Baby boy # 3 is turning 13...

I can't believe that the last of our boys is turning 13 today. Mikey becoming teen is the beginning of another chapter for him and the end of another chapter for us as parents. No more little boys (at all), just a household full of teenagers now. Where did the time go? One of those moments full of mixed emotions of some sadness, joy and pride.

 
Mikey might be our youngest, but he's also the one that completes our family puzzle, our bookend of personality and that final piece that makes up this Camacho clan. He brings so much light and spirit to our family that we wouldn't have it any other way.













 Mikey is our artist, the creative one. He is good at doing a little bit of everything. He is resourceful and can make something out of nothing. He is creative in the kitchen, in his playing, but his artwork amazes us every time. You can tell it comes from inside him, he has great visual perspective, and loves attention to detail. However proud of his work, he is his own worst critic so he keeps challenging himself to get better. It is one the things I love about him. We love his artwork and encourage this talent anyway we can, and can't wait to see what he does with them in high school and the years to come.

He's our consummate entertainer. He does a little acting, singing, and now he's dancing. Ha, I finally got a dancer! Having grown up in the Colombian culture, dancing is a big deal but my boys including Jerry can instrumentally hear/play notes beautifully but dancing is not necessarily their forte. Mikey however, is the one that got and actually enjoys this dancing gene. He's got rhythm in his groove and can feel the music in his body, and loves to express himself any chance he gets. He had been teaching himself some routines by watching videos, but he will be taking some hip hop classes next year to help him with improve his moves. 







Mikey is our enthusiastic one, the sometimes mischievous one, sometimes the louder than we'd like him to be one with a voice getting deeper by the minute, but with a wonderful spirit full of good intent in all he does.


    

                    
He is our patient and kind one too. He is a good friend to everyone and a helper in class. He is very is tolerant and so very patient with all kids which explains why they gravitate to him no matter where he is. He has a natural ability to understand those kids who need a little bit more help or who just need someone to hang out with.







Mikey is all about comfort (very much like his dad). Getting 'dressed up' is not top on his to do list, and hey matching his colors and plaids is just not always that important, lol. But now that he is a little older, there is always that rare occasion where he shows a little flair for style.










Our Mikey has a beautiful smile, a big laugh, but a bigger heart. He feels deeply but is the most subtle with his emotions. He puts himself out there completely in his own way, even it means risking getting hurt. He has been Danny's saving grace, and has a soft spot for his oldest brother. He loves being with all his family as much as he likes being around his friends, and he still loves holding my hand. How can a mom complain, right?

Mikey is all of these things and so much more. And we love him for being All of it.

This guy has always had the key to our hearts. 

Happy 13th Birthday baby boy!! 

We're so proud of the young man you are becoming. 

May your teenage years be blessed, full of growth and adventure

and always guided by God.

We Love You Mikey!

The reality of letting go...

Its been about week and a half since we dropped off Christian at LAX.  I don't know how, but we found the strength to see him off, to physically let him go, and not actually lose it.  It was hard and there were tears but they were full of pride and so much love. It is his turn to start his life's journey at school and in this case in Spain, and we can't hold him back. We definitely forfeited the privilege of traveling with him and going through the craziness of shopping to get him settled into a dorm at FSU this time around. But instead we made the choice to help pack him up into 2 bags to go experience college in an extraordinary manner in the hopes that the fruits of our labor will be in this adventure to celebrate and enjoy along with him.

I was sweetly texted and messaged by friends and family throughout the day letting us know that they were with us in spirit knowing how hard it would be let Chris go, and we so appreciated feeling supported by all the good vibes and blessings being sent Chris's way. They all let us know it was going to be ok. And it was.

I have to say that I was surprised that as hard as it was at the airport, Jerry and I came home and talked about how much peace we felt and how happy we actually were about it all. Like in the company of all other parents and friends dropping off their kids this year, we felt like we did our job. For the last 18 years, this is what we have worked for, right? We did it! We have been getting ready for this day through every possible experience in life and in school that we could have given him. All of that to prepare him for this day. To prepare US for this day.



