Farewell to Oprah

Yes, I am a Oprah Winfrey fanatic...lol. As long as I can ever remember, I have always Loved watching the Oprah Winfrey Show. I am so sad that it will be coming to an end as of tomorrow. I think that Oprah is one incredible, inspiring woman. She has had so many guests on her shows that have inspired me, and helped me think about things in life to become a better person. She seems to be a woman of integrity, honesty, compassionate, Joyful, and sincere. I want to know, who is going to fill those big shoes for a talk show???? I guess only time will tell.

The Treasure Box

So a few months ago I started ordering food from this website called The Treasure Box. During these hard economic times this has helped aside from having to go to the grocery store regularly. There is many different MEAL PACKAGES to chose from for $32.00. What is nice is last month I got a Seafood box along with the regular April Menu. But this month there is a Great MEAT GRILLING PACKAGE. For $32.00 and what you get, I think its a good deal. Now I know some of you have bigger families, but the packages at least help out a little bit for the month. If you get the regular Monthly Menu Package which is a variety of meats, sides, and deserts it can last about a week, unless you eat alot. Here is the website to them. Check it out. This is only available right now in California, Arizona, and Nevada. You have to place your order by a specific date and then pick up the food usually about a week and a half later. This month you have to order by May 11th and pick up on Saturday May 21st. Click on find location and input you zip code and it will tell you were the nearest pick up location is near you and what time you can pick up your orders at if you place one. I hope you like it and give it a try. Again, its affordable and when you are on a budget and need to save on cost it really helps.


http://www.thetreasurebox.org/index.php

Lessons Learned

So, I was listening to this song the other day, and I felt like it totally described my life. I am sure some of you have heard it before. Lessons Learned by Carrie Underwood. This is the song that i have playing on the page at the moment. The lyrics really hit home for me in my life past and present. As many may relate, we truly do Live and Learn throughout our lives and what a great way to express it, through this great song!!!

"Lessons Learned"

There's some things that I regret,
Some words I wish had gone unsaid,
Some starts,
That had some bitter endings,
Been some bad times I've been through,
Damage I cannot undo,
Some things,
I wish I could do all all over again,
But it don't really matter,
Life gets that much harder,
It makes you that much stronger,
Oh, some pages turned,
Some bridges burned,
But there were,
Lessons learned.

(Chorus)
And every tear that had to fall from my eyes,
Everyday I wondered how I'd get through the night,
Every change, life has thrown me,
I'm thankful, for every break in my heart,
I'm grateful, for every scar,
Some pages turned,
Some bridges burned,
But there were lessons learned.


There's mistakes that I have made,
Some chances I just threw away,
Some roads,
I never should've taken,
Been some signs I didn't see,
Hearts that I hurt needlessly,
Some wounds,
That I wish I could have one more chance to mend,
But it don't make no difference,
The past can't be rewritten,
You get the life you're given,
Oh, some pages turned,
Some bridges burned,
But there were,
Lessons learned.

(Chorus)
And every tear that had to fall from my eyes,
Everyday I wondered how I'd get through the night,
Every change, life has thrown me,
I'm thankful, for every break in my heart,
I'm grateful, for every scar,
Some pages turned,
Some bridges burned,
But there were lessons learned.


And all the things that break you,
Are all the things that make you strong,
You can't change the past,
Cause it's gone,
And you just gotta move on,
Because it's all,
Lessons learned.

(Chorus)
And every tear that had to fall from my eyes,
Everyday I wondered how I'd get through the night,
Every change, life has thrown me,
I'm thankful, for every break in my heart,
I'm grateful, for every scar,
Some pages turned,
Some bridges burned,
But there were lessons learned,

Oh, some pages turned,
Some bridges burned,
But there were lessons learned,
Lessons learned.

Happy 9th Birthday Gavin!!!

Sooo yesterday April 19th was my nephew Gavins 9th Birthday. I cant even believe he is 9 already. I remember when he was born. He was the cutest little baby boy imaginable. I loved being able to spend so much time with him, as back in 2002 I was living in Henderson, NV still. I remember all the times he would come and stay at my house. How I loved every moment with him. I was blessed to be able to babysit him on my days off and I cherished every moment of it. There are so many fond memories of him as a little guy. I left Nevada in 2005 just a few months before his 3rd birthday. That was one of the saddest days of my life. Who knew anyone could love a kid so much. I mean I love all of my nieces and nephews but I had this BOND with Gavin. I was younger when my other nieces and nephews were born so they were not spending nights with me. Here are some pics of my little MUNCHIE MUNCHIE as I have always called him.

I was blessed to be able to also have him as my Ring Bearer in my wedding which is the most recent picture I have of him which at that time he was 6 years old.

August of 2010 Gavin went on a trip to Idaho with Me,my mom, my sister, and my niece Allison. This was one of thepics from our trip.We had gone to Yellowstone National Park. He was so fun to have around for an entire week.


This June 2011 he will be spending a week here in California also. I look forward to spending time with him, and see how much he has changed being that he is 9 years old now. Happy Birthday Munchie!!! I love you!!!

2010 Coming to an End

So, I was blessed to have a wonderful Christmas. I know I mentioned the different meanings of Christmas Eve, but I didnt get to share the pics of my wonderful time with my family. So Christmas Eve we all went to my sister Heidi's house, and then on Christmas morning we had breakfast at my moms. It was really nice, all the kids came in there pajama's which is just how my mom likes it. This year has been a very tough year. We had a lot of ups and downs. We have lost some great friends and family in our lives but hold there memories close to our hearts. May we ring in the New Year with great joy. Be thankful for life, and surround our lives with the belief and faith that we have a loving Father in Heaven who loves each of us. Iam thankful for having a wonderful family, I dont know what life would be like without them. So, here is a piece of my family Christmas with you.These are pics from Christmas Eve at my sisters, I will post pics from Christmas morning, another day!!!

