Not my best day

My husband left today for 6 weeks! This is not the first time he has been gone, nor will it be the last I am sure. This is what I married into when I married a soldier. That doesn't mean that it doesn't stink! It was a lot harder on me today than it has been in the past. I am not sure if it is hormonal or what. I will be posting a lot more with a lot of pictures for him to see while he is gone.

If you are reading this tonight my love know that you are missed already. Be sure to check back tomorrow for pictures of your boys! Love you

Isaiah's new toy!

Present from Grandma

For Christmas Grandma got Isaiah a blow up ball pit with a football goal post on it. It is the cutest thing and we finally blew it up yesterday. It took him all of 5 minutes to have it upside down and climbing on it backwards! He is such a destructive little thing! He loves it to say the least. I wanted to post some pictures of him playing with it for Grandma and Papa to see!

Daddy's Birthday Pictures!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today my wonderful husband turns yet another year older. We had a pretty uneventful day. He took Pancho to the vet, where we learned we are feeding him WAY to much. Then we ran to Sams to stock up on some stuff since he is leaving on Sunday for 6 weeks. I love birthdays. That actually might be an understatement. I love that there in one whole day that is yours alone, to do whatever you like. I try to make all the boys in my house feel special on their day. This morning when I woke Z up for school he ran in and first thing, told his daddy Happy Birthday. When the little monster woke up we gave Cesar a dog that had a recordable chip in it with the boys telling him they loved him. It is for him to take with him to Ft. Jackson. The boys got little ones that match to keep here while he is gone. I gave him a watch to replace the one that just broke, a picture key chain to have the boys close while he is gone, and a Nintendo DS to match Z's. He was really excited and it was so nice to see. Cesar works so hard for us everyday. He goes to a civilian job that he hates just to make sure we are provided for. Most people would say that is his responsibility and to a point it is, but there are many men out there who do not take care of their responsibilities and I am blessed to be married to one that does. He said to me today that he didn't think he deserved the presents, he couldn't be more wrong! He deserves that and much more! He is an amazing husband and father and I thank God everyday we were in the same place at the same time a few years ago.

Happy Birthday the love of my life! You are the best thing that has ever happened to me and I thank God for you everyday!

Thanks Uncle Roman and Aunt Erin!

Isaiah loved the packing peanuts that came in Uncle Roman's and Aunt Erin's Christmas box!

Christmas picture Overload!

Christmas News and a trip to the ER!

Well Christmas was wonderful here at the Sanchez house! We woke up in our own house for the first time....ever! Zachary, in 6 years, has always been somewhere else, usually at my parents! Isaiah was excited, if a little confused at first. In his stocking he got a marshmallow sucker, and that's all he wanted the rest of the morning! The boys all got exactly what was on their lists and Zachary was really happy. We loaded up the car and headed to Shelbyville for the rest of the day. They got even more things from the Nana and Grandpa santa. Zachary got the DS he has wanted forever so he was thrilled! Brad, Kelly and the boys came over and they were all in their matching pj's. It was impossible to get a picture, sorry, but they were cute!

We headed over to MeaMaw's for lunch and had a great time. We made it home to see the LA Lakers beat the Boston Celtics, it couldn't have been a better day!

Yesterday we went to Grans to have Christmas with Katie and her family. Isaiah was a little under the weather, but not to bad. We had a delicious lunch, thanks to Gran and even better fellowship. Isaiah will not nap anywhere but at home so he was really cranky and when I felt him, a little hot. We loaded up the car and headed home so he would sleep. When we got home, I took his temp to realize that is was 104.2. After a quick call to my DR, she sent us to the ER to get him checked out. It ended up being only a chest cold, nothing else! So today, we are hanging around the house, undecorating.

I hope everyone's Christmas was wonderful! God Bless.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! I love this time of the year. It became even more special to me when I had Zachary. Seeing Christmas through your child's eyes is amazing. Most of you know that I am a child at heart myself. I still love getting up early on Christmas morning, ask Kelly! I believe in Santa and his reindeer. I love Disney and all the magic. However this year, I have tried to focus less on the magic and more on the true meaning. I want my boys to really understand Christmas, and to enjoy the magic at the same time. I fell a little short of my Take Christmas Back expectations this year, but I am striving to do it better next year.

I have so much to be grateful for this Christmas. I have 2 healthy, if a little wild, boys and one on the way. I know there are parents who are grieving the loss of a child this Christmas and my heart goes out to them. I have a wonderful husband who I couldn't love anymore if I tired, even if I would like to choke him at times. I know there are those whose husbands are far away this Christmas protecting our freedom. I have a great home, that I hate to clean. I know there are those without homes. I have a wonderful family that I will get to spend this Christmas with. I know our thoughts will turn to Granddaddy at times and we will be a little sad that he is not with us in the flesh. I know he will be with us, smiling and laughing just like always. He is getting to spend this Christmas with Christ, what a great place to be!

