Riverbank Zoo

Last Saturday, we went to the zoo on a field trip; it was Brooke's second field trip for preschool, but this time the entire family got to enjoy the fun, including my mama.  It was wonderful spending time together as a family, and I think because of recent events, I enjoyed it even more than I usually would have.  I caught myself staring more intently at their faces, soaking in all the moments, and taking as many pictures as I could (okay, that part is not new).  I've realized that tragedy also makes you want to hold on tighter to what you have, makes you more patient and more loving towards your children, and it helps you to overlook the things that really don't matter.  Having said that, here are some of the pictures from our family fun filled day.   

Sometimes...

Sometimes, something happens to you or someone you care about that rocks you to the core; it makes you rethink everything and how you are living your life.  Sometimes, something happens that is so sudden and so devastating, you can't quite wrap your mind around what has happened.  It makes you wonder if you are giving your all, taking time to enjoy the small and simple things, and if you are showing enough love to those that mean the most.  It makes you realize how quickly everything can be taken from you. In that one instant, life for you or someone is changed forever; it forces you to your knees, it tears at your soul, and it leaves you feeling helpless.  You want to make it better; you want desperately to make the pain go away, but only time can do that, time and the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. 

Without divulging a lot of information, I will simply say that some of our dear friends lost someone very close to them this past weekend in a car accident, a family who we hold near and dear to our hearts.  This beautiful woman who died was many things to many people: a mother, a daughter, a friend.  Her loss is sorely felt right now by so many people, and along with those feelings of loss, lessons are being learned.  As I contemplate what has happened, as I am having trouble thinking about much else, I think about those precious children that will now grow up without their mother.  I think about how, for now, she too is missing out on seeing her children grow up, and I ache imagining not being able to see my own children mature and develop, the agony of not being there to comfort them, to encourage them, to help guide them, to kiss their tears away, to laugh with them, to cheer for them, and look at their beautiful, innocent faces every single day!  As I continue to mull things over in my mind, one thought and one question persists, 'How would I live my life if I knew that today could be my last?'  Would I worry less and enjoy more?  Would I cuddle more and clean less?  As I ponder these questions and so many more, I am reminded, that we all need to live like today could be our last; sometimes it takes a tragedy to make us recollect something we already knew. 

If I Only Had Today

by: Hilary Weeks

It seems like I've watched a million sunsets

And stared at a thousand full moons
Sometimes it feels like I've been here forever
And sometimes it feels all brand new
I could never count the heart beats from the day I was born until now
But not a single word goes unnoticed By Him who breathes life in me somehow


But if there were no more tomorrows
If I knew that I could not stay
I'd know how I'd spend every moment
If I only had today


Chorus:


I'd hold you and listen
And I'd let the dishes sit in the sink
I'd tell you I loved you over and over
And for once I'd let the phone ring
Then I'd remind you of forever
And how our love would never change
If I' only had today


Lyrics:


I'd wake up before the sun did
And I'd watch as you quietly sleep
I'd pray for time to move slowly
Knowing the moment won't keep




All the gifts that heaven has given
Every blessing that's come my way
Wouldn't mean anything without you
So if I only had today



Chorus:
I'd hold you and listen

And I'd let the dishes sit in the sink
I'd tell you I loved you over and over
And for once I'd let the phone ring
Then I'd remind you of forever
And how our love would never change
If I' only had today




Lyrics:
There's no time like the present
Life doesn't come with any guarantees
The sun set and time won't wait
So while I have today




Chorus:
I'll hold you and listen
I'll let the dishes sit in the sink
Ill tell you I love you over and over
For once I'll just let the phone ring
And I'll remind you of forever
And how our love will never change
Because I have today

(Song from this amazing CD)

Why a Mother Should Always Keep a First Aid Kit Close By

This is why a mother should always keep a First Aid Kit close by:

On the way into Food Lion today, Braden (not listening) was running in the parking lot, when suddenly he tripped and fell. I immediately threw my purse down and took off running.  After assessing the damage I pulled out my trusty first aid kit and got to work, first stopping his nosebleed, then moving onto his skinned knee, and finally applying an Instant Chemical Cold Pack to his forehead (those are AWESOME by the way).  Moments like these remind me why I not only keep a First Aid Kit in my van but in my diaper bag; with kids around, you never know when you might need it!

