A letter to my Sister

Adriana had to do an assignment in one of her classes, she wrote a letter to Delayna. She shared it with me and instead of stashing it and loosing it, I figured I would blog.

Dear Sister,
I love you with all my heart. Even though you drive me bonkers, I will always be here for you. When you grow up you're going to want to have a boyfriend, wear makeup, want to cuss to fit in. You won't need to do that because you're going to be perfectly able to fit in. You say now you want to be like me, dress in my clothes, wear my makeup, have long hair, wear the same shoes but you need to express yourself the way you want. You will try your hardest to fit in with people that you think are cool. But your true friends will see that you are perfect just the way you are. You won't need makeup or to do your hair everyday. First because your going to damage your hair and then your going to dye it. You will make stupid mistakes but your mistakes will be what forms you into who you're true personality and make you unique from everyone else. You're an intellegent little girl right now and your so funny, crazy and so you.  I don't want you to ever lose sight of who you really are.
I can't wait for you to grow up and see where you're going to go in life because you can do ANYTHING in your wildest dreams. You're going to discover who and what you will become and I can't wait for you to tell me how stupid you were with your friend and the first boy you kissed (because you can't tell Papa or Mama). But I'll be watching you every step you take when you grow up. Even though I may be 1,000 miles or 20 miles away I'm always here for you  to hear you complain about how dumb someone is acting or what you want for next season. Anyway I just wanted to tell you that no matter what happens in life you're sister will always be here. No matter what I will always see you as my little munchkin that is learning how to speak spanish and your crazy styles of clothes you are wearing. Don't even lose sight to who you really are and never lose where you are from.
Because the most important thing you need to learn is how important your family is even though they will drive you insane!  Always stay a happy, loving, intellegent, sweet and silly little girl!  I love you with all my heart mamas and make sure your always making the right decisions for your future. I love you!!
Love, Sissy

Kids say the darndest...Delayna

We just picked up Adi's friend Cynthia and are all heading  to the movies.
Cynthia complemented Delayna's shoes and said, "I like your shoes."
Delayna came back with, "I know, there pretty."
Oh my goodness, we laughed soooo hard!  The innocent mind of the child.

30 days of Thankfulness ~Day 22

Okay, so today I'm thankful for transportation (specifically my expedition) and once again my husband, kids, niece and nephew. That should cover for the 4 days I was away =)
My Honey got home early today. When he got here, he helped me clean the kitchen, went up and cleaned our bedroom and then we all went off on our adventures.
Jose and I took Anthony, Adriana, Sarah, Devin, Dominic & Delayna out to Target, Sports Chalet, Sports Authority, Sam's Club and Burlington.
I do have to admit, we do have the funnest time together! I'm so thankful I have my expedition to tote all of us around in too!
so that's it for now...

30 days of Thankfulness ~Day 17

Well, I had all kinds of stuff I was debating to put on today's blog, but with the turn of events from today, I have nothing.
My emotions are so out of whack and i have so much going on in my brain right now I don't even know how to feel.
Nothing I can share right now, but just please be in prayer for some of our friends.
guess I'm just thankful for this blog to openly ask for prayer and my children. I'm holding them a little closer tonight!

30 days of Thankfulness ~Day 7

I just want to say a simple...
I am so thankful for my blessings! God has truly blessed me beyond measure! I have 4 awesome children that can drive me to insanity, but continually put a smile on my face and fill me with so much contentment.
I have a husband who is just awesome...He's already received his spot light.
I have a mom who loves me, supports me, and raised me to be a heck of a woman...even though we butt heads more than we get along.
I have great friends, women and people in my life.
Many talents that God has allowed me to use to bless his children with.
I can go on & on...but you get the point.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

Jose's brother, Mario has been fighting a 6 year battle of cancer. Jose's family called him on Wednesday morning to inform him that he is in the hospital with days left to live. My poor husband is simply devastated. I asked him to share his feelings with me last night and all he could say is, "I can't imagine never being able to see my brother again."
Even though we are over 2,200 miles apart, Mario was the only one out of the family that cared or desired a relationship to continue to grow with Jose. He is also the only one that ever liked me, or cared to have a relationship with me. Mario was truly a sweetheart, caring, loving and just a great person all around.
Jose is frantically trying to get his passport updated and plane tickets to get over there before Mario passes.
I am just praying that the Lord gives Jose peace, strength & an outpouring of love at this time.

