"My Husband Rocks" Friday

Quirks and all, my husband still rocks. Today will be story day. I'm sure you all need a good laugh.

I think I've told you all that Joey has a few "rituals" at bedtime. First of all, he must eat a bowl of cereal every night before he goes to sleep. But that's not all. If that were it, there would really be no story. You see, for Joey to fully enjoy his cereal, I must be nicely tucked in bed right beside him and the TV must also be tuned to a show that he enjoys. Don't get me wrong, I can also enjoy the show, but if he does not enjoy the show, he can not eat his cereal.

He is generally very good at making sure all of the stars are properly aligned before he prepares the glorious cereal - so as to make sure it does not get soggy - but when he doesn't, guess what happens?

I can hardly type I'm laughing so hard....

The cereal, which was poured prematurely, gets dumped downed the drain.

Yes. It's true. My husband - who rocks - physically can not eat his evening bowl of cereal without a.) his lovely wife tucked nicely in bed next to him, and b.) a TV show that he enjoys on his new HD.

I know you all are thinking that such a wonderful wife as I would never allow either of the two above things to happen to my husband that rocks. But here, on the world wide web, I must confess that yes, on Wednesday of this very week I did such a thing. I tried to sneak in the last 30 seconds on HGTV House Hunters (the international version) and I soggified my husbands cereal and forced him to dispose of it in the sink.

Yes, this led to a minor confrontation because I could not understand the necessity for such an act. He swayed me by several "pssst"s right in my ear as I layed in bed facing the wall trying to be mad at him for his childish behaviour. It only took 4 "psst"s until we both burst into laughter.

Childish or not, I love his little quirks.

I would just like to know how he eats his cereal when I'm out of town...

Back to School

Yes, I know that school started on Monday. Yes, I know that today is Wednesday. Cut me some slack, ok. I've been busy. Very. Busy.

With what, you ask? Check it out!!

Monday was slightly a train wreck. I could have thrown school supplies every where. I am not a morning person. If you know me, please don't plan anything that involves me being there before noon. If you're my boss and you're reading this, first of all, ignore the time stamp, it's not correct. Second of all, can we begin work at noon and end at 5? Thanks.

Now, on to my precious children who continue to grow up too fast.

Just look at Taylor walking into his first day of Pre-K with a backpack that is almost bigger than he is. And I can't fail to mention the rockin' Pumas that Joey bought him.... ripping my heart out with every step...

Then there's Ashton... her first day of third grade. So grown up, looking as cute as ever. Her best friend from first grade is in her class. I'm sure her third grade teacher will covet all of your prayers.

Here's wishing all of your kiddos a happy, healthy school year.

Buried with Christ in baptism...

Ashton has been so excited to get baptized, and Sunday afternoon, she finally did.

My sweet girl has been telling us for quite some time now that she wanted to be baptized. We talk frequently about Jesus, how you get to heaven, how you don't get to heaven, and all sorts of spiritual things. Most recently, Ashton began telling me this:

"Mommy, it's like a dart board. To get to heaven on your own, without Jesus, you would have to throw your darts in the tiny red circle every time. If you missed even once you would go to hell. But God knew that no one could be that perfect so He sent Jesus - who was perfect - to die on the cross for our sins. All we have to do is believe in Him, and ask Him into our hearts and to forgive us of our sins and then when we die we'll go to heaven and be with Him forever."

My friends, it is that simple. If my 8 year old daughter can grasp it, you can too!

Yesterday, we celebrated her new life in Christ with baptism - the public declaration of the commitment she has made in her heart to follow Jesus. Family and friends joined us as we tried to beat the thunderstorms...

My dad is a Pastor, and he has had the privilege of baptizing me, my brother, my husband and now my baby girl.

Here my dad is explaining what baptism means and why we choose to do this. Then Joey told a little story that I just have to share. I am so proud of both of my children!

On Saturday, our church (which meets in downtown San Antonio) had a community outreach day in which they went into the surrounding neighborhoods and mowed lawns, handed out cookies, delivered fliers for Sunday's Block Party, and removed grafetti from community walls and fences. I wasn't able to go, but Joey really wanted the kids to take part in this. As he was driving them downtown, he told them "now I want you to know why we're doing this," and before he could explain, Ashton said, "I know why we're going, Daddy - to serve the Lord." Both Ashton and Taylor went door to door and handed out fliers. Thank you, Lord, for letting us know we're doing something right!

Here's my mom and Taylor (with a scorpion painted on his face from the earlier "block party").

Here she goes...

Because you have trusted in Christ as your personal Savior, and want the world to know...

Buried with Christ in baptism...

... raised to walk in a brand new life!

