Serendipity

Eclipse

2010-06-30T21:00:00.003-04:00

Call me a nerd, call me a dork, call me a fanatic, call me what you will. I don't care! I admit that I waited in line (with friends) for two hours to see Eclipse. Best movie of the saga yet! Loved it and suggest YOU see it. I do also admit that I am VERY exhausted, and having to drive home at 3 in the morning is not fun. Waking up 3 hours later for work is not that fun either. Lets just say we drank some coffee to keep us moving!

I got an I-PAD

2010-06-04T13:52:00.004-04:00

I am soooo EXCITED I can hardly stand it!!!!

Mother's Day

2010-05-09T14:55:00.004-04:00

I would like to wish all the wonderful mother's an amazing Mother's Day.

Happy Mother's Day to you all who give so much to US your children!!

On this day as I sit and read, and I pray that I can be the woman, wife, daughter, and mother as the Proverbs 31 woman.

Proverbs 31:10-31

(10) Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. (11) Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. (12) She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. (13) She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. (14) She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar. (15) She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls. (16) She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. (17) She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. (18) She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night. (19) Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. (20) She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. (21) She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. (22) She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns. (23) Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders. (24) She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants.
(25) She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. (26) When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. (27) She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.
(28) Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: (29) “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” (30) Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. (31) Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

Bark at the Park

2010-05-01T13:46:00.007-04:00

A year ago I was watching the news (channel 10 of course) and saw that the Marlins had a day where you could actually bring your dog to the game. I thought to myself what a cool and cute idea. I continued to watch as the news cameras scrolled over all the fans and there Marlin loving pets in the stands at the Bark at the Park at Sun Life Stadium (it will always be Joe Robby Stadium to me though...lol). Well that was last year, and that cool and cute idea stayed there...you know in the past. Now lets move forward to current day, my husband calls me and tells that the bark at the park is going on once again this year; that cool and cute idea to go to the game came back after being trapped in the back of my mind for an entire year. I got giddy at the thought of taking my little pooch to the game. Silly I know, but if I get all excited about my dog I can not even begin to imagine how excited we will be to do these things once we have children. Anyhow here are some pics of Puchie's little outing, because this post is all about her!!! ;)

Our Little Family

Puchie & Stewie

What I Want Wednesday!

2010-03-31T14:09:00.012-04:00

So I was perusing a few websites/blogs the other night and found this esty seller Englady who sells the most beautiful jewelry. She has vintage inspired pieces for the classic lady, and I love it!!! So if your interested take a peek at her site and see what she's got!!!

Englady

Here are just a few things that caught my eye...

Fly Away - Sterling Silver Birdcage with Gold Sparrow Necklace

Honeybee & Whiskey Quartz Necklace - Sterling Silver

Lodon Blue Topaz & Gold Lotus Blossom Necklace

I may just purchase them all!

Note: This esty seller is not paying me etc. to advertise this for her, I just liked what I saw and thought I should share. Happy Shopping!! =)

A Valentines Day Nostalgia!!!

2010-02-22T09:29:00.012-05:00

As part of our Valentines Day Fernan decided to buy tickets to the symphony. I have never been to the symphony nor had he, so we were really looking forward to this. Last night we went to the symphony for the first time. Now I was not too sure what to expect, but I have a great deal of love for music and figured it would be something I would really enjoy. Can I just say that I... LOVE IT!! This is so different from listening to classical music, I love how you can feel the emotion in the music and how you can imagine what you want from it. How you can feel the sadness, the excitement, the love etc. in it. I loved watching the musician with there instruments, the conductor, and the mezzo soprano as she sang periodically. I have also wanted to watch an opera and after going to the symphony, it has only made me long to go to an opera even more. The great thing about last nights show was that all the proceeds will be donated to the Walenstein Musical Organization in an effort to rebuild the New Victorian School and music conservatory in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The school was destroyed when the earthquake shook Haiti. http://www.thenewvictorianschool.org/.

During Intermission

Photo taken by my Blackberry Smart Phone
Sun., February 21, 2010 at 8:00 pm at the Lincoln Theatre

Program

A Valentine's Day Nostalgia

Friday, February 21, 2010

Licoln Theatre, Miami Beach

SERGEI PROKOFIEV

ROMEO & JULIET (Selections from the Ballet)
Introduction / The Duke's Decree / The Young Girl Juliet

Masks / Dance of the Knights / Public Merrymaking

The Duel / Romeo resolves to avenge Mercutio's Death

Tybalt's Funeral Cortege / Juliet's Room

Juliet's Funeral / Juliets Death

MANUEL DE FALLA

EL AMOR BRUJO (Ballet 1925)

Introduction and Scene / In Cave -Night-time

Song of a Broken Heart/ The Apparition -Dance of Terror

The Magic Circle / The Spells / Ritual Fire Dance (to drive away the evil spirits)

Scene / Song og the Will-o-the-Wisp / Panto,ime

Dance of the Game of Love / Final: The Bells of Dawn

GEORGES BIZET

CARMEN (Selections from the Opera)

Prelude / Aragonaise / Habanera / Les Toreadors /Chanson Boheme

Mabel Ledo - Mezzo-Soprano

Eduardo Marturet - Conductor

My Valentines Day Cookies

2010-02-14T13:57:00.030-05:00

For the past several holidays I have attempted to make/bake sugar cookies from scratch. I have attempted several recipe's and finally found one that I liked best, but I have never gone full circle with these cookies. They have been baked and eaten, but never decorated. My first attempt at baking cookies was for the Thanksgiving/Fall holiday. I decided to bake some fall leaf cookies, but had no idea where to begin when it came to decorating.

Fall/Thanksgiving Cookies

Then I baked some Christmas holiday cookies and attempted to decorate a Christmas tree cookie cutout. I made the royal icing from scratch and well it tasted good, but ended up being quite a big mess. Sorry I have no pictures of the disaster (lol).

My sister-in-law (Taty) suggested that I buy the easy, already made icing, from Wilton...so I did. Can I just say that my Valentines Day cookies were the first successful cookies I decorated, because I cheated!!! They weren't the most nicely decorated cookies, but nonetheless they were decorated!!! I definitely felt accomplished, but still couldn't help the feeling that I had cheated. Why did I feel this way? Well because I did not literally make the icing myself or from scratch. All I have to say is my battle with royal icing is not over yet, so stay tuned because this is a battle I plan to win. Happy Baking!!!

My Valentines Day Cookies

Happy Valentines Day!

Vintage Keys

2010-01-28T13:56:00.021-05:00

A few days ago I ordered these vintage keys from Pottery Barn.

Have I mentioned how much I love love love vintage keys????

I think I am a little obsessed!

I love how they are nested amongst these frames! Beautiful, just beautiful!!

Anyhow, my husband had brought home one of the PB catalogues in hopes that I would find something we could purchase using a gift card we had received as a wedding gift a year prior. I know what you are thinking...how could you have a gift card for so long and not use it? I apparently get that a lot, and I apparently do that a lot...you know hold on to gift cards for a year or so. I don't have an answer for you as to why I do this, but all I can say is I am sure glad my husband brought that catalogue home and that we were able to find something in it.

When they arrived...I was jumping for joy!

I couldn't just order 1 box of seven keys, no I had to order two of them.

So I know have 14 vintage keys!

Whoo-hoo!!!

I sure am glad I ordered these babies!!! As many of you know I live in an apartment in which I refuse to decorate to the potential that I would like to. Why you ask? Well because I refuse to spend any money on the apartment that I only plan on living in temporarily. I would much rather save the money, and spend it decorating our future home/house. I am now entering my second year living in my wonderful little apartment, and I am starting to get antsy in my decorating pants. Aside from that I just could not pass these beauties up!

My wonderful husband hanging up our new keys!

I did say I had 14 keys and I only hung up 8 keys. What am I going to do with the remaining 6? Well I had a thought... perhaps I will attempt at creating some type of wind chime like this picture below.

We will see how that goes...

The i-Pad is finally here!

2010-01-27T16:48:00.018-05:00

Several months ago I wrote about Mac coming out with something new, something that looked like a giant i-phone. Well it's finally here!

Let me introduce to you ....The i-pad!!!!

You can pre-order one of these babies on March 12th, but they will be here April 13th for only $499.00. Now I promise you apple is not paying me to advertise this, I just love apple and think this gadget is pretty cool and thought I should share.

http://www.apple.com/ipad/

Chicago...Part 2

2010-01-27T15:26:00.023-05:00

So Fernan and I decided to take a little getaway as an anniversary gift to ourselves. I love get-a-ways no matter how long or short they are. We had so many places to choose from and believe me it was hard to choose, especially after weighing the pros and cons as to where we should go. We finally decided and Chicago it was. I had never been to Chicago, but Fernan always rants and raves about what a great city Chicago is. I loved it, and would would like to visit again in the future when the temperature is a bit warmer to see what some of the attractions look like without all the snow. I know now why the call it the "Windy City" burrr!!! Anyhow we had a great time and we were reluctant enough to spend some time with my cousin (Jackie) who is living over there for the time being. She was kind enough to pick us up from the airport and save us some cab fare. Thanks Jackie!! My only disappointment was that we were not able to do the sky deck tour, due to lack of visibility all weekend long! Even if we did have visibility I am sure I would have been a little freaked out to step out on to the sky deck ledge, I guess I will never know until we visit again. Other than that small little weather snafu we had a great time and love our get-a-ways together!!! Happy Anniversary Honey I love ju!

Chicago's Sky Deck...the one thing we did not get to do, because of lack of visibility!

Perhaps now you can see why I would have been freaked out if we had actually gotten to do it.

Some Pictures from our Trip

Chicago's Famous Deep Dish Pizza!!!

brr...

