Me and Rudy

Me and Rudy

Friday, September 16, 2011

Milestones

I just wanted to list a few things Sophia has accomplished so far.  I find it so hard to remember what each of my children were doing at the different stages of their life. Especially during the first few years because they seem to grow up so fast!  This blog post is just to help me remember later in life.
Sophia is not walking yet, which is great to me!  She is our last baby and she will grow up soon enough, I love that I can still hold her.  Last night she feel asleep in my arms and I just held her for a while.  I wish I could go back and hold my other children again.  They grow up so fast.  Sophia is a very vocal baby and already says quite a few words.  They include:
Daddy
Sissy
Eat
Please
Duck
Doggy
One
Diaper
Keys
Baby
Mama 
Milk
And a few honorable mentions: Meagan, Zach,and Taylor

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Almost ONE!

In just two short weeks, our baby girl will celebrate her first birthday!  My how the time has flown by.  We all at the Manriquez house think that Sophia is just the cutest baby ever. (we are partial)  One of her many new tricks is very cute.  If you ask her "how old are you gonna be on your birthday?"  she holds up one finger and tries to say "one".
She makes us smile all the time!

Busy Times!

It has been such a busy time for us lately.  I have started working part-time, college has started and Rudy is going to school full time, and my oldest two children have also started school.  Life doesn't seem so simple right now, but Rudy and I have goals in our hearts and are determined to accomplish them.
Just before school started the children and I took a day trip to the beach.  We invited my mom and we were all very excited.  It was a great day!  The weather was perfect, it actually was not one of those 100 degree days.  My girls and I love to boogie board and the waves were just right.  Caleb enjoys everything about the beach, he even tried to ride a few waves.  This was Sophia's first trip and we were not sure how she would respond.  We quickly found out that she must have salt water running in her veins.  She loved the water and the sand.
The neatest thing happened on this same day.  As we pulled into the parking lot of our favorite public beach access, we recognized a vehicle from home.  With further inspection, we realized my sister in law and her children had also planned a day trip to the same beach this same day.  We had arrived at the same time! Only God can work out these details so perfectly!  It ended up being a WONDERFUL day and the beginning of a very busy time!

Monday, May 30, 2011

Baby Eagles?


Recently while playing outside, Caleb and I discovered a bird nest with 3 little eggs inside.  We talked about how important it was for us not to touch the eggs to make sure the mama bird would continue to care for them.  Caleb and I checked the nest everyday, with anticipation.  One afternoon about a week later Caleb comes running inside, and very excited because the eggs hatched.  I quickly followed him back outside to inspect the nest. (mainly to make sure Caleb left them in the nest)  To my surprise we found this:
  Two of the 3 eggs had hatched.  Since the eggs have hatched Caleb feels the need to check on the baby birds everyday.  Well I'm assuming he got a little to close to the one egg  because Caleb once again came running in but this time with big tears.  I questioned him about this and he informed me that the mama "eagle"  had screamed at him.  I could not help but smile and ask Caleb if he touched the babies.  He assured me he didn't touch the babies, just the one egg that had not hatched.  We have enjoyed watching the baby "eagles" everyday.  I'm sure Caleb will be sad when they fly away.

Hot Spring Days

I just could not keep our little guy inside today.  He looked really hot.
 

Smiley

Madison is such a sweet child!  She always smiles and giggles, no matter the situation.  She brings us a lot of joy and laughter! 
We love you Madison!  (Ya Ya as Caleb calls you)

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Cheap Pedi!!!!!

After a conversation with a friend this week about feet I quickly realized how badly I needed a good pedicure.  I like to go to the little shops and be pampered without interruptions or questions.  Well during this stage in our lives our budget does not contain a line item for pedicures.  I recently heard of a cheap way to give yourself one.  (it's worth a try I thought)  My dilemma was how to find 30 minutes without interruption and without getting up before 5:30 am.   Thankfully my baby girl takes great naps and my little boy began to be very involved with a train set.

I thought to myself this is my chance to try this.  So I mixed about 1 cup of white vinegar and really warm water and soaked for my feet about 5-6 minutes.  It didn't seem to take long to soften up the rough spots.  I used a pumice stone and then trimmed away all the cuticles and dry skin around the toenails.  I would post a before and after picture but I'm just not in to that sort of thing.
I just used my favorite lotion when I was done.  You will just have to trust me that it worked amazingly well.  I will definitely do this again!!!!  

