We're In Barcelona!

Hello to everyone! How are you today? I am completely exhausted!

Nathan and I have been traveling for about 16 hours. We landed in Barcelona, Spain and collected our luggage. We caught a taxi cab to our bed and breakfast and just dropped our luggage off. Check-in wasn't until 2 this afternoon, so we hit the road with a map in hand.

The map we were carrying isn't a complete map, so we walked around quite a ways and got lost! After about 1 1/2 hours, we finally figured out where we were!

Nathan and I saw some cool architectural designs in the older buildings along the way. We stopped and a sidewalk cafe and ordered tapas. Wanna know something funny? I don't even know what tapas are, but we were told we HAVE to try them! No body at the cafe spoke any English, so we winged it! The #1 that we ordered had fried potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce and chicken croquettes. So as soon as we ordered, the lady shooed us outside to sit at an outside table. They brought us out a saucer full of pickled olives. Nathan seemed to like them. I took only a bite of one olive and that was enough for me! About five minutes later, the guy brought out 5-6 pieces of French bread sliced in half, sprinkled with tomato juice and olive oil. We thought...this is not what we ordered...but maybe she misunderstood...oh well! Two minutes later, the guy came out with 4 fried oblong things. Come to find out, it was our chicken croquettes! Then last, but not least, he came out with a larger plate of fried potatoes with the spicy tomato sauce and some sort of mayonnaise sauce in the middle. That stuff was good (except for the mayonnaise)! We sure didn't know what to expect!

After lunch, we started walking our way back to the bed and breakfast. There is a guy here that speaks very good English and he asked us to be back by 2:00. He will be off work around three, so he wanted to be able to answer any questions we may have. Duane and Anita are supposed to meet up with us any time now. We brought a walkie talkie with us and Duane and Anita have the other one. Their flight gets in sometime around 2:00 and it's now 2:24, so we should be hearing from them soon!

Well, I'll post more tomorrow. Much love to everyone. God bless!

SEE WHAT YOU HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO!!!!

Good morning! It is THE day! Nathan and I are sitting in the Albuquerque airport waiting for our flight. We just finished a nice leisurely breakfast. Nathan had an egg, potato and green chili breakfast burrito and a chocolate cappuccino. I had a cinnamon roll with a vanilla latte.


Well, Nathan's cousin Darin and his son Dakota came and spent last night with us. Darin had knee surgery a couple of weeks ago and he had his follow-up appointment yesterday morning. Darin and Dakota (as well as my family) really like Duck Dynasty. Well, the last episode we watched, one of the brothers lost a bet and for his consequences of loosing, his brothers duct taped him to a pole in their warehouse. Dakota and Aaron got an idea...

See what my dad has to look forward to for the next 16 days??? In case the picture isn't very clear, Jordan's feet are NOT touching the ground! When Jordan had had enough and wanted to get free, everyone went back inside and turned the porch light off! It was pretty funny! He kept screaming, "Come on, guys...Guys? GUYS???

Will post more tomorrow. Love to all and may God bless America.

Noah's Ark and BonVoyage!

Good evening everyone! How are you? I am doing very well!

We had a surprise wake-up call at 5:00 a.m. by my dad. He got up to use the bathroom and found that our house was flooded! The entire dining room, partially into the kitchen, the laundry room and especially the guest bath were completed flooded!

I used up every towel in the house and a couple of blankets to boot! And then I still didn't even get the water all mopped up! I wasn't feeling well, so Nathan (bless his huge heart) sent me back to bed while he finished cleaning up the mess! I am so blessed to have a hubby who can fix things and spoil me at the same time!

I went back to bed since I wasn't feeling too well. I got the boys going on school. We then went to the two last classes of karate. We had special plans for after karate class. I was starving!

Dad treated us all out to Samurai Grill (where they cook your food right there in from of you). It's our family's favorite place to eat. I got camera happy! Jordan surprised us all. He ate SUSHI for the first time ever and actually LIKED it! He even tried some of my teriyaki salmon and LIKED it too! I think I about fell out of my seat and onto the floor! Nathan (as usual) ended up with too much wasabi on his sushi!

We had a marvelous time! I wish my mother could've been here with us. Well, I will post several picks of our pre-Anniversary dinner and Bon Voyage celebration! Good night and God bless!

