Brett update..

Brett's been touring every where.. he has had an eciting year with the band, playing lotf of gigs, in Washington, Utah and Boise.

Brett big new this year is that he came out of retirement and landed a good job back in HP. We are very blessed!

Kallie's 6th birthday party

Kallie cakes turned six years of age this year.. She is so much fun to have around. She is loved by her brothers and sister so much!! She brings sunshine into our home with her dances and smiles. She loves Hannah Montana, Deni Lovato and Selina Gomez. Kallie loves to dance and this year she is learning hip hop at Dance Unlimited. She is in the top three of the class and reads fluently (1st grade)

Shawn...

Shawn is a home owner, that's the big news from Shawn this year. He purchased a beautiful home in Meridian, ID. He also got a promoted at T-Mobile. This year was a great year for my Shawn, he is very successful at work and now he has a gorgeous home. He turned 25 years old this year. He has accomplished lots in 25 years! Way to go Shawn!

who is next..

Next came Alex Party... he turned 16!! Yes my baby is 16 and he is 6' tall. My Alex is still in High School, pays in a cople of bands with his brothers and hangs a lot with his best friend Tom. This year their band performed at many places. They played at the Nampa Civic Center, at the Venue downtown in Boise and a few house shows. Alex is an amazing musician and has an awesome personality.

Erica's update.

Eryka celebrated her 22 birthday! She landed a job at the Grove Hotel here in Boise, and so far has met a ton of celebrities that stay there, she makes good money in tips and loves her job. Eryka bought a persian kitty, he is the cutest!! She named him "Timmy" short for Optimus Prime, lol. Timmy is the best kitty in the world. He loves us so much and we love him. He was pricey but worth every penny. Erica just recently moved into her new apartment close to work (downtown) and has a roomie named Tara. About a week ago my Eryka took me to a fancy downtown salon to have my nails done..it was a blast! She paid for me to get a new set of nails (french mani) and we also had fun trying out a new restaurant (it was gross). We ate at a new Phillipino restaurant and it was awful! Thanks princess for a wonderful day!

I'm so behind.....

I better catch up in here.. So much happened since last Mother's Day.
We had Jake's Birthday.. he is 18 years olds and graduated from High School!! We had a birthday party for my boy. He is awesome. Pictures will follow.

Erica and the boys! and Mother's Day

Erica, my Princess girl is available again! She broke off with her boyfriend. They thought they were to be married, but it didn't work out.
Now she is dating again, and all the cats are after her...
There is good looking Jared, a male nurse
Josh, has a full beard, nice kid but not boyfriend material.
Scott, Mormon kid, nice looking, crazy in love with my daughter a bit of a stalker.
Today she got a call from a few other guys that wanted to hang out, but she is set on painting and turned them all down. She is painting using oils and is good therapy for her.
I highlighted Erica's hair today, it turned out very good.
Erica made dinner for all of us today, she went and bought sandwiches from Blimpies and we had a yummy dinner.

Mother's Day 2009
It was fun! Having grown kids that give you gifts is fun! Erika gave me a CTR ring, it spins around, now I own two, a gold one my sister gave me long ago and the silver one Erica gave me. Shawn has lots of money, so I got creative when he asked me what I wanted for Mother's Day. He has given me very expensive perfumes in the past, this year I wanted something different.
I was watching food network and I saw this guy make a whole Asian meal, with lots of fancy ingredients. Ingredients I don't have, and I never use. I made a list of all the ingredients to make Mushroom rice, glazed green beans, Hoisin chicken, egg rolls, etc. and gave that list to Shawn. I told him some of those ingredients were to be purchased at the Asian market. He bought me everything on the list, he even managed to find fresh green beans which are not in season, and I had a blast cooking. My Asian meal was the best I've ever made.
Kallie gave me some nice make-up and some nice face towels. Brett gave me the best strawberry pie ever. He does this every year. Jake made me some amazing brownies, and my Alex gave me love. I had the best Mother's Day with my family and kids.
I ended my day spending some time with my mother who I treasure and love.

