Author: Yajaira

I can’t speak much about it, because I’m a firm believer that I’ll jinx things, so I decided to blog–privately, for now–about our latest news.

Jorge and I are in a race to buy this house.

The rent is increasing as of August and there’s supposedly someone interested in buying the house. So we have to move fast.

I’ve only mentioned a few things to Michelle, but I don’t want to tell too many people because I’m just nervous and I really want this.

We are pre-approved and we have a meeting on Monday. Although the place is a bit old (built in 1989), and our air conditioning unit likes to take a crap every year, and the bathrooms all need to be remodeled due to old leaks before we ever moved in, and the huge yard needs to be cut every week, and the laundry room’s too narrow, and we need at least 2 more bedrooms, and the living room is recessed (ugh), and I’d like to knock that wall down between the kitchen and dining room…this is home. This has been our home for the past 4 years, 1 month and 27 days.

This is where our kids have grown; grown up, grown close. Where we’ve all grown as a family. Where we have parties on our porch and backyard. Where we snuggle and sprawl all over the living room and watch movies. Where we make cupcakes and new stuff to cook that we found on Pinterest in the kitchen. Where the kids can run in the yard. Where we spend entire Sundays in the laundry room washing and drying clothes and folding into 9 piles. This is home.

When Jorgie, Jaylen, Justin and I went for our jog last night, Jorgie found some paint samples in the center console of the car. He looked at the 3 cards and said, “What are these?? Are we moving??” I laughed and said, “No, it’s just colors I like.” They all agreed they didn’t ever want to move. Justin said, “This is the best yard for football.” I agree.

Back in 2011 when we were looking for a place to rent, we searched everywhere. I remember feeling disappointed about the small, cramped homes we’d see with the tiny yards. The slightly bigger homes would be substantially more expensive. Then Rosie told me about this one. It was in her old neighborhood and there was a for rent sign. We got the number and called and got an appointment to see it. I remember doing the walk-through and feeling a pit of sadness in my belly. I felt like it was almost perfect, and that meant it probably wasn’t going to happen. And then it did, and it became home.

You just can’t find new homes like this, with these big yards and big rooms. Not unless you want to pay tons more money. And we don’t!

We have an appointment on Monday to determine what the next step is. That’s what life’s been about lately: next steps. But it’s all about the bigger picture.

The kids are all officially out for summer break now so, naturally, they had awards assemblies and events at their schools the past month.

First came Emily’s Pastries With Parents event on May 18th.

Both her dad and I attended and we ate little muffins with her.

Then it was over and time for her to go to class. Her dad left and then I walked her over to the line her class was forming. She asked if I could walk with her but then I would have to get a Visitor’s pass and I had to get back to work. Needless to say, there were tears. I had to give her a smooch and a hug and hightail it out of there before the wails became louder :(. I texted her teacher about 30 minutes later and she said she was totally calm and busy with her activities, so that was a relief. My poor girl. She’s the one who’s struggled the longest of all the kids. I hope next year is better :(.

 I had lunch with my friend Annie that day. I met her through one of my events and we keep in touch on Facebook. I realized I’d missed a vintage market over the weekend, but I saw a Facebook post of hers and she had lots of Strawberry Shortcake dolls I got a few for great prices! First time I find SBSC dolls locally in over 10 years!

I got Blueberry Muffin from her later on and completed Almond Tea, too :).

2 days later it was time for Jaylen’s Awards Assembly. He started the year off as 6th in his class, moved up to 5th and we found out that day that he’s now 3rd in his class. Such a smart boy! There’s no way to express how proud I am of him. He really is self-driven, and very rarely, when he doesn’t want to work on yet another project (the poor thing had lots of them this year), a little prodding and even help over messenger will go a long way. But really, he is due all the credit.

I got back to work on time to help with the last session of Latina Hope. Then Michelle and I headed to lunch that day and met up with Sally. I haven’t seen her in about 2 weeks! It’s definitely time for brunch.

