I HATE to LOVE the United States of America

I hate to be wrong and I don't like  to admit it. It takes A LOT...more than a few minutes and ALMOST a shot of tequila, for me to swallow my pride and admit...mostly to my husband when I am wrong.  He  of course, loves it.  I am sure everyone who reads this blog would know...women are always right. :)

Most of you know I was born in Mexico.  I grew up with a love/ hate feeling towards the United States...I loved to visit, I loved shopping, I loved that everything was organized and clean, I admired the love that Americans had for their country and the pride they felt.

At the same time, I hated that "they" always won at everything, they were first at everything and I hated that I felt they thought they were better than everyone else in the world.

When I moved to the US to go to school, because of course they have the best dental schools in the world, I thought to myself, I will train there and learn as much as I can, be as good as I can be and go back home.  Little did I know, God had different plans for me!! 

After moving here, I began to learn more about this country, Greg and I love history and like to read a lot (not lately) but, learning about this country, how it was founded and its principles is an eye opener.  I absolutely fell in love with it. Being an "outsider" I think I can understand better why people hate it.  People hate the US because it is a prosperous nation, blessed by God. They hate it because it is a still a democracy...people do have freedom, unlike many countries in the world, including Mexico. It is truly the land of opportunity. 

Most Americans are very hard working people and  they are the most giving nation in the world. Giving their sons and daughters to fight for the freedom of men and women around the world, giving for every cause possible, being the first in any tragedy, anywhere in the world to lend a hand. I remember the earthquake that destroyed Mexico City in the 80's and I remember seeing the airplanes coming from the US carrying food, water, search and rescue specialists with their dogs and more and you know what every package of food said? "Donated by the people of the United States".....WOW....

I became a citizen a few years ago, the ceremony was emotional and many people shared their love and thankfulness to this country. I was moved to tears. I still felt funny putting my hand on my heart when they played the national anthem. After I had Bennett, I felt like I was officially, an American. That does not mean that I don't love Mexico or that I am not proud of my Hispanic heritage, I am and I will absolutely want my boys to love their heritage as well. 

People should feel proud of being Americans, there is no country like this in the world. No apologies!!  The freedom that we have is absolutely amazing and many paid with their lives for it. When I watch the news and read about how the government wants to take some of our freedoms away, it scares me. I want my boys to enjoy the same freedoms and not have to pay for our complacency. This is a country that is worth fighting for, so please vote this November 2nd, this general election is so important to the future of this country. If you don't know how to vote or have questions about where candidates stand visit www.azvoterguide.com for a non-partisan guide to vote.  

I can not wait for my boys to be older so we can stand together and place our hands over our hearts when the Star Spangled Banner is played. 

I hate to say it...but, I was wrong. America is a great country...and I LOVE IT. 

I can honestly say, I LOVE to LOVE the United States of America.

How much pain can you endure?

Today, was a good day at church. The worship was fantastic and the sermon full of wisdom and good advice.  Sadly, we learned about 2 church families that had unexpected deaths this week. One of those families is people I know from choir. Over the time that I have known them, I have seen them endure pain and financial struggles that I wish no one would have to go through and now a death from a terrible accident.

I have never had to endure a lot of pain in my life. I had a wonderful family growing up and I was always able to achieve my goals with little dissapointment.  I lost an aunt that I loved dearly and I lost 2 babies. I never held my babies because my pregnancies ended early and suddenly but I still cried, my heart was still broken but in my sadness, I was still able to praise God and say, "Your will, not mine". I often wonder if I lost one of my boys or my husband, if I would still be able to praise God. I don't know and it scares me to even think about it.

Seeing this family go through all these difficult times is hard, I wonder ...how much pain they can endure? I don't question God... but I just don't understand why? I guess I will never know because I am not God, I don't know His will or the "Big Picture" in their lives. I do know that the only thing that has gotten this family through is their unwavering faith in God.

As I am writing this and reflecting on what was said in church this morning I guess I am answering my own question... Why? why do they have to endure all this pain? For the rest of us, to learn to be thankful for what we have, to remind us that God is in control, not us and at least for me to continue to try to stay close to the Lord.

When I was trying to put B to sleep this evening, he began to cry and throw a tantrum...I held him and tickled him and I thought to myself...Thank you Lord that I get to put my son to sleep and kiss him good night and sing him a lullaby. After he fell asleep I prayed for the family that won't be able to do that again and I prayed that we as a family don't let ourselves get so worked up about schedules and deadlines and every other thing that distracts us from what is truly important.

Torture

As I have said before, I LOOVE, talking to other moms. I don't have a life outside work and my family which is fine with me...not complaining here. But, when I talk to moms about everyday things, life, kids, husbands and such, its like going to Starbucks, getting my Tall Extra Dry Capuccino and chatting with a girlfriend. Hence, my running late all the time with my schedule. 