Mommy and daddy are SO proud of you! There are just no words to explain. I love you sweet girl!

Unspectacular?

Hmmm... I've been tagged to list 6 unspectacular things about myself... I didn't know there was such a thing! This may take a while... lol

Brittany at Perks of Being Me (who I was introduced to when Staci and I redesigned her blog) has passed on the tag, so here are the rules, and then I'll jump into the unspectacular.

1. Link to the person who tagged you (check)
2. Mention the rules on your blog (uh, that's what I'm doing)
3. List 6 unspectacular quirks (I'll certainly try, but everyone knows I'm fabulous!)
4. Tag 6 bloggers by linking to them on your post them commenting them to let them know "there it!"

Ok, here goes...

1. I hate to fold laundry. I have been known to wash clothes and let them stay in the laundry baskets until they've all been worn and need to be washed again. Joey LOVES it when I do this :)
2. I sneeze like my dad. Very loud. Very obnoxious. Joey also loves this. I try to control it, but it's completely impossible.
3. I'm completely obsessed with getting older. When I turned 30 last year (OMG, did I just type that on the WWW???) I literally thought Joey would have to commit me. It. was. horrible. Until he had my wedding ring reset and I got a new rock! It almost made it bearable. Now 31 is creeping up. Honey, have you checked into the cost of mental institutions yet?
4. I do this think with my nails that makes a clicking noise... drive Joey crazy... literally. I mean, we may need a double room at the institution.
5. I'm addicted to blogging, if you haven't noticed. One day, Joey WILL throw my laptop out the window, so if you don't hear from me for an extended period of time, you know what's happened.
6. I have a huge rebellious streak. If you tell me I have to do something, I will most likely not do it, just because you told me I had to. I really don't know why I'm like this. You would never think this just by meeting me... it's my dark side, I guess :)

Now to the tagging:

1. First, I tag my cousin Lauren (we'll see if she'll play along -lol). I finally convinced her join the blogging world by designing her new blog over at Life With The Johnson's (well, you all know how it goes, Staci designed it...), so hop on over and give her blog love, ok??
2. Then there's the fabulous Isabelle at Protein, green veggies, and Family. This should be fun... just read her blog for a day and you know she'll really be hurting to find 6 unspectacular things about herself!!
3. Next, how about Jill at One Wired Woman. I just love her blog! She's so creative... just take a look at her post for today - she's killin' me!!
4. And of course, I can't forget my hubby... he just loves these things!!! C'mon, Mr. Protein Shake n Chocolate Cake. Show us what you've got! Well... you know what I mean :)
5. I think I'll get Stephanie back in the blogging game, too. She's been out for WAY too long over at My Life. My Love. My Dog.
6. Last, but certainly not least, is Bethany at Singing Over Me (LOVE the name!!). She appears to be new to the blogging world too, so go on over and show her lots of bloggie love!!

That'll do it for the unspectacular me. Happy Friday all!

Check it out!

This was so fun! Stac and I sold our first pre-designed template yesterday and I'm so proud of it! Why, you ask? Because I actually designed it!

I know I'm co-owner of our business, Blogalicious Designs, but Staci is the genius behind the designs most of the time - I'm more of the business mind. But what can I say, one day I got inspired, and this is what happened... cute, huh?

Stephanie (great name, I know) over at My Life. My Love. My Dog scooped this up, but we have several more to choose from on our For Sale page. Go check 'em out!

More birthday...

Yesterday, on Taylor's actual birthday, Joey stayed home with the kids because Kathy (Joey's mom) started back to school on Monday and we were out of childcare. Poor mommy had to work and didn't get to play, but I did get to meet the fam at Chuck E. Cheese for lunch.

Nothing like a little pizza and token fun to help make it through the day! I mean, who wouldn't die to see this??

Taylor hit the jackpot on skee ball... what a birthday present!! (I couldn't bring myself to tell him that the machine was jammed, so even though he was tossing the ball in the "no score" hole, it was giving him 100,000 points every time!)

Now this is classic. Very serious, people. Do not disturb.

And this too... shhh... must. concentrate.

Last night Grandpa and Lynda stopped by to wish Taylor a Happy Birthday and give him his present - a remote control helicopter! He absolutely loves it. In fact, it was the first thing he asked for when he woke up this morning. Thanks, Grandpa!

Happy Birthday Little Man!!

I can't believe it, but today my little boy turns 5!

Sunday afternoon we had his birthday party at Pump It Up, which he has been BEGGING for since Ashton had her party there last year. He had the best time EVER... and here are the pictures to prove it.

(This picture totally freaks me out because he looks WAY too much like my brother when he was a kid, right mom??)

