Weekend Rewind

Saturday morning - Issy and I headed over to Target to get a Birthday gift for Ethan.  We all got ready and headed over to the Woodlands to the Main Event to enjoy Ethan's birthday party!  Isabella had a blast bowling with her friends from karate.  Then they got to play in the arcade, and just had a blast.  It is great to see them having so much fun at his age.  Of course - Issy left there saying she wants to have her birthday party there! LOL

The girls and I headed over to the mall and walked around aimlessly window shopping.  We are most definitely not mall shoppers.  Everything to us was way too overpriced for us.  We only bought a pair of mustard colored pants for myself - because they were 80% off at Dillard's, and then Isabella used her Justice gift card to buy some jewelry for herself and other knick-nacks!

Since we were not willing to spend any money at the mall - we left and headed back home.  We got home - Issy changed into a swim suit, and then we loaded back up and headed over to Tio Ernie's.  The Limon's were bar-b-queing and so we headed over to join in on the fun.  Issy, Aiden and Jade jumped into the green pool! LOL And the rest of us started cutting, chopping and preparing all the extras while Ray manned the grill.

We stayed out there catching up and chit chatting until about 9pm.  The kids all had a good time...even Kristen.

When we got home - I took Makaila and Kristen over to Kristens house to spend the night over there.  Danny and I had to talk it out before we decided on letting Makaila go.  I'm not big on my kids staying other places unless it is family....so we really had to think about it for awhile.  We finally decided it would be okay, and let her go. LOL

Sunday morning, Isabella and I got ready and headed to church.  Look at what my little diva wore to church:

She was looking super cute.

Church notes:
This was the last of the Killing Karma series.
We read from Luke 15 - which talks about a Man who had two sons.  The younger one asked for his inheritance , then he took off and blew it all away in wild living, then he had to become a servant to stay alive, and was starving to death.  He decided to back to his father and beg to be a worker for him.  But whenthe father saw him coming to him, he ran to his son and welcomed him back in his arms and kissed him, and then celebrated his return.

Karma is the universal law of reaping what you sough.  God however, paid the price for our sins on that cross many years ago killing karma on that cross.

Our God is strong and almighty and at the same time loving and forgiving and caring and compassionate.

Our God runs to you! To feel his love and grace :

1. Stop rebelling and return to the Father's Care

2. Stop running and rest in the Father's approval  - when the son left her ran away in rebellion but on his return he walked slowly in humility; but the father saw his son and ran to him with open arms.  Imagine the father sitting at his window say after day waiting for his child to return.

3. Stop resisting and rejoice in the Father's blessings.  - celebrate in God's love - you may not deserve it by your actions - but you have it through God's grace. Stop running and let God pick you up in his arms!!

Just as an FYI - If you do not have a home church - our church is awesome.  If you are looking for a place to celebrate the resurrection Easter weekend - you are more than welcomed to come to our home church.  We attend Woodland Church - East Campus in Atascocita.  Easter weekend we are having 7 seperate service starting Friday April 18 @ 7 pm (with an Egg hunt at 6:30 pm); Saturday April 19th @ 6 pm (Egg hunt at 5:30 pm); and Sunday April 20th @ 6:30 am; 8:30 am, 10 am, 11:30 am, and 1pm (Egg hunts on Sunday will take place at 9:30 am, 11:30 am & 1 pm).  Danny the girls and I attend the 10am service every Sunday morning (work allowing  for Dan); so if you are ever in the area - we would LOVE for you and your family to join us!!

After church Issy and I headed home to pack a present for Ireland's birthday party.  We filled our gift bag and then headed over to Cypress.  I swear, since we never head that direction it felt like an eternity when we finally arrived! LOL Of course since the party didn't start until 2 pm, Issy and I headed over to the Cypress Outlets to kill some time.  We walked into a couple stores but not much was interesting enough to get us to bring it home with us.  I bought a couple clearance items at the Banana republic outlet (my favorite outlet store) and then we took off to the party.  Before I was even done saying hello to the hosts - Issy was already shoes off and in the jumpy house! LOL

 It was a frozen themed birthday party - so you can't even begin to understand the excitement this held for Issy.  She was loving every minutes of it.  She made a marshmallow snowman and at one point all the kids came in to watch the frozen movie and were all singing Let it Go in unison (cutest thing ever)!