So Long 2009...Hello 2010

What a year this has been, let me tell ya! I think everyone is in the same boat as to financial bumps, but there have also been so much more that my family, friends & loved ones have been affected by!

I started last year, 9 months pregnant, stressed and just believing God for great things as we were about to have our fourth baby.
God showed himself in a miraculous way, very personally. I saw things working together as he continued to teach me to trust in Him & Him alone. I had something deep down inside telling me that my baby was going to be a girl (because if it were a boy, things would have been MUCH more difficult!). Well, I feel as though God was showing me that it in fact was a girl, it was a promise to me about our blessing & for me to learn that "ALL things work to good for those who love the lord."
January 20, 2009 we gave birth to our blessing, promise, baby girl, Delayna Lynn Herrera.

My Honey has truly grown tremendously in God. He always loved the Lord and attended church with me, but MAN this past year he has really become a Man of God!

Anthony & Adriana had AWESOME soccer success. They both made tournaments & Spring Select. We traveled with Ant's team all over, watching them play AWESOME games!!!
Adriana set a goal for most goals made in a U10 girls division...My girl KICKS BUTT!!

Anthony went to Hooters for the first time with his soccer tournament team.

I have lost a total of 30lbs since getting pregnant with Delayna.

I clothed diapered, then gave up.

I learned the true meaning of the need to take care of myself. As a mom, wife, Youth Leader, Soccer Fundraiser Coordinator, friend, and the list goes on I forget to remember I am a human & need nurturing also.

I was blessed with the position of a table leader at MOTS.

We got a Wii! Yes, that's a big deal!

Dominic came down with a CRAZY illness, that we still don't know what was wrong with him. He was running crazy fevers, lethargic, blood in his urine, just crazy! Through prayers & trusting in the Lord, he was healed.

I went to my first LIFT conference. Wow, incredible!

My baby girl promoted from the 5th grade & started 6th grade

My baby boy started kindergarten...Now that was hard! He is such a MAMA's boy!!! It was a transition!

My BFF's Allan & Angel made the decision to commit their lives to God & were "re-born" in my church and have been serving besides us since!

My dear friend Arlene was diagnosed with cancer. We are believing for a total healing in her body!

I turned 31! I must say, they are SO much better than 20's!

Jose & I were called to be leaders in our church. Where we will be leading is still to be determined, but God has a plan that we are working on. NOT easy, believe you me, I have been going through some growing pains.

Patrick Swayze died...Yes, it was sad!

I taught my first small group at FUSION.

My dear cousin Robin went home to be with the Lord. As much as it was a great homecoming for her, she is dearly missed! I wear her necklace her mom sent me everyday. Seriously, it hasn't came off but one day to wear another that matched what I was wearing better.

We learned that Delayna is allergic to Cefdinir. And not the easy way!

I learned that the Lord has SO much for my family than I could ever dream or imagine. That as long as I walk in his will, it will all come to flourish-in!

