Fara wha????

I was coming home from Garland the other day and for some reason on a wild hair cut across two lanes and headed to the animal shelter.
Now what possessed me to do that?

I guess the tootsie below did.

I walked her, sat with her and studied her behaviour like a crazy woman.
Next I had to allow the boys to meet her.
They did just that for almost 2 hours outside the shelter.
We loved her demeanor and alas she had a new home.
Her name?
We asked the boys what we should name her, we liked Aspyn again, they liked......
Faranina.
Faranina it is, but we'll call her Nina for short.


Sitting pretty in the back yard.





















Standing with E and Nick, they were watching jets leave smoke lines in the air. Nick told E and Nina that was how clouds were made...real Nice Pop's, Real Nice!

I thought I'd end this post with her sweet profile.

She already has so many four legged relatives who are anxious to meet her...we can't wait!

Hope it was a great one.

Nick didn't want a big ol' birthday party for his 30th, he just wanted his family over for dinner.
Weeeelllll the family isn't small so a party it was regardless!

I tried to keep it simple, shredded chicken, refried beans and rice, tortillas and tostadas. Guests made themselves either tacos or chalupas and it all came out pretty good.
The favorite was the yummy cakes.
I made both of Nick's favorites!
Chocolate mousse cake and Strawberry Jello cake...way yummy!
I had myself WAY too much cake.





















Being silly with the birthday boy!

Clock wise: Kimberly, Nate, Stacey, Karen and Z.

















This was MAYBE half the gang...okay not even half!
Aiden, Ryley, Stacey, Nate, Kimberly, Karen, Z, E and Aunt Judy.


















Birthday wishes! Boy I wish we had some more cake!























Something only a gamer could appreciate. A gift card holder from where else but Nick's favorite store...Gamestop.
Hello, My name is Liza and I am a video game widow.
(I don't mind it relaxes him and it gives me reading time.)



















A family gathering isn't a gathering with out some Rockband!
Dave belted out some tunes and can sing one mean Blondie song....your good Dave...your real good.

Our dinner was perfect and at the end of the day when our family was gone and our munchkins knocked out we sat at the dinner table for another slice of cake.

We talked, we laughed and we were grateful for our family, our boys, our faith and each other.

Odd men out??

Nick and I were watching a show last night, one we think is pretty funny. But Nick noticed they drink and talk a lot about wine.
He said it seemed unrealistic with all the wine jazz.
Nope, I told him I know a lot of mom's who love wine, talk about it and have a glass every night.
Nick and I aren't big on wine, give us Kahlua and Cream any night.
Then we started cracking up on how out of place we are.
I kid you not, I think a majority of our neighbors are college educated, wine drinking, family folk (we're sandwiched between neighbors who are microbiologist, research scientists and an engineer).
Nick and I are college drop out, Kahlua and Cream drinking, Family folk.
Then I was like Oh man we're "Those" neighbors!
At this revelation we sat in our chairs and cracked up...why did we think this revelation was so funny???

Ohhh maybe it was all the Kahlua and cream.

Finally we run in the same circle....the 30's circle.

Yesterday was a very special day, it was Pops' birthday.
Not just any birthday yesterday he turned 30. FINALLY!! I've been in this 30 crowd for 3 1/2 years now he has finally joined me.
The boys and I tried to make the day as special as we could.
What better way to do so than by making homemade cards and some yummy cake.
I make our cakes every year but since Pop's requested both his favorites for this Saturday (his family birthday dinner) he asked for a small bought cake for yesterday.

You can't see it well in the picture but the boys picked the cake. It was a kiddie cake from that new movie How to train a Dragon..or something like that.....if only I had known that they were going to fight for the toy afterwards...ugh I SHOULD of known they were.

Little E anxiously waiting for daddy to arrive to his gift, cards and cake.

Special birthday hugs.

Leading Pops through the house toward his surprise.

The evening was great, Nick wanted B.B.Q where the boys ate free...yay!

Then home to cake.

Happy Birthday Nick, God has blessed you with another year may he bless us with many more.

Weekday fun!

Yesterday Nick called me when I was on my way home from picking up the boys.
He told me No 30 minutes today!(Boys usually get 30 minutes of snack and relax time before homework). He wanted the boys to finish up their school work...he had a surprise.
We took them bowling for the first time.


Check out the score board...I remember when I went bowling it actually used to say "Nick and Liza", now it's "Dad and Mom".







































A very nice employee directed us to this contraption to help the boys...it did help!

Someone was VERY proud of himself.

We had a great time! To many more bowling trips.

Only In Texas.

Sunday was once again a Winter Wonderland.

I was out planting the VERY next day!

Only in Texas!

Spring Break 2010...Valley Style.

We love our spring breaks in the Valley. This year Nick couldn't take me so Debbie stepped in and we went together. Thank you Debbie, for taking me to see my family.

Going home allows the boys to do many things I did as a child.

Running through weed filled land until the sun starts to set.

Taking bike rides through open land.

Take in the sights of laundry blowing in the wind near cactus and orange trees and inhaling the sweet scent of the orange blossoms.

