HAPPY NEW YEAR, GOOD BYE 2008

Well today is my birthday and I am at work. The best thing about today is my girls and my husband. What better present is that! I am usually off on Wednesday’s but for some reason I ended up working today.
This year has had its up and downs. I have had wonderful opportunities given to me and snatched away instantly. I have loved and lost friends, but have made new ones in my life that are there. It is what it is. It has defiantly been a bitter, sweet 2008. But I am firm believer things happen for a reason. My mom has always said, “The strongest steel goes thru the thickest fire.” I believe this. So, I have humbled myself to the ways of the world and what comes my way. I am grateful for what I have. I am thankful for the loving husband that stands behind me no matter what, for the sweet little girls who can make me smile instantly after having one of those days, and for all the friends who are there for me no matter what. What is better than this? Not much. So, I am not looking back anymore on 2008. There are plenty of wonderful opportunities for 2009. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Christmas

This year was especially nice. My girls are 4 and 5, and I feel they are really getting into the Christmas spirit. They are learning more about Santa Clause and I have taught them that they should give to the families that are not so fortunate.

We have started a family tradition ever since we've had Bella. Every year we go through all of our clothes, and toys just right after Thanksgiving to donate. One of the main things we go sort through is there toy box. It is amazing how much they accumulate. By the 2nd week they get bored and do not play with anymore. So, we usually empty it almost bare, minus 1 special teddy and toys they play with faithfully; which is not much. Trust me when I say the toy box gets replenished! We have such a large family with lots of uncles, aunts, and grandparents who loves to buy them toys. My girls prefer riding there bikes or getting into mischief outside. We're rarely inside, unless it is too cold.

Anyways, we donate the girls toys to our local mission, and donate all of our clothes to the Ronald McDonald house. They know there toys and our clothes will go to someone who needs them. I tell them it is good to give to others. And when you do this with good intensions and a good heart that makes you a wonderful person! They see this through my eyes and I believe they understand somewhat. We have been steadily doing this for awhile, and it makes a world of difference.

It amazes me. My little girls taught me to become a better person inside and out. Everyday I strive to be that better person and to become the best parent I know how for them. I feel it is so important that you share and teach your children meaningful and important values. I believe this will be a great foundation for them.

I hope everyone has had a Merry Christmas as we did.

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer

You know Dasher and Dancer And Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid
And Donner and Blitzen.

But do you recall.....The most famous reindeer of all?

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
(reindeer)

Had a very shiny nose

(like a light bulb)

And if you ever saw it
(saw it)

You would even say it glows
(like a flash light)

All of the other reindeer
(reindeer)

Used to laugh and call him names
(like Pinochio)

They never let poor Rudolph
(Rudolph)

Play in any reindeer games
(like Monopoly)

Then one foggy Christmas Eve Santa came to say
(Ho Ho Ho)

Rudolph with your nose so bright, won't you guide my sleigh tonight?

Then all the reindeer loved him

(loved him)

And they shouted out with glee
(yippee)

"Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
(reindeer)

You'll go down in history!"
(like Columbus)

Twas the night before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care; In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there. The children were nestled all snug in their beds; While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads. And momma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap, had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap. When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer. With a little old driver, so lively and quick,I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name! "Now Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, on Donner and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all! "As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, with the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too. And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof the prancing and pawing of each little hoof .As I drew in my head, and was turning around, down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound. He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot. A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, and he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack. His eyes-how they twinkled! His dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, and the beard of his chin was as white as the snow. The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath. He had a broad face and a little round belly, that shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly! He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself! A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, and filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk. And laying his finger aside of his nose, and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose! He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, and away they all flew like the down of a thistle.But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

I Never Grew Up has a Flip Ultra Video Camcorder for a great giveaway. This is definitely a great present for the special someone, and not to mention the hottest video camera on the market. My old one. Well I should say mine that is only 5 years old is capoot. So, this would be great to have right about now. This giveaway ends right after Christmas, so just go to her website and enter before Jan 2, 2009!

XMAS Program

It was Bella's Christmas program. She was thrilled about getting dressed up for school this day. We dressed her in this cute green dress with black patten leather shoes. She has been dying to wear this dress ever since my mom bought this for her.

As we arrived a little early to the program we got a glimpse of the other class rehearsing for there day beau on Friday. It was adorable! After they finished parents and family started to fill up the cafeteria. I am so glad we arrived early to get good seats. The kids sang 6 different songs, 4 was in English and 2 was in partial Spanish and English with little hand bits as they sang along. They all were amazing! I am so very proud of her and all the little ones who participated.

