These are a bit old---but they are my TORIE!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
My dear Victoria!
The last month or so has been a bit of a blur---nothing bad---just busy. As a result I have neglected my duty to blog, once a blogger always a blogger? In addition, I have neglected my responsibility to read others blogs---I hope I am forgiven and allowed to return to the world of blogging...if not then bypass my latest update , get over it and move on...
April and May have been full months for my little family---Victoria turned 8 on the 13th of April. With 8 being the age of baptism in our faith, she was very excited and ready. She was then baptized on the 2nd of May.
Victoria is such an amazing child. I often don't feel like I as a parent deserve such a sweet, obedient child. She was born a little adult and has such an understanding of life. She is such a happy girl. She will often come up to me and hug me and say "I am so glad I am on this earth." She is just glad to be alive and finds such joy in the simple things---the things that I, as an adult so often have forgotten and fail to notice. She has such an amazing love for her little sister who desires to be just like her...in so many ways. She finds happiness in all the little things around her and it is a gift to our family...without her I would be lost---she is such a part of me and my world. She loves so much to be with mom and dad that she won't sleep over at anyone's house...even my parents...she just has to be with us. It's funny to leave my 3 year old and have my 8 year old say..."No Mom, I want to go home with you." I laugh as I was the very same way when I was young...sometimes the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree.
Her baptism was great and the Bishop was very impressed with how ready she was--he said she was the most prepared child he had seen since he had been Bishop---(I know I shouldn't brag---but I really don't take credit---it is the person she is...not my doing as much as I hate to admit it).
Happy Birthday Victoria---!!!!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Ode to my sibling: Aaron
Okay---so things here have been busy---but I felt like posting tonight---not sure why, just did.
I decided that I would do a little "ODE to my siblings" . I figure I will do an ode to one sibling at a time, so I will start with Aaron.....SOOOOOOOO:
Ode to Aaron:
Anyone that knows Aaron knows he has given me quite a few different aspects to work with...where to start...where to start....
Aaron is a natural comedian, he can have our whole family in pain from laughing so hard. He has a knack for thinking up things...that my brain, just naturally doesn't. He is the only person I know that could think of replacing a sandwich from one of the rotating, vending machines with someone's underwear, so they would have to pay to get them back. Sick and wrong---YES..., funny...also yes! Problem is that you will NEVER win if you try to get him back---payback isn't worth it, unless you do it in secrecy. In High School, Aaron constantly snagged my hairspray (which with my minimal income I covered) and he would use tons. It took him as long to get ready in High school with his feathered 80's do as it did me (and I had the BIG bangs---NE-ways...I digress), so I had enough and left a wee bit in the buttom of the bottle (so it smelled the same) and filled the rest with sugar water. Oh how it did my heart good when he would come home and his hair was flat and nappy (can I say nappy?) ---the bathroom counter was entirely sticky and sugar coated, but Aaron never figured it out. It was years before I told him---and I laughed, and laughed and still laugh. Some of the hardest times I have ever laughed was because of him!
Aaron has bonded with the people from his mission like no one else I have ever known. He has been home for 17 years and still goes back regularly to visit. His mission really changed his interests in his life and who he has become. He is much more of an outdoorsman than he was before it.
Aaron is a huge example of faith to me. I have recently watched him and been so impressed with how strong his testimony of God is and his devotion to his family. His love for his children is amazing and he knows what he wants.
I have really grown to look up to Aaron and am proud of who he is and continues to become! I love you Aaron!
What stories Memories do you have of Aaron that make you laugh, cry, etc?
I decided that I would do a little "ODE to my siblings" . I figure I will do an ode to one sibling at a time, so I will start with Aaron.....SOOOOOOOO:
Ode to Aaron:
Anyone that knows Aaron knows he has given me quite a few different aspects to work with...where to start...where to start....