Packed and Ready! Yippee!!!

Good evening everyone! How a you this beautiful, but chilly evening? I am getting really excited! I finally feel like this trip IS going to happen (Lord willing)!

Earlier this evening, I was beginning to feel overwhelmed. It's funny how things turn out. When Nathan and I first got married, I dreaded going on trips. Nathan used to get easily irritated and quick-tempered and I was so mellow. Well...the tables have turned! Nathan is as cool as a cucumber and I get all worked up, cranky, and just down right miserable to be around! Yes, I am speaking of myself! For those of you who do know me, this is not like me usually, but over the last few years, I have noticed this irritating trait developing in me...grrr. I hate when I give in to those feelings. Oh, well...I am working on getting better. Tonight, I only felt overwhelmed, not irritated and short-tempered and well...just crying at the least little thing.

I did it. I actually did it. I am officially packed. There's only four things I need to still put in my suitcase: my formal gown, my toiletries, my iPhone/iPad chargers and one tank top (in the dryer as we speak). I am so proud of myself. Most of you know that I am still doing things up to the very last minute. Friends call me the night before my trip and ask if I'm packed and all ready to go. I give them my usual answer, "No, I am still doing laundry!" Then I fold them straight from the dryer and into the suitcase it goes! I usually end up staying up till 2-3 a.m. getting everything all ready.

I am ready! I just can't believe it!

I have a fun-packed day planned for tomorrow, so I plan on posting pics and blogging about it! Until tomorrow my friends...God bless!

Dad's Here!

Good evening to all! How are you? I am doing well, in fact, very well!

Things have been kind of crazy around here. It seems like the days are getting shorter and shorter as I try and accomplish everything on my "to do" list before our cruise! Is it me, or are there fewer hours each day when I really need to get a lot done???

As you have probably have guessed from the title of this blog, my dad came in today! Bless his heart, he got up and left his house in Arizona at around 4:30 a.m. and drove seven hours so he could come stay with our boys while we go on vacation! It was so good to see him and I was relieved he had no problems driving in the wind today.

I taught some music lessons this morning. I also ran to Walmart to pick up my prescription that I called in a couple of days ago. They said they'd have it ready by 10 a.m. on Monday. I went in today and they told me they wouldn't have my script ready until the day we leave on our cruise and we'll already be on an airplane! I had to call my insurance company and request a vacation override, after I spoke with a customer rep who barely spoke English! How do I explain to someone who barely understands why I need a med filled sooner than later and what type of medication and dosage etc.??? Anyways, after running around (on the phone and in the store), I finally got my override approved and the pharmacy was able to fill my prescription. Unfortunately, I couldn't wait around till it was ready, so it looks like I'll try and pick it up again sometime tomorrow.

As I am attempting to get things all ready for our departure, I may not be able to blog as much, but please keep checking back. I will try and update as regularly as I am able to!

Well, I just got my dishwasher loaded to the hilt. The boys are in bed. Nathan's in bed. Dad's got his breathing machine on and is doing some serious sleeping! I guess I should follow their examples! Rest well dear friends! Love you all! God bless!

Starting To Get Ready!

Good evening everyone! I am getting pretty excited! Nathan and I started getting stuff packed for our cruise.

Lord willing, we fly out Saturday! My dear, sweet daddy volunteered to come stay with our boys. He plans on driving up here on Tuesday. This way, we get to see him for a couple of days before we leave.

Nathan and I finished writing down a list of things to do that we need to accomplish either today or later this week before we leave.

Chad had a really good lesson about faith. We ran a couple of errands together after church let out. I dropped Nathan off with the boys at Nathan's work place. We left his car parked at his work since we met up for date night Friday night. Nathan and the boys ran their "manly" errands (Home Depot, etc.). I had the whole afternoon to run around doing my "girly" errands! I had a blast just shopping at multiple stores, looking for sale priced bargains at my leisure and not having to worry about rushing through things so the guys wouldn't get bored waiting on me. The only thing I didn't have time to do was stop and sit down for a nice cup if coffee! I did manage to do just about all my shopping for the next three weeks though! Boy, did that feel good to get that all done!

