Back to School

This week Meg, Ryan and I went back to school after our nice, long, much needed winter break!

Meg was off for 2 weeks, Ryan for an entire month and I was off for 3weeks. Meg is in 8th grade, Ryan's in 3rd, and I started the first day of my 6th class of my MBA program; leaving me 3 more classes to go after this one. I should be done by the middle of summer, as long as I don't keep taking 3 week breaks in between each class :-}

For the last few days, Korbin has played with his new Lego's (that Mamaw & Papaw gave him for Christmas...and he loves his new airplane jammies too), since Ryan isn't here to entertain him (a.k.a. "bug him")

Happy Birthday Jimmy

Happy Birthday to our brother Jimmy Rowell... who also became a Daddy, again, 1 wk ago!

A Higher Calling…

For weeks now, our Pastor has spoken of Faith and God’s almighty power. He’s encouraging the People of God to believe in the good times and in the bad times! Not to give up and be discouraged! HE is a faithful God!

His message this past Sunday…”If we believe that God answers prayer why don’t we see more of it or see results?! If we are not seeing results then something is wrong! His calling to the People of God… “If we will humble ourselves to pray and fast GOD will use us and answer prayer!”

Pictures of the Week

An adorable picture of Morgan kissing her two-day-old baby sister...too sweet!














Baby Jared Timothy is very happy to be in the arms of Brooklynn. He loves to be up and around!

A New Year

The Start of 2009

My rambling thoughts... :-)

My holiday cards finally arrived... I purposely made them "New Year's cards" since I waited too long, and they wouldn't arrive in time for Christmas. I picked them up yesterday and spent about 2 hrs addressing them (while Jason entertained the boys and I enjoyed the warmth of the fireplace :-). The cards are so cute. I picked a 12-picture collage, fold-card, and made it black n white with the exception of the family picture, which was in color. I was happy with the results! Here is a picture of it...not the best, but gives you an idea of the card :( I was hoping I could email a copy to myself but that wasn't an option :-(

A little update on London Bree...

Baby London Bree came home today. Jimmy & Shelly stopped by for a few hours. She is so sweet! She slept the entire time (well, almost the entire time...she had 2 (or 3) diaper changes and a change of clothes, since her dinner didn't quite agree with her!) But she was still adorable!

Getting Organized...

I decided I needed a bit of organization, and cleaned all day today! Jason's been bringing home lots of odds and ends from storage (they are piling up in our bedroom & closet) and I was getting to the point of not knowing what to do with it!! I've organized and re-organized that closet but it doesn't seem to get any better!! A few weeks ago, I came across an awesome article on getting a closet organized. It was interesting how this article connected the closet to one's personal life...I may share some tips on a future posting on this topic!

To My Dear Husband

This post is dedicated to my dear husband, who has been working, what seems to be, 24-7 for several weeks now. Thank you for providing for us! It's so easy to say you are missing out on so much but I've stopped to realize how much this takes out of you. I'm so thankful for you and pray that GOD give you strength to get up each morning and be able to face all that you do at work. (You know I'm feeling guilty when I offer to get up at 5:30am to cook you breakfast...and I know how sweet you are in letting me sleep in anyways!) I realize how lucky I am in being able to stay home right now and take care of our children (they are a handful at times :-) but I am greatful for it!

I ♥ you!

Yours Forever

London Bree

I asked and Mommy said yes...so, here are a few pictures of sweet baby London Bree. She's adorable!

Happy NEW YEAR!!!

WOW... Another year gone by and here we are,
at the start of 2009!!

New Years Resolutions
I don't typically make New Years Resolutions; however, I do tend to reflect back at the year gone by and think about what I want & need to improve upon.

I thought this was interesting...here is a list of the Top 10 Resolutions (in no particular order) I found as I googled this topic.

1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends
2. Get Fit
3. Lose Weight
4. Quit Smoking
5. Enjoy Life More
6. Quit Drinking
7. Get Out of Debt
8. Learn Something New
9. Help Others
10. Get Organized


I can definetly relate with 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, & 10.



Here are a few pictures of us on New Years Eve, on our way to church.

It's a Girl

Congratulations to our brother & sister-in-law, Jimmy & Shelly Rowell, who welcomed a Baby Girl, London Bree, into this world. London was born today at 1:31pm, weighing 8lbs 6oz and was 20.5 inches long. She is beautiful!!! (pictures to come after I get their permission to post :-)

Breaking News!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations to our brother & sister-in-law, Jeff & Kristy Rowell who announced yesterday that they are expected their first baby!!!! WOW...we are sooooooooo excited and can't wait for the day!!

Happy Birthday to My Brother & His Son

Happy Birthday Frank (my brother) and Francisco Daniel (son)!!! Frank's b-day is today, and my nephew turned 11 years old on the 27th. I talked to Frank this morning (he was a bit shocked that I called since I tend not to remember b-days very well...lol...I told him my secret.... I'm writing everyone's b-days down so I don't keep forgetting them!) Frank and his family will be hanging out at home today (considering they have a new baby, who's only a few weeks old) and I'm thinking it's way too cold in McFarland to party right now!

Happy Birthday Guys!!!

My brother, Frank, and sister-in-law, Lizette, pictured with thier youngest son Roberto Carlo.

Francisco Daniel...11 years old

Nap Time Just Got Easier

For Christmas I, in the last few days of desperate Christmas shopping, bought Korbin a bear play rug (upon Aunt Jodi and Mamaw's recommendation).

