Broken camera

Right before Thanksgiving, while visiting with Joey's parents, Amiyah asked me if she could use my camera to take some pictures. So I said, " Sure honey, just be careful."
A few moments later she returned, camera in hand, and said to me, "Mommy, I broke your camera." Before looking at the camera I had pretty much let it go, thinking, ah well, she probably just forgot how to turn it on or something. Well, let's just say, that wasn't the case at all. As she lifted the camera to me, to place in my hand, I looked down and could not believe what I saw. The lens itself was busted, and bent sideways.
I was mortified! My brother-in-law had just replaced my other camera after losing it, with this one, and now... IT'S BROKEN!

This reason I am letting all of you know this, is because, I can no longer just take a few pictures, upload them into my computer and then onto my blog. Oh no. I am now using my huge 35mm Canon Rebel. I used to only use it for portraits. So I have to use up an entire roll before I can actually go get them put on cd, and then upload them onto my computer. That's why I will be posting so many pictures at once... I can't get around it.
Although, I have been doing some research on creating a black room by using a bathroom or closet, so that, that way, at least I'm not paying for the developing fees any more.

So, nothing new really going on today. Nothing crazy and exciting. The house is now quiet, all kids are off to sleep. I'm sitting here at the computer eating a little bowl of Moose tracks, and uploading pictures onto my facebook page. It has taken me two days, but thankfully, I am nearly done. So all in all, today has been pretty quiet. I actually forced it to be that way. I have tons and tons of organizing to do, as we prepare to move. Not to mention laundry that needs to be ironed, and a basket full that needs to be put away. For some reason it just doesn't bother me that it's just sitting there. I am rather calm about the whole thing, and for those of you that know me well, your probably thinking that there is something terribly wrong with me for me to allow a basket of laundry to just sit. I assure you, I am just fine. Just enjoying my day is all. So until tomorrow, I bid you good day!

Blog daily

So I have decided to start blogging daily. Since it is so difficult for me to keep up with , I figure if I make myself visit my blog everyday, I'll start getting used to it. And, being that it is one of my Revolutions, I have decided to not only share photos, and events, but to actually share some personal things with you all as well. In the hopes that the things I share will not only encourage, but challenge you. Love you all. Check back soon!

The Nutcracker

Mother and Daughter.

Four generations.

Amiyah and I

Amiyah with her Great-Grandma.

Carly, Amiyah and Grandma, getting ready for the show.

Two days before Christmas, all us beautiful ladies got all dressed up and went out to see the Nutcracker ballet. It was such a wonderful experience. The dancing was beautiful, and the costumes, incredible. The music, smoke machines, and even the fake snow they had fall from the theater ceiling... oh, it was just magical. We had the time of our lives. This was Amiyah's second ballet, she went to see Cinderella a month before, but had yet to see the Nutcracker. This was the very first time we all went together. We were thrilled that my Grandmother from Alabama could be there with us. I love my Grandma. My grandparents have always lived out of state, and so it has made it rather difficult over the years to see them. So it was such a blessing to have her with us.

My List for 2009!

1. Draw closer to the Lord.
2. Build an even STRONGER bond with my Hunster.
3. Start each month like the Lord has given me only 30 days to live.
4. Work on Stop The Violence.
5. Potty train my Bean.
6. Start running.
7. Get certified as a trainer.
8. Start a Moms fitness group.
9. Blog more.
10. Focus on my photography.

I have to say, so far I have been doing pretty good. I've started running again, thanks to the encouragement I have received from some of my bestees! I have been reading up on how to potty train this crazy bean of mine. I'm going to use the method from www.3daypottytraining.com
My friend Lorraine used it with her twin girls, and withing three days they were leaving the house... WITH PANTIES ON! AND, can you believe she potty trained both of them ... AT THE SAME TIME! If she can do it with twins, then it should be a snap with this little crazy-haired bean of mine. So far that's all I have really gotten to start on. I mean heck, it's only the 6th of January.

"2009 IS GOING TO BE FINE!"

Well being that I did not make it on the 1st to blog... I'll start now. Better late than never!
My husband and I decided this year not to make a list of resolutions. Not because we can't keep them, but just because we wanted to make a different list this year. We wanted to make a list of Revolutions- Drastic and far-reaching changes, in the way we think and behave. We are truly excited to see all the Lord has in store for us this new year.