The Adler Planetarium

Cloud Gate / The Bean

Ice Skating @ McCormick Tribune Plaza

View our entire album from our trip to Chicago:

Click here to view these pictures larger

Chicago...Part I

2010-01-26T16:47:00.029-05:00

I remember sitting in my social psychology class in college and learning about how people always remember the negative events more than they do the positive ones. The reason being is that impressions are influenced more by negative traits than by positive traits. This is called negative effect and the best way to explain it; is that negative traits are more unusual and therefore are more distinctive, and because there distinctive we tend to remember them (Taylor et al.). With that said I will now begin to explain why I have even brought up this whole topic and what it has to do with Chicago. After spending four wonderful days in the Windy City, reality hit and all good things must come to an end. I really was not looking forward to our flight home, considering how turbulent and frightful our flight going there was. After 2 hours of being up in the air I thought to myself "thank God this is a good flight home", surely I thought/spoke to soon to say the least. I could swear I was in movie. I had never experienced anything like that on a plane! I remember a distinct silence, a peace you could say, one that was interrupted by a screaming woman. A woman shouting for her mother to wake up!!! "Mother wake up...wake up mother...wake up!!!!" She kept repeating and shaking the woman sitting beside her, finally one of the stewardess came to her side to see what was the matter. A few moments later the captain asked for any nurse or doctor on board to come forward and help out with the situation. The whole plane sat in silence as they watched a stewardess and a nurse try to resuscitate her in mid air. I began to pray for this woman that they referred to as Joan, and noticed once I was done that many other people were also praying for her as well. I began to cry because I could hear the pain, panic, and desperation in the daughters voice as she stood over her mother who was now laying on the aisle floor. I could not even begin to imagine what this woman was feeling as I sat and witnessed this entire ordeal. After about 30 minutes we finally landed and paramedics came on board and took the woman to the corridor exiting the plane where they continued to work on her. We were not allowed to leave the plane in order to not disrupt the work of the paramedics. An hour or so later we were allowed to exit the plane with no news as to the woman's condition. Prior to our exit we were constantly being updated on how Joan was doing, now I don't know for sure whether or not the elderly lady survived, but I did hear some airport employee talking amongst themselves about how they worked on her for over an hour and could do no more. I believe this woman passed away. My hope is that she knew the Lord and that her family may find peace in this difficult time. Emotions can have a powerful impact on memories and this is definitely something I will never forget. It is not the only thing I will remember about Chicago, but it is a story that I have told everyone since I have returned.

Maybe my next post will actually be about Chicago, but until then I use this post as a way to pay respect to Joan and my way offering condolences to her family.

Coral Castle

2010-01-19T21:45:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was President's Day, and Fernando and I had a much needed day off. Things have been so busy lately, that it is nice to just have a day off where neither one of us has anything to do. So my honey being the great guy that he is, made plans for us to visit the Coral Castle in Homestead. We love museums, art festivals, anything cultural or anything that deals with learning. I guess we are just nerds at heart. This historic place was created by a man named Edward Leedskalnin he created this monument in honor of his lost love Agnes Scuffs. Ms. Scuffs was ten years younger than Mr. Leedsklnin and they were engaged to be married, but Ms. Scuffs broke off the engagement the day before the actual wedding. He built the castle by himself without outside help or machines. He carved and sculpted 1,100 tons of coral rock alone and it took him about 28 year to complete.

I feel bad for Mr. Leedskalnin, because it seems as though he never moved on with his life after Ms. Scuffs. I mean the man dedicated his entire life to create a monument for her and it makes me wonder if he any had hopes that she would return to him after seeing what he had accomplished.

The Entire Castle

The Reading Area

The Florida Table

http://coralcastle.com/

Touchdown Tuesday - Week 19 - Divisional

2010-01-19T08:16:00.001-05:00

This is a post I have been dreading to write since football season began back in September. I guess I am just going to come out with it....The Boy's are Out!!! They had a good run while it lasted, but the Dallas Cowboys now know how the Eagles felt when they whooped on them. I say this because the Vikings just did it to them! The Minnesota Vikings whooped the boys 34 -3 in Sunday's game!!! I guess good luck to Farve next week as he plays against the Saints!!! As much as I like Farve, I think I am cheering for the Saints!!!! I have said it from the beginning they are Superbowl worthy and I guess we will just have to wait and see how true that is.

One sad Dallas Fan!

I wonder what Farve is telling him?

Study those plays...

Down for the count...

I always like to think that the guys who point to the sky are giving God the glory!

Yikes!!!

This is one sad picture! Sorry Romo!

The Vikings vs. The Boy's

01/17/10

12-6

Note: Photo Credit to Yahoo Sports / Elsa

Our First Anniversary!!!

2010-01-17T23:30:00.014-05:00

I can't believe a year has quickly come and gone. Today a year ago I was walking down an aisle, exchanging vows, and partying my socks off. I wonder does this now mean that just because I am a year in, I am no longer a newlywed? Some may say yes and others may so no, but I say you are a newlywed as long as you like, I guess it really just depends on your attitude and the way you look at it. I am thankful for a wonderful year of marriage and for the all positive and not so positive things that my husband and I may have encountered. I am thankful for him, for who he is, and for all he does. So what do you do on a first year anniversary? Well I like to consider myself a traditional girl, and being so we participated in the tradition of celebrating the first year of marriage by eating our top layer of our year old wedding cake. Now this may sound gross, but quite the contrary its all about how you wrap and store it. My wonderful sister-in-law Taty did a great job with this little project, she must of wrapped in saran wrap 100 times followed by aluminum foil and another 100 layers of saran wrap. Whoever said year old cake is horrible obviously did not store it right. Why so many layers of wrappings you may ask, well the reason is to prevent freezer burn and lock in the freshness. Anyhow the cake tasted great to me and everyone else who had it! I am just glad there was enough for everyone!! We chose to celebrate our actual anniversary date with our family and next week we will celebrate by going on a little trip to Chicago.

Our Year Old Wrapped Up Wedding Cake!

Let the Unwrapping Begin

Not only year old cake, but champagne as well. My Tia Flor saved us a bottle from our actually wedding! Thank You!!!

Cheers to a Great Year & Many Many More!!!

Lets Eat Cake!

Our Family

Non-Pro Pic

Touchdown Tuesday - Week 18 - The Wild Card

2010-01-12T09:38:00.008-05:00

Holy Cow!!! The Dallas Cowboys just won there first playoff game since 1996!!! Finally!!! They beat the Philadelphia Eagles 34 to 14 on Saturday nights game!! Can you say spanked? Let's see what happens next week against Farve and the Vikings.

Can you tell Jerry Jones is Happy?

The Boy's vs. The Eagles

01/09/10

12-5

NOTE: Photo Credit to Yahoo Sports / Jamie Squire & Ronald Martinez

Good Morning!!!

2010-01-09T07:37:00.012-05:00

Its 7:27 on a Saturday morning!! I usually wake up early! For some reason my body is built that way, but today is different. The weather has been pretty cold over here in Miami and it is something we are not really used to, but I love it!!! I am looking out the porch and can see how cold, dreary, and ugly it is outside. You might wonder why on earth am I up so darn early on a Saturday? Well for the past few nights my husband and I have shut off the air and have been sleeping with the windows open and taking advantage of the cool air. If you know my Husband you would understand why we do this. I swear he is a polar bear because my apartments a/c is always set to arctic temperatures. Anyhow as you can imagine that sleeping with the windows open you hear outside noises that you would not usually even notice if your windows were closed. So this morning the sanitation collection decided to it usually thing, and pick up our buildings waste. Oh of course they had no consideration for the fact that I am sleeping with my windows open and they must be quite to try not to wake me up ::sarcasm::. So due to the lovely noise I am up, and once I am up, I am up!!!! Watch out though you may find me past out in front of the T.V. by 9:00pm. I am an early riser and because of that I am also early to bed. Happy Saturday Everyone!!!

Goodbye Christmas!!!

2010-01-06T15:51:00.006-05:00

I realize Christmas ended 12 days ago, but my tree has still been up until today. Fernan and I finally decided to take it all down! Can I just say it is really fun putting it all up, but not so fun taking it all down!!! I think we are going to invest in a fake tree next year because the mess our Fraser Fir left behind was ridiculous!!! Fernando is still trying to take off all the tree sap from his hands!!! I am sad to see it all go, but thankful for the free space our apartment has to offer now!!

Touchdown Tuesday - Week 17

2010-01-05T22:16:00.013-05:00

SHUTOUT!!!! Two consecutive shutout I might add!!! The Dallas Cowboys beat the Eagles 24 to 0, in Sunday's game!!! Dallas is now the NFC East Champs!!! Its not over for us or for the Eagles we have to play them again next week in the first round of the playoffs, and people said the Boys wouldn't even make it to the playoffs...pishh!!! Crossing my finger they win there first playoff game considering that they have pretty much blown it for the last several year, the last time they won a playoff game was in 1996...Yikes!!!! This is going to be a good year for them, I am sure of it!!!

Sorry McNabb

I absolutely love this picture! It almost looks patriotic!!

W. Philips wearing the Championship hat!

Run Barber Run!

The Boy's vs. The Eagles

01/03/09

11-5

NOTE: Photo Credit to Yahoo Sports / Ronald Martinez

01.03.10

2010-01-03T15:57:00.005-05:00

I am excited for today!! Today is the first Sunday of the new year! It is the beginning of a new start for many and a new start for my church in particular!!! I am excited because it is new start for my husband as well, especially since today my husband preached a sermon at our church for the first time. The first Sunday of the year, first Sunday he preaches!!! I am so proud of him and so thankful to God for giving him the opportunity to be used!!! I know God has great an amazing things in store for him and for our church! I can already see God moving at Relevant!!! Bring on 2010...All Things New!!!

Happy New Year!!!!

2010-01-01T15:56:00.006-05:00

Wishing everyone an amazing new year!!!

Puchie in her New Year's Eve Party Dress =)

Picnic in the Living Room

2009-12-29T10:20:00.021-05:00

It's so nice to have friends home for the holidays!! I mean it's so nice to have Huguette home for the holiday's...since she is really the only close friend that lives so far away!!! Anyhow tonight my friends and I decided to have a potluck dinner and catch a movie after!!! Our potluck dinner or should I say picnic...because that's what it turned into took place on my living room floor. Why did we eat on the floor with a perfectly good table only a few feet away? I have no idea, I guess that's just how we do things. Nonetheless I loved our little picnic and how cozy we were sitting together on the floor. I love girls nights, we just get so silly, laughing and talking about God knows what. I can't wait for our next dinner and a movie...oh and if you haven't see "It's Complicated" go see it for a good laugh!!!

Touchdown Tuesday - Week 16

2009-12-29T10:20:00.018-05:00

What was that they were saying about the Cowboys and December? Hmmm!!! The Cowboys beat the Washington Redskins 17 to 0!!! That's right ZERO!!! Once again it's going to be a showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles next week!!!! I can't wait to see it, January here we come!!!!

The Boy's vs. The Redskins

12/27/09

10-5

NOTE: Photo Credit to Yahoo Sports / Larry French

Sofia's Baptism

2009-12-27T10:19:00.014-05:00

Let me just say that this little lady is one very LOVED little lady! Today is important day in little Sofia's life, today her Parents, Godparents, Grandparents, Family & Friends presented her before God. Today Sofia got baptized! Baptism is the first step towards discipleship, and I pray that she always seek the will of God! Thankfully she has an amazing family to guide her along the way!

