Happy New Year!



 

 

Here we are at the end of another year.  I'm looking forward to putting behind me another year and looking forward to what is ahead of me.  This year has had it's share of troubles, but I'm grateful we have gotten through them and am pushing on.  We are excited to continue to encourage each other in our weightloss efforts and I will continue to learn how to live with depression and even some OCD tendencies. Change in routines or schedules seem to affect me and trigger a lot of anxiety.  It can be scary and very lonely at times.  All I can do is keep trying and do my best to rely on God, who in the end is the only person who is in complete control. 

 

 

Christmas Day was such a great day for us.  Gabby and Tyler were excited to have Pop-pop and Grand-pop both with us!  It was nice to enjoy each other, spend time playing and having fun with the kids and all they got for Christmas.  For the past couple of years, Julio and I have decided only to get the kids presents and focus on them. We know that the best present we could ever get is each other. 

 

One of Tyler's favorite presents was his first Hot Wheels track!  He also loved his new games for his mobigo  and some pretty cool lego sets.

Gabby's favorite presents were her Figit Friend and Furby. One very special gift she got was a hand-made desk that pop-pop made just for her. 

 

He even autographed it. It will be something we will treasure for a long time.

The Marker Christmas gathering this year was a lot of fun.  The kids had a blast and really enjoyed the special gifts they got.  I was glad that we all were able to enjoy each other.  You could feel the void from mom-mom not being there this year, but I'm sure she was definately smiling down and enjoying watching  all the festivities and the  grand-kids play together, but from Heaven this year.  She has left a legacy and a love for family I hope we always remember.

 

My dad and all the grand-kids

My dad, my brothers and I


As my Christmas Break is winding down, I"m trying to spend the last couple of days really relaxing and enjoying the downtime I have left to spend time as a family and do some things I don't normally have time to do. 

We're excited about welcoming in 2013 and everything it has in store for us!

 

Holiday Season!

We are upon the Holiday Season!  Seems we stay busy with our weekly schedule and try to use the weekends to spend some much needed quality time as a family and extra rest and relaxtion. There are some days and some weeks that are very challenging and I have trouble keeping up with all I have to do, continue to have strength to fight the depression that wants to destroy me, and doing my best to be a good mom and wife.  I make sure I do my best to make time to pray and rely on God through it all.  I am thankful for my family and enjoy making memories with them.

Gabby just brought home her first report card.  She ended up getting 9 A's and 1 B plus.  We are very proud of her.  She got a music award in school and we made a certificate for her for her grades from us.  It is definitely a challenge to continue to help her develop good habits and be supportivie at home.  Our goal this marking period is to focus on slowing down and taking pride in her work.  She is a very smart girl!

 

 

 

 This week we started decorating and getting ready for the Christmas season.  We were able to start the weekend by stopping by and visiting Santa.  Martin the Elf came back as well to watch them and report back to Santa every night.  It will be exciting to see them come down stairs each morning and try to find where his new place is. 

 Julio put lights out and we put a Nativity seen up in front of the house that my dad made.  I'm very proud of his work :)  He does such great work and has such a talent! 

 Finally, we went and picked out our tree and decorated it.  It was fun to watch the kids decorate it and look at all the ornaments that have such fond memories attached. 

I am struggling a lot right now, but I'm thankful for all God has blessed me with.  I'm thankful for Gabby and Tyler, even though some days they drive me nuts! :) I'm thankful I have a wonderful husband and a great marriage.  I trust in God that he will bring me through and has good things in store for me.  I will continue to pray and try and be still as I wait.

October and Fall Fun!

October is one of my favorite months!  I love all the fall festivities.  This past weekend we endured Hurricane/Frankenstorm Sandy.  While we were stuck in the house, we enjoyed quality time with each other, time to relax and did our pumpkins.  The two pumpkins below Julio and I did, although the kids for the first time, helped us clean them out. 

 Digging in....but careful not to touch the icky stuff!

 Both kids enjoyed decorating their pumpkins minus the mess with Mr. Potatoe head parts.  Tyler did a superhero and Gabby did a princess.  They loved taking the parts out and putting them in the wrong places!

 Here are the new pictures for this year.  Both kids pictures turned out well this year.  They are growing so fast!

 Last Sunday we made our annual trip to Filasky's to pick our pumpkins.  It was such a wonderful day and the weather was absolutely beautiful.  Got to take the wagon out (which I think they enjoyed riding in more) to bring our pumpkins back, went through the corn-maze, played in the blow-up train, and ride on the bike tractors. 

 One of our favorite things to do before Halloween is to go to the Yearly Fantasy Trail at Brecknock park.  It's been so funny to watch how their reactions have changed each year...We started going when Gabby was 1!  Tyler was so excited I think he bounced through the entire trail!

 Their favorites!

 Halloween for this year, Tyler wanted to be Spiderman, and Gabby wanted to be Spider-girl.  Tyler had to do the pose that was on the box for his costume!

 This year, we went to Fifer Orchards for their festivities.  Tyler's favorite activity was a huge corn pile. 

 Gabby's favorite was the pony ride

This has been a busy start of the year.  Things have been busy at work and keeping up with Gabby's school work. I'm hoping as we have gotten settled into our routines, the next couple of months, and the end of the year will be a little less busy and less stressful. I'm hoping to focus more now on losing the rest of my weight and get back to my exercise routine especially.

