Monday, December 28, 2009

Merry Christmas...

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. I'm working on getting photos off the camera and onto the computer so I can update everyone on our whirlwind Christmas so far! Santa has yet to come to the Pinto house because we were in Texas spending the holiday with our family, but he comes tomorrow and it's sure to be fun! Stay tuned for Christmas in Texas, part 1!!

Friday, December 4, 2009

O Christmas Tree........

I decided that since I took a few pictures of our tree this morning, I'd participate in this weeks "Show us your life" at Kelly's Korner.

Normally I have more than one tree, but this year we're cramped into this tiny apartment and the other tree(s) just won't fit. I decided to put up the main on and this year I changed the color scheme to Red and White with a touch of silver.



In person it looks perfect, but when I looked at the pics I thought it looked like the tree needed more ornaments. I'm not sure though. I have tons more red and white, maybe I should put them up! What do you think?!

I LOVE the snowflake ornaments. I got them all on sale last year a few days after Christmas.....when I bought them I decided to go with the red/white this year. I fell in love with them and I couldn't be happier with how they look!

I need to pull out the last few Christmas boxes and find my tree topper, but other than that, I think I'm finished decorating!! I'll try to get more pictures of the rest of the house up soon!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving.....

I wanted to hop on for a minute and wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for this year and I hope everyone reading this is surrounded by people they love and that they're enjoying their holiday.

We didn't go home for Thanksgiving this year, but we're blessed to be spending our Thanksgiving with great friends that we like to consider our "military family."

Happy Thanksgiving to anyone reading this, and Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband.

Philip, I love you with my entire soul. Here's to our lifetime together!!

Monday, November 16, 2009

Deployment sucks....

and this is a short one! LOL

Philip has been gone for a grand total of 36 hours and I'm already at my wits end. Thankfully, it's usually one a few days of total insanity before we settle into our normally insane routine.

We'll be meeting up with Philip next week for Thanksgiving at the Eastridge casa!! We're so excited. Mike and Jenn (plus 2) are such awesome friends and were so lucky to have them in our lives. The story of how we met is kinda funny, but regardless they've become great friends of ours and we're stoked to be spending such a fun holiday at their house this year!

I've been in lots of pain the last few weeks and it only seems to be getting worse. So, I feel like I'm going to lose it now that my right hand man is gone and I have no one to pick up my slack in the parenting department. For those of you that don't know what I'm talking about....I'm referring to my endometriosis. After a long talk with my doctor he thinks my best bet is to undergo a hysterectomy, but I just can't make a decision. It's so permanent. I'll be praying about it, and I'd love it you'd all do the same!

It just occurred to me I never posted any halloween pics, so I'll try to get that done tonight or tomorrow!! BTW, whose excited about New Moon coming out this week!? LOL



Thursday, October 29, 2009

When did this happen!? ........

I'm not quite sure when it happened, but it did. My baby girl just turned 5. I really can't believe it. I've been a Mommy for 5 whole years now, and it's the best job I've ever had, or could have.

I don't think a person can even understand the term "unconditional love" until they become a parent. There is just no grasping it beforehand. My kids are my life. They're my hopes and my dreams. They're everything right in my life and I love them more than I could have ever imagined. Ever.

Morgan,
I hope you had a wonderful birthday and that it was everything you wanted. I can't believe it's been 5 years since your were born. I feel like I've missed so much and it's all been one big blur! Time truly flies when you're having fun.

I'm so proud of the wonderful little girl you're becoming and watching you grow and change is so much fun. You fill my life with happiness and I don't know where we would be without you. You are our hopes and dreams.

I love you more everyday and I just thank God for blessing us with a daughter as awesome as you.

I love you crazy!
Mom

Monday, October 26, 2009

Oy Ve......

I've gotten a few emails this week regarding this blog, and they all go a little something like this:
"Chas, update your dang blog. We need to see new pictures of the kids, now"

So, here I am, happy to oblige......

Last weekend we went to Hunsader Farms in Bradenton, FL to have a little family fun on the farm. There was a hayride, corn maze, craft booth, etc. It was a giant waste of money, but the kids had a great time and that's all that truly matters.

Here's a pic of each kiddo on the hayride!!


Later on in the week we dressed the kids in their costumes for a mini-photo shoot, here's a sneak peak. Cuteness overload!

I promise to update again this week.....like, tomorrow. We have a fun day planned for Morgan's birthday! I can't believe my baby girl will be 5 in less than 24 hours.



Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Football player in the making....

Zachary has played 3 football games now, and believe it or not, he really does get better each week! The last two games have been so much fun. He did great!

This picture cracks me up. That little boy in the black tackled Zachary (and note, it's FLAG football) and then proceeded to just push him down over and over again. The coaches got onto him and then the rest of the game he kept hugging and apologizing to Zachary. It was so funny!
Zachary says his favorite part of football is when he gets to *hike* the ball. So, the coach lets him do it alot.
Zachary is the smallest kid on the field, so when it's his turn to run with the ball, he's pretty much tackled instantly. And, he's yet to pull anyones flags because his little legs just don't move as fast as the other kids legs do! LOL

He has learned however, that football players get all the chicks!!