Sofia with the Priest, Godparents and Parents

Everyone who came to see Sofia get Baptized...well almost everyone!!!

Sofia and her Great Grandmother's

The Cake

Sofia and I

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T10:18:00.009-05:00

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas as we celebrate our first as Mr. & Mrs.

This mornings disaster!!! Don't you just love Christmas?

Puchie in her Christmas Dress!!!

(I got her dress for $2.50 @ the Target Dollar Section...gotta love the dollar section!!)

Touchdown Tuesday - Week 15

2009-12-22T11:51:00.011-05:00

Whoo-hoo the bad performance games in December is now over!!!! The Dallas Cowboys beat the undefeated Saints 24 to 17 in Saturday's game. I must say if there is anyone I see in the Superbowl its the Saints!!!! I have been saying it since the beginning of the football season! That's a team and city/state that really wants it!!! I feel bad for them that there undefeated record is no longer but I still believe in my BOYS!!!!

Catch him if you can

One Sad Saints Fan!

I love football fans!!!

Drew Brees get's sacked!!!

The Boy's vs. The Saints

12/19/09

9-5

NOTE: Photo Credit to Yahoo Sports /

A Relevant Christmas

2009-12-20T11:45:00.025-05:00

I love Christmas!!! What I love most about Christmas is all the holiday parties that take place in the month of December and how there is always an excuse for people to gather!!! I love how someone will always volunteer to dress up as Santa for the kids, or that person who will offer there home or those who cook and bake for the masses, oh and how can I forget the decorations. Who doesn't love Christmas decorations? It just seems to me that people are most cheerful around Christmas time; except for the occasional scrooge and we know who they are. Heck they know who they are!!! Speaking of parties I have to say that this year's Relevant Christmas Party (my church) has been the best one I have been to yet!!! The Collazo family did a great job dressing up as Mr. and Mrs. Clause along with their Elves, they are such a great family!!! May God bless them always!!! Our leaders did a phenomenal job with the food, games, decorations, portraits, and the list goes. I can't forget how thankful we are to IBB for allowing us to use there facilities. They bless us so we in turn can bless others!!!

Here are just a few pictures of our gathering!

The Collazo Family

They were so gracious to take pictures with everyone, in order to have a wonderful holiday picture to take home!

Touchdown Tuesday - Week 14

2009-12-15T11:49:00.006-05:00

I am tired of hearing all this smack about the Cowboys and there performance in the December games!!! Ugh!!! I guess there is some truth to it because the San Diego Chargers beat the Boys 20 to 17. i am hoping that by the end of the month they will prove everyone wrong!!! Go Cowboys!!!

No pics again this week...I know I'm slacking!!!

The Chargers vs. The Boy's

12/13/09

8-5

Annual COH Toy Drive 2009

2009-12-11T11:44:00.014-05:00

For the past several years I have participated in the COH Toy Drive, it is one of my favorite events to attend and participate in during the holiday season. This year a total of eleven local elementary schools participated and over 335 children received toys, which were donated by city employees. What I love most about this event is seeing the excitement and innocence on the children's faces as they see Santa and Mrs. Clause come into the park on Police Motorcycles units. I love how they cheer for Santa to appear... :children chanting: " Santa... Santa ...Santa" and when he finally appears there is nothing but jubilation in the air!!!! Finally I love seeing them tear apart the wrapping paper to see what gift is awaiting them!!! Christmas is such a great time and I hope that people do not get so caught up in getting that they forget to give. I believe you get so much more when you give!!

Some of Santa's Helpers

Mr. and Mrs. Clause

K-9 Unit Presentation

Norma and I

http://cbs4.com/video/?id=88021@wfor.dayport.com

http://cbs4.com/local/Hialeah.Toy.Drive.2.1364508.html

Touchdown Tuesday - Week 13

2009-12-08T10:58:00.012-05:00

It's Official I am out, but I also happened to knock Ian out this week along with me!!! Sorry Ian!! I won but it did neither one of us any good!

Here is my match up for week 13!

Congrats to me on a pointless win! Sorry Ian, don't hate me!!

As far as my Boys they had a loss this week. The New York Giants beat my Boys this week 31 to 24. Romo stepped up his game but where was the defense? Stupid Mistakes!!!! Ugh!!!

Sorry guys but I don't have pics this week!!!

The Giant's vs. The Cowboy's

12-06-09

8-4

Let's Talk Ornaments!

2009-12-08T10:57:00.028-05:00

This year I decided to participate in the Nestie Holiday Ornament Exchange with the girls from TheNest. I have participated in other gift exchanges or secret Santa's before but never in one specifically dealing with exchanging ornaments! When the girls were beginning to put everything together I wondered to myself how on earth are we going to do a gift exchange over the Internet. I figured we would meet in someone house or something. I apparently was not really using my noggin!!! Hello!!! Anyhow Johanna did a wonderful job putting this whole thing together on www.elfster.com (very cute website to do gift exchanges), and I am please to say I received a very adorable ornaments of t two penguins kissing ornament from Virginia!!! Thank you so much Virginia I love it! I also want to congratulate you on your new baby as well!!!

My Husband and my mother were looking at me as if I had three heads when I noticed that I had received this package. I was jumping up and down like a little girl with so much excitement because I knew exactly what is was.

This is the Ornament that was inside the package and what was sent to me by Virginia...cute huh!!!

Speaking of ornaments here are a few others that either have some sort meaning or has been gifted to me by a friend or family.

My husband gifted me this ornament back when we were dating on our First Christmas together! He also gave it to me with a promise ring taped to the bottom of the umbrella and sticker on the boys foot indicating to look under it. I laugh looking back at that now!! Time as flown by.

This one my friend Ingrid gave me when Fernando and I got engaged! I love Ingrid she is always so thoughtful and thinking of others!!! I love you my friend!!!

I am hoping to get this one as our first married Christmas together!!!

Touchdown Tuesday - Week 12

2009-12-01T10:57:00.000-05:00

It's official I am completely out of the playoffs, but if I win this week I knock Ian out of his chance into the playoffs. Bwahahah!!! I know he is going to be praying that I keep up this horrible streak I have had in fantasy this year. I can not believe that out of the three years I have been playing fantasy football the year I decided to write about it is the year I fail miserably, this is the first year that I do not even get a fighting chance. Oh well better luck next year I guess...now it's going to be interesting to see who gets knocked out! On another note can someone explain to me what was wrong with Brady in Monday nights game? I felt so sorry for him as he stood on the sidelines with his frustrated face. Ugh, thanks for only getting me 4 points!

Here is my match up for week 12

Congrats to my husband on his win!

Another win for my boy's this week! They beat the Oakland Raiders 24-7 this past Thanksgiving Thursday. Out of all the games my boys play Thanksgiving game has to be my favorite one to watch outside of the Super Bowl of course. I love the Thanksgiving game because of the half time show, the crowds excitement due to the holiday, and because I watch it with my father who is the person responsible for making me a Cowboys fan. I just enjoy the afternoon spent with family and the excess amount of food. I actually fell asleep watching this game, I guess it was all the food. Anyhow I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday!

Jerry Jones

A Serious Raiders Fan!

Felix Jones Running for a Touchdown!

Daughtry Thanksgiving Half Time Show

This has to be the cutest picture ever!

Happy Thanksgiving America!

The Boy's vs. The Raiders

11/26/09

8-3

Note: Photo Credit to Yahoo Sports / Ronald Martinez

Miami Lakes Festival of Lights 2009

2009-11-29T21:54:00.018-05:00

One thing I love about living in Miami Lakes is that it seems as though everything is in walking distance, or perhaps I feel that way because I actually live on Main Street. Anyhow tonight was the Miami Lakes Festival of Lights and it was such a nice family event, with live music all down the street. There is nothing that puts you in the Christmas spirit than Christmas Carols and cold weather at least for us here in Florida. I know Puchie enjoyed her little walk down Main Street with all the people just as much as Fernan and I did.

HML Band

Hialeah Park

2009-11-29T21:43:00.020-05:00

After nine years of being closed the historic Hialeah Park has finally opened once again! Today was opening day at the park, and the revitalization of the grounds is well underway. Their is still much work to be done, but you can clearly see the beauty and potential of the grounds. I am so excited to see this beautiful place open once again, and to see what things are in store for it. The park will be open for the racing seasoning commencing today and ending on February 2nd of 2010. The Hialeah residents play a vital role in keeping this place open. I am not for gambling, but I am for History!! ;)

Note: Photo Credit to Fernando Herrera

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-28T15:00:00.025-05:00

WOW What a year...granted I know it is not over yet, but there is so much I am thankful for! I began the year marring an amazing man, and having an absolutely beautiful wedding my parents gave us. I live in a great community, go to an awesome church, and am surrounded by the best friends and family any girl could ask for. I have a job, in a time where some do not, and I do not want to sound as though I am boasting, but I feel God has truly blessed us. I believe Thanksgiving is not only about giving thanks but about giving as well. I hope and I pray that just as much as God blesses us that I may have opportunities to bless others as well.

I am Thankful for him...because he is an amazing man!

I am Thankful for Family...

I am thankful for them ...for being the best parents in the world and always supporting and loving me unconditionally! I could never thank them enough for all they have done and will do for me... I love you!

Thankful for her...there is no one I love more than my grandmother, I hope that I always have the energy she has...

For them...for being the brothers and sisters I never had...and now do!

For my uncle who I absolutely adore and would tell anything to without hesitation!

For all of them...where would I be without family?

For her...because God has blessed our family with new life!

For Friends...

...because they have seen me at my worst and at my best...and we have watched each other grow up into women!

For them...my extended family...I am thankful for them because I get to do life with an amazing group of people! A group of people who make me better and want to make this world a much better place.

For my co-workers...they are more my friends than they are co-workers...they make my days so interesting and we always have so much to laugh about, and learn about together! Thank you!!

I am also thankful for my family in Georgia, New Jersey, Boston, and Costa Rica and for the family and friends who may not be pictured above, but are very dear to me as well! I love you guys, God Bless, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Our engagement pictures and a year later...