While I was gone, guys what my guys did??? Aaron, Jordan and Nathan cleaned out the garage and moved Aaron's vehicle in so he could work on it indoors! The garage looks so nice! Way to go guys!!! I am so proud of you!

Well, everyone's in bed now, so I guess I aught to go to bed myself! I do need to get some rest if I want to get some major work done around the house tomorrow. Rest well my dear friends! God bless!

Date Night!

Good evening to all! How are you? I had a very busy, but wonderful day.

My day kind of started out rough. Most of you have read my blogs and know that we rescued a little lamb named Hope. She was partially blind. She was precious though. Unfortunately, she passed away during the night and my boys found her this morning. I was very sad. We're not exactly sure why she died, but she will definitely be missed.

I did some schooling with the boys this morning. I also ran some errands. I came home and baked a devils food chocolate cake with espresso cream cheese icing...YUMMM!!!! Believe it or not, I was a VERY good girl and only took two small bites!

I dropped my boys off at a friends house, the Heckendorns. They are a lovely homeschooling family that runs the drama group the boys are in. They are ranchers and were looking for some extra help around their ranch today putting up some corrals and barbed wire fencing. I dropped the boys off around 12:30 (just in time for lunch)! They worked hard and just hung out with them until Boys' Night tonight at the Drennan's house. The Drennans are another homeschool family that we also know through drama and karate. Once a month, Mr. and Mrs. Drennan invited young Christian teenagers over to hang out. All the other parents get a date night!

Nathan was in the mood for Baja Mexican food, so we tried a restaurant called the Prickly Pear located off San Mateo. We had their fish tacos. It was a bit pricey for the amount of food they served.

From there, we went to Sportsman's Warehouse and returned some merchandise. We bought a scope for Aaron's .22 rifle.

We hopped back in the car and stopped at Putt-Putt Miniature Golf! We had a blast! I am so horrible, but I had a great time! Nathan is much better than me...I think he was purposely missing the hole just so I wouldn't feel so bad! Nathan - 42...Michelle-69!!! I probably would've golfed just as well if I kept my eyes shut!

After golf, we stopped by Dunkin' Donuts for a cup of coffee and a donut. I ordered a French vanilla/coconut coffee with a lemon filled donut. It sure hit the spot. Nathan of course, got his French crueller!

That was our date in a nutshell. What a nice date with my sweetie! Rest well and God bless!

Back In The Groove

Good evening to all. How is everyone? I am still trying to recuperate from having company upon company and my insanely busy week!

Today was kind of non-stressful! We got up, did chores and some school. The boys got ready for drama. They had a great rehearsal! They can't believe they have only two weeks until their performance. I am pretty bummed that I will be missing it. This will be the first time EVER that I have missed any performance my kids have done. I am happy that I'll be spending it with my wonderful hubby on a cruise ship!!! Rough life, right? But someone's gotta do it!!!

After drama, we met Nathan at home. He actually got off kind of early from work this afternoon and had time to drive home, have dinner with us (tuna casserole) and hop back in one car and drive into Albuquerque for church this evening. Aaron had the lesson tonight and he has decided to start a series of studies on the book of Acts. He did a very good job! He has come a long way in his speaking skills. Nathan and I are so proud of him.

Nathan and I are (Lord willing) leaving for our trip a week from this coming Saturday! I am so excited! My dad has graciously offered to come and stay with our boys while we are gone. I am so thankful that they will get one-on-one grandpa time. The boys are very excited that at least he will be here for their drama performance. I do hope someone videos the performance.

Well, I am going to bed. I am trying to ward off a cold or allergies or sinus gunk. Please take care and may God bless you tomorrow!

Spring Karate In-House Dojo Tournament

Good morning to everyone! How are you this beautiful spring day? I am trying to recover from my busy, crazy week!

Saturday w a huge day for the boys and I! We got up early and got ready for our major in-house dojo tournament. They only hold one tournament a year. We all did very well. I made two minor mistakes, but otherwise, I did great. Jordan surprised me at well he did. Aaron astonished us by how well he did (I'll tell you more about that later)!!!

We got there and we warmed up. Come to find out, he pretty much had the brown belts run the tournament! He used his black belts as judges and to help train us, but we did the announcing of scores, compilation of scores, general announcing, keeping the kids lined up and following the appropriate protocol. It was so much info, it made my head swim...but it was fun!

