Road Trip to Miami

I can't believe it's the 8th of October. I haven't even posted our road trip to Miami. On September 27th, we did our monthly trip to Build and Grow at Lowe's. We look forward on spending time and building something. Ayla and Hannah are like their mama and love tools. Guess I get that from my Papa. The gardening comes from my mama. Anyways here we are at my favorite store next to Walmart , Disney Store, and Sears Craftman, Lowes.

Here is Hannah helping Ayla. Devan is trying to figure it out and watching Hannah. Ayla is independent and tries on her own.

Here the boys (Devan & Dorian) are like, "Mom, hurry and take the picture" They were concentrating to hard. Hannah kept avoiding pictures, See her on the ground with the tinkerbell backpack?

Ayla posing with the firetruck she made, with help from Hannah.

When we were done, the kids didn't want to go home. So I said, "road trip!" They were all excited. I think mainly because that meant no Saturday chores. I wanted to be back before 4:30 so I could go to Relief Society Conference, thank goodness for LDS.org and the Ensign; we didn't make it back. Ayla sleeping on the way to Miami, probably still thinking of Lowe's.

So we got out the AZ map and blindly pointed to Miami...Miami, Arizona that is, Coopermines, Antique Shops, out no where, that is. When we want to go out to eat or go on a small trip, we pull out the AZ map and get to know where ever we point on the map. We have favorite restaurants in all parts of AZ, Pinetop, Christopher Creek, Wickenburg, Sedona, Tucson, and now Globe.

I love going through the canyon or like Kentuckians would say, the hollars, of AZ. This is between Superior and Miami, AZ. I love going through the tunnel and honking and yelling out the window too. Bayardo thinks I'm nuts, but he honks and yells too:)

This says Miami City Limits...Welcome to Miami...And the baseball field, this isn't anything close to Miami, FL. The city population as of 2000 was 1945 who knows, the way economy is everywhere, it could have gone down since then. Then again, it has grown alot in Globe, that's a neighboring town.

Miami is a copper mining town founded in 1907. Miami is located in the mountains of south central Arizona, approximately 75 miles east of Phoenix and 110 miles north of Tucson. The above is a Caterpillar dump truck in side the dump of a larger dump truck used in the mine.
We decided to go to eat in Globe, which was founded in 1876, since Dicks Roasted Chicken was closed. They only open Monday-Friday. I will say "Its finger lick'n good" to bad it was closed.

When my Papa used to come pick my brother and I up from Mesa and visit him in El Paso, my parents are divorced, we used to pass through Miami and Globe. I always wanted to try this Mexican Restaurant. After 30 something years, here we are, Chalo's Mexican Restaurant. It was gooood. There's Hannah posing by her dream car that someone drove. There was a reunion there from Class of 1957/58 Globe High School. Bayardo and Dorian enjoying the chips and salsa.

After we ate we checked out the neighborhoods. As if drifting wasn't enough and popping a tire a week ago, that should have been another entry; he decides to go fast down hill. I felt like daisy in Dukes of Hazards telling Bo to slow down after we went up in the air and sparks flew and the kids yell'n "YEE-HAW". Well not that extreme but we did go down fast and the kids were yell'n.

I convinced Bayardo to stop so I could go antiqueing in Miami on the return trip. It was like antiqueing in a Ghost Town. In some of the shops the kids would say, "I'm not going in there, it's scary." So I would say, "Good, go with Dad".

Miami has a strip of Antiques. I enjoyed Soda Pops Antique Shop. Probably because I collect Coca-Cola.

The above of Joshua's Treehouse was taken in the winter, but this is the place I enjoyed. It has a Shabby chic, Bliss to it. The owner Sue was so sweet. She had candy from when I was a youngin and she gave treats to the kids. I bought some doilies and these flowers. I made clips with the flower for Ayla. Hannah never wears clips and all of a sudden she wants me to make her some. I gotta go again. The lamps and jewelry that were sold in there were so girly. If you like a place to play dress up, she had everything, from decor, to candles, to fabrics, to gloves, to clothes, so much fun stuff that it is a must to visit.

Here Hannah and Devan are getting car sick. So we stopped in Superior, AZ. Here you can see the Worlds smallest Museum. Our luck it was closed. So we went to a convenient store and get 7-Up's (So they could "burp" out the sickness). That's what we were told growing up. Outside the convenient store there was a coin horse. I haven't seen one of these coin horses since I was a kid. Hannah was going to get on too, but she listened when we said she'll get worse. Devan didn't listen and did get worse with the car sickness. Note: We only drove about an hour and a half, not an all day car trip.

It was a fun weekend. Cant wait for another weekend trip. Next trip El Paso, Texas.

October is Here

October is here

Briefly, I want to remind you and for you to remind your sisters, mothers, daughters to please have their breast exams. Okay, so you may be a guy and so you might want to say, "This month is National Breast Cancer Awareness. I don't want to let this go by without you knowing that I care."
This is also the month for NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS. Did you know that more women die from domestic violence than BREAST CANCER?!?!
It's true, and you don't hear to much about this awareness, of precautions and places to go if you need to. So please, if you care again for your sisters, daughters, mothers, friends, please bring awareness to the number 1 killer for women; next to heart disease. Yes that too, beats breast cancer. There are many resources to go to. Many doctors and counselors at your childrens schools can help. Take the step now, before it's to late!

