Oh Dad...

Oh Dad.... Almost every child  has said these exact words to our most wonderful parent in the world... Dads!

Dads are extraordinary creatures who can do and fix anything. Don't get me wrong they can.... most of the time. They also have a special powers to scare away handsome boys within 3 clicks of their daughters.

This beautiful Saturday morning, I would love to thank all the Dads out there in the world!

I'd like to thank them for being strong for their families.

I'd like to thank them for being the fixer uppers they are. 

I'd like to thank them for all the support and courage their give their children to push the envelope and follow their dreams.

I'd like to thank them for protecting their children's hearts from every boy or girl who manages to breach the front door. (P.S. Thanks Dad, but Tony isn't leaving anytime soon! )

I'd like to thank them for all the wisdom they have to offer.

I'd like to thank them for working as hard as they do to provide for their families.

AND... I'd especially like to thank them for all the love they give everyday!

All you Dads out there are special and deserve to have a very Happy Father's Day! Happy Father's day to my own wonderful Dad who is my hero! Love you!

Whistle While You Work...

Ya... no Disney or Happiest Place on Earth going on here today. Believe me there is no whistling going on while I work. I love my job and have a great time hanging out with the people I work with... but... geez... working 4, 8, 10, or 12 hour shifts can be draining. Ya I know... put my violin away right?

I have such a new respect for my parents who work day and night to ensure my siblings and I have everything we could ever need or want. I truly had no idea how draining working, chores, and studying for college exams could be. I suppose this is great training for what is to come in just over a year, part-time job and college full-time. It will certainly be a time of transition for me and no bed of roses.

 My saving grace this fine Saturday morning is I received the sweetest surprise from Tony when he returned from his Mexico graduation trip with his friends... HIM of course! 

Excuse the late post as I head off towards a little town about 45 minutes away to take my ACT exams. Trust me, I won't be whistling as I'm pulling out my hair taking this standardize test!

Job... Promotion... Graduation...Wedding = Colorado right?

Job... Promotion... Graduation... Wedding... = Colorado! Makes sense right? Not!!!

 I've had one eventful week. I landed a job at a local Country Club doing a little bit of everything. Working every night and then cramming for finals was pretty interesting.

My little brother was "Promoted" to the 9th grade! Nothing like starting at the bottom of the ladder again. He should do fine as he is wicked smart. Tested in 97% percentile for high school Algebra/Geometry.  Poor kid will be in College Algebra his freshman year in addition to all the honors courses. 

Tony Graduated tonight! I'm so excited for him and a little sad knowing the countdown has begun for him to head off to college. I've spent the last couple of days with his family. I've had an awesome time meeting friends and family. AND... his Grandmother from NM reminded my family and I of my Grandma Jane. Her mannerisms and she has no filter... just like Grandma Jane. The phrase is "diarrhea of the mouth" her phrase and we loved every minute of it.

After graduation my dad and made a trip down to the Valley. We're catching a plane heading to Colorado to meet up with my mom and little brother. My cousin is getting married in Denver.

Finally... I'm looking forward to a 10 hour car ride back home. I may finally get some well needed rest.

One Year...

Six days ago I celebrated my one year anniversary with my Tony. Over the last several years I've had the pleasure of getting to know an incredible human being.

Two years ago, I couldn't wrap my brain around why my parents had such a strict rule about dating until I was sixteen. 

This morning it finally dawned on me. It was important for me to build a foundation of friendship. Without the building blocks of friendship and trust there is no relationship.

Over the last two years, I have seen my friends jump from one relationship to another. It's depressing and disturbing.

So, today I celebrate Tony and all his endearing qualities. 

My love is one of the kindest, funniest, sarcastic, weird, stubborn, serious, silly, and did I mention he's one handsome boy! He has the ability to make laugh to the point of crying and make me so angry I want to use his head as golf ball. 

He is my best friend and my love. I feel safe in his presence. I feel wanted, alive, and appreciated.

In the words of 5 year old Penelope, "Happy Day", "Happy Birthday" my Googley Bear.  I'm looking forward to another year of memories of you making my heart smile.

Lock In...

It's that time of year when the school year is coming to a close.

It's bittersweet as one of my very best friends and boyfriend, TONY, will be heading off to college at the end of summer. I'm so excited for him, his new adventure, and yet a my heart is heavy. It will be weird not to be able to see him everyday. 

So... tonight... we are locked in celebrating the end of Chess Season with all of our teammates. Throwing an end of year party for our Senior teammates.

No Chess tonight! Candy poker and other teenage shenanigans will be on tap. Then the countdown to summer's end!

Mamma te Amo...

This mother's day I thought the best way to honor my mother was to see her through the eyes of my oldest brother. My mother is a Wonder Woman of sorts. She's an amazing woman who is more of a behind the scenes type character and well... she does not show emotion in public. My older brother did something that hasn't been done in the 33 years my Mom has been... well... a Mom.

He exposed her soul... the soul of a mother's love. He did in a room full of people during the "Mother and Son" dance at his wedding. The genius of my brother is the song he played for this special dance was in Spanish. Yes, did I say Genius? You see the only people present in the room that would understand the lyrics were the ones that had been witness to the beauty of my mother's soul. Her parents, siblings, and children. We understood this moment and appreciated the moment for what it was... a lifetime of love, and a gesture of gratitude from a child to his mother. Her emotion would translate the lyrics to guests in the room. Simply put... a mother's love for her son and a rare glimpse into my mother's beautiful soul.

The song was simple and the lyrics go like this...

A spring of affection, an immense sea of relief, little piece of heaven in my heart.

Dearest mother your existence has been a blessing for me, that child I remain to you.

What I can tell you, mother will never be enough, except that I'm a part of your sincerity.

Today with her in my soul, mother I want to tell you that you've done what's best for my life.

I love, I love your happiness, I love your well meaning gaze, your tenderness and kindness.

I love, the tiredness of your walk, and the traces in your skin, they were born for so much love, I love you, Mom.

The dance represented the love of my siblings and the appreciation of everything my Mom sacrifices daily. Mamma te Amo... We love you around the World, past the Moon, Milky Way, to Infinity, and Beyond! May you have the happiest of Mother's Day while you're at work saving people from themselves. You are our super hero... our Wonder Woman!

S.A.T.

Suite of Assessments...

More like So Annoyed Today!!! These tests are making me nuts! Traveling 200 miles one way to take a four hour test to get into college makes me wanna pull my hair out! 

My only saving grace is my Love is making me dinner tonight. I'm one lucky girl... I will need the 4 hour drive home to return to a somewhat NORMAL state! Ya right, who am I kidding...

P.S. My THANKS to my sister and her boyfriend for treating me to an awesome Cinco de Mayo dinner in their new home. I had an awesome evening hanging out with them, my older brother, and my sister in law. Older siblings make life bearable and well... very interesting!