I hope you had a great New Years Eve & a blessed New Years! Welcome 2010

Christmas Blessings

WOW, what a difference a year can make! This time last year, Jose & I were struggling, stressed, not knowing what we were going to do for anything. The Lord came through and blessed us tremendously! I praise Him & give him ALL the glory! This year, God spoke to Jose & I both, separately and we were able to bless a family in our church that wasn't able to provide Christmas for their family. And still have a great Christmas for ours...What an AWESOME God I serve!
This year, we were more focused on the "needs" of our children and what we bought to be more "useful" rather than just "another toy/game". Also, God spoke to my heart and told me to bless a special somebody in my life...my Honey! I saved up and was able to make a couple of Ben Franklin's since resigning with Pampered Chef. So I teamed up with my compadres and had Noe help me buy my Honey a GUITAR! Jose has had a yearning to learn the guitar and start playing. This is something I believe God placed in his heart, I don't know why, my husband can't keep a beat to save his life, but OK, if it's God's will & doing, I'm all in!
So Christmas morning, we all opened our gifts. After we were all done, Jose went to go get more coffee & we stopped him. I pointed to the note on the tree that just had a few things written to him & explained to him that he was going to go on a hunt. WAIT, let me back up...I wrapped up his new picks & guitar strap (he has a guitar my grandpa gave him, so I made it look as though I bought stuff for that guitar). Well, the hunt began, to each of the kids' rooms. Everyone wrote something positive to him on the note & sent him to the next destination, ending in my mom's room, behind her door, where he found his case (I told him he had to open the case to find his "strings"). Inside the case was more than "just strings", it was his guitar with a note that I slipped inside, pouring my heart out to him of what God has instructed me to do. Well, needless to say, there were LOTS of tears!
He got to enjoy his guitar for a while, the kids their stuff and we prepared to head off to my Grandpa & Grandma Roof's house to have dinner. Here's some pics from our day...

Jose & I

Ooooh La La


My Cute Grandpa


My GORGEOUS Cousin Lourdes & Bryan


My cute Grandma with her Pippy


Aunt Vonnie playing ball with the kids


Grandpa & Alli


Bryan & I


Mexican Train with Lourdes, Ant, Alli, Adrian, Adi & Jose


What it's all for!



Family tradition of getting the olives onto ALL 10 fingers!


Then to eat them off...



The Little Sisters


My babies & I


Little & my crazy socks


My pretty little girl


Look at Miss Santa Baby


The littles


Time for Wii


The journey for his gift begins...




Tears of joy


Isn't she purty!!!


Checking it out

The smile says it all


And those are just the pics Honey, you just wait ;-)



Opening her first Christmas present

Letter To Robin

Boy have I had a hard time writting this! I've really been dealing with depression & heartache over not being able to be at her service. I decided to write this and let it go. I am praying it brings some healing to me.

Anyway, here it is...

November 14, 2009

Dear Robin,

Well, this has been erased about 1,000 & 1 times. I keep trying to write you in the past tense, but just can’t seem to put the words the way I want them. I should have written this 2 months ago, when you could have read it, but I let that time pass me. So here I sit, writing to you & knowing you can’t read it, but I’m sure you hear it.

I want you to know how much I love & appreciated your friendship. I know you will say it was our friendship, but I suck at friendship. It’s something the Lord has been dealing heavily with me about & has once again used you for me to see something. I let my time go to tell you, while you were still here with me, and am now kicking myself for it. I guess a lesson learned…procrastination won’t get me very far.

You have become a true beacon of light in my life, honestly!

I have been in some situations where I have called upon you as a support. You stood with me, not only as my cousin, but as a sister in Christ. Giving me scripture to claim over the situation, prayers to pray over it, love to get me through and support to hold me up during my trying times.

You didn’t feel me with bologna, but truth. As much as it hurt, you said it…Now if that isn’t something we all need to learn!

You are someone who, no matter the circumstance, stood against the raging storms. Not only did you stand against what was given to you, you stood with your head held high, not backing down and ready to take it on, no matter what was thrown your direction. Standing on God’s promise…He is in control at ALL times.

You taught me to take every day as a blessing, no matter what it gave me.

Not to take my health & life for granted.

Robin, there are so many of us, including me, who take our bodies, temples, lives for granted. You fought everyday for yours. So many of us are capable of walking, running, playing with our children, even simple tasks of cleaning our house, mowing our lawn, grocery shopping, and the list can go on! When you wished you could do it, we are capable of it.

Watching you, taught me not to take those little things for granted.

