Category: MLV

It’s so nice to have a moment of peace and quiet! All the kiddos are asleep and I started browsing through Ebay, so before I get myself into trouble I figured I’d blog instead, heh.

Today was one of those days I spend running around non-stop.

I fed the kiddos, did some dishes and once Mom came over I got ready and went to pick up Mary’s renter’s check. I missed the crossover to the building so I had to drive about a mile more to cross at the next one. There was some kind of crime scene or something weird going on. There were two sheriffs and 6 state troopers looking for something on the road and putting up little markers. It was strange.

I get to the place and the lady tells me, “You’ll have to come back. My daughter just left with my checkbook. Is there something else you need to do in town?”

I inhaled to keep my cool and asked, “Didn’t Mary tell you I’d be here at noon?” I knew she had. It was 11:58. I’m sorry. I was 2 minutes early.

She says she wasn’t expecting another man to come pick up a payment for who-knows-what, so she gave him the check that was supposed to be for Mary. WTF? So there I am, waiting 18 minutes for her daughter to get back with the darn checkbook. Grr.

My next stop is Academy, where I was returning two work out blouses and some shorts (got the wrong length and that’s because I picked them out myself!).

Went to Sally’s Beauty Supply after that to get some wax stuff and a few nail things. I got the nail things but of course they were out of the other stuff I needed. Oh well. I spent so much time browsing and I was already getting hungry I figured I’d come straight home and eat some lunch. Something I told me I should go to the other store, but I wasn’t sure where it was so I went home.

I ate and looked up the number to the store. Sure enough, they had only 2 left. So I went back, got it and rushed back home. Caught up with the kiddos a bit and took pictures of Emily who looked so adorable hugging a ducky plush Alaethia had brought to her. She reminded me so much of Eenan! I’ve got a pic of him holding a telephone the exact same way ^_^.

I got ready for Taekwondo as fast as I could. I was 2 minutes late LOL.

Taekwondo was awesome. We started with stretching of course. I didn’t know why Luis was asking me to do this leg stretch we hadn’t done for a while, but I found out later during Forms.

He did sort of a practice test, with the Horse Stand, kicks laps and then 30 situps and 40 leg lifts. Then he told me to do the white, yellow and orange forms. I did those correctly so he said he was going to teach me the orange-advanced form. OMG. I thought I’d never get it! I felt all desperate and frustrated like I did when I first started back in September LOL. There’s two new basics in that form, the neck chop and back stand, I believe it’s called. The neck chop was easy to understand (he said it’s like a waiter holding a tray and you bring it forward and show it to the customer–once he put it in those terms I totally got it LOL). The back stand though, oh gosh. It’s weird because you have to lean on your legs all weird (hence the weird leg stretches he had me doing) and do the opposite with your hands. I’ll get it eventually. Luis showed me the basic that’s introduced in each form…it gets crazy! I laughed when he said, “Once you get to your Black Belt it’s easy” LOL.

I had to stop and get gas after class and then remembered Mary’d asked me to cash her check for her. Oops! So I go over there and they give me trouble about it ’cause she’s not there, so we make plans to meet in 10 minutes. I rush home and tell the boys to get ready for their TKD class, because of course they weren’t yet and then I rushed back to the bank to meet Mary. Get that done, rush back home, the boys jump in the car and off we go to their class.

They’re class was similar to mine. I need to get those boys to be a little more…calm in class. Since they’re really comfortable with their teachers now they’ve begun to act up a little. I constantly have to remind them to quit jumping around, or laughing or talking and I never had to before! They used to make a big deal about how well-behaved they were LOL.

Mary texts me while class is going on and tells me she picked up dinner: Subway! Woo! We all ate at their house and we watched the kids go insane. I don’t know how they have so much energy! Especially the boys, who had just gotten home from TKD!

I took video of Emily being insanely cute, as she usually is. Mom taught her Pat-a-Cake and she KNOWS IT! Then I gave her a little stuffed animal to show the in-laws how she hugs them. OMG I wanted to bite her LOL.

The next hour and a half was spent in the living room putting Jaylen’s huge Lego Miners vehicle together. I didn’t get to help poor Eenan much, but he actually likes to do them himself. He just needed help putting the stickers on.