Aaron, Jordan and I competed in all three events...kata, sparring, and team kata. Actually, we were signed up for a fourth event in family kata, but it ran so late, Sensei Nagatomo just ran out of time and no one performed their family kata.

Jordan did very well on his kata. I was so proud of him, he has improved a lot lately. He did great in team kata. He, Aaron and Luke Drennan performed team kata together and they did Jion. They looked really sharp. When he did his sparring, he held his own and even dished some out! He got third place in kata, second place sparring and second place team kata! Yea Jordan!!!

Aaron did extremely well. He did very well on kata. He earned second place in kata and second place on their team kata. I need to tell you a little more in detail about his sparring "stunt"!!! Let me start off by saying, we all came home in one piece, no broken bones, bloody noses or detached heads!!! When Aaron and Jordan's age of brown belt division came up, Jordan sparred Luke Drennan. Jordan beat Luke, so that placed him in the next bracket against Aaron. So Aaron and Jordan were sparring for first and second place. When we semi-free spar, we are able to shift our position, but we still attack announcing in what order we are attacking (head, stomach, front snap kick, side-of-thrust kick and roundhouse kick). The person blocking has to block whichever attack is called and then counter attack. When we starting training, we always counter attack with a punch. Well, in this tournament, they changed it and said out of all the counter attacks, you must change one of the counter attacks with an elbow, knee to the stomach or a kick. Well, Aaron blocked Jordan's head punch and countered with a punch. Jordan attacked stomach and Aaron blocked and did a knee to Jordan's stomach. He did his one change and so we thought he was going to punch on everything else...so we thought...

Jordan did a front snap kick. Aaron blocked...he then (FULL SPEED mind you) did the most beautifully executed roundhouse kick I have ever seen! He stopped within a hairs breadth of the side of Jordan's head! If Jordan had moved or flinched, Aaron would've seriously hurt him, but do to our strict training, Jordan didn't move and Aaron was completely controlled and no one was hurt! I saw Jordan's life flash before my eyes! Me, as a mother, my heart just stopped! For those of you who have not witnessed Aaron's natural ability and skill in karate, he has the most amazing kicks. He is probably the fastest kicker in our dojo, except for our Sensei. His technic was flawless on that particular kick. His form, fluidity and execution (no pun intended!) was spot on! Our Sensei even told him that his kick was beautiful. Aaron kicked at full speed and stopped right next to his ear for a split second for us to realize he was in control, then contracted back. Wow!!! That's all I can say is wow!!! All of us standing in the back of the room, our hearts stopped and our jaws dropped and hit the floor! Needless to say, he won first place with that kick alone! If Aaron hadn't performed that kick flawlessly, Sensei said that Jordan was winning the sparring. Jordan was doing that well with his own sparring. I couldn't have been prouder of both of them! Scared all of us moms half to death, but they performed with dignity and honor towards each other and to our dojo. Wow!

As for me, I did very well on my kata. I made a very minor bobble on a movement, but it w enough of a point deduction, that I didn't score as well as I would've hoped, but over all, I was pleased with how I performed. I earned third place in kata. I wasn't too disappointed with that seeing as I felt very good about my kata. My Sensei even called me this morning to personally tell me that he was very impressed with my kata, Bassai Dai. On sparring, there was confusion at the tournament about when to change the counterattacks. I thought the first time we went up to spar, we just counterattack with a punch, then if we made it to the second round, then that was where I understood that we had to change at least one counterattack. I misunderstood and I punched all of the first round. I won hands down against my opponent, but since I didn't change one of the counterattacks, she won the match. My Sensei said if I had changed that one punch, I would win first place. I earned third place, but I am content with how I did. I also performed a team kata with Jeanne Drennan and Sam Hoffman. We did very well and earned second place. So, overall, we all did very well and our Sensei is very proud of us and how we presented our dojo.

Well, after all that was over, we rushed home because we had invited our friends, the Radigans, over for dinner. Saturday night was the only time they could come before we leave for our cruise that's coming up in less than two weeks! I made a huge pot of beef vegetable southwest stew and a salad. The Radigans and their kids came over and we had a ball! I was exhausted, but we all had a great time. We showed them around the farm. Then, after supper, I taught their girls how to card fiber and how to spin it on my spinning wheel! They had a blast! I don't think they wanted to leave when it was time for them to go! I think they would've been content to keep carding and spinning! What a wonderful day!

