HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY to our Sweet Aleigh!!!

7 years ago today Joe and I walked into the hospital feeling great, w/ smiles on our faces and loads of excitement! We told the lady at the front desk "Were here to have our baby!" Aleigh was waiting patiently to make her debut into the world as scheduled! She was born via c-section w/out a single complication and as sweet and pleasant as she could possibly be! She has continued to be patient, understanding, loving, and just a SWEET little girl who is becoming a remarkable young lady! We are so proud of her and she continues to amaze us daily!

Today, for her birthday, we gave her the party she wanted! She invited 4 of her closest friends to come celebrate with a sleepover. My mom brought all of her stuff to give the girls pedicures and I did manicures w/ a little help from Robin (madrina)! The girls LOVED IT! We also did a craft that Aleigh picked out - door hangers! Joe drew all of the girls names in big bubble font on poster board and cut them out so that the girls could decorate their names! Aleigh picked out a red velvet zebra print cake that was SO YUMMY! We ate pizza, chicken fingers, and fruit! Then later in the evening the girls had chocolate covered strawberries! All of this at Aleigh's request! We had a WONDERFUL time! Me, my mom, Robin (madrina), and Liz (Bryson's girlfriend)even gave ourselves manicures and pedicures! We planned to take the girls swimming as well, but it was a very rainy day today, so that didn't happen...not sure when we would have fit that in anyway!

It is now 1am and I am listening to the girls as they watch a movie in Aleigh's room, giggle, and play polly pockets! Aleigh has such a funny and great group of girlfriends! About an hour ago AJ was crashed out on the couch and they were putting makeup on his face! He woke up and figured out what they were doing! LOL! That was all it took for him to go to his own bed! Hahahaha!

Here are some photos of Aleigh's party:

Unexpected Travels

Unfortunately my husband recieved some very sad news about an old student of his from El Paso a couple of days ago! A guy named Raul, who was in his late 20's, took his own life on Monday night! Joe saw this guy as a little brother to him for several years. Unfortunately they had lost touch but both continued to hold eachother in hight regard! We don't know the extent of what might have driven Raul to take his own life at this point. All we know is that it happened and the services are going to take place in El Paso within in the next few days.

Well, to Joe's surprise, the news has hit him pretty hard! He has gone back and forth about traveling home for the past couple of days. The fact of the matter is, we just can't afford to travel! I know my husband, and I know that for his own closure, he needs to go! SO... we were able to cash in a buddy pass for both he and AJ to go out there. The frustrating part is that we can't go together and that I won't be able to be there for Joe! He doesn't like this at all! To make things more light hearted and easier on both of us, he was planning on taking Ansley with him...then we found out she is no longer considered a lap child so we would have to purchase another buddy pass for her ($182)!
These are the moments when we want to just pack up our things and move out West so that we can at least be half way closer to El Paso! Then we could actually get in the car and drive out there together as a family! The discovery of a money tree certainly wouldn't hurt either!!!


On a lighter note, I have started a new job working as a manager at the new local Gymboree!!! We just opened last Wednesday and I am LOVING it! I wish they paid more, but I will take what I can get! It's nice to have a job to go to for at least a few hours to make a contribution to the household income and get a little break away! ;) The discount is pretty decent too! The part where I actually make a paycheck and bring it home is going to be the HARDEST part! The clothes in there are SO CUTE..not to mention all of the matching accessories!!! I have been really good...SO FAR! :) We have been able to work out our schedules pretty well! I have hired my good friend Robin Dimmig to come in and watch my kids for me on an as needed basis. So far we have only needed her once! My mom has been helping out a little and Joe has been able to work his schedule around mine a little bit! Hopefully it will continue to work out!

SUMMER 2010

I can't believe that the new school year is about to start and I haven't blogged all summer! It sure has gone by quick! We have made the best of the summer w/ the pool just down the street and our Y memberships! The kids get to go swimming a lot and that has made them feel like their having a pretty good summer! Thank god for the pool! Here are a few photos of our summer so far...unfortunately I haven't been taking my camera to the pool!