I think I have posted a few of my obsessions...not hobbies, I call them obsessions because that is what they are, I go crazy when I have time to do a "small project" ( I won't define "small project" for lack of time space but lets just say its not small : 0 )  One of my obsessions is... I don't even know what to call it...Stamping? sounds simple and straight forward right? well let me tell YOU it is NOT.

Today, JDC was in the office for her daughter's appointment and of course SHE HAS to tell me about this blog.... http://inkingidaho.blogspot.com (I am posting it so I can pass on the torture to someone else) We are sharing with each other about things we do and we find out, we are very much alike. We are both CRAZY....Yes, crazy obsessed with "projects" we never get to do. 

We want to do EVERYTHING and we simply don't. Why you ask? Simple.... GUILT....Mother's guilt. If I am not doing something for my kids or with my kids...ITS WRONG!!!! I am a bad mom.... AH it kills me!

Back to my story. Of course as soon as the boys go down, what do I do? Instead of working on my other 100 projects for the office. I decide to torture myself, I go into this blog and look at all this stuff that I would love to make....I am thinking I am going to buy these tutorials so I can make my own Christmas cards or Birthday cards....or this or that for my office. WHO AM I KIDDING??? No one, I just want to torture myself.

 I will probably buy a tutorial, then call my Stampin' Up favorite person Lorri Heiling (http://stampingaddict.blogspot.com/)  and place a huge order so that I have everything I need to make whatever I decide to do when I have time. Hilarious...when I have time. 

There is no moral to this story...the feel good part about this story is:

• There are other moms as crazy as I am which...makes me feel better about myself 
• There are other moms that feel the same mother's guilt regardless of them being a stay at home mom or a working mom like me and that also makes me feel better about myself
• I am not alone...one way or another we are all the same. Sharing is what matters. We are all in this boat together and although we might be very different we all go through similar challenges in our family life and when you know you are not alone or the only one feeling a certain way....IT MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER

So... I am feeling better. My "play room" will continue to be a "dumping ground" for my projects for a while but I am not alone. 

A friend recently asked me if I was getting enough sleep and I said of course not!!  I have a 4 month old! She smiled and said that moms get their sleep when they are in heaven after their job is done.  Mmmmm, I don't think so, instead of sleeping  I probably will be chasing God, asking questions about EVERYTHING... Likely, He will ask one of his angels to please send me back to earth as soon as possible. 

One thing is for sure, come hell or high water,  I am baking this weekend. Of course, after the boys go down for naps! 

Traveling...Torture or Fun.

I love to travel. I inherited the love for traveling from my dad. I remember him coming back from his adventures in exotic places and just listening to him in awe! He would start the story when we dropped him off at the airport and end it right before we picked him up.

My "exotic" travel at this time includes California and Iowa.  Yes, pretty exotic.! Over time, we have made some adjustments and this last trip was....let's just say... better.  There are some great products out there that make life easier when you travel ... I always say: "Why didn't I think of that?!"

My Travel Necessities:

1)Backpacks
Hands are free and can hold hands, bottles, suitcases...and of course we check our suitcases.

2) Baby Bjorn
 They used to be bulky and hot but the new one is easy to put on and not hot at all. pretty cool!

3) Go Go Baby Z
We placed Bennett's car seat on it and wheeled him around everywhere and he thought he was the coolest kid in the airport! It is safe, he was contained and the best part was...we didn't have to chase him all over the airport or worry about him laying on the floor! (mom is ....kind of a germaphobe) Which brings me to my next necessity....A CAR SEAT in the airplane.

Greg pulling Bennett while he is still sleeping.

4) Car seat in the plane
No more pulling Bennett from under the seat and no more grabbing other passenger's stuff. They are comfortable and used to their car seat so they don't mind it as much.
Just working on something to prevent him from kicking the person in front of him. :)

5) And the greatest invention from  Apple yet....

The iPad

Movies, Games, Music, Books and more, ...super light and easy to carry. TOTALLY WORTH THE MONEY. The best baby sitter in the whole entire world, I NEVER leave home without it.

5)Pronto Changing Station
This is the greatest changing station, I just had to post the link because it is just such a great product. I just laid it in the seat next to me and changed diapers. Check it out it is awesome.
http://www.skiphop.com/product/202000.html

6)Clorox Wipes


Yes,  I am a germaphobe, I don't think there is anything wrong with it. :) I carry clorox wipes in a ziploc bag and clean tables, chairs, wipe around my seat in the airplane and a few other things.

SO, now when I travel and get the dirty looks when people see me coming in the plane with 2 kids, I just smile and say I have my IPad!! and I apologize to the people around me ahead of time.

Because I am so attached to my IPad and think every parent with children under 5 should have one, we have a contest for one in our facebook page. Sooo, if you don't have one yet or have one but need another one, go on our facebook page and enter the drawing. Trust me you will love it.

So, traveling.. torture or fun? Mmmmmmmm.......Both!