God bless!

Karate Demonstration

Good evening to all! How are you? I am doing great,


Our company left this morning after breakfast. I spent the day cleaning house and getting ready for more company tomorrow! We are hoping to have the Radigans over for dinner.

The boys and I drove into Tijeras this evening to do a demonstration. The school that we practice at was holding a special event especially for moms and sons. Our Sensei pulled some of the most advanced students to do a demonstration for everyone. I was pretty excited about being asked to participate!

The first thing we did was line up, meditate for a minute, and then we started on our basics. We did punching jodan, chudan twice. Then we did a rising block, reverse punch. Next we did a stomach block, elbow strike, fist strike and chudan punch. The next thing we did was an inside-out block, same hand punch, then a chudan punch. Then we did a front kick, back kick. Next was a round-house kick.

The next part is what we call kumite. Kumite is where we spar with partners. We pair up, then one attacks the other and the other block and counter-attacks. I was very happy to have been paired up with Sam. Sam is about Aaron's age. He is our Sensei's first black belt student! I sparred very well with him. He attacked me with a jodan, chudan punch twice and I stood there for demonstrating how they are to make controlled contact. Sam punched pretty hard, but it was good. Next, he had to demonstrate kicking while I stood there. The first kick barely made contact. I whispered,"More Sam!" The second kick wasn't totally on target and wasn't enough,again I whispered,"Come on Sam, more!" Well, the third time was a charm and he took me seriously! He kicked me really hard. He didn't intend on hitting that hard. Our Sensei just happened to look over at us right as he kicked me. The kick was so hard, there was a big sound, it made my Sensei wonder if I was going to be ok! It was then that I smiled at Sam and he whispered," you ok?" I said, "Ossu!" It made me Sensei proud to see that Sam overdid it and I took it in stride! Next, we demonstrated some judo technics. I took Sam down! It was good! He did very well taking me down too! Overall, I had a blast!

Well, I need to get some sleep. The boys and I are completely in a major tournament tomorrow over at the main dojo. Will write about that either tomorrow or the next day! Rest well my friends. God bless!

Catch a Breath Before the Storm Hits!

Good evening! How are you? I am fine.

I have had a crazy couple of days. We had our fundraiser last night. It was pretty successful. We made $110 just for eating out at Carl's Chili Hills! So far, we have raised $460 all together. After the fundraiser, the boys were invited to spend the night at a friend's house. Nathan and I came home to Natalie and baby Aleah. I couldn't go to sleep since I was pretty hopped up on total caffeine and sugar!

I tried and tried and tried to go to sleep, but I couldn't. I woke up extra early this morning to help Nathan do the boys' chores before Nathan had to go to work. I helped milk, poured up, washed and bleached everything and took the trash out, fixed Nathan his breakfast and got him out the door by 7:30!

I drove to the Schwebachs and picked up our order of maple syrup. I came home and cooked breakfast for Anita, Duane, and Natalie.

I went back to bed since I only got about 4 hours sleep. I never fell asleep, but it did feel good to lay down. I lady came by to buy five chickens. About ten minutes later, another lady came to pick up Chester (one of our new bucks). Ten minutes after that, our normal milk customer came for his cream. What a busy morning!

I babysat Aleah for a while while Natalie finished packing up her suitcase. Duane and Anita came for a late lunch. I had to eat and run since today was karate. I just met up with the boys at karate.

I am tired. We are expecting company tomorrow. I have drs appointments tomorrow. I have music lessons and drama. I still have school. Then we're supposed to eat out at Tomato Cafe tomorrow evening for a fundraiser for the other dojo. Then we go to church. After church lets out, Leslie wants to through a small birthday party for Peyton. Thursday, we still have company. We have violin and karate. Friday we still have company and our dojo is putting on a demonstration Friday evening. Saturday is a big dojo tournament at the other dojo. Then we have different company coming over for dinner Saturday night. Sunday is potluck. Then I can breathe!!!!!

Well, I am trying to go to sleep, so until tomorrow...God bless!