I hope everyone takes the time these next two days to think about all the blessing the Lord has given us. Say an extra prayer at dinner for those oversees fighting for our freedom today.

Chuck E Cheese pictures!

Chuck E Cheese and Bradley spends the night!

Yesterday we headed to Louisville for a dr.'s appointment for me and lunch with Nana and Kel and the boys!
The doctor's appointment went great. Noah looks great and everything seems to be going right along. I will have another ultrasound next month to check on the placement of my plecentia and make sure it is where it belongs for a regular delivery. It was a little low last time, so we just need to recheck it one more time. My DR seems to think it will be fine and we will be able to have Noah naturally just like the other two. If it hasn't moved up any, we will have to think about a c-section. No matter what it does, Noah is fine and that is all that matters to me.

Chuck E Cheese was wild with school being out but the boys had a great time. There aren't to many pictures of Bradley. I could never get him to stand still long enough to take one! Bradley came home with us and they are downstairs in the playroom playing the Wii and watching TV. We had a great day!

Christmas Baking and giving gifts!

Zachary and I made some Christmas wreaths together while Isaiah was taking a nap the other day. It was a lot of fun! As most of you know, I am not that handy in the kitchen so this was different for me!

As part of TCB we talked about the importance of buying gifts for others. At Zachary's school they have a Santa shop, where the kids can shop for inexpensive gifts for their family. Zachary took his Own money and bought presents for us. He couldn't wait for Christmas, so he gave Isaiah his on Friday. He is so sweet to his brother, it just melts my heart!

Pictures from Saturday

Hanging out with family and a big boy hair cut!

On Saturday we decided to go get Isaiah's hair cut again. He was beginning to grow a mullet! I was sad to see the curls go, I almost cried and snatched him out of the chair, but I made it through. He looks so cute, if a little bigger now. He screamed through it, and I had to hold him in the chair. So, there is no pictures, my husband isn't great with the camera. Well, he was also nervous that Isaiah was going to get his hand cut, he kept trying to get the scissors! Grandma and Papa send some Christmas money so then we headed to the Summitt to get Isaiah some more pj's. Old Navy was having a huge sale!

After all that we went to Brittany and Clint's house to hang out with them and Michael for dinner. Dinner was great! Baked spaghetti and garlic bread! My husband couldn't stop talking about the great dinner all night. He even got a better treat when she decided to ship out some cookies while the men waited! Michael is getting so big, crawling around the house now. Isaiah had a great time climbing up and down Brittany's stairs, they don't have a gate yet! It was nice to be able to hang out and catch up with them. I know the men loved talking about everything Army! Zachary spent the weekend with Greg so he didn't get to come. When you see the pictures from The Douglas household, don't mind Clint's t-shirt, he doesn't know any better! Someone told him that KY Football was good, they lied, he will be getting a Louisville one for Christmas!

We have a busy week coming up. Doctor's appointments on Monday with a trip to Chuck E Cheese and Bradley spending the night! It's only the second time he has spent the night in 4 years! I will post lots of pictures of the boys, they are so excited!

Erin is leaving! :(

Erin, the beautiful daughter of my heart, will be leaving us soon. She has decided to go and live with her mom. It is the best situation for her, it is where she wants to be. So please know that when I change my blog, I need to add Noah's ultrasound, it is not because I don't love her or want her. It is not because I am happy to see her go. It is because I want this to reflect who is in our house and what it gong on here at the Sanchez house!

Lots of Pictures!!

The first Snow Day of 2008!

Yesterday, here in Hardin County, we had a snow day! It snowed more than I thought it would and so the kids enjoyed a day off. Cesar happened to be home also yesterday so it was a nice family day! Zachary's friend from down the street came to stay and so they had a great time playing in the snow. We bundled Isaiah up and he went out with them for a little while too!

Enjoy the pictures of them playing and some other random ones I took of Isaiah the other day!

The boys with Santa 2008

Here is the Santa picture from this year. It is not as bad as I thought it would be, but this was the one and only take. I tried to tell Z to keep looking at the camera but I think it turned out cute anyway. ABout 2 seconds after the was taken, the screaming started!

Look at these two pictures!

I found this picture of Zachary the other day and I was amazed that I had one of Isaiah that is almost identical! I think Zachary is about 18 months in this one and Isaiah is 16 months in his.

Be sure to scroll down, I have posted a lot today!

Isaiah dancing

Isaiah loves to turn on all the singing decorations that we have ad dance to them. We have a snow globe that sings, a car that sings low rider with Santa in it, a Army santa, a littel dog with a santa hat and now a singing card! I am going to try to upload the video, it is funny! He now dances to any music, commercials, the theme songs to shows, if Z sings to him, and he needs to make sure you are watching him and clapping. He loves being the center of attention!

