Christmas!

Pics: (Left-Right) My wonderful husband and me, Santa, My cousin Michelle and me, The Galindo Cousin's, Cousins Sabrina and Cassie ,
Immediate family cousins and extended family cousins with Santa,


Well I hope everyone had a fantastic and blessed Christmas. We had so much fun celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ this year as a family. Dave and I went down to San Antonio for Christmas to see my family. I was so glad we were able to go down there because it is not often that we are able to see my family due to the distance between DFW and SA. On Christmas Eve we went to church and then went over to my Momo and Popo's (Dad's parents) and spent the evening there eating tamales and cookies. All the cousins were there and I am amazed every time I see them how fast they are growing. It's sad how fast people grow up when you rarely ever see them, I still expect them to be small.. running around everywhere. We took lots of pics this year which are posted. Our tradition on that side of the family is that Santa comes each year to see us. I do not remember a time that he has not come. (We are all good girls and boys ;) ) We love Santa and love seeing the kids reactions when he comes. Santa knows all of our names and makes it a point to say hello to everyone. I told Dave that this one tradition is one thing I want our kids to partake in when they are young because it is very exciting and fun. I look forward to sharing this with our children. Then on Christmas day we go to my Grandma and Grandpa's house (Mom's side) and do breakfast tacos/tamales. Then we open gifts one person at a time going from youngest to oldest each person opens 1 gift at a time. This does take awhile but it's a blast because you get to see what everyone gets. After all the gifts were open we hung out drinking margaritas and talking. Unfortunately, Dave had to go back home after gifts were open due to work. I was able to stay with my family because I was able to get off work at Ann Taylor. (luckily!) Like I said before, it is not often that I get to see my family, so it meant a lot that I was able to stay and spend some quality time with them and not be rushed there and back. I love my husband because he does truly get this and understand that I love him with all my heart but I also love my family and NEED to see them and be around them when I have the chance. Things can change so quickly in our lives and I want to be around them as much as I can. So yes, I know, I have the best husband ever. ;)

My parents, brother and I headed back to Fort Worth on Sat. Dave's family had their Christmas gathering on Sat evening; which, Dave was able to go to. Sadly, I was not able to go see everyone since I was on the road back that same day from San Antonio. Dave had a really good time being with his family and getting to hang out with everyone. Since I was not there I would like to once again thank each of you for the gifts you gave us, we love everything.

My brother is still here in Fort Worth with us and will be here through the New Years. The three of us have been hanging out the past several days. Dave and Alex are getting to bond a lot more which I am very excited about. It is very important (and always has been) that Dave and my brother have a close relationship because my brother is one of THE most important people in my life and someone I would do anything for. I am blessed to have him as my brother, heck I don't know where I would be if it wasn't for him. It's fun being around the two of them...let's just say we laugh a lot. I did spit tea almost out my nose today because I was laughing so hard, thanks to the two of them. We have been working on getting everything together for our New years party tomorrow. Hope everyone has a Happy New Years!!! God Bless 2009!

Cookie Time!

Well I have been baking all morning. The house smells delicious! So I found out some sad new today. We are not making tamales after all this Christmas Eve. Sad...But that doesn't mean we aren't going to have some darn good tamales that we buy every year. So I am almost done with all the cookies. Got to make my grandma's cookies tomorrow morning and then fill the tins up and go hand them out to neighbors. So far they all taste really good so I may be making another batch for New Years. Tuesday I will be making my rum balls so by New Years they will be very yummy. I'm also going to attempt to make the new recipe I got for Baileys. They have to sit at least a week in order to have a great taste. I've turned into Betty Crocker!! :)

Christmas Pics

Here are the pics of the inside of our house Christmas Decorations. I still want to do more but probably will have to wait and add more next year. Now I'm onto baking Christmas cookies for our neighbors, friends, and family. This is a tradition we did with my mom growing up and I am going to continue that now that I am married and have a home. Went to Walmart today and gathered all the ingredients. I am planning on baking 5 different kinds consisting of Mexican Wedding Cakes, Kissing Cookies, No Bake, Rum balls (which were a hit last New Years) and my grandma's Reposteria cookies. If I have time I may try to make Disarrono Balls :) lol we shall see how that turns out.