Aaron is a natural comedian, he can have our whole family in pain from laughing so hard. He has a knack for thinking up things...that my brain, just naturally doesn't. He is the only person I know that could think of replacing a sandwich from one of the rotating, vending machines with someone's underwear, so they would have to pay to get them back. Sick and wrong---YES..., funny...also yes! Problem is that you will NEVER win if you try to get him back---payback isn't worth it, unless you do it in secrecy. In High School, Aaron constantly snagged my hairspray (which with my minimal income I covered) and he would use tons. It took him as long to get ready in High school with his feathered 80's do as it did me (and I had the BIG bangs---NE-ways...I digress), so I had enough and left a wee bit in the buttom of the bottle (so it smelled the same) and filled the rest with sugar water. Oh how it did my heart good when he would come home and his hair was flat and nappy (can I say nappy?) ---the bathroom counter was entirely sticky and sugar coated, but Aaron never figured it out. It was years before I told him---and I laughed, and laughed and still laugh. Some of the hardest times I have ever laughed was because of him!
Aaron has bonded with the people from his mission like no one else I have ever known. He has been home for 17 years and still goes back regularly to visit. His mission really changed his interests in his life and who he has become. He is much more of an outdoorsman than he was before it.
Aaron is a huge example of faith to me. I have recently watched him and been so impressed with how strong his testimony of God is and his devotion to his family. His love for his children is amazing and he knows what he wants.
I have really grown to look up to Aaron and am proud of who he is and continues to become! I love you Aaron!
What stories Memories do you have of Aaron that make you laugh, cry, etc?
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Once a month....I post
Okay---so I have been horrible at posting---this new thing called FACEBOOK---has really distracted me. However, I have also been overwehlmed with both positive and negative things in my life. I will begin with the positives:
My Father retired last Friday. Now this may not be a big thing to some people, but my Dad has worked for Dupont since before I was born. THAT'S A LONG TIME! We (mainly Jared, my Mom, Samantha, and some of my Dad's co-workers) managed to pull off a surprise retirement party last Saturday. It was an fabulous experience. I have always loved my Father and been proud of him, but as I saw people that came in from all over the United States (California, Nevada, Montana, New York, Illinois, Tennesee, Florida, Arkansas,--you get the point) just to be there, it was amazing. They honored my Dad with different people telling about their experiences with him. I don't mean to gloat, but I felt so blessed and honored to be his child. The things people said about him were amazing to me. I think sometimes we fail to see how incredible people we love are, as we are used to them and take them for granted. It made me love my Father more than ever.
My sister mentioned something in her blog, and I have thought about mentioning it, but didn't know quite where to start--so Denae---YES I am copying you...sort of, and discussing MY feelings about the current family situation. As many of you are aware, I have a sibling who is going through a very unexpected divorce. We have all sat in a state of shock as we have watched someone we have known and loved make choices that seem so contrary to the person we knew. I shed many tears for my sibling--it's hard to see someone you love hurt and not be able to take away the pain. However, I also shed tears for me...for I lost a family member. Someone who shared the joys, and pains with my family for many years...someone who held a place in my heart. I guess what it all comes down to is the same thing I said in a previous blog---No man is an Island. We are all parts of one another's lives and if we choose to do something, whether it be get a divorce, make poor choices, or whatever else...others are affected. In this case...I am one of those people and it has really helped me to RE-evaluate those things that I desire in my life. When we betray our spouse, because we want to play, experience life or whatever else...we betray far more than one individual. I don't ever want to cause anyone the kind of pain I have seen and am hoping that I can live my life more in accordance with seeking the desires of my heart and never with my desires of one moment.
Okay...not sure if that made the sense it did in my head... !
My Father retired last Friday. Now this may not be a big thing to some people, but my Dad has worked for Dupont since before I was born. THAT'S A LONG TIME! We (mainly Jared, my Mom, Samantha, and some of my Dad's co-workers) managed to pull off a surprise retirement party last Saturday. It was an fabulous experience. I have always loved my Father and been proud of him, but as I saw people that came in from all over the United States (California, Nevada, Montana, New York, Illinois, Tennesee, Florida, Arkansas,--you get the point) just to be there, it was amazing. They honored my Dad with different people telling about their experiences with him. I don't mean to gloat, but I felt so blessed and honored to be his child. The things people said about him were amazing to me. I think sometimes we fail to see how incredible people we love are, as we are used to them and take them for granted. It made me love my Father more than ever.