Mother's Day Tea Party

Mommy and Kallie

Baby Chicks

Kallie kissing Black baby chick

Kallie's Classroom

Kallie's gift for mom

Kallie was very excited about the Mother's Day Tea Party at her school. She had talked about it for days. I wasn't sure I could get off from work, but I did, and that made my Kallie cakes very happy.
On Friday, she got up before I did, and decided to pick the clothes for me to wear. She was determined to have me wear this turquoise colored shirt because "mommy, you look beautiful in it"
At the tea party she was the only kid who looked at her mother in the eyes the whole entire time she performed. I felt my daughter's eyes looking at me non stop, it was beautiful. Her eyes could speak louder than words. She was so happy to have me there. I felt her love for me on every song they performed, she was talking to me silently, just looking at me, her eyes were asking questions, I felt they were asking, mommy do you like it?...till, they did the chicken dance at the end... and my baby girl couldn't partner up with another kid for part of the dance, and my heart broke, but even at that instance, she never stopped looking at me. She stood there all alone, not sure why she couldn't grab a partner, and felt awkward. I wanted to jump in there and dance with her, but I couldn't, instead I smiled at her and kept smiling to her from far away almost like saying, honey it's okay.. I could tell she was sad and ready to cry. Sometimes when Kallie is about to cry she gets this look, like she is smiling. It's not a real smile, but a way to try to stop herself from crying. Usually that smile doesn't last long before a real cry starts. I could see tears coming down my baby's eyes, then she got smart and join a couple of dancers and made a threesome. What a brave little girl! After the dance was over, she went to the back of the classroom and cried, and cried, till I told her that she handled the situation perfectly, then she felt better. After that we went back to her table for "tea" and cookies.
We had to see the chicks one more time and together we created unforgettable memories. Kallie thanks for a beautiful Mother's Day tea Party.

Open house at Kallie's school

Mrs Chalom and Kallie Kindergarden 2009/ Open house Kallie sitting on her table

Kallie and the "chicks"

Open house meant hurry back from work then rush to Kallie's classroom to visit with the teacher. Kallie was very excited about open house. The chicken eggs have hatched and there is a bunch of baby chicks she wants to show to us. I love it how she likes to show me of. My daughter also likes to compliment me on the way I look and how I dress. There is not a day that goes by that she doesn't look into my eyes and tells me "mommy, you are beautiful". At times I tear up a bit, such little person saying such big words to her mommy.

Kallie wanted to hold my hands to walk into the school, you could tell she was proud of me, and wanted her clasmates to make sure they knew who Kallie's mommy was. Kallie showed us the chicks, there was a sign that said not to hold the baby chicks, but she did anyway. We entered the classroom and she sat at the purple table. Her teaher, Mrs Chalom talked to us for a long time. Our Kallie is in the top of her classroom for reading. This is very good considering she is the youngest in her classroom.

We skipped the bookfair and went back home. Kallie you make us proud! Mommy and daddy love you so much!

Kallie and the horses...

I planned for everything for "Family Day" event, but did not plan for someone to watch Kallie.

Kallie did not want to be with us, she wanted to play on the inflatables, eat cotton candy and ride the horses.
Her cousin Katie offered watched her, but got tired after an hour of helping her ride the horses. She rode the horses over and over. Grandma Mercedes came by and watched her for a while at the horse station.
An hour later Grandma came to me with this funny look on her face and said "Kallie is riding the pony and I can't get her to come back with me. I've been there over an hour, I'm very tired, so I left her there" I was scared she had left her there alone standing in line to ride the darn horses, but knowing how Kallie is, I knew she was going to get her way and ride the pony non stop. My mom saw I was busy so she went back to watch Kallie ride the horses again and again and again.
Brett finally went to get her, and we told Kallie to stick around. A few moments later this security guard came to us and ask if he could take Kallie to ride the horses. Kallie had begged him to take her to ride the horses saying her mom and dad were busy. The old guy felt sorry for her and offered to take her. With a lot of hesitation we allowed her to go, the poor old guy came back an hour later all exhausted because Kallie did not want to stop and it was hard standing on line over and over again. We don't know how many time she rode the horse, but she must have had over 20 turns, lol
I had to take pictures of the horses as we were leaving the event to show Kallie someday, lol

Dia de la Famlia

Food tent

Brett Performing

Our cookies

Erika Singing

Welcome to the Primary!

Cindy, Sara and me!

Jared and Steven

The 3-D paper tree was made by Eryka, she is an amazing artist!

Relief Society Room

1. Dia de Familia, Day of the Family...
   
   I have no idea how to even begin to describe this event. All I knew at the time I accepted is that Elder Costa from the quorum of the Seventies was the one directing this big missionary project here in Nampa Id. The event is supposed to draw at least three thousand people to our church.
   