We stayed at this birthday party far longer than we should have (because Issy refused to leave without cake and presents)! LOL While we were at the birthday party Makaila went to see Divergent with Kristen!! I was a little jealous! LOL I haven't been to the movies in ages!

We headed home and the Issy played outside with the neighbor kids, and her friends Sophia came over to play for awhile too.  Finally it got dark, Kristen dropped Makaila off and we all headed inside to make dinner and wrap it up for the week.

It was a nice low key weekend filled with family and friends and celebrations!  I was happy - the kids were happy, and Danny was hard at work!

Which reminds me - please continue to pray for Danny to find a job that is less stressful, less physically straining, and not shift work.  He is looking for a job in accounts payable - and at this point just about any opportunity he can get in a office environment (or non-shift work environment)with decent pay.  He misses out on so much with the kids where he is now and we are praying and hoping that God opens that door for him soon - so that he can enjoy watching his kids grow up instead of just get pics on his i-phone from me while he is at work!! The best way for this to happen is having someone you know get you in that door or someone you know giving you the opportunity or putting their name on the line for you to get an opportunity...so if you know of anything or hear of anything - please keep him in mind!!!  He is a hard worker, a fast learner and a great person! (He puts up with me- he has to be great!)

I hope you have a wonderful week and that you encourage someone - even if its just with a cute little smile. You never know what challenges other people are dealing with outside of your interactions with them - so be kind and patient and show God's grace in your words and actions.  I am praying this for myself daily - so keep me in your prayers too please.  That God help me be a better me..that I be a reflection of him in my words and actions and that I love bigger and better than I have in my past!

Love ya!!

-S-

Friday Off

Friday was my 9/80 Friday - which meant I stayed up Thursday night doing laundry and folding clothes - and trying to clear some of the shows on the DVR box.

In the morning, we woke up and got ready for school, dropped off the girls and then came home to fold clothes and clean the living room.  It is the last Friday of the month - which meant we would be scrapbooking at night.

I went to Issy's school at 11 to have lunch with her.  We ate our Whataburger happy meals and then headed over to the book fair.  She picked out a book and then I headed home.  Little lunch dates in the week at school are the best at her age.  I am still cool to her and getting a book at book fair made her feel pretty special.

I got home and went to Costco with Danny.  That is dangerous!  Both Danny and I have a love for Costco that is a tad on the insane side.  They cram all kinds of cool stuff in that store that makes it semi-impossible to not spend bookoos of money.  I actually returned a microdermabrasion kit I bought the last time I went there; so they gave me $200 that I foolishly thought I would fold away into my purse and save for a little something special!  I was so WRONG!  Costco got their $200 back immediately.  I bought a nice fold-able bench for our front year, a large pot for the front yard, a giant flag for our house, and a comfy cooling pillow for Danny! I swear- I am such a sucker sometimes.  But on the plus side - I will have a nice seating area to watch Issy play outside while I read a book!  I am excited about that (Hint hint Dan **- if your reading this I want that bench out of the box and in our yard already!!!)

We went over to Cafe Tipico for lunch after our Costco trip and once again - outstanding!! I food was fantastic, the staff was super friendly, and we took home some desserts to try which were SO yummy!!! Makaila got the tres leches cake (I think it is so cute that her Daddy is always looking out for her; even when she is at school), and I got a slice of the Italian Cream cake.  It was SO SO SO good!!

We came home and relaxed for a few minutes, then Danny went to get the girls from school, while I finished cleaning the kitchen. Makaila brought her friend Kristen home with her to stay the weekend, and Issy was of course all over that.