Random Pictures

Random thoughts!

It's been so busy here that I have neglected the blog a little! We seem to keep getting busier and busier each day. Isaiah never stops moving and Noah is following suit in my belly! Zachary is doing so well in school and we are so proud. He got the citizenship award for his grade in November for Self-Discipline. His midterm report was wonderful and he is just a great boy!

We are still up in the air about job prospects for Cesar. The Louisville Fire Department has been put on hold due to the budget so it looks like we are going to re-enlist in the Army. I am fine with that. We know it will mean a move and a possible deployment, this is where his heart is. My main concern is for my boys and I know they will do fine once we get settled, wherever that might be. Please keep us in your prayers as this time is scary, but exciting for us at the dame time. Especially Z, he is older and I know this move will be hard on him.

I will post some random pictures. Isaiah now climbs on his chair to reach over gates, the other day he was trying to get leftover french fries off his highchair! He loves to torture the dogs and is really good at it! Poor Pancho gets run out of his own kennel all the time so Isaiah can get in it himself! I had Baxter's hair cut off so that the suckers would stop getting caught in his hair. We have had to cut out 3 so far! I can only hope Noah is a little less active, maybe more like Z when he was a baby or the dogs might run away!

Tree Pictures!

Our first fresh Christmas Tree!

On Tuesday of this week, we took Zachary out of school to go to a Christmas tree farm to cut down a fresh tree. It was the first time we had done anything like that. When we left the house it was not raining, when we got to the farm, it was pouring! Isaiah and I waited in the car and Cesar and Zachary went in search of the perfect Christmas tree. The man was a little shocked that we wanted to do it in the pouring rain, but Cesar's days off are few and far in between so we have to take advantage of everyone! After about 15 minutes of searching they found the perfect tree. They cut it down and the man bagged it for them and we headed home! Zachary was amazed at the process and can't wait to do it again. Cesar was just as happy. Off the subject a little, he is the best daddy a boy could ask for. He is so happy in the little things that he does with the boys I am so blessed to have him as a husband and I thank God everyday for him! Enjoys our pictures, there are none of the actual cutting, I was in the car for that!

TCB-Days 5-12!

WOW! Things have been really busy here at the Sanchez house so I am a little behind in my posting. We are having a great time with this project. Zachary seems to be enjoying it and I am too. Isaiah is just enjoying getting into everything! We have been sending cards to injured soldiers, a project near to our hearts, taking toys to Toys for Tots, donating change to the Salvation Army, baking cookies for our local firefighters and just having quality family time together! Here are a couple of pictures of Zachary and Isaiah with the toy Zachary took to school to donate!

Day 4

Last night we read Max Lucado's The Crippled Lamb to Zachary. We talked about how the Lord uses all of us, no matter what our disabilities might be to help Him spread the word.

Day 3 Take Christmas Back

Today we wanted to do something for daddy. Zachary's idea was to empty all the trash cans and take out the trash so daddy wouldn't have to do it when he got home from work. He took his trash bag and emptied all the trash cans and then put it in the outside can. He was so proud of himself. I am so proud of how he has taken to this and looks forward to what we have planned each day to do. He is really getting into this. We are also taking time each night to go over the real story of Christmas so that he truly understands it. I LOVE this idea and am having a wonderful time! I will try to take pictures tomorrow of what we do!

Day 2 Take Christmas Back

Today, well yesterday, we decided to do something that no one would know about. We explained to Zachary that it doesn't have to big a production, just doing a little something nice goes a long way. When I picked him up at school I asked him what he did today that was nice for someone else and he told me he picked up all the trash he saw in the hall at school. He asked me what Isaiah and I did and I told him we dropped off a toy for a needy kids at the Toys for Tots box. Last night we talked again about the Christmas story and today we are going to take The change we have been saving to the Salvation Army Kettle at Walmart!

Take Christmas Back: Day1

Tonight we started out families take on Take Christmas Back. We sat up a child friendly nativity and read the Christmas story. We also talked about ways that we could spend the next 25 days doing things for others. I am so blessed to have a child with such a big heart. He had lots of ideas and we decided that tomorrow he would help pick up extra trash in the lunchroom so Mr. B wouldn't have to. I will keep updating every day to keep track of what we are doing here!

And he shall be called.....

Noah!

We haven't decided on a middle name yet. We are debating on Edward, Cesar's middle name, and Raphael, Cesar's grandfather's name.

This is the bedding we have picked out for his room:

http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/nb180/index.cfm?pkey=cboys%2Dnursery%2Dbedding%7Cb

These links never work for me. It's from the Pottery Barn and it's the monkeys!

