She's At It Again!

MommaInFlipFlops2 has some really cool cloth diapers up for grabs.
Go check out her giveaway of the day here: http://mommainflipflops2.blogspot.com/2008/11/motherease-review-giveaway.html
Mother-ease diapers https://usshop.motherease.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=8&cat=Sandy%27s%99+Diaper are really cute & seem to hold a lot for your babes!
Feel more than welcome to get me some of these for my Welcome Home Baby Shower :)

Shout Out

I heard recently that I have a few fans, that don't comment on my blog.
So I thought I would give them a secret Shout Out!

1) Carrie~Yes, little Gwenie went to school and told Adriana that you commented that I am a blogging freak...I LOVE IT!!! She said that when I go into labor that I would tell Jose, "Wait babe, I have to go blog and let everyone know that I am going to have the baby."
Bwahahahahahaha I think it's hillarious!!!!

2) Jessi-K~Since you came out and told me that you are a devoted reader, I thought I would let you know that I love you and we will always be here for you!
Huge prayers going out for you, Cera & Courtney right now during this tough time!
Your mom was an AWESOME woman!!! She will be FOREVER missed and loved! A special post is coming up for her as soon as I can get my thoughts together....
Love You Jess!!!

Anyone else wanting to be noticed as a devoted Herrera Family Blog reader? Shoot me an email or leave a comment.
Anything else you want to know about my crazy family? Just ask!
Until next post, have a great one and may you ALWAYS be blessed!!!

Yum Yum Yum!

So Christmas time is upon us!!! Yes, I am a freak that starts right after Halloween, but that's ok!
Well, I have a friend, Mickie, who makes this TO DIE FOR Peppermint Bark. Her daughter and I used to work together and I would be 'blessed' with "Mickie's Peppermint Bark" every year during Chirstmas time.
Well, Jackie and I haven't worked together for about 3+ years and I haven't had "Mickie's Peppermint Bark" for just as long. I have craved it every year, but this year *I think due to my crazy hormones* has been an even more intense craving.
So, after my morning 'flash' from Mickie, I thought, "I'm emailing her and BEGGING her for her recipe. Either that or she's making me a BIG 'OL BATCH!"
Well, she sent me the recipe and guess what...
I have a BIG 'OL BATCH in the fridge!!!
I can't wait until it is done!
My mom & Little went to church and I took Daise to practice and on my way home Bits & I stopped by Staters to get the chocolate (and a bag of Frito's BBQ Twists). They didn't have the candy canes, so I then had to go to Walgreens to get those.
We got home and had a blast making our 'Christmas Candy' *as Bits calls it*.
He keeps going to the fridge, feeling it and saying, "It's done Mama! I can have some now?"
Off to get Ant from practice and hoping it will be set by the time I get home so I can have a piece before I go to bed :)
Thank You Mickie!!!!

More cloth diaper info

Wet bag: A waterproof bag used for storing cloth diapers in your diaper bag. Common closures include drawstrings, zippers or hook and loop tape.
Yeah, something else I need in this journey of cloth diapering.
How do I make this fun & a bit easier?
I have bloggers that do AWESOME giveaways!!!!
MommaInFlipFlops2 has posted a really cool giveaway from a Sewing Mama. You can check out MommaInFlipFlops2 post here: http://mommainflipflops2.blogspot.com/2008/11/smjae-review-giveaway.html
Then head over to http://hyenacart.com/SMJAE/index.php?viewall=1 to see all of the really cool products they have to offer. I must add, the prices are really reasonable. Yes I did say that!
So go check it out!!!

Babywearing Week

I never knew there was such a thing.
A blog that I follow is featuring it all week and today they are giving you a chance to win a Baby Carrier.
They are gorgeous! You can go here: http://www.thriftyandchicmom.com/2008/11/babywearing-week-giveaway-1.html#comment-formto check out the details.

Happy Veteran's Day!

