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

Better Late Than Never...Shower/Baptism

I finally found the plug to down load pictures from my camera. I have had requests for pictures from Emma's Baby Shower and the Boyz Baptism all on the same weekend, about a month ago.
Alex and Emma's Baby Shower

Okay, So my daughter, Emma, is having out first grandchild. She's having a boy, Leo'nel Alejandro. Her shower was on August 23, 2008. She is due any day now, but the Dr.'s say Due on the 24th of September, the Birthday of my Brother-in-law, Kenneth and my future sister-in-law, Rachel.
The invitation were simple, black with a baby blue bow and this photo of Alex and Emma. The shower was however, not so simple. What is with the youth? Emma wanted to serve pizza. Let me back up a bit. Emma said she wanted to bring a few friends to her shower. I said okay thats fine. TWO WHOLE PAGES WITH TWO COLUMNS LATER!!!! Okay we have all heard of Bridezilla, this was Emma, and this was not even her wedding shower, slash, wedding reception. THIS WAS A BABY SHOWER!! Oh and let me say that it was a couple shower. Which is fine, but 175-200 people later...Needless to say I was able to pull it off with the help of her in-laws, her dad, my husband, my bestfriend:Carol, and her uncle: WHO WAS THE DJ! Yes, we even had a DJ. I felt like the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" only Latino, but aren't we the same, big families, BBQ's, Music...but let's not forget this was suppose to be a baby shower. I had to do some quick thinking, because it was to many to serve Hamburgers, since we had it at Carols home and no grill. Emma hates Italian Food, Let's not go there, and budget was short. So, Grandma Jinette(mmm, thank you) made the arroz(rice), I made the frijoles ranchero (ranch beans), and a family friend Maria (bless her) made the barbaqoa (Mexican BBQ), served with Bayardos Italian Pasta(too, bad Emma), and dinner rolls. The cake was made by our daughter, Chelsea. We had enough food and left overs! Drinks we had water, Horchata (rice drink), and Refresco de Pina (pineapple).

1. We played the rice game, where your blinded and have to search the safety pins from the rice.
2. The dirty diaper...where you melt the candy bar in the diapers and players have to guess what candy is melted.
3. Unscramble the baby words.
4. the toilet paper game...where you guess how many toilet papers it takes to wrap around Emmas waist, however we had to guess how many around Emma and Alex hugging each other took.
5. And I can't remember what else. I was just glad it was over.

Here's a few photos, unfortunately we forgot the camera and only took the diaper game and the opening of the presents.

Devan & Dorians Baptism


The following day, 24th of August, was the baptism of Devan & Dorian. They have been waiting for this special day since they turned 8 years old. However, Bayardo is Catholic, and I am LDS, also known as Morman (No not the reorganized church that everyone knows nationally, jeff warrens group, the original). Anyways, Dad would not let the boys get baptized until they turned 18. But they bugged so much, so Dad said yes. They are now 9 and 10 years old and active with my wards Boy Scouts. They have so much knowledge about the gospel. Devan faithfully reads the book of morman everynight before he goes to bed. Dorian reads a little when he's bored or sad. They are great examples. Last sunday, I had a bad migraine. I was all ready to go to church and I just could not go. However, they wanted to go and they went by themselves. I was so proud. They came back telling me what they learned and almost told me everything they were taught almost word for word.

But dont get me wrong, they get mad as a mule chewing on bumblebees, with each other. What 9-10 year old doesn't. But they have a big testimony. In fact they not only sang a duet at their baptism, they had their testimony printed on their program. I'm leaving with their testimonies and pictures from their baptism. A nice ending to that wild and crazy weekend in August of 2008.


Testimony of Devan
I would like to bear my testimony
I believe that the prophet today is the real prophet, &
I will hope to be a prophet one day and share
The gospel about Heavenly Father and
teach other children and my dad, Bayardo.
I believe that this church is true,
and will teach me more about my
Heavenly Father and that I will be a better child
to Heavenly Father, and live with him someday.
I say these things,
in the name of thy son,
Jesus Christ,
Amen.

Testimony of Dorian
I would like to bear my testimony
I believe the prophet is true.
I believe that I can be a missionary.
I believe I can teach little kids about Jesus Christ
And to believe I can live with him someday.
I say these things,
in the name of thy son,
Jesus Christ,
Amen.

Elder Marsh (from Alaska) Dorian, Devan, Elder Meunich (from Idaho)

Elder Meunich baptized the boys and

Elder Marsh confirmed the boys the following Sunday.

Dad (Bayardo), Dorian, Devan, and I.

The Family

Kayla, Ayla, Jordan, Dorian, Dad, Devan, Mama Arnnette, Hannah.

Missing in Action: Tyrel was with grandma, Chelsea had to work, &

Emma n Oscar was sick(soon after we all were with the flu).

La Familia

Back: Troy, Brooke, Kayla, Diegito, Primo Diego, Tanner, Carol, Me, Jordan, Dad,

Grandma Jinette, Olivia, Grandpa Mundo, Tia Lou, Prima Maren.