Now this is my boy! Always being silly...

And Ashton... they had so much fun! I even went down the slide, but the picture didn't turn out. Sorry!

Ha!! I wonder where Taylor gets his silliness from...

Now this is what Taylor has been waiting for - the BIG chair!! He was so excited!!

Happy birthday little man! Five years... I just can't believe it! Momma loves you more than you know - all the way PAST God's face and back! (It's our little thing...)

School already?

So we braved the Tax-Free Weekend on Saturday to get all of our school shopping done. I can't believe it's that time already, can you?

We decided to divide and conquer, so Joey took Taylor to get his school shopping done and I took Ashton. We had a great time - just the girls!

Of course we had to take a break from all the shopping and have a little lunch at the mall food court. Ashton, of course, chose her favorite - Subway.

Doesn't she look all grown up? I do have to say, though, that after all the cute stuff we found, she will be the cutest, best dressed girl in the 3rd grade!

"My Husband Rocks" Friday

So I bet you all were starting to think that my husband no longer rocked. Yeah, I know some of you were wondering... WRONG!!!

Yes, my hubby STILL rocks, I'm just a complete and total slacker... which is a great beginning to this weeks MHR post!

This week my hubby rocks because he did 97 sit-ups to take the gold metal in the Golds Gym Games. Ok, there is no gold metal. I may be a little caught up in the whole Olympics thing right now. And he hasn't taken "overall" YET, but he did win the sit-up competition (and the push-up competition on Monday).

Now seriously ladies, I think I would pass out at about 30, if I was lucky, and he did 97! That's crazy! But the reason he can do 97 is because he is the most committed person I know to this way of life. He works out everyday, eats right all the time (well, except for the milk shake cheats we have every once in a while)... it's really kind of disgusting. I truly admire his dedication and only wish I could have half of the dedication he has. He's amazing!

And about me being a slacker... yeah, I'm feeling great when I make it to the gym twice a week these days (I know Isabelle, I should be ashamed, right?), but Joey loves me anyway.

So this week, that's why my hubby rocks - because he has the body of a rock... nice and chiseled. :)

I love you honey!!

So whadaya think?

So the time finally came when I was tired of making everyone else Blogalicious, and I thought I should make myself Blogalicious!

So whadaya think?

I had my old design (which was Blogalicious, by the way) for a long time and it was in need of a change. I'm lovin' the fun, bright feel.

So how about you? Is your blog ready for a change? (Or is it time for you to start a blog?) Well check us out! We've recently revamped our Blogalicious Designs site and added several new options. We even have pre-designed templates for you to choose from.

Go ahead... click on over... what are you waiting for?

Ponytail Summer Is Long Gone!

I have to admit, I wasn't sure if she would actually go through with it, but she was DEAD SET on chopping off that hair. You've heard my experience with the "fast-food chain" hair cutting places, so there was no way I was letting my precious baby girls first drastic style change happen in the hands of someone I didn't trust - so I booked an appointment with the fabulous, ubber-talented hair artist (as Ashton calls her), Lisa Weller of Twirl Salon.

Just take a look at my beautiful baby girl...

Isn't she just the cutest thing you have EVER seen?? I just can't get over how cute her 'do is.

I mentioned yesterday that Ashton wanted to donate her hair to Locks of Love. I went online and found out that the ponytail had to be 10 inches long... and what do you know? Exactly 10 inches! Snip, snip...

Lisa treated her like any other client that comes into the salon and made her feel so grown up! I think Ashton even got a nice head massage with wash. (I'm pretty sure most of Lisa's clients don't complain about their neck hurting or mess with the foot rest quite as much, but Lisa was great!)

Ashton kept reminding Lisa that she needed her bangs trimmed - and I kept reminding Ashton that when you get your hair cut, you get ALL of it cut! Silly girl...

After much head turning, itching, and a few "when are you gonna be done"s, the final reveal...

She's so proud of that ponytail! She woke up this morning and asked me if I had mailed it yet. I guess she thought I could do that in my sleep since we didn't get home until 9pm!!

Just beautiful baby girl! Ready for 3rd grade!

Have I mentioned I'm a slacker?

Wow! I sure have been neglecting my poor little blog lately, haven't I? I know all of you have been wondering where I've been, what the kiddo's are up to, how Joey's doing - you know, those questions that keep you all up at night - so here's the run down.

Took a little trip to the mall (La Cantera - the outdoor mall), and of course, the kids had to strike a pose -

Taylor turned into a monster - no, not a real one, just some face painting at Chick-fil-A...

