little brother graduates!

On May 21st, my youngest brother graduated from high school! and with honors in Spanish! I sometimes call him Slim Jim because he's tall and skinny. He's also a golfer. He was on the varsity team since he was a freshman AND he was the number play those four years of high school! Yeh, I just gotta brag! Proud big sister here! He is off to the community college for his basics and then he'll probably transfer to a university for golf management.

So then on Saturday May 31st, I traveled out the east valley (about an hour from my house) to go to Slim Jim's graduation party. Before I went to my dad's, me and my friend Bradley stopped by my mom's house. It was good to visit with her and my aunt and our dogs. Oh those babies are so cute!

When I first got into my mom's doorway, I felt one of them licking my toes. It was emme saying hello and giving a little love! She is our last Boston Terrier. We rescued her. The couple that had her moved out of state, and so we took her. We had four, but the older three have passed on, emme is the last of the original four. She is so gentle and calm. She's the "mama" to our two other dogs, both boys. They absolutely adore her and their bodies have to touch hers, like if they are all laying down on the floor or couch, so funny.

Around 6pm, we arrived at my dad's for the party. It was so nice to see some family and old friends of our family's as well as a couple of my good neighbors that I've known for about 16-19 years! One of them, Chris, is so sweet. My leg started flaring up and I still had over an hour before I could take my next round of meds. She went over to her house across the street and brought me her ice pack that I could put on my leg to help me! The ice did seem to help much more than when I use my heating pad. Her ice pack was cool because it was soft and flexible, unlike those blocks you put in your lunch bag! haha.

Also at the party, I got to see my step aunt Sharon who is hilarious! Her and her hubby D live in the Houston, Texas area and so I don't always get to see them very much, maybe a couple times a year.

My stepmom and sister made lots of yummy sub sandwiches, almost 100! plus pasta salad (my fave!), chips & dip, and fresh fruit cut up.

I got to meet a couple of Slim Jim's good friends. Since I don't see my younger siblings that much, it's neat to meet their friends who they spend alot of time with ya know, especially when they were in the high school setting.

Of course, there was time for selfies! We love selfies!

Overall, it was a great time and happy I got to see my family!

I initially was going to post this on Saturday (a few days ago) but blogger was acting up and my post was lost! Frankly, I was quite mad and was not in the mood to draft it again and I had no more time, so I am hoping blogger cooperates and posts today!

Graduation Giveaway with Alyssa of Impractical Composition!

▲ Impractical Composition ▲ Love, The Skinnys ▲Sunny Tales and Happy Mail ▲ Olive & Ivy ▲

▲ Taush.O ▲ Alisonleighann. ▲ Peace Love Sequins ▲ My So-Cakked Chaos ▲

▲ Live, Laugh, L0ve. ▲ Friday, We're in Love ▲ The Students' Lifestyle ▲

I couldn't say no, when Alyssa of Impractical Composition asked me if I wanted to help celebrate her college graduation with a giveaway! She's worked so hard and hey, a graduation of any kind is a BIG DEAL, so let's help her celebrate! Congrats Girl!!!

A few words from the graduating girl!....


The days is finally here, it's the day I've waited for, for the past 6 years. I'm graduating today!! *raise the roof emoji*  I cannot begin to tell you how exciting and relieving it's going to be to walk across that stage. I really just hope I don't trip-but I think that's what goes through everyone's mind!

So, today I'm teaming up with 10 wonderful bloggers to bring you this graduation giveaway in hopes that you will enjoy today as much as me! 

Good Luck to you all!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

high school senior no more

last saturday was my little sister's high school graduation party! what a special event!

 it took me all day to prepare. I usually have to do the following whenever im going to be away from the house more than four hours! we (me and james, my partner in rime) left around 3:30 the taxi picked us up. it took about 50 mins to get there. I woke up, got ready, ate breakfast and then came back in my room to charge my ventilator and battery that powers my vent. The battery alone with last about 5-6 hours from the time it's plugged in, so i knew i had to charge for at least 4 hours. I did my makeup while charging and then Sofia, one of my caregivers, did my hair. Around 3 p.m. i went potty(because i can't go at my dad's house, the bathroom's too tight and need 2 people to lift me) and changed into my dress. i stopped charging and started gathering all the things i needed to take with me that i WROTE A LIST for!!

Breathing machine/meds

Camera WITH battery (because i totally forgot the battery last summer when i went to a good friend's wedding!)

cards

gift bags

backpack with power box for the vent(just in case)

spare battery for vent 

portable ramp (to get into the house)

Then around 3:20 the taxi came and James started loading my stuff. And off we went! 

My family did such a good job of decorating the house and backyard for the party! I didn't take a pic of the yard though :( My stepmom made handmade lasagne & spinach rolls (ooh so yummy!) and we had salad & bread as sides, plus cake later.

Sister J made three memory boards with a bunch of pictures from when she was a baby to now. Talk about flashbacks and fun memories! She also made a cute cardboard box for her guests to drop cards in.

sister j & sam. went to school together since kindergarten & our neighbors!!

Alot of family came too including my stepmom's brother & sister-in-law from Texas and my stepmom's dad, my step-grandpa T who i hadnt seen in like 2 years! He LOVES downton abbey too!! oh! I enjoyed talking with alot of family and neighbors! I miss them so much!

grandpa t

bubba bro, grandpa H & nat

My sister also had a friend stop by who couldn't make it to her party w/all their friends later (after the family party). She was really sweet. As i was leaving, a bunch of my sister's friends were arriving and i quickly was introduced to at least 10 of her friends, boom boom boom! they seemed like they were gonna have alot of fun and later, my dad told me the last person to leave was around 1:30am! partayyy!

