1st day of school

 JAKE'S 1st day of school! 

Dad took Jake to school. He said Jake was good...said Bye and was ready for his 1st day. Jake's teacher, Mrs. Zimmerly is great. She's super nice, very bubbly and seems to really like Jake. She reminds us of our cousin, Michelle Beltran. She also asked Deon if we work with Jake at home. She says you can tell because he's so bright. Awwww, Jake...already impressing the ladies. : ) 

You know your Mom...always have to document the occasion with some pictures. On your way....

Have some breakfast before you go. Some waffles...one of your favs.

My sweet Jake. Almost 4 years old, starting preschool...it really does fly by. I feel like I was just holding you (as a baby) in my arms. The love you brought into my life is unexplainable. I am so proud of you already and I love you with all my heart. Dad & I will always be here to support and love you. You are going to do great at Hope Christian. GO HUSKIES! 

Salsa Festival....

RED OR GREEN?

Summer is almost over...school starts soon and the days will be getting cooler (finally). 

We went to the salsa festival in Old Town this weekend...it was ok. It was really HOT out there and I don't mean the salsa. We walked around, tasted some salsa, listened to the live salsa band and had some tasty treats.  Jake & Sophie were ready to get down and show off their dance moves!                              

                            

Here's Jake enjoying some delicious buttery corn on the cob! Mmmmmm....

Sophie was walking all over the place. I finally pinned her down for a picture! She made some friends, sat one some ladies lap and enjoyed the music too! 














Jake is such a good big brother...most of the time. Sharing some corn with his sis.

When we got home, these 2 were still getting their groove on. Jake turned on the music and look 

at them go! 

Ok, here's Ms. Sophie...she got 86'd from her hi-chair. She decided wiggling her way out of the seatbelt and sitting on the tray was so funny. So, the hi-chair is gone and she gets to sit in Jake's old booster at the table with us. Much better...and safer too! 

Ok, so the girl LOVES to climb up and down the stairs! But, it's so dangerous. Most of the time the gates are up...but occasionally she'll sneak and this is where I found her! 

I love this picture of Jake & Sophie...big bro giving his sis a ride. She's got the wind in her hair. My two beautiful, amazing, wonderful, smart, kids! 

I just wanted to share something with you: 

This past Sunday we went to mass. We can't take Sophie for awhile because she's not able to sit still, be quiet or listen. So, we drop her off at Pa & Coco's and we pray for her. But, Jake...for the most part...is a very good boy. He prays (or at least acts like it)...knows the sign of the cross and reads with Dad. This particular Sunday was the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Gospel was beautiful...about what Mary had to endure. I pray that I can be a fraction of the woman, mother and wife Mary was. At the end of mass, they played Ave Maria...that song gets me every time. Mostly makes me think of my family members that have passed, esp. Uncle Joe and Cousin Patrick. God Bless them! Anyway, I know they were both there with us and I felt touched by the holy spirit that day. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you Lord for taking care of me and my family. We are truly blessed! 

Jake & Sophie LOVE playing outside

Just happened to be outside one day...Jake & Sophie were playing in Pa & Coco's backyard...one of their favorite places to be. And, I got all these great pictures of my two beautiful children. Here's Jake...swinging! Pretty soon, we're gonna have to move the swing set away from the wall. 

Sophie's watching her brother swing...pretty soon she'll be doing it too! When she wants to tell you something, she'll point and do this 'Ssssss" sound. That means she's talking. Who knows what she's saying...but it's cute. 

Jake was helping Pa clean out the sand box. Apparently some neighborhood cats thought it was their litter box. Ewwww...so groose. We hate cats! So, they are cleaning it out and will find something else to do with that area. 


















Jake is a working 'bo' (bo = boy). That's how he says boy and that's what he calls himself when he's working. You're cute Jake! 

HANDSOME! Told you Jake loves John Deere! Sporting his JD shirt and driving his JD truck. 

Sophie decided she could get up the climbing wall...

Still trying...come on Sophie you can do it! 

 

Yeah...She made it! Knew you could do it girl. 

I love capturing all these moments. Just because the things you both do are so cute and when you're older you can see all these pictures. I love you both so much. Thanks for always making me smile. Love your Mom! 

It's all good...

