Family Picnic and Senior Prom

These past couple of weeks have been busy (as usual) and exciting. There was a family picnic, where the last six siblings born to my natural mother, Guadalupe, got together with our families on a picnic. It was amazing and fun.

We all gathered here in Temple at Miller's Park. It was a bit windy, but with a full sunny day, the temperatures were in the high 70's. Perfect weather for fun, pictures, and family getting reacquainted. We never got around to doing our genealogy charts as I had hoped, simply because there was so much going on.



My hubby Bruce was busy grilling hot dogs, sausage, and hamburgers, while me and my brother Tomas got it all assembled. My sisters, Mary, Delia, and Virginia were all having fun with their grand babies, as well as Richard and his wife Sarah.





There were about 15 youngsters running around, playing on the playground, to feeding ducks and geese by the pond; to busting open a pinata. They had even more fun when little prizes were given away, consisting of kites, coloring books, and - gasp!- water guns/toys. Even the grownups played. And, oh yeah.. they got some of us good! LOL. My granddaughter Mariah and my daughter Kayla snuck up on me once! Can you say Gotcha!!







At the end of the picnic, which seemed like 4 hours was not enough time, we vowed to do this again. Some of us shared face book connection to keep in touch. And we shared some pics.



The next celebration was for Kayla, my high school senior. The prom preparations were fun, from getting a perfect mask for the masquerade theme ball, to finding that perfect dress to match. We've always had luck getting something from Killeen Mall and the dress we chose was not only on sale, we got an additional 10% off for giving them an email for future advertisements. Debs is definitely the place we will always go to for special occasion dresses. Kayla already had high heel shoes from last year's prom and a wrap coat. She had already decided to wear her hair down (straightened with the hot iron) and so all was left to do was get her nails done.




It's kind of fun to sit and watch the process. She just chilled talking with mariah next to her, getting her toenails painted and her fingernails tipped and painted. I sat and watched their tv on the wall, just relaxing.

When prom night came, Kayla didn't have a date this year, so drove the car to pick up one of her girlfriends. It felt a bit odd, as all of her previous dances were escorted by her ex-beau, Chris, but this year, he was still at Army Reserves AIT training and her current beau was unable to go. I peaked in on her in the morning, as she slept, getting the camera from her purse to download pics. Surprisingly, she didn't take a whole lot of pictures at the occasion. I whispered, "Did you have fun?" and she nodded, with a small smile on her face. I think of all the dances, her senior year one should be memorable somehow and I suppose being stag, with all of her friends in attendance, will be something wonderful to recall after all.






So now we must think ahead to her graduation party (first weekend of June).I've plenty to do, from ordering invitations, getting food, to preparing a guest list. We've got a month to do it, but I fear it will go fast. For all the years my kids were in school, it's bittersweet for my last child to finished this saga of her life. But she's a bright kid with goals for her future, so I think soon enough, she will be a freshman year at college and going beyond. It's just part of watching your child grow up, but it's tough on a mom's heart to let go.

Our Easter weekend

Easter weekend sprang upon us just like the Easter bunny zipping out from behind a bush. SPRINGGGGG! Lots went on. I don't think this family ever has a sane moment.

First of all, our dear friend Mark, decided to move to Texarkana. He had applied for a federal government job, with benefits, and a pay cut, but it was a new start for his life. He sold his house in Killeen and planned the big move about a month ago. Brucie had volunteered to help, forgetting it would be Easter weekend. It was ok by me though, because about that time, my daugther Tracy was planning to take her near 13 year old daughter, to Six Flags to celebrate her birthday. And since Ethan would spend the Easter weekend with his dad, that left what to do with AJ. So she asked me to babysit. So I agreed.

So on Friday nite, Bruce and Mark got the loaded up U-haul and took off to the Texarkana by the highway. I got to say goodbye, but was in the midst of doing a lot of errands (shopping for the weekend and getting stuff for my mom and paying her bills.) By the time I truly got home to sit still, it was around 9:00 p.m. I only got about two hours of "ME" alone time before I sank into bed.

The next morning, Tracy's tribe (hubby Chris, AJ, Mariah & her tag-a-long friend) came over. My youngest daughter Kayla and her beau Jonathon (Page) had decided to go in his car and follow them up to Arlington. It was last minute news to me and it did make me nervous. Kayla was adjusted to driving about Temple and she's a pretty good driver- but the HIGHWAY?? Yikes!!

But they took off around 7:15 and were on their way. Aj and I hung out at the house for about an hour, because he fell back asleep. Around 9:00, he finally woke up, had some breakfast, and then we took off to find some Easter baskets at the store. He got two actually: one stuff with car toys and an empty one for the Easter egg hunt we would attend together.

