Outside having fun..

Gabe has learned to smile. He has the cutest little "cheese smile"
His smile lights up my heart. I could just squeeze him and kiss his sweet face all over. He is starting to talk alot more now. He says "mommy, daddy, EE (ellie) , dog dog for hot dog, he is also signing (please, thank you , mommy, daddy, bath, puppy, more and hat. I can't think of all the other words right now...
Enjoy the pictures below..cute moments

Me and Dad again...

This picture was taken at Justin and Kayla's rehearsal dinner.

Good times...

My Dad

Happy Birthday Dad! "POPPA" (August 24, 2007)
My poor daddy has to go out of town on his birthday. He is leaving Friday and won't be back until Monday. :( I guess we will have to wait to do something special when he comes home.
I have the best "DAD" in the world. He is the most caring, loving, giving and honest person that I have ever known. He always goes above and beyond with everything he does. I am just so greatful that he is in my life. I don't know where I would be without him! I love you DAD!
Happy Birthday Poppa!

My cup runeth over,
Wiz

just some thoughts...

Today was great, but right now as i am sitting at my computer, in a silent room, I feel very alone. How could my mother be gone. I look at all the pictures from many years ago and I wish that I could go back to that moment and squeeze her and tell her how awesome she was. I wish I could have stopped and listened to more of what she had to say about things rather than listening to only what i wanted to hear. How come I can't remember a lot from my past..songs she sang, books she read, things she did. I see old pictures and I sadly don't remember much. I feel like I was selfish. My mom lived her life through me and my brothers. She had dreams of becoming a painter or an artist and all her dreams and hopes remained on hold because of us. She was happy and never complained. She realized she had more than she could have hoped for. She had Micheal, me, Justin, Jesse and most of all "DAD". We were her life. It just breaks my heart to know that she is not here anymore. I wish she could have gotten the chance to do the things she wanted to do. She stayed up many nights while I was out with my friends, waiting for mm e to return home safe and sound. She told me many things like, "I could be your best friend or your worst enemy" or "god is always watching you and God will get you". She was always there to listen to every problem I had, good or bad. She would stop every thing just to hear what I had to say. She would give advise and try to lead me in the right direction and try to teach me to do the right things on my own. She was the best MOM ever! All the things I took for granted, expecting she would be here on earth still. Only God knows the answers. Why now?? I love you so much MOMMA. I Miss you!
My cup runeth over,
Lizzy

Mommom and Ellie

Here is a picture of my mom and Ellie! I just love this picture. I wish you could see Ellie now. She is growing so fast. She will start school after labor day. She will go two days a week on Tuesday and Thursday. I love you MOMMA and I miss you so much!

Looking out

I took these pictures of Ellie looking out the window in my bedroom. We were actually looking at a rabbit in our back yard. It was cool how I got her reflection in the glass from standing on the side and standing behind her.

God's Healing

I took this picture after Hurricane Katrina on our way to Chalmette. His best friend "Paul" died of Colon Cancer in the beginning of last year. It was a very sad day but also comforting to know that he is in heaven now. I took this picture while danny was driving. It took my breath away! I call it "God's Healing"

Ellie Bellie

Bobby Goldsboro - Honey

My dad loves this song..It says everything about my mom to a "T"!!! Crazy but Beautiful song!

Maddie's Birthday Party

Maddie turned 4! We were invited to Maddie's Pajama Party on July 23, 2007. Everyone got to make a little pizza and Ellie made hers with a soft taco. Everyone made pillow cases, decorated cupcakes and they played games and had a blast. It was so much fun!
Here are some pictures from her birthday party! I can't believe how fast our little girls are growing up. Sophie is getting so big too. I can't believe that Ellie will be 4 in February.

Me, Rachel and Ellie

Hand in Hand...Daddy and Gabe

This picture was taken at the zoo when Gabe was about 14 months old in February of this year. I am so glad I caught such a special moment. I had this picture put on canvas and it is hanging on my wall.

August Pictures

My Babies...

Spending time with my Sister....

Well, Rachel had to go home today. Mom came to pick her up. :( I already feel sad. Ellie also went to spend the night. She told me, "I am going to grammies mom." She also told me that she is going to have "so much fun". I will pick her up tomorrow after church. We also plan to have a little going away party for Rachel since she is leaving for school next week. Can't believe it. I am glad we both started this whole blog thing b/c we can keep up to date with what is going on in our busy lives. Rachel and I watched a movie, played UNO, cleaned the house, folded chothes, cooked dinner, went shopping, took Ellie to the doctor, ate at McCalister's (our favorite) went out to dinner with my dad at Cracker Barrell, took pictures (as seen above) and just talked and played around. It was so nice. I wish I could see her all the time. She is someone that I can just be myself around and it is also nice having someone that helps out so much with EVERYTHING! Gabe and Ellie love her so much too. It just makes my heart so happy! Well, I just wanted to write a little today. Gabe is sleeping right now so the timing was perfect. When ever you read this Rachel...I love ya and I am always here for you no matter what...Anything you need...just holla! Your the best Sister EVER!