Front: Hannah S., Dorian, Ayla, Devan, Hannah, Melia,

Getting to know Mr.B

Just for Fun
I have seen a number of blog sites with this post and thought it would be a fun to post the same since I don't talk much about my husband...Everything you ever wanted to know about Mr.B(my husband, Bayardo) ...

1. he's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen?
Fox 10 news, if its American Football Season, add that too.
2. you're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad?
Depends on his mood: Ranch, Balsamic Vinegar, and Italian.
3. what's one food he doesn't like?
Pizza
4. you go out to the bar. what does he order?
Tall Bud light. Or Ice Tea...really.
5. where did he go to high school?
Cappuccino High in CA and Dobson High in AZ
6. what size shoe does he wear?
10.5
7. What does he collect?
Collectible Beer
8. what is his favorite type of sandwich?
Grilled Chicken
9. what would this person eat every day if he could?
Chinese Food
10. what is his favorite cereal?
Frosted Flakes
11. what would he never wear?
He was a football player in High School, They wore dresses for team spirit day...thus the reason why I tell my husband I would not have noticed him in high school because who really paid attention to the jocks?! So I guess if anything, Plaid and polyester.
12. what is his favorite sports team?
NFL: SF49ers College: Michigan & Notre Dome
13. who will he vote for?
Obama, since we are from AZ and do not like McCain, having seen the way he works...
14. who is his best friend?
Me:)He just told me today.
15. what is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do?
Start Projects that I don't complete.
16. how many states has he lived in?
two
17. what is his heritage?
Nicaraguan (Spanish)
18. you bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake?
Tres Leche
19. did he play sports in high school?
yes
20. what could he spend hours doing?
BBQ'ing! Going on a bike ride with me and if it rains, pull over and the rest is history in the making. If its football season and his team is playing, BBQ'ing and watching the game with his family. He's so cute when he gets excited watching his games!

This is my hunk-o-beefcake, slash, urban cowboy, slash, wannabe homie, and he's mine:)
Ciao for now,
Arnnette

Confessions of a Pioneer Woman

Okay, so I'm on a roll on with this blog,this diary of confessions, thoughts or just non-sense stuff I have to say. I do want to share, however, why I chose the links to Myself Help Survival Must. For now, I would like to focus on The Pioneer Woman.com.

Like Ree, a.k.a. Pioneer Woman, We both are thirty-something wives and mother to four children (plus 6 for me), I'm the oldest (she's the middle child), she attended college (I still have to start and finish college), I did wear black shoes to work everyday...well not everything is the same. But like her man that comes home with manure, my man comes home with sand and oil, and we're both proud and love of our men, Her Marlboro Man and my Urban Cowboy/wanna be homie. I love the photos of her ranch and her weird children and I have plenty of those. Okay, I'm not exactly like Ree, but I can relate to many of her thoughts on life.

Her man pleasing recipes are a hit with my family. They loved the Crash Hot Potatoes. My family is waiting for me to make her Best Chocolate Sheet Cake Ever recipe. I just bought the commercial baking sheet for the recipe.

Her photos make you feel like your right there, and you can almost smell the manure, hay, dust, and all those wonderful scents at a ranch. Oh I must say she does Ethel Merman impersonations. Every one who knows me will know that I Love Lucy and some of her deceptions and forgetfulness has passed on to me. Or is it that I'm getting older and have some kind of dementia? Oh I must say my favorite I Love Lucy episode is the Vitameatavegamin.

Any how, I'm getting off track, I love this website. You must visit Ree's website, for a few laughs and amazement on how she can have time to make these wonderful daily recipes, take her photographs and work on her ranch and still have time for her home schooling, one on one with her punks and have time for contests and her site. If I go on, you might not visit her site, so I leave the rest to you.

Ciao for now,

Arnnette

Oh! All the photos are from her site except for the Vitameatavegamin that I got from google images. And of course the photo of my urban cowboy, is shot from one of my punks.

Coca Cola

Okay,
So I'm new to this blog craze, & it shows, totally shows. I've been playing with the posting & layout. So I thought I would test my first photo picture. I came across this Coca-Cola sign in Flicker, I think that's what it's called, anyways, I loved it. Pepsi is not allowed in my house. It would first, clash with my decor, since I collect Coca-Cola. And Second, blah! I have a collection of coke bottles from around the world. Friends and Family who can travel outside the USA on vacation, bring back a bottle of coke for me as a souvenir. I have bottles, cans, trinkets, even a straw that says coca-cola(from Italy). The bottles and cans are from Korea, Japan, Italy, Ireland, Mexico, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Argentina, and Germany.
Other collections from around the world I collect are instruments and shells. I love music from all cultures, except for Nortena/Corridas, from the Northern Mexico Regions, but i love boleros and Mariachi from Mexico! I'm a romantic. And shells, because I love the sea and ocean, because the colors of the sunset, the smell and sounds, being barefoot on the sand and looking for the treasures of the sea. It must be the Pisces in me.
Well, that's all for now. I will try to post frequently.
Ciao for now,
Arnnette