An Excited Book Worm

Guys, did you know you could check out books from the library for your e-reader?!  Hello... this is awesome news!  In the past, it hasn't been available for Kindle, but now... now it is!

And it's oh, so easy!  You log into your public library database, find the e-book page, and request the book of your choice.  When it becomes available you receive an email informing you to log back on and "check it out".  Then, you go back to the site and simply check out the book, the way you would if you were buying something online.  It then forwards you to the Amazon page and Amazon will electronically send the book to your Kindle, wirelessly.  And you have 21 days before it "expires" and disappears from your Kindle library.

The reason you sometimes have to wait for a title is because each library buys a certain amount of licences per book.  So perhaps a popular book would have 10 licences.  If all those licences are checked out, they form a wait list until one becomes available.

This is TOO COOL!  Best part... you do it all from your home.  You don't have to step foot into a library!  I think I'm in love.

I checked out Before I Go To Sleep, which has been on my TBR pile for quite some time.  I can't wait to e-peel through it. 

You know how I know I'm a total nerd?  This has just made my day... possibly my week.  

Go check out your library and see if they offer this amazing service.  Free e-books?  YES PLEASE!!!

Seriously?! Thursday

It's Thursday, guys... and you know what that means?  Another episode of Seriously?! Thursday with From Mrs. to Mama.  Head on over and check out some other cool blogs.

Seriously?!  It's only Thursday?  I've been ready for it to be Friday since... Monday.  Ugh, still only Thursday.  Has this week not been draaaaging?

Seriously?!  My blog has been a little serious lately (and not in a "seriously" way).  Sorry about that.  It seems like these things just pile up.  And I have barely posted pictures, so below you will find a few as my attempt to make up for it.

Seriously?!  I am SO psyched about what's coming up on my blog.  And you should be too.  Can you say "give"... now say "away"... together now with me... "Giveaway".  I have been working to secure some sa-weet giveaways for us within the next coming months.  My goal is to have one a month.  But seriously, the first one is going to knock your socks off.  Stay tuned at the beginning of November for it.  You can get a head start on qualifying for it by becoming a follower of my blog.  Followers get an extra entry!  Momma's you are NOT gonna wanna miss it... I promise!!

Seriously?!  Check out just how effective Marco's "time out" is.  I put Marco on time out and there comes Jonas to play with him.  That does not make for a very good time out.  Marco starts watching Jonas and laughing at him and before I know it, Jonas is standing next to him, banging on the window.  Great... seriously great.






Seriously?! You know what is the problem with having 2 children?  That one always inevitably gets the short end of the stick.  Here's Jonas getting the short end.  I step away with Marco for less than 5 minutes... take him to the bathroom, put on his pj's and get him in bed for his nap.  When I get back, this is how I see Jonas.  Asleep in his Jumperoo!  Poor baby!  While it's a little funny, it also breaks my heart.  And I wish I could tell you this is the first time... but it's not.  Not the second time either.

Seriously?!  I'm making plans to visit a farm this weekend that has a pumpkin patch, pony rides, fields, petting zoo and some kind of berry picking.  I'm so excited!  Keep a look out for some uber cute pictures.

That's all I've got for now.  What made you say "Seriously?!" this week?

Conflicted and Convicted

Halloween.
Christmas.
Easter.

These three holidays pose such difficult quandaries for myself and my household.

With Easter- should we participate in the Easter Bunny?  How about Easter baskets?  Ok, how about just egg hunts?

With Christmas- Santa or no?  How many gifts, if any?  Should we have a tree?

And with Halloween- should we participate?  Dress up?  Trick or Treating or parties?

This is a big dilema.  A big one.

I'll tell you how I feel first of all.  This is where I'm conflicted.  On the one hand, I am a Christian.  I love Jesus.  I want to be pleasing to Him.  I know that these "traditions" are pagan ones and take AWAY from the message of Jesus.  On the other hand, I don't want my kids to be "those weird kids that don't celebrate holidays".  Because we DO celebrate holidays.  We just may not partake in every aspect of that holiday.  And, I want my kids to have fun and make sweet memories.

Here's the problem with what other people see about Christianity... that it strips away all the "fun".  Now, that's not true.  And, just because this is what WE are conflicted and convicted about doesn't mean that I judge YOU for not feeling the same way.  I do not think I am a better Christian or that I love Jesus more than you do.  This has just been laid on my heart and mind and what we have decided is right for our family.