I knew he'd love it but never imagined it would help with "nap time!!" These last few days, Korbin gets his blankie, lays down, and is out within minutes!! We're loving it!! I would have bought one sooner if I'd only known!

Disneyland

I originally had plans of taking the kids to Disneyland on Christmas Day...due to bad weather plans changed (and thanks to the sensible thinking of my hubby)... it wouldn't have been a good idea to go out that night anyways, since Korbin & I had been sick with a cold/cough and going out in the COLD, Rainy weather wouldn't have been a good idea. So, we waited until the next day (thank goodness the sun came out). We were able to enjoy Disneyland for a few hours... This was Korbin's 1st time there and as you can see by his pictures he was impressed!!

Christmas Day

This year Jason and I spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with the Rowell side of the family :-) Traditionally, we spend Christmas Eve with my family, then make the 2.5 hr drive home to be with his family. However, this is the first year that we were unable to visit my family due to Jason's wacky work schedule this holiday. In this economy, we are very thankful for his job, so I didn't do too much complaining :-) (Well, I tried not to anyways!)

I do have to say "We missed Santa this year!" (Please don't be offended if you don't believe in Santa...we don't either but it's a Salazar tradition). Every Christmas Eve, Santa makes a stop at Grandma Salazar's house (my mom) ... the kids missed it BUT they didn't forget to reminded me that at Grandma's house they always open presents on Christmas Eve...Yes, Ryan reminded me soooooo much that he almost didn't get Christmas LOL!! All the kids opened a few presents that night.

Here are a few pictures of Christmas morning. We didn't go too crazy on presents since we surprised Meg, Ryan & Korbin with Disneyland passes this year. (Actually, Korbin is 2 so he gets in FREE!! Yeah for us!!)


Daddy enjoying & helping the boys open presents

Korbin got a new guitar & drums, and Ryan got a guitar too!
We have lots of musicians in the house ... we need to start on some lessons.

Ryan helping pass out presents.

The Girls playing tea with Morgan's new tea set.

That Night....
Christmas night was spent at our timeshare ... it was nice getting out again. Meg & Ryan enjoyed their own big beds... here are a few pictures. We also had a great view of Disneyland's firework show that night.


Korbin enjoying hot coco

Ryan playing with his new toys

Late night snack

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!!

May the Lord bless you with love, joy, peace, and happiness as he has richly blessed our family.

The Rowells

Dreams...A Sentimental Thought

A few days ago I was "looking back at life"... I guess what brought this on was unpacking lots and lots of old pictures of the day Jason and I got married, having our first baby, taking family vacations, having our 2nd baby, owning our first home, having our 3rd baby... and remembering how much Jason would "dream" of life ... of working toward something and accomplishments...that new house, a vacation ... don't take me wrong, I know things aren't everything, trust me I know!!

I've always been the realistic one. The one that would say "get your head" out of the clouds...think realistic, think in the moment!! But, I'm realizing after 15 years of being married that we don't dream anymore (or often enough)... I know, things aren't everything, but what happen to the beauty of dreaming!!?? It can't always be about getting the bills paid and living just for today...it's about tomorrow and the next day, and even looking at the year to come. It's about more than just today!

I think we need to start dreaming again...Together!

A Night Out

This past Friday night Papa babysat Ryan & Korbin, for a few hours, so that Jason & I could attend his company Christmas party. (Meg was lucky and she attended the Youth Christmas Party.) Thanks Dad for babysitting!!!

We had such a nice night out...The Italian restaurant was great! And, it's not often that we get lucky in finding someone to babysit 3 kids... thanks Dad!!! We would have loved to do an over-night (since we had plans on staying at our new resort in the downtown Disney area (we're timeshare owners :-) but I know that was pushing our luck. We picked up the kids after a few hours and off we went to the nice 2-bedroom condo resort. Once we got there, the kids ate popcorn and we all stayed up late, slept in the next morning, and had a nice breakfast at Denny's. We plan on doing this again on Christmas Day, after we celebrate the morning with family!!

Ryan making hot chocolate and popcorn.

Korbin testing out the bed and playing drums with the pillows!

Boys bedroom for the night...

Korbin somehow ended up in our bed!

Breakfast at Denny's

(Korbin air-drummed while Ryan colored.)

Brooklynn's Birthday Surprise

Our niece Brooklynn turned 11 on the 18th of this month, and her Daddy, Jimmy, had a BIG surprise for her!! He rented a limo for 2 hours and invited ALL the cousins to go see Christmas lights...WOW!! And, we filled up that limo!!

After about an hour of this, the kids were really wild and the adults were really ready for it to end!! I was lucky... Korbin had a accident (he's 2 yrs old and not quite potty trained ... you know where I'm going with this right??) Since everyone was "getting sick" the Limo driver made a quick detour and took us home, leaving ALL the wild kids to finish the last hour!!

Pictures of the Week

Korbin & Ryan enjoying a good book!

Bogi, Grandpa-Greats doggie, enjoying a ride on the lawnmower....now that's fun!!

Happy Birthday

We are celebrating two birthdays today!

Happy Birthday to our niece Brooklyn Rowell, who's turning 11 years old today. Brooklyn's Daddy is Jimmy (my husband's brother :-)

And, Happy Birthday to our nephew Omar Ordońez who is turning 2 today. "Omarcito's" Mommy & Daddy are Patty (my sister) and Omar.