I really enjoy my long chats with my younger brother Nacho. It's good to know that eventhough time and distance stood between us for years, we still have a good friendship. I like that my brother is very smart and techy. I like that he's a true friend. I love my brother!

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So Cool, even streets are named after him.

Fun day at the Park

 We had a great day at the park on Saturday, temperature was about 55 degrees Farenheit, the following Tuesday we were blessed with a snow/ice storm. I am glad we went to the park when the weather was kind.

The Saturday before Valentine's Day (2-12-11) Boise was blessed with a beautiful sunny day. I took advantage of this gorgeous weather to take the little monkeys to the park to feed the duckies. We had a blast playing all over the park. The park has an over abundance of geese in the pond, there are a few ducks there, so we mostly feed giant geese. Bella spent most of the time running away from geese, I told her to shoo them away, and all they did was move their long necks back for about 3 seconds, then they were back to begging for bread pieces. When we were done with the bread we walked over the the awesome playground where the kids climbed on all the games there. Then we went over the bridge to the wooden house and finally over to the lake to throw rocks in the Boise River. What a fun day.



Goofy kids by the river

Me and my Boy

The girl pretending to fish

This guy loves to throw rocks in the river

Haircut

It's official, my girl loves to have haircuts. On Feb. 11th Bella got herself a cool haircut. Check it out!

What I learned today

I got to see "Who do You Think YOu ARe" on NBC tonight.  The featured celebrity was Rosie O'Donell. I learned that her mom passed away when Rosie was only 10 yrs. old. All I knew about this lady was that she is a comedian, she's done a couple of movies, she had a talk show, and that she has been pretty controversial. The controversial part of her maybe has to do with the fact that she was left without a mommy at a very tender age. We see famous people on tv get put thru the toilet by the media, the gossip shows, and those ridiculous tacky magazines by the checkout stand in the grocery stores.
This is what I learned from Ms. O'Donnell: No matter who you are, there's always an unknown history behind the person. We can't judge people from just looking at their 'shell'.
  I did not know that Ireland had a famine in the 1800's. And that the poorest of the poor were placed in warehouse-like shelters, where the families were separated. This was the case with O'Donnell's ancestors and for some reason, some benefactors allowed them to be sent to Canada. Basically they were rescued from death because, people who lived in these shelters died from disease and hunger.
I thought about how there are so many nations currently who suffer from oppression, or poverty, war or whatever. Every country has had their struggles, just like every person in the planet has their own battles, but somehow, if there is a willing spirit, or a willing people,  there will always be a triumphant story to tell. Well, I am so sleepy and I am sure this is not making much sense, so I will revise tomorrow and make the necessary changes. g'nite mates!

sleeping horse

Friday, February 18th 2011

The children and I went to the library today after Beli got out of school. We walked there, so as to 'exercise' my biggo body. We normally go all the way to State Street, but today, I decided to take different path, so we could see the lambs. Across the street from the lambs, are 2 horse. We also say hi to them. Today, however, the old white horse was laying down, perfectly still. I kept staring at its tummy to see if it was going up and down, but I didnt see that. It was pretty far from the fence, so I thought, maybe it's asleep. I told Bels that we would come home the same way and check on the little white horse. Well, an hour later, the horse was in the same spot, sleeping still, oh, I forgot to mention, the eyes were open. And the younger brown horse was standing next to the laying down horse. I looked around to see if any of the human neighbors were around, the house across from the horse field had 3 people coming out of it. I looked at them with a concerned face and before I even asked anything, one of the ladies said "SHE IS". She is what? Well, dead, is what she meant. Awww! Darn it! I asked who the owner was and the other lady said she was. She said that no one would be able to take her away until Monday. Today is Friday. She said the mare was 30 years old and that normally they live up to 25 years. So the little white horse went 5 years above the expectations. I was a bit worried that Bel, at her tender 6 years old would have been crushed that a little animal lost it's life, but she seemed fine. Maybe she didnt quite understand the "SHE IS" comment.

So today I saw a dead horse. And it made me sad. I dont think I will ever own a horse but if I did, and it died, I'd be pretty devastated.



Our neighbor: free in horse heaven



I am willing to bet this is the way many a bloggers start their blogs: "It's been such a long time since I last wrote..." So I wont do that, but it's kind of true. Lots of good things have been happening here. I like to write things that the children do that make me smile. I have to say I have some funny kids, not to mention cuter than I dont know what.

The older kid is a girl, and she likes to show that she is older by offering her words of wisdom. This here line made me fall to the ground laughing:

"Franklin, everyone makes mistakes, ok? even me" Well, who knew that my 'perfect' little monkey princess made mistakes? that was news to me! I was thinking she would say "Everyone makes mistakes, even the Bishop" someone that in her little mind seemed perfect in behavior and lifestyle....so I guess it's good that she feels that way about herself.

A few days before that, my honest son, stared at my face as if he were studying it. He was sitting on my lap. And after a few seconds, he looks me straight in the eyes and with a serious tone, he say "Mama, you have a big nose!"

These guys are funny. I do have a big nose and it works perfectly. I told him  "Thanks Franklin!" he responded: "you velcom momma!"

The ninos at a furniture store acting "perfect", yeah right!

What a Big Boy

This next post is being written so as to not forget what a cool boy I have. Lately, the ninos, all want to sleep in my bed. It's fine with me because as soon as they fall asleep, I scoop them up and give them a free ride to their own bed. Three nights ago, however, little Franklin settled in my bed, ready for his bedtime story. He loves his "blankie" which happens to be a queen or king size fuzzy blanket. The ones that are called "San Marcos". It's purple with big pink flowers, not to mention 3 or 5 holes, compliments, of a stupid dog that chewed it long before the kids were born. That blanket was my Christmas present from Gustavo and Judy.

Franklin sleeping sometime ago....zzzzz...zzzz...zzzzz....zzzzz..zzzz.....zzzzzz not pictured: Blankie.

So, the boy, sleepy, demands his blankie, I said "Blankie is sleeping in your bed, she doesnt want to come over here, why dont you go lay down in your bed." He sits up, and says, "OK mama" as he walks out the bedroom door I say: "Dont turn on the tv, go straight to bed". He said "OK Mama". Bella and I looked at eachother and raised our eyebrows in disbelief. So 2 minutes later, I followed him. And there he was, on his bed with his beloved "popo blankie" fast asleep. It was a sweet moment in the life of Mr. Awesome boy.

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