La Batalla de Monterrey 1846: Capitan Manuel Molano el heroe olvidado de Marin en la Batalla de Monterrey

La Batalla de Monterrey 1846: Capitan Manuel Molano el heroe olvidado de Marin en la Batalla de Monterrey
(I know this blog is in Spanish. However they are talking about my great grandfather. I feel very proud of what he did. Defending our land in Mexico. He indeed was a heroe. Since this is a family blog I wanted to add it just for the memory of it)

Happy Mother's day!

I love my kids so much. Today was the first time that Nicky was really, really conscious about Mother's day. On the way back to church she told me that she had some money in her piggy bank and she wanted to buy me some flowers, but she couldn't go by herself. She wanted me to take her to the store. I explained to her why we don't shop on Sundays. She immediately told me with a confused face, "BUT MOM! TODAY IS MOTHER'S DAY!!" (no I didn't take her to the store anyway)

The primary sang a song and the Bishop's wife told me that she was amazed that Nicky knew all the hymns. It was cute at the end of one of the hymns because Nicky pointed at me while winking and smiling. She is so special and cute.

Ian kept drawing all kind of things and giving them to me and Glenn (he thought we could celebrate father's day, too). :)

Hanna as always made me feel so special. I had to go and do some visits. Hanna kept going to the door and crying, calling for me (that is what Glenn told me). When I came back she was already asleep. Somehow she heard my voice and soon she started crying, calling for me again. I went and picked her up from her crib and she kept hugging me so hard. She is a sweetheart. She just wanted to make sure I was home. Then she started to get fussy so I laid her down and she just smiled while hugging her blanket.

When I came back, Glenn made me wake up the kids to give me my secret present. They were waiting for me, but I took longer that I thought. YES I woke them up and they were very happy and excited to give me a special bracelet.

This bracelet has 5 little frames. Nicky asked me what pictures I was going to put on the bracelet. Then I told her that one was for her, another for Ian another for Hanna and another one for Dad and myself. Then being the smart girl that she is asked me, "MOM YOU ARE GOING TO STILL HAVE ONE LEFT. I THINK YOU SHOULD SAVE IT FOR THE NEW BABY." Glenn's and my eyes went open wide. Then I asked her what baby she was talking about. Then of corse she told me, "MOM, THE OTHER BABY YOU WILL HAVE AFTER WE MOVE TO SAN ANTONIO. YOU SEE, WE REALLY NEED ANOTHER BOY HERE FOR IAN TO PLAY WITH." Glenn and I smiled and I asked ..."AND HOW AM I GOING TO HAVE IT?" and she answered "I DON'T KNOW. YOU JUST LET HIM GROW INSIDE YOUR BELLY."(lol)

Anyway, my love gave me a certificate to go to a spa for a massage (I'm planning on using it right before we move).

I had a terrific day. I'm so grateful that the Lord is giving me the opportunity to be a mom. That he has sent three awesome kids to my life and a wonderful, awesome husband that helps me with this motherhood roll in my life. I try to do it all, but dispite what my kids may think I'm only human.

Silly girl

Today I took the kids to give a walk around the neighborood. I decided to let Hanna walk and follow her siblings. She was so excited. She started walking until she noticed a small figure following her. What was more shocking for her was seeing that figure moving a finger the same way she was moving it. IT WAS HER SHADOW! She was totally freaked out about it. I wished I could have brought my camera with me to tape that. It was so cute seeing her so scared of her own shadow. Seeing her expresion when she would took the next step and see her shadow giving the same step too lol. I finally went and held her. The cutest thing was seeing her waving good bye to her shadow with of course no luck of it dissappearing.

New members of the family

Since Glenn and I got married it has been always his dream to have a lazyboy. I remember being pregnant with Nicky and he really really wanted us to have one so it would be easier for me to nurse her or just to sit and relax.

Anyway they are so expensive so I convinced him (and myself) that I could totally live without one. Everytime we go to Costco or Sams we always look at them and sigh. Then we look at the prices and smile repeating the same sentence, "WE ARE FINE WITHOUT ONE!"

Anyway last week at Goodwill they were having a huge sale of books and VHS movies (10 for $3). While I was picking some books and some movies the kids were looking at the toys.

I finally got the 10 items that I was looking for and then I found this, too, just for 5 bucks!

Glenn felt bad that Hanna didn't have a chair like her other two siblings. I didn't since she doesn't like tv at all. This chair is so perfect for her. It plays music and is one of those leap frog toys that wants to help the kids learn.