JUST HANGING OUT AT HOME





FRIENDS AND FAMILY






THE 4TH OF JULY
We kept things pretty simple for the 4th! We had a cookout w/ my parents, Bryson, and Liz on Sunday then spent the rest of the evening playing pictionary and "Things" (a very fun game)! The fun lasted until midnight! We had a blast! Since the Peachtree City Fireworks were on Saturday (th 3rd) we celebrated that day by going to a friends house on the lake. In Peachtree City they shoot the fireworks right over the lake, so it's like having front row seats! They invite tons of people and everyone brings a dish, so there is a ton of food, people, and fun! They kids played ball, blew bubbles, and swam in the lake! They LOVED it!

My New Blog

So I started a new blog where I can vent my daily trials and experiences as a mom to 4 kids! Although this is a very rewarding job it's also very challenging. Because I am someone who wears my life on my sleeve, I wanted to start blogging about it and sharing my experiences w/ anyone who cares to read! :)

Just click on the link to the right titled "Learning as I go"

A BUSY SPRING

I can't believe I haven't blogged in over 2 months! Never a dull moment in the Rojas house...obviously!!! We have been busy! Now that summer is here, we will be even busier! I can't say that i love losing my husband to karate camp all summer long, but it's part of his job so...we deal!

I really don't want to write a novel...and believe me I could! Instead here are some photos to show what we have been up to!

EASTER IN EL PASO!

We drove to El Paso, TX for the kids' Spring Break and Easter! Joe was so excited, he drove the whole way and we made it there in 26 hrs w/out stopping! I KNOW I KNOW...he's crazy! He might be 36 yrs old, but when he is excited, he has the energy of a little boy! Of course we took a few short breaks, but getting to our destination in 26 hrs when it's supposed to take 24 hrs is pretty good timing! Now coming home...that was a different story! We stopped in Grapevine, TX and had a great 24 hr break!
We had a BLAST in El Paso visiting family and friends! Easter was so incredibly fun! The kids came home w/ about 9 baskets EACH full of gifts and candy! The Easter Egg hunt and confetti eggs were super fun...and messy! I don't know that we will ever be able to live up to Easter in El Paso! We just might have to go back every year @ Easter!

Filling Confetti Eggs at Grandma's house!

AJ and his cousin Julian - such cool little dudes! :)

Pizza night with cousins and friends!

Two 2 year olds trying to hide under the table = TROUBLE!

Ansley loves Uncle Chuck! She often says "Wanna see Chuck! Chuck funny mommy! hahahaha!"

The girl cousins in their Easter dresses

Aleigh and Abby! Can you tell their related?! They had no idea they were standing the same way!

I love this photo! Joe isn't too good for nothin! Such a good daddy!

Most of the cousins before hunting for Easter/Confetti Eggs!

CONFETTI TIME! I love this tradition! They save egg shells throughout the year, clean them out, color them, fill them w/ confetti, glue tissue paper at the opening, and hide them! Once the eggs are all found, the cracking begins! SO FUN!





Kids opening all of their baskets! It's like Christmas!!!

Uncle Adam with his little guy, Aden and Austin

Emma (our goddaughter), Aden, Ansley and Austin

Grandma had ansley in stitches! She was just giggling and lovin on her grandma!

Ale and Ansley - Two Peas in A Pod!

Emma and Aleigh playing dress up!

Grandma and Austin

Ansley and her sweet cousin Isaac!

These 2 little cuties are already trying to be sneaky! Always hiding under the table!



On our way back from El Paso we stopped in Grapevine, TX (right outside of Dallas Ft. Worth)and stayed at the Gaylord Texan Resort! What an amazing place!!! All of the photos were taken INSIDE the resort! It was amazing! The food, the pool, the shops, and the service was incredible! We hope to make that stop when we go back next year! Across the street they had another resort with an indoor water park...maybe we'll try that one! The key is to go in the middle of the week when it's half the price!












AJ'S 9th BIRTHDAY

AJ got Roller Blades from Nana and Papa for his birthday! He is slowly getting used to them! At his request, I made him a triple chocolate chunk Brownie cake w/ homemade chocolate frosting! Talk about death by chocolate! I can't believe our first born is 9 already! He is such a blessing! We love him so so much and are so proud of him!