Fast-forward to May 22nd. Gerry asked Michelle and me to be models for the fashion show at one of her events. I told myself,  If Michelle does it, I’ll do it–and Michelle likes the spotlight even less than I do so I figured she’d say no, and I’d be safe, heh. Imagine my surprise when she said yes!

So even though we got out of work early that day, we met with Gerry at Macy’s and tried stuff on. I felt so awkward, and there really isn’t  a better way to realize you’re between sizes and you’re really short, even in the Petite section! But I did end up finding my 3 outfits and was relieved! Michelle had a meeting so she left but Gerry and I got some lunch at the food court and then I went home. Dina, Briana and the kids were on their way so I had to take advantage and clean the house as quickly as possible!

I get a call from Emily’s teacher mid-vacuum asking how she was doing. I had no idea what she was talking about since Mario picked the girls up at school then took them all back to his house where I’d pick them up later. She just said she was concerned because Emily was crying after recess saying her head hurt. Her dad hadn’t told me anything, but I thanked her so much for her call and called Mario right away. He said she was fine. When I did pick them up 30 minutes later, Emily seemed fine, but I could tell in her eyes something was up. She just looked tired :(.

Jorge had already picked up Jorgie and Justin and were home with Mom. He had to go back to work, unfortunately :(.

A few weeks before, the girls had saved up their money and Alaethia found this British candy website they wanted to purchase chocolates from. So we sat down, they chose their chocolates and then they were thrilled when they got their package in the mail that day :).

Dina, Briana and the kids arrived shortly, and we chit-chatted and caught up. Dina was treating us to Taco Ole that evening and we were hoping my love would be home early to go eat with us, but he had tons of work and couldn’t get out :(. We took plenty home for him though! Jules was dropped off to us at the restaurant and he had a blast with the girls and is always happy to see Nick!

I saw my old boss, Mrs. Vela, there, too! She got to see all the kids and told them, “I actually see you all the time; your mom is always posting photos of you cooking!” ^_^

So we ate, and enjoyed each other’s company and watched the kiddos be kiddos.  Then we piled into the cars and the kids requested songs and there was a mini rave/karaoke party in the back seats LOL.

We took it easy the next morning, slothing around. We were having a pre-Memorial Day BBQ at Noni’s house. All the kids got ready (the hall shower was still out of commission so we were still down to 1!).Then I had to go to HEB to get the ingredients for stuffed-halved jalapenos and it got late on me, as always. I always do that to myself, wait till the last minute and then I’m rushing. Dina, Briana and a few of the kids took off to Noni’s when we got back and Justin helped me with the jalapenos.

We made sure we had all the bathing suits, sun block and floaties one last time and left to Noni’s. The kids had a great time. Eenan opted not to take trunks and then regretted it like he usually does. Once again, my love had a lot of work and was actually stuck on the Island, so he didn’t make it to the BBQ on time :(. When I was changing Emily back into her clothes, I noticed she felt really warm. Joyce took her temperature and sure enough, she had a fever. I gave her some Motrin then packed everyone up, left the kids with Mom and took Emily in to the night clinic. Sure enough, she was starting with a throat infection. I started her on her antibiotic right away and thankfully, she only had one more spike in her fever before her meds kicked in.

Dina brought us some tacos and bacon/egg/cheese buscuits from McDonald’s the next morning. We all got up, got dressed and packed some things to go clean up the house at the Ranchito. The older ones sort of whined and complained but I told them we were doing this nice thing for Grandma Dina and they sucked it up. They ended up really enjoying it because, as Eenan said, they got to break things and set them on fire (supervised, of course ^_^).

The girls and I were off work/school the next day but all the boys had school =\. So I dropped Eenan and Jaylen off and then came home to be lazy with the girls. We eventually got up and went to the park, but it quickly became a mucky, hot day so we went to get some frozen yogurt at Sweet Cece’s.