It was time to go and then it was like from heaven, somebody playing some gospel music in the background. My eyes couldn't believe what I was looking at. A SUPER NICE RECLINER. I thought, "I'm sure it's super expensive" (Goodwill gives good prices for toys or books or VHS, but other than that it's either expensive junk or brand new super mega expensive). Anyway, I was curious and I saw the price, and my eyes couldn't believe it. I checked and double checked to make sure that it wasn't something tricky with it. Perhaps it wasn't as comfy as I thought. I sat down on it and AWWWWWWWW I HAD TO BUY IT!

I bought the chair thinking that I couldn't be that lucky. I thought that perhaps it was going to break on the way home. Or the worst, my dear hubby was going to hate it. If that were the case I would have just thrown the money away (there are no refunds in those stores).

I checked out with tons of doubts. I asked the guy who was helping me to put it in my van. "I'm nervous. Do you really think this is a good chair? I mean, if I were your wife and you came home and I surprised you with this chair, would you be mad or happy?" (The poor man probably thought I was nuts) :S

We came back home and sent the kids to take their naps. I wanted everything perfect, so I moved the furniture around to make room for the chair. I brought the chair into the living room waiting for Glenn to come. Once again pictures speak a 1000 words.

He LOVES it! and Hanna is a big fan of it, too!

Just thinking of him.

Glenn and I have been together for around 8 years (almost 7 of marriage) Our life together is been indeed a roller coaster. However we still here together and with three great kids. (our first Valentine's day, our first visits to Salt lake temple and the first visit of my mom right before our engagement)








(The one with the red sweater is our first picture together and the one with the blue sweater is one of the first pictures after our engagement)

After we got married we used to sleep around 3:00 or 4:00 a.m. We used to get entertain by watching t.v. or playing domino by ourselves or playing boardgames with friends. We have calm down a little bit. One of our resolution for new year was to start taking care of ourselves by going to bed at 10:00 p.m. Between reading scriptures, praying and talking about everything we normally end up sleeping until 12:00 p.m. It's better that 4:00 but still late, specially for him since the commuting of his job is quite long.

I remember when we were young. We could spend hours and hours on the phone.(that's right, I shopped my hair right after we got married. It was in that moment or never)

Every time that Glenn would go and pick me up I would feel butterflies in my belly. I remember that being in Monterrey with out him was a nightmare. We used to count down the days to see each other again.

Today he is on call. He called me earlier in the morning. It was just like the old times. Today after picking up Nicky from school I was listening to a song that almost made me cry. I couldn't believe that I have such an amazing guy. He is so special. He really treats me like a queen. I can honestly say that every trial that we have had, have made us stronger as a couple. I'm sure we will have more trials in our life like everyone else in this life. However I trust that with love and sincere communication and lots of guidance from above we will be able to make it.

I can't believe that the love that I feel for him is stronger than before. I just didn't know that was possible.

Porque estoy enamorada, me alejaste del pasado. Tu, como nadie mas, lo que quise siempre. Hasta la eternidad solo tu. Mi debilidad lo que me hace fuerte, estube a punto de llorar. Te entrego mi vida, cuando me lo pidas. Te amo babe!

Walker's video on youtube.

Here are some videos of the fam. Katie it will help a lot if you could tell me how can I show them on my bar. I guess I could play a little bit with it and spend hours on the computer trying to figure it out but I can't. Oh well if you are doing nothing more important than seeing our blog lol here is the link
http://www.youtube.com/user/ClaudiaSoriadeWalker\
enjoy!

RAPUNZEL? and her blue-eyed twin!

Let's start talking about how shocked my little peach was to find the resemblance between this little doll and herself. The pictures speak for themselves.

Then I thought, "Hanna has more hair than that!" I know she is not exacly Rapunzel, but I am very excited to inform the world that my baby has enough hair to make 3, that is right, 3 PONY TAILS lol. At first she didn't like it very much, but later she saw all the attention that those pony tails was getting her. Now she brings the comb and "combs" her hair. Then when she sees me ready with the rubberband she just sits down still and waits until I'm done with my job.

We gotta love our girls!

Approval of my bosses!

Nicky seems to understand that manners are so important to us. When we sit at the table she knows that one of the rules is to try whatever Mom or Dad are serving and even if she doesn't like it she needs to eat it and be grateful that we have food on the table. ON THE OTHER HAND I have Ian who is barely 3 years old and due to this he doesn't follow the manners or the way the Walkers roll. Everyday is a waiting approval from my little bosses to see if they like the food that I made. Even if he doesn't like it we make him eat at least 3 bites of each one of the dishes (while of course we get into the same song of warnings and threats: IF YOU DON'T EAT YOU WILL BE PUNISHED, NO BUMBLEBEE TOYS, NO POWER RANGER TOYS, and YOU ARE GOING TO SLEEP RIGHT NOW!).

