Kaitlyn Receives Her Young Womans Medallion

Like most religions, ours has a program for our youth. It's divided by gender...Young Womans and Young Men, and then further divided by age. As a Young Woman, you start at 12 years old as a "Beehive". Then at 14, you advance to "Mia Maid". And then at 16, you become a "Laurel". At 18, you join the woman's organization in the church, the Relief Society.

In the Young Womans program, their is an advancement program called Personal Progress. Young Women complete several different goals at all age levels based on the Young Woman values: Faith, Divine Nature, Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice and Accountability, Good Works, Integrity, and Virtue.

Some goals are simple, short-term goals, while others are long term...and all involve projects in exploring one's own relationship with their Father in Heaven, the Gospel, and the Young Woman Values.If you complete the program and meet all your goals, with the approval of your Young Womans leader and your Bishop, you can be awarded the Young Womans Medallion.

Kaitlyn has been progressively working on her Personal Progress...and she completed her goals several months ago. Since she had promised her Papa that she would complete it, she felt it was only fitting that she be awarded the medallion while they were here to visit.

So on the Sunday after her Birthday Beach Day, she was called up in front of the church and awarded her Young Womans Medallion.

We are all very proud of Kaitlyns achievement, and her willingness to work and stick with these goals, the program, and the gospel.

Papa and Yaya were especially proud...and honored to be able to witness this special day...

We're extremely proud of Kaitlyn, as well...

It's very pretty...she opted to get it in silver...and it has the three symbols of the three levels of Young Womans...the Beehive, the Rose for Mia Maids, and the Laurel wreath...all highlighting the next and ultimate goal...being able to go to the Temple.

We are building a new Temple here is South Florida...quite literally in walking distance to our house. The ground-breaking is next weekend, and in a couple years, it should be finished.

Perhaps Kaitlyn will visit THAT temple when it is done?

Kaitlyns 17th Birthday

I have been so busy writing about Spain that I have not been able to keep up with the everyday family stuff...and now I am going to play catch-up with that.

The first big family event that I need to go back to is Kaitlyns 17th birthday. Kaitlyn actually had her birthday WHILE we were in Spain. I know, I know...bad parents...we missed it to go overseas.

But actually, Kaitlyn was okay with us missing her birthday...that is, as long as we brought her back a REALLY nice present.

When we returned (and after we showered her with a large book highlighting the art collection in the Prado and a beautiful pair of damascene earrings from Toledo), we celebrated her birthday.

Since this year is a "family outing" year and NOT a "birthday party" year...Kaitlyn chose to spend her birthday at the beach. So we packed up some extra nice beach food and headed for the sun and sand.

We took Papa and Yaya, Kate's boyfriend Pedro, and our neighbors, the Charrons, and headed to one of our favorite South Florida beaches, Haulover Beach in Miami.

The kids played in the sand and water...and Brigham (as usual) dug himself a hole to be buried in. But this time, Brigham did not take into account that Papa was at the beach, too...and...

...well, I'll let the pictures tell the story...

Yup...so much for best-laid plans...especially when there is a 69-year-old KID at the beach...

After the beach, we headed home for cake. Pedro took Kaitlyn to a salon for her birthday to get her hair cut...so you get to see her short and super-cute new "do"...

After cake, we gave gifts...and as if the presents from Spain weren't enough, we gave her some new make-up, and Yaya and Papa gave her a gift certificate to Charming Charlies...but the main event was a much-needed and desired brand-new cell phone!!

This birthday has been kinda hard for me...I cannot believe that my first-born baby is already 17 years old. It's even wierder when I consider that I was just 17 years old when I had her.

I just cannot imagine being pregnant at that age.

I don't even want to THINK about Kate being in that situation.

So Kate is now half as old as I am. I won't be half as old as my mother for another 14 months.

The world is a very strange place.

I actually shouldn't worry about that...because Kaitlyn is NOTHING like I was at her age. She's motivated, driven, and smart. I'm not saying that she's immune to the pitfalls of youth...but she's got a big world in front of her...she'll be a senior at Miramar High School. She's been voted as Vice President of COTA (the Drama and Arts Club on campus), as well as the Music Head. She's still on the Homecoming Committee. She has been invited to join Varsity and Show Choir. She's already taken her SAT's, and takes her ACT's later in June. She got a part-time job at our local frozen yogurt stop that she starts in a week. She is still working with the non-profit organization she started, Pads for Paws...which makes special washable pads for the bottoms of cages in animal shelters. She applies for college in the fall.