2009-11-28T14:16:00.015-05:00

A year ago today Fernando and I took our engagement pictures. I can not believe a year has flown by so quickly, and that this time last year I was busy with so many things that I never blogged about anything wedding related. How can I not blog about how much we loved our engagement pictures and our photographer. In a little more than a month from now I will make one year of being a married woman, my first year of marriage has gone by so quickly! Anyhow, we took our pictures with Carmen from Studio by Carmen...can I just say what a great couple her and her husband make. I have to say they were by far my favorite vendor to work with throughout the whole wedding planning process. I love her work and highly recommend her to everyone!

Here are a few of my favorite pics:

Note: Photo Credits to Studio by Carmen /http://www.studiobycarmen.com/

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

2009-11-25T10:54:00.003-05:00

...at least in the Herrera household it is. A few days ago Fernando and I bought some Christmas ornaments and ever since Fernando has not stopped talking about going to go buy our tree. So yesterday we went to the church across the street from our apartment to purchase a tree and found them to be very expensive so we decided to keep looking. We then visited Costco and they did not sell trees, so then on to Home Depot and they were not selling trees yet, okay so now on to Lowes they closed...ugh so we went home treeless. So after yesterday's run arounds Fernando and I were determined to get our tree today!! Much to our excitement we purchased our first Christmas Tree as Mr. & Mrs.

Searching for our tree

On our way home!

Finally Home

Some of our ornaments

Our First Christmas Tree as Mr. & Mrs. ...all we need is a Star!

Note: Photo Credit to Fernando Herrera

Touchdown Tuesday - Week 11

2009-11-24T09:34:00.017-05:00

Whoo-hoo!!! I won this week! I am so used to losing I can hardly believe it! I may even make the playoffs, who would have thought?

Here is my match up for week 11

Congrats to me on my victory!!! Whoo-Hooooooo!!! Sorry Mari!

My boys played the Washington Redskins this week, and they barely won by the hairs on there chinny chin chin! Yikes!!! The boys beat the Washington Redskins 7 to 6 on Sunday's game, and my Romo slightly hurt his back, but is expected to play on Thursday's Thanksgiving day game! Although he played with discomfort he stepped it up in the end, and thankfully Crayton made a touchdown to win the game!

Spike!

No Good!

Dallas Stadium

The Boy's vs. The Redskins

11/22/09

7-3

Note: Photo Credit to Yahoo Sports

Christmas is just around the corner...

2009-11-23T11:15:00.018-05:00

First let me start by saying Happy Monday, and state that I am super excited about the holidays! I love Thanksgiving and Christmas, but I feel like Christmas is trying to take over before Thanksgiving can even get a chance to be celebrated. Anyhow, Thanksgiving is only three days aways and we are already thinking about Christmas. Last night Fernando and I bought some Christmas ornaments before the good stuff is all gone, and I think we barely made it in time!! Now I am mostly excited for this Holiday season because this will be our first Christmas as Mr. and Mrs. The first time we buy our tree and decorate it, and our first year to create new traditions as a family of two, so with that said here is a little preview of whats to come...

Note: Photo Credit to Fernando Herrera

Esther's 27th Birthday

2009-11-21T11:03:00.001-05:00

So my friend Esther turns 27 tomorrow, and well her Husband Hector decided to throw her a little surprise at there new home today! Now my friend hates turning a year older, and has cried the last few years on her birthday because "she is getting older", but I say age is just a number! HA! I have always been teased about saying how old we are getting, but you won't hear that coming out of my mouth lately! Anyhow so Esther's sister-in-law Suzy thought it would be a great idea to throw her a child's theme birthday party, and what else would describe Esther best than a Disney themed princess party? Can I just say I did not see any tears this year! How could she possible cry with all the wonderful things going on right now!!! Happy Birthday my friend may you have many many more birthdays, and always remember to be a kid at heart. I love you!!

ACS Rummage Sale

2009-11-21T11:02:00.009-05:00

This morning was the ACS Rummage Sale where all the proceeds gained would go towards the American Cancer Society and the 2010 Relay for Life. I have never been one to attend, let alone host a rummage sale, but it was interesting to see the amount of stuff/junk people where selling, and the amount of people who came by to check it out. I guess what they say is true "one man's junk is another man's treasure" I bought someones candle which are now my treasure, well not really my treasure, but they certainly are handy! We raised over $500 dollars for a great cause and we are hoping to host another rummage sale in January, so if you have any junk/stuff you would like to donate, please send it on over our way.

Here are some pictures of our morning!

Note: Photo Credit to Fernando Herrera & Melissa Hernandez-Herrera

Art on Palm / Tree Lighting Ceremony 2009

2009-11-20T11:03:00.017-05:00

So tonight was Art on Palm's annual tree lighting ceremony. I remember my parents bringing me to Triangle Park as a little girl, and I would always write Santa a letter and put it in the giant red mail box found in one of the corners of the park. I remember running around in excitement looking at all the small decorated houses and taking pictures with Santa, but now as an adult I don't see the park quite the same, but it still is cute place for kids.

Placing a letter in the mail for Santa

Family and Friends

Me and my Honey!

Art on Palm

New Moon...Finally

2009-11-20T01:00:00.004-05:00

Last night, or should say really early this morning New Moon hit theaters! I have never been one to go to the midnight showing of any movie, except for that one time my cousin Manny dragged me to the Star Wars movies (I do like Star Wars so it wasn't such a drag). Aside from Star Wars I have never been to any midnight showing of any movie...WOW...I just realized how geeky I sound. Anyhow I was excited to go see this flick after many months of anticipation waiting for this movie to come out. After reading the whole twilight saga I now wish I would have re-read the book before watching the movie, in order to really catch all those little things that differ from the actual book. As they say the book is always better and that is true for New Moon, but I must say they did a really good job on this film and it was much better than the Twilight film. It was interesting to see all the fans and movie goers with there team Jacob or team Edward shirts and I even saw some guy who actually dressed up as Edward with a wig and everything. I guess some people just take it to the extreme, nonetheless I had a great time and thank my friend Angie for coordinating all 27 of us to go together. If you have yet to this film I recommend you go check it out!

Touchdown Tuesday - Week 10

2009-11-17T14:38:00.003-05:00

Can you believe we are already in the 10th week of the 2009 football season? Pretty soon we will be watching the super bowl! Anyhow I am very disappointed with my fantasy season this year, I have only won 2 games out of 10. I got some good points this week, and yet still I lose!!

Here is my match up for week 10

Congrats to Mike on his victory!

Usually when I lose in fantasy the bright side to my touchdown Tuesday post is all about my D boy's winning, well that is not the case this week. My boy's lost to the Greenbay packers this time around, and they beat the boy's 17-7. Romo got sacked five times and Colombo got injured. Ugh! It just seems to me as if everyone is getting hurt. This was a rough game for the boys they are much better than the performance they gave this past week in making stupid mistakes. It hurts when they had such momentum with four straight wins, but I guess as they say "you win some, you lose some". In the end I will still cheer!

Romo Fumbles the Ball

Colombo being helped off the field

A Disappointed Coach

I always find it interesting that Jerry Jones only comes down to the field when the boy's are not doing well on the field.

The Packers vs. The Boy's

11/15/09

6-3

Note: Photo's Credit to Yahoo Sports / Jonathan Daniel

ACS Kickoff 2009!!!

2009-11-16T15:44:00.008-05:00

Tonight was our ACS kickoff 2010!!! I can't believe we are having our kick off already! Where does the time go? I am excited for a new year of Relay and I am happy with the amazing committee we have this year!!! Relay 2010 here we come!! Did you know that 1 out of every 100 Americans participates in Relay for life...Be that 1!!!

Note: Photo Credit to Fernando Herrera

Touchdown Tuesday - Week 9

2009-11-10T13:12:00.019-05:00

What else is new? I had another loss!!

Here is the match up for week - 9

Congrats to Rady on his win! Again! =(

WHOO-HOO my boys beat the Philadelphia Eagles 20 to 16! They wanted it and they got it! They got first place in the NFC east winning there fourth game in a row!! It was a great game and I was a little scared that the boys had blown it, when the Eagles intercepted the ball. Thankfully they didn't let this mistake ruin there momentum.

White men can jump!

Choice celebrating a T.D.

Jay Ratliff after he sacks McNabb

McNabb getting sacked

He is one happy coach!

Boy's vs. Eagles

11/8/09

6-2

NOTE: Photo's courtesy of Yahoo Sports Photo's by Al Bello

Corrine Bella's Baptism

2009-11-08T12:33:00.005-05:00

Let me start by saying I am completely absent minded!!! My Sunday's are usually pretty crazy and if you thrown in an event, all chaos breaks loose. Well...not really, my Sunday's usually consist of church all morning and afternoon. So today I decided to leave a little bit earlier from church to give me enough time to go home change and drive to Corrines baptism. So I leave my house and I am driving to the church when I realize I left my cell phone at home!!! Yikes!!! I get to the church, get off sit inside the sanctuary, and think to myself this does not look like a baptism...hmmm! I ask the lady next to me and she informs me that this is only a mass. I automatically think I must have gone to the wrong church!!! I feel completely mortified to get up and walk out of the church I had just walked into! Ugh!!! I run home to get my phone only to find missed calls and text messages asking me where I am. I was under the apparent assumption that the baptism was at St. Barbara's Catholic Church when in reality it was St. Benedict's Catholic Church!!! Where oh where has my mind gone? Once I got to the right church I was so late that I missed the whole thing. I am so sorry Corrine Bella I missed such an important moment in your life, please forgive your absent minded tia!!! Always remember to put God first in your life no matter what! My prayer for you is that you grow up knowing who He is and knowing that He always loves you! May God Bless You little one! =)

Corrine getting baptized!

Us at the church!

Us at the House!

Friends = )

The Cake

The i-Heart Revolution

2009-11-04T21:52:00.006-05:00

Where do I begin? It seems that every time I have witnessed or experienced something of substance I never know where to being. I love Hillsong United... not for the music or the band that they are, but for the message they are trying to communicate to the world. Tonight the i-heart film premiered in select theaters, and I hope that they (Hillsong) decide to have a second screening of this film, but obviously that is up to there discretion. This film has been four years in the making, and I believe was created to inspire people to make a difference in this world. We do not realize the power that we have! As I watched this film Annie Garratt is talking about all the poverty she has encountered visiting different parts of the world and she asks herself "Why is this not my life?" I think to myself really why are we so blessed and others aren't? I think we take for granted that we live in the western civilization that we forget about the rest of the world. We live in a civilization that is selfish, and we lack the ONE thing. LOVE!!!!

HILLSONG UNITED // TEASER I-HEART REVOLUTION from mateusrocha on Vimeo.

