The Grandparents That Shaped Me

At some point in your life you have had that one person you worry about getting that person's acceptance. That person in my life was my grandma as well as my grandpa. Will my grandma scold me today for not visiting in a long time? Or will she embrace me? Will she love my boyfriend soon to be husband or will she tell him to never come back again? Will she be happy for me or mad at me for my decisions I made. In the 94 years my grandma lived on earth she was all of this but most of all embraced us with her love.

As my grandma's funeral nears it brings me sadness but also great joy. She lived for 94 years and she loved the lord with all her heart. I adored that about her.

She and my grandpa were the people I think of that brings joy to my heart.  My grandma and grandpa took care of myself and my siblings for many years until we became latch key kids. My dad and mom whom were divorced worked long hours and plus my mom who had us 98% of the time had to commute to work. She was blessed with great parents that loved their grandchildren as their own. 

Before kindergarten I remember staying with my grandparents all day watching Sesame Street, Price is Right, All my Children, One Life to Live and General Hospital. They got us hooked on the soaps! HaHaHa! They lived in an cottage/Victorian style house which I loved. I also wanted to live in house just like that with a swamp cooler and old windows! My grandparents were funny though they had old toliets with plants in the front yard. It was normal for me though.  Now we didn't watch TV all day but when  my brothers & sister would come home from school and it was cartoon time & playtime with our neighborhood friends. We loved being at my grandparents.

My grandfather had a huge workshop in the back and he would make things and we loved to explore in there. He let us hang out with him and we adored him. He would even let us play hairdresser with the hair he had left.

When I started school my grandpa walked us all to school and when Madison Elementary closed down he walked us to our new bus stop for Alpha Elementary. Right before school my grandma would make us breakfast but we will always remember her best breakfast which were her pancakes. They were amazing!!!!! She would pack us lunch and my sister and I will never forget her egg salad sandwiches. When we got home from school dinner would be cooking for us. She made my sister fried potatoes almost everyday since it was her favorite. It never failed that homemade beans and the best tortillas ever were available too. They were to die for!!!  Grandma knew how to throw it down in the kitchen definitely! Her corn beef & hash or empanadas were yummo! Can't forget when they would get their SSI check and happy meals for us at the beginning of the month. Great times!

They always watched us carefully whether playing in the front or back or riding our bikes. I remember walking through the back alley with my grandmas cart to go to the store with her. Those were fond memories. I used to even pretend to be sleeping when my mom would pick us up so I can stay with my grandma and grandpa over night. After all I had clothes there anyways. I loved it there and every night I'd stay I'd sleep in my grandma's bed and she would put Vick's on her nose and mine. When I smell Vick's I think of her always.

My Nana singing and clapping for my 2nd Birthday

She gave us baths, wiped our butts and spank them!

Oh but she knew how to sew! My grandma even made my brother's cabbage patch "cool" clothes. Which was an outfit of skulls and bones. She made me the best outfits and I remember a time when I wore one of her outfits she made for me for picture day and my mom didn't want to buy the pictures for some reason so my grandma bought them.  They were one of my favorite pictures because I loved my outfit.

Even maybe 6 months before she passed she sewed away. She made amazing blankets which people even ordered from her.  All my babies have blankets she made for them plus extras! She made this beautiful comforter for my cousin and his wife for their wedding gift in which I totally envied!!!

My Aunt, Uncles, Mom, Nana and the first 4 grand kids.

I had the pleasure to actually live with my grandma in my early 20's and she was so good to me even then and kept a watchful eye on me!

I can go on and on about how wonderful my grandparents were. They were wonderful to us and took good care of us. We were their second batch of their kids. I adored both and although I know my grandparents are happy and I will see them again, my heart still aches.

I will never forget both of their humor, it runs in the family! Two weeks ago my grandma was telling my mom to go and get her Mexican bread. I said I will go down the street to go and get it but no she wanted some from a certain bakery!  Such demands grandma, hahaa! I loved it and I would do anything for her!  So I went and stocked up on her favorite breads. She cracks me up, even until the end.

When my grandfather passed in 1995 it was almost a blur. It took me baby steps to realize I wouldn't see him anymore and plus I was a teenager. I grieved more as I got older and more mature. Oh how I miss him especially since he is still the father figure I longed for.