So as we reflected, it was kind of hard to be sad about it really. If anything, all we could truly feel is extremely grateful that we were able to give him this opportunity somehow. But how to stop from missing him was now the question.  I was holding up pretty well until the dust settled over the last weekend and the tears showed up as the novelty of "we sent our kid off to college, hooray!" became "Holy Crap! We sent our kid off to college!!!...in Spain!"

What the HECK did we do??!!

I'm getting pretty good at asking and answering my own life questions lately I think. Its helpful when I have to take a step back from panic to talk myself out of it with some common sense reality and logic. Its works most of the time, but if not then Jerry's there to help me through it.
So to answer that lovely question? For one, we did what we would have wanted to do back in our own college days but never got the chance to do. Second, we knew that given all the options this was the best fit for Christian and what he wanted for his future...so we took this opportunity, and now he'll be living it, and we're nothing but excited for him!

As a family, the reality of letting go has been as normal as could be expected I'm sure...

We all miss him! How can we not? Again, we are handling it as well as possible, but seeing the love his younger brothers have for Chris expressed through their heartfelt prayers to keep him safe, and sleeping in his bed to feel close to him can make some days harder than others :') 

Every conversation, skype session and text is cherished and looked forward to. However, although the technology is there to keep us connected, we're finding it necessary to hold back (at least a little) to find a way to give him his space and help relieve him of feeling homesick as much as possible. 

We are celebrating every discovery and experience with him. His stories, his pictures and blog posts produce some of our biggest smiles and happy hearts.    
 
As a mom, I'm find myself worried about something new every other day. Is he sleeping ok or enough? Does he need anything? Is he eating ok, enough or at all? He says he is, but is he really?? Is he just saying that or is he going without something he could have here at home? Ugghh...all the things that can kill a mom's spirit in 2 seconds flat, but I guess all other "top ramen/mac-n-cheese" eating kids have made it through college ok. So yes mom, Its part of the process. He will figure this out too.

At home, we are also figuring out our new normal. Like sleeping with our cell phones nearby, converting time to Spain time every time we look at the clock. To remembering that I am making one less lunch, not necessarily needing to go in his room for laundry, or even remembering to ask for a table for 4 instead of 5 when we go out! Its habit what can I say...we'll always be 5 right? ;)

As parents its 1 down and 2 to go. Danny and Mikey are growing up too. They're needing their own guidance and encouragement to grow and gain their own sense of individuality during this time apart. Chris's going away for college will be a great inspiration to them, but they will find what works best for them when the time comes. For now it will be about continuing to cherish them, who they are and our time with them as life continues to fly by.

Ultimately, this will always be Christian's home, our boys' home, but we've been told by many parents before us that they will become 'visitors' in our home. Kind of sad? Yes! But isn't it a problem we want to have? Its what we want for your kids right? For them to become independent and self sufficient and yet still be there for them to give them a reason to want to come home and visit.

The reality of letting go?...It is what it is for now and will be what it will be in the future. We have officially sent our first born off to school..Hooray! With God's help, Chris will be back in December for the holidays and then leave again, come home in the summer and leave again. Also part of our new normal for the next 4 years to come. It doesn't mean we're supposed to like it or get used to it but its what's supposed to happen. The truth is, we are embracing this reality with every inch of our heart and soul with joy, love and lots of faith.

From my little corner to yours...have a blessed week.

This summer has been...

Different. Just like everything else this year...just a little different. We didn't have anything major set for summer, no special vacation plans, no big budgets for anything with college tuition starting to roll out, and yet I feel it has been one of the best summers we've had for many different reasons. A lot of what we've done has happened on a whim, on short notice invitations, or because timing just happened to work out nicely. It honestly just seems like stars have aligned this summer to put even the smallest situations together to make them into very special moments for all of us and I'm just grateful for all of them.

