Take time to smell the roses

Julia smelling a rose in my tia Frances' garden in Gilroy, CA.

#CokeforEducation

From Sept. 1 through Dec. 15, eligible high school seniors may apply for the opportunity to win a scholarship at www.Coke-HSF.com. Applicants who meet the minimum eligibility requirements will be featured in an online gallery with social media sharing capabilities. Students are encouraged to share their profiles and gain community votes. Each eligible participating voter is automatically entered for a chance to win a $500 gift card and can vote up to five times a day. HSF will select the scholarship recipients based on the Fund’s standard selection criteria for awarding scholarships, factoring in community votes gathered online. Final winners will be announced by May 2014. Official rules can be found here: https://cocacola.promo.eprize.com/hsf/public/fulfillment/rules.pdf

Baby Advice

Enjoy your baby, love him, take good care of him. Raise him in the things of God and remember to pray over him. Give him a home filled with lots of laughs, hugs, kisses, and a whole lot of love. Your sister who loves you!

Elizabeth Martinez & Baby Peter

After raising 4 kids, I'm not sure you need advice. You're a pro at this point. J/K Love your new baby boy as much as you have all your kids. Share the love and responsibility w/Luis. Remember its an equal partnership. ;) When I have kids, I'll be looking to you for advice.

Rocio DeReza

What can I say, you did a great job with raising your kids. You will continue with your new bundle of joy with all the love you could give. No one could ever give him more love than the mama.

A la futura Mama: Que ya es una exelente madre. Le deseo que siga siendo tan carinosa, paciente y compresiva como ha sido siempre. Que siga conserbando su familia (como) tan unida felicidades.

Nana, Ady & Cele

Segue como hasta ahora haz y eres muy buena mama. Con el nuevo bebe, no soras la exepcion. Mucho amor, como el que les dos.

Adela B

Babies are beautiful, and grow so fast. Treasure every moment and memory. Remember to take time for yourself and try to get the groove back, because we may tend to lose it from being so involved and busy with life.

Adriana ;)

Make dad do everything! LOL JK Enjoy every second. . .before you know it he'll be graduating from high school.

Jessie

Enjoy your new bundle of joy. Holding a newborn in your arms has to be the most beautiful experience on this earth. Enjoy the moments and enjoy the happiness your baby brings into your family. P.S. take naps with your newborn.

Olga

Get your sleep and let every one of your family members (kids) help out with the baby . . . . feed,change diapers, rock to sleep! Good luck Mamas :)

Annie ♥

My best advice: plan, pack & prepare diapers, formula, wipes for all your daily trips & activities. Have a diaper bag in car, stroller, @ day care. (baby blow outs) Don't forget to take care of you. Enjoy your baby & love, comfort and hold your baby when he cries. Take lots of pics.

Blanca Alvarez

♥ u and good luck. Congrats! Best of wishes.

Steph

A child is a gift from God. Even though they grow up, they will always be your babies.

Anonymous

Enjoy your baby & boys are fun.

Lupe Vasquez

Continue to be the great mother, wife and person you have always been! God Bless you, Audren!

Joey & Rebecca

Have a great time being a mother again. I think you know what to do. You have been a great mother already.

Serena Plaza (Fatso)

Tell him to do well in school and get scholarships because financial aid is running out. ;) We love you all-

Paul & Lorena Rodriguez

Enjoy your baby while they are small, cause then they grow to be a smart ass! LOL j/k Congrats, Love you guys!

Lorena

Father: Drop your kids off at Grandma & Grandpa often and have fun with the spouse from time to time.

Sincerely, Sleep Deprived

Have as many babies as you can because they are such a blessing.

Elisha Garcia

Always have faith with every coming day.

Gloria Rivera

Borrow babies, don't have any more.

Christiane

Sleep when baby sleeps and use cream if you are going to breastfeed.

Carmen, Rudy & Baby Nadine ♥

Lots of hugs, kisses & love ♥ If you ever feel like giving up, don't, because the reward of your child growing up and accomplishing so many things is undescribable.

Charlie, Crystal, Alilai & Baby Charlie

Take time for yourself (even if it's once in a while) to relieve some stress. Be patient and don't hesitate to ask for help when you need it. May God bless you and your family always. ;)

Blanca Arteaga ♥

Get plenty of rest because you will need it. Also, you should give me some advice, you're on #5. ;) In all honesty, enjoy your baby because before you know it, they are all grown up.

Gloria Mancera

Keep up being a great mom! You do an excellent job at it. Congratulations to both of you & may God bless your family ALWAYS!

Lorena R

Be very patient and understanding. Also, be supportive. Get a lot of rest. Enjoy them while they are little. LOL

Martha Orozco

Thanks to all for your consejos and for helping to welcome our baby boy.

