Yesenia's Surprise 30th Birthday Party!

Last weekend, all of the family got together and threw a surprise birthday party for my sister Yesenia who's turning 30 this year. She is such an amazing person and does so much for everyone, so.... we decided to throw her a surprise birthday party for her 30th birthday! We decided to throw her off and make her think we had forgotten about her birthday and all made Memorial Day weekend plans. It worked! She was bumming that we weren't planning anything big, after all it is her 30th! Lionel said she was kind of sad, so that made things even harder for me! I'm awful at keeping a surprise quiet, especially when I know it's going to cause happiness! But I did great, and played my part perfectly. I bought her favorite cake from Fred Meyer - lemon cake, with raspberry filling and a white chocolate crust. Delicious!! I also made her strawberry cupcakes with a calla lily on each one.  Calla lilies are her favorite flower, so I wanted to tie in her favorite things into the theme.  Her husband bought Panda Express catering for all the guests, and planned the whole thing. He's a pretty awesome guy. My sister in law Christina helped with all the decorations and miscellaneous party purchases. The night before the party I went to Christina and Omar's house to decorate. I decided to stick with her birth year theme. It was nice - we decorated with MTV logos and PostIt Notes, and played songs from her year. We hung up Your 30! decorations all over the walls and hanging from the ceiling.  It was also the year the Personal Computer was first available to the general public.  Lol.  It was actually pretty funny. I loved that everyone was able to show up and be a part of my amazing sister's party. I had to work on the day of the surprise party, so I missed the actual "surprise" but it was recorded for me :) and it was so funny! She was first surprised by all of her friends and siblings. She was excited and happy and very surprised. Then my brother told her he had one more surprise, took her around the corner and out from behind the wall popped out my parents and little siblings. She hugged them and tears fell from her face as they shouted "sorpresa!" it was so nice. She had no idea that we made plans for them to come up just for her party.  That made things even more special, because they don't get to come up as often as we'd like.  Kort and I made a video of pictures of her growing up and going through the stages of life. Getting those pictures was not easy, since I had to go through her computer while she wasn't looking to get them, lol.  It was beautiful to see all the people who love her enjoying this day with her. I love you sis!

Mother's Day 2011.

MOthers Day was so nice and relaxing. I didn't get to go home and visit my Mom but we had a small BBQ here with all the family. It was very overwhelming but nice. Sunday we went out and bought some landscaping for our home and then watched movies. Alexis has been sick so she's been kindof grumpy, but last night she was so good! She woke up this morning in such a great mood giving kisses and hugs. I love my doll! Today we're headed out to give Alexis her shots. Yikes! She's already 18 months!

I hope you all had a fantastic Mother's Day! I wish you the best :) with love.

Praying Against More Natural Disasters.

Ok, I've heard so many conspiracy theories already about President Obama and Bin Laden's death...enough already! Why can't we just let things be. Not EVERYONE is out to get you, not EVERYTHING is a lie, I just can't stand people who are always trying to find something bad or negative in every situation.  Stop it already! If you don't like Republicans, vote against that particular person/party based on what they're trying to get through, same goes for Democrats. But let your vote do the talking, not the trash and filth coming out of your mouth.  Baaaahhhhhh!

I just needed to get that out in writing.  It's such a pessimistic world we live in.  No wonder its so hard to truly feel happy some days. I'm surrounded by so much negativity.  And today, I gave in to it just a little.  Now I'm off to think positive thoughts and pray for our people in Alabama and surrounding states, I hope they are recovering from the natural disaster, that couldn't be avoided.  I know there's so much going on, but I hope mother nature calms down and bit and we see some calm for a while.  My thoughts go out to those who have lost their loved ones and possessions.

Triumph for America.

I heard last night as the missionaries were here that Osama Bin Laden had been killed. As we heard the news, all of the people in my house were elated and couldn't believe the news.

I can't help but feel joy that someone who has been so awful in our minds, and has caused so much devastation has been killed. On the other hand, there's a piece of my heart that just can't find the ability to feel happy.  It feels weird to be happy that someone is dead, no matter who they are.  It's a little conflicting because I know I should be elated as well...but being happy over death just doesn't feel right.  I can only think how his loved ones might be feeling knowing that he is gone for doing what he believed, good or bad.  For us, it's a good thing. No one who causes that much harm should go unpunished..I just hope that God takes care of us all and judges us like only he should.