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What a nice day!

Finally….a Saturday when I could actually take it off and breathe and plan some family time…

So, this morning I was up early and took the Drama Queen for some labs, then breakfast, joined by B-boo.

This was followed by a soccer game with a little beauty who we got to see score a goal!

Next came shopping with the Drama Queen and the Princess. And a $13 dress! Score!

Drama Dress

 

After, I went to drop off the Roni for a slumber party. His friend was finishing up testing for his purple belt, so we got to watch him (and another friend’s son) receive their belts, visit with some great friends, and then head home to help the DQ get dressed up.

Next, I went to drop off the Smart One (who wouldn’t let me take a pic) and the Drama Queen off at a wedding. (Apparently, SOMEONE was having fun with my phone in the backseat….)

Goofie Girls

 

From there, the Princess and I headed off to a dinner date and then shopping for tomorrow’s food fest! We’re now relaxed with a movie, trying not to fall asleep.

It felt so good to just take the day and go with it. I can’t wait to spend the day with family again tomorrow at our oldest son’s new home!

 

5 months, 29 days…

So yesterday morning I was getting ready for work. I get up early (fivish) in order to get showered and stuff before the girls come in. We basically have two bathrooms and a bunch of people to get out of the house by 6:45 am. This means the two older girls are always in my bathroom as we get ready together, while the other three kids alternate getting ready in the other bathroom or in front of my vanity around the corner as long as the Drama Queen isn’t sitting on it.

The conversation often goes like this:

“Pick a side.”

“Excuse me.”

“Can I use the comb?”

“Are you done with the straightener?”

“Do you see my glasses?”

It’s crowded and often times someone is irritated. I’ve dreamed of a big bathroom with a beautiful vanity, the proper lighting, a salon type area for all of our hair appliances, etc….

But yesterday morning, as once again we were trying not to trip over chords or burn each other and pick a side…

I looked up into the mirror and glanced next to me…

And thought…

“I am so going to miss these mornings. I only have 5 months and 29 days left of these mornings. And then…she’s gone.”

This morning, I was back to being able to emotionally handle my coffee and making her a hot apple cider with whipped cream and caramel without being resorted to tears.

As someone once told me, “She’s a hot mess.”

Yup, these next few months are gonna be tougher than I thought.

5 months and 28 days until she’s married.

In case you didn’t know…..

It seems like yesterday all she was interested in was her Simba and her blankie.

It seems like yesterday we were planning her sweet sixteen.

It seems like yesterday we were taking her senior photos.

It seems like just yesterday, she fell in love….and got engaged…

And today….today was a day a mother wonders about for years. The day that plays through a mother’s mind as her baby grows up…the day when her daughter goes in search of that perfect dress…the one that will be worn on that perfect day…to marry the man of her dreams. I thought it might be an emotional day, and I wanted everything to be just as she dreamed it would be. We had fun looking through dresses the night before and picking the ones she liked. We had even more fun walking thru the bridal store looking through so many dresses in hopes of finding the one.

I mean, we’ve all seen, “Say Yes, to the Dress,” right?

And then, we had a little moment in the dressing room. I am sure she didn’t think  anything of it, but I thought everything of it. Silly, but true.

And then I was instructed to sit. That’s all the help I was allowed to offer. After all, I am the Mother of the Bride.

And I’ve only been the Mother of the Groom. Which was amazing….and I love my sweet new daughter. And I remember seeing her for the first time in her wedding dress, not too long before the ceremony was supposed to start. She was stunning…all dressed up and ready to marry my son. She probably didn’t think to much of it, but I did. A Bride, ready to meet her Groom.

So, Mother of the Bride is new to me. And as I sat there waiting, she took my breath away when she walked out in the first dress.

And she continued to take my breath away as she tried on the dresses that just might be that one.

And then, I knew. I could tell by the look on her face that she knew.

And that’s all that mattered.

And then, it was like we were little girls, sworn to secrecy….secretly planning the big moment when she would walk out and take everyone’s breath away. Especially, her groom.

That moment when she rang the bell and said yes to her dress. Where I became choked up with emotion and the tears trickled down.

My baby is getting married.

And…

No, we’re not sharing.

No, you can’t just get a peek.

No, not even a glimpse.

For a bride only has that one moment, when it’s all about her, about her wishes, her dreams; that moment when her father will first see her as he prepares to take her to meet her groom. And that moment when her groom will see all she has planned and prepared for him, on their wedding day.

In case you didn’t know….that’s what we did today.

Tia Gloria

There are those special people you meet in life that just make you smile. My Tia Gloria was one of kind. From the moment I first met her, her genuine kindness and infectious smile just tugged at my heart. She was always ready for a good time and always there to encourage you.

At our wedding, she just danced and danced…and made sure everyone else was doing the same. Last year, she did the same at our son’s wedding.

Dancing at Ruben's wedding

Tio Pete and Tia Gloria had a home that was always open and welcome. I’m pretty sure there was not a soul who ever walked into their home who wasn’t made to feel like you were part of their family. Theirs was a love of a lifetime and the results of that love filtered out to anyone who was in their presence.

Over the past 23 years, I have had the privilege of being accepted into the Rubio family. Although we live in two different states, we often laugh when telling others about the Rubio’s…they’re loud, fun and most of all, about the most loving, accepting people you’ll ever meet! And that, I am sure, comes from Tia Gloria and Tio Pete.

Tia Gloria went home to be with the Lord this week. I’m still in shock, having a hard time believing it’s real. It just doesn’t seem possible, and yet…

I can’t help but remember the last time we saw each other in person; almost a year ago. I have reflected on our conversation many times over the past year; it made that much of an impact on me. I was traveling to pick up Bboo from a missionary trip to Canada. On a whim, I called my cousin and told her where I was and asked how close was I to her. Turns out I was within minutes, so before I knew it, I was at her house. She immediately called her parents, Tia Gloria and Tio Pete, and let hem know I was there. They came right over and we all had breakfast together. I was so very touched that they had all just dropped what they were doing just to spend time with me.

As Tia and I were sitting together, we were just talking. I don’t know how she knew my heart so well, I hadn’t said anything, but she looked me in the eye and said to me, “Mija, don’t ever worry about what others think of you. Don’t worry about them judging you or not understanding you. You just keep on being yourself and and loving Jesus and know that I love you.”

I have played that over and over in my head so much. I left there so very grateful for the love that she has always shown; the acceptance that she has always given. Most of all, knowing that I was important enough for them to just drop everything to spend time with me.

I believe that was her legacy. She just had a way of making sure everyone knew how much they were loved. Tia Gloria, beautiful inside and out; deeply missed, but thankful to have had her in my life.

I love you, Tio, Renee, Monica, Peter, and Anthony. I am so very sorry.

"How many times do we have to pose, Monica?"

 

Always willing to pose for yet another photo opportunity...

 

Guess Who’s 21 Today!

21 years ago today, he blessed us with his presence…very early, and very scary, the first few weeks were tough. He’s always ready with a smile on his face, often jumps in without thinking, and wants to experience so much! He has blessed us with his music and his amazing personality. I couldn’t be prouder of the young man he has become.

Happy Birthday, son!