Thursday Thirteen #18

I'm blessed to have five children. My dream was to have a dozen. Ok, you can pick up you jaw from the floor or wipe your computer screen from what you just spewed on it. I've always wanted to have a large family. I was always thinking of what I would name them. I even bought a book of baby names when I was in 10th grade!

In my family blog, A Glance Into My World, I wrote an entry about how fascinated I am with names. I shared about what our names means and the story of how we came to be named. If you are interested in names you can go to Baby Names World and search for names.

On my TT #16 list, I wrote a list of girl names I liked. To be fair, I thought I'd share some boy names I've always liked.

* Joseph

* Daniel

* Giovanni

* Andre

* Andrew

* Manuel

* Alejandro (Alexander)

* Demetri (Demetrio)

* Caleb

* Michael (Michaelangelo)

* Anjelo

* Paolo (Gianpaolo)

* Giancarlo

I know, what can I say, I have something for Italian names. :o) Do you have a favorite male name? Care to share it? Is there a reason why you like it?

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Friday's Feast

Appetizer
Tell about a time when you had to be brave.

*I've had to be brave a few times. So lets see... oh, ok. In 2003 I was diagnosed with chiari malformation with a herniation of 12mm and hydrocephalus. Chiari malformation is a brain disorder. Basically it's a disorder which causes the brain to herniate down into the spinal canal. My herniation is 12mm. Hydrocephalus is a cerebrospinal fluid build up in the brain. This explained why I had been suffering with debilitating headaches all my life. I had to have two separate brain surgeries. The first one was to install a shunt, to help drain the cerebrospinal fluid. The second one was a decompression with duraplasty and a laminectomy of C1. Which means, they had to create a little more room to alleviate my brain. Their is no cure for chiari. This surgery is a last resort. Only done when there is a threat of symptoms getting worse. Having any kind of surgery is dangerous... specially when they put you under. I had a peace about both surgeries. I knew that a God was in control and whatever happened it was for the best. I hope that in the eyes of my five precious children I was a brave mom.

Soup
Which upcoming movie are you excited about seeing?

* Ah... that would have to be... Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End

Salad
Name an item you try to always have on hand.

* A card. You never know when you have to send someone an uplifting note. Oh, and coke. I'm a coke addict. Coca cola that is. :o)

Main Course
Imagine the most relaxing room you can think of. Now describe it!

* That would have to be my family room. It's the hub of our home. Our navy blue, soft, leather sectional couch sits 10. The two seats in the end recline. The couch is up against our 8 foot wide and 5 1/2 foot tall window. The window looks over our pool and 4 out of 5 of our acres. There is a door to the right of the window that opens up to the pool patio. We have a counter that separates our family room from the kitchen. The counter is filled with picture frames, which contain pictures of my family. The wall to the left of the window has a bookcase filled with movies we've collected through the years. On top of that bookcase, we have trophies our children have won. Up against the wall to the left of that is our pine wood, entertainment center. Which holds out tv, dvd and cd player. To the right of the center is where we store some of our cd's. To the left is where we store some more movies. On top of the entertainment center we have some more picture frames with pictures of my children and some more trophies. The wall to the left of the center has some more picture frames. One of the picture frames is a collage of pictures my children put together for me for Mother's Day last year. It's one of my favorites. The pictures are all in black in white. Across our blue couch we have a solid oak wood couch with clue cushions that were upholstered by Daughter of the King. It seats three people. On our couch you can always find a soft blanket or a throw. In front of our entertainment center I have a couple of baskets. Some hold my boy's school work. On holds 10 scrapbooking albums. Another basket holds some more cd's. The ceiling in our family room is high vault. We have a long white fan. When you look up you can see a wooden rail and the hallway upstairs. You can also see pictures hanging on the wall. They are drawings that we made by Still Waters. One picture frame has magazine that some pictures of Soaring Amongst The Cloud was featured in when she use to play soccer. The family room is my favorite room. It's were we all hang out.

