I see london, I see France, I see Estella's (grass stained?) underpants!

Oh just a couple things. I found out where Estefan might have gotten the name TONY from. Tony Stark, as in-Ironman. Very popular movie. Well I was watching Sherlock and in it is some guy who's name has Jr. in it. I wanna say Cuba Gooding Jr. but that guys black. Anyways Estefan recognized him right away as Tony Stark from Ironman. Smart kid, since we don't own the movie and who knows when he has seen it. Then later while we were watching the movie there was some construction going on, Estefan says, "Oh that must be the London Bridge!" First of all he figured by their accent that it wasn't America and two he knows about the London Bridge. I find that great, since he was right! I recognized the stucture later on.

Oh how I love this picture, Dally B. asking Estefan what he's up too?

Dad made it after all!

Here is the monkey costume Estefan was hoping to match his last name-his uncle had it on the whole time!

May Day was today. I happen to choose the right side, which was the left side, that Estefan would happen to be performing at. He has been singing the song- I like to move it, move it- for weeks now. I on the other hand like the "old" dances. My favorite is Tie a Ribbon Around the Old Oak Tree. I guess I can be old fashion at times. I'm glad the kids don't have to dance with the opposite sex anymore. I was ruthless! I was small and wanted to prove a point and would swing the boy hard. I wish I would've been a wee bit gentler. I feel sometimes like I should formally apologize to some for being so aggressive! It was me trying to show that I didn't like boys and that sure as heck worked for a LLLLOOOONNNNGGG time.

Estefan instead danced around like a cute little giraffe. He wanted to be a monkey since his last name is Monk (don't have the heart to correct him-according to him he has 3 last names!) and Monk sounds like MONKEY. He wasn't embarassed to be wearing the dorkiest little hat and tail. Although on him- it didn't look dorky at all:) I wish he could do the parachute all the years. So dang cute, and I can't believe that he was that tiny last year!

The kids and I went to VIP before since I wouldn't be able to celebrate afterwards with him. We had soup and noodles. I even let him choose a soda for dinner.

Then my sisters and I went to VIP afterwards for a good ol cup of tea. Our FAVE!

I gotta a new shirt from my momma. It reads:

Life's been good to me so far.

Honestly it's been a WHIRLWIND this entire month! I have a MILLION things I've done and absolutly no desire to share. But here I am, for the record.

Estefan has been curious about what I wanted to name him before he was born? Then I tell him I didn't know, then he asked about what Tommy wanted to name him before he was born, I tell him to ask him. I know thats not right but I'm not sure Estefan really understands his whole situation with two mom, two dads, two sis, etc....Well long story short he would have liked the name TONY. Never would have guessed or named him that. I also didn't choose his name so I guess you could say I was a little more than unprepared for him. Tony? Wonder where he got that. He said he likes the way it sounds. Speaking of my baby I've decided that there isn't a boy out there (that I know of!) that is tougher than any girl that I know of. Being sick these past days was rough to say the least. I had food poisoning over 7 years ago in Jan. That's the last time I've ever been down from any kind of sickness. No cold, flu, strep, or anything. Well I passed it to the kids and boy was Estefan SAD. I was so exhausted that I would just watch him as he cried and threw fits of pain from his ears and throat hurting. Dr. later tells me that Estella is the one with a fever and her throat is in worse shape than his! He must get it from his dad, cause Tommy doesn't stay in bed when he is sick-we all watch and hear him mope around. I hide under the covers and don't ask for a thing-JUST LEAVE ME ALONE! We are on the mend and I sent Estefan to school today. I believe getting back on your feet is a BIG help in the healing process.

Things I'm happy about

My MIL is home! I LOOOOVE her:)

Watched THE EAGLES! My life is complete.

I feel better, my throat, can I eat? Heck ya!

Knowing my friend down the street listens to her daughter when she wants mine to come over!

May Day dances-so cute

my flowers haven't died yet

The Lewis' from Logan will be here this weeked (with newborn!)

Schools almost over-yippy!

Tommy's sister Janie-husband Tom-mom Grandma Ruth(s)- family reunion

I can put Estella's hair in pigtails! AHHH

Things that frighten me (a little)!

I will be photographing a baby girl's birth!

Attending wedding-also as photographer!

All the produce that is going to be rolling in!

That Estefan's feet are the same size as MINE!

He officially out eats me! EVERYTIME! EVERY MEAL

The thought of putting on a swimsuit! BLAH

Having a temp of 102 while watching the Eagles.

Not being able to woohoo ONCE while at the Eagles

Clapping at the Eagles so hard and noticing my upper arms jiggle!

Not being more concered about the arm jiggle at age 24.