At about 5pm, the scrapbookers started arriving and we got to scrapping.  Although I must admit - I was all kinds of scatterbrained, and could not for the life of me get it together.  I was a hot mess.  I couldn't find the right tools, the right stamps, the inks I need...It was ridiculous!  Somehow they managed to finish their layouts for the night, and we called it a night a little early.  By 9pm, everyone was gone and I was left to fold laundry once again - I was up until 1am folding clothes and trying to clear out the living room!!

Teresea came over to scrap and also gave me her "sponsor" money for Makaila's 15.  I can't believe this is already happening!  Time is flying by and it will be here in no time.  I am so grateful that Teresea made it a priority to get me her money and in turn motivate me to really get this ball rolling!

Hope you have a great weekend!! We are off to start our party hopping!

Weekend Rewind

This weekend was horrible. 

Friday I had to leave work a little early to take care of my sister.  She had a surgery done, and thought her friend was going to take care of her and instead her friend bailed.  I went to her house and helped her for awhile and then my other sister came to watch her and help her.  Our old neighbor Gracie came to help too.  Erica thought that she would be fine and wouldn't need help - but she was wrong. 

I got home late Friday evening, and Danny told me his dad was in the hospital in Mexico with some uncontrollable bleeding!  I was heartbroken for Danny, and angry that he was so far away and we couldn't do anything, or see him or go to him (neither of us have passports).

I also got a call from my mom that my cousin Juanito's daughter Evelyn (who was only 6 years old) finally lost her battle to Leukemia and had passed away.  She had been fighting with cancer for a little over a year and I only went to see her once in the hospital. 

That visit almost a year ago - haunted me.  To see a poor little girl (Issy's age) go through that tore me up inside.  I cannot begin to imagine the strength and pain both my cousin and his wife endured watching their little princess go through this for so long.  I was so sad to hear that she was gone.  We aren't really close, but he is my cousin, and seeing anyone loose a child is just heartbreaking. 

That night - Danny got calls about every 3 hours giving us updates about his dad.  Through the night they admitted him to ICU, did an endoscopy procedure found the origin of the bleeding, repaired it and stabilized him. It was a sleepless night.  By 5:30 we were up and going (it was our last rodeo shift).  Danny, the girls and I all took off to rodeo (tired as all get out) and it was a very busy day.  Teresea came and took Issy to walk around and do fun stuff while we worked and Makaila sat in the office with my sister Nancy.

About lunch time, Brenda told me that her and Danny's cousin Ramon was in the hospital as well and things did not look good.  He was having kidney failure as a result of his diabetes and he probably wouldn't make it. 

Well - when it rains - it pours. My parents came into town this afternoon to help take care of my sister.  Also - her friend Gracie was a real trooper and stayed with her almost the entire weekend waiting on her hand and foot. 

During our last rodeo shift - my Assistant Captains presented me with a  parting gift (since this is my last year as Captain of our team).  They gave me a beautiful hat - for which I am so so grateful. 

With all that was going on and having the kids with us at rodeo - we decided not to stay and celebrate our last shift - but rather go home and get some updates on Danny's dad and try to rest up.  We ordered Chinese for dinner and I think the entire house was knocked out asleep by 9:30 that night.

Sunday morning I started some laundry and then at 9:45 headed to church to greet (I haven't done this in a few weeks, and I really needed to do it - my heart needed all the Jesus  (in the form of praise and worship)it could get). 

Church Notes:
Part 3 of series: Killing Karma - Replacing a Life of Guilt with a Life of Grace

* the real giving tree is knowing and accepting that God sent Jesus to die for you
* Grace is a product of Love
* Love is a choice - that produces strong feelings.
* Jesus made that choice to pay for our sins
* Live in joy instead of shame
* We need to come to an understanding that we are loved.  We are forgiven and the price of our sins has been paid and the consequence removed. 
* Love Risks rejection
* Focus on the audience of one
* Love will go to any length to show you that you are worthy
* He was wounded so we could be healed

After church we headed back to the rodeo to the closing bbq.  The food was horrible, and we still had no update on my father in law and my mood was rather crappy - then the lady serving the food threw sausage on my plate that fell off onto my new shirt and stained it so that didn't help my mood much.