As a child, my parents allowed me to participate in Halloween.  Every year I wore a costume and went Trick or Treating around my neighborhood.  The only restriction on Halloween was that I was not allowed to dress as anything scary or evil.  Basically my parents felt that they were on the safe side of the fence that way.

The way I feel about that "rule" is that it's pretty much getting as close to the fence as I possibly can without actually being on the other side.  And, shouldn't we as Christians not see how close we can get, but rather how FAR we can get from that proverbial "fence"?  That would be more pleasing to God.

Maybe God doesn't care about things like this... maybe He doesn't mind that we dress our babies as pumpkins.  But maybe He does.  And maybe by becoming callous to the TRUE underlying meaning and purpose of Halloween, we're allowing ourselves to become calloused about other things.  If that's ok, then other things should be too.  It becomes easier to put an excuse on it or turn your eyes away.

In Mauricio's household, they did not participate in Halloween at all.  My mother-in-law would hold the kids back from school that day so they weren't seen as the outsiders and she would buy mountains of candy for them to enjoy without having to go door to door.  She would also take them to Fall Festivals to enjoy pumpkin patches and pony rides.  When I asked her about this, her response was so simple, it floored me.  I asked her how the kids felt about being left out and her answer was, "They knew we were Christians".  I was convicted.

I believe that it's easy to do what everyone else is doing.  It's easy to fall into step with the crowd.  It's easy to say "it's all in fun".  But being a Christian means you don't always do the easy thing.

In Romans 12:2 it reads: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect".

By participating in Halloween, I am conforming to the world.  If I participated even though my GUT is telling me not to, I'd be conforming.  I believe that God has transformed my mind and I am able to discern what is good and acceptable and right and perfect and true.  Of course I think my kids would be stinkin' adorable all dressed up.  I've been dying to paint a moustache on Marco!  But the bottom line is I should be more concerned with what HE thinks than what my friends think, or how cute it'll be or if they'll have fun.

I know this is the right choice for my family.  I also know that it comes at a price.  And I know that although it's easy to veto Halloween now, it wont be so easy when the kids are older and aware of what all their friends are doing.  I know.  But it has been decided.  As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.  In all of our decisions.  Even the not-so-fun ones.

So now you're thinking I've gotta be all or nothing.  If I'm saying "no" to Halloween, I've gotta say "no" to Christmas and Easter too... and you'd be correct, but that's a topic for another day.

Wearing Me Down

Alright guys.  I know you've read post after post about how I must win over my kids.  About how they have to be reared now in order for me to have the upper hand in the future.  About sticking to my game plan.

But guess what?  I'm tired.  Really, really tired.

Nearly every night either Marco or Jonas is waking up and making our lives unbearable.  For Marco, usually it's around 2:30.  He sneaks into my room and wants to come into bed with us.  The game plan was to walk him back to his bed and tuck him in without saying a word.  No "go night-night", no "MARCO!", no anything... just silence.  Kinda like a zombie... a very tired zombie.  But what I didn't anticipate was that this kid would have more endurance than me!  We went through this routine for 2 hours the other night.  From 2:30 to almost 5.  I was done... done.

When he does this for 2-3 days in a row, that's it, I'm completely exhausted.  At that point I don't even care about our stupid "game plan".  Screw the "game plan", I'll do anything for more sleep.  By the third night, I just sent Mauricio to sleep with him so we could all get some rest.  Marco-1, Us-0.  He got his way... he won that battle.

The worst is if he wakes up Jonas in all this mess.  Then we've really lost.  It's incredibly difficult to get TWO babies back to sleep.  So in this case, we divide and conquer deal with it.  I take Jonas and try to get him to sleep in my bed, while Mau goes to bed with Marco.  Again, Kids-1, Us-0.

But sometimes Jonas wakes up on his own, and for no apparent reason.  When this happens, the situation is controllable and bearable because it's just him.  We always rush into his room and scoop him up before he wakes up Marco.  If he wakes Marco, all bets are off.  Usually we can get him back to sleep pretty easily... but in our bed.