Still Obsessed

Well, I am still obsessed and driving that bandwagon in search of the big sale, the big deal, the big enchilada!

Today at Food Lion I bought all of this:

for $121.10 and saved $110.04 by combining the store's sales along with coupons.

How sweet is that?!!!

Did you notice the steaks sticking out from under the chicken?  ($4.98/lb baby!) 

I would like to thank the academy...

Actually, I would like to thank all of those women out there who blog about the deals they find and share their research; I couldn't have done it without them!

Apple Festival

On Friday we had an Apple Festival to celebrate the end of our Apple Week at preschool (homeschool preschool that is).  We only have two cuties still doing preschool, Brooke and Ainslee, but it was still a lot of fun!  They bobbed for apples, counted apple seeds, ate homemade applesauce, did apple painting with apple halves, made apple crisp, drank apple juice, and then ate their delicious apple crisp (topped with cool whip of course).  I think they had a blast, and even Emma and Colton got in on the action; Colton mainly watched and sampled the cool whip for us to make sure it met his standards!

Obsessed

Obsessed?

Me?

Obsessed?

Never!

Okay, maybe I have become a little obsessed, with saving money!  I mean, really! Who doesn't love to save money?!!! I admit it!  I am on the bandwagon, the see how much you can save bandwagon!  I am driving the bandwagon baby, holding my coupons, and yelling, "Point me to the sale items!" 

A couple weeks ago, using coupons and the sales flyer, I went into Kroger, spent $104.61 on all of this food,

and saved $69.81! 

Now, can you see why I am obsessed?!!!

And I couldn't even fit all of the food I bought onto the table!

Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Halloween will be here soon!!!!!

Growing up, Halloween was fun, but I wouldn't say it was my favorite holiday (not even second on the list or third or fourth).  Now that I am older, it is still not my all time favorite; it is hard to beat Christmas, the Christmas Spirit, and the true meaning of Christmas,

but Halloween has considerably moved up on my list.  I think it has a lot to do with marrying this man.

Rich loves Halloween!!!!! 

He loves everything about it!  Over the years, his excitement for the season and the holiday has won me over; adding cuties to the mix has also made it more fun! 

In fact, we, as of last year, now have a new tradition, a mini family party at the beginning of October to celebrate the upcoming arrival of Halloween.  We eat festive food, watch a Halloween movie, and talk about all we want to do during the month to celebrate, discussing Halloween costumes too of course!  This year I splurged a little, and bought these,

so we could do this.

Now that it is official, it is time to pull out our decorations,

and start planning our ghoulish menus for this month; I think this book will come in handy, not to mention http://www.familyfun.com/.

Nose Blow Burritos

Veggie Vomit

Homemade Maggot Stew

Boogers on a Stick

Let the festivities begin!!!!!!!!!!!

Are they serious?!!!

Sometimes my children leave me wondering,

'Are they serious?!!!!!',

like when they ask for a puppy; lately they have been obsessed with getting a puppy, especially Braden! 

You know, because it isn't enough that I take care of four hoodlums,

a studly husband,

and the running of the household, or as I like to call it, the Maseda Family Corporation; being a CEO is a hard and thankless job! 

Would I really want to add a new puppy on top of my already mountain of responsibilities? 

No! 

Braden even tried to bring the big man in on his plot to get a puppy, and when I mean the big man, I am referring to none other than the big man in red,

Santa Claus!

I guess from watching various Christmas movies, Braden has gathered that all you have to do is be good, and Santa will bring whatever you put on your wish list.  I quickly explained that I didn't think he was old enough to take care of a puppy yet, to which he responded, "But Mama, it's too late; I already wrote a letter to Santa asking him to bring me a puppy."  I then informed my sweet, naive child, that I also talk to Santa; I explained that I would just tell Santa it was not a good time right now, maybe in a few years (a BIG MAYBE). 

It is soooooo not the right time; it may never be, because:

1) I have already had a puppy/dog, my precious Sandy.  She was my baby before I had babies, and I don't want another dog (and right now it would end up being my dog and my responsibility). 

2) I would be the one walking the dog.

3) I would be the one training the dog.

4) I would be the one taking the dog to the vet.

5) We would have to find somewhere to leave the dog every time we went out of town.

5) Most days, I'm already at the brink of insanity, and I am sure adding a puppy to the mix will push me over.

So, the answer, without a doubt, to their insane request is

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!