Thursday, July 10, 2008

Herrera Boy's First Camp Night

Anthony got a wild hair and wanted to camp out back with Dominic. So, we let him set up the little tent that we do have.

Here's Anthony setting the tent up

The Dogs trying to get in, a little dark


Dominic bringing the blankets down



Now the pillows



It's all set up!


Taking his pillow out to the tent

Piling more blankets & pillows in


ALL DONE! Yeah!


Bobo & Bits in the tent ready for bed.


Jose and I were up at 4 am getting ready for work. So I sent Jose out to check on them. He said they were snoring.
So, after I got dressed, I went out and checked on them & they were both bundled up and sleeping like babies.
It is now almost 7 am and the sun is rising.
I wonder if they are up yet.
Just one of them moments that makes me proud to be a mama!
~The Biggest Blessing Is Being Called Mama~

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

It's Not A Mistake

This afternoon Anthony, Dominic & I were in the pool and out of the blue Anthony said, "Mom, never tell you child that they were a mistake."
I was blown away and confused. So I asked him, "What do you mean?"
He replied, "This baby isn't a mistake and you should never tell it that it was."
I explained to him, that NO this baby isn't a mistake, but it is a suprise and was 100% unexpected.
My son has GOT to be the sweetest boy I have known.
He loves this baby already and is so concerned and caring.
He really cares about my being and how I am feeling. How the baby is doing and growing.
I am truely blessed!

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Silly Kids @ LCC Softball

Well, since the kids saw I had my camera, we decided to have fun.
I am sparing you by not posting all the pics, but let's just say there were many repeats, just different faces...LOL

Dom wearing Kristen's sunglasses


Silly sisters w/ roll up tongues


Dom & Kayla, best of friends


Hailee, Adriana, Kayla, Dominic & Alexi




Sweet Babies!


Pretty Girls


Now the silly faces....


Awe, a sweet one


Yeah, silly again, posing

Legacy Softball Baby!

Well, I FINALLY felt well enough to go to Jose's softball game. If you know me, you know that I am at EVERY SINGLE soccer game my kids have, EVERY SINGLE soccer game Jose has ever had, and EVERY SINGLE performance anyone in my family might be a part of.
I guess you could label me as a "soccer mom" and I am proud to carry the name!
Well, this pregnancy has really been kicking my butt! I have been SO sick and especially tired to attend Jose's softball games. Well, his season is almost over and my sickness is finally lifting up. So, I did what I had to do (aka slept almost all day :-) ), made dinner early and got everybody ready so that I could go to his game. Here are a few pics...

Who's On Second?... JOSE!


PT & "Coach" Jim


Run Forest,


I mean Jose, RUN!


Jose & Eric tossing the ball


Awe, PT being a Poser...LOL


Yeah, Jim's one too!


Watch


This


Move... WHOOPS!


Come On Baby!

Monday, July 7, 2008

FUSION Youth

Sunday we went to FUSION (our church youth group that Jose & I are mentors at).
Pastor Mike planned a Bobbing For Apple Contest.
It was great fun! Here are some pics...

Group 1, before the dunk
Group #2, before the dunk (Oh Yes, that's Jose!)

Noe guarding the apples

Jose going in for his apple


Little Noa trying for an apple,,,He has NO front teeth!


Zach got one!
After The Dunk!

Dewey going in for another...
Watch Out!
Jose will hold you under!
Get 'Em Dewey!
James & Noe got him back too...Ha Ha Ha
Pastor Mike bringing the word.
Actually he was edumacating the kids on camping.

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Independence Day 2008

We had a family fun filled day!
I came home from work and Jose and I went and bought chicken & stuff for potato salad.
Came home and cooked.
Gail, James, Sarah, Mark & Devin came over as well as Aunt Vonnie & Bryan.
We all ate and spent time together.
Then drove to Banning to watch the fireworks show over there.
Here's some pics...
Mom & Domi waiting for the fireworks


Jose, of course

Anthony & Mark watching the show


Dominic during the whole show. He did not like the fireworks!