   I am chair of the Primary committee on this event. I have a team of six people from my stake, they are all Spanish speaking return missionaries. With their help I was able to present the Primary.
   The event was held on May 2nd, 2009, last weekend, in Nampa Idaho.
   May 2nd started up to be a rainy day. I cried when I woke up. The rain will not help draw people to our event. I knelt down on my knees to asked my Father in Heaven if he would help out a bit with the weather. I knew that I wasn't the only one praying. As I said my prayers I knew there were lots, and lots of other people praying at the same time I was. I loaded my car with all I needed for the event, including hundreds of homemade cookies made by my Stake Relief Society sisters. My dear husband was sick, but still managed to help. My nest stop was my sister's house to pick up a great big picture and more decorations for the Primary room. The rain continued.
   I arrived at the Stake center around 11:00 AM, starting setting up with every one's help, and we were done making that gloomy room look fantastic. Brett arrived around 11:30 and started the video. VI P's made their rounds around 11:35 or so. We were ready to go, all we needed now was people to come.
   The rain stopped around 12:15. People were arriving by carloads. There was tons of people. They all wanted to hang outside the building because there were free burgers, hot dogs, drinks, french fries, cotton candy, snow cones, ice cream, free horse rides, inflatables... so many things to keep a family entertained, so much fun!
   Brett and Erica performed guitar solos. I told my team I needed to go see them play and left then alone for about 30 minutes. Brett, my poor, poor ill husband even sang, with whatever little voice he had left. Erika did an amazing job. My daughter is so beautiful! every time I see her sing and play guitar it makes me fuzzy all inside, she is such a delight to watch. I wonder if that's the reason heavenly Father created daughters, because they are such beautiful creatures, lol.
   After the performance I went back inside the Primary exhibit, and my helpers wanted to go out to look around and eat. I told them all to go because it was slow, and the multitude was outside. I was left to tend the Primary exhibit all on my own, thinking no one will come by till later.
   Then, it started raining... people entered the Stake center and I was overwhelmed by the amount of people coming to my primary exhibit. I put on my missionary hat and started welcoming everyone that came through the door. My Primary room was full. I thank God for the rain. God knew to make it rain right then. I collected so many names from so many people that came in. They were interested on Activity Days for the girls and Cub scouting for the boys, they wanted to sign up, lol. I was a missionary that day, and loved every minute of it. I didn't want that day to end.
   I learned a few things about myself that day:

1. I am not afraid to share the Gospel.
2. People loved my personality and loved talking to me.
3. I know enough to be a great missionary.

After that people kept coming non stop. It was amazing. My testimony increased immensely that day.

A few days before the event, I couldn't wait till it was over, all the work I had put into the planning, the video, posters, pictures, delegating, holding meeting, etc. It was very exhausting for a mother of five who holds a full time job. Now that it's over, I wish I could be a missionary for a living, I wished I could do this all over again, I wish it never ended.
My sister was there helping me. I wish you could have seen how excited she was. My sister is an angel, she is truly inspiring. She was so involved in talking to each person that come by, and her sweet spirit left a huge impression on many people.

The following is a list of the wonderful people from my stake that helped me carry out this amazing event:

Cindy Castro - Primary presenter

Deanna Colgrove - idea person, script writing, materials

Steven Hunter - video presenter and greeter
Thompsen - Primary presenter

Sara Richards - Activity girls / Faith in God for girls

Jarred McKenzie - Cub Scouting / Faith in God for boys

Patricio Alvares - Picture enlargement

Connie Buckley - Script writing

Silvia Hope - Presenter

Easter 2009

Easter at our house was lots of fun this year. The weekend before we had attended General conference in Utah. It was amazing! I loved being so close to the Prophet and feeling his love and sweet spirit. I think all of my children were amazed, and we are going to do it again for sure!

Visiting with the Hyde family was fun, they are so much fun to be around. Thanks Hyde family for allowing us to stay at your place. We all ate at this great restaurant called "Iggys" and Erica got to go to a party with Chontel. After the Hydes we visited my brother Marco at his house in America Fork UT. Shawn and Alex stayed there two additional nights while we came home that same night after conference. My family are so much fun to be around, I love my little brothers and their families, I just wish we could have stayed a little longer.