Switching churches has been such a blessing.  I feel it is and will be a great move for the whole family.  The kids are having a blast and learning a lot, and Julio and I have found a group of people that truly care and are genuine. They have such a passion for Christ and for his people.  They have been such a blessing to me and have made such a difference in my life in just the couple of months I have known them.  I am growing as I'm learning who I am in Christ, and thankful for my lifegroup who continue to keep me in prayer.  I can't wait to see what God has in store for me and for my family as we continue to get to know people and learn to walk so others can see Christ through us and learn about his love for them.

A New School Year!

 

We finished the summer off by taking the kids to the beach one last time Labor Day Weekend.  We had a great day! Can't wait till next summer!

 

 Tyler has started preschool officially in the 3's class and Gabby started third grade.  Here is a picture of the first day for both of them for the beginning of a new year.  I pray that it will be a great year for both of them as they grow and learn lots of new things!

Things are starting to get quite busy.  Julio is working more, especially to prepare for the slow winter, while I keep up with my expercise schedule and the kids activities and homework every night.  Gabby is still doing jazzercise and will be starting a new group called Heritage Girls.  Similiar to girl scouts, but has a christian curriculum since we did not agree with what the girl scout organization supports now.  I think it will be a blessing and a great influence for her. 
We have also changed churches which has been a big transition.  Although it has been difficult, we know this is where God wants us and what is best for the kids.  We are joining this week a life group which will help the process of getting to know and connecting with people.  I'm excited about what God has instore for all of us as we start this new journey!

Fall is coming!  I have loved the milder weather and having the windows open.  October is one of my favorite months with lots of acitivites for the kids leading up to Halloween.  Fun times ahead for sure!

Back To School!

Can't believe Summer is coming to a Close!  We have had lots of fun and Memories.  We had a good summer, and really hate to see it end!  I took the kids down to the beach couple of weeks ago.  They had a blast.  They both love playing in the sand and had a blast in the water.  I'm hoping to get down there one more time in the next couple of weeks so daddy can join us!

 

 

 We also got to take them to White Water Mountain Waterpark.  This is getting to be one of our favorite places!  Gabby is becoming more like a fish every summer!  Hoping to get her swimming lessons this year so I can feel more secure when I'm not around.  Gabby is all boy and has no fear!  They enjoyed going down the water slides and probably for the second time in their life, they got to eat Cotton Candy!  It's was too funny to watch!

 We took our annual trip to Dutch Wonderland.  We had a blast!  The weather was wonderful.  I loved just being there as a family.  Gabby got to ride the rollarcoaster with daddy over and over again and tyler's favorite was the bulldozer!

 We all loved the flume!

 and of course the WaterPark is a blast!  Needless to say it was a great day!

 I got to have a mother daughter day before I went back to work.  I took Gabby to a place called the British Tea Room.  She had a blast and felt so grown-up!  She got her own lemonade in a teapot and used a real tea cup.

 The food was amazing!  I'm sure we will be going and doing this again soon!

 Gabby and I performed with the Middletown Jazzercise at the Peach Festival last weekend.  It was great weather and we had a blast!  We performed in the parade and then did two other demonstrations during the festival.  The Jrs. and Gabby got first place in the parade doing Afro Circus from the new Madascar movie! 

 The day before I went back to work, Julio and I went to the beach by ourselves.  Words cannot describe how wonderful it was!  It was so nice to just relax and read while listening to the seagulls and the ocean.  Of course the day went by too fast and can't wait for next year!

We did bring back a special treat for the kids!

Unfortunately Summer is ending and a new year is starting...I have been back to work for a week and so far so good.  I'm hoping this will be a good year for all of us.  I am continuing to draw close to God and do my best to eat right and keep my exercise routine.  It is hitting me with a new year, the kids are a year older and they are growing up so quick.  Tyler will be moving in the 3 year old room Monday and Gabby is starting third grade.  We met her teacher the other night and she has another guy teacher.  I'm hoping this is a good sign!  She seems excited.  I have a lot to be thankful for and I make sure I thank God for all the blessings he gives me every day.

August!

I can't believe it's already August!  20 more days till I go back to work...but we will have some summer relaxation and memories before then.
The last four weeks I have taken the kids up to my school for their community library days.  The kids get to check out books for the week and lots of activities to do.  There favorites was Paws for People day, where they had volunteers with animals come in and the kids got to read to the animals.  Another favorite was when they got their face painted.  Spiderman and Catgirl :)

Both kids have had a blast at their camps the three days a week they go.  Gabby is looking forward to going bowling this week with her own bowling ball that has been passed down that I gave her cousin when he was her age.  Tyler loves his water and ice cream days and last week was one of his favorites-Super Hero Week!

Last weekend we got to take our Annual Trip to the Delaware State Fair!  We all enjoyed ourselves.  We got to do the rides, see a pig race and even a circus.  They love going every year and seeing all the animals, especially the baby chicks.  Can't wait till next year!

 The rides!

 Pop-pop showing Tyler the chicks....

 Gabby is so proud she is brave enough to hold one by herself!

Although Summer is winding down...we still have one or two beach trips and Dutch Wonderland to look forward to!  Hope to end the summer with a bang!

White Water Mountain-Girls Day

Yesterday, I went on a field trip with Gabby's came to White Water Mountain.  It was tons of fun! The water felt so nice and it was a blast to go down the slides with her!  Haven't done that in years!  Can't wait till the next time we go!
She is doing great with her swimming.  Spends half the time underwater!  I think swimming lessons are on the agenda for next summer or very soon!

 Smaller slide that she was able to go down head first and dive into the pool!

 Time out to take a pic of the two of us!

 Love her face here! She had a blast on the bigger slides.  Can't believe she was so brave!

Looking forward to taking both of them to the Delaware State Fair next week!  Update to follow!