The place where I work, always puts on something for the kids, but since mine are older now, I didn't have a clue how the activities worked. We got there 20 minutes before the egg hunt began. I thought, "Wow! Just in time". We saw a helicopter across the field where children were getting to sit inside and inspect it up close. A power driven train was pulling the kids around the sidewalk. There were jumping booths and face painting; balloons were filled and given away. And drinks from a concession stand. It all looked like fun and festive. AJ waited in line for the egg hunt to begin and children lined up along the way. Then within ten minutes, the helicopter started up and flew off into the horizon. Then finally, the melee of kids springing onto the grass began.

AJ dashed here and he dashed there. He picked up all the eggs around him, jumping around like a cute rabbit. "Go AJ! Good job!" I shouted, encouraging him on. Somehow he filled up his basket and he was so proud. I was too. The egg hunt was over and much to my suprise, it signalled the end to all of the events. Wow! ok, for next year, I will know to come early. We stopped at a petting zoo where he saw some goats and a donkey. He even touched them. Still, Aj's face was turning pink. The sun was up over us and the temperatures were climbing to 80 degrees. So I figured with his blond hair and fair skin, waiting for another egg hunt elsewhere might make him too hot and tired. So we went home.

Under the shade tree, we took pictures. And then once inside the air conditioned house (Yes! I had to put it on for a bit) we rested. As he played with his new car toys and watched a cartoon movie, I whipped up some devilled eggs for our Sunday meal. I made banana pudding and then discovered I needed a few more ingredients from the store. So off we went again. By the time we got home again, we went outside to water my plants and tend to feeding the cats, which he helped. Then we went back again to be house hermits again. After a phone call from mama, a good shower, and clothed in his comfy pj's , it wasn't long until he was sound asleep. I ended up staying up late and then zonked out around midnight.

By 6:00, I was up again to get the ham ready with pineapple slices, marachino cherries, and a great honey/oj/brown sugar glaze. That went into the oven. Then I fixed an upside down pineapple cake, a lime-jello-whip cream fruit salad; Then made AJ some breakfast when he woke up and popped some sweet potatoes in the oven when the ham came out. By 10:30, my hubby was back home again. Then later, I made my fresh snap green beans and mashed potatoes. With soft drinks and tea, and some fresh rolls, we ended up with a great feast.


Tracy wasn't expecting the meal at all. So when she came to pick up AJ, her family ended up staying to have our traditional Easter gathering.At least with us and her family. She was very surprised and happy to eat the food I made. This year, my mom & stepdad didn't feel well enough to attend and my son Keifer had to work that day. My daughter Kayla and Page had decided to visit some friends up in Arlingon and she wound up eating at a cajun resteraunt, but had a great time, and came home safely.

Up in Denver, I know my daughter Lori and her family got to a church gathering for Easter. Even if the day was cold, it was a wonderful outing for her family. I can't wait for her to post pics, but she did send Mackenzie's pics with the Easter Bunny! She looks so tiny and swallowed up next to the large furry rabbit! Oh my! But how adorable and alert she seems.

And before all of these events, Chris got to pose as the Easter Bunny at AJ's school, so in this pic, that's AJ's Dad whose lap he's sitting upon! Cool, huh?




All in all, Easter ended up being a great weekend. Eventful and tiring, it is one I will always remember; especially the one-to-one time I got to spend with my youngest grandson. Until next time... take care....

The ides of March

Author's Note: Ides can actually refer to any month because it simply means the middle of the month- and since I'm late posting this blog, it just made sense to use as a title, because it IS the middle of March.


Wow. I truly believe this year is flying by at a very rapid pace. Ok, I might say that all the time, but it's already mid-March and there is much up in the air.

The beginning of this year, my family was waiting for the birth of my newest granddaugther, Mackenzie, who was due in February. I flew up to Denver to assist my daughter and her family and had planned to stay for two weeks. On Feb. 3rd, I arrived, just in time to celebrate Morgan's birthday, who is Lori's first child. Got there in time as well to visit hubby Rick's new office and to pick up my other granddaughter, Preslee, at her school.

We dropped off birthday cupcakes for Morgan's class and I bet the treat was very much appreciated at the end of the day. The weather there was cool and breezy but very tolerable. After rounding up the family at the end of the day, we set off to eat at Olive Garden to do more celebrating of Morgan's birthday.

The whole time sitting there, Lori kept grimacing, as her tummy would tighten. Contractions were coming on but not staying long. So then we head home to get some sleep. Around 1:30 in the morning, the couple knocks on my door to let me know they are on their way to the hospital. I decide to stay behind with the girls and we sleep (or try to) the rest of the wee morning.

