Celebrating Marriage

Mark Smith you know what today is... Happy Anniversary! Gosh time sure does fly. Every day with you has been a blessing... not always perfect, not a fairytale or storybook, and not always easy because LOVE is about overcoming obstacles, facing challenges, fighting to be together, holding on and never letting go. It is a short word, easy to spell, difficult to define and impossible to live without. Love is work but most of all, love is realizing that every hour, every minute and every second is worth it because we do it together. It's about growing together as a couple, learning about each other and not giving up. We fight. We kiss. We smile. We love. We argue. We love. We hug. We text. We laugh... because that's just us! I am grateful that you continue to love me despite my failures and shortcomings. I know how blessed I am and I want you to know that I know. Heavenly Father, thank you for teaching us how to meet in the middle and how to respect and appreciate how unique we both are and more importantly thank you for being a part of our triangle because without you we would never have survived - Ecc 4:12 "...a triple braided cord is not easily broken."

Happy 2nd Birthday Lola!

Lola, since your first birthday, your experience and age has doubled and so has your CUTENESS. Picking you up and cuddling you in my arms, looking into your eyes and being smitten by your cute charms. I wish I could hit the pause button in my life's journey so I could enjoy these beautiful moments longer. Your cute little footsteps has engraved a path that goes straight into the alleys of my heart. I can hardly believe you turn two today... and rest assured, I will be saying this for every birthday for the rest of your life, so you might as well get use to it LOL! This last year, It has been so much fun watching you grow into your personality. You may be a little peanut but your personality is anything but. You are fearless, fiercely independent and full of happiness and sunshine. My dearest Lola, may the rest of your life be exactly like your 2nd birthday - filled with God's blessings, full of treats, goodies and the love of your family. Happy 2nd Birthday! Love MiMi

Gender Reveal Party

To see the gender reveal party just click on "Baby Watch" above...

Eyeglasses for Malaysia

The MOST fabulous place to shop for eye glasses for kids... Eye Magination Kidz owned and operated by Linda Rodriguez.  She was so good with Malaysia and really knew her product lines. There were so many options to choose from, it was truly like being in a candy store. The eye doctor as well as Linda highly recommended the brand Miraflex Children's Eyewear.  The frames are flexible and come in lots of fun colors with adjustable elastic bands that help the glasses stay in place. Malaysia of course had to try on every color and several styles as well but Linda just had the greatest of patience with her and made the whole ordeal fun.

Malaysia's Eye Doctor Appointment

For several months now we catch Malaysia lowering her head and squinting really hard when trying to focus. I had a suspicion that possibly she may be having some eye problems so we made an appointment with a pediatric eye specialists.  Sure enough, before the doctor even began to exam her, he said, "Oh yes, she is definitely nearsighted." I was like, "Wow, how can you tell that so quickly?" He responded that he could tell from the way the lights reflected off her pupils. He also told us that it was a very good thing that we noticed her squinting and brought her in because a lot of parents miss this in early childhood. And that it was also very rare to have someone so young to need such a strong prescription.  She is a -7.00 in her right eye and a -3.25 in her left.

She was her normal charming self during most of the appointment and didn't have any issues with the exam until they wanted to put the drops in for the 2nd time... it was all over then and by the time the doctor was ready for his part of the exam it took mom, nurse and doc to get it done while MiMi capture pictures and video for memories.

Happy 29th Birthday Santana

Today is your 29th birthday. While I am sure you are thinking, "One more year until 30! Oh my!" I'm thinking, "Where did 29 years go? It seems like yesterday the nurses placed you in my arms and I fell in love with you. I took one look at your pitch black hair and tiny dimpled nose and never looked back. I have loved you every minute of every day since the day you were born and will continue to do so through eternity. I have so many memories of you as a child that I hold near and dear to my heart... your first steps, your first tooth lost, your first trip with grandma without me, your first day of high school... too many to list but I think you get the point. Each one of those memories is stored in the depths of my❤️they are more precious than diamonds or rubies and more treasured than any earthly possession. I can't imagine life without your chapters written in, we would just never be complete. I am so very proud of you and so very thankful to God for the blessing you are to me and to those who know and love you. I love you so my daughter and I will never cease to pray that God will guard and keep you safe within His love each day. May you be guided by His word in all you say and do, for all the pride of life for me is centered in you. Happy birthday sweetheart enjoy every year God gives you for with every year comes more precious moments and memories and that is what life is all about. The fragrance of your love adds warmth to our home... Love, Mom

Malaysia's 1st Day of Preschool

Just like I said, NO SEPERATION ISSUES for this kid! First day "jitters" NOPE!

It's raining today Malaysia, for your first day and so you got to bring your umbrella to school along with your Doc McStuffin's backpack.  You were so excited to go and there were no long goodbyes, you just wanted to "get started."  After school, you asked mommy what was wrong with all the other kids because they wouldn't talk. Hahahahaha! 

Malaysia Meet the Teacher

I can't believe Malaysia is starting Preschool, I am only her grandmother but I am feeling very emotional about this major milestone.  Just like with each of my own kids, I feel excited about all the fun she will have and the new friends she'll make. At the same time, I feel a little sad that she is venturing out into the big world without us all there to protect her. She is super excited and I think she's feeling proud to be a BIG KID and I know she won't be the one having any separation issues, LOL!