I remember when you had your lung transplant and told me you were training for a marathon. I was awe struck! It made me reflect on what I was doing with my life. I started Weight Watchers and finally said to myself…I am doing this for Melissa! If Robin can do it in her condition, then damn it, why aren’t I?!?! I was working out on my elliptical everyday and told myself I was going to run & told everyone I knew how you inspired me. Robin, I’ve NEVER ran in my life! It killed me in school, but I knew if you could do it, so could I. Well May 24, 2008 was my first time I had Jose take me out to go running…Girl, I did it! Because of you, I did it! It didn’t last long, because a month later I found out I was pregnant, but it doesn’t mean I’m stopping. You have inspired me to take my health and run with it! I am taking hold of my life and making it the best I can, and one day, I promise you, I will be in a marathon.

Who knows, with all the effort I put into my local Relay For Life, I may start a Great Strides Chapter, here in Riverside County, in remembrance of Robin Joyce Stocking! Now wouldn’t that be something…something I need to start praying about =)

Robin, I am truly at a loss of words of what you mean to me! For years, I was envious of the relationship you had with Lourdes. But I now see, He saved the best for last! Who knows, if we were as close as teenagers, maybe we wouldn’t have had the relationship we had as adults. I can’t say. But what I can say is…Our Heavenly Father knew & had a plan all along!
Before I wrap this up…I have a confession to make. I haven’t told anyone, but my mom yesterday what I’m about to tell you.

When we were about 7 & 8 years old, my grandma and one of our Aunts, or even your mom took me out shopping at a department store. When we were there, they showed me a rack of sweaters and told me that they wanted to buy one for you for an early birthday present. Well, for whatever reason (I’m sure you & Lourdes were being “really nice” to me), I was pissed off at you. So they told me to pick out a sweater that you would like. So in my anger, I looked for the ugliest, most disgustingly ‘old’ looking sweater on the racks I could find. After all, I was MAD & I wasn’t about to get you something cute. After I picked it out, they asked me, “Are you sure this is what she would like?” Of course I replied with my sweetest voice, “Yeah, she’ll like it!” Then they asked, “Well, is it something you like & would wear?” Again…”Yeah, it’s way cool (or whatever the ‘hip’ word was)”. And off we went. Later that night, or even the next day, there was this surprise party of some sorts. I happened to have a surprise. My surprise was that my grandparents were taking me to Idaho that summer! Then they handed me a box to open up…It was that UGLY SWEATER I PICKED OUT FOR YOU! They wanted to surprise me with a sweater to take to Idaho & I was able to pick out my own sweater! I had to act surprised & excited to get that god awful sweater…After all, it was supposed to be your ugly sweater.

Robin…I love you! More than words could express, cards could describe or flowers could show!

Until that meeting in the sky…Your Cuzin…Mis, Mit, Mel

!exhausted!

MAN AM I EXHAUSTED!
We got home late Monday night.
Tuesday morning we slept in just past 9am. I got up, did my mama duties for the morning & headed out to get the truck unloaded, vacuumed & car seats out to be washed. Did a few loads of laundry & the car seats.
Wednesday I decided to clean house and go through some stuff a friend of mine brought over. It was so blasted hot that instead of putting clothes away & more cleaning, Dominic, Delayna & I all went outside to play with water balloons...That was FUN!
Thursday I had to get up & get things lined up and ready so I could head out to my Aunt Cheryl's house to pick up my boy. He went with my Aunt & Cousins up to Denver to visit my cousin Robin, Hammond's Candy Factory & of course,,,Invesco Field at Mile High (I will get a post up about that later...PROMISE!)
From my Aunts we went to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (let's just say, my Mom is addicted!) then to Costco to get some stuff that was desperately needed in the Herrera House!
Then home to unload & put stuff away, then off to James & Gail's house for Sarah's 15th birthday dinner/party.
I woke up this morning at 9am, I actually got to sleep in with all the kids here, plus Devin. That was a miracle!
But, I just feel drained!!! I have cleaned here & there. I've done a few loads of laundry, but not all put away. I've vacuumed about 5,000 times & kept the kitchen clean, but just not alot of anything.
I think I need a day to sleep, but I don't forsee that in my future.
Jose's on his way home now. I have the shrimp marinating, the dressing made & the salad waiting to be put together.
We have to get up early tomorrow morning to get ready & head out to my Grandma Wallace's house to visit with some of the family that is heading out for the 4th.
I have LOTS of posts I need to catch up on, so please be patient with me. I promise they'll get done. In the mean time if you see a bunch of jumbled letters, just know...
I fell asleep at the keyboard