Just a few thoughts...
I am a grandaughter & cousin of Veteran's and I am PROUD to be one!
I do truly pray that I can instill the pride into my children and one day one of my children will choose to serve our country with pride (as hard as that is to say, it is a true desire of my heart). I am proud to be part of my family and friend to all those who have served, are still serving and to Alvie, who just enrolled
So on this day not only do I want to honor ALL Veteran's for their service, but I want to 'shout out' to my Grandpa


My Cousins


A Prayer For Our Men & Women
We ask for blessings on all those who have served their country in the armed forces.
We ask for healing for the veterans who have been wounded, in body and soul, in conflicts around the globe.
We pray especially for the young men and women, in the thousands, who are coming home from Iraq with injured bodies and traumatized spirits.
Bring solace to them, O Lord; may we pray for them when they cannot pray.
We ask for, echoing John Paul II, an end to wars and the dawning of a new era of peace,
As a way to honor all the veterans of past wars.

Have mercy on all our veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq,
Bring peace to their hearts and peace to the regions they fought in.
Bless all the soldiers who served in non-combative posts;
May their calling to service continue in their lives in many positive ways.

Give us all the creative vision to see a world which, grown weary with fighting,
Moves to affirming the life of every human being and so moves beyond war.
Hear our prayer, O Prince of Peace, hear our prayer.

Refrigerator Update!!!

Yeah, our part came in this morning for the 'fridge. Jose got home and before he even ate got that sucker in!
We all ate dinner & started cleaning up. I went and felt the inside of my 'fridge and guess what...
IT WAS COLD!!!!
WOO HOO!!! My husband is the bomb, Oh Yeah, he's the bomb
So, he started to clean the 'fridge out and wash everything. I got up to help, but he yelled at me and told me to go sit my butt down (I have been having issues with my back and whole pelvic area. The baby is getting big & weighing on me).
So as I speak, he is cleaning out the whole thing and by the morning I should have a fully functioning refrigerator!!!!!!!

It's Cloth Diaper Month

http://mommainflipflops2.blogspot.com/ Is having Cloth Diaper Month and giving away one diaper from http://knickernappies.com/
Go check out the Momma In Flip Flips2 and review the awesome diapers!

My personal election feelings

Well history was made and Obama is our president. Not what I hoped for, but I stand up as an American and accept it. I will stand in my duties and pray for our president and our country. We have a lot to get through and the Lord knows what He is doing. I trust in Him and believe He has a much greater plan than what I think/imagine.

Now the frustration...
Proposition 2 (Standards for Confining Farm Animals)is a prop that would change the way animals are treated, handled and cared for. Yes I agree that our farming animals should be treated in a manner that we would treat our own domestic animals, but the cost of such treatment can and I'm sure will be out the window. Right now I am paying $1.99 a dozen of eggs and $2.69 a gallon of milk. I am sure by the time this is all put into place we will be paying double, not to mention the price of meat.
Now that's not what really bites my butt. What really gets my blood flowing is the fact that we will give animals "respect", but will treat our daughters like an animal.
I am talking about Proposition 4 (Parent Notification Before Terminating Minor's Pregnancy).
Prop 4 did not pass, and in turn, as a parent will not be notified IF my daughter was to go and have an abortion.
First of all, Do we have no respect for our daughters!?!
Do we not care about what happens to our daughters behind our backs!?!?
I am frustrated beyond belief on this measure! Who are the people that first of all put this in to begin with and who are these idiots that voted against it!?!?!
I pray that I raise my daughter to demand the respect she deserves and NEVER gets into a predicament to be a teen mother, that she feels she can come to me under ANY circumstance to let me know IF she is pregnant, and that she would NEVER feel that terminating the pregnancy is an option. But these other girls that are being raised to disrespect their parents, to be out having sex at an age that they don't even know right from wrong and God forbid get pregnant and go terminate the pregnancy without their parents knowledge.
The parents don't even need to know that the girl is pregnant and she can just go have an abortion! UGH, frustration beyond belief.
Prop 8 (Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry) is still in limbo. The most current poll states 52% Yes to 48% No.
Here we are more wrapped up in the president & prop 8 (not that those aren't important, don't mis-understand me!) that our daughters were being tossed like a dirty rag and that vote got denied...
I will get off of my soapbox for now, but I felt I needed to express my concerns over this state & our morals being washed down the gutters along with the rest of the trash...