Dessert
On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being highest), how spiritual or religious are you?

* Mmmm... I really don't consider myself as being spiritual or religious. I do have a personal relationship with my Savior, Jesus Christ. On a scale of 1-10, how much I love Him, I would say 10. Do I always show it... no. But I strive to show Him every day.

To partake in other feasts visit Friday's Feast a buffet for your brain.

Thursday Thirteen #17

In honor of Mother's Day, my list will be about what I've learned from the two most important women who raised me, my mom and my abuela. Now there are many things that I've learned from them, but since this is a Thursday Thirteen list, I have to limit my list.

* I remember my mom taking me and my sister up to the front window of our home. She would have us looking out the window right around the time my dad was expected to be home. When we spotted him, she would say (in Spanish), " Look who's walking up the side walk! IT'S the BEST DADDY in the WHOLE WORLD!" - I learned that a wife has the power to build up or tear down her husband... I learned to edify my husband.

* My abuela didn't learn to drive till she was a grandma. - I learned that you are never too old to try something new.

* While I was growing up, my abuela had two jobs. She worked as a housekeeper/nanny and she worked at the hospital as a unit secretary. She never complained. - I learned there is good that comes out of having good work ethics.

* My mom always had dinner ready when my dad got home from work. We always ate together. - I learned that having a routine is good for a family.

* My mom always enjoyed (and still enjoys) watching, I Love Lucy. Probably cause she was free spirited and spontaneous like Lucy. I remember many last minute, "let's go to the...." trips. -I learned that spontaneity brings balance.

* My mom had (has) a temper. At times she would punish me out of anger. -I learned that punishing out of anger is wrong.

* My mom was always telling my brother (in Spanish), that he should treat ladies like the petal of a rose. -I learned that we (men and women) matter... we are worthy.

* I am 43 years old. In my lifetime, I don't ever recall ever seeing a blemish on my mom's face. She rarely used make up. If she did, it was a little rouge on her cheeks and lips. -I learned that their is nothing like natural beauty. God fashioned us after His own image... why mess with it?!

* Abuela was a very kind, loving and giving lady. Even when she was treated unkind, she abided by the Golden Rule: do to others as you would have them do to you. There was a person that was interested in a family member. In the beginning this person treated her kindly. Once the person married into our family, this person wanted nothing to do with Abuela. This person wouldn't even acknowledge her. It hurt to see this, but she was still kind, loving and giving of her love and time. -I learned that love can overcome any obstacle.

* Abuela always wore soft, cotton batas. That's Spanish for house dresses. LOL! Her dresses were always made out of pretty, small flower prints. She didn't wear bright colors. They were always soft pastels. -I learned that it doesn't matter what's "in" , if you like it wear it. Oh, guess what's my favorite style dress... soft, cotton country dresses. I have over 12 of them hanging in my closet. :o)

* When my mom met my Knight. She said, that's the one you should marry. -I learned that parents do know best. Who else would have your best interest at heart?

* My mom and abuela always had a rocky relationship. They were (are) both strong willed, independent women, with big hearts. It was always best if things went their way for all those around. LOL! -I learned that I can't always have it my way. That it's not all about me.

* My mom doesn't tell me that she loves me. Words don't come easy to her. She does show me, in her own way, that she loves me. She'll call and tell me to be careful in the parking lots. That I should do my errands during the day. To be careful when it rains. Not to go out when it's too late, that the roads are too dark. She'll read articles to me over the phone. Tells me about radio segment she heard, regarding a health issue. When I had my two brain surgeries, she came to help take care of me. It's her way of saying, I love you. -I learned that actions speak louder than words, but it's good to hear the words too.

I love my mom. I love my abuela. They helped to shape me into the woman I am today. I owe them so much. I know that girls sometimes wince at the thought of being like their mom. There are things about my mom, that makes me think, "I don't want to be like my mom." BUT when I think back, there are many things about my mom, that I'm proud to think, "I'm just like my mom!"

