tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77651754469375595192024-03-05T04:37:10.926-06:00Navigating CruzCruz is taking our family on a wild journey through apraxia, sensory disorders, and autism. Join us on this adventure as we tumble together on the wavy sea of tears and triumphs, navigating Cruz through his looking glass.The Arellanoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12187897068990041838noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765175446937559519.post-17374057682646178202014-04-12T10:43:00.001-05:002014-04-12T10:43:49.147-05:00Medical Diagnosis<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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So I took a long hiatus from writing due to my time and
creativity being drained elsewhere. I’ll briefly recap the last two years as
quick as possible. My energy and efforts went into running and building a
thriving dance studio and competition team, coaching poms, getting pregnant,
and having a 3<sup>rd</sup> child. Meanwhile, my father is in remission from
cancer, and now I have sold the studio and Jason has taken a job in Kansas
City, we sold our house in 24 hours and are in the process of finding a new one
within the next few weeks and packing. Finally, this year Cruz was
transitioning between schools and therapists and programs and we went through
the full blown evaluation process and finally got a medical diagnosis of
Autism. Since this is autism awareness month and I am procrastinating packing
boxes and full of emotion I thought it might be time to jump back in the
saddle.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Those
I have spoken with have asked me how I ‘feel’ after getting stamped with a label.
Given the fact that our lives are chaotic right now and I am pumping postpartum
hormones I am not experiencing a different type of feeling, just more intense
feelings. Everyone also immediately asks me if I am surprised. It’s hard to
explain. It’s kind of like seeing a storm roll in, watching the news and seeing
the radar, hearing the wind and rain, knowing you are in a tornado watch, then
a warning with sirens blaring but then the tornado actually touches down on
your street. Was I surprised? There were warnings and signs but yes there was
still a part of me that was surprised. So many of his therapists didn’t think
he fit the criteria. Granted they said he is very A-Typical. He doesn’t fit a
clear-cut mold. They said it took three masterminds with PhD’s to try to
understand his learning patterns and how he organizes his thoughts. Which made
me feel like a genius and explained why things had been so confusing with him
for so long. Every other therapist or teacher always told us ‘he is really
interesting’. I did feel validated for my frustrations over the last five years.
I felt relieved to know he will be able to qualify for services and resources.
I felt sad. I felt really glad we had done so much early intervention because
this kid has grown and changed and learned so much the last couple of years. I
felt thankful and blessed for people like Brooke Allen (our behavioral
therapist and great friend), Deborah Crooke (his amazing former teacher), Donna
Ramsey (amazing caretaker with tons of knowledge), Monty Clark, Holly Radar,
the list could go on and on of those who poured so much into helping us. I also
feel better equipped to fight this battle. Now that I have more knowledge and
more resources, nothing can stop us from doing everything we can to help our
son. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We were scouring through thousands
of photos and videos on the computer the other night in hopes of finding one
picture of the house we needed. I saw a montage of this beautiful complicated
silly boy from birth to present. I saw video clips of him throwing fits and
screaming, clips of him trying to communicate at age 3 when all he could do was
still sign. There were videos of him doing bizarre sensory seeking things.
Pictures of him in treacherous places, in underwear climbing trees, hanging
from things, lining things up, and finding joy in some simple pleasures like
laying naked on a leather chair or rolling in a bin of bird seed. The puzzle
piece fits. The famous “blue puzzle” piece outlines much of his behavior but he
will not be defined by any one thing. Autistic is one word in a list of many
beautiful and strong words that describe my beautiful son. For my friends and
fellow parents of kids with autism you know how important schedule, routine and
consistency is. Pray for us as we uproot and plan to move to a new city, new
house and start a new school with new therapists and are back in the process of
navigating life and learning through the eyes of Cruz.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3K0oHn_3rs-iKHsnuBOY39am-wFswEcxA6TzOzT-7IMIEHcY0BubMcvhiepL_6IuM3WG7B12YyRaO3j94UBrHxdlYsqjwKxn7-4dGNkCp6EkhiEy67u5u-Kg_mHyX0RU9JzeeVOtsQP4/s1600/IMG_7900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3K0oHn_3rs-iKHsnuBOY39am-wFswEcxA6TzOzT-7IMIEHcY0BubMcvhiepL_6IuM3WG7B12YyRaO3j94UBrHxdlYsqjwKxn7-4dGNkCp6EkhiEy67u5u-Kg_mHyX0RU9JzeeVOtsQP4/s1600/IMG_7900.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->The Arellanoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12187897068990041838noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765175446937559519.post-73971332288247210842012-11-13T17:11:00.000-06:002012-11-13T17:11:52.452-06:00Birthday BoyFour years ago today began an unimagineable journey. After days of labor, miles walked around the halls of L&D, hundreds of lunges and squats, 18 hours of pitocin and finally an emergency csection Cruz Kingston entered the world and changed our lives forever. Even during labor and delivery he kept us guessing, chose to do things his own way, and kept us on our toes. Much like every mom would agree, in four years I have learned so much. In four years and still to this day I have probably only slept through an entire night a handful of times. I often feel more like a zookeeper than anything else trying to contain messes, find my kids swinging from the trees and yes ducking the poop being thrown at me. I have been an interpreter, an advocate, a nutritionist, a quickly schooled in all things 'Special Needs'. I have learned that in addition to all of the first time mom nuances and experiences, I have learned about terms, conditions, therapies, labels, and diagnosis' I had never heard of before...<br />
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My heart grew double that day. Not just for my son but for children everywhere. He tapped into this unknown resource of love that literally softened my heart to the world. There have been so many tears of frustration and so many celebrations and praises for improvements and growth. There's no words to describe this complex little guy. As I type this I was just punched in the back and then peed on. He keeps me on my knees in prayer for sure. While we are still learning more and more about him, despite the frustrations, my love for him never changes. Which in turn gives me greater and greater understanding of my my heavenly father's love for me. I am constantly reminded of my flesh, my selfishness, and my faults. I could go on and on and on... on this day I am thankful for grace, for second chances, and forgiveness... from Cruz each time I make 'sad' choices, each time I snap at him, each time I mess up. He is ready to hug. I am so thankful.<br />
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<br />The Arellanoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12187897068990041838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765175446937559519.post-90487110607250679342012-09-16T22:51:00.001-05:002012-09-18T07:23:36.130-05:00Facing a GiantI apologize for the lack of posting the last two months. I think mentally I needed a hiatus. There have been massive changes in our lives that began gradually. The schedule got busier and I kept putting it off waiting for something spectacular to write about. How many times can I write about Cruz being naked or pooping on the floor? Although life was fast and furious it was good and we were just sort of coasting from one activity to the next. The calendar filled up quickly and I was waiting for something noteworthy to actually make me pause at the computer long enough, without screaming distractions all around me, causing me to shift my focus inward. There has been a lot of noise, a lot of activity and a lot of rushing around in an attempt to do everyday life. Our "Super Stars" program this summer was a huge success and deserves an entire blog of its own. Cruz is doing exceptionally well at school this year. He switched to afternoon preschool and it seems to be a great fit for him. His medications are helping tremendously to control his aggression and anxiety. My dance studio is growing like crazy and I feel like I am just keeping my head above water balancing everything in a perfect harmony. Then last week the monumental giant landed in our lives that literally stopped us in our tracks. The perfect chaos screeched to a hault as we learned that my dad was diagnosed with cancer. Let me first paint a picture of who he is for those of you that may not know him. Often mistaken for Robert Redford and frequently asked for an autograph, his charm and charisma know no limit. Witty, quick and sarcastic his humor is one of the things people notice first. He reitred from Oral and Maxilofacial surgery this past year and between his career and his personal life he has impacted so many people. The picture of perfect health he has been active, doesn't drink or smoke, golfs rain or shine, loves people, loves the Lord, and our family. He is brilliantly smart, and has the most giving heart of anyone that I know. He has always been willing to talk to anyone, give to anyone, spend time with anyone in need, and has a heart of gold. He is the foundation of family. Full of wisdom and advice, whether its wanted or not ;), and is a giver, a teacher, and a focused goal oriented leader. Countless people are now shaken with this unbelievable news that is literally shocking.<br />
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A couple of months ago he noticed that the lymph nodes in his neck were swollen. After visiting his primary care physician they decided to give it a couple of weeks to see if they naturally would go down. Surrounded by a small group of friends from church last Sunday evening they prayed for healing and for wisdom that he would know what to do. Over night the gum ball size nodes grew and grew and grew. By 7 am it looked like a baseball sticking out of his neck. They went to the ER and from start to finish saw God's handprint upon the entire process. The nurses, doctors, and staff were amazing. He was able to see his ENT, who is also battling lymphoma, that same day. Super long story short, they decided to schedule a biopsy for Wednesday. My sister drove down that day and we all waited in anticipation to hear from the doctor in the waiting room. Mind you this was the first surgery he had had since 1985 as he is the picture of perfect health. Mom and Emily and I sat around a table in the consulation room when the doctor came in. "Definitely looks like lymphoma, we'll know more when the pathology comes back. Probably B Cell lymphoma. It looks very aggressive but that can be a good thing because the cancer will immediately suck up all that poison from the chemo and probably respond faster."<br />
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We all felt assured with his response. We met him in his recovery room and shared the news. It was an emotional time. His humor didn't skip a beat. Although he knew he was facing a battle and we all knew he was facing a battle, we collectively prayed and asked God for a miracle truly believing He was going to heal him. Fast forward two days to a rainy dark and gloomy Friday. Not one to mope or stew dad hit the golf course with a friend. As the call came in on the 8th hole, he stepped aside to speak with his doctor. The bad news got worse, much worse. It's not lymphoma. Its called Poorly Differentated Squamus Cell Carcinoma. This was the worst case scenario. 'The worst of the worst'. The doctor continued to tell dad that 'Its going to be BRUTAL and that he would wish it were Lymphoma'. Hanging up the phone he shared the news with his friend who suggested taking him home. Nope, not my dad. By God he was going to finish that golf game even if it was cold and raining. "What good is it going to do to go home? It will scare Janna... I don't want to just sit around and cry."<br />
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He is strong. He is brave and courageous. He would give everything he has for his family. But he was delivered a serious blow. We are all completely shocked, it just doesn't make sense. We need a miracle. The doctor said that 'it didn't look good'. Tuesday he will get his PET scan and we will have a better idea of what the face of this giant looks like. At this point there is a lot of unknown. There is only one thing that I know. God is in control and God is a good God. I can stand on those two truths that I have relearned over and over and over again. Our family has been through a lot of things and there is a lot that our fragile human minds can't comprehend. But we know that He is able to do beyond what we can ask or imagine. He spoke the world into existence. He is bigger than any disease or any cancer. As a family we truly believe that God's going to miraculously heal him. He may have to walk this battle out with chemo and radiation but we are believing God for a healing. Please join us in claiming this over my dad. He's the most amazing dad and grandpa in the world. God's not done with him. There are too many people that need him. I need him, Jason needs him, my kids need him. My sister and her family needs him. My mom needs him. His friends need him. Our community needs him. We will walk this journey openly with anyone that wants to be a part of it. Please pray for strength, for peace, rest, and above all healing. To God be the glory.<br />
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<br />The Arellanoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12187897068990041838noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765175446937559519.post-23440926587360941212012-07-03T08:57:00.005-05:002012-07-03T09:20:26.423-05:00The fine line I started to write a post last night and really share my heart on some struggles and then the sarcastic side of me just took over as I replayed some of the days events in my head and imagined Cruz's future. To break things down for those that are new... Cruz needs structure. Not just structure, a ton of structure. Plus sensory stimulation and adrenaline. Oh and well constant supervision to keep him off of fences, out of the street, clothed and within view. Ever wonder what it was like for Evil Kneival's mom as he grew up? I can imagine those conversations cause I'm pretty sure they are about the same as the ones in our house. You can't help but watch some of those freaks, sorry, 'people' like that guy that just walked a tight rope over Niagra Falls without wondering what is wrong with them. Really, I glanced over ocassionally out of my periferal vision while it was on tv and listened to comentators discuss his desire for adrenaline. "What would make someone want to do this?" I can't fully answer that question right now but for 5 million dollars I would let you start a home study with Cruz to watch him try the same thing at home. Sure, the top bar across the swings is no Niagra Falls, unless you are 3 feet tall and weight 30 pounds. That's right just got back from the Neurologist, still only 30 pounds. Plus add to that little adventure being naked, which ups the danger factor for anyone. Oh and how about every now and then trying it with eyes closed. No lie. We can even throw the sprinkler underneath for the added effect.<br />
I would like to think that I will be like Michael Phelps mom someday. Sitting in the stands wearing a t-shirt with my child's face on it, cheering him on as he channels all of that wild energy into accomplishing a life long goal. I could go ahead and wear the shirt now and cheer on the side but it would probably scar him for life. Mrs. Phelps would cry after each swim and during each interview recalling how her son had issues similar to Autism and overcame all odds. I watch the men's gymnastics team and listened to the crowd cheer at their amazing ability to commit to running jumping and throwing their body throught the air to land without breaking a bone. Sure its amazing but let me remind you they are trained and on a spring board floor. How about trying it barefoot on gravel, and of course naked. I watch them attempt the pommel horse and laugh imagining how that event first started. Most of these things had to have been dares between friends. Its easy to imagine the origin of swimming and track races. That concept doesn't really twist your mine. But the pommel horse? That's a different story. I imagine two men long ago, pick a century it probably doesn't even matter, standing by their horses. 'Watch this. I can mount my horse, hold both sides of the saddle and spin around on my hands.' 'Oh yeah, I can do a handstand on the saddle and then flip off.' Before you know it a crowd has gathered and their wives roll their eyes. I can probably google it and set my mind at ease but its way more fun to imagine. Or maybe it was two dudes and a barbed wire fence. 'Bet you can't hold these two fence posts and spin as fast as you can without shredding your legs and bleeding to death.' 'Challenge accepted'. All I know is that Cruz would have been one of those two guys. Here, maybe if I stack trucks, sticks, rocks, and a book like the leaning tower of pisa I can climb on it, balance on one foot, and then in an act of complete defiance rip off my diaper and throw it at my mom just like the true animal I am. He is already setting himself up pretty nicely for the high bar, parallel bar, uneven bars and our shins can attest to that. If you come by our house, don't prop your feet up on anything unless you are prepared for a small fast moving blur to run at you and flip over your leg and give it a good Indian burn.<br />