Today I had no idea what to make for dinner and out of the blue I decided to make beef soup. My kids has never been a big fan of this, epecially Ian. At this point I'm so used to making whatever I have in mind with the knowledge that I will have to fight a battle in case the food is not to their taste.

I served dinner. We had to wait since it was too hot. Nicky kept telling us that it was like the three bears soup (maybe she was sending hints about taking a walk...didn't work) .

Papa bear ate his soup and he made a great expresion on his face. Daughter bear ate her beef soup and she made the classic YUMM (would this be just manners of my honies?). And then there was the true critique coming: I saw son bear raising his spoon with some of the beef, vegetables and broth, gave it a few blows and eat it. I was waiting for his reaction and then with a sigh told me, "MOM, THIS IS VERY GOOD!" and started eating the whole thing. I sighed too in relief. I felt like one of my bosses that is always so demanding and hard to please recognizing my hard work and congratulating me.

Sometimes people asked me if I miss working as a lawyer. Personally I think being a lawyer was way easier compared to this new roll of my life. However, I have always liked having challenges and the challenge that my three kids bring everyday are fun to deal with :) (and yes sometimes frustrating, too).

Another fun visit with The Hobbs!

The LCD screen of my camera is out. I didn't know if taking pictures was going to work. I had to see through the little tiny window that the camera has to take the pictures. Man we are spoiled by tecnology. I had never appreciated it until now that my camera is half broken. Anyway, I did take some shots of our last visit with the Hobbs. We had a blast. We weren't planning on going until another 2 weeks, but I suddenly remembered that we will be moving in 2 months which means I will be very busy packing next month.
Anyway we arrived on Wednesday. Lindsay, being such a great host as always, took us to the park and to this special super Coke place to eat. The kids had fun and I personally liked the company and seeing the kids laugh. Surprisinly, Grant and Ian get along way better this time. It might be because they both are 3 and potty trained. :)
The next day we started our day at 9:00 a.m. by going to the Oklahoma Zoo. It was awesome. We even had the chance to see the peacocks flirt with each other. It was fun to see. Anyway, later on that day Lindsay took me to the GYM (was she trying to imply something? I don't know but I surely had fun). We did yoga. Despite the horrible mat that kept making weird nosies everytime that I would change positions, IT WAS AWESOME. The mat surely gave us some good laughs (I know we are simply like that). After Yoga we took the kids and ourselves to the pool. Hanna was in heaven. Everytime that I would sit her down she would give me the crazy giggles with the crazy look of adrenaline, wanting to jump. She would wait and call me, "MOM, MOM" and then jump for me to hold her. She is so funny. Nicky did very good. Ian freaked out sometimes. Jay was miserable that he couldn't swim as much as he wanted and Grant was swimming every where like the pro he is. We came back at 10:00 and we were out for the day. The next day, Lindsay took us to the dinasour museum that Ian absolutely LOVED! After that, we were ready to come back home. I didn't make a good choice of my depart time (hit Dallas traffic on Friday afternoon), but it was nice to come back to our nice and cozy home with the wonderful smell of the best chili ever waiting for us to eat (made it of course for my awsome husband)
We were stuck in traffic for about 2 hours. Ian needed to go potty and he kept telling me I needed to drive faster or he might not be able to hold it any longer. Well I did let him make pee on his pants just for this time. I saw his face of relief and that right moment I just wanted to pee my pants laughing lol.
Thanks my dear friend for being such a great friend, host, and example to me. I can't wait to see you again and take you and the kids to wonderful places around our new home and adventure in San Antonio. I miss ya already. :)

Hitting 30!

(The pic with all the smoke it was taken right after Glenn blew out the candles. Can you tell the diference with the other one when he opened his presents? lol)

My sweet love turned 30 years old! I called our offical sitter to have a romatic night with my love. Surprisingly, my dear love had his b-day off (so we will take that as his work b-day present).

