Mama needs a vacation but these things keep me happy

**Update on Caden** We're on day 5 of potty training. Wow, this morning I was about to give up (not really, but thought about it for a half of second). When he woke up this morning we went in to do our normal "let's go potty" and he refused. He said he can't, and didn't want to, after talking about how he was a big boy, and that they don't let you wear diapers to preschool, and how he gets a gummy, and so on with all the positivity I could give him, finally 20 minutes later he finally agreed to go. Uh, so frustrating!! But reminding myself to be patience kind of helps!!!

Then it was time to head to the gym, I reminded him that when he had to go potty that he let one of the ladies there know (he knows them well). After an hour I came back and didn't see him, one of the ladies told me that he was going potty. So excited, I walked over quietly to the bathroom, peeked my head in, and sure enough he was washing his hands since he had just finished going potty. OMG, you have no idea how excited I was. Right there in the bathroom we started doing the potty dance, and he ran out and told all the kids...What a huge boost this was for him and for me. Now I know that he gets it, and he just need to go and do it himself, or tell someone that he has to go potty :-)

Things I love...that make me happy!

Skinmate Moisturizing Cream Shave

Gillette Venus Razors

Reef Sandals

Sabra Hummas

Galeo's Miso Dressing

SmartPop! Popcorn

Crystal Light Pure Fitness

Packin' SMART snack containers for my kids

Kate Spade Stevie handbag

Champion sports bras and fitness pants

Gummy Bears

OPI Nail colors

How cool is this!!

The Toothman Kids!

(Back to front)

Brad, Chris, Me, and Michael

**I have the original picture somewhere that I need to post**

How cute is this!! My mother made this out of clay from a picture when we were younger of me and my brothers in their baseball uniforms at Sunnyslope Little Leauge in San Gabriel. I don't have a jersey on, since I was probably to young to play yet.

Sunday, my family and I went over to my grandmothers house to clean it out, and go through her items since she passed. I was feeling a bit anxious on the drive over not knowing what to feel or expect. But after a few hours of going through her things I started to feel better especially since there were quite a few items that were either my moms, or that my aunt said my mom wanted, or even an item from a trip they took together.

Which comes to this picture. I can't believe my grandma had this in a little plastic bag with other little things in it. Me and my brother are broken on it, but I can totally glue it and put us back together. My cousin came across it, and I'm so glad she did, because as I look at this It brings so many great memories and it make me smile!!!!

On to some other cool stuff. We are on day 4 of potty training Caden. He's been doing very well, he's had a few accidents, and was holding his poop for a few days and finally went today!! I never thought I would get so excited to see poop :) This will be a process, but I'm really excited that I don't have to change his diapers anymore since in the last month it was very challenging.

Caden having dinner out when he spent the night away from us at Kimm and Chris house!

I'm also very excited report that I have lost 30 pounds since I started working out in April. I've worked really hard to lose that weight and I'm not done losing!!! I still would like to lose more weight, but so happy that I'm feeling GREAT, can fit into clothes from pre kids, dedicated to the gym 5-6 days a week, and making better food choices.

Brooklyn is growing up way too fast for me. She is surfing the furniture, babbling up a storm, and singing back at you when you start a sing a song. She knows how to wave hi, clap her hands and blow kisses. The best part is that she is such a great eater, and will just about eat anything you put in front of her, and anyone who knows Caden knows what a great eater he is....HaHa NOT!

Smiling for 4th of July!

Brandon is just busy working. He's been working 4/10hr days and It's been really nice having him home every Friday. I'll be sad when school starts and he's back to his normal work schedule and also working some sporting events.

Night out with the neighbors at a local piano bar

Caden going to the market

Evening of fun with the kids

What we have been up to in March and April

We have been pretty busy lately. Brandon's dad and Laurie came into town the first part of March. It was such a nice visit, we pretty much just hung out and enjoyed having them here.

A few weeks later Brandon had the opportunity to travel with Cal Poly Pomona men's basketball team to Springfield, MA for the division II tournament. What a great benefit for working in the athletic department :) After a week of being gone they ended up wining the whole thing!! Way to go Broncos for winning the championship!

I've been keeping busy with the kids, we've had quite a few playdates, we've been enjoying playing at home, and of course trying to get to the gym every morning.

The first part of April, Lesley and Brian (Brandon's stepmom Laurie's family) came to CA to visit and we got to meet baby Daniel for the first time! What a cute, happy boy he is!!!! It was so nice to see them since we don't see each other often.

I'm looking forward to the summer even though we have decided not to go to Hawaii this year. After thinking long and hard about it, we think it would just be too much to travel with the kids this young that far. Instead we're trying to think of a fun road trip. Caden is going to be taking swimming lessons the first part of June, I'm excited and I think he'll enjoy it. Brooklyn will take a fun mommy and me water class.

Here are some fun pictures!

MawMaw and Papa!

MawMaw with her grandkids!

Papa reading to the kids!

Kimm teaching Laurie and I how to make enchiladas...Yummy!

Brandon and Larry took Caden up to Mt. Baldy when they were in town

Playing with Kona...Auntie & Uncle doggie

Uncle Chris, Auntie Kimm and the kids

Hanging around on a Saturday morning!

Playing baseball

Look at that arm!!! Future baseball player

Chillin with my shades on

Easter Post coming up next!!!

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!!