The Newest Sanchez Star!!

It's a......

BOY!!!

I will post more later with pictures!! He is perfectly healthy and everything looks great!

Operation: Take Christmas Back!

I was checking in on one of the other blogs that I read and came across this WONDERFUL idea! This mommy is going to Take Christmas Back and has asked us all to join her. I think this is a great idea and one that my family will be participating in for sure. It is so important to teach your children about the real reason for Christmas, not just the presents and lights and such. I will be adding her button to my sidebar if you would like to check it out and join in. If you do, let me know your ideas too!

I hope to be able to teach the boys the real meaning and have that stick with them forever.

Her blog is www.poppyjoy.blogspot.com if you would like to read her inspiring story of love, loss and a starting over.

Take Christmas Back

Look at this neat store!

I got Isaiah the cutest shirt from this Etsy store with a gift certificate that I won on Frugal Mommy of 2 girls! She makes the cutest origianl shirts for holidays. It is so hard to find cute holiday shirts for little boys and this one is perfect. I will be visiting her again and again for Isaiah and the new baby! I am also going to see if she can make me matching big brother shirts for when this new one arrives! The prices are great too! Be sure and visit her store and look around! She was super easy to work with and my shirt is already on it's way!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6016782

CoCoJ 126 is the name of the store, I can never get these links to come out right!

Happy 15 Months Isaiah!

I am a few days late with this post, but as they say, better late than never!

On the 13th Isaiah turned 15 months! WOW! Time flies when you are chasing a toddler. He has changed so much and is in to so many things. We went for a well check and he weighs 25 pounds, he lost some, and is 31 inches long. Both of those are in the 50% on the charts. His head is 19 inches, in the 75% on the charts. Like Jodie said, big head=big brain! He is behind in his talking but way ahead in his motor and social development so Dr. A said that something has to lose, and for Isaiah it is his talking. He can communicate, he will let you know exactly what he wants, just not with words yet. He is WAY to busy to talk. He does say momma, dadda, bubba and uh-oh. He will make the noise for dog, but usually only if you beg him to. He is to busy.

Some of his motor skills include, climbing onto the couch, jumping off his little chair, climbing onto the kitchen table, opening the dog gate and yelling and pointing at the dogs, dancing in front of the tv, opening all the cabinets and drawers in the kitchen and dragging out all the pots and pans and utensils, getting into your purse, backpack, or daddy's workout bag, pulling bubba's backpack on wheels all over the kitchen, pretty much whatever he is not supposed to be into to, he is, all day long! I am so lucky he is ahead in motor skills, it keeps me skinny for this pregnancy!

Happy 15 months Isaiah, we love you so much and can't wait to see what the next 3 months bring us!

I will post pictures later, it won't let me upload them now, so be sure to check back!

Look at this cute Etsy shop! I just won a $20 gift certificate from Frugal Mommy of 2 Girls! I got the truck and tree shirt for Isaiah to wear at Christmas.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6016782

I love my soldier!

Funny, I have the same bumper sticker on my car as the title of my post. Well actually it's a magnet with desert boots. Today is a day that should be used to reflect on the sacrifice that so many men and women have made for this country. I must confess, until I married a soldier, this day wasn't something that I really thought about. Now it is something that I think about everyday, not just today. I think how blessed I am not to have to visit a grave to be with my husband. I think about how proud I am to be an Army wife and to have a husband that would die for this country. I think about how blessed my children are to have a real HERO living in their home, not one they only see on t.v. We went down to Ft. Campbell, home of the 101st Airborne, to attend a welcome home ceremony on Saturday. I was a lot calmer this time, my husband was with me! I was reminded of the men who would not be attending this ceremony, they were home with God instead of home with their family. They made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us. I was happy to see all the reunions, girlfriends, wives, husbands, children, and parents hugging their soldiers. I was thrilled to see my cousin reunite with her husband and for him to see his son after 6 months. Clint left when Michael was 10 days old and just saw him again Saturday. It was a blessed sight. I am glad that we have a day that we honor all those who serve this country and make it safer for us to live. Thanks to all of them who risk their lives for me.

17 weeks and 1 day

Just a quick update on the new addition. I went to the doctor today and we heard the heartbeat again. He said everything was fine and all my tests so far have come back normal. I scheduled the ultrasound for the 25th so then we will know if I need to start ordering dresses from Jodie! Of course I am praying for a healthy baby no matter what the sex, but I am really hoping for a girl! Think PINK for me for the next two weeks please!

Check out these neat dresses!

My friend Jodie, who has a little girl the same age as Isaiah is making thses adorable little dresses! Of course I have no little one to buy for yet, keep your fingers crossed, but many of you all have little girls!

http://www.creationsbyjodiecollins.blogspot.com/

Be sure to check it out!!