4th of July

Fourth of July is just around the corner. Last summer went by like a breeze. Last year's 4th of July feels to me like it just went by. Alexandria enjoyed watching the firework show with her cousins. She actually enjoyed the fireworks for about two minutes, literally. After that she decided it would be more interesting to walk and play around everyone. She has changed a lot in the course of a year (milestones, progression, etc.). It will be interesting to see how she does this year.

Alexandria Hanging Out With Friends

Alexandria is digging into her fries from McDonald's after running around at the mall with her friends Marbella and Isabela. They loved the kiddie sized table. They ate, chatted away, and posed for the camera like big girls.

Becoming Vegetarian

I have considered becoming vegetarian more than once. Four years ago I actually went without meat, fish, or chicken for a few weeks. My daughter is two and a half years old and does not like meat, fish, or chicken. She is a picky eater and does not care for these food products. Now more than ever I am considering this again. I think I can do it if I eliminate meat, then chicken, and finally fish. For now it is just a thought. I hope to have the discipline to do it in the near future.

Projects

I have decided to work on some projects this month. My first project will consist of planting a flower bed on my front yard. I think it will look nice and help keep Alexandria busy. We already have a small flower bed and she enjoys going out and watering it so she will certainly enjoy watering a second set of flowers. The second project will require the help of a professional. I think an outdoor brick chimney would be great for the backyard. It will give it a decorative look and it will serve as a grill. I think patio furniture will look nice but this is still just a thought. I also want to paint the bedrooms. My goal is that at least half of this will be done by the fourth of July.

Early Toddler Days

Many people say that a picture is worth a thousand words. I agree. I enjoy going back to Alexandria's photo albums. Every picture has a story to tell. This picture was taken a little over a year ago. I was so excited because she was getting portraits done. Little did I know what I was getting into. She cried during most of the session. The photographer had a young lady assist him but it only made things worse. It was almost as if Alexandria did not like the lady and wanted her gone. The lady came and went and Alexandria got a bit happier once she left. I thought none of the portraits would be good but I was wrong. We had to schedule our family portrait for a later time but her pictures still turned out pretty good.

The Dangers of Plastic

The other day I was surfing the internet trying to find a review for a product I wanted to purchase for my toddler. I was unable to find the review but did find a very interesting and helpful article about plastic. PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic is one of the most hazardous products out there. The scary thing is that it is found everywhere, including our homes. According to the article PVC is dangerous for the environment and our health. I found a lot of helpful information on the following website http://www.chej.org/BESAFE/pvc/

What Will We Watch On Television?

My husband and I love to watch television during the week. However, it is that time of year when everything is over. The Office, The Tudors, and American Idol are over until next season. We watched these programs all season long. I am not a big sports fan but I even miss football a bit. It all works out nice. It is great that this happens during the summer when we can get out and take walks, go feed the ducks, or enjoy an evening in our very own backyard.

Another Fun Day for Alexandria

After a fun filled weekend, Memorial Day was not an exception for Alexandria. In fact, it was a continuation of her busy weekend. She started her journey a little after noon when we went out for Chinese at lunch time. After lunch we came home grabbed sunblock and swimsuits then headed out for the pool with her cousins. She had so much fun with her dad by her side. I thought she would never want to get out. Alexandria is still sleeping this morning so I know she is tired. I am just glad she had a good time.

So Handsome

Oh, just look at that gorgeous picture on the left. Isn't my nephew a cute baby? I think so. He has grown into a very handsome young boy as well. Just look at him in his little tie outfit. He is so photogenic when he allows the camera a minute or two.

Alexandria's Perfect Weekend

I am so happy because Alexandria had a great weekend. On Friday we went outdoors twice to water our flowerbed and ride her tricycle. We also played with finger paint and unlike other days I let her eat many chocolate chip cookies. They are only kids once so I figured it wouldn't hurt her to eat a little bit more chocolate.
On Saturday we went to church where she enjoyed playing with her cousins Lily, Victor, and her friend Elijah. (Don't ask me when was the last time Jason or I heard a complete sermon. We couldn't tell you.) After church Alexandria was joined by all these children for lunch at our house. Needless to say, the kids hardly touched their food. They had one objective in mind and it was to play. I was glad to see Alexandria interacting with other kids.
Sunday was a big day for Alexandria as well. We attended a baby shower with Elijah and his mother. Lily and Victor attended as well. Other children accompanied their parents too. Alexandria did nothing but run and play for at least two and a half hours. When we got home she was so sweaty and tired. She asked me to give her a bath. Then she ate a bigger than usual portion of rice, beans, and even turkey. The girl needed to replenish her energies. She then asked for chips and ate some as well. She willingly let us brush her teeth and made no fuss about going to bed. The girl is exhausted from her long weekend.