"Oh wow, Lindsey are you anemic?" "Oh no, the bruises are from my son, thanks."<br />
There is that fine line between daring and stupid. You watch those youtube videos and cringe when you watch teens attempt really dumb things like jumping off of a roof, skating behind a car, etc. I used to roll my eyes at those videos and laugh. Now its like looking at a crystal ball and I cringe. Yes, yes, he's still so young surely he will out grow some of these crazy things. I'm sure that's what Evil Kneival's mom said, and David Blaine's, and probably Mrs. Wallenda. I probably should've googled first to see if she was a member of the act. 'Yes, don't worry Mrs. Kneival, he's just a toddler. This is just a phase. He can't have the desire for speed and adrenaline forever' Don't you think Mrs. Blaine's mom wondered when would lock him self in a shoe box and try to break out of it at age 2? I don't have to wonder because Cruz did that yesterday. Yep, found a tupperware storage container and hid in it for thirty minutes trying to lock the lid on top. If you decide to sit on the floor in our home for any reason, you must be prepared for this one because it will catch you off guard. Cruz will suddenly climb up your back and try to stand on your head and balance, like a totem pole. I wonder how early they accept applicants at Cirque du Soleil. I hope we can harness this and send him to the Olympics in 2028 on the gymnastics team or the swimming team. Of course he may be better fitted for the winter Olympics. The luge seems right up his alley. He is more of a one man team after all and he would like the deep pressure of the suit. We will probably try it this winter down our street if we get a good snow. "Here son, let me pour this EVOO all over you and push you down the hill, just keep your head down." I wonder how that one originated. Probably was an accident when Mr. Luge was working under his carriage in the winter. Oil spilled all over him and he shot like a rocket down a hill and around the village. Everyone gathered to watch. His wife probably was standing there ready to remind him what a loser he was when the crowd erupted in applause and cheering and other men formed a line to try it. Like I said, there is a fine line between daring and stupid. Sure he's cute now when you see those little naked cakes running down the street with a helmet on, bent on speed and destruction, hopping chain link fences and banging on your front door asking for candy and gum. In thirty years you would call the police and lock your doors.... stay tuned for the next adventure. Tomorrow is the 4th of July... this will be interesting.<br />
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<i>This is a disclaimer. We love the Olympics and are of course amazing by the talent yet we are not sponsored by them to mention them in our blog and have no intent of using their names, images, and logos for monetary gain. Especially since we have 120 people regularly tuning in from other countries around the world. This is purely a sarcastic attempt to process through daily drama and laugh instead of cry.</i><br />
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<i><br /></i>The Arellanoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12187897068990041838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765175446937559519.post-45584581210263326882012-06-15T22:04:00.001-05:002012-06-15T22:13:19.954-05:00The latest...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
In an ongoing never ending attempt to stimulate the senses and provide a rush of adrenaline, my little Mowgli (Jungle Book, for those of you that don't know-- i.e. my husband) will try just about anything. This summer alone I've already had to pull him off the top bar that the swings hang from and rescue him a few times from the chain link fence that his shorts got caught on while he attempted to jump it. The following pictures capture events that occured in less than 24 hours. </div>
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Above, he tried to squeeze between the narrow tree limbs and below he rolled around in a tub of birdseed as he does now on a daily basis.<br />
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Not sure if anyone else has ever tried to climb a Rose of Sharon Shrub, but this kid did<br />
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He has been a handful the last few weeks... Hence the lack of posting on my part. We are planning on meeting with the Pediatric Neurologist in 2 weeks to re-evaluate our current situation. Over the last few weeks he has tried to 'escape' and run away almost every day. I have caught him naked on the loose more times than I can count.<br />
Yesterday, I had been playing with the kids in the backyard for a couple of hours when I walked inside momentarily to use the restroom. Upon my return I found Wren playing quietly alone on the screened porch. I immediately had a dropping feeling in my stomach. I raced out the screened porch to find a wagon pulled up next to the gate. "Franklin, where's Cruz?" I asked the giant dog. He replied only by staring intently out the gate. As I looked over towards the gate I saw a t-shirt, shorts, and then a diaper. That crazy little dude stripped down naked before hopping the fence. I ran out front and looked up and down the street. Nothing, no sign, no kid, I couldn't hear anything. Wren and Frank slowly walked out behind me. Some help they were. "Frank, where's Cruz, go find him" Frank layed down on the ground and rolled over. "Wren where did Cruz go?" Nothing. She was pre-occupied with her tricycle that was still in the garage. I ran up and down the street. "CRUZ???" I yelled at the top of my lungs. "Cruz say 'HERE'... CRUZ , WHERE ARE YOU?" My eyes darted back and forth. I saw a postal worker at the end of the cul-de-sac and ran towards her. "Excuse me, have you seen a little boy running around?"<br />
"Yes,"she replied. "I think I saw one run that way".<br />
I ran inside to grab my shoes and threw Wren into the stroller so that we could sprint around the block to find him. As we took off running towards the end of the street I heard the Postal worker yell, "Here he is, I found him!"<br />
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He had gone across the street to a neighbors, opened their gate to their backyard, gone into their back yard and was trying to climb their fence into their neighbors yard to see their dogs.<br />
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Seriously??<br />
"Did you not hear mommy yelling your name?" He had no idea that he was in the wrong. I was livid. Then to make it worse, he made me chase him. For like 20 minutes. It's one thing to make me mad, it's another to make me chase you. The whole 'hide behind a car/tree/fountain/ anything to make me chase you really REALLY REALLY REALLY makes me mad. This has happened literally 5 times in the last two weeks. Needless to say we are going to order some kind of I.D. bracelet and hopefully implement some new behavioral strategies.The Arellanoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12187897068990041838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765175446937559519.post-46990645027485263332012-05-23T21:13:00.001-05:002012-05-23T21:13:27.268-05:00Friends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As
soon as we knew that Cruz had special needs, we knew we wanted to do more to
get involved in the community. We weren't exactly sure what that looked like
but we knew God had big plans for the little guy. We knew we were given this
little guy to learn from him and in turn help others and give back. It's
amazing to think of all of the times Cruz has pushed my buttons, how drained I have
felt, and how I longed for some type of program that might help be another
outlet for him. It's amazing to see how God stirred it in our hearts and
immediately brought people into our lives like Deb Fusek and Brooke Allen. In just two weeks the first ever Superstars program will begin. This summer program for special needs kids will focus on social skills and preparing kids for the classroom. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s
amazing to think of how many families are going to be blessed, how many kids,
siblings, and parents are going to be able to grow and connect. It’s not just the
kids with special needs that will benefit from this program. Their siblings
will greatly benefit as they are learning how to share, play, and exchange with
other kids. Their future classrooms will and peers will benefit as a foundation
is being layed for appropriate behavior. Parents will benefit not only watching
their child grow, and continue to work on listening skills but will have a
chance to meet other parents and connect with them in ways that only parents
can. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When
you finally realize that your child has special needs one of the first things
you wonder about is the quality of life that your child will have. Everyone
wants their child to fit in, to make friends, to be able to sit in the
classroom with their peers, to be able to participate in extracurricular
activities. Everyone remembers the triumphs of our youth. Whether its playing
with friends on the playground, playing sports, being a play, riding bikes,
swimming…. Everyone wants their child to be able to do these types of things. <o:p></o:p>It
is this type of class, this type of therapy that will help set them up for
success.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Superstars program is being created to fill a gap in services offered in our community. There is no other Social Skills and Movement class offered in our area for this age group of 3-7 year olds. This is a very important window of time in the development of children. The children's faces you see in the pictures below are some of those who will enjoy the lasting impact of the Superstars program. This type of program would normally be out of reach since most insurance plans do not cover developmental disabilities, leaving many families to struggle to pay out of pocket. This is why POINT Performing Arts partnered up with The Reach Effect to take in donations to lower the cost to families....</span></div>
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<br />The Arellanoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12187897068990041838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765175446937559519.post-31914245434709422232012-05-21T08:34:00.003-05:002012-05-21T08:35:17.025-05:00Disney World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
There are few places on earth that have seemed so magical to me as Disney. No matter my age or state of mind I have been able to escape, let down, and enjoy myself. I'm not sure how many times I've actually been but I can probably credit my previous visits as a child with the influence to be a theater major. This however was my first time to go with kids, with 5 kids under the age of 7, to be exact. My usual excitement was mixed with natural anxiety as I wasn't sure what to expect of the two plane rides, nap times, long lines, and total sensory overload... for all the kids and even myself. Left to forego my usual selfish tendencies to ride the thrill rides and satisfy my own whims, I prepared myself to wait in incredibly long lines to receive a hug from adults dressed up as cartoon characters. Looking down from 10,000 feet it is probably really hilarious. Our first morning we attended a character breakfast. As soon as Minnie walked in my kids flipped out. Wren was screaming in excitement and practically elbowed her way across the room just to touch the mouse. Cruz mirrored her excitement and I knew the trip was going to be amazing. There was truly something magical about the mouse.</div>
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Taking a prime position for all of the parades was well worth the 45 minute wait. All of the kids jumped up and down, waved, and yelled to get a look from Woody, Buzz, or any of the Disney characters whether they actually knew who they were or not.<br />
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The kids got their faces painted, watched live stage shows, and the little ones even got to ride a few rides.<br />
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Because Cruz is a sensory seeker, he craves constant stimulation, he was in heaven. He was never lacking adrenalin or excitement. There was constant, noise, visual stimulation, special treats, rides, you name it. When nap time rolled around we simply reclined the stroller and let them crash out. At times they'd have to cry it out but you never really noticed the volume of their cry above the roar of the crowd. My little adrenalin junkies loved the rides, even Pirates of The Caribbean. They would have gone on any ride that they were tall enough to go on. They had a blast, especially with their cousins being around all week. There was never a dull moment... literally. Even if we were back at the hotel the kids were non stop until they fell asleep. It will be fun to do this again when the smallest ones are 40 inches so that they can ride all of the rides!</div>
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<br />The Arellanoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12187897068990041838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765175446937559519.post-33976621909323212382012-03-22T09:31:00.003-05:002012-04-04T17:16:46.135-05:00SUPERSTARS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EW9GCnY6ItJ5G9qMl6JnzP_edMF3zQ_JqHDdEG4gxa2ULFuaKtzpr3VBJh-Y5yZzjDwH65S8B7p6aKpYFMsf1XpaOsod6w9m3KIbc3xA-tzcNAxEthjc59X4rKPuWxgXfbv7nRwVyjY/s1600/DSC_0903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EW9GCnY6ItJ5G9qMl6JnzP_edMF3zQ_JqHDdEG4gxa2ULFuaKtzpr3VBJh-Y5yZzjDwH65S8B7p6aKpYFMsf1XpaOsod6w9m3KIbc3xA-tzcNAxEthjc59X4rKPuWxgXfbv7nRwVyjY/s640/DSC_0903.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><br />
For those of you that have followed our journey you are very well aware of the fact that the last two years I was completely frustrated at home with Cruz trying to work through the ins and outs of day to day with a very frustrated and anxious 2 year old that didn't know how to communicate. My only break came when I would go to the gym for some alone on the eliptical to try to work on choreography in my head. Mind you these trips took a good hour or two ahead of time to dress both kids, pack up, get them in the car, drive out, unload and get both across a large parking lot, checked in, taken to the childcare area and then after a grueling work out do it all in reverse again. It was the only time I knew Cruz would be forced to interact with other children, most of whom he didn't know. I would anxiously linger by the window after dropping him off and picking him up only to find him sitting in the corner by himself and not interacting with anyone. I was desperate to find anything at all I could take him to that could possibly provide therapy or at the least give him a guided chance to be with others his age. I would have literally just handed my check book over to someplace that could give me the opportunity to meet other moms whose kids had similar issues. I knew nobody. Some of you were very kind to put me in touch with other people whose kids were special needs but most of you live in other states. Fortunately, via family friends I got in touch with Deb Fusek. Deb started The Reach Effect Foundation (<a href="http://www.thereacheffectfoundation.com/">http://www.thereacheffectfoundation.com/</a>), an organization that helps connect parents of special needs to local resources. Deb agreed to meet with me for coffee and I felt like I had finally found another mom that had been through some of the same scenarios as us. It gave me a touch of hope. We continued with our weekly therapy for Cruz last summer and I decided I was finally ready to get back into business. I had been freelancing choreography for the last three years but realized it was time to have my own space. We opened POINT Performing Arts (<a href="http://www.pointperformingarts.com/">http://www.pointperformingarts.com/</a>), offering ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary and hip hop for all ages. Long before the doors had opened I noticed Cruz's love of music. He is always humming, singing, and drawn to music. I knew that as soon as we got our feet on the ground we would need to provide some type of setting for special needs kids. For months Jason and I talked, prayed, planned, and tried to come up with the right scenario for a special needs class. In January I contacted 417 magazine about advertising. They were getting ready to run their Summer Camps issue and I had only a few days to submit before the deadline. They sent me the link from last years magazine and I was shocked to find that in the Special Needs section there was only 2 camps listed. Camp Barnabas, and The Red Cross had a diabetes awareness program. Stepping out in blind faith I went ahead and advertised for a summer day camp and we threw in a tid bit about special needs as well. I wasn't sure what exactly it would look like but I knew that we were going to do something. I called Deb that week and arranged a meeting at the studio. I layed out my vision and my desire to see something that kids could come do and something that parents could connect during. We talked about several different scenarios and I asked Deb if she had any interest in being involved in this program in any way. Thankfully, she was interested and we agreed that we needed to find someone amazing to either create a program or run it. I knew that this had to be a licensed person to make it legitimate. We both began contacting everyone we knew. Deb hit the jackpot. Brooke Allen, BCBA, LBA, had already been contacted by parents interested in a social skills class and had created a curriculum for a summer program. All this said, the "SUPERSTARS" summer special needs program has been created. Our tagline is "REACH.CONNECT.POINT"! Through this 18 session program will help prepare kids for the class room and focus on social skills. We will even incorporate some movement and music/dance breaks. It has been amazing to see how quickly all of this has come to fruition. Brooke already has families lined up ready for the program. We will "REACH" our little Superstars! We will "CONNECT" our Superstars with eachother! We will "POINT" them towards a brighter future! We are working around the clock now to finalize our plans for our fundraiser on May 3 at Highland Springs. We will have a sit down dinner, live dancing, silent auction, and inspirational program allowing people to make donations through The Reach Effect Foundation. Our goal is to raise enough money so that we can lower the cost to families. Most insurance companies won't cover these types of classes and out of pocket therapy usually ranges from $70/hour to $200/hour. Our goal is to bring that cost down to around $10-15/hour. We are looking for businesses that are interested in being corporate sponsors and donating financially or that are willing to donate items or services to our silent auction. We have an amazing committee that has been formed to help make this whole thing happen and I feel so blessed to be working alongside people like Deb and Brooke. As soon as we knew that Cruz had special needs, we knew we wanted to do more to get involved in the community. We weren't exactly sure what that looked like but we knew God had big plans for the little guy. You can read more about that in other blogs, like "I know that I know that I know" and "Superman". We felt immediately that we were given this little guy to learn from him and in turn help others. It's amazing to think of all of the times Cruz has pushed my buttons, how drained I felt, and how I longed for some type of program that might help him. It's amazing to see how God stirred it in our hearts and immediately brought people into our lives like Deb and Brooke. Its amazing to see how doors keep opening left and right to get this thing ready for this summer. And its amazing to think of how many families are going to be blessed, how many kids, siblings, and parents are going to be able to grow and connect. If you are interested in being involved or donating, please contact me! We'll keep you posted...