Category: Family

The kids were off for Columbus Day  (random). I was going to get the entire day off to spend with them but my boss was leaving on a trip out of town and lots needed to be done at work. So I went in half a day.

I returned some pants at JC Penney, then got home and piled the kiddos in the truck to go to the pumpkin patch. Mom went, too, and we met Mary there since she was picming up the boys. Gotta love those kiddos; they were good sports and humored me and the 100 photos I took. The best ones:

Amazingly, they still had tons of energy so I took them to the park to run it off.

And then I relaxed with the kiddos, played Uno with Emmos and tortured myself by making these amazing hasselback potatoes (took forever!).

Makes me wish I had more days off more often 🙁 !!

I’ve been a bit anxiety-stricken lately and I wasn’t really sure what was going on.  It was to the point that normal things, like Jorge leaving to work, or dropping off the boys with Mario, or dropping the girls off at school made me feel even more sad than usual, fightened and nervous that something bad would happen to them. I couldn’t shake it–and then it dawned on me yesterday that it was the 3-year anniversary of Dad’s passing. It happened last year as well. It was kind of a shock that it’s been so long, but at the same time feels like it wasn’t so long ago. And I know it sounds kind of silly but when social media blew up that Juan Gabriel had died it made my sadness worsen because his song “Querida” really reminds me of Dad 🙁 .

I clearly remember hearing that song while Dad sat outside with some friends playing cards, drinking beer and I spun around and around in the bedroom, which was right next to the side yard where they would sit and chat.

Dad’s last fish that he gave me with the 10 fish that I inherited from him died recently so that was pretty sad, too.

I do still think about him a lot. I still wish that we could have had that last barbecue but that never got to happen. Still wish I could call him up and see how he’s doing. It’s just really strange and I just feel really bad that we didn’t get to be closer towards the last few years of his life. 

I recently saw his ex-mistress on my people you should know on Facebook, which annoyed and angered me simultaneously. I’m glad she and everyone else stopped bothering me after she dared asked me to help her a week after dad died. Ugh. The nerve. Anyway. Needed to get that out. 

<small>I really need to start writing again; it was the best therapy for me before.</small>

It’s been a while since I last updated (don’t  I always begin my posts like that??). I have several posts started but not completed and I can’t promise myself I’ll ever finish them, but it’s important that I document today. 

Emily entered 2nd grade, Alaethia entered 4th, Jaylen entered 9th grade early college (a Freshman!!) And Eenan entered 12th. Twelfth!! He’ll be in college before I know it and I don’t know what I’ll do with myself!

Jules entered kinder (aww) and both Justin and Jorgie entered 9th. So we have 3 FRESHMEN!! WHAT?!

Jorge and I spent most of the day cleaning yesterday. The kids were at the other parents’ houses but since it was their first day today, Mario brought the girls back Sunday night instead of Monday morning. I got to see the boys like we usually do the night before school starts, and we had their photo sesh.

They’re hilarious; they each switched sibs 😆 .

I reluctantly saw the boys off, after hugs and smooches and well wishes. I’ll never get over not being able to see them off to bed or wake them up for their first day of class :'( .

We were all still in summer mode, but eventually the girls finished showers, the spaghetti and meatballs were done, teeth were brushed and new clothes were picked. (I let them make their own fashion choices this year, since shopping for what I like for them has backfired in the past 😳 .) 

At one point during dinner, I watched in awe at what sweet, funny, adorable daughters I had. I turned to Jorge and said, “I should record them to remember them like this. Before they turn into teenagers and don’t like me.” Alaethia says, genuinely surprised, “Mama, why would we ever do that??” I hope she remembers!

Goodnight hugs and smooches were given at least 4 times, and then it was really time for bed. I slept around 4 hours, but was ready when the alarm went off. The girls woke up in great moods and were excited. Mario and I exchanged photos of the kids when they were ready.

*sigh* I made those *beams* 😀 .

They all had great days and love their teachers (the boys, for the most part anyway). I had a good chat with all of them about their day. Emily was upset she didn’t get to sit with Maddie after all, but hopefully the teacher will rotate them and at least they’re finally in the same class!
Here’s to a great year for all of us!