I know this isn't funny but yesterday I began looking at coffins. Morbid, I know but I must have had a lapse in judgment (a temp. maybe?) thinking now that I

ve seen The Eagles Live that I'm good to go.....I like the wood ones.

growing and showing

It's the middle of April and I am just getting around to planting some pretty useless things.

My grandma's garden would put most to shame. She doesn't grow food-she grows pretty and very fragrant plants. She cut some roses for me.

So I went to wal-mart and purchased some of my own. Here are some red geraniums and pink roses

Last year Tommy had to cut down my most favorite tree! When we moved here 5 years ago he built a fence and made a grove into that tree so the fence could fit next to it. That little nick made the tree suseptible to disease. It died. I have now covered it with this tall grass and here it spreads like a weed. Just what I want!

More of my grandma's roses-she has evey color, but I asked for purple. Those are my favorite

With this nice weather, our chickens have been content enought to produce many eggs! So out goes "the egg sign."

T

Tommy had Estefan and I looking for the tiny tomotoe~he later mentioned it was the size of a sunflower seed. No wonder we didn't see it

The kids LOVE the garden. These are some pictures, although not of the entire garden. Below I am listing what Tommy currently has planted. The next couple months I want to continue to keep up on this for Tommy and I to look back on and perfect the next years:)

Okay I am just going to start with measurments and produce. Some might not have number of produce cause Tommy didn't count every seed he put in the ground. Although it may not seem like alot, I have to remind myself that EACH plant produces SO much! AHHH

20 giant sunflowers
120 tomotoe
100* garlic/onion
40 potatoes Iidaho,russet,enterprise)
30 stripped klondike watermelon
20 casabamelon
30 crimson sweet watermelon
20 crenshaw melon
20 honeydew melon
10 moon and stars watermelon
1000* incredible sweet corn & candy corn
700 onions
200 green beans
37 broccoli
23 cabbage

the following are measure in feet not numbers

lettuce, swiss chard, spinach, carrots:100x30ft split into fourths

cabbage(60%), brussel sprouts(40%) 100x30 ft

peppers(jalepeno,bell,bannana,sante fe, anehiem)60%, eggplant(40%) 100x30ft

black beauty zuchinni (75%), golden zuchini(25%) 100x30ft

black beauty zuchinni 100x30ft

yellow straightneck zuchinni 100x30ft

variety mixed zuchinni 100x30ft

There are 8 rows of 30x80ft that we also be more melons,conatlopes, and cucumbers. There is also a small area of alfalfa which we have never grown. That remains to be seen though. In a couple weeks we will plant more corn (mexican june) in with the tomotoes for protection. BTW did I mention I don't care  know how to can?

Lois Lane was the apple of Superman's eye

I wanted to skip the whole fair outcome post but....I better. For my own futures sake. like it depends on it? ya right. Whatever-anyways it was the second to the largest fair in their history! I worked, worked, worked, played, walked, bought, and worked in the end. Long story short.

Friday was dedicated to my family. I was there when it opened to have the kids ride rides they only day they would be. Highlights were as follows:

Estefan rode the ROUND-UP 20 min. after eating!

he didnt throw up and begged to ride it again

he did!

My shoulders got tanned and a little red

My Mom, Pita and Oly were there to help me out

 I enjoyed them SO much

I saw Estefan's Aunt Loni and Uncle Mark and their pretty little grand-boy

They are SO nice and don't even have to be!

Estella only wandered off in the small animals tent

she kept running back to the monkey!

She reminds me of the little monkey myself

I worked and watched all the Mutton Bustin'

I worked till one on Sunday with articles pertaining to the fair

UGH!

Let's back up to Sunday cause that was one *sigh* DAAAAYYY

went into vegas for a hair show

was back by 3:30

made the last Mutton Bustin at 5:30

Tommy made it to the fair!-not with me

had to find a sitter for tomorrow-super quick!

Then wrote until midnight

couldn't sleep until one since I had words/article in my head

Monday:

Had to be up by 5 to get the kids ready for the day

 was on the rode to Vegas by 6:15

with wet hair and no make-up!

I like the hair modeling

150 buck cash

a cut you have NO control over

also make-up/wordrobe/nails/hair color-you have no control over

I got 100 bucks worth of hair products, ended up looking like I belong in vegas, and ended up with a hair cut I have named-JOAN JETT

can now add a new experiance to my top 3 most embarassing moments!

and it was caught on film!

it will also be published and distributed!