Christmas Tree

Well we finally did it! We put up our Christmas tree tonight. Cooper was very interested in it all and was sniffing everything. He tried to eat the tree. Needless to say there are no ornaments  really close to the ground because I really think the little stinker will take off with a few.  Our Christmas decorations are all up in the living room. Stockings are on our fireplace which just makes it all feel even more like home. I bought the pups their gifts today and put it in their stockings. The house is feeling a lot more like Christmas!!! :) Now I need to put the lights up around the front windows. I will post pics soon of the tree and all our decorations soon.

I am almost done with sending out Christmas cards. Had to go out and buy another pack of cards today and am seeing that I will need to buy another pack tomorrow. That totals 4 packs of cards. I am also starting to wrap all the gifts that we have bought up to this point. All the girls were officially done today. Now onto the guys. Only 4 gifts left!! 

Dave and I are looking forward to going to San Antonio for Christmas. It will be nice to get away from everything. I cannot wait to see my family and sit back and relax. Can't wait for the the laughs, the smiles, the hugs and yes the margaritas! As my girlfriend said "We are hispanic and when we get together we drink and have a great time because we can." Oh I miss you all so much. Bring on the fun times!! 

We woke up this morning to FREEZING weather; which, I think put me in the spirit to do all the decorations. I do not like the cold weather but atleast it makes it feel more like Christmas. I just hope that there won't be ice on the roads tomorrow morning. 

Christmas Tamales!!

Well it's been an eventful week but in a way not really. Dave and I have been busy working. I've been selling lots of Jewelry lately before the holidays, so that's been fun!! This weekend has been super busy with different events. Friday was Micha's Jewelry party which was a lot of fun. Today was Dave's aunts Christmas party (awesome food! and great company!). I got to see my cousin Dani this morning on my way to Dave's aunts and we talked about everything going on in both our lives at the present moment. I am so blessed to have her so close, she gave me some great advice and is such a great support to Dave and I. Then we met up with two of my girlfriends from college (Paige and Lauren) and their husbands for dinner. It was so good seeing them. Paige is a newlywed and Lauren and Cody are expecting their first little one. It's a baby girl!!! We are all excited for her. It's crazy how much we all have grown up, have jobs, are married, and starting families now. It's all very exciting!

I can't wait for Christmas this year. Dave should have off and we are going to be going down to San Antonio to see my entire family. At Thanksgiving my mother told me that my dad's side was going to make tamales this year again. This was a family tradition that my dad's side always did growing up. We'd all get together and hand make tamales (assembly line fashion) and then later on in the day after church eat them for dinner before Santa came. Well sadly this tradition has been discontinued for several years now due to different reasons. We still have tamales but it's not the same without that family touch. So it is very exciting that we are doing this again this year because my great aunt and uncle are coming in and they are going to put on the entire event so my grandparents can relax and teach them how to do it. I am excited that Dave will be able to participate in this childhood tradition of mine that I loved so much. I remember fun times, laughing, smiles, and that warm family feel. I cannot wait because there are cousins of mine that have never been able to experience this fun family past-time. I am also excited to see my mom's side again and do our typical margarita nights, christmas cookies, and spending some quality time together. Being around my family for the holidays will be so nice and I am really looking forward to getting away and going back home.  

As for the house we are slowly decorating it to get into the holiday spirit. I need to put my tree up (hopefully tomorrow) and we need to put our lights up. The fireplace is decorated already. Once it's all done I will take pics and post them for yall.

My Faith makes me stronger!

These are a few bible versus that I feel are very fitting at this time. Thanks to everyone that I have talked to recently about something that I have been dealing with. You have given me so much strength in the past few days. I have turned to my faith and am staying strong. 

"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earch will be loosed in heaven. Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:15-20

"The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground." Psalm 147:6

"Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, or use your lips to deceive." Proverbs 24:28

"The proud and arrogant man - "Mocker" is his name; he behaves with overweening pride" Proverbs 21:24

"Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared." Proverbs 22:24-25

"Do not envy wicked men, do not desire their company; for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble." Proverbs 24:1-2

There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs." Luke 12:2-3

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love on another." John 13:34-35

"When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world." 1 Corinthians 4:12-13

"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me." 1 Corinthians 13:11

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form on malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 24:31-32

"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:6

I am working on forgiving and know that I will be able to forgive one day. I am hurt, sad, and angry, that this situation happened because I have never done anything to you. I have only ever wanted to be  close to each of you and have some form of relationship. I know I tried and that's all that I can do.  This to will pass. I pray for you.