She'll be all grown up in no time. And she seems to be holding it all together just magnificently.

Hold on, please...I have to go cry...

EVIL STARE!!!

On April 28th, it was Take Your Child To Work Day.

My kids LOVE going to work with Jason...they love getting the back of the house tour...they love getting to taste sauces and simple syrup (Brigham even tried to order a whole glass of it to drink!! YECH!!), and they love wearing ties all day...just like Daddy.

See? There's Daddy in the background, opening the restaurant for the day...

 This year, Nicolette couldn't go, because the school wouldn't recognize an absence for this activity for anyone under the age of 8...and she was VERY sad. But then she learned that Dr. Sponer, her kindergarten teacher, would have a special visitor at school that day...her own daughter, who just HAPPENS to be named "Nicolette" (I think the name is why OUR Nicolette was placed in Dr. Sponer's class in the first place...she is apparantly the FIRST Nicolette Dr. Sponer has ever had. We LOVE Dr. Sponer...and couldn't be happier with the coincidence). So, Nicolette was very excited to meet Nicolette...if that makes any sense.

And the kids told her they'd bring her back a treat.

Which is really all she wanted anyway.

After the tour and office work, I came to pick them up, and we all got to sit down for some of the Grand Lux's signature desserts...

Savannah chose the Cupcake Collision...which is A LOT of cake and ice cream...

She thought she could handle it...

Brigham ALSO got a Cupcake Collision, and still managed to still eat one of my chocolate-covered bananas from my Banana Wafer Pudding. Joseph indulged in a Creme Brulee Duo, and Kate blissfully enjoyed her White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Cheesecake (plus managed to polish off Josephs leftovers).

Needless to say, everyone was sugared out.

Ya know...I have to say something about Kate here..and how proud I am of her. She is currently studying for 6 AP tests, her second round of SAT's, her first round of ACT's, and staying after school until 6pm everyday to rehearse for her upcoming COTA performance, in which she has several bit parts and sings 2 solos...one as the Nightingale from the Emperors Nightingale, and "Time to Say Good-bye" by Sarah Brightman...in ITALIAN, no less.

All that on top of normal seminary, school work, church activities, and starting her own non-profit organization to sew absorbent pads for the bottom of cages at animal shelters.

She's pretty cool...

And I totally thought this day would be a nice break for her. But Jason told me that rather than take the tour AGAIN (because she's done this for many years, now)...she commandeered a booth and crammed for her AP Art History Exam . No rest for the soon-to-be-Senior, I guess...

But Kaitlyn isn't the only amazingly talented member of my family...

Brigham has been working very hard, too...

...he has been perfecting his new signature look...

The EVIL STARE!!!!

The Free World Beware...Global Domination has a new face...

...and it's WEIRD...

Phantom of the Opera and Large Breasts

Kaitlyn wasn't able to be with us for Christmas...she was visiting her dad in California. When she got home, we got to have a mini Christmas with her. She got her normal stack of books and stocking full of DVDs, gum, lip gloss, and nail polish, and some new sheets for her bed. But the big gift was tickets to see Phantom of the Opera!!

The show was last night, and we got all decked up for a night on the town...

I made sure we took pictures...LOTS of pictures...

and I'm showing these pictures for three reasons...

One - because I'm a blogger, and posting pictures and writing about the inane moments of my life is something akin to a compulsive disorder.

Two - because we looked really great.

Three - because I recently had some surgery of the cosmetic variety to fix some problem areas on my body, and while there, I enhanced OTHER areas of my body.

Now, before you go all psycho about boob jobs and stuff...know that what I did was a LIFT (nursing 5 babies does some pretty terrible things to a woman's breasts...it was seriously as if they were in some kind of competition to see which one would reach my knees first)...and to do that lift, there was a significant amount of breast tissue that had to be removed, so it was like a REDUCTION. I wanted nice, round breasts when I was done, and was a little concerned about the REMOVAL of my breast tissue, so I forced (yes...FORCED...the Doctor was against it) the doc to put in SMALL implants (only 250 cc...about golf ball size) behind the muscle so I could be nice and round (he refused to go bigger than 250's...said I wouldn't need it).