And after snacks and letting them run off the rest of their energy, they all went to bed and now I’m here. I forgot to mention that Mario went to Adan’s since it’s his birthday. He got to have his guy’s night out last night when he went to Jorge’s and now he’s having another one. How nice. That reminds me. He better be awake enough to tell me the juicy gossip he promised to share.

So I never finished up the previous entry. Are you really surprised? LOL

I cleaned up the house the next morning (Sat. Nov. 14th) and we had everyone over that night to watch the Paquiao fight. The guys set up the projector and screen outside and once everyone had eaten (I’d made enchiladas and Mary made carne guisada, beans and rice) we all went outside to watch the fight. It was becoming a little cool and there were mosquitoes, and Mario luckily still hasn’t put up our mosquito net in the bedroom after all these years so I laid Emily down in her stroller and covered it in the net. She slept peacefully and once she woke up everyone passed her around. All the kiddos were playing inside while we watched the fight. I hadn’t noticed just HOW MUCH they’d played until I went into Alaethia’s room the next morning (she still sleeps in her toddler bed in our bedroom) and saw the disaster. I could almost hear the “Psycho” theme song.

We watched “Yes Man” when the fight was over. I love Jim Carrey! I love the Red Bull part in that movie buahaha.

We slept in a little and had barbacoa at Mary’s that Mom had bought. Then we went to church. I love Sunday mornings like that :). I woke Mario up after church and we went to watch “2012”. It was just Mario, Mary, myself and Emily; the other kiddos would have been terrified of that movie. BUT the show was sold out so we ate at Whataburger and then saw the movie. It was good. Kinda makes you wonder about that whole thing. Mario’s really into the 2012 thing. In my opinion, I think it’ll be something like the Y2K thing. A lot of drama for nothing. Let’s hope I’m right, heh!

We went to Dinah’s house that evening to visit Brianna and her new baby. She’s so cute and little, but she’s chunky for a newborn! Very cute.

The cold front had come in the next morning, which is always nice. All 4 kiddos had dentist appointments that day so I picked up the boys after school and took them straight over there. I took Mom with me since they separate all the kids. Wouldn’t want to leave any of them alone in the lobby when it was Alaethia’s or Emily’s turn. Eenan got that same tooth refilled, Jaylen had two fillings done but did amazingly well. There were a few tears because he had to get a shot of anesthesia, but he was ok. Emily and Alaethia, of course, were fine. Emily’s only got gums LOL. Alaethia got lectured on how important it is to brush her teeth from both the dentist and myself LOL. I have so much trouble with her top teeth sometimes because she’s screaming!

The boys had TKD that night, so they got ready and we went. Jaylen kept messing with his lip because it was still numb. He kept saying it felt like cotton. During TKD they were practicing kicks (pi-chagis) and Eenan was his partner. Jaylen was holding the bag and one time Eenan kicked too high and the bag hit Jaylen in the face. Well he busted his lip just a teeny bit, but of course Jaylen started touching his lip with his hands. I don’t even want to imagine all the germs that are crawling around the bags and floor since everyone touches them (which he was touching while they stretched) but by the time we got home half an hour later, his lip was HUGE and swollen. It was the weirdest thing! We called Elda over, since she works at the office, and asked her advice. She said to give him Motrin for the inflammation and take him to the doctor the next day.

Mary got the boys ready and took them to school, like she usually does (she’s a saint, I tell you), and let me know Jaylen’s lip still pretty much looked the same. Mom had a really early appointment, so I got the girls ready and we went straight to Mission. I read my book “Tribulation Force” while the girls slept and finished it, finally. I couldn’t believe the end. It almost seemed kind of “fast”, like the author just wanted to finish the book already or something.

I did some housework and waited for Jaylen to call, but he didn’t so I assumed he was alright. When I picked them up from school that afternoon the first thing I asked him was to show me his lip. It wasn’t any worse, but it didn’t look at all better so I asked Mario to take him to the doctor while I was at TKD and I’d meet them there. He threw a fit about having to take them and not knowing what to do (it doesn’t take a genius!) but said he’d take him.

I went to my class, got out and when I got home almost had a coronary because Mario STILL hadn’t taken Jaylen to the doctor. So there, I go, changing and freshening up as fast as I could to make it on time before they stopped seeing patients. Of course we got there late. By the time we got there we were already 10 minutes late, but the girls at the office are so cool with me and let us in. The doctor wasn’t in; he’d already left for the day, but they took a pic of Jaylen’s lip, gave a description of it and what happened and the doctor diagnosed him and faxed a prescription to the pharmacy. Technology’s the best!