So it's a good night when we go 8-10 hours with no one crying, no one sneaking into our bed, and no one waking up in the bed that's not theirs.  But, unfortunately, this only happens 2-3 nights a week.  I'm starting to develop anxiety before bed time because I know it's just a matter of time before someone starts whimpering or climbing out of their beds.  I've got a good 3 hours of sleep before the most annoying wake up call begins to scream.

Truth is, I have no desire to parent from 11pm-8am.  I don't want to do it.  But I have to.  Guys, I'm at a loss here... I don't know how we're going to do it... how we're going to survive this.  It might possibly be worse than having a newborn... because at least a newborn has a reason to be waking up!  But Marco and Jonas have NO good reason, other than brattiness.

Readers:  I need help.  A word of advice.  A word of encouragement.  Many words of prayer.  Please?

Blog on Fire

The Blog on Fire Award has been passed around lately, and I was finally picked for it!  Yay!  Thanks to Mrs. Mommy for thinking of me!  Go check out her blog.  She has the cutest red-haired girl, and she's always so sweet and encouraging!

The rules for redeeming/accepting this award are:

Write 7 things about yourself

Pass this on to 10 other bloggers

1.  I love Netflix.  The streaming option is the best invention EVER.  I've been watching Greys from the beginning and I'm already at season 4.  That takes some major dedication, considering I've only been watching for about a month.  That means I watch 2-3 episodes a day.  Probably not good for me to admit that. 

2.  I have no intention of ever going back to work full time.  I used to teach middle school Chorus, and I really enjoyed it.  But now, being away for so long, I realize that what I loved about it was just the music. Not the discipline, not the paper work, not the politics... just the music.  So, my intention is to just teach private voice lessons... that's all music and no nonsense!  

3.  I need to eat more healthy foods.  I make my kids eat fruits, but rarely do I eat one.  It's not good.  Sometimes I just eat a bag of popcorn for lunch.  Oy.  It'll all catch up to me sooner or later and then I wont be able to fit into my pants. 

4.  I was born in Japan because my dad was in the military.  My parents are Cuban, but my dad never lived in Cuba (he was born in Costa Rica by chance) and my mom only lived there til she was 4.  When people ask me where I'm from, I'm always a bit confused... Japanese-Cuban-Costa Rican-American?  

5.  My birthday is coming up in December and I've been doing some soul searching... to decide what I want. haha.  I've come to the conclusion that I'd like a Starbucks gift card, to support my habit.  And also an Amazon gift card so I can buy books for my Kindle.  Coffee and books... I'd be in heaven! 

6.  I want my blog to be popular.  Like REALLY popular.  But I don't know what to do to get it there.  I know there are people that have sponsors and actually bring in an income by blogging.  I want to do that!  But how?  I don't really know.

7.  I'm like a teenager when it comes to Twilight.  I am totally Team Edward.  (Although Jacob is really easy on the eyes).  I have been to all the midnight movie showings... in line with all the squealing 15 year olds.  Heck, I was squealing too!  I'm already making plans to see Breaking Dawn... but not at the midnight show.  And I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Ok, now here's the part I'm excited about... passing on this award to 10 of my favorite blogs!  This is an awesome opportunity for you to check out some blogs you may never have seen before... I hope you find something new!

Stephanie has an awesome blog documenting her life as a military wife and mom to cute little Hunter, check her out at Doyles Days.

Amie's blog is all about food.  She challenged herself to make all family recipes during her first year of marriage.  See it all at the Kitchen Chronicles.

 Abby has two beautiful little girls.  She loves Jesus and is always encouraging and hopeful.  Get a dose of happy at Livin' the Good Life.

I love Allie's blog.  She's got two boys and #3 is on the way!  I found her blog because it's name is similar to mine.  Although now it's quite possibly the longest blog name ever.  Check it out at Table for 3- Actually make that 4- Scratch that, make it 5.

Bee's blog is awesome.  She's hilarious and cool... in a nerdy book loving kinda way.  That's my favorite kind.  She also has a cutie little girl that fills up her life.  She writes The Blarg.

Vanessa writes a blog about fashion and tv.  She's always got the best fashion tips and latest styles.  I wish I could be like her!  She travels, eats good food, dresses well and loves trashy television.  See it all at The Very Thought of You.

Beth has a sweet blog about her two boys.  They're out of the baby/toddler era and give me a hint into what my future will look like... dirty!  Read her blog at Truth With Dirt on their Faces. 

