this is why I started this blog

When I first started this blog, 3 1/2 years ago, I did it for a few reasons.  One, I wanted to have a place where friends and family could read about my experiences with living in Mexico.  And, two, I wanted to see if my views of life and my "situation" would change over time.

I never thought my opinions of living in Mexico would change.  And, I'm not a closed-minded person, but thought that my life was pretty much wrecked when I had to close up shop in Indy and move to some small town in the middle of Mexico.  As I have admitted, I didn't do it without my fair share of kicking and screaming.

I used to look at these pictures of the house we had just had built and get so upset.  Like a life was stolen from me.  But, now, I can look at them and it doesn't affect me at all.  I just remember them fondly.  And, I think one day, we can just do it all over again, if we choose.

So, sitting here today, after reading a friend's blog post, where she lists my blog and a description of it on her blog (She cracks me up!), I realized that my life has become "normal".  She wrote:

"http://bigvz.blogspot.com/ Valarie is the Martha Stewart of my blogging world. She homeschools, she remodels, she crafts, she cooks. And than she shares all of that with the rest of us. My husband still hasn't forgiven her for giving me the idea to paint our house. "

I have felt OK for quite some time, but I really don't think about it that much.  I guess with all my daily tasks, and all the other things that keep me busy, I just don't think about stuff like I used to.  I equated happiness, success, and a full life to living in the States.  And, while I do want to move back when we are allowed, I am totally fine living here in Mexico and I don't view the States as my only means of happiness.

I used to focus on what happened to us instead of getting past it.  Immigration has been a tornado for many people.  And, I think that being able to brush yourself off, and not dwelling on it is the only way to get your life back.  It might not be the life you were planning.  But, when does that ever happen?

When February 5th of this year came around, I didn't even remember that the day was sort of significant.  I just overlooked it.  February 5, 2008 was when Jorge was barred for 10 years from the US.  I used to dwell on that day as well as the day that I moved down here.  Sort of like an anniversary.  But, I don't anymore.  I don't think that should rule my life.  That is why I don't ever talk about immigration on this blog.  I have long moved on and started living again.

Basically, I just thought it was kind of neat, that in a list of blogs that Jennifer reads, when putting a description to mine, the words "Mexico" and "immigration" are not even a thought.  It is great.  And it loops back around to why I started this blog in the first place.  I have changed and it feels really good.

Now, of course, this is my journey. Jorge still feels the pangs when he sees the pictures of our house in Indy.  In a situation where I thought I would be the one most affected, he actually seems to have it much harder.  But, one of these days, I hope all that will turn around.  And, I try to make it as easy on him as possible.  As far as me, I am doing OK!

happy 4th birthday, Emily!

Today Emily turns 4 years old!  We had her party on Saturday.  Here are some pictures from the party.

Bella posing with the birthday girl!

As you can see, above Emily is wearing a yellow shirt.  Her Uncle Luis and Aunt Ariana gave Emily her present when they got here.  It was the Superman shirt and pants she is wearing in the below pictures.  Obviously, those were a big hit!

Here she is opening her Spiderman mask.

Looks like she is happy with it!

She got the game Operation.

Opening her present, Lotsa, from Toy Story 3.

I wasn't sure if she would like him.  But, as you see below, she was ecstatic!

Still loving on Lotsa.

Smiling for someone else's camera.

She got a little, blue purse from Mamaw and Papaw. Blue is Emily's favorite color.

Looks like she likes it!

And, a Toy Story 3 color book with markers.

And, I will personally thank Mamaw and Papaw for this gift.  Headphones!  When Emily plays with her LeapPad, she loves the volume to be as loud as possible.  Now she can enjoy the volume all to herself!

In her Spiderman mask.

I totally forgot to take a picture with candles on the cupcake.  Shame on me!  So, tonight I will get that shot.  Not too bad since today is actually her birthday.

Happy Birthday, Emily!

pictures set to music

Nothing confirms how fast time goes by than looking at older pictures of your children.  Also, nothing makes you forget all the "bad" times that go along with being a parent like looking at older pictures of your children.

With this lovely digital age, I have been very bad about printing out pictures of the girls.  I have taken several pictures over the course of their short lives.  Fortunately, I have them all over the web so I know they will be available to print when I need them.

Yesterday I found a website (I know there are plenty out there) that let me select the pictures I wanted and put a music track behind them, making a sort of video.  I didn't have to do any of the transistions or fancy fades in the video.  The program on the website did it all for me.  So, I made three little videos.

One of the girls doing their silly little poses.  One of all Bella.  And, one of all Emily.