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Friday's Feast

Appetizer

Name something you would not want to own.

* At this present time, a Suburban. Gas prices are over the top. With all the running around I do, I would spend a fortune in gas. I do wish I had a mini van. I miss my van. It was totaled two yeas ago. I was sentimentally attached to it.

Soup
Describe your hair (texture, color, length, etc.).

*I have soft, thin, curly hair. It's dark brown with natural almond highlights. I have gray hair scattered throughout. It's about 5 inches past my shoulders.

Salad
Finish this sentence: I’ll never forget ___________.

* How even though I was surrounded by loved ones, I felt alone and empty when I was told my brother had died. How on the delivery table, right after I had delivered Souring Amongst The Clouds, I looked at my Knight and told him, "Let's have another one." Ten months later, Still Waters was born. ;o) How I always said, "I don't want to be thirty and pregnant." Guess what, on my 30th b-day, I was pregnant, with G.I. Joe, and The Warrior was born 2 1/2 years later. I have so many, "I'll never forget..." moments.

Main Course
Which famous person would you like to be for one day? Why?

* If only for one day... I would like to be Audrey Hepburn. I wrote an entry about Audrey Hepburn a while ago. She was what I envisioned a lady would be like. She always seemed soft, sweet, gentle, loving and kind. But always had this look of wistfulness. I would like to know what she was thinking and feeling. Not to mention that I thought she had an incredible sense of style. She was a great humanitarian. She was an extraordinary lady.

Dessert
Write one sentence about yourself that includes one thing that is true and another thing that is not.

* This should be fun. Which one do you think is true? I'll post the answer in a couple of days... 1- I enjoy reading but can't because it makes me dizzy. 2- I'm a morning person.

Thursday Thirteen #16

In my family blog, A Glance Into My World, I wrote an entry about how fascinated I am with names. I shared about what our names means and the story of how we came to be named.

I thought I'd share some names my girls are thankful I didn't name them. I don't know why, because they are truly beautiful names. But I guess, when you are use to hearing your own name, any other name would not be the same...

* Penelope

* Anastasia

* Gabriella

* Samantha

* Mia

* Maiya

* Isabella

* Natasha

* Aphrodite

* Danielle

* Annabelle

* Guinevere

Share a name you like? Is there a story why you like it? Where did you hear that name?

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants



Thursday Thirteen #15

Being that this week was my Knight's 44th birthday, my list will be about him. I will share 13 memory moments. I'd love to share more, but there is plenty of time for that...

* We met in tenth grade, in our College Vocabulary class. He sat two seats in front of me, on the row to my right. He would tilt his head a little to the side to glance at me. Who could resist those baby blue eyes?

* While in high school, he was a DJ. Our first dance together was at a halloween party he invited me to. The song that was playing was, How Deep Is You Love by the Bee Gees. My favorite group. He was a gentleman, he didn't hold me too close. I felt safe in his arms.

* One day my mom drove by his night time job. He use to park cars at a restaurant. She started honking the horn and waving. I crouched down on the seat, so he wouldn't see me. I was so embarrassed!

* We were not a couple during high school. We only went out a few times. When I went back to my first boyfriend, I could see the sadness in eyes. I had hurt him. But what did I know. I was a young, immature girl, who didn't know she was letting go of the man she would someday marry.

* In 1981 (right out of high school) he joined the Army. When he came home on leave during Christmas, I went to greet him at the airport. Seeing him walking towards all who were there to see him, made my heart skip a beat. He looked so handsome in his uniform. Of all the people who were there, he greeted me first.

* The first movie we saw together was Cinderella. It was playing at the theater. After the movie we went for a stroll at the marina. That's where we kissed for the first time.

* We had over 500 guests at our wedding. We were so busy going from table to table, that we didn't get to eat. His eyes were sparkling that day.