The next evening was Jaylen’s GT Parent Night where he showed off one of his projects in the gym. Both his dad (and Jaylen and Eenan) and I got there 5 minutes after it began…and missed the entire “presentation”. We walked around the gym with the boys and I don’t even know how it started, but I ended up lecturing Eenan and how important it is not to slack off and his dad chimed in, too. I do it a lot: lecturing, and I know they think I’m a nag, but if they take even a pinch of what we’re trying to teach them to heart it would be fantastic :). I just want the best for all of them.

I got home and Emily and Jorge boiled and peeled eggs for deviled eggs and I made us some bacon-wrapped, cream cheese stuffed jalapenos. We went in a rush to buy the girls an outfit of their choice, since the next day was Emily’s awards assembly and then it would be Alaethia’s. Of course they would pick out cute t-shirts instead of a dress *sigh*. But, it was their choice.

Imagine my surprise (and hers) when I drop her off at school the next day and all the little kids in Kindergarten are dressed in their Sunday best, almost as if it were an actual graduation. So I left work with enough time to stop by Target to get her a change of clothes. I parked, ran in to get her and changed her just in the nick of time :).

I snapped some photos of her and then some with her teacher, dropped her off at home and got back on time to work to get ready for the Fashion Show. 2 different Mary Kay girls did Michelle’s and my makeup. I wish I had the time to put on a full face of makeup and “look” flawless but I meh. I put my eyeliner and lipstick on in the car on the way to work for Pete’s sake. That, and my face just can’t take that much makeup. I will literally break out (and I did, on my left cheek the day after :(.) Hence.

But anyway, Michelle and I were super nervous, and it was nervewracking having to fumble over our clothes and pin here and pin there, but we did it!

My photo even came out in the paper attached to a story about the event :).

The Food Truck Park opened that day. I got to try crepes from Tapioca Rush and raspas from Sno Bros. Oooh the trouble that Park is going to cause me! Just when I’m making an effort to behave myself!

I didn’t have my kiddos that weekend, so it was quiet and slightly boring. I busied myself with art projects and even made a thrift shop run to eventually open my online store (I didn’t). My love and I spent our weeknights finishing Grey’s Anatomy.

The next weekend came along and it was nothing but meetings. That’s all what life seems to be lately. While I was at one of those meetings I stopped by Paul’s shop and picked these Strawberry Shortcake things up :). Thrilled that I actually have a few “boxed” items in my collection now :).

I made the girls gifts similar to the ones from last year for the girls’ teachers.

Wish I coulda done more! They truly had wonderful teachers :). Emily’s even gave her their old play kitchen. They play with it all the time!

So now that the kiddos are out of school, I run with the boys once in a while (I’m slacking, heh) and of course spend time with the girls. When they’re at Mario’s we Facetime, so that’s great ^_^.

First, let me start by wishing all the mommies, grandma’s, caretakers, guardians, stepmommies, aunts, cousins, sisters, etc., a belated Happy Mother’s Day!

I had THE BEST day ever and I’m not exaggerating :D!

I started the day by rolling around lazily in bed while my love made me breakfast. Emily and Alaethia helped him, of course :). My little chefs. Jorge came to get me, walked me to the dining room with his hands clasped around my eyes and, after the boys prodded Justin awake they yelled, “Happy Mother’s Day” and I got hugs all around.

I’d been meaning to blog since that day but we had so much going on throughout the day and Grey’s Anatomy to catch up on (yes, I’m newly obsessed and have in turn made Jorge become obsessed!).

So after my epic breakfast, the kids and I devoured the iced Oreos and we watched Grey’s Anatomy while the kids all took turns bathing. Jorge was driving Javi somewhere, so the kids and I watched Friends while they continued to take showers. The hall bathroom is being remodeled so we’re down to 2 restrooms and 2 showers, but both showers are in the same bathroom so that doesn’t help, heh.

Jorge and I had an announcement to make to the kids, and we figured it was the perfect day. We’d announce it during dinner. I even recited a whole loving speech. I was ready!

So everyone got ready and then we piled into both cars and went to Cracker Barrel.