Green Thumb

Today was one of those days that makes me proud to do what I do (job wise). I was working with a kiddo today and had the opportunity to introduce her to a new experience. She didn't know what a carousel was and had never riden one before. She is totally blind. So I was attempting to describe it verbally to her but knew that hands on experience is always better. I went to ask if they would allow her to feel the horses so she could grasp an understanding of what it was. To my surprise they offered to let her ride it free of charge. They allowed her to feel three of the animals within a row and then we got her on one and I stood next to her to verbally tell her what was about to happen and to protect her from falling. She got to ride the carousel and the joy on her face was priceless. She had a blast and it's those types of things we all take for granted. I was excited that I could introduce something that most kids by her age have experienced many times. It's this type of day that makes me excited about the next day. These experiences are rare to come across but when they do it's all worth it. I am thankful to her for reminding me not to take any moment for granted and to treasure every experience. 

Today I also finally found a Lowes and got some pretty pansies and some rosemary. I've already started planting the pansies in the front flower beds. I'm starting to think that once summer comes I'm going to gut both the flower beds and put new bushes in because I don't like the bushes that are currently there. Not sure why, I just don't. I'm planning to plant the rosemary in the back in a pot that is back there. Then I can use it when I cook. My goal is to plant several herbs in pots and have my own little herb garden. That's only if Cooper doesn't eat it all. Dave was shocked seeing me out there planting flowers. He told me he never would have imagined me with a green thumb. I don't know why, heck I worked for a landscaping company for 2 years in college. I may be girly but I am completely down with getting my hands dirty. I'm really excited about being able to garden and fix up the yard really nice. 

Letting it all out! Happy Thanksgiving!

So Dave and I just watched the movie Wall-E. I must say that is one of the best movies I have seen in a LOOOOONG time. Hilarious! I love my husband because he surprised me tonight with it...he bought it for me. He knows me so well.

Well as for what is going on here Dave is still on midnight shifts; which does stink because I don't get to have him there with me at night to sleep with. I do miss that but I know that this is what it will be like for the next year or more. He placed his bid for this upcoming year and got midnight shift with his days off being sun and mon. You kinda sign up for that when you marry a cop. We can do this. Heck we did long distance for a year and a half and that was going weeks without seeing each other. I think we can go with not seeing each other at 5 nights a week. We atleast get to do dinner together each night. 

I am glad it's Thanksgiving this week because most of my schools are out. I only work with 2 kiddos this week doing field trips to the mall and downtown Fort Worth. The rest of the week I will be working Ann Taylor. Not looking forward to Black (Crazy) Friday this week. As for Thanksgiving Dave has to work that night and he will not be able to go see family because he will be sleeping during their Thanksgiving due to him not getting off until 7am and having to be back at work by 11pm. I was very sad that he was having to work because Thanksgiving is my FAVORITE holiday. The one holiday I look forward to each year and canNOT miss. Since we were not going to be able to go to Dave's family for Thanksgiving due to his schedule we are going to spend the holiday apart. He knows how special this holiday is for me so he told me to go up to my parents and do Thanksgiving with my mom's side up in Oklahoma. I am looking forward to seeing my family because it has been since April since I've seen my brother and since September since I have seen my mom's side. We are all VERY close and I am glad to be spending this holiday with family because Thanksgiving to me is suppose to be all about family and being thankful for what we are blessed with and for those in our family. I only wish Dave could have been able to participate and spend our first Thanksgiving as a married couple together but maybe next year. My parents are sending Thanksgiving dinner home with me for him to have on Friday once he gets home and hopefully my grandparents and aunt will stop by on their way home on Sunday so they can see Dave and our new house. I need some family right now around me because I don't feel that I have that here. I was raised seeing my family (grandparents/aunts/uncles/cousins) every sunday and having them always around me. Now I'm married and really want that connection to continue but am unable to have that here because my family lives away and they are the only ones that seem to understand that desire for family connection and the importance of it. Luckily there are a few (family and those that I consider family) here that I do have to fall on when I need to and I thank God for them. If I could pick up San Antonio and Norman and move it into the DFW area I would. I love DFW but it's not San Antonio and I need my parents and brother. I miss my family..I miss the traditions..I miss that feeling of being home and having people that are always there for you no matter what. I miss that big/warm family feel. I think I miss most the closeness of family, being able to call each other and talk...actually talk and meet for dinner and drinks and have a bond with one another. I need that! Sorry this has kinda broken off into my own soap box but these are my feelings and I need to voice them. For those in my family reading this...I love you, miss you all, move to Fort Worth! :) No Just kidding...well kinda. I hope to all those who may read this blog, friends and family. Value your family on this Thanksgiving and really think about what family is to you. What does it mean to you? We were blessed with these people by Our Heavenly Father and we should embrace each other on this day but also EVERY day after. Be Thankful for each other and that we are fortunate enough to have one another in our lives because there are people out there that do not have family to love and support them.  Let's not take that for granted because one day you may not have them and then what? To everbody that reads this...I love you I thank God for you and I hope this year we can all grow closer. God Bless and have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving!!!!