I really love them, even though they are very simple.  Since I don't have many photo albums to pull out to look back through all the pictures (one of these days I will get around to printing a lot of these photos), I can now just click the play button and it will show me most of my favorite pictures of the girls.

You can take a gander if you would like.  I have already posted these on Facebook, but I know some of you don't have a Facebook account.  Or, maybe we haven't become friends on Facebook...

Anyway,  here are the links to the videos:

Annabella

Emily

The girls being silly!

And, if you like them so much that you might want to view them again (yes, you mom!), then you can always find them on the side of my blog.  Just look where it says "My daughters".  The link is listed there.

photo shoot

Yesterday the girls and I were waiting for Daddy to get ready so we could go to the little carnival/fair that is in town. Of course they couldn't sit still. I figured I would break out the camera and take some pictures. These two are pretty goofy and started doing all sorts of poses for me.

Here are the best shots of what I took. Just click on the picture to take you to the set.

everything is painted!

Everything is painted except for the first room.  And, that is not likely to get painted.  It would look better, but moving everything in order to do it just seems like too much work!  That room is packed full of everything.

The house looks so different now.  I really don't know why it took so long for us to decide to paint.  If feels so much more homey and welcoming.  I love it!  Thankfully Jorge likes to paint.

The kitchen was last to be painted.  I'm still not sure about the color.  The green I had in my head is not what is on the wall.  But, picking out paint is not easy.  I figured once I get some things hanging on the wall, and just live with it for a while, it will grow on me.  Part of it is the cabinets.  The color of  the cabinets is not going well with the paint color.  Oh well.  I am definitely not having Jorge repaint.  And it isn't like we can change the cabinets.  You know if I could, I would.  :)

Well, you can view my old video here.

Now, take a look at how much different the house looks with paint on the walls.

I also appreciate the fact that you can lean on the wall and not feel like you are a walking chalkboard with chalk marks on you.

a little more pinterest

Lately I haven't been doing much Pinteresting.  I look daily, maybe pinning something here or there.  But, I haven't been that invested in it.  Unlike how I used to be.  Addicted!

But, a while back I found a project that looked pretty easy and interesting.  Yesterday, while we were at Home Depot, I found the items needed in order to do the project.  Love when that happens!

You just buy some sort of rubber outdoor mat, spray paint, and sand paper.

I forgot to take a picture of the mat before I painted it, but this is the back side of it.  The only difference is that this side is flat, where as the other side is rounded.

I sprayed two coats.  I'm not sure it was really needed, just thought it was better coverage.

I hung it on the wall and I really like the results. 

I needed something over that chair and this fits perfectly.

It sort of looks like a metal grate.  Take a closer look.  Mine doesn't look as metally as the one that I pinned.  I think I might go at it with the sand paper again.

I'm thinking about buying more and cutting out parts of the mat.  The kitchen is painted now and I need some wall decoration for it.  I think this might be a good solution.

*** 10 minute later update ***
I sanded it a bit more and it does look better!  Take a look. 

I guess I was just nervous about sanding too much paint off.  I needed to just go for it and do it.  I think this looks cool!

it is all looking a bit familiar

My Valentine's Day was pretty darn good.  And, I don't think it had anything to do with that day being Valentine's Day. 

Jorge's boss gave him the week off work.  He actually worked on Monday, but Tuesday he was off.  And, he will be off until next week.  It is nice having him around.

So, Tuesday we went to look for some flowers to plant in the empty pots that I had sitting on my front patio.  We ended up buying three new flowers and two shrub/bush things to sit by our front door.  It is looking really nice.

At night, the flowers close like they are sleeping.  Pretty odd.

We ended up making a trip to Aguascalientes yesterday and bought the brown pots that they are sitting in.  Once Jorge transplanted them, I started to realize that our house is looking more and more like how we spiffed up our house in Indy.

Notice the trees/shrubs on either side of the garage.  And, the chairs on the front patio are pretty much the same.

We also bought a new dining room table from Cantia a few weeks ago.  We had it delivered and it finally showed up on Tuesday! 

Only problem is that there is a corner that has some damage.  We called the store to let them know and we are waiting to hear back from them.  I assume they will come and get this one and bring us a new one.

Even this table that we just bought looks similar to the style of table we had in our house in Indy.  While I do miss that house, this one is coming along quite nicely!

My nice, big kitchen in Indy.  And, look!  There is Bentley!  I miss him, too!

We finally bought the paint for the kitchen yesterday.  Soon you will get to see the new and improved house tour!  I feel really proud and happy about the house.  It is nice to feel like it is home.