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The Arellanoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12187897068990041838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765175446937559519.post-63068983930068759192012-03-13T09:01:00.000-05:002012-03-13T09:01:51.017-05:00The Zoo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">On Wren's actual birthday we went to the zoo. It was on a Friday and Friday's are the hardest day of the week. There's no bus ride, no school, no work, no babysitter, just mommy, Cruz, and Wren. The kids take out any reserved frustration from the entire week on mommy on that day. So I took a daring chance and loaded them both up and we went to the zoo ourselves along with the constant reminding threat that if they don't listen we will go straight home. The air was slightly chilly and invigorating, which made the animals more active and pushing the double stroller up hill less daunting. There was hardly any visitors there which was incredibly peaceful the only sounds heard were of the animals, or my children who often stuttered their way through naming the animals and singing songs. Cruz did his best to listen to me. He insisted on walking instead of riding, which was initially scary. He tends to run off and climb things and I just foresaw having to get zoo keepers to rescue him from the hippo exhibit. He did very well and walked almost the entire trip. Wren of course loved having a such a wide stroller that she laid down, crossed her ankles and folded her hands behind her head. The queen was pushed all around and only left her throne at each animals exhibit and quickly jumped back in to whisked to the next stop. Even when it was only a few yards away she made sure to buckle her strap around herself. It was our first zoo trip in probably 8 months or longer and it was so fun to see the kids recognize animals and their names. They loved feeding the giraffes, whose tongues where literally like 15 inches long. </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> The animals were very playful today and we were treated to a private show between the bears. Upon arrival, we couldn't find them until we heard a snap up above our heads. They stayed up there for like 20 minutes playing. It was incredible. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibm-1WqiV15GYdY3ZkteUyISWUDGYaSUgngBqM0jaJjXUkQjSc4GqiAUpYzfX9qWJFNxxK5NJqNAnby4MSLKTXMRdAE7xzLbI5nCjugGgGu9ZDIG22N3EjAlVcIGbu8RJZlGFoOcxqKd4/s1600/DSC_0702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibm-1WqiV15GYdY3ZkteUyISWUDGYaSUgngBqM0jaJjXUkQjSc4GqiAUpYzfX9qWJFNxxK5NJqNAnby4MSLKTXMRdAE7xzLbI5nCjugGgGu9ZDIG22N3EjAlVcIGbu8RJZlGFoOcxqKd4/s640/DSC_0702.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> My sensory seekers left with their cups full. Lots of physical activity, lots sights, smells, and sounds. Lots of touching, we fed all the animals in the petting zoo. Lots of climbing as we played on the playground. It felt like a successful day trip... surely they will take naps today.... nope. Hard as I tried back and forth between rooms to keep them in their beds, after a couple of hours of trying I called off the war and let them run around outside. Surely after another hour or two they'll be able to take a nap.... surely not. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrucHvI2cn5Z0bGIpC_V1OvuzM1_jIgAG5VCYhH45fIbSGtQwkzPFhbgGnGFGX6OLS8x_AhpKyObPJSV-ShLN6HB-TWEuP0HxuXzx-RRlTVrt6nd4foTxQat0-YEZwe-CBBg5ovS4QLUA/s1600/DSC_0715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrucHvI2cn5Z0bGIpC_V1OvuzM1_jIgAG5VCYhH45fIbSGtQwkzPFhbgGnGFGX6OLS8x_AhpKyObPJSV-ShLN6HB-TWEuP0HxuXzx-RRlTVrt6nd4foTxQat0-YEZwe-CBBg5ovS4QLUA/s640/DSC_0715.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Still, they got their fill and our usual 'Friday Failday' actually seemed like 'Friday Funday'. We still had some meltdowns but I am realizing that Cruz needs extra extra extra sensory input. I need to plan things on Fridays that will stimulate him. That's why when we are out in public people don't seem to notice that there is anything different as he seems content. However, leave him at home for more than an hour and he will literally climb up the walls and scream and have angry fits. Much like the monkeys we saw caged up at the zoo. Perhaps Fridays will become zoo days so I can get my monkeys out of our cage and let them explore.</div>The Arellanoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12187897068990041838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765175446937559519.post-33991529911585495512012-03-09T14:08:00.001-06:002012-03-09T14:23:45.009-06:00Wren<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Two years ago at exactly this time, Wren Frances was born. When I found out I was pregnant with Wren, I cried. Not sweet loving tears of joy for another little bundle from heaven. I cried because I was terrified. Cruz was not quite 6 months old and wasn't sleeping through the night, wasn't gaining weight, cried all the time and I was still breastfeeding. I didn't know how I was going to handle two babies. It wasn't planned and we knew we would just have to pray for the Lord's help. My pregnancy was fairly smooth up until delivery day. The surgery was scheduled for March 9th and we arrived at the hospital bright and early. It was such a nice change this time being able to schedule for people to watch Cruz and actually be showered and prepared ahead of time. I was absolutely terrified about the surgery since Cruz's had been an emergency c-section. It had been a nightmare experience and I had nine months this time around knowing what was ahead of me. I spoke with the very kind anesthesiologist about all of my concerns. He assured me all would be different this time around as it wasn't an emergency, different drugs would be used, etc... long story short...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">True to her character, and not letting her brother out do her, she made a very dramatic first appearance by stopping her heart monitor and requiring an emergency c-section that scared everyone half to death, mostly mommy since daddy wasn't even in the room yet! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAe16P0ZNFW6ATw_3FTs__23QWC-Bfwdzn3PGLGaqcahMdCIhzo1WdPFT64iVYkb960vg6Hkht3tNC-pivIBM5axfPGxw-78hkckW_22FDkZ8XKKOovhFQerOcT7YwaLO1Qh_MW_BQIA/s1600/DSC_8639_0563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAe16P0ZNFW6ATw_3FTs__23QWC-Bfwdzn3PGLGaqcahMdCIhzo1WdPFT64iVYkb960vg6Hkht3tNC-pivIBM5axfPGxw-78hkckW_22FDkZ8XKKOovhFQerOcT7YwaLO1Qh_MW_BQIA/s640/DSC_8639_0563.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKnn4YOzzvFh19kmbdvQg17sGzNuUKM1uGGa0oiRWs8RmbkDhc6s0jCkSLS4mQSVsbG_-txTxe7Q9wwMUYKTGMZmHnHtIVZLAKx7Q5MZl4FQueYiKlTxJmg6ICBbKBkGbbIxiv9F8-HdI/s1600/DSC_8672_0532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKnn4YOzzvFh19kmbdvQg17sGzNuUKM1uGGa0oiRWs8RmbkDhc6s0jCkSLS4mQSVsbG_-txTxe7Q9wwMUYKTGMZmHnHtIVZLAKx7Q5MZl4FQueYiKlTxJmg6ICBbKBkGbbIxiv9F8-HdI/s640/DSC_8672_0532.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaLLznMKmTC1WOykNOJiDIvm8ER-xg_XzBq9sjfWV-NbE5T1tQ6wkEM0oU5YYImfOMBxwdZIpqRH8sZAzZn6CDte9rB0KDDXTEHhVBIOmLGcvIZEBYgbvrVQbqGz2l_3Z4EITFlVOx6o/s1600/DSC_8724_0482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaLLznMKmTC1WOykNOJiDIvm8ER-xg_XzBq9sjfWV-NbE5T1tQ6wkEM0oU5YYImfOMBxwdZIpqRH8sZAzZn6CDte9rB0KDDXTEHhVBIOmLGcvIZEBYgbvrVQbqGz2l_3Z4EITFlVOx6o/s640/DSC_8724_0482.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> Wren had tons of black hair and the biggest cheeks you've ever seen on a new born!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIHWlO7MWZaBqlYYbey32llji7af0ThfEl7S89hfJwE16L2QNXnsOZQjXhb_CZpspW1fREAl3iBkL4DjCN5B6oCP14tdmMQHn4zkJxAeHOHjsLAiUu3cIws4lvoFpCAEcUgn7E9D1gaA/s1600/toes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIHWlO7MWZaBqlYYbey32llji7af0ThfEl7S89hfJwE16L2QNXnsOZQjXhb_CZpspW1fREAl3iBkL4DjCN5B6oCP14tdmMQHn4zkJxAeHOHjsLAiUu3cIws4lvoFpCAEcUgn7E9D1gaA/s640/toes.jpg" width="598" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2Z9DHaJH6F5yoeX9o3vCeMVFtDSogqpI4QEpLbyskbc-hFKre3FcFeQpkMijyqUHujJC4EMMRN_LW6RJehQqNBomhVtuT40GqwXcHV8bFf_79K94GoS70hpEScF24m7EGeSWr6XRbh8/s1600/DSC_9406_0844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2Z9DHaJH6F5yoeX9o3vCeMVFtDSogqpI4QEpLbyskbc-hFKre3FcFeQpkMijyqUHujJC4EMMRN_LW6RJehQqNBomhVtuT40GqwXcHV8bFf_79K94GoS70hpEScF24m7EGeSWr6XRbh8/s640/DSC_9406_0844.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> She was an easy baby compared to Cruz. She didn't mind wearing clothes. She loved to sit in her swing. She like to eat, and at 3 weeks old began sleeping through the night. Cruz still doesn't even sleep through the night to this day!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivz55Rkk_vYUxMJVx1PZhnE79Zy-dIHyvTKPeMXuCYOuC9wlr7TAdIi3CLr2j1EQJKi1VcaVfObA7iaUwDAeqJ55-JN3N9qYw0XRQMbvF4_Xj349aPaOXH5Xoryco02cbXrXNY4_xL9a0/s1600/DSC_9515_0740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivz55Rkk_vYUxMJVx1PZhnE79Zy-dIHyvTKPeMXuCYOuC9wlr7TAdIi3CLr2j1EQJKi1VcaVfObA7iaUwDAeqJ55-JN3N9qYw0XRQMbvF4_Xj349aPaOXH5Xoryco02cbXrXNY4_xL9a0/s640/DSC_9515_0740.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXMt3p_D59OiXgU9Spwh5FEeOY_0pz_oac_1Y4eUqQXShq6zHEVqagSqa9nFyYFI9r0Lg9KR-CJ1SRNn3RQx5jNT8C1x8wP3V-N8W6kw9UgJG99igUYQ0ZGzgb4eDf4C6v5H39TO2_IA/s1600/DSC_0746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXMt3p_D59OiXgU9Spwh5FEeOY_0pz_oac_1Y4eUqQXShq6zHEVqagSqa9nFyYFI9r0Lg9KR-CJ1SRNn3RQx5jNT8C1x8wP3V-N8W6kw9UgJG99igUYQ0ZGzgb4eDf4C6v5H39TO2_IA/s640/DSC_0746.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> By year one she was going toe-to-toe with her brother. Anything he did, she had to do too.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVeEidEfb-znAj82fmNiPP1NnAAEMWVuYr9oQXl20c_1FVAhdZRCdN93NWWfj_S5pCqwGule_LH_uFemYaVap4DO6gH076StB3NoK2RApRnfwqMO_3M-rak81j7gUFz0NF7wcMfnKwlc/s1600/DSC_0757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVeEidEfb-znAj82fmNiPP1NnAAEMWVuYr9oQXl20c_1FVAhdZRCdN93NWWfj_S5pCqwGule_LH_uFemYaVap4DO6gH076StB3NoK2RApRnfwqMO_3M-rak81j7gUFz0NF7wcMfnKwlc/s640/DSC_0757.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Everyone started asking if they were twins, especially since they were same size. She has been a performer from the get go, full of personality, and charisma. Girlfriend loves to talk, loves to dress up, loves to sing and dance, and will try to out do her brother at every single thing. She makes us laugh every single day. Despite her flare for dramatics, she's actually pretty easy going and is always up for anything. Which makes her the perfect playmate for Cruz. She isn't threatened by any of his behaviors and she's willing to play in whatever capacity he wants to. I think the good Lord knew that we needed Wren. The last 2 years were so difficult with Cruz, knowing myself, I wouldn't have planned to get pregnant possibly ever again. God in His divine wisdom knew that she was the perfect fit. Happy Birthday Wren, you are our little songbird, full of life.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoC57-5ltVzW76vDFOEEs0yc4GKBXkAexStQ1usEkRpc1oV_wb2O_UMBi8SrlTm2zxtRENpwW50_4t_6No9M_ttQlOvSx1DayDQxQpKJGGWh1kkYX27EDhvc55OF1oewEueYwdH3JurpA/s1600/IMG_3155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoC57-5ltVzW76vDFOEEs0yc4GKBXkAexStQ1usEkRpc1oV_wb2O_UMBi8SrlTm2zxtRENpwW50_4t_6No9M_ttQlOvSx1DayDQxQpKJGGWh1kkYX27EDhvc55OF1oewEueYwdH3JurpA/s640/IMG_3155.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>The Arellanoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12187897068990041838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765175446937559519.post-57373260743287171792012-03-07T14:27:00.000-06:002012-03-07T14:27:32.224-06:00Starting Fresh<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love this time of year. The anticipation for something fresh and new begins to creep in. Hints of spring flirt with your heart and you have to look twice or you'll miss noticing that some perennials are budding. I was so thankful for such a moderate winter this year. We had nothing to complain about. But there is something so promising and hopeful about being able to open up all the windows, sweep off the porch, and rake up the leaves. Tiny green blades of grass are crowding out the crud that is left behind. The evergreens in all their faithfulness stay truly green throughout the winter and I am thankful for their loyal companionship. Tiny sprouts are popping up around the yard full of life waiting to burst. I just know that any day now the same robin that has nested on our front porch will return once again for our third annual ritual of nesting. If only I could set up some formal invitation for her to know that she is more than welcome to live with us. Maybe an extra pile of twigs or seeds on the front porch? Yesterday was our first family day outside. Our neighbor girls came over to play with the kids. Our kids are in heaven when all these blonde girls come swarming around. They are so good with the kids and it gives mommy a few moments of time to fold laundry</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeTUrKTyi9mttqwptMSPOvNpSqdsqu0jkf0yLf9F8WvV6cODnwpdfnzHc18YVwLgomcUEpxXfnCMFkSFLE9yM63oji-6ec-J-9qeznnHQy1zOAtKZrUJEjeoh5nx2Kr1-40hNlrUc21s/s1600/ag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeTUrKTyi9mttqwptMSPOvNpSqdsqu0jkf0yLf9F8WvV6cODnwpdfnzHc18YVwLgomcUEpxXfnCMFkSFLE9yM63oji-6ec-J-9qeznnHQy1zOAtKZrUJEjeoh5nx2Kr1-40hNlrUc21s/s640/ag.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> Cruz will do anything that they remotely suggest. He thinks he's just as big as they are.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7cC537XALOG3ss8WTbsWksbL2aVqwrOzeCzomS8dQnQpNILkXrxFzc6mLzQvRZgaPreyPkdYKf-1huRJdZyzsx60gHr8YKLXv_PLD8kx5ghBDMqI8ToaJQ20ZEjw9JZtH7M0YNMN8H0/s1600/an.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7cC537XALOG3ss8WTbsWksbL2aVqwrOzeCzomS8dQnQpNILkXrxFzc6mLzQvRZgaPreyPkdYKf-1huRJdZyzsx60gHr8YKLXv_PLD8kx5ghBDMqI8ToaJQ20ZEjw9JZtH7M0YNMN8H0/s640/an.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Mommy was all out of the wands for the bubbles. Our super creative neighbor mommy sent over some kitchen utensils to try using.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtANTbtIeIYeLsguynw1K5cPMhTBsYIe2l8B5CPdKjAkuvsdXToXbrMsjwtZV1KmediCxdgmB07pxftHODQkGSkXuqw2KbnxReITu-2xCvpWnxeLVeSOk9V4lJlTxnb7ikJ9IsIAGC-A/s1600/ao.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtANTbtIeIYeLsguynw1K5cPMhTBsYIe2l8B5CPdKjAkuvsdXToXbrMsjwtZV1KmediCxdgmB07pxftHODQkGSkXuqw2KbnxReITu-2xCvpWnxeLVeSOk9V4lJlTxnb7ikJ9IsIAGC-A/s640/ao.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> The cheese grater was deceptive. It looked like it would produce lots of bubbles, fail.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_FRsCQhsN9XaT3rSFHf5mpZp92qMyS3sEk1T9pz68jWgEpsJWGqPHSbeUS2lidRxGibMARpQCkqKr9DkcPUKFWwvLpz5xHuiJpnUJiYev6A2h_awC4SX2EiT6dFnvilS_P1dUMKXUjc/s1600/ap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_FRsCQhsN9XaT3rSFHf5mpZp92qMyS3sEk1T9pz68jWgEpsJWGqPHSbeUS2lidRxGibMARpQCkqKr9DkcPUKFWwvLpz5xHuiJpnUJiYev6A2h_awC4SX2EiT6dFnvilS_P1dUMKXUjc/s640/ap.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> Wren thought she'd eat them instead.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSf7nbQmb0-BUntP4cGoTd-CWMARl2hHljgqD_oEi4txbavpmSWA8OoYxl7qJOCWSz-Mxw5vKKHRptGUAt7ZIcMVRrPNKjZF-ZGGoMVaADaXbfBSld03-5br-OkotTCmpbP_OtNR_qUw/s1600/aq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSf7nbQmb0-BUntP4cGoTd-CWMARl2hHljgqD_oEi4txbavpmSWA8OoYxl7qJOCWSz-Mxw5vKKHRptGUAt7ZIcMVRrPNKjZF-ZGGoMVaADaXbfBSld03-5br-OkotTCmpbP_OtNR_qUw/s640/aq.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> The cookie cutters were awesome, if the wind was still enough.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcznYQ_D2Fjce8cyKOB-5cy4tnmbgv5lOu-EyzUckRCRaE0iAKuzi_W3YyxHKJ_i6Q1qTjzu8GzXqvRuYV3-IO6qbk8TeuLP2GyRROMcKKX1JB6BK71i9ddsceJ1dPyeWiGAvN-9V5wCE/s1600/ar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcznYQ_D2Fjce8cyKOB-5cy4tnmbgv5lOu-EyzUckRCRaE0iAKuzi_W3YyxHKJ_i6Q1qTjzu8GzXqvRuYV3-IO6qbk8TeuLP2GyRROMcKKX1JB6BK71i9ddsceJ1dPyeWiGAvN-9V5wCE/s640/ar.