Touchdown Tuesday - Week 8

2009-11-03T09:32:00.024-05:00

I guess my winning streak is over!! Why oh why did Brady have to have a bye week??? Thank God Brady plays the Dolphins next!!!

Here is the match up for week 8

Congrats to Vince on his win! =(

Looking on the bright side my boys have been consistent by winning three straight games in a row!!! Whoo-hoo!!! No interceptions for Romo; he is being careful!!! They won 38 to 17 against the Seattle Seahawks and we will see who wins first place in the NCF East. The Boys have a tough game ahead of them, but Romo has stepped up his game and has good receivers to make him look good. I now see a team, that wants it!!! We will see how true that is in next weeks game against the Philadelphia Eagles!! Yikes!!! Go Cowboys!!!

Because I think he is a stud!!

Catch him if you can...

Hasselbeck get sacked!!!

Simply Amazing!!

The Boy's vs. The Seahawks

11/01/09

5-2

NOTE: Photo's courtesy of Yahoo sports

Happy Harvest!!!

2009-11-01T10:46:00.010-05:00

It's the first of the month, and I can say I am completely pumpkined out! I am now looking forward to Thanksgiving and the Christmas Holiday! Whoo-hoo!!! I love Thanksgiving its my fathers favorite holiday and I can not wait to host my own Thanksgiving dinner one day!!! I am praying that 2010 be the year that I will be able to do that. I am in a toss up between Thanksgiving and Christmas being my favorite holiday, but it's so hard to choose between the two. Anyhow in light of the harvest season and everything Thanksgiving I thought I should post a picture of the fall arrangement my mother-in-law made for us.

Happy Halloween

2009-10-31T20:48:00.002-04:00

My favorite part about Halloween is actually giving out candy to the trick or treaters who knock on my door, and I was deprived of my favorite part of Halloween this year. I guess living in an apartment building does not allow many kids to knock on door and scream "Trick or Treat Halloween", don't get me wrong I love where I live. I love how everything is so close and convenient, and what can I say about the community? I am only hoping we can find a home one day in this wonderful community, but we will see what God has in store for us.

Anyhow I am off to a costume party (as I like to call it), and I will be wearing an old costume I had since I waited for the last minute. I hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween!!!

Sofia's First Halloween

2009-10-31T17:50:00.019-04:00

First I want to start out by saying Happy Halloween!!! Today some of my family and I took Baby Sofia to her first pumpkin patch! What would be more appropriate than to take her dressed as a pumpkin! Can I just say she is the cutest pumpkin I have ever seen! Not only did Sofia go as a pumpkin but my little dog Puchie went as well!

Sofia the Pumpkin

Puchie the Pumpkin

Fernan, Puchie & I

Our Pumpkin!!

2009-10-30T16:48:00.023-04:00

Every year Fernan and I carve a pumpkin the day before Halloween. Why do we do it the day before? I have no idea, we just started doing it that way, and well it just stuck! So we bought our annual pumpkin and carved away! This is our first Halloween together as a married couple, and the first pumpkin we carve keeping our tradition from our dating relationship into our marriage. =) I believe if we would have carved this baby at the carving contest last Friday I believe we may have gotten first place, instead of third! Oh well!!! Congrats to the winners ;)

Our pumpkin carving ritual would not be complete without oven roasted pumpkin seeds!! Rinse, paper towel dry, sprinkle garlic powder etc., roast at 350 degrees for 8 min, and your done. =)

The final product!

Touchdown Tuesday - Week 7

2009-10-27T14:46:00.039-04:00

Another week and a second win for me! Whoo-hoo!!! It looks like my luck in fantasy is really starting to turn around! Brady is getting me some good numbers!!

Here is my match up for week 7

Congrats to me on my victory!! Sorry Brandon! I won thanks to my defense!

My boys came back this week after having a week off, and well they broke the pattern with another win this week. Hallelujah!! The boys won 37 to 21 against the Atlanta Falcons. I can now say that it looks like things have changed for my boys now that Austin Miles is on the scene.

Austin Miles running for a touchdown!

Watch out 'cause here he comes!!

Patrick Crayton running for a touchdown!

Boys Celebrating!!!

The Boy's vs. The Falcons

10/25/09

4-2

NOTE: Photo's courtesy of Yahoo sports

Jessica's Birthday

2009-10-26T16:06:00.007-04:00

Tonight was my friend Jessica's 26th birthday...ahh we are getting old. Some friends and I went to her new place to cut her a cake, drink some wine, and just enjoy each others company. Happy Birthday my friend I hope you enjoyed your day and the rest of the celebrations that are to come. I pray for many new adventures in your 26th year!! I love you!

Esther & Hector's Wedding

2009-10-25T14:46:00.018-04:00

Last night I witnessed one of my oldest friends tie the knot. I love weddings!!! I love everything about weddings! I love all the details that go into it, the events leading up to it, the anticipation of the bride arriving to the church, the look on the grooms face as she walks in. The preparation of a new home and I especially love sharing in someone elses happiness. I can not stress enough how much I love weddings!! Getting married is a special time in a couples life, and should be cherished. Watching my friend reminded me of that special time Fernando and I had as well, and I can not believe we are almost a year in. I am am very happy for you my friend as you open a new chapter in your life. Congrats to Esther and Hector as they begin there new life together. I pray that you always put God in the center of your marriage! I love you guys! I can't wait to see your honeymoon pictures!

Mr. & Mrs. Hector Mesa!!!

Photo Sign In

Party Time

Goodbye!

Note: Photo Credit to Fernando Herrera & Melissa M. Hernandez-Herrera

Pumpkin Carving Contest 2009

2009-10-23T14:46:00.020-04:00

Yesterday evening I participated in my very first pumpkin carving contest. Some friends of ours (Julie and David who were also the judges) invited a big group of us to their home for an evening of pumpkin carving and hanging out around a fire. I was very surprised to see how nice all the pumpkins came out considering that many of the people who participated had never even carved a pumpkin before. We had a great time and I am already looking forward to doing this again next year.

The pumpkin we picked for the contest!

Carving

The Final Products

Eight of the Nine Pumpkins

Everyone!

My Teams Pumpkin!

Miami Springs Pumpkin Patch

2009-10-20T13:55:00.025-04:00

Some co-workers and I decided to visit the Miami Springs Pumpkin Patch. We get an hour and half for lunch to eat, run our errands and go about our shenanigans. So what a better way than to spend a fall lunch hour at a pumpkin patch. I love fall!! I love how it gets so much cooler than the usual 90 degree weather here in South Florida, its so nice when its in the 70's, and breezy. Thank God for cold fronts! I usually don't go anywhere near a pumpkin until the day before Halloween, which is when my Husband and I pick out a pumpkin ourselves for our annual pumpkin carving. We have been carving pumpkins on the 30th of October since we began dating, and it is a tradition I hope to keep throughout our marriage and with our children in the future. Pumpkin carving is also a tradition I have had with my father, but this year is a bit different for one I no longer live at home and for another we will be participating in a pumpkin carving and pumpkin pie contest this Friday at our friends David and Julie's home. I am very excited about the pumpkin carving contest because I have never participated in one, nor have I ever baked a pumpkin pie. So I decided to buy a little pumpkin to begin preparing for the world's best pumpkin pie. That's right my pie will be the best!!! I bought 3 pumkin muffins and a pumpkin for $2.75, not a bad price I'd say, so if your looking for the right pumpkin at the right price check out the Springs Patch. Anyhow I look forward to visiting another pumpkin patch by my home with my husband to pick out our contest pumpkin, and again later next week to pick out our traditional pumpkin, perhaps I will invite my parents and create a new tradition with both them and my husband.

Here are a few pictures of our lunch time shenanigans.

This is the Pumpkin I bought to make my first Pumpkin Pie from scratch.

Wish me some luck, because I am going to need it!

Touchdown Tuesday - Week 6

2009-10-20T09:22:00.018-04:00

Hallelujah!!! I finally won a game!!! I think it's now safe to say that the Brady curse is over. He got me 48 points in fantasy this week, what a performance!!!! I am so excited, I am praying for another win next week. Hooooahh...thats for you Manny!

Here is my match up for week 6

Congrats to ME on my victory!!! Whoo-hoo!! Sorry Ian!

As far as my boys they were off this week they had a bye week! Hopefully they took this time to refocus and strategize for the coming games! It was good week, and I am happy! Hallelujah!

Connect Weekend 2009 Video Recap

2009-10-18T18:15:00.014-04:00

New Moon Soundtrack

2009-10-16T10:13:00.005-04:00

The New Moon Soundtrack is being released today which is four days earlier than the original intended date. We are 34 days away from New Moon hitting theaters, that's right I am counting! I can't wait until November 20th, I am so excited! Anyhow here is the iTunes ‘The Twilight Saga: New Moon’ Original Motion Picture Soundtrack track list: ENJOY!!!

1. Death Cab For Cutie – Meet Me On The Equinox
2. Band Of Skulls – Friends
3. Thom Yorke – Hearing Damage
4. Lykke Li – Possibility
5. The Killers – A White Demon Love Song
6. Anya Marina – Satellite Heart
7. Muse – I Belong To You (New Moon Remix)
8. Bon Iver & St. Vincent – Rosyln
9. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Done All Wrong
10. Hurricane Bells – Monsters
11. Sea Wolf – The Violet Hour
12. OK Go – Shooting The Moon
13. Grizzly Bear (with Victoria Legrand) – Slow Life
14. Editors – No Sound But The Wind
15. Alexandre Desplat – New Moon (The Meadow)

BONUS:
16. Lupe Fiasco – Solar Midnite
17. The Magic Numbers And Amadou & Mariam – All I Believe In
18. APM Orchestra. – Die Fledermaus – Duettino: Ach, ich darf nicht hin zu dir
19. Death Cab For Cutie – Meet Me On The Equinox (Music Video)
20. Ulf Bastlein – Wandrers Nachtlied II, Op. 96, No. 3, D.768 (preorder only)

Death Cab For Cutie – Meet Me On The Equinox Music Video

Connect Weekend 2009

2009-10-13T14:21:00.022-04:00

Where do I begin? All I can say is what an awesome weekend! I love my church, and I can clearly see God really doing something here at Relevant. What I love about connect weekend is how people connect (hence the name connect weekend..lol), the silly games and pranks everyone is involved in, the worship, the lessons learned, the friendships created, God moving, and the list can go on and on. Connect weekend is all about connecting to God and to others and that is exactly what happened in Bradenton, Florida this past weekend. I am hoping to have a video recap by the end of the week from Bryan Lobos so stay tuned for that.