 Ever since school got out, this summer has been about...

Special get togethers- Our first special get together was Christians graduation party. It was a special night with family and friends who came to celebrate his wonderful accomplishment. As always, I tried to make it special with as many homemade grad decorations possible, as well as making his cake which I always enjoy doing. It was a special night.  We went to a 60th b-day Sinatra themed party for a special friend that included a Sinatra like performer and some great food. And along with our other Colombian friends we gave a very special going away party for our dear friend Lina who moved to Miami with her family. We had a great 4th of July together, we have an upcoming family reunion in San Diego, and we've had a few memorable dinners in honor of Christian's going away thanks to some special family friends.  ;) 

Family visits- Since the beginning of June we've had different family members from Miami, North Carolina and even Colombia, come visit us in LA. Some of their visits overlapped so that made it that much more interesting and busy. My aunt and uncle from NC were here the longest and it was soo nice to have them around to spend time with us and the boys (which they really haven't seen since they were little), and the fact that they are HUGE soccer fans made watching the Americas Cup soccer finals with them so much more fun. I haven't seen my cousin Melba since I was 16 years old in Colombia and it was great to see her again and see how well she's done for herself.  My brother had a bbq at his house and we had a great time catching up. Then my cousin Juan came into LA for a friend's wedding, but had one day to be able to spend with us and we totally made the most of the time we had.

Cooking- Aside from getting him ready to do his own laundry and many other solo things, he is getting himself ready for college by learning how to cook. Not just "noodles," but good food, homemade food he's been used to. I've been teaching him some of my recipes, and he has discovered his own and he's even been cooking with his friend, Luke, a future chef himself, so he's going to school pretty prepared to defend himself in the kitchen. He has a passion for it, sets up his own cooking environment (including salsa music to put him in the mood) and he is actually pretty good. I have even been able to entrust him to cook a full dinner for Jer and the boys when I haven't been able to. I will miss that when he's at school, but it makes me proud to know that we have a second cook in the house.


(Re)Discovering LA-  I feel like this summer we have been able to (re)discover Los Angeles in a way we've never ventured to do so before, considering that we have lived here all our lives.  Having my cousin in town asking to see some trending breweries as opposed to doing something touristy, I realized how much we really don't go out and panicked at the thought of us being boring hosts on the one day we had with him. With the help of my brother, we ended up at hitting up 2 different types of craft beer restaurants in two different parts of town including the hipster town of Silverlake. It was an incredible day for me as I felt like the tourist myself.  I felt like my eyes were opened to all the amazing things our city has to offer. We've visited more new places/restaurants in just a few weeks than I ever have including LACMA, Bar 20 lounge on Sunset, a friends house in Malibu Canyon, the top of Point Dume, and Santa Monica pier and even Huntington Beach which I haven't been to in years and all new for the boys.

Universal Studios- The boys and I along with one of their friends got passes last year and they were going to expire at the end of June so I made it my goal to make sure we take advantage of them and that we did.  I saw the advantage of getting passes especially to an amusement park that is so close to home. It was also so nice just to be able to go for a few hours, get on all the rides and then be able to go home. We did something different each time we went and actually got to see the Fast and the Furious Ride on our last visit. We seemed to be able to get the most out of our time there. We are hoping to get passes next year when the Harry Potter world opens up!!



(Speaking of...) the Metro system. Mikey and I took the metro one day to Universal to avoid parking and traffic and Mikey and I loved the adventure. It was such an easy way to get to any place...so convenient and fun. Not only have Mikey and I taken the metro, but Christian has also been preparing himself (and us) to be able to handle taking the Metro system in Europe when he's at school. He has taken the metro on a few day excursions with his friends all the way to Olvera Street, the Music Center in downtown LA for dance lessons, and Hollywood Blvd.  The metro might be commonplace for many, but its new for us and we need to know that he can figure out this form of transportation, efficiently and safely here so he can figure it out there without us.