D writes a super real blog.  It's not always sunshine, but it is hardcore real.  The true ups and downs of parenting two babies.  I love reading how she knows she doesn't have all the answers, but knows that God will guide her.  Her blog is Unpolished Parenting.

Callie Nicole's blog tells of her life as a new mom to an 8 month old little handsome boy.  She has been getting her name out there in the blog world with her series "Moms and Babies" which always leads us to read other great stories.  Check her out at Through Clouded Glass.

Ok, so that's not 10 blogs... it's just 9.  But that should be good enough, right?  Can't wait to read what you all write about for your Blog On Fire Award!

My Little Pumpkins

Seriously?! Thursday

Linking up with From Mrs. to Mama again for her weekly edition of "Seriously?! Thursday".  You know you love to hear me rant... so here you have it!

Seriously?!  We had The.Worst.Night.Ever last night.  And who was the culprit?  Not the baby... the two year old!  Seriously?!  Stop waking up!  At 2:21am he tried to sneak into our bed.  The event ended at 4:45 with spankings and yelling.  That's right... over 2 hours of nonsense.  And in the process, he managed to wake up the WHOLE house, including Jonas.  So once Marco was asleep, I had the pleasure of dealing with Jonas who kept on saying "ba ba ba" until a little after 5 when he finally drifted off to dreamland.  I'm over it.

Seriously?!  My husband called me "mean".  (I was gonna write a whole post about this but decided not to for the sake of my marriage... so all you get is a bullet).  He said "You're so mean" at 2:23am... during the night time fiasco listed above.  Why am I mean?  Because I'm consistant.  Because I get a game plan and I want to stick to it.  Because Marco's crying does not faze me.  Because I am determined to win over my toddler.  Because I think 2am is no time to be coddling.  Because I have the best intentions for my ENTIRE family... not just one member of it.  Because his long term happiness is more important to me than his immediate gratification.  So, if for all those reasons I'm "mean", then so be it.  But if for all those reasons I'm a kick ass parent... then HELLZ yes, I'm "mean".  And don't you forget it.  Bam.

Seriously?!  My mom got a new iphone... the 4, not 4s.  She was asking me how to do things, but since we don't live in the same city, I figured she should go to someone who could show her.  I sent her to set up an appointment with a Genius at the Apple Store.  Well, she went.  And now she thinks she knows more than me.  She thinks she's more hip than me.  She's an apple-girl now.  Seriously?  Reality check, Mom... when it comes to technology, I will ALWAYS be more "hip" than you.  For the record. (love ya)

Seriously?!   I've been having a little bit of arrhythmia again.  Just a few episodes.  But I just got this fixed, remember.  If not, click here.  Well there's a 20% chance that it came back... or a good possibility that it's ANOTHER short circuit.  That means, I get to wear a heart monitor... for a month.  A MONTH!  Oh geez... as if my life isn't complicated enough.

Seriously?!  So while at the doctor this morning... for the arrhythmia, I overheard the office secretaries talking about me.  In Spanish.  As if I can't understand them.  Hello... this is Miami... everyone speaks Spanish!  So, the girl looked at me, with my 2 kids in their double stroller screaming "MAMA!" and said, "See that... that's what my husband would want... 2 kids, and for me to have to drag them around everywhere.  Yeah right... I would NEVER do that".  Oooookkkkk... so yeah, that's nice.  Right in front of me!  I actually held my tongue... can you believe it?  I walked away.  But what I WANTED to say was, "oh, and YOUR job is so important?  Being a secretary is more important than being a mom?  Really?  Seriously?!"  Whatever.

That's all for today.  Till next week!

Recruiting Readers

Aside from being an avid blogger, I am also an avid reader. I have always loved to read, but became committed to it once I became a SAHM. Last year I gave myself the ambitious goal of reading 50 books in the year. I failed... Miserably. I only made it to 33. I mean, 33 isn't anything to be ashamed of. That's pretty dang impressive in itself... But never-the-less, i didn't meet my goal.

This year I decided to be more realistic about my goal and read 35 books. And so far I'm doing great. Right on track with about 28 books down.

So last year when my personal challenge began to take shape, I decided to blend my two hobbies... Blogging about books! I joined the team at The Book Nook and became one of their book bloggers! (find the link on the left bar).