Here are a few pics my dear husband (DH) and I took of Relevants awesome weekend.

The Welcome Bags

Everyone

Green Team

Some of the Blue Team

Yellow Team

Red Team

The Little Boy Who Stole My Heart

The Worship

The Moon

Touchdown Tuesday - Week 5

2009-10-13T10:32:00.023-04:00

I feel like a broken record! I think I must be a cousin of the Energizer Bunny because I just keep losing and losing. Ugh! I must admit I was not into fantasy football at all this week. I was out of town and completely disconnect from the rest of the world, so fantasy nor football were at the top of my priorities list. I watched zero football this weekend so this weeks touchdown Tuesday is not as eventful as others have been, come to think of it I don't know if it ever has been considering I am 0-5. I guess the KC Chiefs and I have one thing in common because they are also 0-5, I can hear Manny M. poking fun at me already (Hoooaaah). Victory "would have been" so sweet this week since I played my adoring husband, but I guess the victory was sweet for him. Ugh!

Here is my match up for week 5

Congrats to my hubby on his win! No one can say I am a sore loser!

This week my beloved Boys played the Kansas City Chiefs and beat them 26 -20 in O.T. I guess there really is a pattern with these guys they win, they lose, they win, they lose and well they won this week. I really hope they break this pattern with another win next week. I hear that Austin Miles did a phenomenal job in Sunday's game, boy am I sorry I missed that sight.

Austin Miles running to score the game winning touchdown.

I like to think Miles is giving God the glory for the win.

The Boy's vs. The Chief's

10/11/09

3-2

Flipping the page...

2009-10-08T13:24:00.016-04:00

So I decided to help a friend of mine move today, since I am going to be out of town this weekend and will not be able to help her out because of my trip. Can I just say how excited I am for her, and her new place it's really cute and in a great location only 6 blocks away from Miracle Mile. I can't wait to see it once she is done decorating and everything is in it's place. I can't wait to see her no longer living out of boxes, but living in this place she will call home. After spending a couple hours lugging several things up the stairs, and a quick visit to Publix, we went to grab a cup of coffee at the local Starbucks. I love Starbucks, but what I love more than the coffee is the time spent talking with friends about our lives etc. once we are there. I love the exchange we have about our hardships, failures, relationships, friendships, successes, joys, advices given, and the support we give to one another. Every time I help one of my girls move I always feel like it's a new chapter in their life and in mine as well because we are all so close. It's a fresh start, and an opportunity to bring what you want from your past or leave behind whatever stuff you may feel can not accompany you into the unknown. It's nice to know that if I need help I have there support as well. It's also nice to know that they worry about me as I worry about them.
Jessie I hope you are excited about your new chapter I know I am excited for you! I love you!

Since we both looked horrible from all the work we did, we decided to take a picture of the street sign in front of the Starbucks.

Only in Hialeah...

2009-10-07T23:43:00.013-04:00

Being an employee for this city of progress sometimes allows for a few perks. My perk for the day along with some 1,000 plus others was free food for all city employees at the new pre-opening of the Chipotle on 49th and 4th. I absolutely love Chipotle and was thrilled when they opened the one in Miami Lakes, because I no longer had to drive to Griffin just to have some of this Mexican delight. Tomorrow the restaurant will be giving free food to all, so make sure to stop by. Anyway, now to the point of my story, my co-worker and I were driving to our free lunch and discussing our options for dinner, she said she was going to be cooking fish and needed to go to the market to buy some fresh limes. I am not kidding a second after she said that a guy walks by the car holding a bag of fresh limes for sale. Only in Hialeah will you able to buy fresh limes off the street from some guy! Tell me you see that in any other surrounding city? Oh how I love Hialeah.

My friend above says she needs to go buy a zipper tomorrow, maybe a seamstress will be selling some on 49th. Who knows?

Bank of America Tower

2009-10-07T09:28:00.022-04:00

In light of Breast Cancer Awareness Month I thought I would post a few pictures my husband took with "my" new camera of the Bank of America Tower in Downtown. I say "my" camera because he is obsessed with it as I am, to the point that I am considering buying him one so I can have mine back. lol. He always says so innocently it is not "your" camera but "our" camera because we are married. Apparently my husband does not believe my parents gave it to me but to us, I guess this is what happens when you get married. I love my husband and I love how we are both learning how to use "our" new toy even though I give him a great deal of grief about it. Anyhow back to the the point on the Bank of America Tower, this building has to be one of my favorite buildings in downtown simply because of it's night time illuminations. It is a 47 story building, and is one of the top ten tallest buildings in the state of Florida. On most nights it is lit white, but changes in colors for the Christmas season, St. Patricks Day, Independence day etc. Another building I absolutely love for its architectural structure is the Conrad, but we will save that one for another blog post.

These pictures were taken from my sister-in-laws apartment,

on October 5th which also happens to be her birthday!

So Happy Birthday ERICKA!!

Note: Photo Credit to Fernando Herrera

Touchdown Tuesday! - Week 4

2009-10-06T09:06:00.028-04:00

So I decided that this year I would record how well I did in fantasy every week here on my blog. Apparently I choose the wrong year to do so, because I am not doing as well as I have in past fantasy seasons. I am 0-4 which means I have not yet won any games, this by far is my worst year. I did better in my first fantasy league when I really had no idea what I was doing. UGH!! Someone please explain? It's all luck I tell you! So aside from recording how well I do in fantasy I also decided to record how well the Dallas Cowboys do this year, which I may add are not doing the best, but are definitely not the worst. Ugh!! I am starting to feel that perhaps it was not such a great idea to have Touchdown Tuesday on my blog! If I don't have a win in fantasy next week I think I am just going to have someone take over my team!! Just kidding I won't give up that easy! I need some wide receivers. ugh!

Here is the match up for week 4!

Congrats to Mari on her Victory!

As far as the Boy's go they had there second loss this week, and what a stupid loss it was. They might as well have rolled out a red carpet and handed him the ball to walk his 51 yards. Ugh!!Romo has good games and he has bad games, and well he had 5 sacks and 2 turnovers in this game I'd say it was a bad game! I see a pattern here Win, Lose, Win, Lose, so I guess next week will be a WIN?!?! Now I am going to get superstitions, I must think back as to what I wore and did on weeks 1 and 3 and must continue to do the same for the rest of the season! They failed to score in the 4th...I will leave it at that!

The NFL Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Denver Bronco's Invesco Field

Tony Romo getting sacked!

Dever vs. Dallas

10/04/09

2-2

Esther's Bridal Shower!

2009-10-03T23:15:00.013-04:00

Today was Esther's Bridal Shower and what a huge success it was! I am so proud of our hard work, and it was finally nice to see everything come together. Everyone enjoyed the food, decor, the one game (lol), and of course the great company. The best part of the day was seeing the huge smile on Esther's face. Congrats on your upcoming marraige my friend!! I love you and I pray that God bless your marraige always.

Here is a little recap of her special day!

The Centerpieces

The Wishing Tree

The Chocolate Flower Pops in a Pot

The Cake

The Bride and Groom

Friends

Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

2009-10-01T14:41:00.017-04:00

If you don't know, now you know! October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, so be sure to wear pink and show your support! I hope to make my way down to the 2009 Miami Komen Race for the Cure which will be held Saturday, October 17, 2009 at Bayfront Park in Miami.

http://www.komenmiaftl.org/

The Miami Dolphins have partnered with Boar’s Head to help fight Breast Cancer. Through the month of October the Dolphins will play 3 home games (vs. the Bills, Jets, and Saints) and they have set up an opportunity to see the game at a reduced price while helping find a cure for breast cancer. If you purchase an upper sideline seat for just $52 (a $30 savings) The Miami Dolphins Foundation will donate $10 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Log on to Ticketmaster and type in "support" as the offer password.

Touchdown Tuesday - Week 3

2009-09-29T14:07:00.018-04:00

That's it!!! I am convinced I have a Brady curse!!! In all my years of fantasy I have never started on a losing streak, let alone have three straight losses in a row!!!! Ugh!!! I am so bummed I don't even feel like writing. If I would have played one different player I would have won!!! ugh!! This sucks!!!

Here is my third week's match up!

Congrats to Mike on his victory! I will bow down ugh!

Looking on the bright side the Boys's won last nights game!! They beat the Carolina Panthers 21 to 7. I don't think that even there win could cheer me up about fantasy this week! I am a little worried about how the rest of the season is going to be for the Boys, even though Romo seemed to be very focused and manged to have a no turnover game! I feel he played it too safe, because of fear of making any mistakes. I guess better safe than sorry! No Marion Barber but Jason Witten was there and so was Felix Jones!

I hope to visit this AMAZING stadium sometime in my lifetime!!!

Celebrating a T.D.

Boy's vs. The Panthers

09/27/09

2-1

She has a name!

2009-09-26T15:49:00.006-04:00

After a couple of days and much debate, Manny and Veronica finally decided on name for Baby Ferro, her name is Sofia Maria Ferro!!! This afternoon the happy parents were finally released from the hospital and are taking baby Sofie home!!! She looked absolutely adorable in her pink coming home outfit and blanket.

Note: Photo Credit to Melissa M. Hernandez-Herrera

Naked Feet - Part Two

2009-09-25T14:35:00.044-04:00

So I get this e-mail yesterday from my dear friend Hugette who lives in Hawaii, and she asked me to share. I found so much humor in her e-mail and it actually made my evening. =)

The e-mail is as follows:

"Hey Meli! You are not going to believe this. So the other day I went to Ross with Santiago because he needed to get some shorts for school and I was bored. So of course I remembered your blog about ross shoes and your perfect nude colored shoes. So I walk over there and LOOK what I found for only $25.... I found LOVE!!!!!! Aren't they beautiful?????? LOL! I love you! You should totally put this on your blog! :-) Hehe! I love you!!!! Muah!
-Hugette "

Hugette my love thanks for showing my blog some love! I love you!

Here is a pic of her fabulous purchase!

I wonder if there is a Ross in Miami that may be caring these babies?

hmmm...I think I may be paying Ross a visit this week!