Bonding time for Jerry and the boys- Jerry doesn't always get the chance to spend as much time with the boys as he'd like to due to his work and long hours, let alone individually. But this summer has given Jerry the well deserved time and opportunity to go on individual weekend trips with 2 of the boys so far, Mikey and Chris, and get some amazing quality time with each of them.  Mikey's best friend invited him and Jerry to his guys birthday weekend up in a cabin by Kern river doing some really fun things- riding bikes, scavenger hunts, bonfires, smores, swimming and even some "BINGO!" They had a blast together and as a group, but Jerry said the part that made it all worth it for him was the 3.5 hour ride up to the ranch that opened up some wonderful conversations with his youngest son that he's never had before. Love, love, love!  With Christian, he went along with him out to Florida State University for Chris' college orientation and Jerry couldn't have been more excited. Most people know that FSU is Jerry's favorite college football team/school! So his love for this school came to a complete circle the day that Chris had accepted to attend here, and then to actually get to visit the school together for the first time...forget it! Both shared that feeling of awe for the campus, that student pride for Chris, and the pride of being an FSU dad for Jerry. A wonderful trip for both of them. And don't worry...Jerry is planning a weekend for him and Danny as we speak. Its coming soon and they too will have a blast together.

So the truth is, this summer has been special and different just by sheer virtue that its the last full summer we all have with Chris before he goes off to school in Spain and begins his own life, his own new adventure as an adult. Uggh...that hurt to say. Anyway, it is what it is, so we are taking advantage of every moment we have with him alone and together as a family, and he is taking advantage to enjoy time with as many of his own good friends too. Its a special time and memories are being made all around and once again, I couldn't me more grateful. And to be able to have it all documented for us to look back on...priceless.

I hope you're all having an amazing summer too and from my little corner to yours...Thanks for stopping by!

Today he turns 18...Now what??

Today, Christian, our first born turns 18. We really can't believe it. It just seems impossible that not so long ago we had a baby boy in my arms and today he turns into an adult. Just absolutely crazy.  As of yesterday, I've been finding myself breaking into sudden burst of tears as the reality of this reality sets in. Am I feeling happy, sad or even scared? Or is it because I'm feeling so grateful for having had 18 years to see this little guy grow up right in front of our eyes. I'm sure its a little of everything, but as his parents, we couldn't feel luckier.

But now what? So he's 18! What does that really mean? There is so much more to turning 18 nowadays and its not lost on any of us, including Christian himself...

As we ponder this we realize that turning 18 now means that...

• He is a legal adult.
• He now has the right to vote.
• He can sign his own notes at school and sign himself out if necessary.
• He can legally drive with other others in the car.
• He can buy lottery tickets and be a lotto winner.
• He can legally work full time...(to buy said lottery tickets?)
• He can apply for credit cards/loans.
• He has the legal right to keep his medical records private and to make his own decisions about his health...(did you know that?)
• His Selective Service papers came in the other day..so he can enlist in the military if he chooses to or is needed to.... (That was a reality check if I ever felt one!!)
• In other places around the world, he can legally drink.
• And he is now legally responsible for his own decisions/actions.

So many things on this list here include the word 'legal' and its scaring the crap out of me. As a parent, you want to continue to always be there to protect them, to get them out of trouble if need be, and we will be but he is now going to be held accountable for himself. A normal right of passage, a life step. We've all been there. Ouch, this is hard.

But am I worried about him badly taking advantage of any of these privileges? Honestly, No. Not really. That's just not who Christian is. If anything, that is one of the things I am most grateful about him is that he has always been very considerate of us when making decisions and he has willingly accepted and respected our rules and the decisions we have made for him AND with him. I have the feeling that he will continue to do so even though he's turned 18. THAT is who Christian is. And although this will be the harder part for us to do as parents, but within reason I think its going to be our turn to trust and respect him and the decisions he in turn begins to make for himself. A right of passage for us.