Let's all take a guess!

Since day one this baby has been a surprise and we are keeping it that way until s/he is born.
I made up a game online that everyone can put their guesses into.
So come and guess with us!

Proud To Be American!

Yeah, I did it. Ok, some of you may think that I'm a freak, but I have only voted one other time than today. It was the first time Bush ran, and Yes, I voted for him.
Anyway, I wanted to express my pride and pat myself on the back for taking my God given right and using it!
I have been in a prayer ALL day today. I know, it's only a bit after 9am, but I've been up since 4:25am, that's a LONG time!
While I was driving in to work this morning, Air1 was talking about the election and something just fell over me and I began to cry and just pray for our country. Then after I got off of work and was heading over to my polling station I began to cry and pray some more. This is a HEAVY year for elections, no matter what side you are voting for.
The state of California has a few ballots up that are really going to effect the outcome of our children.
First and foremost
The future of our children rely on your YES vote. I won't get into ALL of my views on this, but just knowing that the vows of a marriage are made to be between a man and a woman says it all. Not to mention that God created Man and from Man was created Woman. If it was intended to be something different, then it would have been.










Secondly~ Proposition 4 http://www.yeson4.net/default.aspx
I want to know why in the world ANY adult, that would be a parent, would even put into act something that wouldn't allow you to know what is going on with your child. Especially having an abortion behind you back!?!?!
Anyways, I've done my part, now go out and do yours!
I pray that the Lord's Will is done during this election and NO MATTER WHO is put into office, I pray that the Lord's hand be upon him!

My Election Day Baby

My election day baby girl turned 10 years old today. She is such a good girl! I never thought I would get over those days that she whined and cried all the time, but I did!
She still has her days, but that just makes her who she is, and she is definitely a girl!
I had to go to court with my mom early this morning, so the kids stayed home from school. When I got home she was ready to go to school. She seemed to have a good day when I picked her up.
We all went home and put groceries away and I began to cook and clean.
She requested Chinese food, so I made Egg Drop Soup and Chicken Fried Rice with Fortune Cookies and Apple Dump Cake for desert. It was all VERY YUMMY!
James & Devin came over and had dinner with us (Gail was sick and Sarah just didn't come).
It was all in all a very nice day for her.
She had a visit from Bill & Karen who brought her a card with 5 $2 bills (this is a tradition of Karen's for the kids) and a really nice shirt.
Then Mona came over and gave her some mula as did Jodi.
I totally forgot to give her our present with everything else going on. So just before bed I put her outfits on my bed and had her come see them.
Jose and I got her 2 outfits. One is a Limited Two Sweater with a pair of Levis and the other is another pair of Levis with a Hannah Montana purple top with a Hannah Montana Boys Cap, scarf & gloves that all match.
So Happy Birthday My Baby Girl!!!
Mama Loves You!!!

Halloween Pics

So after yesterday's post, I was VERY bummed I wasn't going to be able to have a camera to take pics. Well, I called my Sister In Law and asked her if I could use hers until I got mine fixed (she isn't a pic taker like me) and she let me use it...YAY!!!!
So, here are pics of Halloween...
Ant & I painted my belly like a pumpkin




The end result...

Dominic & the Baby as pumpkins :)

Devin & Dominic

After T&T we went to a friends house from church and helped out. Here is a pic of Bob

Anthony put Smarties on the eyes of my pumpkin and I had a glowing thing in my belly button

My cute little boy

Ant & Me

My Honey & Me


I just realized I don't have a pic of Adriana. She was a construction worker.
The night was LOTS of fun, but MAN was I in pain!!! My back and pelvic bone was KILLING me just after an hour of walking. Devin's little legs were hurting him & Dominic was done. Not to bad for being 3 & 4 year olds out walking.