Love,

Lizzy

Daniel's dad came to visit

Jorge Sr (Abuelo) came to stay with us for 9 days (end of July- beginning of August). We had a nice visit with him. The kids got to know him better. Daniel also got to spend quality time with him.

My Sister...Best Friends!

Gabe walking in his shadow...

This picture was taken at the zoo two months ago today. I just came across it and wanted to post it. It is amazing how much he has changed since then. He is 20 months old now. I can't believe how big he has gotten. My little man is growing up...I am kinda sad but then happy at the same time.

When Your Gone-Avril Lavigne

Another day...

I orginally wanted to start a blog to just document exciting moments about my children. I am learning that I really need the blog to become a journal of my life so I have something to hand down to my children so they will have a little peice of "me".

Well...it is hard to find the place to start at so I guess I will just start with what is on my mind today. Nothing like the present?

Rachel is here to visit. She got here yesterday and she will have to go home tomorrow. :( I really wish she could stay longer. She is about to step into another chapter in her life that will be very challanging and exciting at the same time. I am so glad I have her as my sister. As we both have gotten older, we have also gotten closer and I can't believe how much we are alike. We were raised by two different moms but it seems like they have both instilled the same morals and values in us. I have learned that friends come and go but Family will "always be there" No matter what! My mom always said that she was always on the sidelines watching me grow and always cheering me on. That is what I will be for Rachel...her "cheerleader". It is an awesome feeling nowing that we are both christians also. God is our "cheerleader" too! Some tragic things have happened in my life these past two years and God has taught me many lessons. Life is REALLY short and you never know what tomorrow holds. Every breath we take is a gift from God. I never want to take life for granted. I have been going through some rough times dealing with the loss of my mom and I have really been down in the dumps. I have been praying that somehow things might get easier. I went to talk to my pastor yesterday seeking some guidance and hopefully some answers. I got some good recommedations for a counslor. I will look into that this coming week. I just want the old "liz" back. I remember myself as: Always happy, positive outlook on life, energetic, outgoing, loving, full of laughter. The person that I see in the mirror is totally different now: What's next, sad, broken, lost, unhappy, feeling ugly. I just pray that somehow all of this will get easier and I will overcome this part in my life. I have heard the saying, if god brings you to it, he will bring you through it. I think that is how the saying goes. Well, that is it for today. I will have to write more later. I want to watch a movie with Rachel. Time is short and I want to treasure all the time I have with my sister.

I love you Rachel (elizabeth #2)! Your the best!

Love,

Lizzy (elizabeth#1) ha ha...

My Mom

Well, Today is my mom's birthday. August 6, 2007...she would've been 54 today. It still seems unreal that she is not here anymore. I wish I could just have her back.
The crazy story that I can't seem to get out my head is: On Mother's Day (May 13, 2007) we went to my parents' church in Folsom. I was hoping that my mom would be there but she was not. We went to her house after church and I found her in bed sleeping. I got really angry because she did not go to church especially on Mother's day! I gave her the present I bought for her and of course she liked it. She liked anything I got her. She always said, "You didn't have to get me anything". She taught me "it was always the little things that meant the most." That is something that I hold dear. Well, the funny thing was the sermon that day in church. It was about going to God when you have a problem and to always seek him first. I had been struggling with anger towards my mom because I felt like she didn't take care of herself like she should and she also smoked alot, unhealthy eating habbits, not exercising..etc. Well, I wanted to talk to my mom about these things because they really bothered me because I was so scared of loosing her not only for myself but for my children. Ellie really became close to her and I wanted Gabe to get to know her more. I was scared of having to see myself in a hospital or a bed telling her it was okay to go to heaven or "you did a good job Mom" and also telling her one last goodbye. I saw her do that to her mom "my mommom" in a nursing home a couple years ago. That was so hard for me to see. I know how important a "mom" is in a child's life. Very Important!!! She was also my best friend. I think I was so angry with her because I loved her sooo much. Her and I shared a moment during a babysitting job I had at Serisa's house many years ago and we watched a movie "Hope Floats". There was a part when Sandra Bullock and her mom told each other "my cup runeth over". Ever since then, my mom and I always said that. My mom cross stiched a piece for me and framed it, which says: "Love Floats" I look back on all the little things she did for me and I am glad I have those little things but MAN....I just really want her here instead. It just seems so unfair. I have alot of Why questions, why now? Why her? Why my family? I heard that I will eventually be at a part in my life where I can think of her and just smile and laugh at all the times we had together without pain. I look forward to that but right now, it just hurts so bad. I didn't realize how "Big" of a part of my life she really was. I use to call her everyday to talk to her about kids, dinner, clothes or whatever. If a day went by without a phone call..she would call me and say, " is everything okay Lizzy"? We called eachother at the same time on many occassions. Or when I would call her she would say, "i knew it was you" or "I was thinking of you".
Well, I cried the whole way home from church that day (mother's day). I told Danny what was on my mind and he told me to listen to what the pastor (Bro. Ernie) had to say. "give it to god". I knew I needed to just accept my mom for who she was..faults and all..
It was so crazy because not even one week later my really good friend Angie sent me a text message saying "pops" passed. I was so hurt and upset for her. I felt like my heart broke. I couldn't even imagine loosing someone so close. That was May 17th. Well, Ryan (her husband) wrote a blog and I didn't get to check it until Saturday morning (19th). I cried and cried and my first thought was to call my mom. So I did. It was 1:00pm and she sounded like she was still in bed. I got angry and upset. I tried to talk to her about it but she kept saying, "i don't have to do anything" in a mumbled voice. I told her I would call her back later when she woke up. I hung up the phone on her. The next phone call I got was like 30 minutes later from Kayla (my sister in law) saying that MOM was being rushed to the hospital. I jumped in the car and left. Danny kept the kids. I cried the whole way there trying to think positive but I had a really bad feeling. I got to the hospital and I sat down and just cried in the waiting room. My dad came out with my mom's jewelry in a bag and he gave it to me to hold and he looked liked he was crying. I hugged him and said tell me what is the news, "how bad is it"?????? He said not good, they said that mom had an aneurism and the only neuro-surgon in St Tammany was not available so she would have to be flown to West Jeff on the westbank. When we got there they said that she was very unstable. They could not do surgery under her conditions. We hoped and prayed for God's will to be done. We had prayer teams all over the World. God showed us that Momma's time here was up and she was ready for heaven. The doctor's could not do anything because Mom also had multiple strokes after the aneurism. My mom was still in a coma without showing any vital signs. We talked to her and just held her hand. That coming weekend was my brother (justin's) wedding. We decided that mom would want that to go on. I was also the photographer for the wedding. We did everything as planned. It all went well. We did our best to be strong. It was very hard. Then on Monday (memorial day) May 28th 2007 we told the doctor that they could take my mom off of life support and my mom passed that night. We held her hands as she took her last breath. It was the hardest thing to see. I felt like I was in a bad movie. It was so unreal! I just wish I could go back to Mother's day and just hug her or lay in her bed with her. I know that she knows how much I love her because I told her everyday but I just miss her so much. I feel like I have a HOLE inside my heart. I know she is in heaven and she is better off. It is so easy to talk to someone that lost a loved one and say "it will be okay" or "time will make it better" but I just feel like every day is a difficult day without her. I admit, I have good days and bad days. When I have time to myself that is when it hurts the most. All I can do now is try to be a Wonderful mom like her and just use all the things she taught me. She is a big part of me. She was my rock, my walls, my life! I feel like she is still with me every day.

