Easter Sunday

I can hardly believe Easter was like two weeks ago. Where does time go? This year, we hosted Easter at our home. We gathered with family and friends for a beautiful lunch and of course the cascarones egg hunt with all the little ones and had a really nice time catching up with everyone. Tealyn posing with Lindsey, her make believe cousin . They really are like close cousins and best buddies.

We both made these yummy cookies the night before. Super easy just the way I like it. Just sugar cookies and M&Ms . We saw it posted on Pinterest.  I love Pinterest easy access to recipes at your fingertip. Can you imagine if our mothers and grandmothers had Pinterest in their era?  Things would have been so different. Not sure if that's a good thing.

Every year, I save a dozen of egg shells for her to make her cascarones. 

Wearing my Christmas apron , she dyed her eggs and over stuffed them with confetti

I made two Strawberry Grapefruit pies and totally forgot about them in the fridge, then remembered after we had some cake .

Which brings me to this picture.. My sister Melinda made a surprise announcement with this cake

her "permanent vacation" her retirement. So happy for her.  After thirty eight years, working for Walmart vision center, she threw in the hat.

I hope your Easter Sunday was fun

 

Dear Tealyn,

 I want you to know that you should never stop doing what makes your heart happy.   Do what your heart desires and don't worry about what others think.  Always do your best at whatever you are into. Love yourself unconditionally the way God loves you.  Always remember your self worth and the importance of hard work and honesty.  Never forget that the lessons in life will build your character, and make you a better person. Surround yourself with friends who are encouraging, supportive and positive they will get you through your toughest days. Stay focused on your goals, and believe in yourself and your abilities, with God by your side all things are possible.  Practice acts of kindness without expecting anything in return. Take deep breaths when you feel butterflies and jitters it will help calm you in any situation. Don't forget to always wear your confidence when you walk out the door, and never forget you are capable of amazing things.

Love, Mommy

 

Divorcing sugar

 

Last April, I was 

OFFICIALLY DONE

As in

NO MORE - ASTA LA VISTA - GOOD BYE 

I realized, I was involved in a unhealthy relationship 

All the signs we there

INFLAMATION  - WEIGHT GAIN - HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

I HAD TO DO SOMETHING

and 

I DID

after going to the doctor, and getting on high blood pressure medication and having

 "The talk" 

you know the one

THE -  DREADED - MENOPAUSE - TALK

I decided enough was enough, I needed to take back control and finally for once

 DIVORCE SUGAR

 so a couple of days later, I went

COLD TURKEY

I cut refined sugar in my diet. Started eating less carbs as in KETO and, I took it a step further

I began intermittent fasting. I can't tell you enough how much it has helped me. I have managed to loose 45lbs and my clothes definitely feel it. My hot flashes have diminished to the bare minimum, I feel so much more energy and I'm so much happier now.

Thank goodness 

Gal-entines party

Tealyn was invited to a Gal-entines party 

Apparently its a day to gather your friends and celebrate friendship

And so these girls, and a few more were indulged to a day of pampering. They were treated to spa-like pedicures that included a foot exfoliation, hot towel rub and a enjoyable foot massage. The host treated them to some yummy cupcakes and they each left with a fun goodie bag filled with Valentine surprises. Afterwards they were treated to lunch at Chic-fil A . I'm so grateful that Tealyn has a good group of friends she hangs out with and that their parents have the same family values we do. 

God is good

 

 

A dose of encouragement

 

Alter server

Last year, Tealyn received her first Holy Communion

She was very excited because for years she has watched the alter servers from the first pew very carefully with such admiration. 

And at the end of every mass on our way home she would ask the same question

"When can I be an Alter Server"?

                                                                                 

         And of course, our reply Sunday after Sunday was always the same

                                              

" Once you make your Holy Communion "

Then one Sunday, she saw a good friend serving her eyes lid up to see her and immediately asked me to ask her mother. I called her the next day and she gave me all the details, told us there would be a Saturday morning class. She was super excited to attend. 

They gave her a schedule and she started serving immediately. 

We are so proud of her commitment to serve . She looks forward to the Sundays when she is scheduled and makes sure we leave the house 30 min before to be there on time. She fills us in on all the details while driving home and tells us she can't wait till the next time.

God is good

  

   

                               

 

Happy New Year

Hello its me

 Remember me?

I know, I know 

 its been a while 

Okay, 

a long while

 

and so, this year as my

NEW YEAR RESOLUTION 

I vow to commit more time blogging and less time on other sites

We rang in the New year much like Lucy did in bed by midnight . We had plans for a family party, but they fell through after the host got a case of Covid.  Tealyn ended up going down the street with a friend and her family and popped fire works. She was home early enough to be in bed by midnight. 