More laundry, I was hoping they'd take on the scent of the orange blossoms from the trees.

Tree climbing though I used to go too high and get in trouble from Grandma Elena.

Playing monopoly with their cousins.

Getting Pennies from Grandma Lupe to make a wish outside of the San Juan church.

Playing tetherball while both grandmas watched and cheered on.

Nothing like country sunsets.

Sitting out on the dirt with Spike.

Spike is a sweetie who is in love with my mom! I'd hate to see what would happen to the person who tried to harm her, he loves her that much...good doggie!

Playing Frisbee with Porkchop.

Boys sliding around their aunt Lori's high porch.

Still horsing around the porch.

Enjoying Marc's guitar, Marc played the begining of a song for us, I was VERY impressed. He's just learning and doing awesome!

Boys hated to leave Grandma Lupe's and Grandpa Tony's. They miss their cousins and Little E misses running outside until he's out of breath.

Z cried when we left and told me he was running away from home and coming back to the Valley.

But they were happy to see their pop's when they arrived home as was I, Pop's was equally happy to see us. Being gone for almost a week felt like forever to him.

Our trip was fabulous but were happy to be home.

Only downside to our trip, that country bike ride gave little E a sunburn/rash and mamaw had a bad back. Aside that we all had a wonderful time.

Running Late

It was hard to see Nick drive away this morning. I will be with out him for 5 days as I visit with my family. Leaving to see my family is always bitter sweet when I don't have Nick.
I watched him drive off and felt an empty sadness in my heart.
He calls an hour later, works a bust and he's coming home for a few.
Deb's running late ahem I believe it was her Farmville addiction, and boys are upset and getting antsy.
I'm glad I have a few more minutes with Nick.
His mom call's now she's stuck in traffic, he runs out the door to get us a quick lunch.
A few more minutes together...perfect.
Silly as it sounds my heart doesn't hurt as much when we have to drive away, it hurts so much more when I have to watch him drive away.
Is that weird?

Saved the Day.

I was out on my morning run, my runs are my favorite "Me time". I day dream, listen to music and think of what I should make for dinner.
On this run I witness a dog shoot out of it's house, owner quick behind and see the owner scream as the dog runs right smack in front of a car. This particular car had mighty breaks because it missed the dog by an inch. The owner tried to get her dog to come to her but by now doggie thinks all this is a game.
Then I swear I see her pointing at me as I run toward them, she's far enough that I can't hear what she's saying, but I think she's telling her dog to come and get me?
I approach within ear shot and she IS telling her dog to come toward me.
The dog looks harmless and I realize the dog loves strangers.
Owner wants me to pet her so she can grab her.
Nope not happening, dog comes close enough to lick me wiggle her butt at me but when I reach out to her, she runs.
Again, she's playing a game.
So I don't chase her instead I get on my knees and invite her to me.
Stinker falls for it, I grab up the little piglet of a dog and hand her to mama.
Her mom is extremely grateful and thanks me over and over.
Did I save the day?
Yes I think I did.

Goodies, Wishing fountains and isn't that a first date question??

I've been on a baking spree and loving it!
I made some cinnamon raisin bread so I could toast with butter for the boys breakfast.
Though after a while it was pretty hard....like knock your enemy out if you threw it at their head hard!



Homemade oreos which came out pretty yummy.




Boys made a wish in the fountain at the local farmers market.
What did they wish for???
A DOG!





And the first date question.
Nick, the boys and I were in the car on our way to run an errand. While at a red light Nick looks at me and asks "Whats your favorite color?" "I know I should know this but I don't know it, part of me thinks you don't have one."
My reply: "Ummmmm no I don't really have a favorite color if I do it's black."
Nick: "Figures...so morbid"
Me: (Sticking out my tongue at him)"And your nerdy for asking a question you should of asked me 12 years ago...for shame."
Though I think its neat that after all these years we're still learning about one another, that way we never get bored ;).

Rainy Day Perfection

How does one make a rainy day perfect?

1.) Wake up, you and hubby feed, dress and send the kids off to school (Pop's actually does the taking to school part).

2.) Be waiting for Pop's and when he gets home both RUN to bed and sleep some more....Until 11:20 to be exact! (haven't slept that much since we were kid less I actually got a head ache from it!)

3) Wake up go with Pop's to some job sites, get paper work in order.

4) Have a cheap lunch together, sitting across from one another...BEING GOOFY!

5) Pick Children up from school.

6) Pop's helps Z with homework, mommy fights with memory card on computer!!

7) . Pop whips up easy dinner..Mommy still fighting with Memory card!!!

8) Pop's bathes kids and puts to bed....Mommy pulling hair out with photo memory card!!!

9) Mommy gives kids hug/kiss. Fixes memory card issue.

10) Sit side by side and watch some tele' together hand in hand.......

Perfect Rainy Day!

All the memory card mumbo jumbo was nothing when you have a good man allowing you to sulk and fight with the inanimate object alone! Nick...Your a good man Charlie Brown, very good and patient man.