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> Occasionally the wind would blow one right back at you<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaPTGQIK41enhuA_7jAnvALN3DG-LrcdOiwVUe4nn8L8jTGNXMmIbpwiZX8bxGSC1DgrDqMFr1A5Opxo-XbEMnXi0MomGsU6mPAwT0kAc568dqVupRut8Eq7w9RVwKPK2IeGzeGf41jg/s1600/as.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaPTGQIK41enhuA_7jAnvALN3DG-LrcdOiwVUe4nn8L8jTGNXMmIbpwiZX8bxGSC1DgrDqMFr1A5Opxo-XbEMnXi0MomGsU6mPAwT0kAc568dqVupRut8Eq7w9RVwKPK2IeGzeGf41jg/s640/as.jpg" width="424" /></a></div> The older girls climbed up the evergreens.... looks like I know what Cruz will try to do next.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAS6KihDfrwgFpaXRpkUIXvTEZtgaM4RmrzWpS1ghOnrfb8iFM8C-JmMOoO9JklFhYh4oVOGlgLJn-mDWN5I1evWohFPvNqO_96fvFFdCwtrZwr5AiJptkJh4ciNaMExcoiVh_yA2md4M/s1600/at.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAS6KihDfrwgFpaXRpkUIXvTEZtgaM4RmrzWpS1ghOnrfb8iFM8C-JmMOoO9JklFhYh4oVOGlgLJn-mDWN5I1evWohFPvNqO_96fvFFdCwtrZwr5AiJptkJh4ciNaMExcoiVh_yA2md4M/s640/at.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> Cruz decided to try the bubbles out himself. It was a great occupational therapy session.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpl1Nv7ueLPTlsEvixZFkKgLgURn19ALIKNF_861sGDCFq1J5kZtg5DoQ3kv26P7nMQEM7X4QE4yIoMVcGWwS-gXVqbDHcgUUGxgxdz6vzzMZUj53vX_XPPGYozGmarHEMY5EIQs5apM/s1600/au.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpl1Nv7ueLPTlsEvixZFkKgLgURn19ALIKNF_861sGDCFq1J5kZtg5DoQ3kv26P7nMQEM7X4QE4yIoMVcGWwS-gXVqbDHcgUUGxgxdz6vzzMZUj53vX_XPPGYozGmarHEMY5EIQs5apM/s640/au.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NC_JipcnwmT7hTe71QHdvRfGkqJ7k4tEPT8fPWBBknEo6T24_ozZ_v_ZiFhXkeANu01JNNTekwFO62s5G6-KKccEgwHb8NAgZTka-CzLBZGO9hb0rrceE9nZoqbRp3GdJd5YH3PDDsY/s1600/av.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NC_JipcnwmT7hTe71QHdvRfGkqJ7k4tEPT8fPWBBknEo6T24_ozZ_v_ZiFhXkeANu01JNNTekwFO62s5G6-KKccEgwHb8NAgZTka-CzLBZGO9hb0rrceE9nZoqbRp3GdJd5YH3PDDsY/s640/av.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> He just couldn't quite get those lips to blow.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCc4MiKRZ2P-1Ab6dYCBahB-9bhlNWEKtAGvgQmp5Bo9JFX-1Hng4Hv1OPJA9zL3keRsce2Ti8pM-k68OlqMm1FXNd2y7TFyKb8dN0h6cif4T-IhaLbhEvq7KJxnIPDoGA9PTssVpfe1Y/s1600/aw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCc4MiKRZ2P-1Ab6dYCBahB-9bhlNWEKtAGvgQmp5Bo9JFX-1Hng4Hv1OPJA9zL3keRsce2Ti8pM-k68OlqMm1FXNd2y7TFyKb8dN0h6cif4T-IhaLbhEvq7KJxnIPDoGA9PTssVpfe1Y/s640/aw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> He did love giving 'Boots' a bath. That monkey got dipped about a hundred times.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbz9-L5YOkYEFfoN_Pj1kB8dqe2VVY3E2f2lOlZ2wgDzMbonoLl_iXneNLmuCs6YGKM-H-OUnVdd2znqZB8jFOxXIy2Xbz7Aczx9WDcwzY6i2vXqIgddpQdx0_lkYwPE1TtjZshMpdec/s1600/ax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbz9-L5YOkYEFfoN_Pj1kB8dqe2VVY3E2f2lOlZ2wgDzMbonoLl_iXneNLmuCs6YGKM-H-OUnVdd2znqZB8jFOxXIy2Xbz7Aczx9WDcwzY6i2vXqIgddpQdx0_lkYwPE1TtjZshMpdec/s640/ax.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> Daddy raked up the leaves...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIn4ReUYYnfD-tXm-Z8qqx1zgbfAClY9OGg_sRyyytvDhLku3DN8ZPcQHDpXawalJW5tQ9iyxZ-2GX4axKqpZGcMkzkaYfikW0qe-19bsPiu96x0TEXqNmx2kAXGy4czjIOgMYFHiR8o/s1600/ay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIn4ReUYYnfD-tXm-Z8qqx1zgbfAClY9OGg_sRyyytvDhLku3DN8ZPcQHDpXawalJW5tQ9iyxZ-2GX4axKqpZGcMkzkaYfikW0qe-19bsPiu96x0TEXqNmx2kAXGy4czjIOgMYFHiR8o/s640/ay.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> Frank was in heaven<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFCA-mUSrJBKPMixVUHnOJqbM15WLm_l1OMM3Yl-fheoIw7PKbeOAyJsEcrjyGNHBDrNunrsnHlLIo5inXDoDXPNIHb1MxSUGwej5oegt8bF3SYFJR3VPF8rTObkwgVY5WCOxomhUzQQ/s1600/az.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFCA-mUSrJBKPMixVUHnOJqbM15WLm_l1OMM3Yl-fheoIw7PKbeOAyJsEcrjyGNHBDrNunrsnHlLIo5inXDoDXPNIHb1MxSUGwej5oegt8bF3SYFJR3VPF8rTObkwgVY5WCOxomhUzQQ/s640/az.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The air became cooler as the sun faded and the wind picked up. No naps led to meltdowns and completely overtired kids. The fresh air had been just that. fresh. new. full of hope for the spring and summer that are just down the road.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSqgirffV3kBwlxiRCJN071NJTDAucQ0EOBB0tP5yPitrbqBZgkLBE2JiVD8nOBFtVeKZDAp53lus5efyYZWtW_OS8WZAhEfO46Nx0OUyGs1eABvcyu35LSXL97foP40jg36FZRE5mWI/s1600/azz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSqgirffV3kBwlxiRCJN071NJTDAucQ0EOBB0tP5yPitrbqBZgkLBE2JiVD8nOBFtVeKZDAp53lus5efyYZWtW_OS8WZAhEfO46Nx0OUyGs1eABvcyu35LSXL97foP40jg36FZRE5mWI/s640/azz.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The kids were reluctantly dragged inside to get off the dirty clothes, wipe up their faces, scrape dog poop off their shoes, blow their noses...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMeb_PG2SFmYbGtLUKY_1GsctRLgsjZYUZu1ZLughIWnBj0td76yaTrqtxiPz7uyzTRoilGDF1US1xmA1HhB5e-SdGnPda0vdMiHzxJwMsZf_I7-jRwbA9GiyUSFvvvyHIYeFKWBhNP9U/s1600/aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMeb_PG2SFmYbGtLUKY_1GsctRLgsjZYUZu1ZLughIWnBj0td76yaTrqtxiPz7uyzTRoilGDF1US1xmA1HhB5e-SdGnPda0vdMiHzxJwMsZf_I7-jRwbA9GiyUSFvvvyHIYeFKWBhNP9U/s640/aa.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>and cuddle with mommy on the couch. Those moments are few and far between, but for this chilly season they are my favorite. Once spring and summer come I'm sure we'll make some new favorite moments together.The Arellanoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12187897068990041838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765175446937559519.post-39195913439305528672012-02-27T20:15:00.002-06:002012-02-27T20:17:01.309-06:00Big Picture, Little Picture<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As we've previously talked about, I am totally one of those people that takes an idea and runs with it. I am a total dreamer and visionary. I tend to overlook some of the day to day details because I am dreaming up a huge project, or a vacation, or planning an event. There are definite benefits to being always focused on the big picture. I try to take the little things in stride and not let small things bother me (note I said try). I am always looking ahead which means I am setting goals and hopefully following through with them. There are of course many downfalls as well. I tend to get so focused on things that are months away that I can become very overwhelmed. Occasionally it takes a giant reminder from the Lord to slow down. Like, for example, my back locking on me. I am on day five of extreme pain and limited mobility. I don't know if its because of the fibromyalgia or what but it happens about every month or two. This time I had both kids with me at the studio with a group of toddlers. Fortunately I had another teacher there who has watched the kids before. She was available to help take me to the chiropractor and watch the kids at home. It was incredibly frustrating to be stuck at home and not able to do anything. I had someone helping with the kids and it would've been the perfect time to do laundry, clean, clean out paperwork, do anything at all. Instead I was forced to just stand (sitting and laying hurt too much). The kids cry and don't understand why I can't pick them up or why they can't jump on me. Jason has to do double the duty and I feel like I am putting everyone out. Its very frustrating. It also forces me to rest, physically. I try to rest mentally but my wheels just keep turning. Each time my back locks I just remind myself its like a forced time out. As if God is like, ok, you're over doing it you need to just stop and be still for awhile and quit focusing on all of the big things. It reminded me of a story that occurred when we were in Denver for Remembering The Brave in September. We took the kids to the Zoo, which was amazing. The kids absolutely loved it. Towards the end of our visit there, we approached the elephants. The children were finishing up the popcorn we had bought them and were accidentally spilling it on the ground. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlS1SSX8d2VuwiD0rN4W3pmFxTiEveq4Mgtc2d0uwx9qujnDxQ8o0iVYV62jLe67MR3NhwWlvHAO5Rt2ZuO6VbacCNsLoQVUETRG6a5mi__6BjN5L_TS-D8s2NvVBtvP_kCU25ogHBOE/s1600/DSC_0658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlS1SSX8d2VuwiD0rN4W3pmFxTiEveq4Mgtc2d0uwx9qujnDxQ8o0iVYV62jLe67MR3NhwWlvHAO5Rt2ZuO6VbacCNsLoQVUETRG6a5mi__6BjN5L_TS-D8s2NvVBtvP_kCU25ogHBOE/s640/DSC_0658.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">They were fighting over the drinks and so focused on the snacks they didn't even notice the giant elephants coming right over to us. A couple of little birds hopped along the ground searching for popcorn pieces and the kids were fascinated. Cruz and Wren chased the little birds all around seemingly unaware of the enormous animals looming close by.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtPx0kXRPmUGOfs8oWrMvMOh4fUIcLuX5nuWrjDmLSIEb8jD4B7N0C8h2qoeI-grGLak8CxaRcn7BLDY5SVtTYozmmyxRJXCY41u61Hb54bM1wcvLMLLTySASiOyWYDsH3PiKJWDJMCY/s1600/DSC_0659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtPx0kXRPmUGOfs8oWrMvMOh4fUIcLuX5nuWrjDmLSIEb8jD4B7N0C8h2qoeI-grGLak8CxaRcn7BLDY5SVtTYozmmyxRJXCY41u61Hb54bM1wcvLMLLTySASiOyWYDsH3PiKJWDJMCY/s640/DSC_0659.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> We kept telling them to look up but they were in their own little worlds.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfc5cLFsUvPDwAznZ2ZnaWQ6C6XmFusWdd10QQsP82T-oWgHEAC03y5KcuMw5iI3xWxvWaNc_gW_9yIHYoPnr1cCOuQ8XY80eXC69mWEXbayEbcs-PP2dWW30xuq2Mjyja6FRm3QbCp28/s1600/DSC_0661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfc5cLFsUvPDwAznZ2ZnaWQ6C6XmFusWdd10QQsP82T-oWgHEAC03y5KcuMw5iI3xWxvWaNc_gW_9yIHYoPnr1cCOuQ8XY80eXC69mWEXbayEbcs-PP2dWW30xuq2Mjyja6FRm3QbCp28/s640/DSC_0661.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRxCJ9uVhTDHf-vY6YDao9DPFsxIvLtAmoGM5qkeiYEx-52-1Zu1IGA4fWUtTs7OoyNT-TcPU9EnVeGDH87BnOBknvdq48l_7dQS9ItP8LB-Xk4cKTjfA0VkxKSOWtELi8L1R44AiLvc/s1600/DSC_0663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRxCJ9uVhTDHf-vY6YDao9DPFsxIvLtAmoGM5qkeiYEx-52-1Zu1IGA4fWUtTs7OoyNT-TcPU9EnVeGDH87BnOBknvdq48l_7dQS9ItP8LB-Xk4cKTjfA0VkxKSOWtELi8L1R44AiLvc/s640/DSC_0663.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Wren kept throwing pieces of popcorn trying to lure the little birds.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9n19vTOAhfDwHqCwVrrZ6Jv6C3pJ3tUc7-yVketOejc-_3DTipV4ji9ZTRk1oCXRtQXir_Z1ACPux_BDdndl79drCWP5ptx4qT5B49Ucf1HFDywy3VWZrZy-73zVVODZ-F1UK4gWEkU/s1600/DSC_0664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9n19vTOAhfDwHqCwVrrZ6Jv6C3pJ3tUc7-yVketOejc-_3DTipV4ji9ZTRk1oCXRtQXir_Z1ACPux_BDdndl79drCWP5ptx4qT5B49Ucf1HFDywy3VWZrZy-73zVVODZ-F1UK4gWEkU/s640/DSC_0664.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>After like fifteen minutes of persuasion they finally caught glimpses of the elephants. That evening we attended the Remembering The Brave Ceremony to honor the fallen. We sat at a table with two amazing families who's sons had both paid the ultimate sacrifice. As I told them of the experiences that day I shared how silly it was that they were so caught up in the little tiny seemingly insignificant things that they were missing the big picture. One of the mom's flipped the scenario around for me. "I think its nice, some people are so caught up in the big picture that they don't stop to enjoy the small things." It stopped me instantly. It's very true. So, here I sit at the computer with my back locked up not able to move my head side to side being forced to just sit with the kids and not try to accomplish anything. Actually, in all honesty I did try to do some laundry this morning. It took me about three times as long and I think I've actually made my back much worse. Sometimes it is so hard to force yourself to slow down. Once again, I'm learning lessons from my kids whether I want to or not.The Arellanoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12187897068990041838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765175446937559519.post-38377683333984022402012-02-14T17:04:00.001-06:002012-02-14T20:13:06.117-06:00The Condition of The Heart<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The way to love anything is to realize that it may be lost. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">~G.K. Chesterton</span></span></b><br />
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In honor of Valentines Day it is only fitting for me to post something regarding hearts. It's not going to be the typical lovey dovey romantic story or even a sarcastically humorous venting session. One year ago today I was running ragged with two teeny tiny tots strapped to my hips losing my mind trying to keep up with them and the house and the dog and my job. Cruz had some valentine hearts that he became obsessed with. They were very special to him. The little tiny hearts with the comments barely written across the tops that make you sometimes ask, 'seriously? who wrote this? He would carry them everywhere. His little sweaty dirty hands would make those hearts just moist enough to collect pieces from anything it came in contact with. Any lint, hair, dust, you name it. It was disgusting. He would drop it on the floor and I would jump leap and fly through the air in dramatic fashion to try to pry it from him before he placed it right back into his mouth. At times I succeeded but many times I failed. Franklin would walk past him and the heart would just stick to his tail. Or even worse, Cruz would hold the heart out in his hand and let Franklin lick it! For those of you asking, 'where was the mother during this' just know I was close enough to see and close enough to yell stop but not close enough to catch it. All I could think of were the germs and the nasty texture that it must create when he put it back in his mouth. I kept asking him to give it to me, to trust me, to let me wash it off in the sink and that I'd give it back, or get him a new one. He had a very difficult time letting go. He wanted to trust me, he just really struggled with it. Each time I would rinse it, that little heart would get smaller and smaller. Each time Frank licked it it would get smaller. I would tell him, 'Cruz, be careful, your little heart is getting dirty. Let me take care of your heart so you don't drop it. Don't lose your heart'. Poor Frank, he didn't know. He had no bad intentions but a kid was letting him lick candy so of course he did. I would yell at Frank and to Cruz "Stop it, he's going to destroy your heart". The words resonated like a familiar song in my head. I said them all back again. I shared the story later that day with a group of high school girls, who inevitably saw the amazing correlation. So, I now pose the question to you. What is it that you are allowing to come in contact with your tiny precious little heart. Don't you value your unique one of a kind heart? What are things in your life that you are allowing to damage you. It may be an unhealthy relationship, it may be an addiction, it may be a group of friends, or bad television, it could be anything. On this Valentines Day, please take some time to evaluate the condition of your heart. Don't be careless with it, for from it springs the well of life. Don't allow others to take advantage of it, you only have one. Value it, treasure it, and share it with people when their heart is broken. And guard it with all your might.<br />
