Lucia's first day of first grade

Lucia woke up super early and said she hadn't slept the night before because she was so excited for first grade. I remember that feeling as a child; getting your backpack, clothes and shoes ready the night before, the excitement and anticipation of meeting a new teacher and new friends. She got dressed on her own and was ready to go 45 minutes before it was time to go. She didn't want to eat, but I convinced her it was not good to try to learn and play on an empty stomach. We took the pictures outside before we left (look at the gigantic backpack!) She was all smiles and excited. The school was total chaos! It's tucked back at the end of a residential street and there were cars and people everywhere! We didn't know where to go or what to do, so we just followed the crowd. Her teacher is very seasoned (Lucia said she's 62). She knew what she was doing. The next thing I knew, she was off to her class and I had to hold back the tears as I watched her walk away. When we picked her up after school, again chaos. She was at the very end of the line. She said she had a good day. She met one girl that she went on the slide with twice at recess. She said the rest of the time she walked around by herself. She said she had to sit on the ground at lunch because there wasn't enough room at the table and she dropped her food on the ground. She said nobody handed her the pointer to read during reading time. She said she had to sit in the back by two boys because the other kids got the front seats first. She said her teacher called her "Luchia". Those were the things that touched me and made me a little sad. I watched her wander the playground by herself this morning when I dropped her off. I wish I had picked a different school where she already knew some kids. I'm really mad at myself for puting her in a school where she doesn't know anybody. I know it's a good school and all, but I'm really having second thoughts about it. She did say she liked it and that it was funner than homeschool. I guess we'll give it some time. I really don't have any other options now except the yucky neighborhood school where we don't know anyone or homeschool. I'll just pray she finds a good friend quickly.

Cousin Time!

Marco, Noelle and Lucia getting ready to jump in the pool.

Cute little Elijah-he's such a happy boy!

Callie and Eden at the zoo.

Lucia, Noelle, Marco and Corom at the zoo.

Eden and Sylvie-the stroller girls!

Rub-a-dub-dub, four kids in a tub!

Marco turned 4!

Marco's birthday was during my bout with strep throat. So, on his actual birthday he got to open three gifts from us: Voltron toy, Transformer and Spiderman costumes. He loved them. Then when all the cousins got to town, we did a night at Chuck E Cheese, went to Folsom Lake for the day and had a party here at our house. He wanted a Transformer party-so we got him cups, plates, and napkins and a banner. Tami made him a Spiderman cake-it was so cute and delicious! He got lots of fun stuff from the family:a Slip n Slide, a doctor's kit, Legos, a Spiderman backpack and toy, a new outfit and a Star Wars bedspread. He was very happy and we had a lot of fun. I didn't get any pictures at the Lake-someone please send me some!

Trip to So. Cal

Baby Halea-our newest cousin

Lucia and Marco helping cousin Valerie open her gifts.

Us with the Potter's outside their house.

At Lake Arrowhead.

Two weekends ago, (before I got sick), we went to Southern California. Julio had a court hearing in Riverside, so we decided to tag along. The trip did not start out well-Sylvie was throwing up in the car. We had to stop in Modesto for another court hearing and then we headed down. The trip was very long with a sick child, traffic and then the long, windy road up the mountain to Lake Arrowhead to the Potter's house. We even took dramamine and it didn't help much! It took me two days to get over the vertigo! We did get to go to Arrowhead Village on Friday to look around and the kids went on some rides. Then, we went back to the Potter's house where I nursed a sick baby all day while Julio was in Riverside. At least Marco and Lucia played well all day and didn't whine or fight. It was nice of Serena and Franz to host us. They live in a beautiful place-it's just so hard to get there. Saturday we went to Abuela's house for lunch then headed to Yesenia and Elliott's for Valerie's 18th birthday party. The second we walked in their house, Marco's eyes swelled up from his cat allergy. It was nice to see all the Hernandez family and meet our new baby cousin Halea. It was a fun party, but we were so ready to come home on Sunday-Sylvie and I flew home to avoid the long drive. Then, I got sick. Oh well. We're done traveling for the summer.

