Feeling Nostalgia

It's nearly midnight, tomorrow will be Christmas Eve. These last few days have been very enlightening to me. I have come in contact with a family member that has opened a small window to the many many other family members I have not met. Maybe as a kid I saw them. But, really I don't know them. They are the family of my lovely mother. I believe every person is an entire world of history. I am sure these individuals are not perfect, nevertheless, I am intrigued with the idea of me being a part of them; in other words, we come from the same people, mainly our Grandparents, Julio Paramo and Soledad Gutierrez.

Julio Paramo

Soledad Gutierrez

I saw a few pictures of some of my mom's siblings. I can see a lot of resemblance to my mom. It would be very interesting to get to know their stories. To know of their triumphs, and of the lessons they've learned in life. I believe the story of our family, of Irene's family is that of epic novel, but who knows, perhaps each one of her siblings has an equally intriguing story. The point here is that I feel like I've found a little lost treasure in finding these people. I feel like I am part of something bigger. Like I belong to a bigger group, other than just my beloved brothers and sisters and my amazing mother. Thank you Carolina Gonzales Paramo for sharing with me the family I never knew I had.

Pablo Paramo

Irene Paramo, mi madre hermosa.

Elena Paramo, a very pretty lady

Isabel Paramo: Very Kind, and Positive

Luz Paramo: que bonito nombre

Luis Paramo, el cuate de mi hermano Gustavo

Teresa Paramo, la bebe de la casa



It's important to note that there are 2 more relatives whose pictures I don't have now: Guadalupe and Carlos. The picture of my mom was taken a long time ago. I love this picture of her because she is surrounded by her flower garden, and she's wearing a flowery blouse. She's got herself a greenthumb. She loves flowers and plants. And finally I just took a shot of me, right after posting this piece. I wanted to see how I look while I'm nostalgic, and here I am....time for bed.

imagine a cloud above my head, as I think of what I just wrote, like in the comic strips..think think think think.




Aqui esta la Tia Guadalupe, que bonita sonrisa.

This is our grandmother, Soledad in her later years. I saw her when she was 72 years old. She was very sweet and gentle with us. My mom loved to pamper her. In this picture, she did her hair and put on a little bit of make-up. She even did her nails. Good memories.





Chabelita on Oct. 30th, 2010





Franklin on Oct. 30th 2010

The year is quickly coming to and end. Christmas is alive and well. The newspapers, and television are exploding with commercials of toys, jewelry and other enticing gifts..."Biggest Sale of the Season! This weekend only!!!!" It's overwhelming to see. Yes I wish I could buy presents for all the people in my life, my sister in Mexico and her little boy, my other little nieces and nephews, and their babies, my siblings, my mom and of course my own 2 little stinkers. I am going to stop and think about the things I do have, and not what I want, which, in the end I don't really need.
I am grateful that my kiddos are healthy and happy. What more can I ask for. I love the St. Jude commercials, "Give thanks for the healthy kids in your life." I also have an excess of good people in my life. I have my mom, who's taught me many important lessons. I have 9 siblings that are amazing. They are strong, beautiful in the inside, and ok, on the outside too. I have clothes to wear and a home to live in, that has heat to keep me warm in these cold days. I am one of the few people in the planet to own an automobile, so that if I need to go somewhere, I dont need to wait in the cold for a bus. The other thing I discovered I possess, is a good strong body and a functioning brain, and my 'chicken' heart. And finally I have a knowledge that there is a God who loves us. I've known that since I can remember, I also know that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Saviour. I feel God's love in the kindness of people around me. I have more than I deserve. I am grateful for it. I hope all who read this will have a happy Christmas, full of hope and joy. With Love, me, Sol.

Thanksgiving came and went just as fast as this whole year. I can't believe this year is practically over. It has gone by so fast, and if it werent for some pictures we took, I would be in disbelief. So for Thanksgiving this year we went to visit Grandma Bennett, the Great Grandmother of my 2 little monkeys and so many many many others. The food was delicious and the company was great. We visited with the Crawfords: Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Ed, Colleen & Robert (although Robert worked the whole time we were there, very nice Robert, thanks for all your hard work, Kayla, Barb and their gorgeous children. Burke and Julie also joined the party. It was nice to see my beautiful nieces and handsome nephews. They are so tall, those boys! Uncle Gene and his super fashionable wife Phyllis were there as well as Uncle Lynn and his sweet wife Alice. Here is what the phone cam captured. Enjoy Bennetts.