Taylor, Sis, My mom and Nana with me in the front

Now that I am an adult and when my grandmother recently passed the emotions were bittersweet. The relief came knowing she longed to see her king, and her babies she lost years ago. But oh how it hurts us that remain on earth. I have never been as close to someone or seen someone who just passed, like I did with my grandma. It was nice to sit and hold my grandmas hand, kiss her forehead or caress her hair. Just to smell her was soothing. I felt calming peace. I realized and explained to the kids and my son that it was just her shell. Thank you Lord for taking her!

 I am going to miss her smell, seeing her wear her gold earrings and her smile. I am so thankful for my grandma aka Nana and grandpa. They shaped me into the person I am today. They loved me with everything they had. I love and thank them for everything they have done in my life. They were and are still the biggest influences in my life.

She is gone....my Nana is gone. Did I make her proud? Did I show her I loved her enough? Did she know even though I didn't visit as often as I should,  that she was always on my mind? Did she know she made a difference in my life? So many questions but I know she knows I loved her and I know she loved me and was proud of me. She was so happy I was having my twins and she loved that Benjamin was not afraid of her and went to her and played with her every chance he got.

My favorite Picture of my Grandma and I

To you grandma, I dedicate this long blog to you. You know where my heart is and I thank you for molding me into the woman I am today. Till we meet again, Yo te quiero mucho Nana.
.........................Kim-bee

It's Free Friday!

It's free Friday everyone! That means no school for Benny boy today! So I am taking this free Friday to blog a bit. We still have one more week until our spring break but we are getting really excited about Easter around here!

I have a lot of things I love and do not love so on my free Friday I am going to share some of those with you!


I Love:

1. My Family
2. Kisses from my little boys
3. Giggles
4. Hugs and cuddling
5. Food especially baked goods!
6. A clean home
7. To cuddle up in a blanket and watch movies all day
8. Extra love sleep!
9. Veggies over fruits
10. BBQ food
11. Watching TOO much TV
12. When the hubster makes a fire
13. Zumba
14. Long and hot showers
15. Making people happy especially my family
16. Seeing God's light shine in little ones!

I do not love:

1. Seafood, but very tempting in San Francisco
2. Not getting to cook with onions and bell peppers because the hubster dislikes
3. When people say "Really?" or "Seriously?" ..Drive me absolutely crazy!
4. How slow my dryer dries...working on getting a new one
5. When kids do not listen
6. Some people's facebook drama
7. Bad words
8. Asking for help
9. Stinky and yucky diapers
10. When people share germs

So there is a little about me! Happy Friday to you and have a great Easter!

**coming soon: all my pinterest recipes!

Is their a reset button somewhere?

Reset the joys in life:
I am happy to announce my house is ORGANIZED for the most part.  This has never taken place in Casa Hernandez before. I have organized storage containers with files for school stuff,  escrow papers, receipts, manuals etc. I shifted three closets around which consisted of the linen closet, medicines & cleaning stuff and a whole closet for crafts, projects, pictures etc. The hubster completed a thorough organized garage. We went bin crazy for the play room and limited toys that are allowed out. I love when people come over but hate finding toys in the wrong places, drives me nuts! Boys' room is well organized and has been kept up for two weeks and going strong! Of course we shut the door, otherwise our twinados would have destroyed it in less than five minutes.  School desk is organized with crayons, markers and coloring pencils all separate. Last thing that was tackled this week was our kitchen. I put all my vases together, plastic storage containers together, glassware together. My counter looks so clean and amazing, I still have to clean the grout but it looks wonderful never the less. Kids cups organized along with lids and valves. My pantry is organized and is wonderful! I usually keep it somewhat organized but since the twinados like to go in there I gave up. We still have to do our closet but everything looks amazing. I didn't just organized waiting for it to be destroyed, I made it easy to manage organization such as a snack box or potato bin or a toilet paper basket. Easy and manageable stuff.  Makeup bin, Hair bin, and the list goes on.  I also finally bought myself a organizer/planner which will help me feel more intact since I overbook myself numerous of times. We have so much trash we have to probably take a load to the dump! Our closet is the last to tackle but I am ready for it! Organization, This is a Joy!!!!