I made him his favorite dessert (New York cheese cake). It was amazing when he blew out the candles. All the apartament was full of smoke! It's funny because I still think 30 is the new 20. We have more experience, and we look better than ever. However, we have also way more responsabilites than we used to have before, like having a family, kids, etc. Anyway, I surprised him in the morning with a big breakfast.
The kids made special drawings for him, decorating the breakfeast area with them taped to the walls. Nicky wanted something funny, so she drew a cake with the number 30 and a little note that said, "OVER THE HILL!" Glenn thought that was hilarious.
My dear love picked the movie which btw I thought was a great pick. Then I took him to dinner to this steak house. We had a great romantic (not expensive) dinner. Who would have known that a romatic dinner didn't have to be that expensive? We ate outside. The weather was wonderful and at the back of our table we had a huge fireplace with music in the backround with lots of little lights that just made the atmosphere very romatic. The waitress was very nice and kept coming in case we were in need of something. We talked about us and did some impressions just to get a laugh out of each other...just like old times. That is right: it is one thing he turned 30 and something completely different that we have to behave like old guys, right?
Nicky and Ian opened their piggy banks and bought him socks and an electric tooth brush that he liked. I thought it was so great they had the idea of buying special gifts for their dad. Ian used some of his b-day money and Nicky used all her savings (which made me realize how cheap we are when we had given her allowances). It was also funny that at the store Nicky got distracted with the princess section and told me, "MOM, I THINK DADDY WOULD LIKE SOME PRINCESSES FOR HIS B-DAY." (to make her wish come true I did get ready as pretty as a princess for my husband :))
My present will be ready for him after our move in June.
Honey, you are the best. I hope you had a great day! We love you and even though it was your b-day, you made us a great gift everyday (except when you are on call :)). Thanks for being in our life and for being the best friend, husband, dad, member of the church, and everything to us! I wish all your dreams can come true. If there is somebody that deserves their dreams to come true it's definitely YOU! You really are the best! MUA!

How do we learn to be good parents?

My mom used to tell me all the time, "THERE ARE NO MANUALS TO LEARN FROM TO BE THE PERFECT PARENT." Man, she was right!

Yesterday I was giving a bath to the three of my kids. I know Nicky is a little too old to be taking a bath with her youngest sibilings, HOWEVER I had a long day and I thought, "WHY COMPLICATE THINGS?"

Anyway, I put them in the bath tub with some toys. They were having fun until I told them it was time to take them out and get them ready for bed. I told Nicky she needed to come first because she was the oldest.

Well it seemed like Hanna was ready to get out, too, and since Ian was having a blast by himself I decided to make a little change. I took Nicky out first, dried her and put lotion on her. Then I told her to get dressed by herself, and asked her to please bring me Hanna's Pj's and diaper. I was getting Hanna ready, and I was playing with her at the same time (she likes playing peek a boo while getting dressed), then I heard Nicky sobbing and I called her again. I asked her what was going on and why she was crying. Then she told me, "I THINK HANNA IS MORE PRETTY THAN ME, AND I THINK YOU THINK THAT, TOO, MAMA. DO YOU LOVE HER MORE THAN ME?" Of course it broke my heart to hear this. I hurried up and hugged her and told her that I loved the three of them the same, that they all were a little bit of me and daddy, and that the three of them are so special. Then she asked again, "BUT DO YOU THINK SHE IS PRETTIER THAN ME?" Then of course I told her that I think they both look like me and just because of that I really, really thought they both are not just pretty but GORGEOUS! She gave me a smile and hugged me back. I finished changing Hanna and Ian wanted to spend more time in the bad tub, so I had a little talk with my little one. I told her that once she was little like Hanna, and that even though she doesn't remember, I used to play the same baby games with her. I reminded her that I love that she is growing up and that she is more independent, and that Hanna needs us all because, even though she is walking, she's still very little. I think she understood and then of course I heard my other ruggrat screaming "MOM, IT'S COMING OUT!! SHOULD I MAKE PEEPS IN THE BATHTUB?" Of course the answer was no! :)

At the time I was downloading some videos of Hanna to our YouTube web page. Unfortunately I don't have any video of Nicky when she was a baby on that page. I do have tons of videos of her when she was baby. The only problem is that they are in the garage. She was starting to get sad again because I didn't have any video of her when she was a baby close at hand. I told her that she was the only one of the three of them that had her own dvd movie. She was so happy and excited and kept asking me questions like if she had a cute pink crib like Hanna's and if I used to make pony tails like I do with Hanna, etc.

I don't know in what part of the path that I started to fail her as a mom. I give and have given them the same treatment. I guess I kept thinking of her like my big helper, but she's still just 5 years old. She is an awesome girl. She barely ever complains. She has been always like that. I haven't been able to find her dvd. I'm sure it's in the garage. I'm keeping her occupied by watching one of her favorite musicals. However that is going to be something on the TO DO list.