With love and appreciation,

Audren, Luis & family ♥

Quinceañera Necklace

So delicate and strong My soft Latina neck, Where pride and vulnerability Come together and connect. And above this heart of honor Filled with thanks and inner beauty, I place a Quince necklace as a symbol of my duty. Duty to my family who have sacrificed so much. Duty to my friends Whose heart I hope I've touched. But when I close my eyes as this day comes to end, I am most thankful to God Who has been my closest friend. ♥

. . . the difference between girls and boys

girls ♥

boys ♥

A Non-Traditional Play Date

My husband and I have been recently contemplating moving closer to our jobs. This would mean leaving our cozy community of Camarillo and relocating to the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. A difficult transition for the kids, new community, new schools, new friends. So, to make the prospect of this difficult transition more bearable, I come up with a suggestion of a playdate for babygirl. This would give her an opportunity to make a more personal connection with some of her choice classmates with hopes that their friendships would withstand a relocation. Once my daughter caught wind of this idea, there was no turning back. With Papi's help, by morning, an invitation was hot off the printer and a playdate was scheduled. Due to our lengthy daily work commute and busy weekend schedule, this would have to be a non-traditional playdate: 7:00-8:00p.m. on a school night. On our commute home from work, my husband and I discuss that we are certain that no one will show. Afterall, what parent in their right mind takes their child to an evening play date on a school night, especially on such short notice. We anticipate that baby girl will be disappointed if no one shows but we are prepared to explain to her that it's tough with parents having to work, etc. Now, as for the play date planning, I wish I could say that I prepared a variety of healthy snacks, yummy baked goods, and the perfect play date atmosphere, but I'm no Martha Stewart, . . . . .I am more of a Paula Deen. So we swing by little ceasars on our way home from work and pick up some hot and ready pizzas and buffalo wings. These kids can stomach that, I mean, let's be real, they eat hot cheetos and takis all day. Fortunately, my husband had just recently purchased a bootleg copy of Happy Feet 2 in 3D so both the menu and the entertainment are set for the evening. As we finally arrive home and begin walking toward the front door, I realize, it's mid January and we haven't even taken down our Christmas Tree or decorations. I comment to my husband, how embarassing, what are these parents gonna think that we still have our Christmas Tree and decorations up in Mid January? Baby girl quickly reassures me in her best 'chola' voice, don't worry mom, I will just tell them "We're Mexicanos, ese, That's how we do it!" (Note to self: We really need to stop letting these kids listen to music by Cheech & Chong!) Before we know it, the doorbell rings, time and time again, with gitty 3rd graders arriving in their pjs, robe and slippers ready to "play date". They all eat pizza and then we are ready to start the movie. With the start of the movie, I make an attempt at making microwave popcorn which I burn and have to walk a steaming bag of palomitas quemadas outside to keep it from smelling up the kitchen. (My excuse, every microwave is different, it even says so right on the package!) But, no worries, my hubby comes to the rescue, teaching me how to make microwave popcorn and 2nd time is a charm. Unfortunatley, the movie turns out to be a bad bootleg copy; blurry and apparently we forgot the 3D glasses so that keeps the girls' attention for about 5 minutes. On the up side, our dog, Guero, seems to be a big hit and the family computer in the living room provides plenty of youtube videos for the girls to dance to. Before we know it, it's 8:00p.m. and parents begin arriving to pick up the girls. The girls end the evening showing us all how to shuffle and a fun and exhausting, non-traditional play date comes to an end. ♥

My Shero

When it comes to people I admire, rarely does it include an A list celebrity. My idea of a hero/shero are everyday people: family, friends, mentors, pastors, authors, artists, activist,advocates, your everyday blue collar worker and even children. I look up to genuinely righteous people who are human and flawed yet, accomplish great things, have character, people who keep their word, honor their families, mentor their children, work hard, overcome adversity, keep the faith, blaze a trail, make a difference, speak out when it's unpopular, or stand up for what is right. But recently, my admiration goes out to someone who represents all of these things and also happens to be a celebrity. Guiliana Rancic is currently battling breast cancer publicly with more grace and courage than I ever thought possible. Having recently undergone a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, she is quoted as saying, "My breasts have never defined me and now they never will". Guiliana has not shied away from the media attention surrounding this very private matter but rather she was back on the set of E! News two weeks after her surgery and she can be found on her fabfitfun page on facebook or on twitter sharing her characteristicly positive outlook and gratitude to all of her fans and the public for their support of her courageous battle. I consider Guiliana to be the ultimate feminist! Long before she faced a public battle with breast cancer, she has publicly taken on other women's issues such as fertility, balancing a career and marriage and allowing us a glimpse inside of her world with her reality show Guiliana & Bill. Guiliana is my definition of courage and she will be in my prayers for a speedy recovery!

I'm interested to know, Who is your hero or shero and why?

Quinceañera

. . . .and the planning begins.

Guest Blogger: Julia (8 years old)

Dear Dora the Explora (and Boots),
Who do you like more: Boots or your Mom? And do you like cats and dogs or teachers? I've been wanting to be a teacher all my life and Ive been wanting to be on tv with my friend Jacinda. Jacinda likes to write alot and she's a good writer. I hope I can be on tv. Can me and Jacinda be on Dora the Explora with you?

P.S. I'm Julia

The End ♥

From Julia

About the author:

Julia is 8 years old. She is in 3rd grade at University Preparation School. She would like to be a teacher one day and she enjoys reading, baile folklorico, and going to the dollar store.