Anyway, we have been fortunate in that open and honest communication is key for us as a family so its expected and practiced amongst the 5 of us when necessary.  So now as Chris finishes his Senior year and will be getting ready to go off to college probably out of state (maybe out of the country??) by the end of summer, those open and honest conversations will continue to happen as often as need be just so that we're as much on the same page as possible.  I feel like these are 'Spiderman' type conversations..."with more power (or age in this case) comes more responsibility." And as many of us know, this will hold true no matter where he is, where he goes and with what he decides to do in life.

Aside from all the seriousness...I can honestly say that no matter the age, Christian will always be our little boy with the sunshine smile and we will be there for him no matter what.


Christian, you have made the last 18 years such a pleasure for us as it has gone by almost too fast.  We thank you for having made it so easy for us. We couldn't be more grateful and blessed to have you in our lives and we couldn't be prouder of the man you have become. We can't wait to see what the future has ahead for you.

May this 18th Birthday be the beginning of a wonderful and exciting adventure! You deserve it and may God continue to bless you and keep you today and always buddy.

Happy 18th Birthday Christian!

We LOvE you Pop!

XOXO

Mom and Dad

Foto Friday- Katarina's 2nd Birthday

Well my baby niece, Katarina, has turned 2 and it was time to celebrate once again. Casandra planned a Doc McStuffin theme this year which gave us plenty of room to implement many a cute thing to go with it.

Last year I had mentioned that Casandra's creative side was blossoming, but let me tell you, this year it has fully bloomed. She was in full control of what she wanted and her vision for her baby girl's b-day party. The truth is she has party planning gene, but is now truly inspired to use it.  I really loved her ideas, and I added more of the smaller DIY details to her vision via signs and little homemade extras. It was a lot of fun!

All the added details were DIY ideas we got from either Pinterest or things we've seen before. I ventured into making sugar cookies in the shapes of band aids and mini thermometers that Casandra felt she really wanted instead of cupcakes this year. I found these cute paper straws at the Target $1 section and hot glued on some cute felt flowers to match the flowers that Casandra cut out to decorate her super cute Doc McStuffin headbands for the girls. Even us big girls got to don these headbands to add to the day's fun.  I had a great time making sparkly tongue depressors and painting signs for the table centerpieces and the buffet bar.

 

It always works in Katarina's favor that her birthday lands right around Valentines day because the candy assortment and heart shaped marshmallows made available are so easy to gather and then place into pretty mason jars or candy kabobs. And fruit kabobs are always an easy and healthy addition to any table scape.

For food- 
Casandra had set up a hot dog and sausage bar with all kinds of fixings and variety of breads (even pretzel bread rolls- omg!). She also had this amazing homemade Mac-N-Cheese recipe that was the absolute bomb even for the adults along with Soup Plantation broccoli salad. Yumm!






 After all the set up was done it was time to take pictures of the birthday girl...

 She was a little overwhelmed with all the fuss so the smiles were not readily available, 

but she's as cute serious as she is when she's not.

These are my favorites...

All in all, she had a lot of fun playing in her jumpy with her little friends and that's all that mattered to us. It turned out to be a beautiful afternoon for this beautiful 2 year old little girl who continues to steal our hearts.

Happy Birthday Katarina! We Love You!

Thank you for stopping by.

From my corner to yours...Have a nice weekend.

What we love... about each other

4 years ago I did a cute, quick little Valentines He/She loves mini book project .  A picture book about each family member and a few things about what each of us happened to love in 2011. I was looking back at the book and the pictures this past week and I realized how much we've changed in just 4 years. I'm so glad I made that little book at that time as now its serves as a point of reference for me.  So I figured since tomorrow is Valentines Day,  It wouldn't hurt to update this project digitally here on my blog. But instead of writing down things we love now in 2015,  I made this a family project and I asked each one what we love about each other instead...

What do you love about Dad?