I am SO bummed!

I just got the bill to fix my refrigerator. It is going to cost us $155 to get it fixed. WHAT!?!?!
Jose found the part for just under $15, these people are a rip off! I am praying Jose can figure out how to fix it. We had to pay them $35 just to come out...IDIOTS!
Then I did an estimate for my camera to get fixed and that is going to cost me $149!
I am SO bummed!!!!
I can't go without a refrigerator, but my life involves my camera so much!
I couldn't even take pics of the kids carving the pumpkins last night, I can't take pics of my kids tonight dressed up for Halloween, nothing!
With the baby coming, I have to have my camera!
What am I going to do!?!
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
If you have any suggestions on what to do with my camera situation, I would really appreciate it!
Otherwise you are more than welcome to wallow in my pain with me.

Happy Halloween

This is my picture for the holiday, because my camera finally kicked the bucket yesterday... :(
We carved our pumpkins yesterday afternoon. Dominic didn't want anything to do with it at first. He couldn't stand the feel of it, but after Jose working with him and showing that it's not that nasty, he was fine. Dominic & Jose carved the pumpkin that Adriana drew out and then Anthony carved his own pumpkin.
They both came out really cute!
Today I have to do a K-Mart run to get some orange paint for my belly and pick up Dominic's costume from Gail.
Then tonight we will be going out Trick or Treating and then heading over to one of our friend's house to help with the candy hand out for our church outreach.
I am very excited! I love Halloween, it's just so much fun!!!
Hopefully I will make it through the night. I have been feeling sick and heaviness in my chest. I really think it's my allergies that are moving down into my chest...BOOOO
Anyway,,,I hope you have a wonderful holiday!

Recent Scores

Well, yesterday must have been a day of blessings.
I have recently found a group called Freecycle (new to me, old to others). What Freecycle is, is a group of people that posts things that they are trying to get rid of, instead of throwing it away or selling & people post things that they need.
Well, on Monday I went and picked up 2 older dressers that had been sitting outside of a house that someone was trying to get rid of. Well, I am in the process of re-finishing them and changing them into dressers for Dominic & Baby D.
Well, here I will just cut and paste. Makes it easier for me, and you can just read it all out...
I have been SO stressed over things for the baby, it's not even funny!
Anyways, I have been praying that the Lord will bless us with things that we need, not what we want.
Well, my friend told me about a local Freecycle (never knew they existed) and so I joined.
Monday night I went and picked up 2 really nice dressers. They are only 3 drawers, but one will be used for Dom and the other will be used for the baby.
They needed to be cleaned (DONE!) and I have to sand parts down and repaint them, but they are perfect & I can customize them to what *I* want
Then I saw a post the other day

Infant sling. This is the kind you wear around your body to craddle your infant. New Fisher Price Baby Monitor w/Receiver in the box. Never used. Would like to give these to someone who really needs them. Please indicate in your email the day and time you can pickup. Will make a decision by tomorrow evening.

So I replied to the post

Hi Elisa, I saw your offer. I am going to have my 4th in January and unfortunately gave everything away from my last baby (not expecting to have another.) I was interested in your items. Also was wondering what type of a baby sling it was, I LOVE wearing babies. I think it is SO much better for them. Thanks for any response.

And this is what I found in my box yesterday

Hi!
I'm going to offer them to you. I just had my 4th (unexpected), so I know what's like getting rid of everything and start over.
The baby sling you wear around your body and you tuck your baby inside to carry with you. It's more for a new baby. If you're not interested in it, I could give it to someone else. I think it's very nice.
When could you come pickup?

