The Vivas Family! | It's a Vivas Thing!

Jan 18 2010

A Glimpse into Our Family

We're a strange bunch, us Vivas's! I thought I'd give a glimpse into little daily parts of our lives. But where to start? Hmmm.

We like to just hang out. Literally.

We like to have parties that scare our favorite friends. Really.

We're not afraid to take happy pictures! (And some of us look a lot alike!)

We're not afraid of nature…or little critters.

We're not afraid of a little adventure, either.

(Don't you just love the look on their faces?)

We're kind of competitive…(even if it means beating our best friend's little sister!)

…and we like our cousins, especially if we're in the race for our lives!

We are a little afraid of small people with big knives!

Some lessons are painful for us. Literally.

Matching Christmas gifts are cool. Matching personalities even better.

Sometimes.

We take care of each other. Even if it means carrying your sister down a slippery rock.

Some of us are a little weird. She's pretending to eat the iguana rock in the background. It's the blurry thing that she's about to take a bite out of.

Then there are those bonding moments. You know…youngest and oldest, just chillin'

We also have weird pets. This one has a tongue disorder. Can you tell? We convinced the Good Looking One's girlfriend that we had even taken her to the vet and that the name of the disorder was too long to say. She felt so sorry for the poor dog. We finally caved in laughter! (But we really do think she has some unknown tongue disorder!) I really think this picture is priceless though! I mean, what are the chances of catching a shot like this?!

And after a long day of licking…she lays down ON MY PILLOW and crashes.

(In case you're wondering, the weird dog belongs to the girl who likes to pretend she's eating iguana rocks. Don't you think that's a perfect match?)

But the all time funniest picture I have come across is this one.

Seriously. I went to upload pictures onto my computer and found several of these. Not just one, but six or seven. See, my brother bought us a Wii for Christmas. My HUSBAND is addicted. He bowls with his sons almost every night. Before the Wii, he had no interest in video games. Notice the bald head and glasses? That's hubby. Notice the score in 1st place? That's the Smart One. Who had to take a picture and have me upload it to my computer for safe keeping. For proof.

As if the hysterical screaming when he actually scored it wasn't enough!

It'll be interesting to see what 2010 holds for us!

Hopefully, we'll still be smiling. Like this…

Dec 27 2009

Butterflies and Dragonflies

When Chicken Noodle Butt first came to live with us, he had nightmares. We would pray with him each night. B-boo started praying with him to dream of dragonflies and butterflies. Now, when we pray with him before bed, we always ask God to give him dreams of dragonflies and butterflies.

In our family of 7 children, we draw names for Christmas gifts. This year, Chicken Noodle Butt drew B-boo's name. When I took him to pick out a gift for her, we walked around and around while he commented on how she would like chocolate, or jelly beans (she doesn't), or bubble gum for a bubble gum machine. The list went on and on and on. Just when I was about to give up, he found a beautiful butterfly necklace for her; but he didn't want just the butterfly, he had to find a dragonfly, too. So, as we searched through the necklaces, we finally found the last dragonfly. He wanted us to help him write for B-boo to dream of dragonflies and butterflies on her wrapped gift.

And so, he found the perfect gift for his cousin; from the heart. And she was touched.

But the story doesn't end there. You see, he has a serious addiction to video games. Yesterday, when it was time for everyone to get off the Wii and clean their rooms, he threw a major tantrum. I am talking a rollonthefloorkickingandscreamingforthreehourstantrum. Because he was going to play the Wii and that was that. He's had fits, but this was the biggest we've seen!

When all was calm again and he had finished his room, he came up to me and apologized. Later that evening, I was exhausted and sore; partly from the Wii and partly from raking 1/4 acre of leaves. I went to bed. And he crept in and said he might see scary things. I reminded him to dream of dragonflies and butterflies. And then, he decided he was fine but that he needed to pray for me and tuck me in. And so, he prayed to God and asked Him to help me to dream of dragonflies and butterflies.

I said, "Thank you for tucking me in tonight."

He replied, "You're welcome."

And he went to bed and dreamt of dragonflies and butterflies.

Dec 26 2009

Christmas Memories

I wasn't sure what this Christmas would hold for my family. It's been a tough year all around, so focusing on the true meaning of Christmas is what has kept me going. And I'll have to admit, this is probably one of the best Christmas's I can remember. Would you like to know why?

My older brother showed up. This may not seem huge; but in the past 9 years, we have seen him all of three times! My kids were thrilled that he came! When B-boo found out, she came running down the stairs screaming, "Uncle Mando is coming, Uncle Mando is coming!"

As if that wasn't enough; my parents showed up. I always know they'll show up, but this year, there were health issues involved and it seemed like it may not happen. Then, while taking a break from shopping, I called to check on her. And she was happy. I told B-boo, "Grandma and Grandpa are here." She asked how I knew and I replied, "She's not crying anymore."