CHANGE OF PLANS -- In my previous post: I told you that Deon got this great job and left SWLP. I also wrote how hard it was going be for our family. Well, I guess it wasn't meant to be and God was REALLY watching over us because he knew it wasn't a good idea. 


Deon went to Sweetwater, TX for 3 days...and, the more time he spent getting to know how the company worked...he kept thinking, "something's just not right". So he went with his instinct and and he was right. They are a very unorganized company, in over their heads, passing the urgency onto Deon. He would have started his job with insufficient training and on terms that were different from what he was told during the interview process. But, the biggest thing: They said HE WOULD NOT be able to come home every weekend. He would have to stay at the sight for 6 weeks straight and only come home for 3-4 days at at time. Not good for our marriage or family. 


So, the plan is for Deon to start his Safety Consultant business. Deon ran the safety program at SWLP for the past 3 years and he was a natural. He implemented all these programs and procedures...and got the company to Bronze status (in OSHA terms, that's really good). During that time, he made a lot of connections in the business. So, I'm very confident it's something he can do.  
Now, we'll have to come up with a company name, get a tax ID and get started. I think this is going to be a good thing for Deon. He says there's a market for this type of business because most construction companies outsource their safety needs. 


So, with lots of dedication, perseverance and prayer we will get through this! I really feel like this all happened for a reason...as most things in life do. It was very disappointing for Deon that the job with Banda didn't pan out. But, the upside is...he'll be safe at home instead of on the road. 


And, Deon will be here next week for Jake's 1st day of preschool at Hope Christian. Yeah! We are all so excited about that. 

Santillanes Family

Congrats to Deon!

Today we (Deon, Jake, Sophie & I) embarked on a new journey. Deon took a new job with a company called, Banda Group International. He will be a Safety Consultant. His first assignment is working on a wind turbine farm in Idaho. But, first he had to travel to Sweetwater, TX this week. Next week he will be in Cheyenne, WY and the following week he will be at his assignment in Idaho. Now, we plan for him to come home every weekend if he can and just pray this will work out for us. The opportunity was too good to pass up...and it was time for him to leave Southwest Lath & Plaster and move on to bigger and better things. It's going to be a sacrifice for all of us...but we can get through it. So, for now...we will just talk, text, email, skype and do what we can to communicate and keep in touch. Deon is such a smart, ambitious, industrious man...I am totally confident that he will be successful at this job. Since I met Deon...he's been good at everything he touches. So, for now...I will continue living the dream, taking care of our kids and being here for my husband at all times and all costs. Like I told him, wherever the 4 of us are, is HOME! I don't think the kids actually get it. Sophie for sure! But Jake keeps asking where Dad is? Why isn't Dad coming home? But, I'm sure after a couple weeks and once we get on a routine...we'll all get used to it. But, it's my job to keep them grounded and happy here at home. We love you Deon...you are the best husband and Dad EVER! 

Thank you God! Thanks for always taking care of us and blessing our family. 

Summer Fun!

We had fun at Layla's 1st birthday party. 
They had little swimming pools and water toys.
 Jake & Sophie had a blast! 




Sophie took over this little pool...except for a few minutes to hang out with her friends, Layla & Memphis. It looks like her & Layla are carrying a conversation...who know maybe they were. 

Jake was hanging in with the big kids, his friend Alana (Layla's big sister) and some other kids. What a great idea for a birthday party...kept the kids busy all afternoon. 










Here's Jake, enjoying his favorite fruit, MANGO! Mmmmmm....

And here's Sophie hanging with the birthday girl, Layla! They had to take a break for some food. 

Love these pictures of Jake...my precious son...he's such a big boy...almost 4. 

Gotta love him! 

Thanks to the Chimenti family for including us in such a fun party for the kids. 

Glad we could share this special day with you guys. Happy Birthday to Layla! 

Hangin' with cousin Mikayla

Cousin Mikayla came over to play with Jake & Sophie. It was hot out there, so the three of you were enjoying a cold drink...I think it was lemonade. Thanks for coming over Mikayla. 

We had fun! 

What's up Sophie! You had to take Jake's sippy cup...because it's better than yours? It has a flip-top thingy and you take one drink and it's all down the front of your shirt. Ay --- Sophie Mama. 

I think you guys hung out on the swings most of the time...and played some baseball too. Which Sophie had to get her hands on too. 

 

WE LOVE OUR FAMILY & FRIENDS !