Welcome to Grandmother's House

Good ol' Preston brick houses

Burke & Julie's familia

supermodel Jazzie

Uncle Lynn

Robert in action

Crawford grandkids

sleeping beautifully:  Kennedy

Alice, Lynn, Phyllis and Gene heading out

check out the icicle in the background

Zach was making everyone laugh, shocker!

Rivals? Hmmmmm?

Time to eat, check out the rolls, they didnt last!

Beautiful Julie

Perry's gorgeous daughters Mindy and Kimber

Perry said he wants to be just like Tom Brady

Jazzie going back home : (

Kylie

Grandma, resting a bit



Sparks under Zach's seat, this time it was an electric one!seat cut thru plastic of cable, sounded like firecrackers and looked like it too



Thanksgiving 2010

We decided to go to Zach's grandmother's house for Thanksgiving this year. She lives is the Preston area. Our family car had really bad tires, so I went to go get some new tires so as to not slip off the road on our way there. The weather is unusually cold in our area, and that means that Southeast Idaho is even worse. I started off at stupid Costco, there was a line of about 5 people in the tire department, when it was my turn, I was told by the guy there, (who was not very friendly) that for 2 tires it would be about 130, plus the install fee. And that the wait time was about 5 hours. So, off I went, across the street to Commercial Tire. The guy there was actually super friendly but that the waiting time would be 3-4 hours at the minimum. Then I went next door to Les Schwab...There were more people there than in an emergency room (a busy one :)). So feeling discouraged, I headed toward the office. At the corner of walk and dont walk, I looked to the right and saw a Big-O Tire. So I decided to try there also. There weren't very many people in there store, so I thought this would be the place we'd finally get the tires we so needed. The lady there told me there was a waiting time of about 3-4 hours. I told her, "well, I guess well have to rely on prayer to get us there safely" She told me to go to their store on State St. Thank goodness for that tip, we went there and got new tires in about 1.5 hours. Those tires were much needed because the road was pretty slippery. We saw a semitruck ran out of the freeway, it was carrying about 10 new cars. Zach said "That guy is pretty much fired by now". So following I will post some of the pics I took with my little phone. I really enjoyed Zach's family. Grandma Bennett is a real gem, because of her, there are many many many wonderful people in my life.

the view outside our car. It was blasted cold and oh so windy. brrrrrrrrrrr!

Changes

Isabella reading Isabel Allende, not really!

I was skimming through this blog, which was created about 2.5 years ago and realized it is serving as a journal. I am glad I have written some interesting events that now serve as memories. In this last month, my girl was found to have a problem with her sight. So now she has cute glasses. She chose them herself. Lately she doesn't wear them that much. Appearently they give her a little bit of a headache. Zach thinks that one of the lenses' prescription is a bit strong. We'll see how it goes. I think that she is just not used to wearing them.

Chabelita is supermodeling her new spectacles.

Bella, the Drama Queen!



As for Mr. Gorgeous, Franklincito, he's is growing like crazy and talking up a storm. He's very sweet and considerate. If he hears anyone coughing, he quickly asks: "Are you ok?" as he gently rubs our arm. Tan preciocioso mi chiquito! He also doesn't like to see people sad or angry. He commands us to "BE HAPPY!" It works every time.





One of Franklin's best cartoons characters. Diego is quickly pushing George out of the way!



 



 



A giant George came to our library. Franklin didnt want to leave him. It was so cute!

I dream of Conan

I have been having such realistic dreams that I get woken up for a good hour. I don't like that at all. But the other day, I had a fun dream that I havent told anyone. But I will write it down so I dont forget it.
We started watching The Conan O'Brien show. We are CoCo fans! So the other day his guest was Rosario Dawson and in the show there was a lot of cute flirting going on so I guess this is why I dreamed what I dreamed.
(Cloudy. Hazy....going into the dream......)ZZZZZzzzzZZZZzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzz

I was in a backyard full of trees. All of a sudden a rope, hanging from the sky came floating by. So I grabbed it and attached in the air, to this super long rope was, the Conan Show Blimp! So what's the most logical thing to do? I pulled it down will all my muscles and....down came the yellow blimp with Conan and Rosario in it. Plop! on my backyard floor. In my dream, they were a couple. And they were pretty grateful that I brought down the blimp because they couldn't stand one another. I was so happy to have two cool celebs in my backyard, I offered them food, so as to win their friendship forever but all the wanted to do was FIGHT! I pulled Conan aside and said: "If all you do is fight, why dont you just break up?" He said: "I cant break up with her! Are you blind? She is so beautiful!" I told him: "But are you happy?" I felt real important giving advice to famous people. That was the dream.