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</b></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span></span>The Arellanoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12187897068990041838noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765175446937559519.post-9179845422639044522012-02-12T18:22:00.001-06:002012-02-12T19:27:49.035-06:00Chinese Fire DrillsThere was something really dumb that I am sure a lot of us did when we were young immature teens when we subconsciously thought we were invincible. Just to show random strangers how crazy and spontaneous you were, and to get a rush of adrenaline, as you approached a red light you would suddenly yell "Chinese Fire Drill". It didn't matter who called it, everyone was forced to participate in this sudden race. Even if you didn't want to, but someone else threw their car door open and started to run to your side you had to immediately partake or the light would turn green and you'd block the intersection. Suddenly you were driving someone else's car or sitting in someone else's seat and the car screech's forward so as to not hold up traffic and your heart is racing and everyone's laughing and someone usually yells, 'we're so crazy!' as if it is a sense of accomplishment. 'Yep, I'm so crazy and cool I just ran around the car in a busy intersection and its 10 degrees outside and I almost fell on the ice' isn't that awesome? Never mind the poor grandma in the Buick next to you having heart palpitations thinking your friend in the hoodie was running towards her to rob her. I'm not sure how this teen tradition came to be. There must be something naturally ingrained in select individuals that seek that rush of adrenaline. Those people are the whistle blowers that start it. Then there is the rest of us that are dumb enough to follow along. Cruz is a whistle blower and I am the idiot, at least it feels that way, and the Chinese Fire Drill is the closest comparison I can think of right now to explain our latest situation.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVY4_0SwM0PbOJ87eQ9j5FL4BYYCeCa6C6BGn1hyU7Tzs7-jJ-rb-n5z0Jslez4-vE2iDvYFoD4DJqkwQS298IOkavKjwarwmCzo_6ExglQFSOKsgk2IKwRy_Bn-6Rz9gRBtD1DEgxS4/s1600/DSC_0182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVY4_0SwM0PbOJ87eQ9j5FL4BYYCeCa6C6BGn1hyU7Tzs7-jJ-rb-n5z0Jslez4-vE2iDvYFoD4DJqkwQS298IOkavKjwarwmCzo_6ExglQFSOKsgk2IKwRy_Bn-6Rz9gRBtD1DEgxS4/s640/DSC_0182.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Cruz is no respecter of time, schedule, location, or emotion. If he decides it's time for some action, he does it. He has at times left the room, at times snuck up behind me, at times just turned his back and with no provocation he pulls his pants down, rips his diaper off and does one of two things. He either poops on the floor or he pulls a poopy diaper off and gets poop all over himself and the floor. Its hard to explain the initial reaction that I have. In the beginning, a few months ago, we thought, 'oh little Cruzie doesn't know what he's doing. Maybe he's just trying to start potty training and doesn't know how to do it.' That was 189 times ago. If he didn't know the first 17 times that it was wrong, he learned quickly. He has been able to pee in the potty on occasion with assistance and has done it at school but hasn't mastered it yet. I just kept questioning myself on how to train him correctly, how to teach him about how we use the toilet (or just keep the diaper on). One day I was getting ready to run errands and leave him with a nanny, who he loves, and he told me 'no'. I gently affirmed that mommy would be home really soon but I had to leave for a little bit. He proceeded to rip his diaper off with eyebrows raised. In his own right, minus words, he was challenging me. He might as well have raised a fist, or blown a whistle. In that moment I knew that this little weasel had been trying to manipulate me the whole time. Just Thursday morning it happened right as we were about to head out the door. The bus would be here to pick him up for school in 5 minutes and what happens? He poops, rips the diaper off, smears it across the rug on his floor and then calls, 'mommy'. Like an early valentine present he stands proudly over his steaming gift of love that he expressly gives me almost every day now. Not a hint on his little face indicting remorse or guilt. Not the slightest hesitation in calling mommy to come see his work. Like his abstract painting just got invited to The Louvre. Beaming from ear to ear and he swayed back and forth waiting to see my response. Thus, everything comes to a screeching halt, as I know that the timer has started. There is but only a few moments to get his body cleaned up, keep Wren and Franklin away from it, get the poop cleaned up, redress him and have him outside waiting for the bus. This morning before church Cruz completely undressed himself from head to toe, removed diaper, and peed on the carpet. This afternoon he went into our bedroom and pooped all over the hardwood floor. I'm talking in the cracks and crevices, smeared on a sham that was on the ground, everywhere. It was everywhere, all over him and any item within a 2 step radius. The imaginary siren sounds and like a cartoon on a submarine its 'ALL HANDS ON DECK'. Jason peeled his shirt off (it was the only article of clothing left on him) and threw him in the shower, I ran and got the paper towels and cleaning supplies. Wren sat up on mommies bed watching wide eyed and repeatedly saying, 'uh oh' and 'oh no'. Franklin had to get in the mix and between running back and forth to the trash, kids in and out of the way, in all the chaos, we are just baffled why he keeps doing this. He was spanked and then placed in the quiet corner for time out and wasn't allowed to talk or move during that time. We are literally baffled. Today had been a great day, time spent together as a family, a great lunch and he even got to have a piece of cake... it was stacking up as a pretty awesome day for a three year old. Again, we find ourselves plunged into panic mode by the simple direction of a 29 pound, skinny as a rail, bobble headed little boy. (I say that because his weight is in the 10% percentile and his head is in the 95th% for kids his age) We don't want to play his games, we don't want to stop what we are in the middle of what we are doing, and we definitely don't want to miss the bus or any other event we are headed to. Until we can resolve this problem, we stand ready for the call of duty for the next time he decides he's ready to blow the whistle.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTHXpitR6bSG6jAMDBH5wuIJ07vP_LqULD7VGbuHTkFed2QCqwiyBd3BziO_4npHTxFPZiYdQbj0fPsLRC4c-ppWmCWsUx0iDh6WdXNur1wGnv70JgKLuR6AiRcG2k9ePSQPFE7dcQPQ/s1600/DSC_0190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTHXpitR6bSG6jAMDBH5wuIJ07vP_LqULD7VGbuHTkFed2QCqwiyBd3BziO_4npHTxFPZiYdQbj0fPsLRC4c-ppWmCWsUx0iDh6WdXNur1wGnv70JgKLuR6AiRcG2k9ePSQPFE7dcQPQ/s640/DSC_0190.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, thanks to a suggestion, we are trying something new tonight. Jason used duct tape around the diaper. Maybe now he will learn he has to tell us if he wants his diaper changed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuK7aNTwMwz91fv58RN8DnDQoCHx-pt6-Pw2zNkYBpG85dVggy2aQt2iHfkaj8NU25kGUrymqkVBGYkUwJE8PgOc2Ho4XsgrE0JT-_14oIWRrVkPqTQ6p9q3fAD3Ju68YglY0CKYrYP2w/s1600/photo-60.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuK7aNTwMwz91fv58RN8DnDQoCHx-pt6-Pw2zNkYBpG85dVggy2aQt2iHfkaj8NU25kGUrymqkVBGYkUwJE8PgOc2Ho4XsgrE0JT-_14oIWRrVkPqTQ6p9q3fAD3Ju68YglY0CKYrYP2w/s640/photo-60.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdf-BvK6_w8UJVqTWYX5Pu6rCKWXvrKva_z0yKnvOrz73QsOFnGhsP7uI9jeC7Q6eukRwFsQ-SPLp7JTOTj639UU4Jos3DTEYI-1TRutA9UT_rLnxrILycK78GoltPPuv-KGwgj4QfXQ/s1600/photo-61.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdf-BvK6_w8UJVqTWYX5Pu6rCKWXvrKva_z0yKnvOrz73QsOFnGhsP7uI9jeC7Q6eukRwFsQ-SPLp7JTOTj639UU4Jos3DTEYI-1TRutA9UT_rLnxrILycK78GoltPPuv-KGwgj4QfXQ/s640/photo-61.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The Arellanoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12187897068990041838noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765175446937559519.post-79548875948139489422012-02-03T22:09:00.000-06:002012-02-03T22:09:34.275-06:00Juicing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47tWyzhdVI8PCwGmlzLrBH3Rsm0CpX_G9ELR5QSWij7HuW1kly1liV82SbWPCEjf0p7YQ91cdiphXXKkocCOdna1n2ZQyD6GN5Iyro94pQWp2Pgxo-6dVkvU77kXHQPjCPLRl1cwcql8/s1600/IMG_2940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47tWyzhdVI8PCwGmlzLrBH3Rsm0CpX_G9ELR5QSWij7HuW1kly1liV82SbWPCEjf0p7YQ91cdiphXXKkocCOdna1n2ZQyD6GN5Iyro94pQWp2Pgxo-6dVkvU77kXHQPjCPLRl1cwcql8/s640/IMG_2940.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>My next planned post was to go into detail regarding some issues we've had lately with Cruz. That topic is getting tabled a little longer due to the high demand request on facebook to talk about juicing. One simple statement led to multiple messages and a few requests on the blog, so here goes. Juicing is changing my life. Literally. My mantra for 2011 was "Happy and Healthy". I really strived in everything I did to allow this mantra to affect my decision making. After the two babies back to back with c-sections, the fibromyalgia, all of Cruz's issues I decided to get serious about getting to the bottom of my health issues. I started seeing a naturopathic who started me on this journey to a new me. Most of you already know this, but we went gluten free a year ago. I got a membership to the gym and hit the gym 3 days a week without fail (unless a kid was sick). I just kept chipping away slowly and surely. My ultimate goal wasn't to lose weight, but I am thankful that I have. I wanted to be stronger, better, faster and have more energy. My sister started juicing at Christmas, got some books and got super into it. I thought, 'that is so gross I just don't think I can take it that far'. The thought of drinking liquid broccoli made me sick to think about. She just kept telling me how great she felt and went on and on. So I decided to try it out. Thankfully, my mother loaned me her juicer from like ten years ago to be sure I liked it before I bought one. Now she'd have to pry it out of my hands to get it back. I went to the store and got a ton of produce and made my first juice for dinner while Jason was gone one evening. I didn't love it but I could tolerate it. It was a little earthy and a little tart. I thought, well, I'll try it for breakfast again and just see. No lie, by that afternoon I realized I had way more energy than normal and I felt really good. Within 24 hours I seriously felt like a new person. That was three weeks ago an I've juiced at least twice a day since then for breakfast and lunch. I can't really explain how I feel other than my body recognizes that THIS is how its supposed to feel. I definitely have more energy. My joint and muscle pain seems to be less and I have lost some weight. My main reason to initially take the jump was because I wanted to see if Cruz would drink it. I know he is low on nutrients, he hates to eat, and he loves to drink liquids. Classic mistake on my part, I had him try the very first one I made which was a little on the bitter side. Now when I offer some to him he immediately refuses. He does however like to watch me push the veggies in and see the colorful juice squirt out the side. I will have to start back with just fruit and slowly get him to try it again. Now I have kale, spinach, broccoli, celery, cucumber, and pear once a day and for the other I usually do carrot, cabbage, bok choy, leeks, and apple. When I am running low on produce I use whatever is in the fridge. I have juiced asparagus, green beans, beets, swiss chard, you name it. Carrots, beets, apples, and pears sweeten everything. The cucumber and celery are very mild and a good filler to mix with some of the others that have a stronger flavor. I try to do as many different items a day as I can to try to get as many different nutrients and vitamins that I can. I felt bad throwing out all the pulp and so I've been saving a little bit and adding it into other recipes. I even made a breakfast muffin with some of the pulp, following a carrot/pumpkin recipe from a gluten free cookbook. So, there you go. I highly highly encourage it. I didn't think I would be able to do it. I get low blood sugar, I get hungry and cranky... but honestly, I've never felt as good as I do now. In fact I rarely need coffee anymore, which some of you know means a lot! Some of you guys had emailed me about restricting other foods. Like I said, I am doing it for the benefit, not to lose weight. So if I am hungry or want a snack I will have a high protein snack. We are still gluten free and Cruz and I are dairy free. So, for a snack I might have some organic chicken, gluten free protein bar or crackers. It just depends. I have also sometimes made an additional protein shake right before I start teaching class at 3 because I sometimes teach straight until 7 without a break. I am by no means an expert on any of this. These are just my experiences that I am sharing with you. I'd love to hear your thoughts, comments, or recipe ideas. So, empty out your veggie tray, juice it, raise your glass and Cheers to a better healthier you.The Arellanoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12187897068990041838noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765175446937559519.post-34251877497314671742012-01-28T22:19:00.001-06:002012-01-28T22:20:22.136-06:00Back In the Swing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had a dream years ago that I felt the Lord stir in my heart. The dream was more of a promise and even then I knew it was for the future. Not like a close your eyes and dream of a perfect time and place but more of a can't quit entertaining these ideas during the day kind of dream. Anyone that knows me well knows that I can fall head over heels for any new exciting idea like a small child and a shiny toy. Pitch me a concept that peaks my interest and within minutes I can get spun up in that web with you. But this dream just lingered, just sort of flirted and lingered and I knew it was for the future. So I stuck it in my back pocket knowing that when the time was right it would give me a nudge. A year ago that nudge started to squirm and push and so I did it. I took the leap and opened my own dance studio. I've been freelancing choreography for the last three years in the midst of everything going on, it was a little piece of 'me' time. A small corner of my week that I could focus my creativity and I have loved every minute of it. POINT Performing Arts (www.pointperformingarts.com) opened on January 9, 2012. So, needless to say, we took a hiatus from blogging during the holidays for no other reason than being totally busy and chaotic. Our activity with the outside world slowed a little and we spent a lot of time together with family and we spent a lot of time together getting the studio ready to open. So, I realize that I need to do some catching up on the last month or so, but I wanted you all to know the reason why. We are actually doing well. Cruz has adjusted to the school schedule nicely. Most mornings he wants to ride the bus. There have been a few mornings that he has been sleepy and hasn't wanted to leave the house. However, as soon as that big yellow bus passes the window his excitement grows. I have seen significant improvement in his vocabulary. He is trying. Even though he still isn't hitting the right sounds he is trying to make sound for everything, which is huge!!! He is trying to talk before using sign language and he is trying to put several words together. Now, normally we only get about 2 of the words that he's trying to use, but he is trying. I LOVE getting his backpack home and opening it to see what treasures he created at school. We talk about his art work and Wren and I usually clap for him and tell him how proud we are! The holidays were really great because his cousins came down and Cruz was in absolute heaven. They got to play together for several days and still to this day he asks if we'll see them every time we get in the car! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The holidays were like a giant therapy session for both kids with lots and lots of OT! We made cookies, iced them (Wren ate them), drew pictures for Santa, made gingerbread houses, read lots of books, and had total sensory overload Christmas morning. Fortunately, both of my kids are sensory seekers so they were in heaven. I was really proud of Cruz. He handled it all really well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHUTeFYD4Rgcf3GN9vLkvwj0ybdputpFAq0q5kCJgNEjxJDzjaA1jEjCQZs9zFv2UFD9ghM8IEmvXg-Gx1NauNzCRzL0w-BOZodt9wAluPPh42r053eozWF9y9TxUnFHZlckJpLrstaU/s1600/DSC_0335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHUTeFYD4Rgcf3GN9vLkvwj0ybdputpFAq0q5kCJgNEjxJDzjaA1jEjCQZs9zFv2UFD9ghM8IEmvXg-Gx1NauNzCRzL0w-BOZodt9wAluPPh42r053eozWF9y9TxUnFHZlckJpLrstaU/s640/DSC_0335.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKqXOkwOa4hFo_iWnKESiy-MxwcF8KcoEnNFLy29maPzai1N8ohlpKZ8qR4EBbbR5-NMVXIme2qpdHgZvoHVP8Kdvnwj1Qtgmiko3Iwo78A47mMHq82Y6nMsabPZkMVMlWs89XRXBKWk/s1600/DSC_0479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKqXOkwOa4hFo_iWnKESiy-MxwcF8KcoEnNFLy29maPzai1N8ohlpKZ8qR4EBbbR5-NMVXIme2qpdHgZvoHVP8Kdvnwj1Qtgmiko3Iwo78A47mMHq82Y6nMsabPZkMVMlWs89XRXBKWk/s640/DSC_0479.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">I will do a year in review on the next blog but I needed to just get started again. So, here we are, back on the blog. Get ready because we are in a whole new adventure now. I feel like I am spinning a trailer for a new tv series but honestly it sometimes does feel that way. We still have our 'good' days and our 'bad' days they are just on a whole new level now. We've added a business, a nanny, a new school schedule, and there are some really exciting things on the horizon.</div><div><br />
</div>The Arellanoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12187897068990041838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765175446937559519.post-3523535208175981802011-11-22T11:07:00.000-06:002011-11-22T11:07:01.202-06:00From panic to proudThe phone rang and immediately I recognized that it was Cruz's school's phone number. Realizing that I had only put him on the school bus fifteen minutes before panic gripped me. In the three seconds it took me to answer the phone several thoughts raced through my mind. Had the bus been in an accident? Was he sick? Had he thrown up on the bus? Was there a problem with his immunization records (again)? Had I not filled out or sent required paperwork? Was he okay? "Hi Lindsey this is Cruz's teacher"... "Hi, how are you," I tried to hide the panic in my voice and sound casual and breezy but I'm sure the awkwardness peeked through. "I was calling to tell you that Cruz seems to be pretty high functioning for my class room so we want to move him to another room." Relief immediately flooded me. "He has been doing really well in the classroom so we want to put him in a room that has 10-12 students and is more integrated with example students that he can model after." <div>Up until this point I wasn't really sure how he was doing during the day. I know he responds well with adults so I presumed that he was behaving really well for the teachers and saving most of his fits until he comes home. He still seems to be pretty aggressive towards Wren and me. Hopefully this new classroom environment will really help boost his behavior up to a new level!</div>The Arellanoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12187897068990041838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765175446937559519.post-41441557930680308672011-11-17T09:49:00.001-06:002011-11-17T12:36:57.326-06:00Big day for the big boy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelxQDlkbuPTi0h4qUW_ARbOU2fZkSQIGFsrBnkMzMnDU_yY8CTAuF6NsK4mMaBUKLuVeOmlidEUBuBOg6DOWd2fb5EDaZM-inDT7PPt9FxSAHxoCw6crB3FPIjwaatXGwKCkADgLFNHc/s1600/IMG_2858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelxQDlkbuPTi0h4qUW_ARbOU2fZkSQIGFsrBnkMzMnDU_yY8CTAuF6NsK4mMaBUKLuVeOmlidEUBuBOg6DOWd2fb5EDaZM-inDT7PPt9FxSAHxoCw6crB3FPIjwaatXGwKCkADgLFNHc/s640/IMG_2858.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVCpyayrGXGmV1J3a2zIlSWrPOGqVlYZchLBMg1LPgLAvLJSKcWOEUPwz87C94hstRkZ-JWm9ioWKFPG1Q7xiUjr5Wgsnvcm9I5DKiFeCINXjbvBNxKSKxCOYECn-SaOon-uq7r4LdqZY/s1600/IMG_2864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVCpyayrGXGmV1J3a2zIlSWrPOGqVlYZchLBMg1LPgLAvLJSKcWOEUPwz87C94hstRkZ-JWm9ioWKFPG1Q7xiUjr5Wgsnvcm9I5DKiFeCINXjbvBNxKSKxCOYECn-SaOon-uq7r4LdqZY/s640/IMG_2864.JPG" width="480" /></a></div> Tuesday was Cruz's first day of preschool. I was plagued with anticipation trying to get him ready for big boy school that day. Clueless as to what lay ahead, he bounced around like any other morning watching Dora and playing with Frank. The parking lot was totally full when we pulled in. School busses lined the drive through. We walked across the parking lot and my stomach was tied in knots. I hadn't anticipated feeling such emotion on this day. We walked into the building and Cruz ran up to the reception desk and yelled 'Hi'. His teacher was waiting for us and held Cruz's hand as we all walked back to his room. Upon entering Wren looked around the room and proclaimed, "Whoah!" She immediately wanted to get down and play with the toys. There was a kitchen and bin of toys, including Woody and Buzz, directly in front of us. We let her play for a minute while we explained to Cruz that this was his new school. I told him that his new teacher was just like his other teachers and that if he needed his hugs during the day that she was the one to go to. Cruz got to hang his backpack up in his own little cubby. We each hugged and kissed him and told him goodbye. He asked for knucks and high fives before we left. "Byeeee" he yelled as we walked out. Tears immediately filled my eyes. It was the strangest feeling. I wasn't nervous or scared for him. I knew he would have fun. I think for the first time I realized he was actually growing up, becoming a big boy going to a big boy school. The entire length of the hallway we could hear him continue to yell, "bye" repeatedly. Each time it seemed to spring more tears inside. I tried so hard to swallow that lump. Stopped at the reception desk to ask a quick question and I totally lost it. The poor receptionist looked at me confused, 'Are you okay?' I couldn't even say anything. Jason stepped in, 'Today is our sons first day'. She gave an understanding look and as we walked out I just let those tears fall. Throughout the drive home I had that tugging at my heart. It was incredibly difficult to realize he is graduating to the next step of life. Entering the public school system and he had only turned three a couple of days ago. He was excited and I knew he would have a blast.<br />