We got back from the pharamcy, went to Jaylen’s reading night for about 30 minutes and he got to test on 1 book. We got home, I made dinner, helped with home work and watched Biggest Loser. Man, I love that show. So inspiring that I did an additional workout of 150 situps, 100 crunches, 40 lunges, 20 pushups, 20 squats & a cool down, of course.

I showered and even though it was super cold outside, I bundled up, bundled up Emily (Alaethia stayed inside watching Noggin) and Mario bundled up so we could watch the Leonid (sp?) meteor shower. I was determined to FINALLY see a falling star for once in my life!

Mario brought out his thick army blanket Jason gave him, and his sleeping bag and backed the truck up so we could lay in it. We were super warm. The only thing missing was hot chocolate! We lay in the back of the truck and finally, finally, for the first time ever, I saw TWO falling stars! I was so happy. Wish I could have caught it on camera or something :(. It was a lovely night.

John and I went to Kumori and to run a few other errands on Wednesday. We both decided we’d try something new and he ended up getting the Kani Ika roll, which had lots of flavors, including chopped octopus on top, but it was good. Mine on the other hand, the Ridge Roll, was covered in mozzarella cheese! I imagined it just had a bit of shredded cheese on top but nope. The whole thing was cheese. You couldn’t even taste the salmon or anything inside. And the sauce was way too tart.

Yes. So weird and unappetizing I had to post a pic LOL.

I wanted to visit Aide at the hospital because she’d had their little boy, Ezael, that day! She had a quick 5-hour labor and he weighed 5 lbs. 13 oz.! Aww :). I didn’t get to, though, because by the time we got out of Kumori it was time to pick up the boys from school.

The boys had Taekwondo practice that evening. I made dinner quickly, ate a teensy bit and then took the boys. It was overcast and windy; the perfect weather for me. The boys went out to the mat and I realized I left my cell at home. It started thundering right at that moment and Eenan almost yelped and braced himself LOL. His teacher even laughed. I told them I’d be right back, to which Eenan, in a panic, said, “WHERE ARE YOU GOING?!” I told him to calm down, I was just going to pick up my phone and go back. He was fine when I got back, but it didn’t help that during class the lights went out twice and the thunder and lightning were in full swing.

I served all the kiddos and Mom food then jumped in the shower. Yes. I take a shower before and after class, heh. I grabbed an apple and started munching so my sugar would be ok and got my water bottle. It was pouring bad and I almost decided not to go at all, but it’s only a 2-3 minute drive so I figured I’d be alright.

My darn umbrella wouldn’t open when I got there, figures, but I parked close enough that I could run in. The younger kids were still in class so I got to see them practicing for a bit before my class started. I guess the rain kept a lot of my classmates home; there were only 3 of us in total there. We had stations going on at one point; doing pi-chagi kicks at the standing bag, running through a little course where we’re not supposed to touch the targets and then practicing 1-on-1 with Luis, our teacher. We started with the form, then kicks, then those reverse-crunch things. I’m getting better at them! I don’t get as tired easily and I do them a lot faster.

As we were warming down at the end he started telling us about the belts. He told me and another guy, who’s a year older than me, to quit saying we’re old. He shared a story about our main instructor, Ernesto, and how he started Taekwondo & competing at the age of 24. He said if I kept up with it I could get my black belt by the age of 31!

I dropped the boys off in the morning yesterday so I stayed up and made Mario’s breakfast. He didn’t like my tacos :(. I bought turkey bacon, since it’s healthier, but he said it’s too salty and gross. Fine. Back to regular bacon it is.

I took a nap because I’d been up since 5am and it threw me off completely. I even got a headache. Still, I’d promised Mom I’d take her to Dollar Tree so we went. On the way over there I get a call from Elvira telling me about how they’re still having lots of problems with the programs because my old boss left and didn’t leave instructions or anything to make the new assistant’s job easier. I hate to say this, but I’m glad I left when I did. Imagine if I’d stayed, or gone back after I’d had Emily? Everything would be on my shoulders! And I’d probably be expected to do everything since I knew both systems really well and knew how to check out the equipment and so on. I shudder just thinking about it. Anyway, Elvira asked if I could go in at least for a little while and I said sure, I’d try and volunteer a few hours just to get them on track. I don’t know how effective it’ll be though, since they don’t even have lots of teachers’ rosters yet. What a headache!