But we need to bring awareness for all. Because I could guarantee in a classroom, there are at least 3 or more hands will go up if you ask, "Do you know of any one who has been affected with Breast Cancer? With Domestic Violence? With Heart Disease?" You might even find someone raise their hand for 2 out of the three issues.

Therefore, I chose a Halloween logo that has all the colors that could represent the awareness and of course the holiday of the month, besides Columbus Day.
Ciao for now,
Arnnette

They're Home!

Welcome home Leo'nel
Yesterday, September 24th, Alex, Emma, and Leo'nel came home for the first time as a family. Ayla wanted to take balloons and make a sign. So with the help of Ayla we made a sign, "It's a boy". She decorated it with "flowers" and "letters". I was afraid Ayla would fly away with the balloon someone gave leo'nel. It was her size!



I made Emma's favorite "arroz con leche" (rice pudding). Oscar my oldest son, enjoyed some too. Leo'nel has such a sweet spirit. I was happy to be there for the arrival of my grandson.

Celebrations Today.

FELIZ CUMPLEANOS, DARYL!!!

This is my brother Daryl James. He is Twenty-something. I believe today he is twenty-four. Yes, it's his birthday! So I would like to take the time to wish him a Happy Happy Birthday! Below is Daryl with my other brother who had his birthday last month, Derek Arnold.
AND ON THIS SPECIAL DAY TODAY,

SEPTEMBER 22, 2008,

His Niece, Emma, delivered her baby boy!

Bienvenido A Nuestra Familia Leo'nel Alejandro

Emma calls me and says, "Mom, how do you know your in labor?"

"It feels like hard menstral cramps, then harder and closer with steady timing, not random contractions." I say.


"Oh, NO." and starts to moan and cry out. "Why?", I say. I think I'm in labor.

I was on my way out to JOAnns Fabric to buy my fabric for our families Halloween Costumes. So I told her to call me in 15minutes to let me know if the contractions come every 5 minutes.

"They are and it's more like 4 minutes apart" she says. So I guess JoAnn's will have to wait.

So I told her to meet me at the hospital, sounds like she is in labor.

"Oh, No... she crys again, "I just saw the Dr. today and told me I wouldn't have the baby until Wednesday."


I told her she was going to have the baby today and I was on my way to get her.

This is Emma when Ayla and I, arrive at her home and when we check her in the hospital. Which by the way, Banner Gateway in Mesa is wonderful, and everyone were patient and friendly, especially the staff at the cafeteria:)

Once Emma has been checked in, the contractions are now two minutes apart and shes crying that she doesn't want an Epideral, but that the pains are strong(She didn't think this was minor until later when she REALLY felt the contractions and changed her mind for the Epideral). Then Alex asks me, "Hey do you really think she is having the baby today? or is this false alarm?" I was like, "No Alex, you'll be a daddy by 7:30 7:45. (Which by the way if the Dr was there at that time, He would have been born at that time. He was born at 8:25pm" "Then Emma moans again, and says "it hurts and mom stop taking pictures!" I told her she should of thought about that before she got herself in this mess.
I showed Emma the picture of me smiling. She was like "mom, you are smiling and enjoying this while I'm in pain." Simply said, "Yes, It's payback back time for everything you said to me when I was pregnant with Ayla." (Ayla is my youngest at 3 years old. Emma is 18 turning 19 on the 28th of September). "Plus, this is a silent bond to our daughters and or granddaughters, with out saying, 'now you know what I went through" and just understanding the reverence of it all. Having more compassion to our mothers when they gave advice and their wisdom and us taking for granted that "they" dont know what their talking about. Okay, maybe I'm rambling on, but she knew what my smile meant.
And now my three year old was comforting her oldest sister telling her, "Its okay Emma, everything is gonna be alright, this is a nice hospital and the dr will take care of you. I'm here to take care of you, and someday, I'm gonna have a baby too, and you will take care of me, alright, shhhhhh! Its alright" This while holding her sisters hand and rubbing it.

Hannah finally shows up, Emma's 13 year old sister, She crys and is happy to be here to see the delivery, along with great grandma Jinette and Great Aunt- Tia Lou. Disappointed later that no one was allowed but two people, so of course Alex was there and my self, Mama Arnnette, to take the picture.

Alex with his mama, Abuelita Concepcion.

Tia Leticia and Tio Oscar waiting for Leo'nel.

Welcome Leo'nel!

Las Abuelas

Las Tias: Ayla, Leo'nel, and Hannah.

I want to end with, my testimony, Emma was very tense during her labor and was close to having a C-Section. Emma was stressing and the baby was struggling as well. I asked if Emma wanted a blessing and she did. Grandpa Mundo stayed home with Devan and Dorian so I called my Bishop. Bishop Johnston was stuck in traffic in Phoenix and sent Brother Tuft. With all the drama going on I forgot the other Brother who came. I am so thankful for the gift of the Priesthood, Thank you Bishop Johnston for feeling the spirit to ask Brother Tuft and his neighbor to bless and annoint Emma. The spirit was so strong, and I know it was this blessing and along with Emma's faith that everything turned out safe and a fast delivery. That Leo'nel is a healthy grandson and will bring blessings to our family. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints, is a true church and we have been given great leaders. That our Prophet Thomas Monson is our chosen prophet. That Heavenly Father loves us and will give us trials that we can handle. That Jesus died for us and that he loved us. And though the gift of Motherhood is not comparable to what Jesus did for us. That during our labor, we have a reminder of the pain and love that Jesus had for us. I know that Families are Forever and I say these things in the name of thy son, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Ciao for now,

Arnnette