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Well, the next morning the school bus came and picked him up from our house. They hadn't told me ahead of time when they would be coming but I knew it would be early. The bus rolled up at 8:00. I frantically tried to get his coat on, backpack, camera, and wren and run out the garage door. He was so excited to see the bus! He had no problem climbing right up those steps into the arms of kind strangers. We waved goodbye and Wren cried when he left. I don't think she cared that he was leaving but she wanted to ride the bus too. 'Ride, Ride, Ride' she cried over and over.<br />
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This morning daddy got to be with us when the bus came. Cruz waited patiently at the top of the driveway. Once he was loaded in his seat he gave daddy and Wren high five and knuckles over and over. We watched his mouth yell 'bye' repeatedly as they drove away. So, here we go, on another new adventure with Cruz!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6h995Eq2Xbp78_H7F30vkWbHRn4rUlBLIYHkrCTdtDo81PIYP9UL2jwjkvqcgSZR9lk3HAQom5faxeuauwZMCGoOM4LkDjJd6ONS-DpLZC1xhqphtHvHeSU_t0aXpcXfrfQEEaoZlDrM/s1600/DSC_0701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6h995Eq2Xbp78_H7F30vkWbHRn4rUlBLIYHkrCTdtDo81PIYP9UL2jwjkvqcgSZR9lk3HAQom5faxeuauwZMCGoOM4LkDjJd6ONS-DpLZC1xhqphtHvHeSU_t0aXpcXfrfQEEaoZlDrM/s640/DSC_0701.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>The Arellanoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12187897068990041838noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765175446937559519.post-40528125227269828722011-11-09T13:42:00.001-06:002011-11-09T18:33:02.853-06:00HollyThis week was the week that I have dreaded for 9 months. In grief stricken anticipation I tried to just avoid reality all week long. I knew it was coming and there was nothing I could do. I don't handle raw emotion every well. I like to stuff it in a tiny little ball and hide it away somewhere, pretending its not there, hoping it dissolves. I've never been good at confrontation, goodbyes, or sharing feelings. I've gotten better since becoming a wife and mother, by forced practice. But there is something about feeling that wave swell inside of you. I guess I'm afraid that it may just take over and once I start crying I won't stop. I was physically sick to my stomach all day Monday. The doorbell rang at 1:15 and there she stood in all her glory with a glowing halo around her head. It was our last therapy session with Cruz's speech therapist. Cruz had eagerly waited at the door for 20 minutes. Even now I am welling with tears and swallowing a lump in my throat. Its one thing to bond with someone over difficult trials and traumas. Its a whole different kind of bond when someone comes in and bonds with your child and changes their life. Cruz literally asks for Holly almost every hour of every day. He is so excited on the days when I tell him that she is in fact coming. He claps and cheers and jumps up and down. He will even sit by the window and wait for her. I know that deep down he has this understanding that she is the one who comes to help him. It breaks my heart every time he asks for her because I know he is never going to get to have another therapy session with Holly. Our contract with first steps has to end when he turns 3 and starts preschool. The entire session I felt like I couldn't even look her in the eye or I would cry. Holly came into our life when we were at the bottom of the barrel. I was at the end of my rope with Cruz and I didn't know what to do. Calling first steps was what I thought was las resort. Really it was just the beginning of a different chapter. She has been here every single week walking along side us through this crazy journey. She didn't just do what she 'had to do'. Holly would drop off books on my front porch at times, even a plate of cookies. When I had to switch to gluten free Holly was my go to for recipes, advice, you name it. She mentored me through this whole process making herself available to me any time and I don't know what I would have done without her in my life. There has always been that sense of relief that I can ask Holly what to do about any number of given situations. If she didn't know off the top of her head she would research for me. It's a strange feeling the first time or two that someone comes into your home to 'evaluate' your child and 'diagnose' the situation. Then when you find out that person will be coming every single week and it can be intimidating. But Holly became like family to us, even to Franklin who was incredibly excited to see her each time. In thirty years Cruz may not remember this past year, but we will make sure that he is very aware of the journey he led us on and the people that impacted his life. Until Holly came, we didn't know signs, we didn't know about sensory issues, we had never heard of Apraxia. Until Holly came we weren't sure if Cruz was ahead of the curve or behind, if he was always going to have problems or if there was hope. Holly brought a lot of things to us, most of all hope. I couldn't write her a thank you because it would have been ten pages long. And I of course wanted to avoid the rising well of tears, which are now spilling. How can you possibly put into words a thank you that seems appropriate for the life changing impact she had with Cruz. She may never fully know the difference that she made in our family, but we will never forget. This next week Cruz starts ECSE. So we tearfully close one chapter and turn the page to start another.The Arellanoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12187897068990041838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765175446937559519.post-22318883406828144382011-10-24T16:39:00.000-05:002011-10-24T16:39:44.673-05:00Progress Reports<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This past week Jason, my mother and I met with Springfield Public Schools ECSE to go over all of Cruz's evaluations. He had 5 separate tests that were administered on different days. The special education preschool is about 25 minutes from my house. The school itself is a diamond in the rough. It is in a not so great location but it's bright and colorful, shiny and new, and full of hope. We all sat down around a conference table and the first thing out of his caseworkers mouth was, "Cruz is very bright, very very bright." We all sighed relief. During our two hour meeting we discussed the results of each one of his tests. Fortunately, each one of his testing results seemed accurate and consistent with how he is majority of the time. Cognitively we scored average and seemed to actually score above average on visual reception, memory, and block building design. His extreme difficulty with expressive language brought his overall score down. Their findings were concurrent with the diagnosis of Apraxia, SPD, and social/emotional delays. So, Cruz is being admitted full time to morning preschool. The school bus will pick him up and bring him back home. We got to tour the facility and meet his teacher. There will be no more than 6 kids in his class with one teacher and two aids. In addition, he will also receive 90 minutes of specialized speech therapy every week and 30 minutes of occupational therapy every week. We are so excited for him. I know he is going to have a blast. I've been very emotional this past week watching the progression. Nine months ago this little guy could only say mama, dada, and no. He couldn't produce the 'e', 'o', 'y', 'i' sounds or majority of the consonants. He wouldn't hold eye contact, he wasn't happy, he had screaming fits for hours on end. He would run his head into the floor. Now, my son is a different child. I know God has been answering our prayers and I am so thankful for the medication we finally put him on. It has made a world of a difference. We really hesitated and procrastinated on using any kind of medication. After exhausting all other efforts we agreed to try them. He is so much happier now. He is starting to sleep better. He still wakes up during the night but he goes to bed earlier than midnight, usually around nine. He hasn't had any of his major screaming fits since he started the medication. Everyone that is around him is amazed at how he is suddenly friendlier, more engaging, and pleasant. Today his speech therapist came, who we love and will be devastated to have to part ways with in a few weeks. Cruz has been asking for her all week. She told us that he has one of the most severe cases of Apraxia that she's ever seen. But, and there is always a but.... he is making major improvements. This kid is going to have an amazing story. Sitting here now on the computer, I can hear him in the backyard with Franklin just singing his little heart out. The other night I was putting him to bed and I just laid there next to him in the dark looking up at the stars on his cieling. I ran my fingers through his thick hair and realized how big he is getting. Tears filled my eyes as I realized only a few months ago I was pulling my hair out at the bottom of the barrel not sure how to get through each hour with him. Here in the still quiet of the night snuggled up with his favorite blankets I thanked God for the tremendous progress and growth he has accomplished. I know God is going to continue to do amazing things with Cruz and I am so humbled.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1Pb71Q9WyNBlkM3cTQm-scOr7hAxIUy4WQ1hjHBAsQfcrCk5i77NzkGl36GaGbkvX55-G3nhfugYEKQWBCH7lNFdWPZfWeiaWct0vSnCfdzr99Z4uv7rkNveFmVkBOG2WzqpsrMryCw/s1600/oct18S.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1Pb71Q9WyNBlkM3cTQm-scOr7hAxIUy4WQ1hjHBAsQfcrCk5i77NzkGl36GaGbkvX55-G3nhfugYEKQWBCH7lNFdWPZfWeiaWct0vSnCfdzr99Z4uv7rkNveFmVkBOG2WzqpsrMryCw/s640/oct18S.jpg" width="464" /></a></div>The Arellanoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12187897068990041838noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765175446937559519.post-49997348321972064472011-10-17T19:25:00.000-05:002011-10-17T19:25:52.855-05:00LabelsTo some the very idea of slapping a label on someone or something makes them instantly defensive. We've been so trained to think outside of the box, not to let anyone or anything define you, break the mold, not to conform... Everyone strives to be an individual, something different, special, unique. I think our generation has done a really good job of learning to celebrate diversity, learn from other people's differences, and accept individuals for who they really are. There are some people, like me, however that placing a label on something actually feels good. If it wasn't for labels we would have never known how dangerous cigarettes really are. If it wasn't for labels we wouldn't know what is in the processed food we are eating. If it wasn't for labels we wouldn't know much about medicine, expirations, care instructions, and so on. So much of my life I have struggled with multiple physical health issues. Doctor after doctor, each would tell me that they were not sure what the problem was. There was no real 'medical' explanation for the terrible stomach aches. People would tell me, it's just in your head, its just stress. I would tell them about the terrible pain that I was in and since it didn't seem to fit certain criteria they all made me feel like I was crazy. Now that I have been going to my naturopathic doctor, who is life changing, I am learning so much. After running some testes, he told me in the history of his career he has never had anyone test as highly sensitive to gluten as me. I am so sensitive in fact that the test quit testing me. Looking back it makes so much sense. It wasn't all in my head, it wasn't all because of stress. I was actually allergic to something that I was eating everyday. That's when a lot of things began to make sense for me. Now with getting a label of Fibromyalgia I have the same peace. It really wasn't any surprise. I have had these issues for years and have been unsure of what was causing me so much pain. I don't feel bound by a label. I feel freed. To me the label helps me process not only what has transpired, but gives me direction for my life. It doesn't change the way that my body feels, it has always felt that way. It gives me peace of mind to know that for so long it wasn't all just in my head. So many people have asked me how it felt when Cruz got 'labeled' and I have addressed it in some early posts. For the two years prior to diagnosis I thought there was something wrong with me. I thought I wasn't breastfeeding right, didn't choose the right foods or bottle for him, I must not have sleep trained him right, etc. When his second birthday hit and his behavior got worse and he still could only say mama and that was it, I knew I needed to get him evaluated but I still wasn't sure if I had missed some steps along the way. For two years I have been given all of the advice you can possibly imagine from everyone you can imagine. Some of it was helpful, some of it was hurtful. "If you would just spend more time reading books" or "If you would just spend more time singing songs" or "If you would follow this schedule..." The list goes on and on. I beat myself up for two years thinking I was not a good mom because I couldn't get my kid to smile, I couldn't get him to eat, I couldn't get him to do tummy time." If you'd just lay down some guidelines...." Trust me, guidelines were layed down. I really struggled with trying to understand why he seemed so delayed in certain areas. Then the diagnosis came. It is a weird feeling when you get news that is 'bad' news but you know its coming. The month prior to his actual evaluation the pressure built up like steam in a kettle. At this point I figured something was wrong but I didn't know what it was. Once the labels came, I wavered between feeling upset and feeling relieved. I know that probably sounds crazy. After two years of thinking I had been doing everything wrong, I realized for the first time that it wasn't because of my mistakes as a mother. It wasn't just because I hadn't gotten the right puzzles or books to look at. Bless his little heart he was just made special in such a way that we were going to have to do things a little different. I am okay with different. Different doesn't bother me, it doesn't scare me. The labels don't scare me. The labels gave me a guide, like a road map. So instead of taking the highway where a majority of the kids travel pretty quickly with minimal lane changes and a steady pace, we are going to go off the path. Our trail is a little bumpy, curvy, not well lit. Similar to a Baja 300 Off-Road Race. You never know what is going to be around each corner. But there are others that are on this same terrain and those that have walked this trail before us that help us along the way. We are grateful for family and friends who serve as our pit crew along the way. Providing us with prayer and encouragement. My roadmap is different from yours, but we will end up getting to the same place. It may take us a little longer, we may have some major meltdowns along the way, but in time we will get there. Our label gave us a roadmap. Without it, we might still be standing at the starting line not sure of which direction to go. So, no, I am not upset about the labeling of autism, or apraxia, or fibromyalgia. My question is simply, what's the next step. For each day that we walk what is the next step that we take. If all of the roadmaps available for life were rolled up and we each got to pick one from a big barrel, we wouldn't choose for our children to take a harder trail. However, I am so glad that we got the right roadmap for us. And we wouldn't have known which one was right without a label. Misdiagnosis and wrong labeling can be devastating. But once you have the right label, the right roadmap, your journey becomes much smoother. You begin to meet other travelers along the way with similar stories, similar journeys... there are some up ahead that are able to yell back "watch out for that step, keep going you are almost there..." And there are others just starting that we are able to reach out to and offer encouragement for their journey. Imagine arriving in a remote uncivilized foreign land and realizing that your map and your translation guide are for the wrong location. It would be incredibly frustrating. If someone could help and simply offer you the correct map and guide you would feel so relieved. That is where we are with the labels. Our five point harnesses are strapped tight and we are thankful for the added direction.The Arellanoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12187897068990041838noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765175446937559519.post-52655834260246520812011-10-12T19:55:00.001-05:002011-10-13T19:51:46.919-05:00Learning lessons along the wayI remember those first 4 months of motherhood and thinking, if I can just get through these four months of sleep deprivation, it's going to get so much better. Well, some things have gotten better and other things have gotten worse but I have still struggled with that mindset. 