Elisa

Yeah, I was SO excited that I posted on a board that I have been on since having Dom, just to share my excitement. Well, to my surprise, these were the responses:
Steph~"wow Melissa!! What a blessing!!
I'm so glad that God is providing thru unexpected sources for you and for this baby!!!
So do you seriously have NOTHING??
just the stuff that you've been given recently?? "

My reply~"I seriously have nothing.
Actually, a girl that works out at my work brought in a bag of 3-6 mos girl clothes, a pink & brown diaper bag and some funky toy that attaches to the car seat I am assuming.
My SIL bought a car seat for me from a yard sale (I posted about this a while back).
I have bought some baby soap, baby lotion, baby powder and a pack of onsies(those are all the onsies I have).
I have a friend giving me her son's crib and I plan on making my own bedding since it is so expensive.
That's it... "
AGAIN, not my intention to "whine", just answering a question. I am BLESSED to have what I do have now! Well, this is what I get next...

Jen~"melissa, that rocks!!! can you list other things you want/need, so i can keep an eye out on freecycle and stuff? you know i am the master at finding good deals "

My reply~"You can list what you want. I am still new and feeling it out, so really don't know.
It's a Yahoo group here for me.
Try looking it up. "

Jen~"OH no no melissa, you misunderstood, sorry i was clearer-i am a freecyle pro, been doing it since i was preg with mairi.

i want YOU to make a list for ME of the things YOU want and need for the baby So then I can keep an eye out locally for stuff, and then ship to you (I'll pay, I want to bless you!)

So make a list already "

Leah~"I wish I would have realized you needed some things, I would have held on to all the baby boy clothes I just gave away to someone else for you (until you had the baby-- to see if you need BOY clothes). I literally just gave away 6 big black trash bags FULL of baby boy clothes. I kept all of Slaydes things, I guess at the time I didnt realize the amount I actually had. Until I pulled them back out for Griffin.... I was totally overwhelmed and had to have my mom come over and help me sort through them all. I also threw out a baby monitor, and a basinett, and a wipe warmer (I didnt like it)."

Kelley~"Melissa, if you'd put the list on here I could watch freecycle and craigslist here for you. Plus sometimes Moms at my Preschool will offer stuff to me (for the preschool dept) and I'd be glad to send some good stuff your way!

Give us a wish list!!

Are you not finding out what you are having?? "

Can you say, 'Emotion Overload!?!' I am so set back by my dear friends (they are all across country, LIKE N.Y. & VIRGINIA!). They care SO much that they are willing to go out of their way to find me things for my baby and bless me.
WOW. Absolutely Speechless!
Thank You My Dear Friends!!!!! Off to grab the box of tissues again! I can't even bring myself to make the list, I am just SO overwhelmed!

Your willing to give what you have

Recently Jose & I have been having a time, if you don't know...Jose has been VERY slow on work! Times are tough, but we are continuing to stand on our promises and know we will get through.
Well, yesterday I had a friend call me and ask some questions. Here's what our conversation sounded like,
M~"So Melissa, do you have any paper towels?"
Me~"Yeah, I have a roll, why?"
M~"Can I have some?"
Me~"Well, I only have one roll, but I will give you some if you need some."
M~"Do you have any toilet paper?"
Me~"Yeah, I have a few rolls and a new package, why?"
M~"What kind do you have?"
Me~"I bought White Cloud this week."
M~"Can I have some?"
Me~"Yeah, how much do you need?"
M~"Do you have any laundry soap?"
Me~"Yeah, I have a bottle, why?"
M~"What brand do you like?"
Me~"I buy what's on sale."
M~"You don't buy a certain brand?"
Me~"No, I'm not too picky, especially being tight on money."
M~"Well, can I have some?"
Me~"Sure, how much do you need?"
M~"Do you have any Downy?"
Me~"No, I bought Suavetel this week, do you need some of that too?"
M~"Yeah."
Me~"Ok."
M~"Alright, I will be over after work to get it from you."
Me~"Well, tell me how much you need and I will have it all ready when you get here."
M~"Don't worry about it, I will let you know when I get there."
Me~"Alright, I will see you later then."
M~"Ok, bye."