Since today is my mom's birthday, I will go to her house and pull weeds in her garden (that is what she loved to do). I will bring the kids with me (of course) and then go swimming afterwards and have dinner with my dad.

My cup runeth over,
Lizzy

Gabe and Ellie on our vacation...

Here is Gabe with his famous blanket. Every where we go, the blanket goes. He also sucks his thumb. He looks like linus on Charlie Brown. So adorable. I could just eat him up!

My little man! I love him so much!

The Family Vacation!

Ava on the Beach!

Victoria's Birthday in Florida

We celebrated Victoria's Birthday (10th) Party on our vacation. She was so surprised to see her name in the sand when she woke up. We had such a good time!

Baby Ava

This is Daniel's sister Jackie's baby! She is such a doll!

Panama City, Florida

Panama City, Florida July 2007

We went to Panama City, Florida from July 18-22 2007 with Daniel's family. We had such a wonderful time. It was nice to get away and also spend time with Family. The kids really liked the beach. Although, Gabe doesn't like the sand all over him especially when he when he wants to suck his thumb. We are going to try to plan a trip like that once a year with his family. We all stayed in a condo. It turned out nice b/c everyone got to realx and hang out and spend quality time together. Can't wait until next year.

Marry Me

Mother..Best Friend and also know as MOMMOM

The worst thing that could ever happen...My mom is gone!
We had to take my mom off of life support and she passed tonight. I held her hand and told her she was the best mom in the whole wide world. I told her I was okay and I knew that I was not! I told her that it was okay if she wanted to go to heaven to be with God and her mom and dad. I really didn't want her to go but I have no control! It is the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life. I am still in shock. How can my mom be gone? I need her here! My kids need their "mommom". She isn't finished here on earth. She can't leave us all here. Why her? Why Now? I am not strong enough to be here without her. She is my best friend. How come I can't talk to her anymore and I can't see her. It is just not fair. Gosh...This just sucks!

Justin and Kayla Bradford

My Mom's picture was on a chair. :(

Dad and the boyz

The Groomsmen

The bride and bridesmaids

Kayla getting ready

Beautiful girls

Rachel's Grad party!

Here is a recent picture of Rachel, Dad, Me and Mom! I love my family! For those that are confused..I have two mom's and two dads.

Justin and Kayla

You Blow me Away!

Justin and Kayla

Here is a picture of Justin and Kayla. I was their photographer. I had such a blast doing their pictures. They came out really well. I shocked myself!

My dancing Princess

Here is Ellie and her friend maddie (the one next to her). They took creative dance class at our gym. It was so cute to see them. Ellie had a rough time adjusting to dancing and being without me. I actually stayed and watched her every class but she still got upset. She is doing much better now.