Here's some pics of the fireworks I took...



Friday, July 4, 2008

Skinny Minny

Dominic is so funny! He is such a skinny little guy. Yesterday he was walking around the house pulling up his swim shorts over his belly, then would suck in his stomach and they would fall down. So I got it on camera, of course he acts silly once the camera is out, but here is my Skinny Minny Boy...

Thursday, July 3, 2008

6 Months Later

I am finally posting.
Gees, I can't believe I haven't posted since January!
So much has happened and I don't even know where to start to update.
Let see...
~January~Dominic & I started MOPS. It took a few times for him to get comfortable, but he really enjoyed his class.
Ant & Adi are doing really well in school
I started my new job at Ladies Workout Express. It's the club that I have been going to for 5+ years.
I really enjoy the atmosphere & you can't beat the hours!

~February~ Dom & I started going to a Mom's group and socializing w/ some friends.

~March~ Easter time! We all helped with the egg stuffing. That was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed the time with the kids. Dominic really got into helping his grammie stuff the eggs, along w/ his own mouth.
Then on Easter Sunday, Anthony, Adriana, Sarah & Brandon all helped with the egg hunt and food prep.
The kids really take away a great lesson from our easter outreach. Adriana really touched me after all was said and done. She has a vision for our church and sees herself working with families and giving them clothes.
That little girl has a heart of gold and shows more and more the older she gets!
Jose and I celebrated 12 years of marriage together. As every year goes by, the Lord shows me how blessed I am. I have a wonderful husband and 3 beautiful children. I have truely been blessed beyond measure! Despite all circumstances.

~April~I took Anthony, Sarah, Brandon & a group of kids to Knotts Berry Farm with the church. That was LOTS of fun!
Relay For Life started to get planned. I am really hoping for a great team & to reach a $2,000 goal!

~May~ Relay For Life was on the 3rd & 4th. The kids helped me set up our booth. I may have to do a whole post just for Relay For Life.
The kids have really learned why we do this, no matter how hard it is!
I had great support this year from my new found friend, Mona as well as a great team. I had every time slot filled, except for 1 hour. I was floored by the support!
We made $1,300 to give to the ACS.
Not bad!
Next year I will be planning early and teaming up with my church and I will be raising funds in Honor of a dear friend and wonderful Pastor, Gilbert Calderon.
I started Weight Watchers and am doing really great on it!
I lost 6 lbs in 3 weeks!
Let's keep it up!

~June~ Well, I have been dealing with LOTS of health issues. I thought with the weight loss (10lbs overall) that maybe I wasn't eating enough or my body was changing. I hadn't been feeling well, other issues I won't post on here.
So on June 5th, I decided to take a pregnancy test, just to rule that out.
Well, it was positive.
Jose and I were not expecting this. Our financial status was FINALLY starting to improve with his new job. I was on my great weight loss journey of turning Melissa into the strong healthy wife & mom I should be.
Well, God laughed at us, threw us a monkey wrench and laughed some more.
So, we are going to turn our family of 5 into a family of 6 (which happens to be our number).
After MUCH discussion, Jose and I both decided that we are BOTH going to get our 'tubes' tied.
We are VERY happy with 4 children and we want to raise them and see them grow, while giving them the best that we can.
This month has been a HORRIBLE one!
All day sickness, lack of energy, moodiness, etc, etc etc.
Yesterday was my first day of actually feeling back to my old self.
I even enjoyed cleaning and making dinner!
Praise God! I couldn't do it much longer!
I was ready for someone to grant me with the $hittiest mother & wife of the year award.
Well, here it is July.
I am going to attempt getting on at least once a week to update all of our families happenings.
I really enjoy looking back and seeing all the progress, good times, etc.
So until next time...
Stay cool, enjoy every moment with your children, and don't forget to take time for your spouse.
Your are loved more than you will EVER know!