'If he'd just take a nap I could get things done', 'If I can just get to 6:30 Jason will be home and I'll have an extra set of hands'. 'If he'd just sleep through the night' 'If we can just get through this week and get to the weekend.' 'If we can just get through this aggressive phase' 'If we can just get through this teething phase' 'If we can just get through....' It's really easy to fill in the blank. It happens on a daily basis. But I don't want to live my life wishing for what's ahead and just 'getting through'. I don't want to live for the future to get there and realized I missed out on so many things along the way. That's not the way God intended it. I realized this truth about 6 months ago and I have been really trying to make an effort to find things each day to look forward to instead of looking at the negative things I want to get past. I am a dreamer by nature, a restless spirit. I am always dreaming of new adventures and idealizing my plans and dreams. If Jason had a dime for each time I've said, 'let's just up and move to an island, or let's just buy a farm and live off of the land, or let's just move to the beach' we'd probably have enough money to actually do it. If your strength is also your weakness then my positive dreaming would turn into restlessness. Its not that my mindset is negative all the time but I do find myself looking forward to too many things. In July I am already looking forward to Christmas, by Christmas I can't wait for spring. I finally started putting things on the calendar to look forward to each week and trying to plan things in the middle of the week instead of the weekend to re-program my mind. It was working really well for me. I find myself now in sleep deprivation starting to pull back this old mindset... 'if we can just get the sleep issue figured out...' A friend posted on facebook this week the statement "God doesn't always give us what we want, but he always gives us what we need." Coming from another special needs mom, it was a refreshing reminder. What I want is to solve the sleep issue and get a really good solid nights sleep. However, if we are going to take the long way through this, then I have to lean on the truth that God has already given me what I need to make it through each day. I may want more sleep, but technically we've been functioning this way for quite awhile. I don't know how we always get through, but we do. Some days we do better than others. I have to try to be present in the moment and find things to enjoy each day. Some days are easier than others. I have to hold on to those moments and remind myself to be present. Its the little things, like seeing the kids sharing, learning a new sound or word, watching the kids grow and develop... Although he is still very much behind he has grown by leaps and bounds over the last two months. Really the last two weeks especially. Even though the sounds are not accurate he is trying to put two words together, for the first time. He is incorporating more sounds than before, using vocabulary while he is signing. He is more approachable with people and is building relationships. He asks for his speech therapist, Holly, every single day. When we say our prayers at night we say 'God bless... ' and let him fill in the names, he always includes mom and dad, grandparents, cousins Henley, Rogan, and Rivi, uncle Matt, and his therapists Holly and Beth. To the layperson you wouldn't recognize half of the names that he says but we know who he is talking about. I have to treasure some of our tender moments together. So that is my goal for this week. (I have to set short term goals to actually accomplish them) My prayer is that I would enjoy my children, that we would have fun together, and there would be joy and peace in the home.The Arellanoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12187897068990041838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765175446937559519.post-41291939888951158752011-10-03T15:01:00.000-05:002011-10-03T15:01:09.466-05:00Sleep DeprivationThere are some lessons in life that you don't truly understand or learn until you are a parent. Such as the high value of a good nights sleep. It really is better to go to bed early and get a good night sleep. 'Nothing good happens after midnight', 'Sleep it off, you'll feel better in the morning'... There is a reason that sleep deprivation is used as a form of human punishment and torture. I would literally give everything I own to solve the sleep issues in our house and get a good night's sleep. In three years I would guess that we've all actually slept through the night only a handful of times. Cruz averages 5-6 hours a night, often with no daytime nap. After a year of trying to understand what he wanted, we learned that he wants to sleep in the hallway on the hardwood floor upside down in a corner with his head on the hard floor and bottom up in the air. The other night he even folded back the rug on the floor so that he was only touching the wood. That's what he wants, but I can't leave my 29 lb almost 3 year old in the hallway when I go to bed. So, Jason takes him back to his room and lays him down after he falls asleep in the hallway. (mind you this is after a few hours of trying to get him to just lay down, or just stay in his room) I think he is going to be a sniper because he has mastered the ability to sneak out of his room and crawl down the dark hallway and somehow sneak up right behind me. The really creepy part is that he doesn't say anything and he just stares at me. Sometimes I can just see the whites of his eyes approaching. I used to jump when I saw him but now I am getting used to it, even though it is still very creepy. Once he finally does fall asleep in the hall he will stay asleep for awhile but is up again in a few hours. We've tried everything. Well, I should say we've tried everything that has been suggested. Weighted blanket, mat on the floor, nightlight, sound machine, massage, warm bath, natural supplements, protein, melatonin, the list goes on... We've not yet found the right solution for Cruz. If anyone has any other suggestions or ideas, please please let us know. We have finally put a crib mattress on our floor and put him to bed in the same room as us. He tends to fall asleep easier but is still up in the middle of the night. He always comes to mommy when he gets up during the night. So, last night we tried to trick him. Jason and I switched sides. He woke up and stood in front of Jason for a little bit, confused, and then finally walked around to the other side to get me. In our ongoing lack of sleep, I have realized a truth about myself that I always suspected. I am one of those people that needs quality sleep at night. I don't do well with naps. I need good long night time uninterrupted sleep. Some people, like Jason, can get only 5 hours and still have a great day. Still be cheerful, perky, never complain. I think he trained his body this way in the military because I am convinced it isn't natural. In all honesty, Jason would never complain or tell me even if he was really tired anyways. However, this mama needs 8 hours of sleep or I tend to be a 'little' cranky and a 'little' tense. I have also learned that it is much easier to deal with screaming fits and catching kicks to the ribs and an elbow to the eye after having a good night's sleep. Its easier to try to be patient with whining and quick to show compassion when my own body feels rested and ready to go. It's definitely easier to do that extra load of laundry and make a nice dinner when I can actually get up off the floor after playing with the kids. Somehow its easier to try to understand the grunting and mumbling when I feel rested. So, really it is in everyone's best interest for us all to get a good night's sleep. Everyday we face different challenges but this sleep issue is a constant and has been a constant since the day he was born. Looking back now it is easier to understand why he screamed and cried so much as a baby. He was dealing with all kinds of sensory things even back then. Three years later its still the same issues and unfortunately he still can't tell me what exactly is bothering him. So, we play a giant guessing game. I sometimes lay there in bed and try to go over and over our routine trying to figure out where we can make changes. I try to evaluate what he had too much of, or not enough of, or try to think of something new we've never thought of... So, I'm opening up the invitation for any suggestions that any of you may have. If you think to pray for us this week, please pray for sleep, for everyone! Thank you!The Arellanoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12187897068990041838noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765175446937559519.post-71645606629205615042011-09-20T09:02:00.000-05:002011-09-20T09:02:54.616-05:00Vacation Part II<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;">By the second part of the vacation the honeymoon effect of being together with the kids all the time began to wain a little as we prepared to say goodbye to lots of family. I looked around the one bedroom condo that had been our home for a full week and realized it was going to take way longer than initially planned to actually repack our bags and load everything up. We had a six hour car drive to Denver ahead of us and then two days later we would drive back across country. Unlike normal last days of vacay, where you can just shove it all in a messy pile knowing that the second you get home you will throw it in the wash, we had to try to figure out exactly what we would need and repack it into a single bag. As I folded and packed the kids would pull items out and lay in the suitcase. Overall I think it took us almost four hours to pack up a tiny condo and load it into our car. By the time we put the kids in the car they were covered in mud from head to toe. We said our goodbyes and headed up north, hoping that the kids would nap so that we wouldn't have to pretend to see a bear run towards us the entire 6 hours for the sake of an adrenaline rush. We stopped in Pueblo and visited Jason's dad and then headed up to Denver. It was a weird mix of feeling relieved and yet somber at the same time. The purpose of this part of the trip was to be a part of the Remembering the Brave ceremony. This ceremony honors fallen heroes and gives their grieving family a chance to come together in a beautiful event that is truly life changing. Unlike our condo, we were in a much smaller room and with less amenities. We decided Saturday morning that we had to get the kids out of the hotel and let them stretch their legs so that they would be good for childcare that evening. We took them to the Denver Zoo and they had such a good time. Jason and I loved seeing so many of the animals that our quaint little zoo doesn't hold, like polar bears, apes, chimpanzees, etc. Cruz rode the train and the carousel and it was wonderful.</span><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> I will say that the afternoon was insane between kids crying, whining, screaming, throwing an entire box of cereal into the bed, and us trying to get ready for a black tie event. We checked the kids into childcare and began to mingle. It is such a truly humbling event to attend. There is a hall of heroes which displays the uniform and bodice of each fallen hero with two framed pictures, their citation, and all of their medals. It was truly heartbreaking to see pictures of some of the men with their children, knowing the outcome of their fate. We ate dinner and sat next to Ed and Pam Rogan, who are a truly amazing selfless giving couple that devote much of their time to volunteering and awareness. We also had the pleasure of sitting with two families who's sons were 3/5 Marines that had been killed last October in Afghanistan. For them, it hadn't even been a full year. The ceremony featured 3 gold star families that spoke briefly of their journey's and how they had tried to cope with the grief. They presented colors and sang the nationals anthem. Listening to the powerful words of the song, I couldn't help but cry knowing sacrifice and bloodshed behind the protection of that flag. We had a wonderful steak dinner, and then the ceremony commenced. There wasn't a dry eye in the building as family after family was addressed by Marines in dress blues presenting them a bouquet of yellow roses, one for each year of the life that they were honoring. They were also presented a plaque of mounted medals that the hero had rated. There were young widows, moms, dads, brothers and sisters, so many there to mourn the loss of their loved one. It was beautiful. Colonel Grosso spoke afterwards in a touching detailed speech that left everyone choking back tears and swallowing the lumps in their throat. Grosso shed insight in the perspective of an officer and how they process through the grief when one of their men is killed. Johnny Bulford concluded the event singing the song 'Remember the Brave'. In those moments of complete humility there is sometimes nothing that you can really say to any of these families that is appropriate. I'm sorry for you loss begins to sound very cold and formal. Everything that Jason and I experienced was as a couple. Now, being a mom, my perspective has changed. Trying to possibly understand the hurt these women were feeling... I just couldn't imagine. I was speaking to Deb Tainsh, who has written two wonderful and honest books (Heart of a Hawk, and Surviving the Folded Flag) She told me that when you lose a spouse, you lose a partner... when you lose a child, you lose part of your future. The Tainsh family name ended with the loss of their son Patrick.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The next day we attended the 10K run and the kids loved watching everyone run and march! Before we headed back on the long journey home, we took the kids to the Denver Acquarium. It was the perfect way to end the trip for the kids. They got to run freely and explore and see all of theses amazing beautiful creatures. There were otters, turtles, sharks, stingrays, there were even mermaids that swam in the tank while we ate lunch. Winding up, we grimaced knowing the long trip that lay ahead. We dreaded the never ending corn fields, and constant whining from the back seat. We were exhausted and didn't feel like listening to Nemo one more time in the car. "Let's just drive a little farther," we said at each passing town. We actually made it all the way to Topeka despite the screaming that lasted the entire last two hours. We were all exhausted. But the next morning we headed into KC and saw our family and let the kids play with their cousins at the park. The last 2 1/2 hour trip home seemed like a breeze after the whirlwind we had been on. It was hard to believe all the things we had done over the last two weeks. Like a dream, it seemed distant and vague.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Ending the trip with the Remembering the Brave ceremony was, as always, a sobering reminder of the fact that while we face our daily obstacles and hardships, we are together. We are alive. We have freedom, because someone else is standing in the gap protecting our freedoms. We are able to go through our daily life because someone else was willing to lay their life down. Another mom is grieving right now because she lost her son today, so that mine would have a future. As I am trying to lay out Cruz's clothes for school tomorrow, another mom is making funeral arrangements so that we can live in freedom. It is up to us to never forget what was done for us. Yet in addition to our worldly freedom, we are able to have true joy and peace in the circumstances that life brings us. Jesus Christ stood in the gap for us and laid down his life. He paved a way for us to know true freedom and everlasting joy and peace. He has provided for us that which we don't deserve. It's so humbling I can't fully fathom. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">These moms that lost their sons would give everything they could to hear their child's voice again. Even if Cruz's voice tends to be whining or screaming, even if it is accompanied by hitting and kicking, how can I complain? He is making sound, which is a miracle. He is alive... This is the perspective I must continually strive for, even on our roughest days. I just may occasionally need some headphones or some time outs for myself, after all I am only human. But I do have peace and joy and freedom, thanks to our American Heroes, and Jesus Christ.</div><div><br />