It was so nice to visit with everyone. the last hour went by so fast. i can't believe how grown up my little sister is and is now graduated and gonna start college! it's so awesome. We'll be celebrating my brother's grad in two years! Time flies by!

sister j

today my little sister j graduates from high school being in the top 15% of her class! It's crazyyyy how time flies! I remember the day she was born. Our dad treated me and our other brother Alaska to Fuddrucker's (known for their delicious gourmet hamburgers) and announced sister j's birth.  Tomorrow she will turn 18! 18! An adult! She and our younger brother bubba are learning to drive. They may or may not have their learner's permit already, but i know they are doing great! On a side note, if you can't tell, i HEART my brothers and sister!

dynamic duo, Christmas 2010

bubba bro

Brother bubba will be graduating next in 2 years! I have such fun memories of both of them as they've grown up. From playing in the sandbox our dad built, to swimming in the plastic pool that then leaked and swamped the entire backyard!, to blasting our radio reallly loud replaying "tequila" by the champs, to watching Lion King, Barney or Veggie tales on vhs a hundred times! Those two are a dynamic duo!

lol

 T siblings, sept. 2010

sister j has grown into a beautiful person inside and out. She has such a giving heart and is truly a peacekeeper, especially when it comes to her friends. She doesn't want anyone to feel left out. Just a month or two ago, she participated in the American Cancer Society's fundraising event, Relay for Life with two of her good friends and they set a goal of walking 20 miles and beat that with an end result of 28 miles! Talk about determination!

sister j & sister b

 My stepmom said that sister j was following in my footsteps because I did that event too back in 2003 when i was in community college. I was my team's captain! It made me feel good that I influenced her for the good, because Lord knows I was and am not no saint! lol...

sisters forever

I am definitely a proud big sister! I know she's going to be an amazing, successful person as she embarks on her college journey. She will no doubt bring so much joy and blessing to others lives! I love you sister j! Congratulations on this big accomplishment!

learning to deal & week summary

So, where have I been? I sort of took a mini vacation from blogging and haven't spent as much time online this past week. I've had some personal things going on which caused me to withdrawal. I think I needed time away to sort out my thoughts and talk with God. I don't seem to do well with negativity and drama, yet in our world, we are faced with opposition daily. It doesn't matter that my situation or circumstances are different than yours perhaps, we all have those awkward, discouraging days. 

At 29, I am still learning to deal. still learning to reassure myself of who i am and who i am not. The past week has been a deep-thinking, self-reflecting, this-is-how-the-world is challenge. I am in the world, but i am not of the world. We are set apart as God's children. We have a divine purpose. I really believe that. My world is idealistic, full of hummingbirds, flowers, sunshine & rainbows, but sometimes I let the ugly, rude, gloomy reality of this pessimistic world get to me. I will still stand for what is right. I will still get back up even when I tumble & fall. I will rise to the call of being courageous even if I am filled with a little fear, because i know God is for me and with me. I can keep my confidence & seek victory in Christ because he came & conquered death.

Romans 8:31, "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

2 Corinthians 12:9, "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

The above two verses are some of my fave scriptures. They were like my theme verses for the week as I was feeling weak too, not just physically but emotionally. Ever have those moments?

I'll give you a summary of my past week daily happenings:

Last thursday: trache change. I go see my pulmonologist every two months for this in-office minor procedure. Yeh, it's painful, but thank God for pain pills! It's part of my routine care with being on the ventilator.

fri: taking it easy because my throat is sore. a little grocery shopping w/two friends.watching little miss sunshine.

C & B! I <3 this pic!

sat: preparing all day to go to my friend tessa's graduation party {hair, makeup, changing outfits, charging batteries}. hang out with C while at party. it's like a big deal to me to actually have my hair looking really nice & styled after being washed, hair dried, curled, pinned,etc-happens like 4 times a year.

The grad, our friend david & me

earrings: along for the ride, shirt: F21, half-tee: downeast basics

sun: packaging mail to be sent, writing notes, cutting coupons, cardmaking, reading, talking to family on the tele.

mon: farewell lunch & being adventurous trying new foods at pita jungle with heide and bev. Bev flew back home the next day after being here for 2 months. It was so nice getting to know her and hear her stories. Good times spent with the ladies, unfortunately i don't think i was made to be a vegetarian.

 :)

 Bev looking good w/her makeup!

I just marveled the ceiling & the chandeliers are so cute!I'd love them in my dream home!

 oh & walgreens trip + 2 boxes of l'oreal healthy look hair color for $6 with coupons= success.

p.s.walgreens brand candy is on sale for $.49 per bag til this saturday!!

tues: happy hour at starbucks!! half off fraps umm YESSSSS!! grocery shopping with james. reading alot of my fave blogs that i've missed. thinking what am i going to write about next. 

yesterday: FINALLY getting back on track with Bible study! it felt so refreshing to be back in the Word!  visit w/the grandparents and perla. catching up with my brother. 

nana unsuspected. her new headband

doggy fashion, perla in sportswear

 enjoying the cooler weather outside after a freak rain storm.

Hopefully it won't be over a week til my next post! I've missed you guys! If you made it all the way to the end of this post, well thank you! I know it was long! Keep on being your wonderful selves and we'll chat again soon!