After breakfast, we trekked over to the hospital, which was a beautiful place. The nursing staff was terrific and very caring and gave Lori all the attention she needed to deliver the most beautiful little baby.

Mackenzie was born at 12:18 mountain time on February 4th.

Needless to say, the rest of the two weeks flew by too. I had a blast helping out as I could: walking Morgan to the bus stop and back after school. Attending the basketball games for both girls. (By the way, they are awesome players!) And just doing a lot of one to one woman bonding with my eldest girl and holding that new baby.



There is nothing in the world like holding a newborn close to you. (The softness of their heads, especially hers since she was born with lots of black hair!) Just feeling such soft skin upon your own and listening to them breathe. I truly appreciated watching Lori with her new baby, since I totally missed out the time she had spent with Morgan as a baby. In fact, I didn't "meet" Morgan for the first time until she was around 18 months old.
And Daddy Rick was very attentive, to both mom and new baby. He's an awesome dad and husband. It was a privilege to spend time with their family. So these moments were very special to me and will live on in my memory forever.

I got some exercise while I was there too. Lori's house has stairs, to the 2nd floor and to the basement. And those walks to the bus stop helped my legs tighten up. The altitude is a higher elevation in Colorado and that certainly made me breathe a bit more exuberantly as I burned up calories. Overall, I came home losing about 6 lbs. But it doesn't take long to get back into the swing of things again. And now we are into the Ides of March.....




Our co-written book, Our Written Voices, produced with a few members from my online writing group, The Written Voice, will be getting some publicity in the near future in New Hampshire. Paula Rockwell is a co-author and currently I am assisting with preparations for a book signing. It's important that these events come off looking professional and successful as Paula will be our greatest representative. One book signing will take place at her local library. The other will be one that the folks at David's House will do in July, to really publicize this book to the media and their guests.

Naturally, Paula is excited and nervous. I have volunteered to make up business cards and author posters. I have rallied up our Written Voice Members to donate books. Along displaying these at the table, she will also be raffling off a gift basket. All proceeds will go to David's House. Paula has first hand experience using their facility when her daughter was in the hospital. Her personal story will be a huge factor to draw in attention.

There are other things taking up my time, other than the usual routine. I have a family picnic coming up on April 10th, which will consist of the younger five siblings of my natural mother. I was adopted and there is so much to learn about myself from these two brothers and three sisters who plan to come, along with their children and grandchildren. We will attempt to give each a poster to jot down their family tree, beginning with Guadalupe, our natural mother. It will be interesting to see the result, but most importantly, it will be a way to trace out our next generations already in progress. Then the attempt will be, while we are gathered, to trace backwards the names of relatives before us. I have heard some of the history, but still there are questions and secrets. Sometimes conversations stir up cobwebs to bring those memories to the surface.

I never took an interest in genealogy before, but just listening to some family history does stir up the heart. My natural mother had several children; about 17 total, if my math is correct. I have learned there were twins born who died in infancy. They are in an unmarked grave at Hillcrest Cemetery here in Temple. My sister Mary told me that one uncle scratched the names on the blank nameplates indicating where they were laid to rest. Hillcrest is north of town and one weekend, Mary and I plan to take a walk about in a place she feels they may be buried. It would be wonderful to find it, although the chances are very slim. I found a website that listed all the buried folks in that particular cemetery and there were several infants listed with no names and no other indication of who they might be. I do know these sisters were named Dora and Ophelia. I'm unsure of their ages at the time of their demise, but my heart is stirred up that they are buried that way and we may never know where.

So with this picnic, stories are sure to surface and I will try my best to write it all down in notes. We will have a barbecue and all the 2nd cousins will have a chance to mingle, to know each other better. Which is always the intention whenever families reunite. When I was a kid and once attended something like this, I know my interest in it wasn't the greatest. I was too busy eating food and playing on nearby playgrounds. But now, as an older adult, I realize why these events are important. So much is passed on and the family is made stronger because of it. Obviously, my oldest daughter and her family will not be able to attend this, due to being out of state. Hopefully this is something we can set up annually and maybe one day, she and hubby can attend with the children.

So with all of this in the air, along with the past Saint Patrick's Day, which was my stepdad's birthday, there was/is a lot in the air. I've been busy getting things in order and getting prepared. And I know this is just the beginning: looking forward to other grandchildren's birthdays, Easter, anniversaries, and my youngest daughter's graduation party and grad day itself - but wait... that's all in the next three months! Whew! Yes, the Ides of March has hit my household and are going by way too fast. Certainly too, those warm spring breezes filtering in the windows are surfacing a lot of excitement.

So c/ya next time and as always, God bless. :)