My baby girl was so happy and not at all shy. During the program I was steadily filming while proud daddy is taking snap shots of her. Grandparents were sitting there with tears of joy. A lot of the parents and grandparents were all teary eyed. I cannot believe my baby girl is in school and having Christmas programs. It just goes to show how time flies by; what a proud moment this is......

A Helping Hand

I had no idea I would have so much fun at Bella's school! Isabella's teacher Mrs. Stubbs and I have kept in contact with each other regarding her progress. She had recently asked me if I could be a volunteer for her classroom whenever possible. I was thrilled. I volunteered yesterday. It was so much fun!

As time approached, I told Isabella over the weekend that I was going to go to school for the day on my day off. After that, every day she would ask me over and over, "Mommy you are going to school, all day?" I said, "Yes baby, all day." She would just smile and run in the room where little sister was and told her all about it. Allison I guess started to get jealous or left out because she came in with that look. You know the look on Shrek where Puss in Boots takes off his hat and looks up at with those big, brown eyes. Well, she gave that look and said "what about me, mommy?" I just wanted to cry. I said, when you start school next year, I will help out in your class too. She just smiled and said OK. Like there was never any doubt. I guess she just wanted to make sure there was room for her.

Anyways, Bella and I arrived in the classroom when Mrs. Stubbs walked right over and said, I hope you are ready for a busy day? I said sure, I am up for anything! Right then, I thought oh, no. She said I hope this isn't too much? Right outside of the door there were several boxes filled with things to do. She had only 6 projects for me to do. I thought no problem. Well, I did not realize it would take me all day. I know it does not seems not a lot but 6 projects x21. There are 21 kids in the classroom. It would not have been so bad, but just remember there is only little furniture in elementary schools. I had this little table outside the classroom that is made for a 5 yr old. After awhile my back hurt so badly.

Out side of that, I had such a good time. I got to hear her lessons really well. I was sitting in between 3 classrooms. Bella's class, the one right next to her and the one beside me. Mrs. Stubbs and the one beside me had total control of her kids and the kids seemed pretty happy throughout the day. The one right next to her, there was absolutely no control and yelling at the kids. You know people get tired of the constant yelling. I am so relieved that Bella is not in her classroom. I felt really bad for the little ones.

The kids were so sweet to me. I guess the Mrs. Stubbs had informed the classroom that I was coming. They just loved that there was a new face in the room. It was really cute, every time the kids would come from the classroom to the restroom they would come up to me and just talk and ask me a million questions or give me a hug. Some of the questions were: "Are you Isabella's mommy? Why are you here? Are you lonely? I wish my mommy was here? Are you here all day? Are you coming back?", etc, etc...I wish I could do this day in and day out. It truly takes a special someone to do what they do.

Yesterday was terrible! If you had ever had an allergic reaction you know where I am coming from.

Yesterday, I was minding my own business walking out to the car to have a lunch with my mom; when all of a sudden I feel this horrible burn on my arm. Not just anywhere on my arm but in the tender spot underneath and close to my rib. Then, I felt more burning sensations. I panic and start looking in my sleeve and I see 2 yellow jackets trying to get out. I start screaming and stripping right on my front lawn. I rip my shirt off, and started to swat my self! Some workers across the street have been remodeling this house. They just starred at me wondering why this crazy women is dancing in her front yard ripping her shirt off. Well, they got a good show. Apparently, I made such a ruckus it got my mom's attention down the street. She lives a couple of houses down from me. I told her what happened and she said, "Gina you are severely allergic to stings!" She ran in the house to get the Benadryl. I popped a couple of those babies and I was on my way. I knew I would be fine. Her mommy instincts was in full throttle. Every couple of minutes she would say, "well your still breathing good."

When we got back from lunch I started to wash some clothes and I started to think about today's fiasco, I got so embarrassed. Every time I would go outside, which was quite often, the guys across the street would stop what they were doing and stare. I guess they thought the crazy women would take some more off for them.

Anyways, my arm is still swollen terribly. It is horrible. I looks like a huge, red squash on my arm. So everyone, Please be careful, watch out for the bees!

ELEVEN COLLECTION GIVEAWAY!!!!

AND THE WINNER FOR THE SEVEN COLLECTION SHOES ARE:

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Timestamp: 2008-12-01 18:11:18 UTC
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Thank you Brandy-

I will be emailing you with the information!

Regina

Brandy said...
Regina, The Bridget shoes are the cutest shoes per Jocelyn(my 5yr old daughter). I'm so thankful you have found this company. Comfotable shoes for little ones are so hard to find. You always have the most unique finds. I can't wait to see what you come up with next.Thanks,Brandy
November 23, 2008 11:11 AM