Quotable Sunday

Even though I'm out on vacation, I still have internet access.
Today was an awesome day with my family & I have decided to do my quotes on "Legacy/ies".

Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment, because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived.
~Anon

"The only thing you take with you when you're gone is what you leave behind."
~John Allston

We were meant to give our lives away. Spend more time living your legacy instead of worrying about leaving it.
~ Lee J. Collan

I suppose that everyone of us hopes secretly for immortality; to leave, I mean, a name behind him which will live forever in this world, whatever he may be doing, himself, in the next.
~A.A. Milne

Your descendants shall gather your fruits.
~Virgil

Children... are our legacy. Our responsibility. They are our destiny and we are theirs. The extent to which we fail as parents, we fail as God's children.
~Dirk Benedict

Just A Girl

OK, so theres this girl who has been in my life a little over 13 years. She has always been a really cute & adorably sweet girl.
But as she grows older, she is becoming more independent & an awesome teen who will grow up to be an even awesomer woman!
The other night I was watching AI. No Doubt was on & as I was listening to Gwen Stefani sing her old classic "Just A Girl", it reminded me of this girl.
Here's the video & the lyrics:

Take this pink ribbon off my eyes

I'm exposed

And it's no big surprise

Don't you think I know

Exactly where I stand

This world is forcing me

To hold your hand

'Cause I'm just a girl, little ol' me

Don't let me out of your sight

I'm just a girl, all pretty and petite

So don't let me have any rights

Oh. . . I've had it up to here!

The moment that I step outside

So many reasons for me to run and hide

I can't do the little things

I hold so dear

'Cause it's all those little things

That I fear

'Cause I'm just a girl,

I'd rather not be

'Cause they won't let me drive

Late at night

I'm just a girl

Guess I'm some kind of freak

'Cause they all sit and stare

With their eyes

I'm just a girl

Take a good look at me

Just your typical prototype

Oh. . . I've had it up to here!

Oh. . . am I making myself clear?

I'm just a girl

I'm just a girl in the world. . .

That's all that you'll let me be!

I'm just a girl, living in captivity

Your rule of thumb

Makes me worry some

I'm just a girl, what's my destiny?

What I've succumbed to

Is making me numb

I'm just a girl, my apologies

What I've become is so burdensome

I'm just a girl, lucky me

Twiddle-dum there's no comparison

Oh. . . I've had it up to

Oh. . . I've had it up to

Oh. . . I've had it up to here.

This girl is Radically Honest & this song just fits her to the 'T'! She is so individual and is totally comfortable with who she is. But there are so many people ready to judge her for who and what she is. She is disgustingly honest & I'm sure her mom can go ballistic sometimes raising her, she has learned that she is who she is...

Honest, Her Own Person, Dependent, Rockin, and Just One Awesome Girl!

Just an example of what she's about, here is a post I stole from her blog:

Gosh you know i just sometimes love the subject of friends..
Because you know your real ones and ones who are just plain well BITCHES... Thats right its all the truth out here .. I WILL NOT BE SILENCED OR CENSORED!!!!!!!

The real ones know what to do in situations..Fake ones will just be theirselves no matter the outcome.. Which in some cases is really , really bad!

Some things a real friend does..

