SO PROUD OF MY LITTLE BOY!!!!

We are so proud of our little boy. He has been doing great in school!! Kohrville elementary had an awards ceremony for the end of the semester. Ricky received A honor roll and principals (citizenship) award for his great behavior. Also, the students pick/vote for 2 students from each class to get a Coyote award. I'm proud to say that Ricky received the award. This is what his friends said about him. He always follows the rules. Ricky raises his hand to talk or answer questions and he is nice to his classmates.

I can't stress enough what an amazing kid Ricky II is. I'm so blessed to be his mom.

                                                        So proud that he won!!

                                           Up on stage with all the other Coyote winners

MONUMENTAL DAY!!!!

Today has been a great day for the kids. Great mile stones have been learned.
For Hana, she has learned to rider her bike with out training wheels. This is the 2nd day we really practiced. We practiced about 2 weeks ago on afternoon. Today we tried again and she took off very quickly!!!! We were in the culdasac and her friend, Makayla, who just recently learned gave us some amazing advice. Peddle and look forward. It worked like a charm. So proud of her.
She also sang her whole alphabet with out any mistakes!!! Such a smart girl.

Ricky's monumental thing today was........ (drum roll please)........ learning how to tie his shoes. He was a little frustrated and didn't want to, but I was not letting him quit. He learned pretty quickly. It's his new favorite thing to do now. He could even do it with his eyes closed!!!!

(pics to come later)

Hana's 1st Pedicure!!

Today Hana received her 1st professional pedicure. No more daddy or mommy painting nails. She stepped it up a notch. We have Aunt Vlady to thank for this. Who asked to take Hana for a pedicure with her today. I just happened to go and get pampered too.
I loved seeing her excitement at every stage. From picking out her nail polish color to getting them painted. She had a smile on her face through the whole thing.
I have a feeling there will be many pedicure trips in the future.

                                   Picking out her color. So many choices!!

                        Look at the excitement on her face.

                           Relaxing while letting them dry.

                                                           Perfect toes!!

SAYING GOOD BYE TO 2011!!

I really don't know how to sum up 2011. It was a very long year. I'm pretty glad that it is behind me. It had a lot of ups and downs, although, it did end very good. So saying it was all bad would not be a correct statement.
The main thing that brought it down was the furniture business. It was very unstable. Since the recession hit we knew it was going under. It was just very hard for Ricky to let it go. Although I hated it with a passion I too was a little sad. Not for long though. The hardest and scariest part of it was not knowing what was next in our life or what career path Ricky was going to take.
Little did we know that God had great plans for us! He has truly blessed us with the right path for our family. I couldn't be more thankful.
Ricky was hired on with a great company that has great potential. It could not have been a more perfect position for him. He basically gets to build his own business within a company. We're all happier because we see him so much more. He finally has a regular schedule. My prayer for 7 years has finally been answered!!!! Thank you Jesus!!!!!
As for me I found a path I'm really happy with. I sub at Hana's school. I am so much happier doing something productive during the day and getting out. It also helps that Hana gets extra days of school to prepare for Kindergarten in the fall.
Some things that happened in 2011 were:
Ricky turned 42, I turned 32, Ricky II turned 7 and Hana turned 4.
Ricky and I celebrated our 8 year anniversary.
Hana went to 4 year old Pre-K with Mrs Tripp and Warren.
Ricky started 1st grade with Ms Menges.
We were pretty healthy this year.
We are truly blessed in life. We're happy and healthy.
I am so excited to see what 2012 holds for my family. I just know it's going to be a good year.

CHRISTMAS 2011

Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Christmas is a very special day. It is the day our Savior is born. What better gift is there???? 

As always Christmas was wonderful. Well, I say that. The one thing missing this year was my parents. They decided to come after Christmas. Which to me was very sad. We didn't have our traditional Christmas eve dinner of fried catfish and potato salad. It's just not the same with out it.  

We spent Christmas Eve at my sisters house with her extended family. It was a great time. What else could you ask for? We were surrounded by amazing people we love and lots of good food. Oh my gosh, there was so much food!!!!! 

The kids had to wait till 12am to open presents. I think this was torture for them. Hana fell asleep. Of course, he did wake up for the opening. 

                                     Hana on our way to Teta's house.

                                                 Christian and Ricky

                                              ChiChi and Hana.

                                   Waiting patiently for 12am

                                   Hana didn't make it till 12am.

           Ricky was so excited to get this! It was the main and basically only thing (other then a book, the new Diary of a wimpy kid book). Santa can not take credit though. Not for this one. Ricky paid 1/2 for it. He was saving up for a laptop. He was given money, raised money and earned money towards a laptop. It was only fair that he paid for 1/2 of it as a life lesson.

When we got home the kids went right to bed. It was late so it was pretty easy. It's the only way Santa and his reindeer could come. Before we left for Aunt Vlady's they sprinkled reindeer food to guide them and Santa to our house. They left milk, cookies and candy canes out for Santa. 

The kids were definitely on Santa's nice list. I had a talk with Santa last year to really tone it down this year. He did just a tad but he didn't really listen to me. Sigh.  

Hana received a doll house, barbie, make up(which she loves and doesn't have to wear mine anymore), barbie book, squinkies, chatimal and the list goes on. 

Ricky received the kindle fire, Diary of a wimpy kid book (which he read in 3 days), skateboard, smurfs movie, just dance 3 (which I LOVE), chatimal, sea life shark figurines, Phineas and Ferb boom box and more.

From the grandparents, teta and uncle Marco they got a trampoline. They love it!!!! I had an exciting mommy moment. Hana did a complete cartwheel on the trampoline. It was perfect!! She has been practicing. I am not sure if she could do it on the ground, but the trampoline definitely has given her the confidence and the extra push. It was such an exciting moment for me, I am sure for her too!!!

My favorite thing was, when I asked the kids what their favorite gift was, they said baby Jesus. 
How amazing and special is that?!