Baby Ferro

2009-09-24T09:06:00.009-04:00

The Ferros, the Donados, and the rest of us have a new addition to our families. Baby Ferro was born today weighing 7lbs 14 ozs. and is 19 3/4 inches long. This nameless little girl made her debut at 1:27 this morning after having her poor mother go through several hours of labor. This little munchkin would not budge and had to finally be taken out by force! She is the first baby in my family since all "us kids" grew up and my grandmother's first great grandchild! It is a very exciting time for my family and this little girl has brought us closer together. It is so amazing to see every ones excitement and watching my grandmother filled with tears of joy at this little one. I pray that God bless her parents with all the wisdom needed to raise her. I pray that she always be surrounded by people who love her, and that she is kept safe and protected from any harm that may come her way.

Some pictures of the little one!

On the 23rd waiting outside the room while Veronica was in labor.

We were all anxious to meet her, but then we got kicked out of the hall and into the waiting room! =(

Proud Mommy and Daddy

My Grandmother crying tears of joy while holding her first Great Grandchild!

Me and my new Baby Cousin!

She has her arms open for a hug!

Note: Photo Credit to Fernando Herrera, Melissa M. Hernandez-Herrera, & Manuel Ferro Sr.

Touchdown Tuesday - Week 2

2009-09-22T10:36:00.029-04:00

I am super bummed this week, not only did I lose for the second week in a row in fantasy, but my beloved Cowboy's had there first loss as well!!! Ugh!!! My bench players did phenomenal!!! Ugh!!! I have never started a fantasy league with a losing streak!! This is horrible, I am praying for a win next week, maybe the saying is true "thirds the charm". I will win in week three, I am convinced!!! What I want to know is how on earth Tom Brady can only have made 5.40 points for me, we are talking about Tom Brady here!!! Could there be a Brady curse on me? I picked him last year and he got injured in week 1, and in week 2 of this year only 5.40 points, perhaps I am jumping the gun here! Maybe I am being silly with the Brady curse talk, I am going to continue with the thought that "the thirds the charm"!!!

Here is my second week's match up!

Congrats to Rady on his victory, but it does not end here!

As far as the Cowboys go they lost there first game 33-31 to the New York Giants! I think I spoke to soon about Romo and no turnovers! He went from no turnover's last week to three turnover's this week! Ugh!!! He really needs to step it up, I would love to know what happened to him between last weeks game and this week? What a way to open the 1.5 billion dollar stadium!

Marion Barber running for the new stadiums first touchdown!

If I were Wade Phillips I would be mad too!

Giant's vs. Boy's

9/20/09

1-1

The Early Bird Catches the Worm!

2009-09-21T21:36:00.008-04:00

Tonight was the American Cancer Society's Early Bird Party for 2009 teams. This party is held in order to ignite excitement for the 2010 Relay for Life, and to give previous (2009) teams an opportunity to sign up early for our April 24th, 2010, Relay for Life Event. On October 19th a Kick Off Party will be held for new teams at Victor Wilde Park in Hialeah. If you are interested in participating and being apart of the American Cancer Society we will be there at 7:00pm! This year the American Cancer Society is celebrating a world with more birthdays! A world with less cancer is a world with more birthdays, and that's something to celebrate!!

The Early Bird Party

A world with more birthday's

2010 Relay for Life Committee

Note: Photo Credit to Fernando Herrera

Touchdown Tuesday - Kickoff Week!!!

2009-09-15T10:59:00.028-04:00

Alas the first week of football is over! I am bummed!!! I lost my first fantasy game by 7.27 points...ugh!!! I knew Wes Welker was a huge threat (I told you Rady!), and Drew Brees did amazing!!! I expected more from L.T. last night, and was very disappointed by his fumble, and by how much Rivers sucks...ugh!!! I didn't even finish watching last nights Chargers game.

Here is my first weeks match up!

Congrats to Vince on his victory!!!

Looking on the bright side, my Boys WON!!!! Whoo-Hoo!!!!

The Cowboy's beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 34-21!!! I am so proud of Romo, no turnovers, and no T.O.!!! I must admit I was a bit worried about the boys without T.O., but it looks like they are going to be just fine, it may even be a good thing that he's gone!!! I still have love for T.O. because of the diva that he is, but he sure does look ridiculous in a Buffalo Bills uniform, but maybe I am just hating!!!! We will see what transpires this year for the boys, and what Roy Williams really has to offer!!! So far so good, but it is only week 1!

T.O. in a Bills Uniform!

Roy Williams running for a T.D.

Boy's vs. Buc's

9/13/09

1-0

Au79

2009-09-09T11:14:00.003-04:00

I received an e-mail from my sister-in-law over the long weekend and the e-mail was as follows:

"...didn't this girl go to high school with you guys??? " with this link attached!
http://www.socialmiami.com/articles/au79_Jewelry.asp

At first I thought my sister-in-law had no idea what she was talking about, but as I read the article and glanced over the pictures! I realized my little sister-in-law was right! I did go to high school with her, and as I continued to read I found the article to be rather interesting and thought I should definitely share. I love to share others success and in turn hope that in sharing I can help them out in some way possible. Congrats to her and I would like to introduce you to Au79 by Lauren Monteagudo. Au79 is a jewelry line, she created and the signature piece is a gold shovel representing empowerment and strength. This shovel is a symbol for women who work hard and get their own hands dirty to dig up what they want. She says "Au79 is for the go-getter not the gold-digger."

I don't know about you, but that had me sold! I love how the shovel is a symbol for the woman who works hard to get what she wants. I will be purchasing one of her signature pieces in the near future, once her opportunist collection is released this fall.

If you are interested you can visit her website at:

http://www.thegoldshovel.com/

www.Au79online.com

Labor Day Weekend - San Francisco

2009-09-08T13:43:00.066-04:00

Every year my birthday lands around or on the Labor Day Holiday. This year it landed the weekend after my actual birthday which worked out great, because it allowed me to enjoy time with my family and friends on my special day, and to enjoy time away with my husband. As some of you know and as I have stated before on this blog, my husband gifted me a trip to San Fran for my birthday and well we had a great time!! I have been to California a couple of times, but I had never visited San Francisco, all I can say is wow!! I love how nice the people are and how cool the weather is over there, nothing compared to the hot and humid Miami weather, supposedly it is like that all year round! I can not even imagine that! Anyhow I highly recommend that if you get an opportunity to visit that you do so, it's so beautiful and I am now having thoughts of some day moving out there. My recommendations for those planning to visit is spend at least 5 days there, go to all the museums get on the double decker bus tour and definitely definitely go to wine country!!!

Here are some pics from our trip, we took a little over 1,500 pictures!

Me climbing up Lombard Street, it's a lot steeper than it looks in the pic.

Lombard Street

Lunch at Fisherman's Wharf...Yummy Clam Chowder!

Sea lions on Pier 39 at Fisherman's Wharf

Aquarium by the Bay on Pier 39 at Fisherman's Wharf

San Francisco City Hall has nothing on Hialeah's City Hall...lol

It took 3.5 million dollars to build this City Hall and is taller than the nations capital building!

The Painted Ladies

better known as the

Full House Sitcom House

Its actually the Blue house

The Palace of Fine Arts

Union Square

The Golden Gate Bridge

Before walking across it!

After we walked across it...it was cold!!!

Wine Country

It was hard to pick a few pictures out of 1,500.

Note: Photo Credit to Fernando Herrera & Melissa M Hernandez-Herrera

Twenty-Six (26)

2009-09-02T14:10:00.011-04:00

Another birthday down and my first as a wife! I must admit I was a little down this year about my day, because I realize now that I am getting older and that 30 is not too far away for me. All in all I have had a great birthday, and I am looking forward to my birthday getaway this weekend! I am more excited about using the D90 Nikon camera my parents bought me than the actual trip, but I am sure that will change once we are there! I am so lucky to be surrounded by such great and amazing people! What more could a girl ask for? I know I could not ask for anything more than what God has already given me!

Goodbye August Hello September!!!

2009-08-31T10:04:00.005-04:00

Can you believe how quickly the month of August has gone by? Time is flying and tomorrow will be the first day of September, my birthday! Whoo-hoo!!! September is a big month for my family, not because I will be 26, but because we will be having a new addition to the family this month!! At the end of this week Veronica will be 36 weeks pregnant, which means she can pretty much go at any time, actually she can pretty much go now!!! I am praying that she does not give birth while Fernando and I are in San Francisco this weekend, if she does I will be absolutely crushed!!! I can't wait to meet Baby Ferro and I am hoping this little bun stays in the oven at least until September 9th!

Hillsong Conference 2009 - Encounter

2009-08-30T19:34:00.022-04:00

This weekend several friends and I attended the Hillsong Encounter Conference 2009 at the University of Miami. I don't even know where to begin in describing the past two days!!! I pray that those who attended were truly blessed, I know I was!!! This was not a concert, but if it was it was the best one I have ever been to. I have never seen or encountered so many people worshiping God in my life! I pray that God do great things in this city that we live in, and open our eyes to things unseen and to hurting world that needs us!

Day 1

Day 2

Twenty Eight (28)

2009-08-25T14:01:00.021-04:00

This year my husband turned 28, as awful as this sounds I really wanted him to turn 29 so that I can begin to plan and strategize for next year, which would be his 30th birthday, but he is only 28 which means I still have to wait another two years before planning a big 30th birthday bash!

Even though his birthday was not until Monday (the 24th) we began celebrating Friday night with our families at Grazino's in the Gables, we had an awesome time and the service was excellent! Our waiter was delightful and even gave us a complimentary bottle of champagne. It was our first experience here and I highly recommend this restaurant, we even saw Lili (El Gordo y La Flaca) and Emilio Estefan having dinner there as well. After dinner we went to a local lounge and just hung out, the dj was playing some really old school music, I mean really old school. It made me think back to 8th grade old school.

"♪ It's tiiiiiiime bassss is gonna blow your mind ♪ "

lol!

Anyhow the rest of the weekend we spent with some friends, and I took my honey out for a special dinner on Monday (his actual birthday) at Ruth Chris which he was not expecting since we are suppose to be saving for our trip. I caught him completely off guard!

While at dinner, our families waited for us in our apartment to surprise him with a cake when we got home! He had no clue, when we got home the door was left unlocked and my husband thought someone had robbed our apartment, but to his surprise it was only our family!

It's his day!!!

2009-08-24T09:00:00.007-04:00

Happy Birthday Honey!!

Look out for some surprises and a great day!!!

I love you!!

-your wife =)

Hillsong in Miami!!!

2009-08-23T15:28:00.007-04:00

They are here, our Hillsong Conference 2009 tickets!! We ordered them several months ago and today we finally got them!!! I am so excited!!! I can't wait 'till Friday!!! I have been listening to them all week, morning, noon, and night!!