My husband's whole family is also here now. This means that the cousins that adore each other get to spend their Christmas together. It just doesn't get any better than spending the best part of the year with those that you love.

And there was cookie baking. Lots of it.

And then there was the little things.

Like the jacket that I knew B-boo wanted so bad. For weeks I would stop by the store to see if they still had it and if it had gone down in price. They still had it, but it was still too expensive. So I waited. And waited. And finally, when I could wait no more, Mom and I went to get it. It was gone. I was almost in tears. And then Grandma found it; on the clearance rack, marked down only an hour before. 80% marked off!

And in return? Poor B-boo had been dragged all over town with me for well over a year looking for the perfect sheets for my bed. It had to be dark purple, California king sheets. Impossible to find! I finally found a store that carries them, only they were sold out. And yet…

…there they were on Christmas morning; from B-boo. She had found them. And I slept like a baby last night, on my new sheets! I almost cried, that she would do that for her mom.

There was the origami calendar for the Smart One. He loved it! (We should really change his name to Mr. Paper!)

There was the clothes for the Talented One; and the ability to find ones that he loved at the price we could afford!

There were homemade picture frames, pj's and cheese and Yankee candles that I love!

And so much more that I could go on about; like the precious friends that have overwhelmed us with their blessings of goodies and candles and generosity.

There was the brisket from my hubby; my brother will probably never be the same again! (That and the fact that he had his first ever In & Out burger!)

There was the gift from my brother. He bought my kids a Wii! We thought that the Drama Queen would jump through the ceiling she was so excited. She just kept jumping higher and higher screaming, "We got a Wii, we got a Wii!"

And there was Grandpa playing Wii tennis; and hitting his grandchildren in the head with the remote and the laughter that came with it!

And the teenagers explaining to hubby how to play…and which buttons to push, and why he did it wrong…and why we need Wii fit.

Because our arms are sore, but the rest of our bodies aren't.

And there's the slumber parties…and us not knowing which child is staying or going or who's house their going to!

And my beloved son telling me I look like Madame Blueberry in my new purple pajamas. (Yes, my favorite color is purple.)

But I forgave him, because he did this.

These are the things that made my Christmas.

Dec 13 2009

Makes a Mama Proud

I just love those proud mama moments! Tonight was one of those times! We've been planning our Children's Christmas concert for a few months now. Not only do we have a fabulous director and amazing helpers to go with it, but my whole family ended up pitching in tonight. It was so cool!

Earlier today, the Smart One was asking if he could miss youth to attend the concert and what was everyone else going to do. I told him we were all going to be doing something in the concert and we'd love to have him come and support us by watching. He went a step further. He took it upon himself to gather some friends and pass out the programs. He didn't seem to think much of it, but I did.

B-boo worked hard helping us to not only make props, but make sure they were organized, working, etc. And then she went on to take photos, too! I don't know what we would have done without her these past few weeks!

The Talented One almost made me cry! He agreed to play the piano for us. Not one to play in public and certainly not in front of an audience, he played beautifully! Seriously, I wanted to cry. The compliments I received on his playing after the concert were too many to count. What a gift he has been given!

Then there was the Drama Queen and the Princess. They sang their hearts out! It was so good to see the Princess be able to manage herself on stage. What a moment! And she sang her trio so well. I was able to see how far she has come in the past nine months. Wow!

And the Drama Queen. Well, she is that. Another child with a God given talent; what a voice! Listening and watching her sing was so much fun! She really got into her songs and just let herself go tonight.

And then, there was my hunny bunny. He is the most amazing man! He has spent countless hours putting together the sound, lights, and staging for us. If I haven't ever said how much I appreciate him, I'm saying it now! I appreciate you, honey!

So, tonight I'm exhausted, but I'm going to bed with a smile on my face. I have a GREAT family. I do. I really do.

Nov 19 2009

Joy of Love

Another day to talk of the joy in my life. Would you like to know what it is?

The love of my life!

OK, so seriously, ours was a whirlwind romance. (Not something I'd suggest for my children!) We had a date, we said we loved each other…and he proposed. Six months later, we were married. And the rest….as they say, is history!

Today is the anniversary of part of that joy! It was 18 years ago that he proposed to me; and of course, I accepted! (And just for kicks, it was 17 years ago that we found out we'd be having the Talented One. We had a giggle about that last night when I asked him if he knew what today was!)

So why does he bring me such joy?

It's in his kiss. Seriously.

But it's also in the way that he makes me feel like I'm the most special person in the world.

It's in the way he loves me.

It's in the way he laughs at with me.

It's the way he shares his life with me.

It's the beautiful family that we have together.

It's the way he makes me feel.

Loved.

Cherished.

What a joy!