Nicky, I know someday you will be able to read this and I just want you to know that I love you so much , not just because you are a child of God, not just because you are my daughter, not just because you are my first child, not just because you are one of a kind, but also because you always try to be good. I love you because you try to obey. I love you because you care about others. I love you because you are responsible. I love you because you always are the first one to recognize when I clean our home or the car or your bedroom. I love you because you are the best big sister a bro or a sis could ask for. I love you because you are a good friend. I love you because you are loyal. I love you because you like to challenge yourself. I love that you are so brave. I love you because you are so bright and smart. The thing that I love the most about you, honey, is that you know who you are and you try to remember it. Thank you, Nicky, because you have brought me SO much in just 5 years. I'm sorry if I'm not the best Mom. Thanks to you, I have the hope that I can improve as a Mom and as a person. I will try to make you feel more loved.

You're my honey bunch, sugar plum, pumpie umpie umpikin, you're my sweety pie! You're my cuppy cake, gum drops, snoogums boogums, you're the apple of my eye! And I love you so and I want you know that I'll always be right here and I love to sing this song to you because you are so dear to me. (I used to sing this song to you when you were baby, but I still feel the same).

love tu Mama!

That was the end of the conversation with Nicky.

Easter!

We had a great Easter. It's amazing for me all the sacrifice that our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ did for all of us. How amazing is Their love for each one of us. It really makes me think that there is hope in this life to have a better forever.

The kids were reminded of the real meaning of Easter. They were focusing too much on Easter(aka) "EGG DAY" (Ian's idea). Of course they were expecting the candies and chocolates. We did not mention the Easter bunny for two reasons. 1- I didn't grow up with that tradition and 2- It is enough distraction with the idea of eggs to hunt for and on top of that to add more distractions for the real meaning of the day (gotta love Hanna's face when she saw this egg).

We also got to hear the conference talks. I loved them. I can't choose a favorite one because I think all of them were very special.

Despite of my sore throat and my conjunctivitis, everything was perfect. My love got to spend Easter and conference with us. The kids love when he is around, and I feel very relaxed and happy when I touch his arm or when I feel his hand on my shoulder.

My husband had also a conference phone call family time. He enjoyed talking to his siblings and parents and I just like seeing him smile and be happy.

"Why is she so ugly?"

Magazine with Lady Gaga at the front page and Ian looking at her: "MOM, WHY IS SHE SO UGLY?" (me) "Why do you think she is ugly?" (Ian) " 'Cause she is showing her belly and I don't want to marry her. She is NOT MODEST." (me) "Good, Ian. I don't want you to marry her either." (lol) (Ian) "I like this one here." [pointing at other picture of a nice dressing girl] (me thinking) "I hope he always thinks that way..."

ONE YEAR OLD!

That's right, my little peach is growing up.

She is now one year old. She is so cute. We had a "big celebration" for her. We started the day singing at all times HAPPY B-DAY DEAR HANNA! We went to Chuck E'Cheese. Of course Nicole and Ian were in heaven. Our good friends the Jaffers came along with us. We all had a blast. Even though Hanna didn't play any of the games she ate ate ate A LOT! She even had her first COTTON CANDY. After a long day we came back home and had cupcakes. She of course didn't know how to blow the candle. HOWEVER she did suprise us all by learning a few new words. For a moment we lost Ian in Chuck E'Cheese. I was calling him and she was calling him along with me. It was so cute, but because I was so scared I couldn't celebrate right that moment. She kept calling him anyway and when we found him we all made her feel extra super special for her skills.

She can walk, but still prefers to crawl. She can say some words. We don't even think she knows the meanings, HOWEVER she uses them over and over. :)

A DONE, UH OH, NIGHT NIGHT, AK-KIU (thank you) asha (gracias) are the words that she can say. It is very cute to hear her talk. Of course the one that we know she can say KNOWING the meaning are MOM, DAD, IAN and we are working on Nicky. She said yesterday twice icky for Nicky but she hasn't said them since. :(

She is a great baby girl. She is always so full of smiles. However, when she can't get what she wants she immediately screams like mad at the situation. She loves her siblings and she loves that we all love her. There is no time that we are outside that somebody will stop me just to let me know how cute she is. She knows that and immediately pulls out her talents by smiling at the person who just noticed how cute she is. She loves playing peek-a boo with everybody which always gets her more attention (especially at church).

HAPPY B-DAY, HANNA BANANA! WE LOVE YOU! YOU ARE SUCH A CUTE BABY AND WE FEEL SO BLESSED THAT YOU ARE PART OF OUR FAMILY. :)