The Book Nook is a collaborative blog with several contributors. We blog about books we read for fun, but more than that, it's an avenue for new books to become noticed. Publishers and authors contact us and provide us with a free copy of their work in return for an honest review. Free books!

Now The Book Nook is in need of more reviewers. We've had a few people leave, and we've also been overwhelmed with the amount of incoming work. Too many books and not enough people to read them! I myself am a little overwhelmed at the moment. I have 4 books in my "to be read" stack that need reviews before the years end. And sometimes publishers ask that you post on a specific date for their blog tour... I've got two of those coming up!

So, if you have a book addiction and would like to join our little club, please leave me a comment with your email address. We're recruiting readers! Come on, you can feed your habit for free! That's good news! Help keep The Book Nook alive!

Living Conditions

You know I'm living with my in-laws right now.  But did you know we're on a plan to live here for a year?  We're trying to pay off debt, save money to buy a house and buy cars and basically start fresh and clean.  We feel so grateful and blessed that Mauricio's parents have agreed to allow us to live here.  Really, they're great.

But that said, we're a bit tight.  Why?  Because my dear husband doesn't want to continue paying for a storage unit.  He wants to bring in all of our boxes and sell our furniture.  I'm not thrilled with this idea.  I don't think selling our furniture is wise because once we do have our own place, we'll be sitting on the floor.  So we're trying to find a place to store our furniture rent free.

The boxes, however, are here already.  I know what you're thinking... where?  There are already 6 people living there!  Where?  I'll tell you.  Pushed up against every available wall space in our room.  It's organized... but chaotic.  How's that for an oxymoron?!  

No, that's not all... the rest are under Marco's bed and Jonas' crib.  And there's another side of the room I didn't photograph.  So this is how we're living... for a year.  

I keep telling myself I can sacrifice for a year.  I mean, really, what's a year in the grand scheme of things.  We have our whole lives together... one year is nothing.  But the other part of me keeps saying I deserve the "wife of the year" award.  What do you think?

Music Time

Anyone that knows me, knows how much I love music.  And by now, if you've been reading my blog, you've also realized how important it is in my life.  What initially drove me to Mauricio was his musical talent and ability.  Yes, it's that important.

Naturally, I want my kids to be musical.  I dream of the days that we take car trips and sing road songs together... in four part harmony.  Dorky?  Yes!  And I love it.  When Marco tells me his letters and counts, I am happy.  When Marco sings his ABC's or any other song, I am elated.  We play pitch games, rhythm games and learn tons of songs.  I think he's quite talented.  

Even Jonas has demonstrated his musical skills.  He tries to sing along with Marco and he can do some rhythmic "ba ba"'s.  Four part harmony here we come!

Now tell me this isn't dorky... to the extreme.  In the car, we sing the Super Why theme song.  I'm on lead, and Mauricio does the accompaniment and harmonies.  Marco sings along too.  At home, Mauricio plays it on the piano or guitar and we all sing along.  Wow, that's kinda embarrassing... too music-nerd-y.  But we love it! 

This semester, we decided to sign Marco up for Music Time.  It's like your basic Kindermusik class, only a little more foundational.  We go every Friday and Marco loves it.  He says, "We're going to Yukis Cass" (That's "Music Class" for those of you not fluent in toddler).  We sing songs, we play with shakers, jingles, glocks, claves, hoops and scarves.  We do rhythmic training, pitch development and body movement.  What's great is that I know he's learning basic technique that is foundational for becoming a musician.  What's great is that HE doesn't know any of that... all he knows is that he's having a whole lotta fun!  

Marco is a great student too! (When he pays attention).  He sings on pitch and loudly.  He can clap on rhythm and follow directions.  The only thing he wont do is sing alone into the mic.  For some reason he becomes shy at that point... which is completely out of character for him.  I had NEVER seen Marco be shy before this.  But he'll get the hang of it soon enough.  

For now, Jonas just watches the class.  Although there is a class for his age range, we are not enrolled.  I would not be able to bring Marco with me to Jonas' class, and for right now that's not an option.  So Jonas is learning by watching for now... but I'm convinced he's still learning.  Next semester they'll be able to be in the same class, so long as Jonas is walking by then.  That'll be seriously great!  I can't wait for them to play and learn music together!

If you're in Miami and interested in getting music classes for your child, it's never to late or early to start.  They have classes from birth to 8 years of age.  Visit THIS SITE for more information.  