MOM & MY NIECE BRITTANY























MYSELF AND MY SISTER HEIDI











MY BROTHER DENNIS, ME, MY
SISTER HEIDI, AND MY MOM JUST MISSING MY BROTHER ROBERT

MY NIECE ALLISON

MY NIECES MONICA, SOPHIE, AND LAUREN

MY SISTER HEIDI, NIECE SOPHIE, AND MYSELF

MY BROTHER-IN-LAW ESTEFAN,& MY HUSBAND MICHAEL

MY NIECE MONICA AND MYSELF

Christmas Eve What It Means

"THE MEANING AND PURPOSE OF CHRISTMAS EVE"

Here we are yet another Christmas Eve. I am blessed to be able to be able to say that I am spending another Christmas Eve with my family at My sister Heidi's house. I decided to look up what Christmas Eve is all about. "Christmas Eve as most know is the day before Christmas. The celebration of Christmas begins on the evening of December 24th." On this day, the Christmas Tree is manifested in glory.

In some religions there is a midnight mass that takes place. There is an ancient belief that Jesus was born precisely at the stroke of twelve. Sounds of Bells, Lights sparkling everywhere and hymns of joy are some of the aspects of Midnight masses or services across the world.

"THE CHRISTMAS TREE"

The tradition of The Christmas tree started in Germany. The very first trees were oak. Christmas trees have been a symbol of good luck since the Middle Ages.

The Christmas Tree is the greatest joy for kids. I remember as a child the excitement of being able to decorate the Christmas tree. Or as some would call it today the Holiday Tree. We would make shrinky dinks, and string popcorn, and as we got older, my mom LOVED to coat that beautiful Christmas tree with Tinsel. LOTS and LOTS of Tinsel...lol.

Christmas Eve is a lot of time when you have family reunions. With everyone having such busy lives, not everyone is able to see eachother on a regular basis throughout the year. Christmas Eve is also the night in which we eat lots of food, Enchiladas, Tamales, Nachos, Ham, Stuffing, etc. Also the excitement of the countdown of Santa Claus coming to bare gifts.

"THE TRADITION AND ORIGIN OF GIVING GIFTS"

The tradition of Giving is the best way to celebrate the festive season. Giving doesnt have to come with a price tag. The day of Christmas comes with a message of peace for the home, the nation and the world as Jesus Christ taught the humanity about giving peace, and happiness to others. In some homes the added excitement of giving a physical Gift no matter how big or small.
The origin of giving gifts comes from when Jesus was born. Gifts of gold were given, and other things. The gift of Christmas also symbolizes purity and simplicity. Although as centurys go on, it seems like in our world Gifts are not being given in a form of simplicity. Were has the true meaning of Christmas gone? Its not about the gifts, or the money, its not about who got the better car or Video console, Purity and Simplicity. That is what we forget the gifts symbolize.

May this Christmas Eve we all enjoy spending time with our families, enjoying that magestic lite up Christmas Tree and remember the most glorious Birthday that we are about to celebrate.

John 3:16 : " For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

12 Years Ago.........

Twelve years ago today......My Dad passed away. He was an incredible man. He worked hard to provide for our family and always managed to make a way for all things to be possible for us. Little did we know when he died, how much he TRUELY sacrificed for us. My parents really didn't have much money at all as it turned out, as a matter of fact they were beyond poor. My dad always gave, gave, gave and we never knew, not even my mom how much he lost in return financially. But he was such a humble man no one, again not even my mom new it.
This year as most of you have read, I had the privilege of visiting my Dads family in Idaho. The spirit of the Lord was with us and also the spirit of my Dad with us was such an incredible feeling. My Dad had a lot of amazing qualities.
**I remember growing up as a kid and going fishing with him and my brothers out at Castaic lake. It was sooo fun. I never would put the bait on the hook, and even though my brothers would always tell me stop being such a chick and just do it, my Dad never minded hooking the line for me.
**I also remember going on many trips to Baseball games, and to Magic Mountain a lot as kids. You could say I was truly a Daddy's Girl.
**As I got older, I was blessed to be able to work with my Dad after high school. We use to commute together to Chatsworth almost everyday. That was a great time for us to be able to bond together. That was also when i learned how to drive a stick shift car. My Dad loved his Geo Metros..hahaha.
**Later I moved to Las Vegas on October 14,1996 and still kept in touch via phone with my Dad. He called me everyday at my job. Luckily I worked for La-Z-Boy Furniture at the time and being that it was a family owned company the managers were so great, and allowed me the time to talk to my Dad whenever he called.
Then on October 14, 1998 yep you are reading that correctly EXACTLY 2 years after moving to Las Vegas, I got the call from my sister at like 3:00 am that my Dad had passed away. Talk about SHOCK!!! I didn't know what to say or think, I was in utter denial. Luckily my brother Robert had been living in Las Vegas for a short time and I had to call him, and he came over right away.
Although 12 years has passed, sometimes it feels just like yesterday, other times its been a lifetime, I know that my Dad is resting peacefully and happily with our loving Heavenly Father, and feel a sense of joy knowing he has been reunited with his parents and other relatives that have passed before him. I hold dear all the memories we shared, and at times can clearly hear his voice if I just stop and think. There was not one day I can recall were my Dad did not tell me how much he loved me.He loved us very much, and absolutely adored his grandchildren. I feel blessed to know that he was able to cheer on his other two grandchildren Gavin and Sophie as they entered this world.
How lucky I feel to know that one day I will reunite with him again. That we were sealed as a family for time and all eternity.
So, I say to you today Dad, I will see you soon!!!! When my time calls. I love you!!!