Curandera

My Great Grandmother, Salome Serrato was a curandera (faith healer). She had a remedio for everything that ailed you. . . . . Growing up, this was my family's comprehensive health care plan. ♥




Salome Serrato 1906-2000 RIP

. . . . That Embarrassing Moment

. . . . That embarrassing moment when you're getting a pedi and half way through, you suddenly realize that your legs feel like nopales. . . ♥

As a mother, I have always seen my role as making sure my children know that they are the center of my life, to provide them with love, warmth, comfort and guidance. To offer them support to shape their confidence, give them consejos, and yes, sometimes make unreasonable demands and believe that I can control their destiny.

Now there is a delicate balance between mama bear and mama beast. Like many of the mother figures in my life, I have a hard time with this delicate balance.

In fact, I come from a long line of strong-willed, controlling, overbearing mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers and tias who, having all the best intentions, raised their young men to be, well, lets just say the term "mamas boys" would be an understatement. I often recall how my grandmother waited on my tios hand and foot. They were her life and her purpose far beyond the days of their youth, beyond the days of their marriages, and beyond the days of their divorces. And she, being true to the family name, "Reyes", treated her sons like kings.

I must say, in all fairness, I didn't become all dis-functional, overbearing, and controlling overnight; these skill sets take years to build up and use expertly.
. . . . And so, I am convinced that it will be a life long challenge for me to learn how to cut the apron strings and allow my children the healthy space they need to fulfill their own destiny. To step back and allow them to fall, fail, learn to dust themselves off and get back up, but I will always be here, admiring from afar, and will try my hardest not to think out loud. ♥

Expectations

"A wonderful gift may not be wrapped as you expect." — Jonathan Lockwood Huie


As I drive up to Murphy Hall, I notice the park across the way has clotheslines strung from tree to tree with endless rows of colorful t-shirts hanging by clothespins. It is the UCLA Clothesline Project.

Each t-shirt that is strung on the clothesline contains a powerful story that gives voice to someone who has experienced violence, yet has overcome this difficult experience. Collectively, these t-shirts become the Clothesline Project Display that helps to educate and raise social awareness about violence, symbolizing the “airing-out of dirty laundry”.

Some of the t-shirts contain messages of anger and some contain messages of justice, both served and unserved. Some messages are sassy, while others contain sarcasm. Some messages express violence against men and women, and some against children. The color of each t-shirt represents the nature of the violence endured. All of the messages share a common theme of empowerment.

As I stroll through the park, deciphering the message on each t-shirt, it occurs to me that some of our most difficult moments in life can actually serve to shape our moral character and values. They often refine our compassion, fuel our determination and at times, guide us to find our purpose or calling in life. It is our collection of life experiences, both good and bad, that just may be “a gift that is not wrapped as we expect”. ♥

The ride into UCLA on Sunset Blvd is gorgeous. . . .









Pero, puros pinches potholes!

So my husband and I had a bet. If the Steelers won the Superbowl, I would get a haircut, courtesy of my hubby. However, if Green Bay won, he gets a haircut, courtesy of me.

My thoughts: Little fact: My haircuts cost $70, his haircuts cost $17. So glad that math is not his best subject! hehehe

My Husband's thoughts: Little fact: So glad that football is not her best subject! hehehe

So, . . . I lost the bet.

But I am hoping my husband caves and gets my hair did before I start looking like Troy Polamalu!

The UCLA FAFSA girls remind you to file your FAFSA by the March 2nd Priority Filing Deadline!

The Tuna Fight

So as I am in my room getting ready for work, my daughter comes in and starts chatting.

Baby Girl: Me and Sammy are best buds but we got into a fight.

Me: Really? . . . What did you get into a fight about?

Baby Girl: Cuz I said that Sammy likes tuna and she said that she didn't like tuna and I said "Yes, you do. You do like tuna!"

Me: . . . .soooo. . . you got in a fight with Sammy over tuna?

Baby Girl: . . . .Yes, cuz she rolled her eyes at me. . .and I asked our friends, "did Sammy just roll her eyes at me?" and they said yes so I said "It's on now! Meet me out back, I'll FEED you tuna!"

Me: WTH?. . . . This, from a 7 year old?????

Troubled by this story, I share this with my husband on our way in to work.
Me:. . . . So then, baby girl told Sammy "It's on now! Meet me out back, I'll FEED you tuna!". . . Where does she get this stuff?

Hubby: She gets that from you. . .you're the feisty one!

Me: WTH??????

Spring Cleaning

This weekend I cleaned house like my in-laws were coming over!

Taurus is the New Gemini?

My great grandmother watched Walter Mercado religously. I often recall as a young girl, visiting her at her home across from St. Mary's church in Gilroy. . . . She always had him on the television. Even if she was catching up on the chisme with my grandmother, tia or my mother and not even watching the tv, we were never allowed to change the channel when Walter Mercado was on. Well, despite many reports to the contrary, according to Walter Mercado, the western zodiac method has not changed and I'm still a taurus! What a relief!

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