The kids skimmed the menus and everyone ordered. Jorge and I were fidgety…and figured let’s just do it, let’s tell them. So I called everyone and told them we had an announcement. Jaylen, Jorgie and Justin all yelled, “I think I know what it is!” And Justin said, “Either you’re married or you’re getting married!?” And Jorge and I looked at each other and laughed, and we said yes, that was it.

Alaethia said, “Wait, you’re not married??”

I still kinda fumbled with my words and told them they’re officially siblings and that we’d eventually have a wedding and they’d all be in it. Eenan said, “I’m not going to dance.” And I laughed, “No, you don’t have to dance, you’re just going to be up there, with us.” Then Justin told Jorge, “When did you propose?? What’s wrong with you??” And we had a good laugh. Love them all. Then they went about their business like it was the most cadual thing.

So my speech didn’t go exactly as I thought it would, heh. But I’m glad we didn’t have any rolling eyes, or sad faces, heh. I really was nervous once we were in the moment. I had no idea I’d freeze like that. Never in my life has that happened!

Jorge and I are finally, officially married :D. When I made the announcement at work, or when I tell people about it I get a “FINALLY!” right before the “Congratulations!” It really was about time. We’re already in a marriage and have raised our kids together for 4 years so we figured now was as good a time as any.

Of course I’d like an actual wedding, but it’s not anything that’s SUPER important or anything I want to stress myself with right now. We have more important things going on right now that we need to take care of first. And I’m just thrilled to officially call Jorge my HUSBAND :D.

So, to continue with our Mother’s Day, we finished up at Cracker Barrel (oh my gosh, did I glut!).

The waitress brought us our desserts and Julien randomly yells, “The whole world loves you, Mom!” Which made me get all the feels!! That just made my day!

Jorge brought Jorgie, Justin, Jules and Alaethia home with him since Aly wasn’t feeling good. She got a bad stomach ache while we were still at the restaurant.

We went to visit Gramma and took her her gifts and flowers. We talked and took photos and then we came home where we relaxed the rest of the day.

I made my announcement at work the next morning–quickly, right after my weekly update to everyone’s surprise. Everyone congratulated me and then we went out for breakfast at Denny’s (not because of my announcement LOL).

The rest of the week has been the same: work, home, cook, spend time with the kiddos…

…put kiddos to bed then Grey’s Anatomy. That show kills me and Jorge a little inside every day.

I took the girls to the doctor on Wednesday. Those darn colds never seem to go away! Alaethia was already starting with a throat infection.

I took the morning off work on Friday so I could take Mom for some blood work then go to the girls’ Field Day:

…and then I had a meeting before meeting my love at Wallbanger’s with the guys for lunch.

Jorge and I didn’t have the kids this weekend, so we had a date night on Friday evening. First Zoe’s Kitchen.

Then a drink and dessert at Longhorn Steakhouse.

Then Grey’s Anatomy, heh.

We were invited to Corner Bakery Cafe’s soft opening at Palm’s Crossing so I picked up my love and we met EZ, Michelle and Rosie there. Everything went smoothly and the food was delicious.

Michelle, Rosie and I went to Michael’s to buy flowers to glue onto our cheap Walmart full-length mirrors, like we saw at Mariposa Boutique during the Cash Mob.

(Excuse my crappy selfie-taking LOL.)

I also found a white frame on clearance and I finally got around to hanging my papel amate painting.

We went to Homegoods afterwards. It was my first time there. I wanted everything, but the big decorative stuff was still too pricey for me. I did end up getting new pot holders, dish towels, a large frame and a small globe.

I dropped the girls off, then Mom and I went to visit Gramma and went grocery shopping. I got home, paid all the bills online and then I made my love his (Vitamin) Rib Eye, as John jokingly called it.

And then we sat down for a long, heartbreaking bingefest of Grey’s.

As for this morning, I made us some awesome breakfast sandwiches and we had some Mimosa’s.

We’ve been lazying around waiting for laundry to be done, and we have a few errands we need to run so that’s the rest of our day. Then it’s back to the grind tomorrow!