And now I leave you with a few pictures of the class:

Seriously?! Thursday

It's Thursday... so I'm linking up for another Seriously?! Thursday.  You're gonna have to bear with me.  I've had a glass of wine, I'm a light weight, and I'm trying to remember all of my Seriously?! moments.  Mmkay?

Seriously?!  I've been lacking in the blogging department this week.  Sorry!  I could use some topic suggestions.  If you've got any, shoot!

Seriously?!  An old guy hit on me at Publix the other day.  And I'm not talking "could be my dad" old... I'm talking "could be my GRANDfather" old.  First of all, SERIOUSLY?!  Secondly, yuck yuck YUCK!  He's all, "you've got great eyes... what's your name... oh my you are beautiful".  And guys, I seriously ran away... gagging.

Seriously?!  Jonas has a major ear infection.  And has probably had it for weeks.  But HOW should I know.  Fever? no.  Yellow/green mucus? no.  Loss of appetite? no.  Crankiness? no.  Fatigue? no.  So, tell me Mama's... with no symptoms, how's a woman supposed to know?!  I feel so bad for him.  He's probably been miserable!

Seriously?!  Did I mention that Jonas is also getting 4 teeth at the same time right now?  All on top!  So, on top of the ear infection, he's got FOUR teeth piercing through.  Miserable indeed.

Seriously?!  When we took Marco to the doctor today, they did his growth chart.  And he's off the chart for height.  As in, there is no number that high.  Like, he's a good half ince above the the highest line (97%).  He is seriously going to be TALL!  Mauricio is already having dreams of Marco playing for the Miami Heat.  "And now, your center MARCOOOOOOO AVESAAAAAAANIIIIII!"  Can you hear it?  He can.

Seriously?!  Speaking of the doctor.  It was a new one since we just moved to town.  The doctor was great.  The nurse, not so much.  She was short with me and then spoke to me in Spanish the whole time.  Yes, I know Spanish, but it ticks me off when people ASSUME that I know it and EXPECT me to speak it!  And, to top it off, she wants me to speak medical terminology in Spanish.  That means I have to translate it into what I think is closest to the actual thing.  That's not fair to me or my kids.  I told her I couldn't explain these things in Spanish and asked her if she spoke English... no... so I ended up filling out the questionnaire for her.  Very professional.  And people always tell me, "Well, this is Miami, you should know Spanish".  Ummmm... This is AMERICA... you should know ENGLISH!  Seriously?!  Am I crazy or right?

Seriously?!  I am becoming a woman.  No, I didn't just get my period (look at the next line for more on that).  For a long time I had been carrying around a kiddie sized monkey book bag as my purse.  I have a few nice Coach bags, but I don't want to screw them up with leaky sippy cups and cookie crumbs... so I've been super klassy with my monkey book bag.  But not anymore!  I bought a purse!  It's perfect.  It's got 2 side pockets that are big enough to hold the sippy cups.  It's trendy, small and purple.  But that's not the best part.  It cost... wait for it... $8.99!  BOOYA!  Thank you Ross!

Seriously?!  Now that my tubes are tied, I really get ticked off every month when Flo comes to visit.  Now that I can't get pregnant, ever again, it really seems pointless.  Yes, I know I still need it for hormonal reasons and blah blah blah, but it's more annoying now than ever.  And I just keep reminding myself that I'll have to endure it every month for the next 30 years.  Do you know how many periods that is?!  360!  Seriously?!

Seriously?!  I am planning another giveaway.  I don't know from where yet... but there WILL be a giveaway.  But not until I have 50 followers.  I've got 9 to go.  Make it happen people!

Back in Business, Baby!

Woohoo!  I'm baaack!  Today I taught my first voice lesson in over 2 months.

By the time I left Greenville, I had 13 consistant weekly voice students.  For an afternoon gig, 4 days a week, that's pretty sweet.  But I didn't start off that way... it took me over 2 years to get there.  I started off with just one, and little by little with a lot of patience, more started coming.  "If you build it, they will come".  (sorry, I had to).  In Greenville, I got all of my students either by THIS site or by word of mouth. Took me 2 years, but my studio was finally large enough to have a recital!  Remember my professional accomplishment?