My friends Kristin and Lauren had both come out to watch him play, and he just eats up the attention! Chicks dig football players ;)

Update on Morgan

Thinga have just been nuts around here since Morgan had her surgery! We're so thankful that everything went well and she came home to recover nicely. Here's a big of info from her surgery:

When the DR was about 1/2 way through the surgery he sent the nurse out with an update. Apparently when they got inside her they saw that the extra sinus cavity ran through her carotid artery. That discovery made things a bit more tense and caused the whole thing to take a bit longer.

When all was said and done they told us she's lucky to be alive. He said it was a miracle that with as many infections she was getting in that cavity, it never got swollen enough to block the artery completely or cause it to burst. If it had been left alone, it could have eventually killed her and we never would have known why. Praise God that this doctor was proactive, I don't even want to THINK about the possibilities.

Anyway, the rest of the surgery went smoothly. Her right adenoid was blocking about 80% of her regular sinus passage and her fluid levels in her right ear were off the charts! He drained her ears and removed the adenoids!

Since the surgery we've noticed such an improvement in her breathing and hearing! She's done so well.


Sunday, September 27, 2009

In about 5 hours....

we'll be walking out the door of our house, and in the front doors of a hospital. Morgan is scheduled to have surgery at 7:15 am. I'm exhausted and I have to try to sleep. I'll fill in details tomorrow, as I'm sure most people who read this know them anyway.

Please pray for our princess! She's a bundle of nerves. She told me, through tears, before bed tonight "God will hold me Mommy" and I know that is so so true....... our God never fails.

Morgan, you'll do great. We love you crazy.


Sunday, September 20, 2009

Zachary's big day....

Yesterday was a big day! Zachary put on his uniform and walked onto the football field for the first time, ever. It was so much fun and too cute for words. The kids play 5 on 5 flag football for about an hour, and it's funny. At the 3 and 4 year old level there are only two teams, so we'll play the same 5 kids for the next eight weeks. Zachary is, by far, the smallest kid on the team, but he had fun! I picked a few of my favorite shots and put them up for the grandparents to see! 
This first shot is from their practice time before the game. They got to meet their other teammates and their coach for the first time. 
Hey, at least he's not picking flowers! 


Seeing Zachary out there on the field was so much fun, and it brought back so many memories from my childhood. I remember my little brother's first flag football game like it was yesterday and then my mind races with the memories that followed. All the homecoming games, touchdowns, blanket toting up the bleachers, heartbreaking losses, gut-wrenching injuries. It's all so clear. 

I know that this is just the beginning for Zachary. Maybe he'll stick with football, and maybe not. But regardless, it has begun. My little boy is growing up and making memories that will last a lifetime. He may forget his first game, but I never will. 

I love you Zachary and I'm so proud to be your Mommy. 

Monday, September 7, 2009

Morgan's First School Holiday.....

Who knew a 4 year old would be so excited about a day off school?! Not me. This little monkey loves going to school so I was shocked to see her so excited to have a "hollyday."

She's been doing really well and her teachers seem to love her.  They said she knows the answer to every question they ask and she's getting better about raising her hand. LOL She's a nut. 

I'm so grateful that we were able to get her into a nice Christian school. I love that when she comes home everyday the first thing she tells me is what her bible study was for that day. She's learned a few new prayers and two bible verses in the first two weeks! She makes me smile! 

While Morgan is at school Zachary and I get to spend time together and it's awesome. It's never been just the two of us, so it's pretty special. He just talks and talks while she's gone and usually about an hour before it's time to get her, he starts asking about her! His sister is his BFF! hahaha

I'll make sure to get some pics up from the first few weeks ASAP. My batter is charging as I type. 

We're heading off to a BBQ this afternoon so maybe tonight I'll get pics up from school and the pool party/bbq!! 

Happy Labor Day y'all! 

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Prayers needed.....

A friend of mine gave birth to a beautiful baby boy named Christian a few days ago and there were complications. Christian was born with a heart defect and he will need to undergo open heart surgery in San Diego in the immediate future. Baby Christian lives in Hawaii and has extended family that will not be able to travel with him for his surgery. Christian is expected to be in the San Diego hospital for a minimum of 6 weeks for his recovery after surgery. 

Many prayers are needed for Baby C, his parents, older brothers, and medical team. I know our God is good and that our prayers are being heard. Please, please keep them coming and ask everyone you know to pray. 

I keep coming back to this scripture "It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. (Deuteronomy 31:8)"

Do not fear or be dismayed. Easier said than done sometimes huh? I cannot fathom the fear Christians mother and father are feeling, but I rest soundly on the promises of Christ my Savior and I know, now and forever, that God is good all the time. 


Tuesday, August 25, 2009

The Princess starts school.......