My sister mentioned something in her blog, and I have thought about mentioning it, but didn't know quite where to start--so Denae---YES I am copying you...sort of, and discussing MY feelings about the current family situation. As many of you are aware, I have a sibling who is going through a very unexpected divorce. We have all sat in a state of shock as we have watched someone we have known and loved make choices that seem so contrary to the person we knew. I shed many tears for my sibling--it's hard to see someone you love hurt and not be able to take away the pain. However, I also shed tears for me...for I lost a family member. Someone who shared the joys, and pains with my family for many years...someone who held a place in my heart. I guess what it all comes down to is the same thing I said in a previous blog---No man is an Island. We are all parts of one another's lives and if we choose to do something, whether it be get a divorce, make poor choices, or whatever else...others are affected. In this case...I am one of those people and it has really helped me to RE-evaluate those things that I desire in my life. When we betray our spouse, because we want to play, experience life or whatever else...we betray far more than one individual. I don't ever want to cause anyone the kind of pain I have seen and am hoping that I can live my life more in accordance with seeking the desires of my heart and never with my desires of one moment.
Okay...not sure if that made the sense it did in my head... !
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Random tag!
Got Tagged!Here are the Rules Once Tagged:
I was tagged back in November---a bit late---took me forever to think of truly/rare random things- but here goes!
1) Link to the person who tagged you: Cara
!2) Post the rules on your blog (copy and paste 1-5).
3) Write 6 random things about yourself (see below).
4) Tag 6 people at the end of your post.
5) Let them know they are tagged and leave a comment so they know when your post is up.
1. I love vacuums, pjs and beauty products---not necessarily in that order---but somehow I end up collecting them all---YES even vacuums---I love to buy vacuums ---my sister likes them too, and my brother loves to vacuum when he's stressed---so I am not sure why this obsession exists in my family---but friends it does! As far as PJ's ---always buy them for my girls---can't help myself. Beauty products---I don't know I guess I am just always curious to see what the newest lip or hair product can do.
2. As a child I would vomit when I ran---Yes this is a rare gem of information. I didn't mind running, but I would have a lump in my throat and there you have it. This was a bit of a disadvantage as I loved to run and even hoped to play soccer---but let's face as great as I would have been as a secret weapon---I avoided the field and to this day am fairly horrible at soccer. Sigh....
3. All my siblings, and even my parents were all born in the same town in California. Good ol' Hayward. Seeing as I did move around quite a bit the rest of my life---it seems inconceivable that all five kids were born at Kaiser in Hayward---it did happen. My family had a long history in Hayward---even my grandpa's (my mom's dad and dad's dad) walked home from Jr. High together...
4. I have always had a desire to go back to school for some random jobs or even just do a few different ones that don't require an education---and here are a few: hair stylist, esthetician, Marriage and Family Therapist, Accountant, aerobic instructor (that one is a ways off), financial planner, interior decorator for now that is all I can think of, but I am always coming up with more jobs I would love to do before I die---I had to try out waiting tables for this very reason---it was a nogo---liked the money and the people at the tables---not the environment.
5. I love to decorate my house and would LOVE to help others---I guess that this is a take off of the previous one---my house is currently not up to my desired standard---but I love to redo rooms. I love to get new ideas and wish I had a magic helper to paint and put up pictures as I like (My husband does the job on occasion---but he does have a regular job)---it is the creative side of me.
6. I have an addictive personality---no, no, this is not some kind of confession, it is just the way I am. I get quickly addicted to things and am very grateful I don't drink or smoke as I would struggle forever to quit. For some reason that is just my temperment...
And there you have it...I am going to break the cycle and not pass this on as I know so many of you have done it before, but there you have it---my random quirks!
I was tagged back in November---a bit late---took me forever to think of truly/rare random things- but here goes!
1) Link to the person who tagged you: Cara
!2) Post the rules on your blog (copy and paste 1-5).
3) Write 6 random things about yourself (see below).
4) Tag 6 people at the end of your post.
5) Let them know they are tagged and leave a comment so they know when your post is up.
1. I love vacuums, pjs and beauty products---not necessarily in that order---but somehow I end up collecting them all---YES even vacuums---I love to buy vacuums ---my sister likes them too, and my brother loves to vacuum when he's stressed---so I am not sure why this obsession exists in my family---but friends it does! As far as PJ's ---always buy them for my girls---can't help myself. Beauty products---I don't know I guess I am just always curious to see what the newest lip or hair product can do.
