Thanksgiving 2008

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm . . . where to begin? This was a Thanksgiving we will NEVER forget. Usually it is quite the production. Well this year both my mom and I decided that we just didn't have the energy to cook for days, let alone the clean up. We just wanted to enjoy each other's company and take it easy. I think we were feeling blue, due to all of the losses in our family this year. When I think of our meal this year, one word comes to mind . . .FOUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, in the past I have been falsely accused of being a food snob. But this was the real deal. DIS-GUST-ING!!!! Not sure what on earth I was thinking! I had Kroger make our Thanksgiving meal. I thought to myself, I won't have a care in the world. Just heat, and eat. Sounds so appetizing doesn't it? (sarcasm) I just don't think you're suppose to be able to suck you mash potatoes, and stuffing through a straw?!!! No worries of over indulging this year. We laughed A LOT through the entire process of heating the unidentifiable , um . . . do I dare say . . . food? We may not have eaten much, but we had a lot of laughs :)

Avoiding . . . "The Flutes"

Lately Kairo and Keanu have been talking ALOT about "The Flutes." I was (AGAIN) a bit confused. Kairo said a friend at school got the "Flutes." We've been hearing quite a bit lately about different friends getting a stomach bug. Today Kairo and Keanu told me they were washing their hands because they didn't want to get "The Flutes." Ahhhhhhhh, ding ding ding!!! The light bulb went on!!! (my light bulb is usually off or somewhat dim as I get older) They were talking about the Flu. I explained that the Flu is different than a stomach sickness. But either way, they didn't want "The Flutes!!!" The sad part is that I have not been correcting them. I let them walk around talking about "The Flutes," because it cracks me up :) They are so serious about those Flutes!!! My silly little guys.

Halloween 2008

I know I know, I've been slacking. A sweet friend of mine is trying to get me back on track. So . . . I'm trying to play catch up on all things BLOGGY :) Here are some Halloween pics. The kids attended a Halloween Carnival at church. (that's the pic with Kairo playing golf with a bone?) Even our furry babies dressed up for Halloween. Dylan was a hot dog, and Diesel was just all sorts of cute in his orange/black sweater w/skull on the back LOL. I didn't get any pictures of the furry babies though :(

Kairo was a Vampire. (Eat your heart out Edward)

Jade was a Countess.

Keanu was "Spi-duh Man"

The Unknown

Wow. I think I feel numb. I'm not surprised at America's choice, just a bit disappointed. I wasn't thrilled with either one of our candidates. I remember several years ago listening to Obama speak. I was quite impressed. Here was a handsome, smart, young, eloquent man. Not to mention I loved his name. But as this election moved forward, I saw a change in him, a kind of arrogance that left a bad taste in my mouth. As time progressed I felt increasingly uneasy with his associations. His judgment was definitely in question. Then of course were the issues of abortion, Socialism, etc. I was F-L-O-O-R-E-D at the mainstream media bias. It was amazing to see how the candidates were treated when they were interviewed, or were guests on talk shows. It was like night and day. Could it really be that America did not notice? I truly feel that Americans were so disenfranchised with the War, Immigration, the economy, etc, that their judgment was severely impaired. It seemed like desperation.

As much as am not thrilled with the outcome, I have to say that a part of me is thrilled that we live during a time in which we can witness the first African American President, and First Lady. We have come a long way. Hopefully we can move foward. It makes me sick that race divides us.

I can see a shift in our country's values . I am concerned about the future for our children. What's done is done. I do feel that as an American I need to support my/our president. But it is also my/our responsibility to speak up when I/we disagree. This whole PC garbage is getting out of control. Anyway, I could go on and on about the whole PC thing, but I won't. I can only hope and pray that America made the best choice.

Eat Your Heart Out Picasso???

Today my little Keanu came home from school with some artwork??? Um . . . I must admit it looked like a blue scribble to me. Silly me, I was informed that it was a picture of a stranger who cut the light, then it went KUH-BOOM! Oh, I can see it now!???

Mama's Ookies is 4 Today

Keanu is thrilled to be 4. We went as a family to Build-a-Bear so that he could make his very own bear. (in Ookie language that would be "Beh-uh") It was so much fun watching his little expressions as he picked out his bear, picked out a heart, watched it be stuffed, washed it, and picked out clothing for it. Kairo and Keanu are always dressing their stuffed animals in their kid clothes, giving them names etc. By the way, Keanu named his "Beh-uh," . . . "Kool Teddy Beh-uh." Kairo named his stuffed dog "Heart."