I had to snap myself out of that funk.  Danny and the girls and I headed into the center.  Then Issy left with Teresea to hit up the carnival one last time.  We did a little last minute rodeo shopping and then headed into the stadium to see the Rodeo Finale and watch our last concert for Rodeo 2014. 

My sister Sam had some seats in the club level, so we enjoyed the last show comfortably.  I sat with her to enjoy Zach Brown band which put on a great show.

We left before the show ended to stop by my sisters house to check on her.  My parents were there and I don't know if it was the wake up call of Danny's dad getting sick and us not being able to be with him or the passing of my cousins baby girl, or the passing of Danny's cousin Ramon (Which ended up passing away on Saturday night), but I just needed so badly to see my mommy and daddy and give them a big hug!

We didn't stay long at Erica's cause the kids had school and it was already getting late but I saw my sister and my parents and I left with a much happier heart!

I took some silly pics with my old folks too. 

I love these two silly old farts more than words can say!  They make me laugh and cry and scream and I fear the days I will not have them here with me.  If your parents are still with you - enjoy time with them - make memories with them!!!!

I hope you have a great week and please keep my families both Limon and Perrett (my moms side of the family) in your prayers as they will each be burying a loved one this coming week.  Also - pray for my father-in-law to get better soon so we can get him home to us. 

And pray for Danny too, that God will give him peace of mind, and fill him with faith and trust in the Lord.  Pray for him to find a good job soon that will help to relieve the frustrations and physical weight of his current job!!

Momma blues

To say that Isabella is in misery is an understatement.  She is grounded from watching tv, using the i-pad, the i-phone for games, going outside to play...basically everything her days usually consist of. 

She had a melt down on Wednesday afterschool when she turned on the tv, and it was immediately turned off.  She went to the i-pad only to get it taken away and then felt frustrated when her only options were to sit at the table reading books, or clean the toilets(I didn't realize how effective this grounding things works). 

The wailing got worse when she realized Frozen was out on DVD and she couldn't have it.  Then even higher when she was told it was Florida Georgia Line night at Rodeo and she would not be going (this was the concert she had picked to go - and because of her behavior - it was not going to happen). 

She decided to write letters of apology (a choice she made on her own which I am proud of looking back on that choice).  She wrote a letter to both Brandi and Kylie about her behavior.

I took the letters over to Mrs. Brandi and then had a little momma melt down.   I swear as a mom - I was feeling pretty crappy.  I do not want my child to be a bully.  I do not know where she sees this, or why she keeps hitting folks.  I take my kids to church every Sunday, I pray with them each night, I try to teach them morals and respect and then things like this happen and I feel so much like a failure. I feel embarrased and just plain disappointed. 

Brandi gave me a much needed hug, and then even sent me some inspirational messages to my e-mail today - which I am so grateful for.  She told me that I was a great mom and that I have wonderful kids, and I am doing things right - sometime our kids just test us.  I needed to hear that so badly!

I prayed about it again and so clearly heard God tell me - " Be Patient and Lead by Example".  I had a "friend" named Mrs. Guillory who not so long ago told me that while I seek for Danny to be a role model for our kids and to show them what they should seek in their future husband - that I to need to be an example for my girls and teach them what I want them to be.  She suggested I stop cursing so freely, and to be fully aware of my behavior and reactions with the girls - so that in turn I am not a hypocrite in what I try to teach them.  Talk about a real eye opener.  No one likes to hear the truth - myself included. 

Isabella's behavior this week was most definately an eye opener to that.  I need to be a better role model for my kids, and control my temper, and learn to bite my toungue. 

Help me - pray for me to be the mother that God has called me to be to our two girls.  Pray that God stand strong in me, in my words and in my actions. 