Monday, April 25, 2011

Easter 2011

Makayla, Madison, Caleb and Sophia

Old Things with a Twist

Sophia has a new favorite toy! With this toy, she loves to Jump.  You can hear any one of us walk by her saying "jump, jump"  sometime during the day.  She will just grin at you and jump as hard as she can.  We love to watch her.  Rudy loves the fact that her long pieces of hair will flop up and down.
Well to the twist part of the story,  this is what happens when she jumps to much.  You know the old tune, "Rock a bye baby", we sing it just a little different in the Manriquez home.
We sing it changing only one word.  It goes like this, "Jump a bye baby", and this is the result we get:
She love to play these days, and she plays hard.  We are trying to catch a picture of her clapping her feet.  It is too cute!

Monday, March 7, 2011

"New Sheriff in Town"


He greeted me with a tip of his hat and a very pleasant "Howdy, Howdy".
He had  very pleasant smile and was very handsome.
He had really nice cowboy boots and blue jeans.
He had an official badge and even a "gun".

His name was Caleb.

There is something very gratifying about watching your children play "pretend".  I love to listen in while Caleb is playing in his room  and hear the things he can come up with sometimes.  So many young children are caught up in the technology of this world (I do believe its the parents to blame) that the art of "playing pretend"  has been long lost.  Hopefully I can continue to encourage my children to "play pretend"  for years to come.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Missing In Action

I have several things I would like to blog about but our camera is missing!  For some odd reason Caleb loves to hide things.  He has a list a mile long it seems of things he has hidden.  Funny thing is he usually can tell you exactly where each one is located.  Well, this time he seems to have forgotten and wants to put the blame on someone else.  Please help me pray I discover this treasure very soon.  I can't wait to introduce you to the new sheriff in town, and tell you about Sophia's first tooth!  They just wouldn't be the same without a picture.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Something Special

CONTINUE ON
A woman once fretted over the usefulness of her life.
She feared she was wasting her potential being a devoted wife and mother.
She wondered if the time and energy she invested in her husband
and children would make a difference.
At times she got discouraged because so much of what she did seemed to go
unnoticed  and unappreciated.
"Is is worth it?" she often wondered.  "Is there something better that 
that I could be doing with my time?"

It was during one of these moments of questioning that she heard the still
small voice of her heavenly Father speak to her heart

"You are a wife and mother because
that is what I have called you to be."
Much of what you do is hidden from the public eye.
But I notice.  Most of what you give is done without renumeration.
But I am your reward.

Your husband cannot be the man I have called him to be without
your support.  Your influence upon him is greater that you think and more
powerful than you will ever know.  I bless him through your service 
and honor him through your love.

Your children are precious to Me.
Even more precious that they are to you.
I have entrusted them to your care to raise for me.
What you invest in them is an offering to Me.
You may never be in the public spotlight.  But your obedience shines as a 
bright light before Me.  Continue on.  Remember, you are my servant
Do all to please Me.
                                                  -Roy Lessin

Friday, February 11, 2011

too cute!

Just couldn't help myself!  Just had to take Sophia's picture and wanted to share.  She has decided to start taking a pacifier.  None of my other children did this and so this is new territory for me.  Hopefully we don't regret it later.

Birthday Girl!


It's so hard to believe that 14 years ago, our first born daughter was born.  Makayla was such an easy baby!  (she slept through the night at 1 week old)  She always made us smile, and is very much a Daddy's girls. 
She keeps us very busy these days, between basketball, teen activities with church, and school.  She still makes us smile and we love her sense of humor!  Makayla always tries to please us and never wants to disappoint us.  What a beautiful girl she has become on the inside and the outside.  We are very proud of the young lady she is becoming.  Happy 14th Birthday Makayla!!!!

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Thanks Uncle Carlos!


Due to circumstances beyond control, 2 heart attacks, major surgery, and a lot of rehab lifestyles have drastically changed.   You see, some of the Manriquez's have really bad genes and their bodies do not process cholesterol,  so this is what caused our favorite uncle to go through a really tough time.  I am so sorry that he and his precious wife had to take this journey, but we are thankful that our journey has changed as well.  Since December Rudy and I have determined to change our eating habits and exercise at least 5 days a week.  So far, Rudy says he feels better than he ever has, and well I'm just thankful to have lost a few extra pounds!  Thanks Uncle Carlos, we are praying for you everyday!

Thursday, February 3, 2011

WHO KNEW!
Who knew that 6 people could:
  • have so much laundry
  • eat so much food
  • get up so early
  • make such a mess
  • bring so much joy
  • make me laugh so much
Who knew that someone so simple as me, being an only child would end up with four children and a great husband.  I sure love the family God has blessed me to care for.  This is why I have decided to begin blogging.  Life can be very simple sometimes, but it is always interesting!  Who knew!