Anyway...6 to half dozen another...I fit into all my old bras. Its as if NOTHING changed...except when I take said bras OFF...there isn't this huge gravity tug in my chest area. They stay put. NICE.

And my hubby smiles a lot if my shirt is off...but that is another story for another time...

So I'm happy. They look natural. Proportional to my body size (which is very full).

So I get all dolled up, and I wear this cute blouse that shows 'em off. And I admit, just to tease my hubby, I used a few make-up tricks to accentuate the cleavage (didn't know you could do that? Well...you CAN. And it works AMAZINGLY well...no matter your cup size. It's all about light and shadow...give me a call and I'll clue you in).

So...I think I look pretty good. Hubby is all smiles. So we take pictures.
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Not bad...Katie and I look cute...she's so pretty!! And my make-up tricks are working great on the cleavage...
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Notice that when I take pics...everyone comes out crisp and clear, and when Jason and Kate are behind the camera, everything is blurry? Look at Kate in this pic...she is GLOWING...I just can't get over how pretty she is...and Jason looks HOT...

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I like this pic, too...besides the orange-y tint my houses' lighting gives everything...

But then...I see THIS picture...(below)
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HOLY HELL!!!

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What are those gigantic watermelons doing in my blouse?!?!?!

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My head looks smaller than my breasts!!

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My Boobs are NOT that big...I swear. True...I was wearing a cleavage enhancing blouse, and used that whole light-shadow thing...but those look like BALLOONS IN MY BRA!!!

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No more pictures with me in front, leaning back.

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NO WAY.

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I'm sure I could've had Jason just lift his embrace up a bit and cover 'em up with his hands...

I'm sure he wouldn't have minded...

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By the way...Phantom was AWESOME. And although we were up in the balcony, the high altitude did not cause any bursting in my blouse, and the extra weight in front did not propel me forward over the railing and into the orchestra.

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So I consider the whole endeavour a success, after all....

WE WON!!!!!!

This has more to do with Kaitlyn than anything...but her high school, Miramar High...a title one school in a rough part of town with struggling students...just won their FIRST EVER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP in football!!!

Kaitlyn is SO EXCITED!!! What a wonderful boost for her school, for the students and faculty, and for the community!! Hurray for Miramar High!!!!

Here's the article from the Miami Herald!!!

O Christmas Tree!!!

There is something I love about a Christmas tree before it is weighed down with all the trimmings and trappings of the season. It's so simple. So elegant.

A blank canvas symbolizing all a child's hopes for Christmas morning.

One of my FAVORITE parts of my Christmas tree is my Christmas tree skirt. I bought it back in Chicago when I was working for Crate & Barrel (BEST job, BEST company EVER). It's sad, really...that it gets covered up so completely and you don't get to enjoy it all season. Maybe this year, I'll avoid actually putting gifts UNDER the tree and instead put them AROUND the tree.

This year for our annual Christmas Tree decorating FHE, Joseph played Santa. It's a big job...but I think he was just the right man for the job...

Jason's ornament was an ESPN Santa. It says about 5 super funny things...my favorite of which is: "That's it!! Show's over!! Mrs. Claus...Big Daddys' comin' home!!" It makes me laugh because "Big Daddy" is actually Jason's nickname every place he has worked, thanks to having such a large family. So every time there was some kind of team competition between stores, Jason's team shirt always had his number and "Big Daddy" screen-printed across the back.

Here's a close-up. You can't see it...but Santa is actually wearing shiny green exercise shorts under the desk!!

My ornament is so indicative of my life as a mom. It is an adorable washing machine that spins and lights up. I guess symbolic of the biggest chore I do around here...

Next year, Jason said he'll buy me the matching dryer!!

Rock On, Kaitlyn...Rock On. Especially with that super cute electric guitar that sings "Jingle Bell Rock"!

I love the jingle bell detail on this guitar!!!

Joseph got the next set in his "Snow Buddies" series. I was afraid that he was too big for it this year...and i asked him if he was ready to get some more...grown-up...ornaments. But he said: "No way!!!"

I love my boy.

And this year his Snow Buddy is friendly with an Artic Seal pup!!! How cute!!!

Savannah got the next ornament in her "Snowball and Tuxedo" series. She loves how furry and glittery her ornaments are, and she and Joseph have a running disagreement about whose series is the cutest.

Personally, I think it is kind of a tie...

Brighams love of trains continues unabated this year, and his ornament is a flashy number that lights up, moves, AND makes train noises!! Whoo-Whoo!!!!