God's word says that where two or more are gather in prayer he is there - please include me in your prayers because I know God answers prayers...and I need all the prayer I can get. 

Traumatic Tuesday

Ok - yesterday started like a normal day.  No big deal.  I came home from work, Danny left to work - I started making dinner - the girls were playing outside while I made dinner.  Nothing out of the ordinary.  First malfunction - Issy decided to show me her weekly folder which had two conduct marks - because she was written up for talking in class and off task behavior.  No big deal right! Well - actually it is - because they are given three warning to stop their "issue" before it is documented in her folder...so obviously Miss Issy was just doing whatever she wanted in class! So I got on to her and left it at that. 

She went back out to play after she ate dinner and came in at about 7 to take a shower.  I should have known something was up when she came in on her own without me having to drag her.  I got her in the bath and she casually mentions that her and Kylie were playing and she accidentally hit Kylie in the eye because she scared her.  In my mind I am imagining her little arms coming up in a reflex to shield her eyes from fear, and its no big deal.  I asked if it was an accident and if she apologized ...to which she answered yes.  No big deal - we finished our bath and went about our business. 

Only about 15 minutes later - there is a knock at our door. I went to the door to see who it was and it was Kylie and her momma.  Her eye was swollen and red! Brandy wanted me to see what Isabella had done.  (Now this is not the picture little Issy had just painted, so I called her to the door).  I asked Issy if she did that to Kylie and she said yes, and I asked her if it was an accident to which she started at her feet and didn't respond any longer. 

To say I was pissed, disappointed and embarrassed is a mild understatement.  I told Issy to wait for me in her room and let Kylie tell me what really happened. 

Kylie told me that her and Isabella were playing and she scared Issy - but Isabella got mad and chased her then punched her in the eye and said "That's what you get for punching me", then left Kylie crying and walked home like nothing. 

I apologized to both Brandi and Kylie anthen came back to deal with Isabella.  Now let me just say - I had a complete feeling of failure as a mom.  My cute little 6 year old was behaving like a bully. 

I did spank Isabella, (which wasn't really effective and hurt my heart just as much as it hurt her butt- I'm sure), I also took Isabella with me to class to discuss her behavior with Master Henderson.  This was a real point of fear for Issy.  I showed him her conduct folder, and told her about what Isabella had done to Kylie, and he had a nice long talk with Isabella about discipline, and respect and behavior.  She cried and cried, then he gave her a hug and told her that he wanted to see that folder again next week with no conduct marks or she would not be allowed to go to class. 

At this point Isabella is also grounded too.  I don't think the spanking was very effective with her, so I have to do something that is going to be an eye opener, because this CANNOT happen again!

Please pray for us....cause I am most definitely in need of prayers right about now!!

Spring Break Week

Well it is officially Spring Break for Humble ISD and unfortunately for me...that doesn't extend over to the working class outside of the school system...so I still have to take my happy spring break needing butt to work!!

Sadly - we are super busy at work, and I can't really plan on taking time off (especially with it being rodeo season too and having to take time off to cover my rodeo shifts)!!

Monday was a kind of lax day.  Danny had to work (nights) and I had a ton of things to get done, so I went to work, while the girls slept in and relaxed, and Danny slept too.  Nothing too crazy, they were a tad on the loud side for him to sleep - but what do you expect.  They watched tv all day!  I came home and took Issy to karate, and then spent the evening working on my man power schedule for our next rodeo shift.  It takes hours!! 

Tuesday was busy busy busy for me at work once again (I love my job - but boy have I been super busy lately).  While I was at work Danny took the girls out to Rodeo to enjoy the carnival and Isabella did the Mutton Bustin! LOL HIllarious.  She called me at work and said "Momma - I have dirt all in my underpants!" I was thrown back just a bit - but then Danny let me know that they did the mutton bustin and she was covered in dirt...inside her undies and boots too! LOL

I came home to get ready after work, and then we headed up to the rodeo to see Jason Aldean.  It was a great show. 