Another joy is watching my boys have a picnic outside and playing. Benjamin, mom and dad can hang out watching movies and relaxing but the twinados are very active and keep us moving! They love being outside and playing. They look outside all day when they can't go out or cry while brother takes out the trash. I love seeing them play nicely, I say nicely because we have had sand throwing incidents. They love going for walks which mom has been bad about. We recently got chosen by House Party to have a Huggies Potty Dance Party. It was really fun & the boys enjoyed it. They are still young but at times they seem ready to potty so I am going to start early and see where it takes me.  I almost forgot the finale of our potty party. After nap, I let the boys relax for about 20 minutes to a half hour before I actually get them out of the crib. It helps them not come out cranky or grumpy. Works everytime! Well this time after 20 minutes or so I smelled something. I looked around the house before I entered the boys' room. When I finally entered there was a digusting smell coming from Levi's crib but that didn't matter. I was stunned at what I had seen not the smell! I saw poop on the walls, smeared on the cribs and "snickers" smiles. Yes, Levi shared the wealth and that was my Potty dance party finale! But still.....
Seeing my kids having fun, this is a Joy!!!!

I know this may be crazy for some of you but Pinterest is truly a joy. I hope to do a Pinterest post soon of all the goods I made and everything I have tried.  Such as getting sand off my children, you use baby powder or baby oil to shine up your faucets or amazing recipes...Anyways I can go on and on so I   will just say Pinterest, this is a Joy!


Reset your approach to challenges:

Life is full of challenges and but also full of giggles and joy.  I am enjoying raising my kids and spending time with them but I also struggle with my temperament and patience. There are some parents that I have looked up to in the years. I know their lives aren't perfect but I can tell they truly let God lead them in this journey of parenting. My Uncle R and Auntie N have always been parents I looked up to. I also look up to The Duggars and a few more. People may think the Duggars? Yes, I can see they are serving God and look to him for directions and instructions when parenting. They have sweet spirits that remind me of my Aunt and Uncle.  I can't imagine how much patience they have but their children are the examples that show they did  a great job.

I was just watching a recent episode of 19 Kids and Counting and Michelle mentions how Jim Bob tried not to damage relationships with the kids after he just found a huge mess on the RV. His patience was definitely tried.  I would have been raged! That is something I am praying for and asking you to pray for me too. I need to relax, breathe and be patient. I found to many times that my voice is yelling and frightening my oldest. I want to learn to manage parenting in a loving, patient way. Yes, I believe in discipline but I don't think my yelling helps anyone emotionally. Call me a softy or whatever but I don't think God wants me to hurt my children but teach them instruction.

I want Gods love to shine in me and if people think I am weird for that so be it. I am human and have made many mistakes in not showing love to adults and children too
.
So I would like to reset my Patience & Love button.

I also am challenged about taking care of myself. I tend to forget to eat or eat well. Spiritually, emotionally and physically.

Spiritually: I need to seek God more, teach my kids to seek him more and ask God to
"Fill my cup"
Emotionally: I could use more sleep, more time for me instead of feeling weak and tired all the time. Definitely would help me be a more patient mom!
Physically: I need to eat proper snacks, meals and exercise again! I have a slow metabolism and doing nothing helps Nothing!

So I am going to reset my eating habits:
Spiritually, Emotionally and Physically!

Please pray for me and my family, and how can I pray for you? If you would like me to pray for you please let me know! You and I can help each other in this journey of life!

Benjamin

My first born Benjamin's Birthday was last month. I wanted to blog and tell you about his special party last month but I had to say what needed to be said first before I shared my proud mommy moment!

Benjamin was the baby we waited for almost 2 years. After a year of being married we decided to try to have a baby. Well it took us a year to get pregnant but it was in God's timing not ours. Being pregnant with Benjamin was weird for me but I got used to it. I was never sick with Benjamin except with allergies. I worked up until a week before he was born. He was a good healthy baby born a month before mommy and daddy's 3 yr anniversary. 7 lb 6 oz. 19 in long.  Dad and Benjamin had an instant bond but it took awhile for mom and Benjamin to get there. I fell in love with him the longer I was with him but it wasn't instant for me like it is for some mothers or those moms you see on those birthing shows. It was a bit overwhelming at first.  I have to say he was the most perfect baby, toddler, child ever. I know that because my twins make me work! Totally different than Benjamin!

