Basketball, Upward Style

Ricky and Jessica had their first Upward games this past weekend. Ricky has been playing since he was in Kindergarten and Jessica since she was in preschool. We love it and are sad as this is Ricky's last year playing because the league ends in 6th Grade.

Although they don't keep score at Jessica's level, her mom does mentally. I know, it is not supposed to be competitive but I try very hard to contain myself. Her team did "win" and she scored 10 points. She was thrilled when she scored a 3 pointer that swished it's way through the net. The cool thing about Upward is that when a kid makes a basket, everyone cheers. Jessica received "Best Sportsmanship," as she passed the ball to four of her teammates, and they scored. It was funny to watch her reaction as she high fived them and smiled running down the court as if she had made it. Later that day she received a compliment from the ref on how he appreciated her sharing the ball with her teammates and being "Christlike."

Ricky's team won 34-19. He scored 20. At this level, the competition is definitely there. He had a great time and is back on a team with three of his former teammates. It is cute to see him out there as he is taller than most of the coaches. He has fun and a mom told him that she appreciated the fact that he did not act like he was better than the other kids and helped others score. He looked at her and then me and said, "I know better." (a lesson well learned as arrogance gets you nowhere on the playing field...or at 1976)

So we will see what Week 2 brings...

Peace.

January 20, 2009-A Day for Change

Dear Ricky and Jessica,

Today begins a new chapter for our country. A country that you are both proud to be a part of. I am so proud that you both understand the election process and understand the responsibility that we as Americans have when it comes to voting.

Today you will witness a historical event that I never believed would happen. I am proud to say that America is changing and those changes will make your lives and those of your peers easier. Today represents, "that all men are created equal."

I do HOPE that you will appreciate today as it will forever change the face of America.

I do hope that you will take it upon yourselves in learning to serve others and take ACTION in making this world a better place.

CHANGE comes in small steps that you must be willing to take to improve what you are not satisfied with. It can't happen at once, so you must be patient and never give up.

Today, above all, I am proud to be an American. We are blessed to live in this great country where we can choose to watch either the Disney Channel or Sports Center. We are blessed to be able to travel freely and enjoy this incredible country. We are blessed to have choices. Some that we make may not always be the right ones, but as long as we learn from them, then the lesson was well worth it.

I love you both and God Bless America!

Peace.

Happy 1/2 Birthday

Happy 1/2 Birthday to you
Happy 1/2 Birthday to you
Happy 1/2 Birthday dear Ricky
Happy 1/2 Birthday to YOU!

I so can't believe that Ricky is 12 1/2. Six months from today he will be an official teenager. Thank you for being my son and thank you for letting me be your mom. Happy 1/2 Birthday! We love YOU!!!

Ricky on the Disney Magic when we celebrated him turning 12 on "Pirate Night."

Peace

365 Days

Well, there is this concept in the scrapbooking world of documenting every day in a single year. Well...I can promise nothing but I have taken a picture for every day so far. Wow Michelle...a whole 7 days...impressive! I know it will be virtually impossible to post a picture everyday but I am going to aim for every 3 days. It may work and it may not. I am going to be positive...work with me.

Peace

Happy New Year

Well, I am not sure where the month of December actually went. It was here I know as there were plenty of twinkling lights, XM's Holly station and my mom's candy cane cookies.

Some traditions did not make it this year. We had 3 broken bones, a baseball tournament in Palm Springs, parties, performances, First Reconciliation, baseball and golf.

The Gingerbread House and new ornament did not make the cut this year. We also had no ornaments on our tree which was actually pretty nice. Neighbor Mark did help decorate it one night by tossing a baseball into it. It landed perfectly and so many others were thrown at the tree. Different, but it all looked good.

Ricky was passed the torch of reading The Polar Express. Every Christmas Eve we go to my parents house for a reading of it and then a visit by someone very special. Ricky did a great job.

Jessica is listening intently and curious to see who gets the bell this year...well, that tradition went to the wayside as well...

Here are all the grandkids with their Nana and Papa. They are so blessed to have them in their lives on a daily basis.

My dad bought my mom her "favorite" perfume...Tabu.

She was "thrilled." What she failed to realize was attached to her "favorite" scent was a pair of diamond earrings! Go Dad!!!

Here is the man of the hour. We are so blessed that he takes time out of his busy schedule on Christmas Eve to stop by and read T'was the Night Before Christmas to us.

Another tradition was passed down this past Christmas Eve when Jessica took on the role of Santa at the Martinez family celebration. She called out each family member name and in keeping with tradition, they all had to sit on Santa's lap when their first gift of the evening was called. She was awesome. Pretty darn cute too, I must say.

These two are too stinkin' cute. I am blessed. I tell myself that often... Merry Christmas and a Happy 2009!

Peace