We shopped, got McDonald’s on the way home and picked up the boys. We took the evening easy and when Mario got home he, Emily and myself went to see Aide, Adan and Ezael at their house (boys were with Mary, Alaethia with Mom). Ezael’s so cute and small! Aide had a pretty easy labor, too, so that’s great :).

I dropped the boys off again today and did the same thing; made Mario breakfast and then took a nap with the girls who were still sleeping. I got so mad; he tells me he didn’t want breakfast, he wanted to eat Cinnamon Toast Crunch. I saved the eggs overeasy in the fridge and went to sleep. I’m about to just stop cooking entirely!

When I woke up I fed the girls (well, Emily, Alaethia was having one of her I-just-want-milk moments).

I got laundry started and then John came over. We had an idea to open up a bottle of Moscato wine Pete & Sally had given me on my birthday since Mom bought me wine glasses yesterday. It took us a damn eternity to open it! They made it look so easy on youtube! We eventually had to try the screw/hammer method since the corkscrew nor wall-smacking methods didn’t work.

It was okay. Kinda smelled like beer but once you got over the smell it tasted sweet. It’s a dessert wine so I need to figure out what to make that’ll go well with it. Dorks that John and I are, we had it with cheddar cheese and Fig Newtons since there was nothing else LOL!

John left and I served us lunch. Picked up the boys, took a shower and made a quick dinner and off we went to the boys Taekwondo class. All the white and yellow belts were together so the class was huge. It was a bit of a refresher course, which is always good.

We got home, I ate really quick and fed Alaethia and squished a few green beans for Emily and then I got ready. Norma wasn’t going again and I wondered how many people would be in class tonight because of the football games. There were only 3 of us again: 2 high school boys and myself. I felt weird. Even moreso because we’d be taught by the older instructor tonight. I’d never practiced with him before.

He started us off by warming up, jogging and then me and the other white belt practiced our forms and basics with him. I can’t believe after just a week of not going to class (when I was sick) I was already forgetting stuff. But the teacher was helping me and I caught on pretty quick. I felt good because he kept saying, “Yes!” “You got it!” “Excellent”. Even adults need words of praise :D.

My self-esteem went up a few notches when the boy who was helping me practice asked me what school I went to. Like, high school! I smiled and told him, “I’m 27.” He seriously didn’t believe me at first LOL.

We practiced our one-step sparring (which still confuses me sometimes. I sometimes forget to step when I’m the one attacking!) and then our teacher taught me a few self defense techniques. It was pretty darn cool. Really basic stuff, but very effective. Lots of grabbing and closeness though. THAT’S why I take a shower before LOL!

The boy (I didn’t get his name) helped me with my kicks. Luis, the younger teacher, showed up and gave me tips on my kicks. Apparently I wasn’t kicking with me knee first for the up-chagi (kick to the chin) and was making it look like a chito-chagi (straight up-and-down kick to the head). It’s hard sometimes to not get them to all look the same. After all the practice, though, I got everything down, I think. Ernesto asked if I was taking the test tomorrow and I said yes. I’m ready!

I went to Chris and Nancy’s right after class ’cause Mario was there (it’s down the street from the dojo). I was so embarrassed; Jorge & Billy were there, too and they saw me in my uniform! Darn boys started joking around about my cooking (I don’t even remember how it go to that subject) and I really don’t know how much they were joking about! Made me mad.

Anyway, I went in to chat with Nancy, who showed me her sonogram pictures. They’re having a boy! I came home to relieve Mom from the girls and got them ready to go back to Chris and Nancy’s. We just sat inside talking about everything and around 11am I came home. Nancy has to work tomorrow so I didn’t want to keep her from sleeping.

I chilled out with the girls in bed, watching Food Network for a bit. Emily’s trying to crawl, it’s the cutest thing. She kind of makes pushes her bootie into the air and pushes herself forward LOL.

I need to go to bed already if I want to wake up and get Mario’s breakfast and lunch ready. Then I’ve got to practice, practice, practice!