• Me-     "How much he loves us and how he makes me laugh "
• Chris-  "That he raised us to believe in ourselves first and foremost"
• Danny- "How much he supports me in all that I do"
• Mikey- "That he does what he has to do for the family"

What do you love about Mom?

• Jerry-   "How shy you get sometimes"
• Chris-  "Your friendship, Momma"
• Danny- "That you cook for me and always there for me"
• Mikey- "That you're super creative and that you make really good food for us"

 

What do you love about Chris...

• Jerry-  "That he's what a big brother should be"
• Me-     "His heart and sunshine smile"
• Danny- 'The advice he gives me."
• Mikey- "How he teaches me things and helps me with homework"

What do you love about Danny?

• Jerry-  "That he gives you who he is. He's real"
• Me-     "His empathetic heart"
• Chris-  "His laugh and cute personality"
• Mikey- "That he will still play with me even when he doesn't want to sometimes"

 What do you love about Mikey...

• Jerry- "His smarts, intelligence and his laughter"
• Me-    "That he will still hold my hand in public"
• Chris- "His creativity and art"
• Danny- "His funny personality and that he's my friend"

                   
 
What we love about Lulu...

• Jerry- "She's been a good dog"
• Me-  "She loves being my walking partner"
• Chris- "She's a great cuddle buddy"
• Danny- "That she plays with me outside"
• Mikey- "She's adorable and that she loves us"

Awww... this was a lot of fun and so much more important than chocolates and gifts for all of us to take the time to reflect even on the little things that we love about each other on a daily basis to keep us strong.

I just want my 4 guys (and Lulu) to know how much I LOVE them and everything about them not just on Valentines day, but every day of the year. How everything I do, I do for them and to see them happy in life.  I wouldn't be complete without them.  Thank You boys for loving me back the way you do!


From my corner to yours... may you all love and be loved today and always.


Happy Valentines Day! 
XOXO

Around Here...the end of 2014

I cannot believe the year is over! Well I can, but where has time gone? Where have I been the last few months? I feel a bit out of touch right now with this blog and I feel bad I haven't been keeping up lately, but around here things have been very busy and a bit stressful (for a few reasons, but mostly good ones). So to close out the year I'll leave you with a small update on what's been going around here...


Mikey

• Started Middle School and has transitioned fine with a few expected bumps... a new found homework load and responsibility for himself has become a true reality. 

• He has reconnected and rekindled friendships with buddies at his school he hasn't had class with in a few years and all is right in the world again.

• Has turned 12 years old, grew 3inches in the last year, is getting facial hair, and his voice has dropped an octave. Just recently we did not recognize him over the phone! (I have early bloomers and officially no more baby boys)

• He has also auditioned for this year's CHIME winter drama production of Wicked and      landed the lead role of Fiyero, and we can't wait to see him in it in February.

Danny-

• Has thankfully transitioned nicely into high school. He is working hard, getting some great grades and really loving it!

• Joined a social skills intervention program for special needs teens called the PEERS group at CSUN and what a great program that has been for Danny. He has made new friends, has gained a new found confidence and practicing some his new social skills every chance he gets. 

•  He joined the Anime club at school as a direct result and encouragement of this PEERS group. It so nice to see him getting involved at school already and feel some connection with his peers.

• Jerry has started to get him behind the wheel and learning how to drive...a little bit

Christian

I've been grateful that its been an easy transition for our two youngest because honestly this school year has been focused a lot on Chris getting through his Senior year and everything that entails...

• Started his Senior year and in so many ways the beginning of the end of 4 great years of high school at Cleveland Magnet. It seems like yesterday he was just a freshman.

• Learned how to play the snare in order to join and help keep alive the school marching band and was named drum captain. This has been extremely fulfilling for him and will be something he never regret doing. If anything he wished he would have have done it all 4 years.

• Couldn't have made us prouder earlier in the semester than by getting nominated by his school's college counselor for the very prestigious POSSE Scholarship program.  This was a 3 month process of 3 different interview levels and at the end of it all he had been selected as one of the final POSSE Finalists.  Even though he unfortunately did not get this particular scholarship it was truly an achievement in itself!