Happy Anniversary

Yesterday was our anniversary. I was throwing up. I still feel rotten. Julio and I were trying to remember of our 7 anniversaries, how many was I out of commission. The first year, we had a newborn, but we still managed to go out to dinner while my mom watched Lucia. Second year, no glitches. Third year, I was about to pop (Marco was born two days later). Fourth year, we went out. Fifth year, again I was big and pregnant and miserable. Julio had just finished taking the Bar. Last year, we went to Rudy's Hideaway and to the temple. It was nice. This year, I'm sick. So, we're good for about 50%! We are already planning to take a big trip for our 10th. I'm not sure where it will be, but it will happen! It's weird to think it's only been 7 years; it seems like much longer. It's a whole new life and I love it! I am soooo lucky to be married to such a wonderful man.
Julio is switching jobs next week and one of his co-workers gave him a parting gift. The card attached to it said:
"Julio, We will miss you. You are one of the best, kindest, and most generous attorneys I have ever met. Good luck!"
Wow, what a nice tribute. He is loved wherever he works! I always tease him about it. He asks if I'm jealous and I say, "No, why should I be? You married me!"

Good things come to thos who are thankful

For those who read (don't know who, but might be someone out there) and aren't aware, Julio has been working at a very small bankruptcy firm for the past 10 months. It's just him, his boss, and a part time attorney. His boss has been in business for 30 years and wants to retire soon. Julio's job right now is very cush-he works 9-5 and never on weekends. If he needs to take off for an emergency, he can. However, the first time I went down to meet his boss, he said to me, "Today is pay day. All of my employees got paid, but there wasn't enough to pay myself." So, that's the downside of this job-the pay. It really bugged me for a long time that he wasn't getting paid fair attorney wages. He asked for a raise twice and his boss said he couldn't afford it. So, we just kind of accepted it and since so many people we know are out of work, we decided to just be thankful and thank Heavenly Father every night for Julio's job. Last week, right before we went to Utah, a former co-worker called Julio and told him there was an opening at his firm and to send over his resume. Julio did and they called him and scheduled an interview for last Wed. Julio went and met with one of the partners and he felt really good about the interview, but wasn't sure of it. They called him that afternoon to offer him the job! The good thing about it, is they will give him a 50% raise! Plus 401k (he doesn't have that now) and benefits. He will have to work a little bit more-good pay requires hard work and he will be doing more civil litigation. When Julio broke the news to his current boss, he said, "What will it take to keep you here?" He said he wants to hand the firm over to him when he retires and offered him a huge raise-not quite as much as the other place. Questions are-can he afford this raise? Is the firm really profitable for us to want to take over? Does he want to practice only bankruptcy for the rest of his career? Plus, his boss is so nice and lax, does he want to leave him? Julio had been pondering those questions all week. He was really undecided. To me, it was a no-brainer-take the new job! I told him to pray about it. Well, last night, after much thought, prayer and advice from his fellow attorney friends, he decided to....take the job!!!! Here he comes real attorney job! We're so thankful for this new opportunity. It will be different, but it will totally be worth it!

Garden delights

I'm going to blog about food. We have had some success with our garden this year-first time we've ever planted one! We've had a ton of tomatoes, basil and oregano, and then of course, the 20 lb. zucchini! We're still waiting on the chilis. What to do with all of it? Well, I'll tell you!
With the tomatoes: gaspacho, salsa, salads-my favorite being the caprese with basil and fresh mozzarella!
With the zucchini: bread, cookies with lemon frosting, in pasta salads and green salads and its own salad-in ribbons and as a slaw, grilled, roasted with garlic, sauteed.
With the basil and oregano: on pizza, in pasta dishes, in salads.

It's been such a joy to just go out and get the herbs and veggies from my yard and then eat them! It's been delicious!