So a few hours later, I was in my kitchen cleaning and getting everything ready for my brother's birthday dinner. Anthony yells, "Mom, 'M' is here!"
So I tell him to let her in and have her come to the kitchen.
She comes in, carrying 2 bags chuck full of stuff. I said,
"M, what are you doing!?!"
She replied, "Melissa, you have nothing and your are struggling, yet you are still willing to give me things that I might need. These are for you."
UGH, my heart about dropped! I know I have friends in my life who care, but WOW!
I'm not one to take hand outs, nor am I one to "whine" about my situation. I know the Lord will provide and I feel like I don't need to go around announcing my problems to everyone. But the Lord knows what we need, and as long as we are faithful and have a giving heart, I feel like He WILL bless us in return.
It's not what we say, it's what we do and what is TRULY in our hearts that matters the most.
So, Thank You 'M' & Praise You Father God!

Back In The Day

I know I have shared w/ a few select of my friends...
I used to rap. Yeah, little white girl-wanna be mexican-rapper.
My favorite was Queen Latifa & Da Brat.
Well, while I was out picking the kids up from school today they played a song that I used to rap to. It's Ahmad-Back In The Day
While listening to it and attempting to rap like back in the day, I started realizing the words and thinking, this guys sure is right. Here's a verse of the song:
"I miss those days, pouting like a jerk, wishing all I had to do now is finish homework. It's true, you don't realize what you got 'till it's gone...Sometimes I do sit and reminisce then think about the years I was raised, back in the day... "
Of course the video is being attached


OK, and so while I was on that page, I couldn't help but take myself back to 1 more song that YES, I used to rap to. Here they are, I hope they take you back too...
Skee-Lo I wish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtcy-PWCHvw

OH, and I found my "inspiration" song!!!! I almost got into a fight w/ some little punks while walking to the store. My best friend, Janis and I were walking and a couple of little boys called me the *B* word.
Well, I took the words that The Queen used and said, "Who you calling a *B*!?!" and perused to get in their faces. Those boys were not about to disrespect me and it was all because of what The Queen said! No, I didn't fight them, someone heard my big mouth and came to my rescue. I don't know what would have happened, but this girl was NOT about to take anything from any boy. I saw too much growing up and I was not about to be treated the same way.
Now that you know the story, here is the song.
(It's not letting me put the video up, so here is the link)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prhF6LE89z4

Such a proud wifey

So, amongst a million and one things smacking me in the face this week, my refrigerator broke! UGH, I can't tell you how done I am!
My sweet & hard working husband who thinks he can fix the world has really been trying to get the 'fridge fixed. Unfortunately we can't pay someone to come out and do it, but he is really trying hard!
Last night I was busy doing something, and I looked over and noticed him pulling the fridge out, again. My poor husband had just got home and ate & he is just non-stop. After a few minutes pass, I notice he is on the computer. Now if you know Jose, he is NEVER on the computer, well it's rare!
I continued doing what I was doing and after a while got up to see what exactly he was doing on the computer.
Well, my smart little cookie of a husband, who rarely uses the computer, was on there looking up tutorials on our refrigerator trying to figure out how to fix it.
Definitely a Proud Wifey moment, I just have such a good husband that will figure anything out that is given to him!
So, after working on it for about an hour, he thinks he might know what is wrong with it. But, still not positive.
So, I will keep you posted as the refrigerator saga continues...

A test of faith

I have been being taught lately to have "Faith". Let me tell ya, have Jose and I been tested in this water!
The Websters definition for Faith is: belief and trust in and loyalty to God (2): belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion b (1): firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2): complete trust
WOW, now if that aint the truth in my life right now!
As I was talking to God this morning and just asking him for what needs to be done. I asked Him, "Lord, give me something."
I was going through my lesson for Sunday, Nothing.
Going through some message boards, like I would find anything there.
Then I started going through some updated blogs. There is one that I follow that has been off for a while, but she updated last night. What she wrote caught my eye and included a song.

I am in a valley right now but I HAVE to believe that He will bring me through....please keep me in your prayers.

So simple, yet so powerful! So as I post this, I just ask that you keep my family in your prayers.