But, alas, I had to give all that up and move to Miami... you know, because I kinda love my husband and HAVE to follow him.  So, upon moving here, I updated my listing on Vocalist.org and my website:  www.SingWithNicole.com and put out a few posts on FB about my availability.  But I didn't hear anything.  I didn't get a single bite.

Now, my sister-in-law, Alaina is also a musician and knows a lot of people in the music world in Miami.  I asked her if she knew of anyone wanting voice lessons to please pass them my way... and thankfully she did!  This girl's mom knew Alaina from mission trips and was looking for a teacher for her daughter's entrance exam into the FIU vocal program  Alaina sent her my info and just like that, I got a new student! My first private Miami student!  And I'm sooooo excited!

She started with me today and it went really well.  Her audition is at the end of November, so we've got a lot of work to do.  She's got to learn 2 art songs... one in English, one in Italian... learn basic theory and basic sight singing for her entrance audition.  Since it's so close to the audition date, she's planning on taking 2-3 lessons per week!  SCORE!!!

My gracious mother-in-law has offered to come home early on those days to take the kids.  We have it all worked out!

And, if you're wondering... I have BIG plans for the money I earn.  This money is NOT to pay for bills, or go towards the down payment of a house, or go towards the down payment of a car, or go towards anything except... a 5 year anniversary vacation.  Next summer is our 5 year and I want to do something fabulous.  I'm saving my pennies to make it happen.  It WILL happen.  Every little bit helps, right?

So my Miami readers... here's a deal for you.  (Because, I'm not gonna be visiting any white beaches with only 1 student, ya know?).  If you or anyone you know want to take voice lessons, I'll offer the first lesson FREE if you mention this blog post.  That's right... a FREE lesson!  Come on, word of mouth is my best advertisement.  Hook a sistah up, would ya?  For the love, I haven't been on a vacation since my HONEY MOON (and that sucked!).  I'm sitting by the phone, eagerly awaiting your calls.  This is just shameless plugging on my part... am I right?

Reunion Recap

Remember when I wrote the post outlining the 10 reasons I'm not attending my 10 year reunion?  (If you didn't read it, click the link... you know you want to!)  Well, right after I posted that, I got into a "heap of trouble".  I was officially BANNED from the FB page and received a message telling me that what I had done was worse than all the comments and issues.  I made quite a splash!

I was once told that I am a pot stirrer... and it's true.  So here I go... stirring the pot once again.

Today is the big day.  The 10 year reunion.  Everyone (minus me) has been anticipating this date.  Dresses have been purchased.  Flights have been booked.  Babysitters have been called.  People have made big plans for tonight.  The one thing people didn't plan on?  Rain.

Ok, seriously?!  How can you NOT plan on rain in FLORIDA!  There is ALWAYS a back up plan... always.  But not for the reunion.  If you remember, they planned on having the party in the porch of rented home.  They had to rent chairs, tables, linens, dance floor.  Hire caterers, bartenders, dj, valet and security.  This whole "house party" was costing $80 per person.  Remember?

So now you're thinking, "if it's at a house, why not move the party inside?" and that would be the logical option.  Only, the interior of the house is under construction and unavailable!  It's like the icing on the cake.  I wonder what they planned on doing about bathrooms?  haha.

A few hours ago, there was a post on FB saying that the reunion has been postponed to a later date due to the weather.  The date is to be determined.  And when someone expressed that this was all highly unprofessional, they were attacked.  I wonder if he too will be banned for coming after the committee... it's like Big Brother, people!

The people who have not grown up in the last 10 years still have some things to say... such as:
- Let's make it a slip n' slide party
-  Wet t-shirt contest!
mmhmmm... riiiight.

What about all those people who booked babysitting for tonight?  What about all those people who saved their money to hop on a plane and see their high school friends?  What about the $80 per person?  I can't believe they would be so UNPROFESSIONAL as to assume that making these accommodations would be simple and free.  To cancel the event on the DAY of the event is unheard of.  Those people that travelled from far away will not be able to book another flight and come back in town on the new day of the committee's choosing.  They should not have to be at their beck and call.  And, the real kicker... they're not going to return anyone's money.  Even if they can't make it to the new date.  Why? Because everyone's been paid already.  No refunds.  That is CRAP.

