There are moments in life that we will never ever forget, and this one today tops all of them! I am shouting from the roof top that Dylan got student of the month for December✨just when this mama was so scared for him to start school and spread his wings, he has proven that there is nothing to be afraid of and he has got this school thing in the bag! Dylan received his student of the month for mak...ing awesome strides in communication, imitation, following routine and just all around Awesomeness!!!! I love this boy so much, and he has been making leaps and bounds. He works hard everyday with school and therapy and I could not be more proud❤This is just another example of just how much this sweet boy gives me the courage to strive for my best and give 100% at everything I do in life every single day. And today I have realized it's not the number of times we have these moments, it's about the small things that lead to great things in our lives. Instead of focusing on the bigger picture, we need to have focus on doing those small things in a loving way. Have faith in your children no matter what, spend time with them, teach them and love them because they are smart and will do great things in life!

 

 

 

 

Fish and More Fish

A few weeks ago, just before school was about to begin we took the kids to LEGOLAND near our house. We did not take them to the park as I think they are still just a little to little. We ended up taking them to the Aquarium. It was not what I expected, but we made the most of it. It was a short one and made it out in about 20 minutes. The kids loved everything about the animals and all of the glowing lights. We decided to take them through it again so they could enjoy it a little bit longer. I just loved seeing Dylan's little face light up with so much happiness when he saw the fish. He loves "fishies" and of course Haylee was running everywhere. I swear I need to get a leash for that girl. She is so fast and just wants to be on the go whenever we are out. I love spending time with my family, and enjoying fun things with the kids!

2015 and beyond

Today as I sit here to write this post and actually have some mommy time, I am still reminiscing on 2015 for us as a family. It does not happen often that both of my kids are asleep at the same time, but what the heck I will take it. I figured all the laundry and the house chores are done, that I can actually sit down and write a post here. One of my New Year's resolutions this year is to write more on my blog. It's hard for me to really write down resolutions because life happens and we sometimes drift away from that resolution, so I write them down and of course just do my best to achieve those goals/dreams in my own time and stick to them the best I can.

2015 was a busy, hard, crazy year for us as a family. We pretty much had a newborn, had two weddings, traveled for the first time with two kids, Dylan started school, I left my job that I have been at for 5 years to be at home with the kids, Greg's cousin passed away and Greg's grandma was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer. We bought our first house, bought a new car, re-did our back yard and front yard, but hey that's life. This was definitely a hard year as a family, but like we always do we get through it. Life is about the good, the bad, the hard times and the fun times.

Dylan and Haylee are growing so fast. Dylan is loving school and doing so awesome! He is talking up a storm and really learning to use his communication and Haylee is not too far behind him. I have never been more happy then I am now to be home with these two. God has truly answered our prayers to be home with them. Greg as always is working hard to be an amazing dad, husband and to provide for our family. I love that man and thank God everyday that he put this man in my life!

So here we are now... 2016 has come and I am so ready to kick this year in full swing.I really am excited about 2016. I feel for the first time in my life that I am settled. I am settled with who I am and what and where my purpose is in life. I want to strive harder to be a better mom, wife, friend, sister, daughter, to always love and to be passionate about life. We get this one life, and I want to make sure I enjoy it and reach for the stars!!! Cheers to 2016...


January 2015,

Dylan's First Haircut

 February, 2015

Happy Valentine's Day

 March, 2015

Down Syndrome Awareness Month

 April, 2015

Camping In Newport Beach

 May, 2015

Happy 35th Birthday Daddy

 June, 2015



Dylan Started Horse Therapy

Happy 3rd Birthday Sweet Boy

Dylan's Birthday Party

July, 2015

Fourth of July

Girls Dinner For My Birthday

Kevin & Sam's Wedding-Santa Barbara

 August, 2015

Cathy's 60th Birthday Celebration in Availa Beach

Happy Birthday Cathy

 

Dylan's First Day Of School

 

 

September, 2015

 

Labor Day At The Desert House

October, 2015 

 

Pumpkin Patch

Happy Halloween

First Buddy Walk As A Family

 November, 2015

This Sweet Girl Turned One



Haylee's First Steps



Birthday Cupcake

December, 2015

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” ~ Maya Angelou

Here’s a great yardstick for life, not the number of years that we rack up but the number of times we have those moments of awe that make life worth living. Be sure that as you’re living your life you are searching out moments that will take your breath away, because that’s what we’re here for, to experience joy and awe and all of the good things that life has to offer. If you don’t lose sight of this, you’ll have an amazing life experience and you’ll keep that inner youth all the days of your life.

Christmas Memories

Well here it goes....

The holidays and Christmas were some very busy times. I loved every minute, but right now as I am typing this I am enjoying the down time from all of the fun holiday celebrating we did. And actually it always starts with Thanksgiving weekend. I love to put up my Christmas decorations the weekend of Thanksgiving. It has always been one of my favorite things to do. It makes me feel like we get to enjoy the Christmas spirit that much longer. This year was lots of fun, as the kids were a whole year older. I still don't think they really get the concept of opening presents, but they sure did love everything about the lights, the Christmas tree and all of the decorations. Dylan learned to say "Christmas Tree" this year and Haylee was all about the "balls" on the tree. Of course by the end of the month most of my tree was half naked. Good thing I got the non-shatter ornaments this year, because little miss Haylee thought they were fun to play with...

Christmas Eve we went up to Greg's Lopez side of the family since last year we did not see them. Haylee was just a baby and I did not want to be out of the house and around a lot of people. It was really nice to see everyone. We only stayed for a few hours since our kids wont stay put for too long. They are at the stage where they are into everything. Later that evening we met my mom, my dad, my step mom and grandma for a nice Christmas Eve dinner. After dinner we came home to open a few presents, and put on the kids matching pajamas (first year of a new tradition) they looked so cute! Growing up I always got to open a gift on Christmas Eve, and I remember being so excited about it! Christmas morning we woke up and opened up presents with just our family. The excitement on the kids faces were so special. After we opened the presents we headed up to my sisters to have Christmas with my mom and my niece and nephews. It was a very nice morning. Later that afternoon we had Greg's mom's side of the family over for a beautiful Christmas dinner. The Saturday after Christmas we then went to my dad and step mom's to have another little Christmas. My step sister comes down with her kids every year, so we get to see them. As you can see it's a pretty crazy holiday for us, but I truly love this time of the year and being surrounded by family is one of my favorite things. My family is so special to me and their is just something about Christmas- that deep down inside I wish it could be all year long!