• Because plan B's are there for a reason- Chris applied to over 11 schools in all and so far has received 7 acceptances letters...Woohoo! We're all feeling blessed to know that he'll have options to fully look at and consider before making a decision as to where he will start college next year. There's a lot to consider including academic programs, location, costs and the results of financial aid, but what's for certain is that there is an ultimate plan that God is unraveling in front of him.

• Other than this he has been enjoying his senior year by attending the school's senior activities with his girlfriend and his best friends, and looking forward to the more exciting ones coming up this next semester, like Prom!

I was determined to get to my Project Life and my One Little Word projects going and guess what...the year's over and neither has really been touched! Ugghh... I've been really disapointed, but in the big scheme of things some things just had to take a back seat.  I am hoping to catch up with them and continue in 2015.

All in all, 2014 has really been a great year and feeling blessed for many things,
but I am looking forward to 2015.

2015 is going to be:
a year of many decisions- some easy, some not, some very exciting!
a year of more performances
a year of exciting moments, proud moments, bitter-sweet moments
a year of cherishing the times we have together and memories made
a year of growth for all of us in faith, maturity, bonding, strength and more importantly Love.
a year of letting go and really letting God!

I'm ready (I think) and I will be keeping you posted as the year progresses of all this new year brings.

In the mean time we'll be celebrating New Year's tonight with family and some good friends, and then finish enjoying our Christmas break together before all goes back to normal.

Thank you all for your continued support and for stopping by to read and follow along.
Your visits mean more to me than you'll ever know.

And to end this 2014 from my little corner.... Have a safe and wonderful New Year!!! 

With Love,

#Novenas2014

These pictures represent last night which ended our successful 2014 Novena season. Although we're missing a few regulars in these pics- our spirit and joy still represents all who made them happen.

This year was special because I noticed something in particular which has meant more to me than ever.  This year our kids and even non-Colombian husbands were the ones asking for them, participating and urging them to happen. Wow, I loved this!

It was special because I noticed that they knew it was that time of year when they got to see this group of friends again. They looked forward to going to someone else's house each night for 9 nights. They even knew who's house was who's this time.

Our kids knew that we would pray and sing in Spanish (whether they understood it or not), that we would share food, laughter and some good old fashion games and prizes.

More importantly they now know that this is part of what makes THEIR Christmas time special. Its not just about the gifts and the craziness, but about getting together with people we love and truly getting to know that Christmas is all about. I believe that they too will fondly remember these Novenas as part of their childhood just like we have....A priceless gift for all us indeed.
 

Thank you once again to all of those who hosted a Novena, 

and to those who came and joined us it was great having you there. 

We truly had a blast!

From my little corner to yours..."Ven, Ven, Ven" and  Feliz Navidad! ;)

XOXO

Our trip to the East Coast- Highlights of NYC (days 1-3)

So I was seriously considering not finishing up these posts. Its almost too much info for anybody, but  I hate not finishing off projects. So for the sake of getting closure, I figured I'd just finish up with at least some highlight picture collages of the last 3 days of our trip in New York. I won't be saying much but I hope the pictures will say it all for me- We did a heck of a lot in just 3 days and we a blast. We Love New York!

Day 1- The Manhattan Sky line view from our hotel room in Long Island City

Our first dinner in the city at John's in Time Square recommended by my SIL Gaby. Delicious pizza in a beautiful renovated church. A great New York meal anytime.

 The kids (and Tito) experience Time Square for the first time
 with the help of Spidey himself.

There is something different going on at every corner.

  It was alive and kicking At Rockefeller Center- Its such a location straight out of the movies. The boys found happiness at Nintendo World before we went on our way to a last minute set up (by a good friend) to see a taping of America's Got Talent
 at the famous Radio City Musical Hall. 