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</div>The Arellanoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12187897068990041838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765175446937559519.post-66931651120613733042011-09-17T10:44:00.000-05:002011-09-17T10:44:26.397-05:00Vacation Part 1The fourteen hour car ride proved to go smoother than expected, thanks to the stops made to allow every one to get out and stretch their legs. There is a reason that the super amazing play ground at the park in Amarillo, Texas was empty at 12:30 in the afternoon on September first. Once we got the kids out, after hyping it up for an hour and begging them to hold the crying just a little longer, we realized it was like 110 degrees. The slides were on fire and you couldn't touch the railings, but we tried to let them play as long as it was humanely tolerable to break up the trip and allow all of us to stretch our legs out. The last two hours of the trip through the mountain pass was crazy with both kids alternating from whining to screaming repetitively in a sort of symphonic competition to see who could be the loudest. But, we made it. After pretending to spot about 100 bears, 100 trains, and 100 'I promise we are almost there' sayings. We did actually make it and with time to get checked in to our condo and go eat. Even though we did have to twist their arms to get back into the car seat to drive to the restaurant. That first night we met up with Jason's brother Justin and his girlfriend Erica. The kids did ok that night because they were so exhausted. And we allowed Cruz to just sleep in between us, he was in heaven. Let me be clear that I was not. Especially after getting rolled over, kicked, and chicken chested every thirty minutes all night long. The next morning we got up and ate at Michael's Kitchen! Jason's mom Rachel joined us for breakfast and had a chance to see the kids for the first time in almost a whole year. Once we finished up, we went to the park and hung out all day with family. That night was a different story. We aren't really sure what happened but Cruz fell asleep around 8:30 after a day of no naps. Then he woke up screaming at 9:30, 11:30, and 1:30 each time screaming at the top of his lungs for like 20 minutes. There was nothing we could do. I honestly thought the first time that he was having a seizure as his body was flailing and he wouldn't look at us. There was nothing that would stop the crying. Each time it would wake wren, needless to say, we were exhausted by morning. Sunday morning Jason spoke at church and I tried to corral the kids and keep them quiet. Which was near impossible in the one room church building so we sat in the car and watched a video until daddy was done. The rest of the day was a family filled day and the kids had a blast. I tried to soak up as much knowledge as possible from Jason's aunt Martha, who has her master's in Special Ed. Two of Martha's three children are deaf, so she has learned first hand and professionally the best ways to improve language skills. She definitely gave us some new concepts and ideas to work on and think about. Her excitement to engage Cruz and play with him was refreshing and allowed me the opportunity to not feel the need to step in constantly before something is broken, before he falls, etc. Normally in a new environment I'm constantly having to make sure that the kids are not destroying things, not eating rocks, etc. Yesterday was like a lesson for mama to just chill out and not constantly watch them. I didnt grow up in a large family and I am used to having to police them myself. Yesterday I would turn around and see a cousin, an aunt or an uncle holding the kids or playing with them. It was so awesome to know that with so much family around that there were always eyes on them, besides mine. I had truly planned to make multiple posts through the trip but that didn't happen. Over the next couple of days we visited lots of family. We played with cousins. We got ice cream. We went up to the ski valley and although the lift was closed we did find some horses to feed. We took a family music class at Twirl. Which was a darling enchanted kids play place. We went swimming at our condo. We ate tons of good Mexican food. We even managed to squeeze sushi in one night. I'm pretty sure it was the only meal all week that didn't include green chili. Jason, and Aaron and I even managed to do our fantasy football draft from our condo (which I feel really confident about my team). I was able to squeeze in a few workouts, but for the most part it was a relaxing time with family... until we packed up and drove 6 hours to Denver...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our drive into the back side of Taos</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking the same path dad used to walk when he was a kid to go to the bus stop</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful patios and courtyards are hiding everywhere in Taos</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taos plaza</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruz trying to keep up with a couple of the girl cousins</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruz stretching out his arm</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwgXr99m-_HiAvcXsLBD_AmX2PZvBSsn6lsIkU2uAIXexbTEEuEIQG0txlXsWsv7-r9i0morVi49jVhDV-gPnwivtEBq0y1ywJwzHw4LIvNC5jpz-0JJ2xZdWF27GWA5HOLMR_Fw2LTU/s1600/taos07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwgXr99m-_HiAvcXsLBD_AmX2PZvBSsn6lsIkU2uAIXexbTEEuEIQG0txlXsWsv7-r9i0morVi49jVhDV-gPnwivtEBq0y1ywJwzHw4LIvNC5jpz-0JJ2xZdWF27GWA5HOLMR_Fw2LTU/s640/taos07.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">storm rolling in</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blast from the past... the boy cousins picking up a game of football. I'm pretty sure they are all laughing because someone got popped in the face by a ball</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">team huddle</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">teaching Cruz how to play center</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Touchdown!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruz honestly thinks he is just as big and running just as fast</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruz is getting ready to chop block his uncle Justin</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">girls will be girls.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the storm. There was a double rainbow but it faded before we got the shot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-iZ-eHz0C_-P7k67U8CbYiKSCWQYMqJxa4VAWGFLxnPl_44OegannbYp6gCs5y5tKz0yr4nK_6u_F2ytNfPTats09Lb14ujYzZp0Sc5aHyoqvvqlZCbLXz4NPVmRcwWyNFJqjm0XepE/s1600/taos17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-iZ-eHz0C_-P7k67U8CbYiKSCWQYMqJxa4VAWGFLxnPl_44OegannbYp6gCs5y5tKz0yr4nK_6u_F2ytNfPTats09Lb14ujYzZp0Sc5aHyoqvvqlZCbLXz4NPVmRcwWyNFJqjm0XepE/s640/taos17.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from Jason's backyard</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMZ-lvrUP9VCpDldB375UoqbL7WO2CDKP6mANH90ARhny0AdslKPQ8a2InhX-q8v2M9eDU5he-vz9L2vR3aHrlnPZtHtpHfd4n7knloPVpLFjalGLbrC2VaXlkq1fOlyB49MIrv9ZRAA/s1600/taos18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMZ-lvrUP9VCpDldB375UoqbL7WO2CDKP6mANH90ARhny0AdslKPQ8a2InhX-q8v2M9eDU5he-vz9L2vR3aHrlnPZtHtpHfd4n7knloPVpLFjalGLbrC2VaXlkq1fOlyB49MIrv9ZRAA/s640/taos18.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ready to swim!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGDupYSZh8oE_HvDSXejd_njCoRJhDyRW5cwUO1Z-vAUjJOs_SB_t8UAheILsGqGDwYha1OJiMPN1OPSE0YUnZFU1QUzMNY8p0-vC5N46ezMQs6mVXVr125MmOVzltHpU-V5Txomcj4A/s1600/taos19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGDupYSZh8oE_HvDSXejd_njCoRJhDyRW5cwUO1Z-vAUjJOs_SB_t8UAheILsGqGDwYha1OJiMPN1OPSE0YUnZFU1QUzMNY8p0-vC5N46ezMQs6mVXVr125MmOVzltHpU-V5Txomcj4A/s640/taos19.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids had a blast on our back patio playing with all the pebbles and stones</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioM8pfBafkeKyCmIsot3qN_olHapLu63LLVCyla_EeRas58iX2zf7IeulTYClc69qd8C14GLH6MT1esQQdSqG3vq5nO9roT1E6iYCHpRH6ya9k0p26AqbdmZeJ54phMfa5D6eozxuPFFg/s1600/taos20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioM8pfBafkeKyCmIsot3qN_olHapLu63LLVCyla_EeRas58iX2zf7IeulTYClc69qd8C14GLH6MT1esQQdSqG3vq5nO9roT1E6iYCHpRH6ya9k0p26AqbdmZeJ54phMfa5D6eozxuPFFg/s640/taos20.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so happy to be swimming</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWnoaoBO6sc6C1FOc2LAZZcYYF97yX9s3nVBOhJIXl_hbrWPWGrTTCOEO9y5HusHe1X0OELoZEDoBLThE-3r3j_B_JMFtYdGbarnMq6mbQiL5wFeUrRokxNzi4T_HabqXgJevW6t1WFI/s1600/taos21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWnoaoBO6sc6C1FOc2LAZZcYYF97yX9s3nVBOhJIXl_hbrWPWGrTTCOEO9y5HusHe1X0OELoZEDoBLThE-3r3j_B_JMFtYdGbarnMq6mbQiL5wFeUrRokxNzi4T_HabqXgJevW6t1WFI/s640/taos21.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick teaching Layandria how to dive in off of the side</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFWTWk5PEDnaWubGaAkAtq29iDZkjZau8WBYUqmFLimHVMjzTjHLFhr9x0C4u6yUbIg5UE4KhzseGZD-RYr9EY5gfX8LpR0YKIajnoUZpuIStyANBO2QZ4T3ISMBC82t8TCY1WCNRqFM/s1600/taos22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFWTWk5PEDnaWubGaAkAtq29iDZkjZau8WBYUqmFLimHVMjzTjHLFhr9x0C4u6yUbIg5UE4KhzseGZD-RYr9EY5gfX8LpR0YKIajnoUZpuIStyANBO2QZ4T3ISMBC82t8TCY1WCNRqFM/s640/taos22.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">driving up to the ski valley</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41FBTqMkxc_T3GgajsyauT2hgCdAt2rbo87fk13VwuSOtRhXSh7CrByY-8Th-IHAykPomVu2IFPvBRDY-t0e3l-M9BPXqUHI8tbG_qVJGlo2OJdE1M4uVrHLYzrC6SJbIilFGVOesrZg/s1600/taos23.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41FBTqMkxc_T3GgajsyauT2hgCdAt2rbo87fk13VwuSOtRhXSh7CrByY-8Th-IHAykPomVu2IFPvBRDY-t0e3l-M9BPXqUHI8tbG_qVJGlo2OJdE1M4uVrHLYzrC6SJbIilFGVOesrZg/s640/taos23.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jason's grandpa was a lift operator for over 30 years</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEwsorASrmsks9bl3iffLnzq3NUYlQ_w2vk2RUnE6cnNZUEljP9fui255ORvlYt4OdYVRVfOsMj5S34nvQiYIB5Kd9CyMe10jHSkdFlSwbyXxYKRKbmBGvDUVrcgHqqpXCjOEfM-52ho/s1600/taos24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEwsorASrmsks9bl3iffLnzq3NUYlQ_w2vk2RUnE6cnNZUEljP9fui255ORvlYt4OdYVRVfOsMj5S34nvQiYIB5Kd9CyMe10jHSkdFlSwbyXxYKRKbmBGvDUVrcgHqqpXCjOEfM-52ho/s640/taos24.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids loved feeding the horses</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGY7snXGw5EtpSnj0ROaK_njXjlUeplUDgrI9DJ-juQckdPTLjG3VhmwkPSk7-tvnsoBNWm2E3MPxpB0qZTF9gr64-oMshn0huGWm6AUr_531E1PSSsF9R8SaQpNEOIQZkmdY_xO_pqiU/s1600/taos25.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGY7snXGw5EtpSnj0ROaK_njXjlUeplUDgrI9DJ-juQckdPTLjG3VhmwkPSk7-tvnsoBNWm2E3MPxpB0qZTF9gr64-oMshn0huGWm6AUr_531E1PSSsF9R8SaQpNEOIQZkmdY_xO_pqiU/s640/taos25.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jason rode this a time or two when he was younger</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXaSd6Wy_QrbViWkrn3W-Gjf7-albDgAjL1CXKhhq-iFEP6QQbVjEBwCTHZvqpzjt7E7uvschBXjbBLlgI-bHuGXzjeRzZdfV0HH1WGznmJ1CSOXYmPJQIklkmEQ8m31cbbjeqGQtTqI/s1600/taos26.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXaSd6Wy_QrbViWkrn3W-Gjf7-albDgAjL1CXKhhq-iFEP6QQbVjEBwCTHZvqpzjt7E7uvschBXjbBLlgI-bHuGXzjeRzZdfV0HH1WGznmJ1CSOXYmPJQIklkmEQ8m31cbbjeqGQtTqI/s640/taos26.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruz is about the same age that Jason was when he started skiing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwRAwR-L_Tvt9gGvaqCcYwAvJqn5aOo-GAsOl5k2Fr2jL_TTwb4cOKirMriWTCqfFqkXjXOVMVpyvtxSW4wXj6tIOq1znuiGTRgrPPhEBJwNVID2WrlojMOmoYF8C-YK_U07egGAdEdY/s1600/taos27.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwRAwR-L_Tvt9gGvaqCcYwAvJqn5aOo-GAsOl5k2Fr2jL_TTwb4cOKirMriWTCqfFqkXjXOVMVpyvtxSW4wXj6tIOq1znuiGTRgrPPhEBJwNVID2WrlojMOmoYF8C-YK_U07egGAdEdY/s640/taos27.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the kids with cousin Xailey, who is two weeks older than Cruz</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxnJFVUNM8V9r_vlUTheMC_AT_NfWJywiNNKEShfnLEzKEr39i3D6yZwPGu0n8AggShyphenhyphenQYJT2rVwW4-Hlt224MAxKu7t-OC_YA4oqRTm56oeesrjo4ue3d6onYJBnzKKjLQFg6GWavVg/s1600/taos28.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxnJFVUNM8V9r_vlUTheMC_AT_NfWJywiNNKEShfnLEzKEr39i3D6yZwPGu0n8AggShyphenhyphenQYJT2rVwW4-Hlt224MAxKu7t-OC_YA4oqRTm56oeesrjo4ue3d6onYJBnzKKjLQFg6GWavVg/s640/taos28.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfUEj3ct9mmK6OPpOkhxkag9X-3Uy6ChbcWxC0olpKjZyJ9zXGexIy5Hjn6_TziW-33LiihwLHefSP3IwY4JiWGwwIcC3zOI8RIjXjNfPoBDjiUBOU5DIIGWNX86EAkGh8VLoDcjE_Ds/s1600/taos29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfUEj3ct9mmK6OPpOkhxkag9X-3Uy6ChbcWxC0olpKjZyJ9zXGexIy5Hjn6_TziW-33LiihwLHefSP3IwY4JiWGwwIcC3zOI8RIjXjNfPoBDjiUBOU5DIIGWNX86EAkGh8VLoDcjE_Ds/s640/taos29.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV58mha9bi0Vi3ZyEnvAbYe6jdYqe2t-LXeEAJ1XjS4q-dBMWVHoBELSvdecUtjXMlmtexjWN-d6VfsP-8GBvr8twc27nHtgNIuFc19vOPRCNUpL47MCMelWC2-i-V_kfRC_eia7ChdY8/s1600/taos31.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV58mha9bi0Vi3ZyEnvAbYe6jdYqe2t-LXeEAJ1XjS4q-dBMWVHoBELSvdecUtjXMlmtexjWN-d6VfsP-8GBvr8twc27nHtgNIuFc19vOPRCNUpL47MCMelWC2-i-V_kfRC_eia7ChdY8/s640/taos31.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The drive back down from the Ski valley</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1c1g51_Mei6lJEmwrP9yEBtFxNJo3n037JdfN-3WzJdGVs5CHfQJ-qA1HEAbELT9hywgPhMBaw5hwX6GD54aRO8jdX063IXfRG49Ge4ineHTkWCj0HPG2yBfm_W6-9VvYwSk08CZiQ4/s1600/taos32.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1c1g51_Mei6lJEmwrP9yEBtFxNJo3n037JdfN-3WzJdGVs5CHfQJ-qA1HEAbELT9hywgPhMBaw5hwX6GD54aRO8jdX063IXfRG49Ge4ineHTkWCj0HPG2yBfm_W6-9VvYwSk08CZiQ4/s640/taos32.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Chocolate Factory</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ring around the rosey.... trying to burn some of that sugar down</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbwSxUXZywWjjQqqSwv5yCX0kxh7jLTyjlafYvr8OcIZX9iTIcoT3ydflrQFQgsYW7mKFSJWWhCyqovE_yBOYzlmjy3cIeyaVT-iID5eCCjFikTdRO1b9cn0aLBprLkBbpLIOexwQMnw/s1600/taos35.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbwSxUXZywWjjQqqSwv5yCX0kxh7jLTyjlafYvr8OcIZX9iTIcoT3ydflrQFQgsYW7mKFSJWWhCyqovE_yBOYzlmjy3cIeyaVT-iID5eCCjFikTdRO1b9cn0aLBprLkBbpLIOexwQMnw/s640/taos35.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">early morning fog on the mountains</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCTArT6AHqTXFpWx2vJY_Z8fwm337WmeT2M8OWGbxjbAOVLmBV51bS8qnGrMTDXcu6KTSh3k2c8InFM2LCmbdCisJSwffJqryIq2EjfDqHXhm1S20itu_7HCs9kTvybaiY_tvplxQJ48/s1600/taos36.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCTArT6AHqTXFpWx2vJY_Z8fwm337WmeT2M8OWGbxjbAOVLmBV51bS8qnGrMTDXcu6KTSh3k2c8InFM2LCmbdCisJSwffJqryIq2EjfDqHXhm1S20itu_7HCs9kTvybaiY_tvplxQJ48/s640/taos36.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids at Twirl</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuJe46bDwkiX-JcTFpTtCBm0FHK6dnYTVWBfC6p1noECfeQjrPMeUcxZKdglqYVy8FDa3LH70r8JiZ9N15aeQBK00uad8jWSVFjn3AL14DRPRANyN6g9WpDov6NtlhEA1O_PO01Z4O2A/s1600/taos37.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuJe46bDwkiX-JcTFpTtCBm0FHK6dnYTVWBfC6p1noECfeQjrPMeUcxZKdglqYVy8FDa3LH70r8JiZ9N15aeQBK00uad8jWSVFjn3AL14DRPRANyN6g9WpDov6NtlhEA1O_PO01Z4O2A/s640/taos37.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After our music class</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_mhpPjX8i5zsSz-VRUsZ-KNlEp13k71xsI7hlirMP8jaVeYX05UxTdDh48agdcN7iOF0XYcJwn8p6CAMCrf5g9DG5fz9GWhON_JLVnb2a1zW-I_kJBHG3gNig71kdT6GrIeJzFhGp3c/s1600/taos38.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_mhpPjX8i5zsSz-VRUsZ-KNlEp13k71xsI7hlirMP8jaVeYX05UxTdDh48agdcN7iOF0XYcJwn8p6CAMCrf5g9DG5fz9GWhON_JLVnb2a1zW-I_kJBHG3gNig71kdT6GrIeJzFhGp3c/s640/taos38.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner at Ranchos Plaza Grill with Grammie</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJponBYHzu35EcZhxl2t5p2gdXadnH1OOW1BfnOC-hJvYv0OnqFgRVMSn0rytYxz4F_n3pa4t5JOtykaWoZ1oPFpC6zWTyvixnQJzPw0hu37n9U-PX23aIkPimQWNEBRsT7zVdHNIlX0/s1600/taos39.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJponBYHzu35EcZhxl2t5p2gdXadnH1OOW1BfnOC-hJvYv0OnqFgRVMSn0rytYxz4F_n3pa4t5JOtykaWoZ1oPFpC6zWTyvixnQJzPw0hu37n9U-PX23aIkPimQWNEBRsT7zVdHNIlX0/s640/taos39.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSieHHHjKrAzpwHTqPCbYL-pxtzo2u9SyZOli63_pjZlnhLIx3XKEvNZa0vL5fIjMyhi-JD_xSwuC_QiwV_BN0v2cq30S0bP5Kbv9fOJ4_MR3k_NPVy8VCEe4E3aDUzLT1CyB_6ue48gs/s1600/taos40.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSieHHHjKrAzpwHTqPCbYL-pxtzo2u9SyZOli63_pjZlnhLIx3XKEvNZa0vL5fIjMyhi-JD_xSwuC_QiwV_BN0v2cq30S0bP5Kbv9fOJ4_MR3k_NPVy8VCEe4E3aDUzLT1CyB_6ue48gs/s640/taos40.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruz was screaming at breakfast and was totally distracted by the shiny motorcycle outside. They were so nice to let Cruz sit on it. He was in heaven.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwkzICGMBP66vKz77gR_jSdHbi4QwcJwBgd_3rOrQlsVbDMZKlu1rgC3iIJKevPV_yyNSHYGGSjO4vtzflnzvza3vJc9F0UPY_fLKvneS1Df5lygi-Cwr2k5Znks3F8erd0SVyRaStHE/s1600/taos41.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwkzICGMBP66vKz77gR_jSdHbi4QwcJwBgd_3rOrQlsVbDMZKlu1rgC3iIJKevPV_yyNSHYGGSjO4vtzflnzvza3vJc9F0UPY_fLKvneS1Df5lygi-Cwr2k5Znks3F8erd0SVyRaStHE/s640/taos41.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xailey and Wren at the Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpA2QJhTegbFz2UxDTSHtjG3yixikh047e9FQd7ueGkP7IB2f4hHo5O_69vqEsxCAQnoS2fS-auuFHk-laNI_2p46bR07JdGRAtAPpCfR1uUSxHLhWnIxvX_klijcVoxoDdwj51iOSPBM/s1600/taos42.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpA2QJhTegbFz2UxDTSHtjG3yixikh047e9FQd7ueGkP7IB2f4hHo5O_69vqEsxCAQnoS2fS-auuFHk-laNI_2p46bR07JdGRAtAPpCfR1uUSxHLhWnIxvX_klijcVoxoDdwj51iOSPBM/s640/taos42.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqRj1TuY9RQtPCZJsR07feceiXQ6J5etDcr2MqBexABPD1bPtjBWljnqBedwOuZa5UxCMJbUrntp5m5ofdevIp9TWDnRaMlazx-pfOOpLmxybfBuILEc-qACVerG6XFNvZ-2sbP9tCaw/s1600/taos43.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqRj1TuY9RQtPCZJsR07feceiXQ6J5etDcr2MqBexABPD1bPtjBWljnqBedwOuZa5UxCMJbUrntp5m5ofdevIp9TWDnRaMlazx-pfOOpLmxybfBuILEc-qACVerG6XFNvZ-2sbP9tCaw/s640/taos43.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We hung out a lot with Xailey and her family... it was awesome.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV409Tbp__3lQ_-UYsWzTfxCOFxN93_tFZMtxlaAm5srxNF5J3GRQMYeX2-pYfCBpVIs-MWhH6as9XXeE8XKdrFg0ver-sCZYuji9pKV-YRNSjZ3XiZNv17cYl4N7tUcfuIaG9wgjIRao/s1600/taos45.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV409Tbp__3lQ_-UYsWzTfxCOFxN93_tFZMtxlaAm5srxNF5J3GRQMYeX2-pYfCBpVIs-MWhH6as9XXeE8XKdrFg0ver-sCZYuji9pKV-YRNSjZ3XiZNv17cYl4N7tUcfuIaG9wgjIRao/s640/taos45.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>The Arellanoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12187897068990041838noreply@blogger.com0