The Birthday Girl!

Happy 12th Birthday to our sweet girl Larissa, we love you!

The sweet smell of goodies

The couple soon to be married, my brother-in-law Oliver and his future wife Teri, we wish them the best.

The tree is up but will look sad when we leave.

My Pan De Polvo baking.

So today I managed to make one big mess in the kitchen, but it was all for a good cause. I made Pan De Polvo better known as Mexican Wedding Cookies. My legs are aching right about now. This is the kids last week of school before break time. We leave for Texas on Thursday and looking forward to our road trip. I have no desire to fly at this time of the year. Our drive will take 14 hours, then we are off to Mission Texas for a Saturday family wedding. I have some last minute chores to run, then we will be ready.

Wedding checklist:

Rene's Tux-Check

Kids Attire-Check

Road Trip supplies/snacks-Check

Cookies for the neighbors to watch the house-Check

My Dress-Check

SPANX-Check

A New Set of Wheels

The dreaded day has arrived, the day you buy your teenager a new set of wheels. Yesterday, we decided to take advantage of the end of year car deals and ended up driving out with a brand new Mazda 3. We had been doing our research and had decided to buy Renie a used older car so we wouldn't have to worry as much, however these days used cars are as expensive as new cars. We wanted him to have a dependable car since he will be going off the college next year, but were torn between new or used. If it were totally up to me, I would have waited until next year, but the life as a teenager in the 21st century is a whole heck of a lot different than when I grew up. My first car came when I was a sophomore in college. These days it comes so much sooner. Are we making the right decision? Our kids are just growing up too fast. My good sense tells me Renie is responsible enough for a car in this stage of his life. He is talking about getting a summer job and contributing to the pool. We have always wanted Renie to focus on academics and with a heavy AP course load and baseball, working is just not an option. As parents it is our responsibility to teach our kids about what life is all about and that includes responsibility and work ethic. For now Renie won't have the luxury of driving his new car, he will drive the Camry until he goes to college and has more driving experience. That still does not settle well in my tummy, but I know it is time to let go, and accept he will soon have to be ready for the real world. So Merry Christmas son, and may the Lord bless you and keep you safe always.

Bugs!

Sorry for not posting sooner, but a nasty stomach bug kicked my butt this weekend. I spent the day sleeping and watching Lifetime movies. Saturday, I was fortunate enough to spend the day shopping and eating my favorite meal, Chicken Marsala. We then spent the afternoon car shopping for little Renie, well he is not so little anymore. It was at that time I was stricken with a terrible headache. Sunday morning I woke up and barely made it to church hoping my feeling of fatigue and nausea would subside. Well, it only got worse and I barely made it home before I barfed all day in the toilet. Fever, chills, no appetite were all part of the package. Luckily, I had two great nurses and made it through the night. Today I am feeling much better and was able to hold a shake down. My nausea is gone, and I am ready for the day.