2. As a child I would vomit when I ran---Yes this is a rare gem of information. I didn't mind running, but I would have a lump in my throat and there you have it. This was a bit of a disadvantage as I loved to run and even hoped to play soccer---but let's face as great as I would have been as a secret weapon---I avoided the field and to this day am fairly horrible at soccer. Sigh....
3. All my siblings, and even my parents were all born in the same town in California. Good ol' Hayward. Seeing as I did move around quite a bit the rest of my life---it seems inconceivable that all five kids were born at Kaiser in Hayward---it did happen. My family had a long history in Hayward---even my grandpa's (my mom's dad and dad's dad) walked home from Jr. High together...
4. I have always had a desire to go back to school for some random jobs or even just do a few different ones that don't require an education---and here are a few: hair stylist, esthetician, Marriage and Family Therapist, Accountant, aerobic instructor (that one is a ways off), financial planner, interior decorator for now that is all I can think of, but I am always coming up with more jobs I would love to do before I die---I had to try out waiting tables for this very reason---it was a nogo---liked the money and the people at the tables---not the environment.
5. I love to decorate my house and would LOVE to help others---I guess that this is a take off of the previous one---my house is currently not up to my desired standard---but I love to redo rooms. I love to get new ideas and wish I had a magic helper to paint and put up pictures as I like (My husband does the job on occasion---but he does have a regular job)---it is the creative side of me.
6. I have an addictive personality---no, no, this is not some kind of confession, it is just the way I am. I get quickly addicted to things and am very grateful I don't drink or smoke as I would struggle forever to quit. For some reason that is just my temperment...
And there you have it...I am going to break the cycle and not pass this on as I know so many of you have done it before, but there you have it---my random quirks!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Updating
Okay...so this blog will be a MYRIAD of things afterall it has been like a month..where does one start?
Holidays...they were okay...with family stress it tends to take the relaxation out of it, however it happened and we all survived, and I think the kids had a good one. We did lots of extra fun things like lights at the zoo (nevermind we spent 90% of the time in the BuildaBear with the kids...I'll post pics later--it's funny!), watched lots of Christmas shows, did Breakfast with Santa, made a gingerbread house, etc. I think we did our parental responsibility of "making it fun", and even managed to have some fun ourselves---can you believe it?
Latest quotes from Alyssa...
Holidays...they were okay...with family stress it tends to take the relaxation out of it, however it happened and we all survived, and I think the kids had a good one. We did lots of extra fun things like lights at the zoo (nevermind we spent 90% of the time in the BuildaBear with the kids...I'll post pics later--it's funny!), watched lots of Christmas shows, did Breakfast with Santa, made a gingerbread house, etc. I think we did our parental responsibility of "making it fun", and even managed to have some fun ourselves---can you believe it?
Latest quotes from Alyssa...
- She put on a pair of overalls....and comes out saying, "Hey Mom, I am a farm!"
- One night she was sitting and looking at me..."Do you like looking at mommy?--
"Yes. " "Why?", to which she responded, "Because I love you." MELT MY HEART! - The other day my mom asked her to turn out the light in the bathroom, to which she responded..."IT'S NOT EASY!"
- And my favorite---Alyssa doesn't sleep well in her own bed---so when she does she gets a treat. One morning, I was having a chocolate to which she responded.."Mom you weep (sleep) in your own bed." "Why yes Alyssa I did!"
She is my clown all the time. It's hard to keep her in line cuz she makes me laugh so much.
Well I hope that you all had a Merry Christmas and have WONDERFUL New YEAR! Loves to ALL!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Proud AUNT!
And the baby is here! My sister had a baby girl yesterday morning at 3:40---Lotus Dawn Katzoff! She is beautiful! She brought all the joy we hoped and knew she would to our family. She is so sweet and it was fun to see my girls loving her so much already. Alyssa couldn't stand not being able to constantly hold her. We had to laugh on the way home as we asked everyone what their favorite thing about the new baby was...Victoria and Jason loved her cry, I loved her long feet, but Alyssa---she loved the bow on her head! Leave it to Alyssa for a laugh. She was 7 pounds 11 ounces and 19 3/4 inches (I think..). Denae was a trooper and had an accidental naural birth---labor started at home at 2:30 AM and baby barely at the hospital at 3:40! WOW---We are all so thrilled. Here are a few pics of the girls with her last night!
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