* We were stationed in Ft. Polk, Louisiana the first ten months of our marriage. While living there, he hurt his leg playing football. I drove him home. He started to go into shock. I managed to convince him that going to the ER was a good idea. The doc was going to give him quarters for 24 hours and a prescription for motrin. Quarters is a term used when they mean no work. Yep, back then motrin was a prescription drug. I was adamant. I was not taking him until they x-rayed that leg. After MUCH insistence from a mere 93 lb., 19 year old wife, his leg was x-rayed. Oh, and yes, he had a nasty break. I will never forget how scared I was. I did not like to see my Knight in pain.

* Did you know that a motorcycle can be driven with a broken leg? Yep, he did it. Where there is a will there is a way. He was determined. He looked so daring on that red motorcycle with his broken leg propped up.

* While vacationing in Capri, Italy, he and his buddy Roarke decided to go rock climbing. It scared me to death to see where they had climbed. The reason it scared me was because they had climbed with not gear. He had this, "I did it" look. I had this, "You're killing me" look, but I was proud of him.

* On one of our ski trips to Austria, we went down this run that we thought was an intermediate run. Turned out to be a black diamond run. He felt confident that we could do it. He's such a thrill seeker, I was always scared that something would happen to him. So, whatever he would want to do, I'd do too. We didn't fall once. It was a great run. The grin on his face was priceless.

* When we were in the hospital waiting the arrival of our second baby, he was the one that took care of me. My water had broke and my bed was wet. He asked the nurse to please bring some of the blue padding so I would continue to feel wet. She told him, that is was senseless to do that, cause it was still going to get messy. He's the one that cleaned it up and made me comfortable.

* We went target shooting with our oldest two and a group of their friends. It was the first time they had gone shooting. Well, they have shot their brother's bb gun, but we all know it's not the same thing as shooting a real gun. Our girls were the best girl shooters. My Knight looked so proud.

We will soon celebrate 25 years of wedded bliss. Like everyone else, we've had our share of sad times, tragedies and good times. Going through all that together is what has helped us to be who we are today. No just who I am or who he is, but who we are as a couple. It's made us stronger and more devoted to one another.

My dearest Knight,
I'm so thankful that God created you. That he sat fit to bring us together. May God continue to bless our marriage.
forever yours...
Your Lady~

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

In Honor Of My Knight...

My Knight and His Lady


My Knight's 44th birthday is today. There is so much I admire about my Knight in shining armor. In honor of his birthday, I will share "44" awesome things about him. For those that know him, know all this to be true. First I'll start with some of his character traits that I admire, then I'll move on to some tidbits about him. My Knight is...

* A Godly man- he seeks God daily and strives to be the man God wants him to be.

* Loving

* Tolerant- bless his heart, he's put up with me for almost 25 years!

* Honorable

* Dependable

* Chivalrous- yep, he still opens the door for me.

* Wise- I tell the truth, my man is seldom wrong and when he is, he is quick to acknowledge it.

* Trustworthy

* Honest

* Leader

* Faithful

* Hopeful

* Respectful

* Valiant

* Brave- he was an MP in the Army. He laid his life on the line daily.

* Loyal

* Encouraging

* Logical

* Intelligent

* Sincere

* Polite

* Reliable

* Responsible

* Observant

* Persevering

* Rational

* Positive

* Thankful

* Unselfish

* Mature

* Hard Working

* Helpful

* Competitive- he doesn't like to lose, but he's gracious when he does, he's a good sportsman.

* He knew in tenth grade, that I was the one he was going to marry.(More about this on a later post... so stay tuned.)

* Got his private pilot's license when while he was still in high school.

* Joined the Army at 18.

* Traveled all over Europe while stationed in Germany.

* Took up skiing and loves it.

* Worked full time and while attending college.

* He earned a 4 year degree in computer science in 3 years.

* He's a Promise Keeper.

* Loves to spend time with me and our five children.

* Has been working for the same company for over 18 years.

* Tells and shows me that he loves me EVERY day.