I am no matchmaker, but looking at these pictures, I'd say they dont make a cute couple. Just saying, plus, it was a stupid dream.

I found this picture of Conando and his gorgeous wife:

 

Autumn is Among us, or is it?

Summer started late. Then we had a couple of weeks of cool weather, then BAM winter weather. Well, maybe not that drastic. It's quite nice brisk weather; the kind that makes you want to be home baking something sweet.

 Bella looking cool in the cold

 Walking to Biblioteca, she means business!

 This stick is to annoy all who come near!

This moment lasted for a whole 3 seconds

Halloween is around the corner

There is no Halloween in Mexico. I vaguely remember "Dia de los Muertos" which is some time in October. It's a day when people celebrate the dead by making cute pastries in the shape of skeletons/skulls and spending the day at the cemetary visiting the graves of their loved ones who have moved on to the next stage of existence. I am sure my siblings know more of this holiday than I, so let us know the traditions and meanings of "Dia de los Muertos". I am feeling too tired to do the research myself. Halloween is also celebrated in October. The thing that comes to my mind is CANDY and COSTUMES. I really like the candy part but I am not too much into dressing up. I dont think I ever had a formal costumes for Halloween. Some people go all out for the ocassion. I like to sacrifice the lovely pumpkins for their delicious seeds. I dont know what to do witht the actual pumpkin, other than give it a face and put a candle in it.
So, I hope everyone has a great Halloween this year. Remember to brush your teeth after the stealing of the candy of your little ones, well, at least I will!

Chicken Heart

I was once acused of having a chicken heart. A chicken heart,  not meaning I am a scaredy cat, but rather that any little sad or moving situation, makes me cry.

Last night I went to see a friend, I was gone for a total of 12minutes. When I got home I found my six year old crying like crazy. When I asked her what was going on, she said: "1st, I couldnt find you, and then my brother pushed me!" She was upset that she couldnt find me, her dad was in the garage and she didnt know that either. Anyhow, I just started crying right along with her. It was about 8:30 at night. Poor kid. I remember as a kid I always used to get lost in the big open markets in Mexico. At the realization of being all alone then, I felt as if the whole world was on my tiny shoulders. That's why when I found my kid so sad, I joined her in her grief! It only lasted for a good 3 minutes. Sometimes a girl just needs to release her 10 drops  of tears once in a while. So there. I have a chicken heart, tender like that!

Motherhood

Since I have a sense of remembering, I have always loved little kids. When I worked in a daycare, a few years before I was married, I would daydream of what my little ones would look like (my own). There were a few ocassions at the daycare where I honestly felt like I loved the kids more than their own parents (you know, they were dropped off as soon as the place opened about 6 or 6:30 am and were pick up after hours, 6 pm +) And I had my suspicions they were not at work, but rather having fun.  So fast forward to present time and I have been so blessed with not 1, but 2 beautiful little human beings who are so completely full of joy and personality. Saying it like this makes it sound like motherhood is, how we say in spanish "all pink-colored", meaning perfect. Well, it's not. In fact is HARD! Did you know that kids, as they grow, they dont listen!?  And if things dont go their way, they tell you: "I dont love you!" What! The good thing is that in an hour or so they forget. They are also the best mess makers you'll ever meet. They have "accidents" which means they pee'd or pooped in their pants. They run and hide when it's time for bath or bedtime...oh and I could go on and on. Here's the reality of momhood or dadhood or madhood: it's not for the weak. It's dang hard but it has to be the best title you could ever have. My life would be so boring without them.
Franklin to me: "You're not a girl! You're a momma"
Franklin @ bedtime "I not tirud, I hungreeee"
Bella "mom, let me be your maid" after holding the towel that she was supposed to fold for 7 minutes "OK, I am done being a maid, it's too hard. But tomorrow I am going to make you breakfast, ok?"