Fantasy Football "09"

2009-08-22T20:00:00.009-04:00

Once again it is the commencement of a new football season, people are beginning to gather, pre-season games are well underway, Sunday Barbecues are being planned, and others are preparing for their fantasy drafts! Ahh I love football!!! Today was our annual fantasy draft; a league in which I have participated in for the last three years!!! Unfortunately I did not take any pictures of our actual draft, but my picks are as follows (not in this order):

Tom Brady (QB)
Anquan Boldin (WR)
Brylon Edwards (WR)
LaDainian Tomlinson (RB)
Reggie Bush (RB)
Jason Witten (TE)
Antonio Bryant (WR)
Ryan Grant (RB)
Anthony Gonzalez (WR)
Tim Hightower (RB)
Kevin Walter (WR)
Julius Jones (RB)
Chester Taylor (RB)
Matt Schaub (QB)
Darrius Heyward-Bey (WR)
Nick Folk (Kicker)
Philadelphia (Defense)
Will Blackmon (Defensive Player)

Tom Brady was my first pick last year, stupid I know to pick a QB so early on in the draft, and of course he happens gets injured in the 2008 season opener, just my luck!! I got a great deal of grief for that pick last year, but I highly doubt something like this will happen again, so I decided to give him another whirl!! Looking on the bright side to his injury if he never would have gotten injured I may have never had the opportunity to have met him in Mexico!!! He probably would have been preparing for the Superbowl!

Miami Spice

2009-08-18T13:31:00.017-04:00

It's that time of year again...Miami Spice 2009! In the months of August through September Miami's best restaurants offer 3 course meals for a $22.00 lunch and a $35.00 dinner. Although that may sound expensive to some it's really a great price compared to the the regular menu of these restaurants. I am hoping to at least visit two of the participating restaurants this year, but since Fernando and I are going to San Fran, that may be out of the questions...we have to save for our trip!!! Two restaurants I have my eye on this year are: Meat Market, and Kobe Club. Hopefully the portions are not so small as some of the restaurants we have visited in the past, so beware if you plan on doing a Miami Spice dinner. I know I want a dinner menu not a tasting menu!

My Birthday came early this year!

2009-08-14T14:04:00.011-04:00

So once again I come home to find this on my dinning room table, mind you my birthday is not until September 1st.

I of course ask my husband what this black birthday bag is all about? He tells me to open it and find out. I open the bag to find a card and a small paper folded up with a note that says "Open me to see your gift".

I unfold the paper to find a picture of this:

That's right people we are going to San Francisco Labor Day weekend!! I am sooooo excited!!!

RCM

2009-08-09T15:03:00.006-04:00

Last night was such a fun night! RCM Band was asked to play at another local church for there annual youth week, and we happily agreed. It was such a blessing and great to see such young people excited for God. I pray that God may continue to use us!!!

Vero's Baby Shower!!!

2009-08-03T10:10:00.022-04:00

This weekend was Veronica's Baby Shower, and what a beautiful shower it was!! Everything was just so perfect and pretty in pink! I want to start by saying that Michelle Capo from Two Girls and a Card Shoppe did an awesome job with the invitations and all the decorations.

Tell me these are not the cutest baby shower invitations you have ever seen!

The Centerpieces & Decor

I love everything she did and wished I would have known her while planning my wedding, but there will always be other events.

The Happy Parents!!

I am very happy for my cousins as they prepare for the new addition to our family, and I can't wait to meet her!!!

I still say you are going to have twins!!!

Just because...

2009-07-27T18:50:00.021-04:00

So I come home this afternoon to find this little blue box on top of my dinning room table...

(Please excuse the mess of papers in the background)

So I ask my husband "What is this?", and he of course acts dumb saying "I don't know?!?!" If there is anything I love, it's antique looking keys, I am absolutely obsessed with them. I don't know exactly why it is I love them so much, but I just do. I think they are so beautiful, and who knows what they could possible unlock? So my husband being the great man that he is gave me this just because:

My father gave me a similar, but smaller gold key several years ago, which is right about when I believe my key obsession began. That small golden key was given to him by a family friend who helped my father a great deal in the past. It was gifted to him along with a small book titled the golden key, on his one year anniversary of being sober, and it is said to be the key to willingness. My father later gifted that same key to me, and my hope is to use that key as a family heirloom in the future. I now have four beautiful keys each of them given to me by people I love dearly. Who knows perhaps I will give all four of them as heirlooms in the future!

Thank you Honey for my gift! I love you!

Naked Feet!

2009-07-25T14:50:00.011-04:00

So I was at Panera Bread this afternoon, and had some time to kill, so I decided to go to the Ross next door to see what I could find. Once I entered I was on a search to find some cute gifts for the winners of the games at Veronica's baby shower next weekend. To my luck I was able to find most of the prizes, but the best prize of all was these Jessica Simpson nude pumps I found. I of course bought these HOTT shoes for myself, and I'm still in shock that I was able to find these babies for only $20.00!!! I love finding bargains like these!!! Nude shoes are definitely in, and I believe are essential basic for a functional wardrobe (not that I know anything about that)! They pretty much go with everything, and that is more bang for your buck!! Nude shoes are suppose to make your legs look longer, but in my case my legs are so white it might not do the job that it it intended to.

The shoes look darker in the picture, but they are alot lighter!!!

Make new friends, but keep the old!

2009-07-24T09:26:00.015-04:00

I believe that aside form family friends are an essential part of life. I was lucky enough to spend some quality time with some special ladies last night for a potluck dinner!! I met some of these ladies several years ago at the church I attended. We shared our lives, our tears, our joys, and countless other things with one another at our weekly Tuesday night meetings. We don't get to spend time togther much anymore due to our busy lives, but its always nice to stop from the craziness of life and find time to spend together as we used to. These young ladies will always have a special place in my heart!!!

Regina Brett of "The Plain Dealer"

2009-07-21T11:06:00.005-04:00

I received an e-mail this morning with 45 lessons that I thought I should share. These 45 lessons were written by a woman named Regina Brett. Mrs. Brett is a columnist for The Plain Dealer in Cleveland Ohio. She states:"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written...My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more: "

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Today Mrs. Brett is 90 year old, and I love when people share there wisdom as she has.

We are at our mid-point!

2009-07-17T13:03:00.004-04:00

Today my husband and I make half a year of being married, it is crazy to think how quickly time fly’s right by us. In six more months we will be celebrating our 1 year anniversary! I hear the top of the cake does not taste so bad after a year of refrigeration. I wonder does being married a year mean you are no longer a newlywed?

The rumor is...

2009-07-14T14:34:00.006-04:00

Mac is coming out with a touchscreen laptop! Now I am not much of a technological type of person, and for all I know this could be old news, but I believe this is one cool gadget! No one knows what it will really look like but I guess it would look like a giant I-phone and according to Good Morning America it is supposedly being released this October. I guess we will just have to wait and see if the rumors are true.

Baby Elyse!

2009-07-13T21:10:00.008-04:00

The Egipciaco family, Justamante family, and Relevant Kids has a new addition. Baby Elyse was born today, and she is absolutely beautiful, she has brown hair and weighs approximately 6lbs 10 ozs. Karina spent 30 minutes in labor, and she did not even have time to mess up her hair. I hope that the day I am blessed with children my labor will be just as short.

That little boy stole my heart and I am sure his little sister will steal it too!!

Mima turns 70!!!

2009-07-11T15:44:00.004-04:00

If anyone knows me, they know how much I adore my grandmother! I love her with all my heart and soul and I can not imagine a day without her! She called me yesterday afternoon and read a poem that she wrote in regards to family, and I asked her if she was happy already knowing that her answer was YES! I guess her birthday inspired her to write. Today my grandmother turns 70 and I pray for 40 more years of her sassy and firecracker personality to bless upon this world. I only hope that when I am her age that I am everything that she is. At the end of September God willing my grandmother will become a great-grandmother to my cousin's baby girl. The first baby in my family since we all grew up (lol). I love her excitement for the up and coming new addition to our family and all the wisdom she has to share with me. I love calling her in the late afternoon just to hear her voice, and see how her day is going and I especially love calling her at night just to say good night Mima. Most of all I love being able to celebrate another birthday with her!

Happy Birthday Mima!

Way too much food.

2009-07-10T13:11:00.014-04:00

All I can say is bless my husbands heart! I am very grateful for the man God has given me and I could not ask for a better husband. I laughed to myself this afternoon as I opened my lunch to find what leftovers he had packed away for me to eat. I truly believe my husband thinks I eat as he does, I am girl for crying out loud!

This is what he served me.

This is what I actually ate.

Again all I can say is bless my husbands heart!

My co-worker was laughing as she watched me take pictures of my food.

Fourth of July

2009-07-06T20:01:00.014-04:00

So my husband decided to surprise me with a trip to Disney this past weekend. It feels as though ever since we got married we barely have any time for ourselves and I figured once we were married it would be quite the opposite. I don't know if it's that we are involved in too many extra curricular activities or we just can't sit still, but it sure was nice to get away. I felt like a little kid as I packed my suit case and got all excited only drive four hours away from home. I love Disney and I love Mickey Mouse, but then again who doesn't? For the first time I looked at the Disney theme park in a different way. I thought to myself one day my husband and I will be bringing a munchkin of our own here to visit Mickey Mouse for the first time. I saw all the families walk by us and with there excited children in this magical place. Although neither one of us is any where near ready to have children I pray that God gives us wisdom when that day does come. If and when it does I will definitely not be taking them in July it was way too HOT, but then again watching the Fourth of July fireworks at the happiest place on earth was well worth it.

New Moon

2009-06-15T13:40:00.015-04:00

So I finally finished reading New Moon by Stephenie Meyer and I am waiting for my mentee (Nathalie) to catch up to me to begin reading Eclipse. I have become so consumed with this whole twilight saga that I have already convinced several of my friends to start reading its along with me. It's funny because I never would have thought I would enjoy reading this saga as much as I have, and can not wait till November to see New Moon in theaters.

The Book

Movie Poster

The Movie Trailer

Cruzan Amphitheatre - Colplay

2009-05-16T13:55:00.018-04:00

Third time in my lifetime I have had the oportunity to see my favorite band perform in my home of sunny south Florida. It's the second time I get to see them perform at The Cruzan Amphitheater and I absolutely love the atmosphere at this venue. I don't know if it's because you can select to sit on the grass, or because it's outdoors or maybe seeing all the differnt types of people that attend is what gets me, but I love this venue for any concert.