Got a call on the way home and Lois was dying

it was her sister, my MIL Linda's birthday

Spent 3 minutes at home and picked up kids and Tommy

went back to Vegas

hadn't eaten in 18 hrs!

slept for 5 hrs the night before

tired, hungry, and cranky and then guilty for feeling all the above

hate death

took kids and drove around/ate for 2 hours

didn't want the kids to see her dying

I didn't want to see her dying

Felt guilty and gave in

It was the most AWEFUL experience! I have a different view of dying

not death, but dying

She didn't struggle to stay alive

she struggled to die

she moaned, gurgled, and was sang to by family

the most beautiful scene

but I hated the suffering

suffering, suffering, suffering to die

I know what it means when they say "i'll be happy they're not suffering anymore"

I never imagined it would be that way

Drove home and was exhausted

could not sleep

Tommy woke and left to work at 2 a.m.

I couldn't sleep

dozed

phone rang at 3:30-was my MIL-Lois had passed

I feel so....I don't know, outta sorts. I felt outta sorts when Michael passed less than a year ago. I haven't been normal since and now again. My family-i don't consider them IL's. I have no family here anymore:( I miss them but I love Tommy's family like my own. They have helped fill the gap I've felt when all my family moved away. I feel so loved and fit right in with them. They have been gone too now and a new normal has settled among us all. A little shifting in family. I adjust to change well but.....I haven't. I want them all here and I want them all here again. I am feeling so selfish for this all-just so everyone can be happy again. I miss them all.

MIL:means mother in law

IL: mean in laws

I will also be posting pictures and such about the hair show at a later time

Fair time! Spring time! Carny time!Work time!

Look at anyone's blog or Facebook and I bet you see the word "fair" a couple times. I don't think much of the fair-not that I don't think highly of the fair. I just don't actually plan anything during the fair. No must do item or things like that. All I can think about is how am I going to take 2 completly different aged kids on rides this week. I don't think Estella could stay seated on the SEA-RAY nor do I plan for Estefan to whoop & hollar on the plane ride.
     I get a "media" pass to go in because I will technically be working those days. I'm suppose to wear a badge that says media at all times( but it doesn't match all my outfits!) so parents and people don't freak out when I snap pictures of there little ones! I also will be covering stories. I've been assigned some and of course been ancoureged to uncover some of my own. If I wish too. Oh I wish I could stay after hours to see just EXACTLY what the carney's do when the show closes. You know you wanna know too. I will bat my eyelashes and say pretty please and BINGO-I'm in! Then again I bet parents would have an uproar for #1 the  discovery of what/who/why these people are hired. Yes we trust in these men (no women?)  with cracked out looks-to find out their IQ just count the teeth:) to watch our most prized posessions (our kids!) in rides that can come apart in just hours! Don't get me wrong, I think this years carney's are way more healthier than the previous. I know my carney's too! Living down the street from the fair gives me a front row seat of what happens when they aren't pushing buttons and checking stamped hands. I know they're better because-get this- they are FATTER. Yup I think our downturned economy has made regular people apply for these positions. Desperate times call for desperate measures. So instead of  meth addicts I think we have ourselves some "recreational users" instead. It was just this year that I finally thought-how do the carneys get here? They walk up and past me 5 times a day. So I know they don't drive a Mercedes Benz 500. Are they dropped off from a bus? One that say's STATE PRISON painted on the side? No that can't be cause I havent noticed one. I see the funnel cake, texas twister and the yellow lemon cruisin' by. You can't tell me that they all squeeze into the lemons?! Nah not this year since, like I mentioned they have meat this time around. So back to my original story-I will be working at the fair this year.

     I really should write about what it's like to work for a newspaper-it's interesting. Of coarse probably not what you think.

     Tomorrow I will be meeting up with Estefan's class at the fair. They are going as a feild trip. WHAT! I won't even go into that! I'm vain and am worried about what to wear. Is it going to be hot with cold wind? Cold? Hot? Or you can't feel anything cause there is so much sand in your face from all the wind. I'm bringing Estella. This ought to be fun. I'll  have to tell a bunch of people who I haven't seen in awhile why Estella's hair is short like a boys-with a bow on the side-like a newborn.

This is how I know it's

 SPRING TIME!

hunny bunny

Monroe, Estella, Maddy,  (oh I'm SO busted for not remembering the other twins name!) and Joey

plastic Easter eggs

The real deal eggs

I didn't really eat the eggs when I was little

Dad showing 'em how it's done

First let me start out by saying I ended up getting Estella's haircut after all. I was annoyed the day of cancelation but I showed up the next day and decided to see if she was in. It was my "lucky day". She was in

Let me start the day out right. I'll just list it:

Friday had to cover the parks and rec eater egg hunt in logandale

was there at 9:30 with Estella (estefan didn't come back till Sat)

remember why I don't take her to ANY events I have to cover

left her by herself manytimes to talk with people

forgot she was there

Went with E-lynn, Roe, and Eric

She saved me by offering to take Estella while I finished up

Met her in Overton half hour later

got in for haircut

got haircut for free!

