it's not easy being a princess...

It's not easy being a princess, but somehow we ended up at a party with 14 little princesses to celebrate my friend's daughter's 5th birthday!

The party was at a local children's hair salon.  The stylists, who had a lot of patience, styled every princess' hair and did their makeup.  Then, all the girls got dressed and walked the catwalk.  They were thrilled. I'm not going to lie, I even had a good time!

Karli was excited and assumed the princess role the entire evening!  I honestly can't believe she's 5 already!

 

 

Emma was the youngest one at the party and I thought that she wasn't going to enjoy it, but she had so much fun she didn't want to come home!  Lately, she's been digging into my make-up bag while I'm not watching. Her princess factor is about 98%.  The 2% deduction is because she wears her tennis shoes with every outfit!  Sigh. 

in a funk

I'm in a funk.  I wake up.  Go to work.  Come home.  Tend to Emma and the house.  Go to sleep.  Same thing Monday thru Friday.  Every once in  a while, I get the motivation to pump out a workout.  I live for the weekends, but don't fully adjust to the weekend until it's nearly Monday again. 

I'm not me right now.  Cynthia is usually motivated, successful, on her A-game all the time and in every aspect. But, I'm tired.  I just want to cruise for a little bit.  Be a low performer.  Take a break.  I want to spend money as if my bank account magically replenishes itself nightly.  I want to eat sugars and carbs and greasy food till my stomach hurts.   I want to sit on my couch and watch the television every evening.  I want to block out the world around me for a few weeks.  The only thing about these irresponsible actions, is that they are followed my an unnerving remorse that eats up a person with my type of personality.  

This is only a season and as surely as the sun rises every morning, I too will rise.  

potty trained

In case the title didn't give you the slight indication of success, let me just say it:  Emma is potty trained!

We tried this whole potty training business in June, before Emma was two.  I wasn't nearly prepared for what was to come.  Emma absolutely hated the entire experience.  She refused to go in the potty and by the end of the third day, we were both crying in defeat. 

I decided to quit the potty training and throughout the summer, we attempted a few other times, unsuccessfully.

The last week of my Christmas break, I decided that she needed to learn to use the potty.  We had a rough first days, but after enlisting my mother's help, she finally started using the potty! No more money on diapers!  No more changing dirty, dirty, dirty, diapers!  And, no more wipes.  Although, we have moved on to the flushable wipes.

And, although I would like to fully rejoice in her accomplishment,  I must say that going potty in public places is a hassle.  

snow days

West Texas went through much of a drought this past summer.  We got very little rain and our sources of water were at an all time low.  Water restrictions dictated when we could and couldn't water our lawns, first 3 times a week, then as the drought worsened, only twice.  Talks began that the following year, we wouldn't be able to water at all.

Citizens in West Texas bowed on their knees and prayed for rain.  Many church congregations held prayer sessions.  The words, "Pray for Rain," were on every church sign and many billboards, serving as a constant reminder that we were, indeed, in a very desperate state.   On a few occasions, we got rainfall and people danced in their front yards and rejoiced in our blessing.  For rainfall was now perceived as a blessing and not a simple act of nature. 

A month ago, we had our first snowfall.  Schools and businesses closed down as is usual at the sight of snow for West Texas.  But nobody would have predicted what was to come.  Christmas Eve and Christmas Day we had a little more snowfall, about 5 inches in our backyard.  Then after a beautiful, mild weekend, we received 10 inches of snow yesterday.  West Texas has not seen this amount of snow since the 1940's, 19.5 inches to be exact. 

 Now, although this snowfall doesn't remove us from the drought state and our water sources are still low, we must all rejoice in the fact that our awesome Lord heard our prayers and is faithful.    As I look out my back window, I see His faithfulness beaming thru the sun rays and reflecting off the beautiful white blanket of snow.  It's a sight to behold. 

mae

Today, we got our new puppy Mae.  She's a Chihuahua/Yorkie mix, a Chorkie!  She's extremely cute and adorable.  The poor thing doesn't even realize that her new owner is a 3-foot giant who loves to torment little puppies like her. 

Exactly seven years ago, we got our puppy Sari.  She was a miniature Poodle.  My mom and dad bought her for us and she was delivered to us in a tiny basket.  We always said that we wanted a puppy so that we could prepare for a baby.  Ha!  Such naive thinking on our part.  Puppies in no way prepare you for a baby.  They are much, much easier. Anway, Sari was our baby until Emma was born.  Then, we had to give her to David's parents because she was very jealous of Emma. 

I promised that I would never, ever get another puppy, but when Mae was offered to us as a gift to Emma by one of David's coworkers, we just couldn't resist. 

We love her already! 

random thoughts

Random Thought 1:  This is my 100th published post.

Random Thought 2:  I like Rihanna's song, We Found Love.  I'm sure you've heard it on the radio.  I don't usually like her music, but something about this song draws me in.  Maybe it's the struggle she reveals through her lyrics.  Maybe it's the beat or the melody.

Random Thought 3:  I don't want to work anymore.  I want to be a stay-at-home mom.  I keep conjuring up ideas that would allow me to stay home, but they all have the same end result:  I'll never be able to stay home.  It's a bit funny though.  You see, before I was a mother, I thought that motherhood should never define a woman.  Motherhood was to be taken lightly.  A phase, more so than a journey.  What should define a woman was her passion.  Mine has always been bilingual education.  Dr. Sauceda.  Has a nice ring to it, right?

Then, I became a mother.  My dreams have been put on hold for a little while.  I no longer feverishly seek to have a Masters within a two year span, choosing to be with my daughter over the stress that comes with school.  Cynthia Sauceda, Ph.D in motherhood.  Sounds even better.

Random Thought 4:  I finally took down the Christmas trees.  Now all that stands in its place is Emma's small table against a barren, tan wall.  All decorations are in the garage, to be forgotten for 11 months.  I'd like to say that it saddens me a bit, but to be honest, I'm relieved that the holidays are over.  I'm a routine girl.  And although I don't like to go back to work, I do enjoy the routine that comes with it.

Random Thought 5:  I need to blog more.  Document life more.  Take more pictures.  I seem to think that I will be able to remember all that goes on, but I can't and don't.  My memory fails me and the thought of not remembering Emma as she is right now, frightens me a bit. 

Random Thought 6:  After 6 months of working out, I can now do a push-up.  Touch my nose to the ground and come back up.  I used to have no upper body strength, now I do.  Yep, I'm bad.  

christmas eve

Traditionally, we celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve.  We have dinner together and open gifts at midnight.  First, with David's family, then with mine.

This year was no different.  We had an intimate dinner with David's family and opened gifts.  Emma was showered with gifts, both material and emotional. 

Then, we celebrated with my entire family.  It's always a good time, but even better now that we all have our own children.

And, of course, I can't end this post without stating that we had our first white Christmas since 1997 (don't quote me on that year, I may or may not have made it up).   Christmas gleams a little brighter when there is snow.