to us to decide on who we want to be and what we want to be about in this world.
Let your light shine....let it be powerful enough to cut through steel!

Proverbs 4:25 says, "Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you." KEEP YOUR FOCUS Sisters and Brothers!

John 16:13 says, "He will guide you into all truth."


I have a funny story about Paulie. Monday morning Danny left the house around 4:30AM to fly to Houston. Paul was sleeping in the guest bed. I left him there b/c he was out and in the middle of the bed. My alarm went off at 6:30 and I checked on him. Still asleep in the middle of the bed. So, off I went to the shower.

I am super sensitive to light and I truly dislike bright lights. Our bathroom lights are super bright so I hardly ever turn them on. Instead I turn on our closet light and open the door. it lets enough light it for me to brush my teeth, shower and straighten my hair. No other light is on in the house. I take a 6-8 min shower....done, open the shower door, grab my towel...and begin to dry off. ALL OF A SUDDEN--there is this sweet voice that says, "I see you!" Holy crapola--I jumped and shrieked! Paulie scare me to death. BUT, where the heck was he?! Seconds later--this time a giggly voice, "I see you!"

Found him...he was in the closet on the floor reading a book and peeking through the crack between the wall and the door (where the hinges are)! He is so cute..he woke up..got a book and quietly sat in the only room with a light on waiting for his Mommy.....to scare me that is! I jump out and scare Danny all the time...so, like son like Mama! I wish you could have been here......funny big time!! He has this awesome belly laugh. Danny says he sounds exactly like me. All I know is that Paul is silly just like me. I love it and wouldn't want it any other way!!!

Mario's Miracle Shot......

heard all around the sports world on Monday, April 7, 2008!!! With a couple of seconds left in the NCAA Championship game--KU's Mario Chalmers hit a 3 pointer to tie the game and send it into overtime!! Amazing!!! Kansas had life and I had a feeling we would win in OT! Danny was in Houston so his cousin Roddy went with me to the game..at the Alamo Dome! We ate dinner at Rosario's beforehand.....drinks included. Then we walked over to the dome and cheered on my boys to victory! It was one of the best college bb games ever!!!! Mario's shot might be the best and biggest shot ever in KU's history! The celebration started and I cried a little when the clock hit 0! We stayed for the celebration, post game remarks, presenting of the trophy and the traditional showing of ONE SHINING MOMENT on CBS!

Speculation quickly went to Coach Self possibly leaving KU and head to coach his alma mater--Oklahoma State. Those damn media people---can we please enjoy this incredible moment?! Coach Bill Self announced yesterday--he is NOT going to talk with OSU and will remain at Kansas. I knew he would--at least for now. OSU is not a premier bb program like a KU, UNC, Duke, Kentucky, UCLA.

We had 2 Memphis fans infront of us during the game and she thought my screaming was a bit loud. She actually asked me to pipe down--uh no! This is is national championship game girlfriend...move if you don't like it! And I went bizerk when we took the game to OT--b/c Memphis had it won with 2 min left in regulation. We showed great poise and skill and took the game from underneath those pesky Memphis Tigers. ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK--KU WINS and WE'RE #1!!!!!!

This was a season of destiny.......and those who know college BB understand why. I cannot wait to get my National Champions t-shirt!!

Here is a picture of downtown Lawrence, KS--home of the KU Jayhawks after we won! Party on friends!!!!

Kansas Beats Tar Out of UNC

Did you know that Kansas beat UNC last night?! That's right--down with Roy and his boys--AMEN
See people....we don't need to play with Roy--when we can play our Self!!! :-)

My Kansas Jayhawks Are Playing for the National Championship!

ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK...GO FIGHT WIN! Awesome time at the Final Four last night. My co-worker and I got downtown around 4 and had some cold drinks at Rosario's before walking over to the Alamo Dome. Memphis and UCLA played the first game. Not as exciting as one would have thought for a semi-final Final Four game. I cheered for Memphis. They are big and athletic and easily won the game. Then, 45 min until my boys came out! Tip off was amazing and scary all at the same time. KU jumped out with a 31-10 lead. What in the world was going on with NC?! I was dumbfounded--but at the same time--THRILLED beyond words! They fought back and we went into halftime with a 17 point lead. I know the second half would be different. It was...... towards the end of the game, NC got within 4 points--but that was the closest they got--we pulled away and finished them off!!!! Final Score: KU 84 - NC 66. Yeah baby!!! I screamed and yelled so much my throat hurt. I was all decked out in my KU attire too! I had lots of fun and it was electrifying to be there--at the Final Four. What a rush!!!! I am going tomorrow night for the Championship Game. It will be tough but I think our boys will be ready! Beak 'Em Hawks--beat Memphis!!!

Danny took Paul to the zoo yesterday morning while I cleaned and did laundry. I also ran a ton of errands before leaving for the Final Four. More chores today and enjoying play time with my super fun little boy. I know I am bias, but he IS sooooo much fun to be around. He laughs like I do..and loves to be active and social. Gee, where does he get those traits?! You have to see his fish face---it will crack you up!

Danny leaves for Houston at 6:30am tomorrow. I have some appts at work, but otherwise will be focused on tomorrow night and prob won't be too productive at work.......oh well. Tomorrow night is HUGE!!!

We had our 6 month meeting with the gals from Brighton Thurs morning here at the house. We all agree that Master Paul is doing better but still has a long way to go with his pragmatic language skills. One of the therapists again suggested we get him tested for Autism. If it is an underlying factor, it has to be the high functioning type. But his pediatrician and us do not feel he has any type of Autism. He will continue to receive therapy from Brighton's ECI Program until he is 3--which is June 16. At that time, the school district takes over his speech therapy. I am hopeful we can get him where he needs to be in time for kindergarten.

I need to go clean up our bedroom...put shoes away and hang up some clothes and dust...and then vacuum once Paul awakes from his nap.

GO KANSAS! I know all my friends and family will cheer for KU! I am already nervous for the game tomorrow night...8pm!!!!