TWENTY THINGS A MOTHER SHOULD TELL HER SON

I friend posted this on Facebook and I wanted to make sure I kept this forever.  

TWENTY THINGS A MOTHER SHOULD TELL HER SON

1. Play a sport.

It will teach you how to win honorably,

lose gracefully, respect authority,

work with others, manage your time

and stay out of trouble.
And maybe even throw or catch.

2. You will set the tone
for the sexual relationship,
so don't take something away from her
that you can't give back.

3. Use careful aim when you pee.
Somebody's got to clean that up, you know.

4. Save money when you're young
because you're going to need it someday.

5. Allow me to introduce you
to the dishwasher, oven,
washing machine, iron,
vacuum, mop and broom.
Now please go use them.

6. Always treat people with the respect you wish to be treated with.

7. Don't ever be a bully
and don't ever start a fight,
but if some idiot clocks you,
please defend yourself.

8. Your knowledge and education is something
that nobody can take away from you.

9. Treat women kindly.
Forever is a long time to live alone
and it's even longer to live with somebody
who hates your guts.

10. Take pride in your appearance.

11. Be strong and tender at the same time.

12. A woman can do everything that you can do.
This includes her having a successful career
and you changing diapers at 3 A.M.
Mutual respect is the key to a good relationship.

13. "Yes ma'am" and "yes sir"
still go a long way.

14. The reason that they're called "private parts"
is because they're "private".
Please do not scratch them in public.

15. Peer pressure is a scary thing.
Be a good leader and others will follow.

16. Bringing her flowers for no reason
is always a good idea.

17. It is better to be kind
than to be right.

18. A sense of humor
goes a long way
in the healing process.

19. Please choose your spouse wisely.
My daughter-in-law will be the gatekeeper for me
spending time with you and my grandchildren.

20. Remember to call your mother
because I might be missing you.

LOVE YOU JOSHUA ANDREW!!

Snow Time

We started out the new year with a quick day trip to Flagstaff to play in the snow.  We were only there a few hours, but the the drive was worth it!  We met our friends, the Figueroas, Medranos and Morenos.  As always, it was a good time!

I love the smiles on their faces!   They really do love each other. 

And thanks to Lori, I have proof that I was there, too!

And finally, this is Joshua on our way home.

It was a great way to start out our weekend.  We made it just in time to celebrate mass with some of the family, as the Saturday mass was being said for my Tata.  Tata, I thought of you as we were on our short road trip.  I was thinking of all the times we took the "scenic route." No matter where we went we had a good time!

Full of thanks

It's been a rough 2012, I'm ready for it to be over and for the arrival of 2013.  My last official day with Wells Fargo was in January (after 22.5  years) and I've had a few loved ones pass away.  It's been a trying year.  But I am thankful for many things, as well.

I'm thankful for Anthony, Alexandra and Joshua ... they are the loves of my life.  I honestly don't know what I would do without them.  Sure, Anthony gets on my nerves sometimes and the kids don't listen to me some times (most of the time), but my life would be so empty without them.

I'm also thankful for my mom and siblings.  My mom is one strong woman, someone to look up to.  My brother and sister are always there for me when I need them. No matter what, I know I can count on each of them.  And, I'm thankful for my MIL and SIL, Helen and Bernadette.

And I'm super thankful for my nieces and my favorite nephew:  Celeste, Andres, Briana, Danielle and Emma.  They are growing up so fast, so beautiful and I"m so proud to be their Tia/Nina.

Thank you GOD for allowing me to be part of this wonderful family.  I'm thankful for our home, cars, food on the table, our health, our lives.  As Thanksgiving comes upon us in just a few days, thank you. Thank you to everyone who is a part of my life.

One final thought . . . thank you God for allowing me to spend an unlimited of time with my Tata the last few months of his life.  I'm so happy that I didn't have to worry about work and schedules, I was free to spend my days with him.  Being unemployed was a blessing in disguise.