Oh man, I can't believe I'm actually typing these words....or that this post has the word *school* in it. Time flies, it's just not fair. 
One day they're tiny little bundles of spit up and poop, and the next they're THIS. I know in 14 years I'll be typing "The  Princess Graduates" and I'll look back on this day with tears. Anyway, here it goes. 

Today our Princess started school. Junior Kindergarten, Pre-K, whatever you choose to call it, she's there. She goes to a half day program that the State of Florida provided for all it's 4 year olds. Since Morgan has a late birthday, this is her year!! 

We were very luck and we were able to get her a spot in a great Christian school very close to our home. The curriculum is advanced, and it's just what she needs. Alright, enough talk and onto the pics. 

Here we have the standard, "standing by the door" pic. She was too cute for words, and a little bit nervous too. 


Here is Daddy and his Princess. Thankfully he was home for the big day and he was able to get the day off. He was there to take her, and pick her up. It meant the world to her to have her Daddy there on such a big day. 
Awww, what hams. Zachary escorted his sister into school this morning with us. It was really the first time we've had such a long period of one on one time with him and he had blast. He talked NON-STOP for three hours, but hey, the floor was all his! 
Here's Morgan sporting her backpack. 

And here we go, the tear-jerker. I started crying when I saw this, in real life and in pictures. It's just packed full of emotion. She did great, despite the nerves. She hugged each of us as hard as she could, said I love you and then ran to the window to wave to us as we walked back to the car. I think this is my favorite picture of the day. You can just feel how much they love eachother. 

My father passed away when I was too little to remember, so I cherish the relationship that these two have. Philip is gone quite a bit for the Coast Guard, but regardless they have that unmistakeable bond that only a father can have with his daughter. It breaks my heart and mends it all at the same time. 

When Morgan got home from school she told us all about her Bible lesson for the day and that her favorite subject was Spanish. Maybe we'll have a bilingual little diva running around here before too long! 





Saturday, August 22, 2009

Insanity at it's finest......

Due to insane people that surround me, this will now be my everyday blog. The other blog is being deleted because of photo theft......I won't get into it, but I'm sick of it. My pictures are MY pictures and unless you have permission to take them, don't. 

So, from here on out this will be the our everyday Pinto family blog!! 

Stay tuned for new pictures and updates on the kids. I have lots to tell you!! 

Friday, June 12, 2009

Isn't it ironic...

I have to tell you all a funny, a funny at my sons and little brothers expense. My youngest brother is 19 and this story has followed him for about 15 or 16 years at this point. One day when he was a toddler, a potty trained toddler, he came out of the bathroom absolutely wailing. He was very upset and when my mother asked him what was wrong, he proceeded to wail on and on about a *hole in his butt.* He really thought he was broken, why in the world was there a hole in his  butt, and what were they going to do about it. Poor little guy, he thought he was broken. I however, thought it was hilarious. As did my mother. She told him what the purpose of the hole was, and that he wasn't *broken.* It continues to be a story that haunts him. It's funny, typing this story just doesn't do it justice. 

Fast forward about 15 or 16 years and here we are. I'm franticly searching for my brother in my phone, laughing hysterically, and pushing the green button to dial. The conversation I had with Joey went a little like this...

Me: (laughing) Hey Joey, you know that story that you HATE when we share?! 
Joey: (groaning) Yes, why?!
Me: Because you now have company. I think it must be a boy thing.
Joey: (starting to laugh) Why?! 
Me: Because Zachary just did the same thing, only without the crying. (laughing hard again at this point, along with Joey)

This is what happened. I was sitting on the couch with Morgan and Zachary came in bare bottomed. I instructed him to go get his underwear but he said *No Mama, what's this?* I had looked away at this point, but when I turned my head back his way he had both feet planted on the floor, he was bent over with his head between his little legs and his hand was between them pointing at *the hole in his butt.* He just didn't know what it was. 

Cue the flashback. It was immediate. I was no longer in my living room. I was 10 years old, sitting in front of a boring Barney movie with my other brother, and Joey came screaming into the living room thinking he was injured or broken. 

Now, anyone who knows me is aware of the fact that Zachary reminds me so much of Joey that it's scary. He really took me back 15 years. It's now a story that will haunt Zachary for his entire life. It was hilarious, Morgan and I just died, even a 4 year old recognized the humor!! 

Sorry Joey, and Zachary, but you guys are nuts! Thanks for the laugh! 

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Insanity of the everyday variety...

So, it's just another day around our house. I've heard the word Mommy about 91 times (in one sentence), wipes dirty rear ends, cleaned up spilled bubbles, laughed so hard I almost cried, organized a playdate, cleaned my kids bedrooms, and folded two loads of laundry, ALL BEFORE BREAKFAST. 

My life is insane, completely and utterly insane. It's not any more insane than anyone else I know, it's just insanity of the everyday variety. So, that's what this new blog is about. It's my everyday insanities. The ups, the downs, the funnies, the not so funnies. My everyday insanity.