Birthday season

So many birthdays, so close together.
We had birthdays celebration for Jake and Erica. We invited the whole clan for Jake's birthday and only grandparents to Erica's birthday. Erica's was last minute celebration, since she just moved back home from Burley.
Erica darling moved back and brought a kitten and a momma cat with her. We don't need anymore cats, but what ae we to do? The kitten is adorable! the momma cat I can do without, I'm not a big fan of white cats. Having my princess back home with me means the world to me, she is my friend, my helper, my sweet daughter who loves her momma dearly. I have been blessed with tender, loving children. Erica is very special to me, she is sweet, kind, loving, gentle, girly, soft, cuddly...oh my! I can go on about my daughter's wonderful qualities. Some of her best qualities can also work against her, people might take advantage of her, because she is to nice and too sweet.
I came home from work yesterday and today, and Erica had cooked for the whole family. As soon as I walked in the door I could smell the wonderful aroma of her homemade meal, Teriyaky chicken, scalloped potatoes, chocolate cake.. yum!
What a nice thing to do. Thanks princess kitty.

Time doesn't stand still

I look at myself and I think, gosh I don't look 47, I look terrific, maybe 10+ lbs overweight but overall I feel very good. Then I see my nephew Dallan, at the Temple... when did he get old enough to go on a mission? how did time fly by? how is it possible that Jake is graduating from HS this year? where did time go. I'm worry that I'll be in my sixties here on a blink on an eye, and I'll be "old" . I think today at the Temple I was once reminded how our time here on earth is so minuscule, so small, compared to the time we'll be in heaven. Time does not stand still. I have no fear of dying, instead I look at it as part of the plan of salvation. I can't wait to be with my reunite with my son Zachary again.
Today at looked at my sweet Brett. How lucky I am to have him. He is my best friend, and also ponder what would life be without him, I find comfort on knowing that he is my eternal companion. I love the saying "Families can be Forever" I'm trying to achieve that goal, I want my family to be forever... I love that word "forever" it brings me comfort.
I'm thankful for the gospel in my life. I'm thankful for my family. I'm thankful for my friends.
I'm thankful for my life. Life is good.

Erica wanted pictures of my cookies.. she is missing home.

Do you want some cookies Erica?
We miss you!

Vertigo is bad today..

I'm off work till the 28, recovering from a bad case of Vertigo or Labyrinthitis, got up very dizzy this morning again, and the nausea started again. I have been following my therapist adviced buth I'm still dizzy. I am sick of feeling dizzy. I must stay positive that I will be back to normal here soon. I have to clean house but everytime I turn or bend over I feel like I'm going to fall, but I must still keep trying.
Jake and Alex are home sick today, they have a bad cough and sore throat. Kallie was sick Monday and Tuesday and had a hard time staying at school today. We are house full of sickies today.

College?? Jake?? Fall??

Oh my!! I found myself today making calls. My Jake will be attending college this comming Fall, and knowing how he is, a little anxious about growing up and facing the world, I think we are going with a new college that just opened up in Nampa. Jake is confused about what career path to take, but he has some ideas. His number one choice is to be a high school teacher, number two is to be an Xray (Imaging) technician, number three a counselor. My job as a mom is to help him achieve his goals but not push to hard, but just hard enough to get him excited about it, because right now he is a bit scared. My Jakey is amazing. He is quiet and reserved at home, but when he is at school he is very popular and outgoing. He has a cute girlfriend too. Well, I will be doing lots of praying and I will be attending the Temple this Friday just for that, to pray for my boy and that he will make good choices.
I worked on Shawn's taxes this week. He's been with T-mobile for three years now and he is making very, very good money, I almost flipped over when I saw his W-2. I couldn't believe it! I told Shawn we needed to get him on a mortgage this year, that way he can deduct mortgage interest next year. He is still waiting for Becca, who is serving a mission in Palmira New York. Becca is an amazing girl! She has a sweet spirit, she is beautiful and to top it off, very well educated, she has a Masters on Arquitecture, wow!

Today..

Golly gee, today I cooked all day. Once in a while I just love to cook all day. Today I made 2 homade pizzas, I made cream of potato soup for my son Shawn who is sick, I made Flan for dessert, I also made pesto for tomorrow;s dinner and special noodles for Alex who is also feeling sickie.
Brett my handsome husband of almost 26 years turned 50 years old last a few weeks ago. We had a both dressed up and went out for lunch to Olive Garden. My baby looks good and he works out everyday, all just for me he says, lol. I know he doesn't like to talk about being 50, he is not comfortable with that age, he says he looks and feels 35 and I agree, so even do he turned 50 he really is 35 and we'll leave it at that.
Kids are sick today. My mom is coming back from Peru and I can't wait to see her again! My dad'd wife is also coming so that will be something, to meet his wife for the first time. My mom is very cool about the whole situation wit my dad, so we are all relieved.
I miss my daughter Erica, she moved away a few months ago and she is doing just fine. I miss her terribly! I had no idea that when kids moved away it would be this hard. I love you Princess!