After our trip to the mall, we went home for cake and presents, oh sorry "Pwe-zents."Keanu wanted a "Spi-duh Man Burt-day cake," but when when we arrived at the store, "Cars" it was (AGAIN) This will be Keanu's 2nd Cars cake. Between both boys I think we have had 4 Cars birthdays. My baby is no longer a baby :( What a fun day for my little "Ookies."

Touched

For the past two weeks, we have been anxiously awaiting a very special meeting. President Deiter F. Uchtdorf will visit our Stake tomorrow. After Jade's shower this evening, she asked me if it was ok to cut out a picture from the Ensign if it was one that she REALLY liked. I was curiouse as to which picture she wanted. To my suprise, it was a picture of President Deiter F. Uchtdorf. I asked why. She said "mom, he's my favorite Apostle, I really like his stories, and I just love to listen to him speak." "Besides mom, we have alot in common because we have German in our family." I quickly cut out the picture and framed it. I handed her the picture. I can't describe the look on her face. She said "oh thank you mommy." You would have thought I'd given her a lifetime membership to Chuk E Cheeses. I couldn't beleive the joy in her eyes. She ran downstairs to show her dad. Then she ran up upstairs, cleared off her night stand and placed her picture on top. After she left her room, I just stared at her night stand thinking about how excited she was. Yes, I got emotional, I guess It's a "mom thing."

9/11 A Day That Changed The World Forever . . .

There are actually pinheads among us, who actually believe 9/11 was an inside job! To the right you will notice Michael Moore (AKA) . . . Exhibit A- PINHEAD #1

First Days of School

Wow, it's amazing how quickly these little people grow. In the blink of an eye, they will be out of our little nest. I always tell Jade that if mommy could have a huge nest (like Big Bird's) I would sit in it, and keep all of my "birdies" with me forever. Well, Jade started 4th grade. Kairo started pre-k, and Keanu started his first day of school ever (pre-school) The boys are only at school for a couple of hours. Just enough time to . . . oh, I dunno, take a shower? Hear myself think? Go to the bathroom alone? LOL

Labor Day Hike

• We went on a fun hike today, well . . . seems a bit funny to call it a hike without any mountains, but it was fun. As soon as we started our hike, Kairo picked a flower (weed) for me. I swear, he is my little romantic guy. He loves to open doors for me, be my "cuddle bug," help bring in the groceries, pet mommies hair,etc. When ever he sees a flower (weed) he always brings it home to mom :) He has always been my little luvvy, mushy guy. Jade and Keanu saw my reaction when I received my flower (weed), they picked flowers (weeds) for me as well. Oh the simple things that melt my heart. As you can see in the pics, walking sticks are essential for a successful hike, and teddy bears of course!

My BABY brother had his 3rd BABY :)

Hee Hee, I've already started shopping for the newest little man in our family.

Welcome "XaVier Logan Ruiz"

The Fog Is Slowly Lifting

Earlier this year, my father passed away. We were going to have a little family reunion with all of "the kids". My dad was in Fort Hood visiting one of my brothers who had just returned from Iraq, and was about to head out to our house (we were going to surprise him by flying another of my other brothers in from SLC). But that never happened :( I flew with two of my brothers to Puerto Rico for his funeral. Shortly after landing back in DFW, I found out another relative had passed away in Puerto Rico. One week after my dad passed away, his wife passed away. She was found in the same place my dad had died. Within another week my Great Aunt in New York passed away. Then we experienced our first tornado. (note,above photo: this is our trampoline, but . . . this is not our house driveway) I will never forget that sound as long as I live! My two little boys have been petrified ever since. But . . . on the bright side, we finaly have our roof, and windows replaced. Tony has been working non-stop trying to build our fence. I'm so excited, it's actually starting to look like a fence!!! There are more repairs to be done, but they are not quite as crucial as windows and a roof. A week after the tornado, my sweet chihuahua (Face) of 13 years passed away. It all seems like a dream, a rather bad dream I must say. I've been in my own little world for a while. My mind is constantly thinking about death. "Will I be around to raise my children?" "Will Tony pass away at an early age?" "How will I deal with my mothers death?" It's getting ridiculous!!!

Neener's First Blog (with Laurel's help of course)

Just in the fetal stages of making my blog.