Easter

Tommy got called into work!

leaves at 3 a.m.

truck lights didn't work! Something withe alternator?

was car-less on Easter morning

couldn't go to church

celebrated Easter with just the kds and I

opened all 4 baskets they received

from-mom/dad, g-ma,g-ma ruth, and pita/jeff

stickers, candy, shoes, clothes, sunglasses, bubbles-all over the place

estefan got his first digital camera from us:)

realized I didn't like him having a camera in my face!

painted camo eggs-Estefan's request

no stained anything! yippy

We make ben-yays-no it's not spelled that way-but you pronounced it right

Tommy came home in time to eat eggs with the kids

hid there eggs seperately

Pita stopped by to enjoy the kids-who didn't want her to leave-lotsa begging

had steak, baked potatoes,salad, and mixed veggies

watched the frog and the princess to go with ben-yays

kids helped make the above mentioned treat

had it with mocha-mmmm!

I'm still bugged that I didn't get to go to church on EASTER! but I teach catechism in church-I have more than enough to conduct my own here at home.

HAPPY EATER

HAHA I MEANT

HAPPY EASTER!

Book of many thoughts

Okay I have been interested in Asperger's BEFORE some girl made it famous on America's Next Top Model. It's a syndrome that's on the Autistic spectrum if you've never heard of it. I recenty read a book that I picked out for one reason: the author is an awesome writter and I've been reading her books for years. It's called house rules by Jodi Picoult. My eye's were RE-opened to the fact that SO many family's have children with this affliction. I don't even like saying that. Is affliction the term that I would want used if my loved one had Aspergers? But I really think people should place an order to check it out at their local library. I bought mine at Wal-mart. I was lucky to find it-on;y because someone put it in the magazine. It was probably picked up and then at second thought instead of re-placing it back to it correct spot-it was just left in the wrong one. Sometimes you shouldn't feel guilty for putting things on end caps or stuffing that candle in between the toilet paper:)

       The author is know to do extesive reshearch on subject matter pertaining to her books. I don't mean she goes and opens up  medical journals for "facts". She sits with families and people who themselves have Asperger's

      Why am I writing about this? I don't think people realize and are accepting of others. They don't have an idea of what makes them....well them. I learned a new word stimming. The fluttering of hands. The best way I can imagine (because I have never known anyone with Asperger's or Autism) is them playing a piano in air, at their side, or were ever their fancy strikes. They do this as a way of stimulation or venting? I think it might even be soothing. In times of feeling overwhelmed, they tend to do this. It makes them feel better. I love learning about people and their feelings- no matter the difference between my own. Physical and mental differances strike my fancy. I don't have any knd of "calling" in life but there is something in me that makes me think that I should be working with people to help with these needs. LIke a nanny, nurse, teacher, something in customer service maybe.  Social worker or swim instructor?  Wait I can only doggy paddle! Like I said I don't know but reading this book makes me want to put a sign on my forehead that says I will halp you and won't hurt you loved one. This life of having an Autistic child is profound to say the least. It's impact wider than any crator here on earth. Well what would I know.

     It's hotly debated that Autism is brought on (yes some say it can be prevented!) by immunization shots. In short I a not going to debate the two sides-neither does this book. It did bring a strong feeling of this to my attention-I think some people have a higher predisposition to Autism. Just like alcoholism. Yes it's hereditary too. Immunizations in my final thought will be spread apart when administered to my next. Then again I highly doublt I will be worring about the next one.
     Anyways-read the book! You'll come away smater, better prepared, and aware.

Chivalry is dead...along with customer service

Why it's 9:20 Amanda, didn't you have a hair appointment this morning at 9? Yes! Yes I did! She wasn't there and left a note saying she rescheduled me for tomorrow at 10. Well hair lady Estella needs her haircut BEFORE the fair and I won't be able to make the new one.

     What ever happened to calling you client ahead-with the right number that is. She hasn't updated my new phone number (that I have been using for the past 5 years!) and therefore she can't reach me in time to tell me. I YI YI! Come on you have seen me a dozen times in the past 5 years and you've called me many times on my cell. What happened? I saw you the day before and I said PLEASE call me if you have to reschedule- Oh no you promised-that wouldn't happen. There would be absolutly NO reason for that. Well now I must take Estella in to some place I don't trust so she can get a trim and fix.
     Well if this is an April Fool's joke.....I'm not laughing. As a matter of fact-I'm annoyed!