Dessert Table

 For some reason Benjamin turning 6 was hard for me.  He no longer is a baby or preschooler but a regular boy. Yes he still has training wheels and afraid of everything but we are working on that.  He is really bright and comprehends everything. He loves, loves, did I say love?.. to READ! He is loving and sweet and takes care of his little brothers. He helps mom and dad around the house and most of the time without complaining.

This year, we made his birthday a Super Mario Party with a few friends and family all crunched up in our little home.  He was so proud of all the work I put into it and I was also. So I decided to share with you some of my pictures from the coolest Super Mario Party ever on a budget of course.  So here are the birthday pictures dedicated to my number 1 boy Benjamin! I love you con todo mi corazon!

From the best frugal mommy ever!

I loved the balloon dog things on the side, made with black balloons, markers and white out!

Chocolate covered Strawberries!

  

Peanut butter bars

Mushroom cupcakes courtesy of Me aka Mom!

  

Kid's sushi (rice crispies, gummy worms and fruit roll ups)

Sugar cookies stars and rice crispy stars with chocolate

Pin the mustache on Super Mario!

Courtesy of Ms. Valdez

Yoshi egg toss
Please excuse our winter dead grass, courtesy of the hubster! 

Lollipops decorated with Mario and Luigi heads.

Chocolate covered Marshmallows with sprinkles, they looked like mushrooms!

The big dessert table display! Don't mind our school work board to the right! Power up Mario!

Side view of all the Mario goodies!

Zoo-we-Mama! Yummy!

THE END!

   

The Mommy Explosion..based on a true story!

It's Free Friday! Yeah....well not really. I am writing in my room hoping to get some relaxation time, I have my window open to rid off the poop diapers smell but the gardeners from next door decided to cut my neighbors lawn...there goes my peaceful moment. Anyways, We still have school work today since Benjamin decided too build stuff with his Math blocks instead of doing estimations. Grrrrr! Something or Someone needs a Free Friday! Me!!!!!!  It seems when I try my best to give myself some "me" time, which consist of doing things for myself such as running or any type of exercise it's always put aside or doesn't go as planned. I have to change pooped diapers or feed the animals(hee hee hee) or start school with Benjamin or dinner or laundry and the list goes on and on!!!! I have gone running in the dark (which is the only time I sometimes have) in my nice neighborhood but it's still spooky! I am jealous the hubster is getting more running this week then me. He went at night with Benjamin for 2 1/2 miles. Go Benjamin!...oh and Go Hubster!

So this brings me to the Mommy Explosion!

Here is the story of the mom and her explosion (events based on a true story):


It was a cold, windy day. Mommy just finished feeding three, changing diapers of two, starting school for one and thought "Hey, this is a perfect time to start my organizing project in my house. Let's go to the play room."  So to the play room Mommy goes and started to clean, taking out baby toys, organizing stuff to put in storage for the boys when they get older....etc etc.

Then the fearful sound of pitter patter footsteps crept up and DESTROYED the room that mommy was organizing! It was definitely the twinados that messed up the prepared and organized playroom. A Monster boy was not far behind.  But monster boy was a sneaky one, he was the one who stuffs toys in places that they didn't belong. Why are socks in a sorting toy again?

All the bags and boxes of organization were Destroyed......mommy was done, she transformed into a beast and gnarled at the children. Screams, yells and tears were made in the room of destruction. The mom then transformed back but very, very, very small like Alice from Alice in Wonderland. She rolled her self to a small hole called a bathroom. There she cried and cried all day. She was going to call her mom or her best friend but she couldn't talk. The room filled with tears and so did pitter patter's world outside. The monster boy was crying, twindoes died down and mommy was sobbing uncontrollably. She knew that if she called Daddy he would have come home. She had no hope for a moment but then looked up and cried out to her God. "HELP ME GOD, HELP ME GOD! I NEED YOU NOW! I NEED YOU RIGHT NOW!"

Peace finally came but tears still flowed. The room stayed a disaster as it was not worth the energy any longer and Daddy saved the day with Pizza.

The next day mommy had a good day.....because she didn't do anything but entertain the twindoes and monster boy! The End!