I think the whole thing has been a spectacle and debacle from the very beginning... but this just tops it all!  This could all have been avoided if they had been NORMAL and booked the event in a reception hall or hotel.  But nooooo, that would be too simple and logical... and "hello, we are like super st. brendan and it has to be absolutely super."  (use your Miami-girl voice for that.)


In all honesty, I feel bad for those people who spent a lot of their hard earned money to attend this event and now they wont be able to.  It's a shame that the committee did not have the foresight to see that Mother Nature always has the last say.

Seriously?! Thursday

Linking up again with From Mrs to Mama for Seriously?!  As you will soon read, I've had a rough week.  Please excuse the mood.  And go over and link up... check out some other blogs... sit back and enjoy the read!

Seriously?!  It's nearly a week since I had my accident, and my face is still all bruised up.  What's worse is that Jonas keeps on grabbing my mouth and opening up the cut on my lip.  I'm seriously never going to heal!

Seriously?!  I need a break.  I know I'm a mom, and it's my "job", but I'm dealing with my kids from the time I wake up to the time I go to sleep and sometimes even while I'm sleeping.  All you new moms are saying, "yeah, duh" but you shall see... when you have a 2 and a 1 year old, it's not supposed to be like that.  When we lived in Greenville, we had a rather strict schedule and routine.  The kids were in bed by 8:30 and then Mau and I could watch our shows or just hang out.  Well, here the schedule has been tossed in the trash.  And it seriously ticks me off.  I need a MOMENT that I can feel like ME... me the human, not me the mom.  Last night Marco and Jonas didn't "fall asleep" till 10:30 (I was already in bed) and they were both wide awake by 6:30 (again, I was in bed).  I feel like I have no time for myself and no time for my marriage.  And it seriously sucks.

Seriously?!  What's with the pinching?  It's something Jonas has always done, but as he gets bigger, he pinches grow stronger.  It's like his "comfort thing".  He does it while he's sleeping!  He pinches my chest, face or under my arm.  And it seriously HURTS!  He uses his nails!  But if I hold his arm down, he squeals.  I just want it to stop already.

Seriously?!  Miami is seriously ridiculous.  The driving... ridiculous.  The people... ridiculous.  Look out for my post coming later this week about how friendly Miamians are.  ::eye roll::

Seriously?!  Don't you hate it when you smell poop but you can't locate it?  You know you're not crazy... there IS a poop smell... but after digging your face into all the available diapers, you still can't find it.  UGH.

Seriously?!  I underestimated just how much bodily fluids is involved in child rearing.  The amount of boogers, snot, pee, poop, spit up and vomit that I deal with on a daily basis is unbelievable.  Seriously unbelievable.

Seriously?!  I think I write too many posts about poop.

Seriously?!  How amazing is God?!  He's got everything all planned out and it's always for the good of those who love Him.  I have comfort in the fact that even though things seem difficult, or impossible, right now... it'll all work out for the best.  Why?  Because I love Him.  And He promises it!  That's seriously amazing.

"Don't Touch the D*ck"

Toddler speech is hilarious.  Sometimes I feel like a translator.  I am nearly fluent in Marconese.  We'll have to say that I am the best translator for him... better than dad even! (woohoo, I win again!)


In our house, we have some strict rules.
Don't push your brother
Don't do caca in your pants
Don't open the door
Don't touch the disk

Marco knows how to turn on the xbox, open the tray, put in a DVD, turn the tv to "component1" and press play on the remote.  What a man!  Problem is, he does not yet know how to handle a DVD disk.  He doesn't know that the disk is not bendable (goodbye Monsters Inc.) or that the disk can scratch on the shiny side (see ya, Cars).  The real problem boils down to this:  He thinks he's big.  


So today we caught him, yet again, handling a DVD disk improperly.  To make matters worse, it was a Netflix one.  So Mauricio scolded him and said, "When you see a disk, don't get it, just say 'Papai, the disk!'"... "What do we say?"  to which Marco proudly responded, "Papai, the Dick!".  Then things went like this:
Mau: Say Disk
Marco: Dick
Mau:  Disk
Marco:  DicKKK
Mau: Don't touch the disk
Marco:  Don't touch the Dick... Papai, don't touch the Dick!

What about me?  Oh, I was just dying... no straight faces over here.

But really, I hope Marco learned a valuable lesson here tonight.  Not to touch the disk... or the dick for that matter!