The House

Well I finally got my pictures developed of the house. Here are a few pics. It's so nice and big. However as you can tell through the pics, we have lots to do (decorating and gathering furniture). Currently we have lots of bare walls. It's a clean slate that we can do what we want. I cannot wait to really get this place decorated with our little touches. To the left is our living room, kitchen. Below is our master bath and Formal dining with the formal living in the back of that pic.

 

From Left to Right: Guest Bedroom 1 , Mater Bedroom, View from front door, Guest Bedroom 2, Office (Bedroom 3), Guest Bathroom

Thanksgiving Party

This past Saturday we held our 2nd annual Friends Thanksgiving Party. It was a blast!!! We had tons of great food and good drinks. Thanks to everyone for bringing green bean casserole, deviled eggs, corn casserole, sweet potatoes, ham, rolls, broc/rice/cheese casserole, spinach dip, mashed potatoes, apple pie, cheesecake, and cake. The food was amazing and desserts were addicting. It was all very yummy!! And once again I recommend Dickey's Barbecue for their Cajun Turkey and stuffing. If you have never had a cajun Turkey I highly recommend it. It has a nice kick to it.

We had about 13 people there again this year. It was so good seeing everyone because it has been awhile, since we moved out to Fort Worth. I will be posting pics soon!! I am glad that Dave was able to participate in dinner with us, since he will be missing actual Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving day due to his work schedule. But no worries my parents are sending left overs down for him to have the next day. This is my favorite holiday because of all the yummy food and the time you get to spend with family. I cannot wait!! Hope everyone has a great yummy Turkey Day!!!

Cooper!

So many have wanted to know what Cooper looks like. He is our new puppy we got back in May. Not so much a puppy anymore. Cooper is a cocker spaniel. He is so freakin cute but a terror. He is into everything. Chloe likes him on her terms but mostly she could care less about him. He's completely a Daddy's boy which dave loves! He's stubborn and into chewing anything and everything. We love him but he keeps us on our toes. Anyhow, so here are some pics of him when he was a puppy taken at my parents house. He was so little!!! He's much bigger now!

About Us

Welcome to our blog! Dave and I just moved into our new house a few weeks ago in Fort Worth, TX. We consider it Keller because that is the school district that we are in and we are not that far from the city of Keller. We love our new house and we are working on getting it all put together. We now have a 4 bedroom 2 bathroom house. There is lots of room that we need to fill. We have two fur children: Chloe (Malti-poo) and Cooper (Cocker Spaniel), both of which keep us on our toes. They are a hoot and our life would be highly boring without them. We are both busy with our careers at this time. Dave is a police officer and I work with the visually impaired as an Orientation & Mobility Specialist. I also work at Ann Taylor as a sales associate and just recently became a jeweler for Premier Design. As you can tell I love to stay busy. Dave and I got married on April 12 this past year but have been together for over 4 years now, so we feel like we've been married much longer than 7 months. This is pretty much the story of our life right now. We stay very busy but make sure to make time for one another.