Emotions

**I'm not the best writer, but I'm writing on my emotions tonight, which I never do!

As I sit here alone on a Friday night while Brandon is at work (he's in charge at the Cal Poly basketball game) I can't help but to be sad. All day I have been running around and trying not to think about how much I've been missing both of my parents. March 9th is the 5 th year anniversary of my mom's death, and in April it will have been 9 WHOLE years since my dad has been gone. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of both of them. I really miss my dad's witty humor and my mom "good intentions" nagging. They truly were and always will be the best people on this earth!!!

I think I'm feeling this way because Brandon's amazing parents are coming into town next week from St. Louis to visit. We haven't seen them since September. I love them so much and think of both of them like my own parents and have since the minute I met both of them. I can't help but to get sad thinking that Caden and Brooklyn are really missing out on MY parents. They get to come and see Caden growing and to hear all of his talking and seeing Brooklyn almost in her crawling stage. I know we're going to have so much fun while they're here and Caden is going to eat them up! Even though they are at a distance I feel like as a parent without my own parents, that I do all I can to remind Caden and Brooklyn that they have wonderful, loving grandparents IE: pa pa and wa wa that love them both so much, even if they don't see them all the time.

I also feel like a lot of things lately have really reminded me of them, for example today when I went to the market I was looking through all of my coupons trying to figure out what was the best deal! So something my mom taught me :) And I can't help to think of my dad now that baseball season is right around the corner. I love that he loved the game as much as my husband does.

Okay on to a happier note. I am so excited to plan our summer vacation to Hawaii this year!! And lastly I am starting to build great friendship with some of my neighbors!

Super Bowl 2010

Go Saints and Go Reggie Bush!!!!

Can't wait for Sunday!!

2010 is going to be a good year!

I've been really bad about blogging. I was so excited to get into it and then I had a baby and bought a new house and put blogging on the side.

2009 was a pretty good year, we did a little traveling, bought our new home and of course got ready for miss Brooklyn to arrive who was born September 20, 2009.

But 2010 is going to be the year for the Raphael's!! We have a lot going on so far. Brandon and I joined the gym it's right up the street from us and we had no reason not to join! I'm enjoying the classes they offer and Brandon is taking advantage of racquetball. We're excited to have Brandon's parents come and visit us in March!! We're in the process of planning a family vacation. We're pretty much set on Hawaii, however a disney cruise sure sounds fun with kids!!

And lastly of course enjoying the kids, our new home, and our awesome neighborhood!!! Can't wait :)

Here are some current pictures!

Caden offering his sister Brooklyn some popcorn!

Playing at the park
Happy 4 months Miss Brooklyn!