School Pictures

Where does the time go? It just seems like yesterday that they were born. Now they are so big! These are Alexandra and Joshua's 2009-10 school pictures. Alexandra is 9 and in the 3rd grade, while Joshua is 6 and in the 1st grade.

Holy Crap!

What the heck happened? One day we're going to school, volunteering, going to work, you know . . . getting things done. Then WHAM! 3 out of the 4 of us are sick!!! I think Anthony is on the brink, but he'll probably be OK. It started Friday afternoon, when I received a phone call from the school, saying that Alexandra was in the nurses' office with a fever and overall body aches. So, I picked her and Joshua up early from school (really only 15 minutes early) and we came home. Fast forward five hours and I'm on the verge of taking Alexandra to the ER with a 103.3 degree temperature. I gave her some Motrin, after realizing that the cold meds I was giving her didn't have any Tylenol or Motrin. So, after the Motrin the fever came down some.

We all go to sleep and wake up Saturday morning, with Alexandra and her still high fever. Luckily our doctor is open for two hours on Saturday and we able to take her in. Thanks to Pita and John for taking Joshua to his flagfootball game, BTW! Dr. Frakes said she had the flu (I don't know if it was the "regular" flu or H1N1) and to keep giving her Motrin and Tylenol (alternate every three hours). And she was to rest and drink plenty of liquids.

In the meantime, I've caught whatever Alexandra had, but mine evolved into a sinus infection. OK, so I haven't seen my doctor yet, but I know what a sinus infection feels like. I took all the meds I could, and still the only way to help with the congestion was to sit at the table with a boiling pot of water and a towel over my head. Gotta love my doctor's office . . . after two hours of a busy signal, I finally got through and made an appointment to see the PA . . . ON WEDNESDAY! Yes, as of the time I'm writing this posting, I still have not been to the doctor's office!!!

And to top if off, when Joshua woke up on Monday morning, he was burning up!!! His temp was 104, it was now his turn to alternate the Tylenol and Motrin. I thought he was OK this morning, but soon after waking up he tells me "My stomach doesn't feel good." I tell him to go lay down, two minutes later I hear crying/screaming . . . he threw up! The kinda funny thing is after that, he actually felt better. His fever came down too. He also slept most of the day, too. But now, he said he feels better and wants to go bowling!

It's now Tuesday, early eveing, I walk around with my Clorox Anywhere bottle and spray anything and everything. I've washed everyone's sheets at least twice. And I'll be doing that again tomorrow.

We usually only get sick like this once year, usually around Christmas time, so let's hope we're just sick a little early this year.

Stay healthy everyone! Take your vitamins, drink lots of water and wash your hands! =D If you're showing any signs of being sick, stay home!!!!

School Started

Hard to believe but another school year is underway. The summer went by way too fast, I didn't get all that I wanted to get done. We are back at St. John Vianney school. Alexandra is in Mrs. Ayalin's 3rd grade class, while Joshua is in Mrs. Dominguez's 1st grade class. Both are probably counting down the days to their first day off! ha!
This should be a very exciting year, as we have lots to look forward to. First, we have the school's biggest fundraiser, our school dinner/auction, the 2009 Fall Gala hosted at the Phoenix Suns US Airways Center on November 7th. Both Anthony and I are helping with the planning and we're looking forward to a great night. If you'd like to attend the event, volunteer, purchase catalog ad space or sponsor the event, please visit the gala website: www.sjvgala.com.

Second, we are looking forward to Alexandra receiving two very important sacraments, First Holy Communion and Confirmation. It's going to be so exciting and proud time for us.

And lastly, we have a busy school year to look forward to. Between girls scouts/cub scouts, sports, and all the learning at school, we won't have a moment to spare. I pray that we make it through another year.

Blessings, Maria

Time to Relax

I just celebrated my 20th anniversary with my employer. I made it through two big mergers, but it was the third one that got me. My position was elimiated and my last day of work was June 26th. I'm sitting here at my computer, the fourth day of not working and it's weird. I dropped the kids off at summer camp and went grocery shopping. For the first time in a long time, I didn't have to worry about hurrying up to get to work. I was on my own time. I'm wondering how long it will be before it finally hits me that I don't have a job. I have a years severance, so I'm not worried, at least I won't be until next July. We have a couple of trips to California planned for July. Hopefully, we'll be at Disneyland celebrating Joshua's 6th birthday. Then the kids are back in school on August 12th. The summer already seems to be going by so fast.

Now it's my turn to relax. To think about what I want to do "when I grow up." What job will allow me to earn a decent paycheck (enough to cover SJV tuition) and still spend my time with the family? What business could I start on my own?

So many questions, I have . . . but now it's just time to relax. :-)

Summer begins!

Hard to believe it, but summer has officially started for the Mesquita family. School ended on Friday, 5/29. We went to our last school mass (beautifully hosted by the 1st graders of SJV), then went back to classrooms for report cards and certificates. It was a sad goodbye because we are losing many wonderful teachers, and unfortunately, many families, too. Two of the teachers we've lost are the teachers the kids had this year, Mrs. Garcia (Kindergarten) and Mrs. Fish (2B). It was a very sad day! WE WILL MISS YOU!

We are looking foward to the summer (with all of my extra time off this summer - actually through next summer!). I've worked for the last 20 years, I'm not sure I'm going to know how not to go to work!

Disneyland - FINALLY!

Where does the time go? I've been so busy at work, but I need to slow down and smell the roses (or all the desert blooms!). Work is crazy and will be for at least another month, then who knows. We have an application upgrade, then I'm working to redesign our training around this application. Plus we have that big merger. :-)

The kids are busy at school. The third quarter just ended, we have Parent/Teacher conferences this week. Cross your fingers that both meetings go well! They are both so busy at school, but they are both doing well, too. Joshua has his moments, he'd prefer to stay home, but he is doing great. Alexandra loves school, especially her class/teacher. Mrs. Fish is the best teacher!

All this and we went to Disneyland! Yep, we surprised the kids with a trip this past weekend. Originally, it was supposed to be me, the kids and Patti, but Anthony surprised us and came along. (He won't admit it, but I think he loves going to "The Land," too!). Fun was had by all! I'm already trying to figure when we can go back. Besides, I upgraded my ticket to an annual passport, so I think I'll be going more often.