Baby Love

I don't know how or when but Alexandria loves babies. She used to get so upset when I held a younger child. It got to the point where I stopped doing it around her altogether. The other day she was fascinated by a baby at our church. She was so gentle and loving. I wish I had brought my camera with me to record that moment. I think this is a good indication that she is ready for a sibling!

Terrible Two's

Alexandria is without a doubt going through a rebellious stage. She is just such a big girl these days. She is determined to do things on her own and nothing makes me happier. However, she is still at that in between stage where it is sometimes hard to reason with her. This can make things difficult. I have been going to the parenting books like never before. At the end of the day I am exhausted and many times I am exhausted in the mornings as well. I only wish I had half her energy. Our days are unpredictable. The only predictable thing is that there are no dull moments with my precious Alexandria.

A newborn's conversation with God

A baby asked God, 'They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?' God said, 'Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you.'

The child further inquired, 'But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy.' God said, 'Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy.'

Again the child asked, 'And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?' God said, 'Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear ,
and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak.'

'And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?' God said, 'Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray.'

'Who will protect me?' God said, 'Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life.'

'But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore.' God said, 'Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you.'

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, 'God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name.'

God said, 'You will simply call her, 'Mom.'

Scientific Proof

Did God create everything that exists? Does evil exist? Did God create evil?

A University professor at a well known institution of higher learning challenged his students with this question. "Did God create everything that exists?"

A student bravely replied, "Yes he did!"

"God created everything?" The professor asked.

"Yes sir, he certainly did," the student replied.

The professor answered, "If God created everything; then God created evil. And, since evil exists, and according to the principal that our works define who we are, then we can assume God is evil.

"The student became quiet and did not respond to the professor's hypothetical definition. The professor, quite pleased with himself, boasted to the students that he had proven once more that the Christian faith was a myth.

Another student raised his hand and said, "May I ask you a question, professor?"

"Of course", replied the professor.

The student stood up and asked, "Professor, does cold exist?"

"What kind of question is this? Of course it exists. Have you never been cold?"

The other students snickered at the young man's question.

The young man replied, "In fact sir, cold does not exist. According to the laws of physics, what we consider cold is in reality the absence of heat.

Everybody or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-460 F) is the total absence of heat; and all matter becomes inert and incapable of reaction at that temperature. Cold does not exist. We have created this word to describe how we feel if we have no heat."

The student continued, "Professor, does darkness exist?"

The professor responded, "Of course it does."

The student replied, "Once again you are wrong sir, darkness does not exist either. Darkness is in reality the absence of light. Light we can study, but not darkness. In fact, we can use Newton's prism to break white light into many colors and study the various wave lengths of each color. You cannot measure darkness. A simple ray of light can break into a world of darkness and illuminate it. How can you know how dark a certain space is? You measure the amount of light present. Isn't this correct? Darkness is a term used by man to describe what happens when there is no light present."

Finally the young man asked the professor, "Sir, does evil exist?" Now uncertain, the professor responded, "Of course, as I have already said.

"We see it everyday. It is in the daily examples of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil." To this the student replied,

"Evil does not exist, sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat, or the darkness that comes when there is no light."

The professor sat down.

The young man's name--Albert Einstein. A true story.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I couldn't agree more. This picture was taken the first time my husband and I brought our families together to announce our engagement.

Road Trip

I enjoy going on road trips. It is so much easier now that Alexandria is getting older. This picture was taken in Tulsa, Oklahoma on labor day weekend. We traveled there to meet with some friends. Alexandria had a great time because she had three girls to play with all afternoon. Look at the smile in her face!

Summer Fun

Alexandria has so much fun every time she is around her cousins. This day was not the exception. We went out for breakfast, fed ducks, and played at the park.

My Little Chef

Alexandria is my helper when we bake. She likes to bake cookies and cakes. I have to be careful and not have the sugar or flour at her reach. If they are, she will just pour them straight into the batter. She also thinks more butter is better. She is also my best critic. Almost everything we bake is "yummy delicious" to her.

Alexandria's last visit to Mexico

This picture was taken the last time we visited family in South Texas and Mexico in July of 2007. Alexandria had just woken up from her nap.