After the show we took the girls over to Ceci and Rays and they  stayed the rest of the week with the Ramirez family! 

Wednesday I took a vacation day at work and had to work the rodeo all Day.  I woke up late and made it to my shift at 8 am (I should have been there at 6:00).  The day was super hectic.  Right off the bat I had a rookie driver hit a parked car in his golf cart, then by 10 am we were running 6 trams out of the yellow lot and super busy.  Usually weekday shifts are slow and easy...today was a value Wednesday show, and it was Spring Break so everyone and their momma dn neighbor was out there!!

Our shift ended at 4 and I was stuck in the tent filling out paperwork and checking equipment until 6.  Danny and I stayed at Rodeo for awhile and shopped around and did some drinking with fellow committeemen.  By 9pm I was so exhausted.  We went home and straight to bed!!!

The rest of the week for us was uneventful.  I went to work every day from 6am - until 5pm.  In the evenings I worked on my rodeo schedules and emails, and worked on some spreadsheets for work and did laundry (you know - I live such a glamorous life --- please don't be jealous).  If however, at any time you feel the envy overcome you - please don't let it consume you....you are more than welcomed to come over and cook and or clean or do laundry at any time to get a taste of the good life we live! :)

The girls on the other hand were living it up over at Ceci and Ray's.  They were happy as can be, hanging out and watching movies, and crafting, and going to the zoo.  They love going to Ceci and Rays - so they were happy!  I am so grateful that they took care of our girls all week so that they wouldn't be stuck at home all Spring Break!!

Ceci sent me this pic of the girls at the park - I love it!

On Friday afternoon - I went to pick up the girls from Ceci's, and Makaila decided she was going to Rodeo with them once again! Issy and I went shopping instead.  We decided to go all out and hit up a Dollar Tree for some toys and then a Goodwill, and found even more toys and some Kids Bop Cd's!!  (Lifestyles of the not so Rich and Famous - but we left that joint smiling ear to ear with our finds! - not to mention 12 bucks less in our pockets! LOL)

By 4pm - we went to my sister Erica's house and got ready for Sisters night at the Rodeo!!  My three sisters and I (and Issy) went to Rodeo to see Keith Urban.  He put on a great show.  Tia Teresa was there - so Issy opted to stay with her to watch the show.  She even got to see the Chick-Fil-A cows on the way to see Tia. 

 While we were in the show my sister Nancy received this text - it caused some definite laughter!!

We had a good time and I am so glad that we all went together this year!  We have never done that before (and we always talk about getting together more often, but we never do it).

After the show I took the girls home, and then went by Ceci and Rays to pick up Makaila.  I wanted my babies home already!!

Saturday morning I spent cleaning house and doing laundry.  It was raining and kinda muggy, so by mid afternoon, we headed over to JC to pick up Jessica and Aiden and put on our rain boots so  we all went to Rodeo again to see Hunter Hayes.  It was a great show!!
Even Danny enjoyed it.  After the show we walked around the center with the kids and too a few pictures. 

By Sunday we were POOPED!!! (exhausted pooped not feces pooped!).  We headed to church as a lovely little family of four.  The message was as follows:

Church Notes:
( I left these in my other purse - so I will update this later)

After church we headed to breakfast, and then relaxed.  We were supposed to go to the Rodeo again with my parents but they decided at the last minute not to come - so we lucked out and didn't have to go.  Instead I did a little more laundry, worked on Rodeo stuff and then in the afternoon headed over to Tomball to try Mel's Cafe ( nice little diner that we saw featured on tv - and facebook!).  We got pulled over on the way there, but the nice cop, gave us a warning and directions to Mel's.  The food was phenomenal!  We will definitely be going back there.  We came home overstuffed and watched a little tv, showers, prayers and bed for this Limon clan!

This week was a wonderful reminder of how lucky we are to have family to help us and to see God's blessings in abundancee in our health, our activities and our day to day blessings.  I hope you have a great week!! And if you haven't made it out to rodeo...Hurry up!! Once more week left.