1-Will Never date your ex.
2-Lie to you about how you look.
3-Listen to the other things the friend has to say.
4-Meet the other friends of their friends, and consider liking them.
5-Wont keep secrets.

Simple things Right?

Some things a not so real friend will do...

1-Not give a shit about what happened between you and your ex and will sleep/date him behind your back..AND BRAG ABOUT IT...
2-Give advice for clothing..when really it makes you look like a slutty whore.
3-Disregard everything they say and go off and hurt themselves..While the other friend [the real one] wont come and help because if they do they will say 'I told you SO..'
4-Completely use the other friends and turn them against eachother.
5-D. All of the above..

So keep your friends close and your enemies closer..cause you never know what side your friends are on..

I am proud to know Cera (which she was named after a Dinosaur, you remember Land Before Times...YUP, Cera the triceratops & she is just like her!).

Thank you my sistah from another mutha for allowing me to be part of your daughter's life. You are raising one awesome human being, who in my opinion, FREAKING ROCKS!!!

PS, I go on your blog Miss Missy just to listen to your music sometimes =}

Love You Both!

Easter 2009

Easter has become a VERY special holiday for our family. For the past 4 years we have been involved in our church's Easter Outreach. Starting Saturday we help with the outreach at the park (which is a very long & hard day, but SO fulfilling!!!!) and then Sunday we have church in the park.
This year Jose and I partnered up with Noe & Monica to do the Food Crew on Saturday. We were up at 6:30 am getting ourselves ready & I packed Delayna's stuff up, because she was coming with us. We got to the park about an hour later to meet up with Noe & Monica. This was their first year leading the food crew & were as nervous as I'll get out. They were too cute, but did great!!!
Here's Noe directing some people.

Here is Jessica & Courtney doing hot dogs

We had over 2,000 people come out this year. It was nice seeing old faces & some of my friends come out. I just realized, I didn't get not one pic of my besties (Allan & Angel), who came out and helped for the first year!
We were home around 4 pm. And I got going on the house & the eggs.
We had a blast doing the eggs, as we always do. I love that my husband & son aren't "too old" to participate in such a family fun activity.
Here are some pics...
3 1/2 dozen of eggs


Kids coloring


Jose tried to get Delayna to 'help'


Mom looking on


I used my Avent breast milk storage cups to die the eggs in...ROFLMBO!


Here's some buzz worthy eggs (we always make special eggs)




Jose playing with the kids & the eggs



I also made cakes. My first attempt was a flopp. They stuck to the pan...WHATEVER!

My mom tried "peicing it together". She's such a dork!


So, I re-did them. Here's my "Dirt Cake" (recipe to follow later)


And my Easter Bunny Grass Cake


Easter morning we had to start early, because Jose & Adi had to be at the church by 8:15am. Here's pics & video
The baskets


Waiting for their baskets


Anthony passing the baskets out



Anthony, Dominic, Delayna & I all got ready for church & headed out. It was a gorgeous day! The message was remarkable! The skits, and message were really good!
Here's a link if your interested in watching The Rebounder.
Pastor opened up for those who want to accept Jesus as their personal savior. We had about 48 people accept and one of them was my Bestie, Angel. Allan shared his story with me about him accepting Christ as his personal savior the week before & here is his wife accepting Christ into her life. What an awesome moment! I've been praying for them for quite a while. Now to stand with them and walk with them!

After church we got home & the Easter Bunny hid eggs all over the house (not where *she* was supposed to, but it turned out great!).
In the bathroom


Front Room


Mantel


Some outside


Later Mona, Alvaro & Emilio came over to share an Easter Dinner. It was very nice to have company over & enjoy my good cooking with friends! Just as we sat down to eat, Gail, James, Mark, Sarah & Devin came by.
My Easter Dinner Table


My Famous Glazed Ham (I've had requests for this!)



The end of a long day! Me and my girls


Don't know which is better


The kids went through 2 HUGE bottles of bubbles!



My baby girl's first Easter



God really blessed our day & I loved it! Hope you were all blessed as much as my family was!