Whoop
Whoop

Even though, I absolutely loved how I decorated this tree

I took down a little earlier this year. I wanted a fresh clean, no clutter , organized home. It happens every year right after Christmas, I get into a wave of decluttering and I want to organize everything in sight. I feel my mind calm and at peace and instantly focused when there is less stuff. 

I love this little reindeer I inherited from my mother in law. I remember it in her entrance table at her home every Christmas. Its funny how little things like a reindeer on a table can bring back so many wonderful memories, yet we take it for granted all those years thinking life will never change. I put this little reindeer in my book cabinet and every time I pass it, I can still visualize it sitting in a large oversized white bowl full of holly right before entering the family room. I want to always remember that for as long as I can.

Happy New Year!!

 

..
 

My father

My father Robert De la Garza entered eternal rest on January 14th, 2023 

He was 81 years old.

My father suffered a stroke many years ago which affected the right side of his body and was partially paralyzed. It completely changed his life . He went from being a strong independent person capable of almost any task to being totally dependent on my mother 

Earlier in 2022 he need gallbladder surgery and after that it really went down hill quickly. He wasn't the same and required more around the clock nursing which now meant nursing home or the new fancy way of saying it  "Transitional care" He wasn't the type to complain he just dealt with it the best he could. I'm pretty sure he felt uncomfortable and out of place. Who wouldn't? We would try our hardest to be there every week-end his eyes would light up every time he saw any family member, It was one of the hardest things to see. I learned a lot of lessons from him and miss him everyday.  I try to tell Tealyn as many stories as I can about my upbringing . I want her to remember him as much as she can.  

The day we were making the funeral arrangements we got a phone call that my aunt Licha my dads sister had collapsed . She past away the next day.  Very unexpected!!  She was also an amazing person with a heart of gold. May they both rest in eternal peace..

 

life

 

Its been a while , I know

It's what happens when your busy living life 

 time just flies

Our life is sometimes crazy and unpredictable 

full of daily surprises that sometimes leaves blogging at the back burner 

oh how I missed it so, I am back excited to share 

my thoughts in my alone time here in this little bitty corner of the internet

  

Quarantine days

When I wear a mask in public: I want you to know that I am educated enough to know that I could be asymptomatic and still give you the virus.

No, I don't "live in fear" of the virus; I just want to be part of the solution, not the problem.

I don't feel like the "government is controlling me", I feel like I'm being a contributing adult to society and I want to teach others the same.

The world doesn't revolve around me. Its not all about me and my comfort.

If we all could live with other people consideration in mind, this whole world would be a much better place.

Wearing a mask doesn't make me weak,scared or stupid or even controlled. It makes me considerate.

When you think about how you look how uncomfortable it is, or what others think about you,just imagine someone close to you -a child , a father a mother, a grandparent, aunt, or uncle-choking on a respirator, alone without you or any family member allowed at bedside

Ask yourself if you could of sucked it up a little for them. 

kindergarten graduation

I can't believe I have not posted in months.. I missed posting about Tealyns graduation in May. among so many other things. I blame it on the pandemic
We had a fun time doing her kinder pictures. She had to include her puppy Lucy. 

We went to our church to take these shots It was a HOT and HUMID

I am so proud of the little one !! I think she did an amazing job in kindergarten. she made some wonderful friends who I think will be in her life for years come...
Next yr will look very different for us. We have decided to home school her for the upcoming year . It is too scary out there and I don't want to take any chances with this virus. 

Rest in Peace Mother in law

Today my husband lost his mother and, I lost a mother in law who, I admired and loved like a mother.

Diana Sanchez

was a beautiful spirit who never met a stranger. She was joy and the light in every room and everyone felt her wonderful presence.  She was calm, reassuring and very nurturing to her grand-kids. Our conversations were long and meaningful. She was a story teller and a good one too. I loved hearing her stories about her sisters and her up bringing . She was kind and generous and loved the Lord with all her heart. She was a devout Catholic who never missed a Sunday mass. She prayed for everyone all the time and was the first one there to lend a helping hand.

Slowly, her health starting declining about 5 yrs ago when she was diagnosed with Dementia and Parkinson's plus. This horrible disease left her with just her beautiful glimmering eyes that would look at us with so much to say, but just couldn't.  This awful disease took a beautiful soul who had so much love for her family and still so much to give. 

I pray she is back to herself and dancing in heaven. Forever in my heart.

Dear Santa

My name is Tealyn Rose Sanchez

I am 6 yrs old. I am in kindergarten. My favorite colors are pink and yellow

for Christmas, I would like a Barbie ambulance, a cute puppy, a barbie teacher set and some puzzles maybe a my life doll and a microphone.

Thank you so much

Tealyn 

PS: I will leave you some cookies and snacks for your reindeer

I am so awful ... I forgot to post this in December

something must of happened..