Christmas Questionaire

1. Egg Nogg or Hot Chocolate? Egg Nogg with the sugar cookies Amiyah and I bake, and Hot chocolate with a mini candy cane hanging from the side of my mug. Oh... and don't forget the marshmallows.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? We have shared with Amiyah years ago that Santa is just a character. She knows that Jesus provides Mommy and Papi with the money to be able to buy them presents.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? We always do white lights on the tree. As far as the outside goes... we put our Menorah in our kitchen window for everyone to enjoy.
4. Do you hang mistletoe? Every year. My Obe and I love meeting under it on Christmas Eve, when the little ones are fast asleep.
5. When do you put your decorations up? It used to be the day after Thanksgiving. As the years have gone on, they seem to go up earlier and earlier... we just love transforming the house into a Christmas wonderland.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Sweet Potatoes. Oh wait... can't forget the COLLARD GREENS!!
7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? Well it really wasn't my favorite, but, when my sister and I and my four brothers would go for our stockings, and in them all the way at the bottom we'd find fruit. It was pretty funny. I mean hey, you gotta fill the toe somehow.
8.When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? My parents never had us believe in Santa.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We did when we were little.We decided we'd wait until the kids are a little older to start that tradition with them.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? White lights, silver and burgundy balls, burgundy bows, and snowflakes. Sorry people, I like a themed tree. Not to worry though, the kids have a tree of their very own that they (Amiyah) decorates. And of course it has tons of colored lights, and every ornament that was ever given to us, plus the new ones they receive from Papi and I every year on it.
11. Snow! Love it or dread it? I love it! That's of course because I don't live in it, so, no shoveling for me!
12. Can you ice skate? Yes. But it has been MANY years since the last time I did.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? When I was a kid, it was a boom-box with detachable speakers... Ahhh-yeah! Last year, it was my Rachael Ray pans from my Obe, they are the best!
14. What is the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Celebrating Jesus!
15. What is your favorite Holiday dessert? Banana Pudding, and Ambrosia.
16. What is your favorite Holiday tradition? Taking the kids to see Christmas lights.
17. What tops your tree? A star... because my Jesus IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD!
18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Both. But I love buying and making things for other people, it brings me so much joy.
19. What is your favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night. Although Little Drummer Boy is right up there this year.
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? I only really like them in my hot chocolate.
21. What do you want for Christmas? Peace for my family, a new Bible, a new pair of jeans, running shoes, a new lens for my camera, and a really good book.
22. Do you attend an annual Christmas party? We are all over the place during Christmas, we never have just one party to go to.
23. Do you dress up on Christmas or wear PJ's? We open presents in our pajamas, but when it's time to leave to visit all the family, we dress up.
24. Do you own a Santa hat? Nope.
25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with? My hubby and the kids in the morning. The rest of our families later in the day.

Phew! That was long. Your turn!

New Favorite Thing

Both of my kids really enjoy taking a bath, and always have, even as little babies.
But recently my poor bean has protested every single time by shaking his head and saying, " nooooo."
Usually after I remove all of his clothing and his diaper, he makes a run for it.
I always let him go, knowing that he's going to hide somewhere in the hopes that mommy will somehow forget about the bean needing a bath, and just give Amiyah one all by herself.
My bean has been doing this because he HATES getting his hair washed. He hasn't quite caught on to the fact that if he only tilts his head back a bit, the water won't run into his eyes.
So... I was on the hunt. I was looking for something that would keep the water out of my poor babies eyes so that he's not gasping for air every time our big red cup full of water comes towards him. My best friend once gave me these foam visors that babies can wear, the only thing with that is he'll take it off the second I go to pour the water. So I found this cup. The yellow part is made of some type of soft rubber, and it gently rests on their forehead. The inside of the cup also has two compartments so that the water doesn't rush out all at once. This cup has saved bath time in the Zarazua house , and now when I say " bath time!" The bean runs straight to the tub.

Baked Apples

So I thought this year I would get an early start on the holiday desserts I have been dying to try. Tonight when the kids went to bed I made myself and my hunster baked apples. They were delicious! My plan was to bake them, pour some of the drippings over them and take a picture to post on my blog. But what can I say, after about 15 minutes in the oven the smell of apple, brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon all mixed together was making our mouths water. As soon as they were done I plated them, drizzled some of the drippings over the tops, and my hunster and I devoured them... literally. Oh I also added raisins which gave it a nice texture.
So the next time I make them my Poopy will be my special helper and I think we'll add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side... yum-o!