So you may ask what was the purpose of the story. Well the purpose of the story is to acknowledge, we as moms and dads have bad days.  Sometimes really bad days but tomorrow will be better. This was a deep deep pit day for me. But this mommy decided not to call anyone and seek God. He would bring me back to life. And he did. Yes I cried still after I prayed and when I told the hubster about my day but God still stood with me.  Monster boy got my wrath poor thing. We all have days when we want to give up. God can push us through it. Keep pushing through! We can do it!

This brought peace to me, 1 John 4:4- You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. Some may think, how did that comfort you? Well because God is stronger in me than I might be alone by myself. He is like my bones that help me stand when I am weak. He is like my heart that helps me love when I hate. He is my brain that keeps me from going insane.....literally. So he is the great and strong part of me. I am weak, bitter and nothing without him. He is greater within me!

I hope you understand that no one is perfect and our ways aren't always the best. I really dislike some parents how they are always giving advice but never are takers of any. Some people wonder, why do you blog and put your business out there? When I started staying at home with my children I realized that too many people make life out to be so beautiful and blissful. It is all those wonderful things but I love finding other blogs of mothers keeping it "real"  Life is also filled w/chaos and adventures. So this is my day, my blog of keeping it "REAL!"

A new year, A new beginning!



Zoo Lights 2011



Rob, Benjamin and I @ the Polar Express!



Holidays around here went by so very fast, and caused a lot of stress and a bit of anxiety. Those of course are the things that surrounded my family from the outskirts. Most of the problems and troubles, God has taken away and made peace. But within my little family, I felt very blessed. We were able to provide our children with great gifts this year on one income! I know I keep saying that but Rob and I are still in awe how God made a way for us to live on ONE income! I will never think of it as being lucky because we are totally blessed! This Christmas was the first year I went into depth in teaching Benjamin about The true meaning of Christmas. I bought a book called "Truth in the tinsel" I highly recommend it. You make an ornament everyday pertaining to the story of the birth of Christ. We didn't make one everyday though. Ben is not a crafty kind of boy, unless it's paint or something extremely messy! But we did special activities like visiting the zoo for Zoo lights or going to the Polar Express in Sacramento. Great trip by the way! I am a fan of the movie Polar Express and this ride was amazing. Dancing waitress, the Hobo was even there. Santa of course was picked up at the North Pole. Hot Cocoa, cookies and everyone got a bell. Benjamin has the greatest time and we had a great time spending time alone with him. Boys were at home with my mom and sister in law because they were sick and a handful might I add.

It was an amazing year. I felt our family become closer and more of a unit which I loved.

What else should we accomplish in 2012?  A little girl?  A new van? A new goal?

Well it won't be a little girl anytime soon. We are going to wait on that for awhile. Although we want to complete our family we definitely don't want to rush anything. A van....praying on that one! Goals I can do.

So 2012 will bring me to:

1. Be more Organized! I am going to go bin crazy after the income tax refund arrives. I need to organize, organize and organize again! I feel better about me and my household if I get more organized. I am definitely getting a hold of this house wife thing and organizing, routine and schedule are keys. All of which I have not done! Ha Ha Ha! Well not regularly I guess. So Pinterest, my new addiction and new friend will teach me thy ways of organization! Ideas galore!

2. Be closer to the hubster aka Rob. So many people say it's so important to go on a date night with your husband from anywhere from once a month to once a week. I find it extremely hard to do this. I want to be more committed to one on one time with my husband but not going to set a once month or once a week thing just yet. Maybe by the end of 2012  I will have it down or with all my awesome organizational skills I will work it in my schedule!

3. Eat fresh and healthy more. The word "processed food" grosses me out but I do eat it, I can not lie. I do care what I put in my body and my kids body.  Working on being frugal but making better choices.

4. Give more devotion to God, my family and others. Spend more time with God less time with my phone or tv unless I am reading the word on my phone of course!

5. Be more active as a family and just MOVE! Hikes, swimming, running, biking, walking and playing!  I also want to do at least one marathon if my feet allow me too. 

I wrote down too many goals, this is just 1/10 of them probably but if I stay disciplined I can slowly accomplish it all.

Somedays I get discourage and want to quit.  I can't lie and say life is full of bliss and bubbles! But there is so much inspiration out there. Starting with God, my friends, fellow runners or Zumba-ers and my number one supporter my husband.

I just want to strive to be better for myself, the hubster, my children and hope to please God in everything I do.