Great 1st night in NYC.

 Day 2-  Started off with a trip to see Lady Liberty, a walk up to her pedestal and a visit to the museum with in its walls. Looking back on the city from the statue is a view I will never forget.

TBT- Jerry and I had gone to NY back in 1998 with Christian who was 18months old at the time. One of the most memorable moments I have of that trip was of watching Chris on the boat to and from the Statue. He was just captivated by the water and wanted to stand by the railing at the top of the boat to watch the water as it moved along. Being able to capture him in this very soulful stance meant so much to me and I get emotional every time I look at them. So I figure I'd share them with you here to fully reminisce.

So remembering these pictures and knowing we were going back to the Statue of Liberty on pretty much the same type of boat 16 years later, I wanted to hopefully get some of the same shots. And I did! Sans the binky in the mouth of course.  ;)
He doesn't remember having taken those baby pictures but he still had that same soulful look and was captivated by this whole experience in a totally new way. So happy that I got to capture these on film too.




Wall Street- This was Jerry's must see part of the trip...his kind of Disneyland. I made sure to point out to the boys the architecture and the layout of the buildings. It the concrete Jungle of the world.

911 Memorial-  An immediate sense of solemnity falls on you as you approach this place. There are no words to explain or ways to wrap my mind around the images going through my head as I sat there imagining what it must have been like there that fateful day.  Even Mikey who wasn't even born then and knew not what it all meant could feel that sense of quiet fall on him. We spent the following morning showing him videos of what happened so he could fully understand the magnitude what this beautiful memorial meant.

(TBT #2- Another picture found from 1998...It gave me some serious goose bumps people!!)

 A YANKEE GAME!!!-  Jerry surprised us by changing our plans for that evening with tickets to Yankees vs. the Boston Red Sox game. Yeah baby!! When would we get the chance to see those two teams play AND in addition we had the privilege of watching Derek Jeter play one of his last games of the season in NYC.
 Let me tell you, those Yankee Fans are hard core!
The subway ride to the Bronx was full of them! Soo cool!

Day 3- Final day in the city and a chance to get a few last things in. We walked to Grand Central Station, Saint Patricks Cathedral (almost too overwhelming to be in there with all the renovations going on inside), walked down Lexington Avenue, saw Saks Fith Avenue, the Apple store under glass, and of course famous FAO Shwartz and the "Big" Piano. The boys gave it a good shot at playing Chopsticks with their feet...soo much fun!

 

 Central Park Tour- This is the last and final tour through Tours by Foot we would take. We almost missed it entirely due to a miscommunication of time, but we made it. Our tour guide Bill, was a lot of fun and for a change was an Actor/Art History major and he knew a lot about Central Park and its history. It was a beautiful, peaceful tour and very green. Picturesque beyond belief especially at the sunset hours.  We can now officially say we have seen Central Park from beginning to end, and oh did Bill make us walk.. A LOT!! This tour takes you from 59th and Fifth Avenue entrance all the way to the other side to Central Park West where it ends at John Lennon's Strawberry Fields and the site of the Dakota  Apartments where he was shot and killed. Worth every step we took.

 And after a long day and so much walking (my pedometer recorded over 20,000+ steps for that one day) we ended this amazing trip with a very big sweet tooth at the famous SERENDIPITY cafe. This was another recommendation from my SIL Gaby. Its cute and quaint and the size of the desserts allowed us to share in the overindulgence of yuminess! 

And then as soon as it had started it was all over...We were headed home! 

We are still looking back and remembering so many great moments and missing so much of these 3 beautiful cities. We are so grateful to our In Laws for joining us once again and for being a part of all those memories we made. I am grateful to Jerry for making such an effort to make sure this happened for us this year. It really was a special trip and the boys and I will never forget it.

Thanks to all of you for coming back each time to keep up and I hope that we could inspire you travelers out there to try a few of the Tours we took. I can't recommend them enough. 

From my little corner to yours...That's all folks!