Ashton got her hair caught in a curling iron and Mimi had to cut it out. YIKES! It wasn't that bad, but she has been dying to get a "summer cut" - yeah, I know, summer is almost over - so we're headed after work today to cut about 10 inches off. She would like to donate it to Locks of Love, but I'm not sure it's long enough, so we'll have to see. Ashton is so sweet... Pics to follow tomorrow, so stay tuned!!

Joey and I ditched the kids (wow, that sounds harsh!) for a night of fun at Fiesta Texas. We take the kids all the time, but the two of us never get to ride the roller coasters, so while the kids were at the great grandparents on Friday, we took off and rode every steel roller coaster at the park. Just like a bunch of teenagers...

Joey kicked some boo-tay at the Golds Gym Games last night throwing down 81 - yeah, that's right, 81! - push ups in a row, winning the individual event!!! I asked him if I could come and be his paparazzi, but for some reason he said no. The competition continues into next week, so maybe I'll sneak in - you know, unobtrusive as paparazzi are - and take some flash photography for my blog.

Well that about updates you on the Gorena clan. I know, there was no update on me, but hey, this isn't about me! It's about my fabulous, wonderful, lovable hubby and kiddos.

There you have it!

"My Husband Rocks" Friday

My hubby can play “iCarly” better than your hubby!!

Yeah. You’re jealous, I know. Go ahead and confess that so we can move on, k?

This week, my hubby rocks because he will do things for the kids that practically make them worship him (other than flexing his muscles, ‘cuz that works too).

Ashton is totally into “iCarly” (a show on Nickelodeon, if you’re not in the loop) and has the theme song memorized. She sings the entire thing every time it comes on… like a rock star, I might add.

BTW, are any of you record producers?

So a few weeks ago, Joey recorded an episode so he could learn the theme song on guitar. Ashton and Taylor LOVE to put on little shows for us – Ashton will sing and Taylor will either play air drums or air guitar – so he figured this would really get Ashton. Well, it did. And now she can’t get enough. She wants to practice every day.

Take a look…

Babe, you rock! Literally...

I love you more than you know -

... and we have progress...

I'm sorry it's been a while since my last post, but honestly, I just haven't been in the mood. Joey can attest to that.

This tantrum thing with Taylor has really got me in a funk. I mean, I have absolutely no doubt that God is in control and that He can make this all go away at the drop of a hat, but for some reason, He is choosing not to. And I must admit it is rather frustrating.

I wish I could see the purpose. I wish I could see the other side. But I can't. Right now all I see is my sweet boy struggling everyday to maintain some sort of control over his 5 year old emotions. And for the most part failing miserably. All of you moms know how heartbreaking this is to watch as a parent.

I can't change it. I can't fix it. There's nothing that it seems like I can do that is making it any better.

Until yesterday. My little angel baby made it through one whole day without a melt down. (This is where all of you God-fearing, praise-singing, Jesus-loving people jump up and down! Go ahead!! You know God loves it!!)

Please don't stop praying for Taylor. We pray often and I continue to have discussions with him about who it is that tempts him to do wrong and who it is that lives inside of him. Taylor knows that Jesus is stronger than the Devil, but I still can't get him to say out loud "Satan, get away from me!"

You can pray for that...

"My Husband Rocks" Friday

Welcome to today’s edition of “My Husband Rocks”!

This week, my hubby rocks because I’m pretty sure he is the funniest person I know. Most of the time I don’t even think he’s even trying to be funny; it’s just who he is.

Let me take you back about 10 years. Joey and I were driving down the road in his white pickup truck listening to some good ‘ole country music – ‘cuz that’s how we rolled back then. Tim McGraw’s “One of These Days” came on the radio and we’re both singing along, when out of nowhere Joey’s busts out with these lyrics – “one look at her, and I had to poke her tooty” (actual lyrics “one look at her, and I had to pull her to me”). I literally about died from laughter, if one can have such a cause of death.

What made this so hysterical is that he just kept right on singing – like he honestly believed that’s what Tim wrote. To this day, every time I think about this I will bust out laughing.

This is my husband, people - nothing artificial about him. He is who he is. Granted, most of the funny things he does I can’t talk about on my blog, but I LOVE who he is. God knows that I can be moody sometimes (I mean basically never, really), so He blessed me with someone who could break those moods.

Like last Friday when we went to 3 movie theaters and every single one was sold out and I was getting in such bad mood, but on our way to the 4th and final theater, driving down the highway, I look over at Joey, all in my bad mood, and he has the funniest look on his face you’ve ever seen. I even took a picture of it, but it’s on my phone and I can’t get it off to post on my blog, so you just have to imagine it J.

Thanks babe for being who you are. I love every bit of you!