What a fun ornament to have this year!!

Nicolette also continues with her fairy series this year, getting this playful "Marigold Fairy" to add to her collection.

If you ask Nicolette why her series is fairies, she'll tell you that it's because she has "Pixie Ears"!!! (and she really does!!)

This year, thanks to being a week out of surgery, the kids decorated the tree. Kaitlyn had actually done all the lights by herself several days before...and as you can see in the very first picture in this post, she did a fabulous job. My friend Tina Fabiano came over and made my bow and ribbons for me, and got up on the ladder to hang them, too. So now, with a little direction and caution from the armchair where I rested, my kids decorated the Christmas tree BY THEMSELVES!

They did a FABULOUS job...my tree looks GREAT!!! And I am so grateful to have such wonderful, magical kids!!

Merry Christmas, everyone!!

International Coastal Clean-Up Day 2009

Part of being a Scout is being a Good Citizen...and part of being a Good Citizen is helping keep your planet clean. On Saturday, we had the opportunity to help in International Coastal Clean-Up Day. It's a day where people all over the world get together to collect trash off the beaches and record what was collected to help educate the public on the dangers of littering. WE were helping at two separate sites on Key Biscayne...Bill Baggs State Park and Crandon Park and Nature Center.

I was able to take not only Girl Scouts, but a couple Boy Scouts as well. In fact, it was a family event, so I took my whole family!! Even little Nicolette was there to help!! And I wasn't the only one...Karen (my co-leader) brought her kids, the Tylers had their whole family, as did the Rosales'! It was GREAT!!

I was really excited to go...not just to help out, but also to try some new tricks with my camera. Kaliayah was ready to go, too.

"C'mon, guys!! Let's GO!!!!"



Savannah was ready to work, too...giggly even early on this stormy morning. There was lightening...so we had to wait for the storm to stop before we went out on the beach.




Abi and Savannah played games with the kids while waited for the lightening to stop...Red Rover, Tightrope Challenge, and I Spy.



Michelle and Jessica were really just happy to sit and chat.



Once we got started, though...my Girl Scouts really went to town. They were dedicated and committed to "Making the World a Better Place" Here is Oriana hauling a bag of trash off the beach.


Of course...some weren't as helpful...mainly the teenagers that need the service hours to graduate. Karen was supervising...but as you can see...Karen was REALLY in need of some Cafe con Leche...so while my girls toil away in the background, Kaitlyn, Emily Tyler, and Alex Perez hang out and chat a bit.

While Karen and Heidis' group toiled away at Crandon Park, the rest of us were gettin' crackin' at Bill Baggs.

Girl Scouts ROCK!!!!

While cleaning up at Bill Baggs, I was able to play with the macro feature on my camera. I took this picture of a giant banana spider. This guy was about as big across as the tip of my middle finger to the base of my palm. I wanted to put my hand next to it so you'd have a comparison, but although I'm told these giant spiders are "gentle" and hardly ever bite...I was too chicken to get that close. A couple of my Girl Scouts offered to do it, but I refused. Can you imagine me explaining that to someones mom?!?!?!?

This is no ordinary pile of sand...it is a sea turtle nest. And as you can see...it's occupants had just hatched the night before. We saw these nests every few feet up and down the beach...all with shredded leathery turtle eggs and tracks leading out to sea...

Again...I used my macro to take some close-ups of the eggs. The kids were amazed to pick up the shells and feel that they were soft...sort-of like a deflated balloon...

Serving others and your community is really it's own reward...but having another incentive isn't bad, either...and our incentive was free passes to the Miami Seaquarium for all International Coastal Clean-Up volunteers!! It was SO HOT and humid that we headed straight for the Dolphin and Killer Whale show in hopes of getting splashed!!

At the show, I got to try out the Sports feature of my camera...where it takes several shots ion a few seconds...so I got some great ones of the killer whale and her trainer showing their stuff!!

Here's another one...

After the show (and a good soaking), we wandered around the park and looked at the various aquariums and exhibits. One highlight was the manatees. Abi was VERY happy to see them..as "Manatee" is her camp name (she earned it for being so sweet and gentle).

All in all...yucky weather included...it was a great day helping our community and environment. I'm so proud of my Scouts and my family and the families of those that participated for being so socially conscious and setting a good example of service!! Together, we can "Make the world a Better Place!!"