Happy Valentine's Day 2007!
Mood:  crushed out
Topic: Family

Happy Valentine's Day!

This morning we dressed the kids in pink, for casual day at preschool and daycare.  Today is a lot of fun.  They have a Valentine's day party and exchange treats.  As a special treat, I took Karla (3yrs) out for breakfast (just us 2) before school.  I have been studying a lot for the Bar exam and will be studying for the next 13 days, so breakfast together was a special treat.  Tonight, we'll have takeout and eat on Valentine's day themed plates.

In 2 weeks, (as soon as the exam finishes) we'll take the kids to Disney (the exam is in Orlando). DH and I will finally get a weekend to ourselves soon afterwards, when we travel to take the MPRE (Ethics exam).

Karla just got admitted to a new school & Update
Mood:  celebratory
Topic: Karla
As I've mentioned before, public schools here are not an option at all.

Even though we are planning to move to FL, we still have to get Karla
admitted to a school (otherwise next year, I might not be able to find a
good and affordable school for her). Most good schools here have been
starting at preK or earlier. Well, DH and I decided we needed to get Karla
into a school since her wonderful preschool doesn't go beyond PreK. :(

A psychologist friend had recommended DH's alma mater. We had to fill in an
application, take Karla to psicometric (IQ) tests and an oral exam (sort of
like a job interview). I never thought transferring into PreK was so hard.
We were application 79 for only 36 slots.

Well, this morning DH called me, and told me Karla had been admitted. It
seems she did a perfect oral exam. Must say I'm so happy and proud. :D
It's an excellent school, nearby and affordable (it's a parrochial
school). The school also has sport activities. As long as we are here, we
won't have to change schools for Karla. Needless to say DH is ecstatic.

I got Karla some shades and cute socks to celebrate. She loves shades and
never has enough socks.

Letty will remain in daycare for the next year. Next year she can go to
preschool, wherever we are.

My Update-- I'm studying like crazy for the FL Bar, and just realized I've
gained a ton of weight. Even Karla has asked me why I'm so fat, and has
told me that I need to get into a healthy weight. :P
Once I pass the Bar and undergo the infamous character investigation, I
could be admitted 6-8 mos afterwards. I'm holding on filing the Bar
Application until I pass the exam, just so I don't get heat at my
workplace. Once admitted I can finally go jobhunting.

Gotta say goodbye. Must go to pick up my girls and tell Karla the good
news.

Karla and Letty Playing Together
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Motherhood
Gotta love the interaction between Karla and Letty.

1 yr old Letty will be playing peacefully, sitting down on the floor with
any book or toy. 3.5 yr old Karla will suddenly get there take the object
away from Letty and keep on moving. Letty will complain, get up, bite Karla
and attempt to pull Karla's hair.

Karla will then scream in pain and yell Letty wants to bite me! Duh!

PV request-- Just sent out my resume
Mood:  lucky
PV request. I just sent my resume for a job in the area of
Immigration. (It's too good an opportunity to let pass). Saw the position
posted in last Sunday's classifieds. I still plan to take the FL Bar on
late Feb, but I figure the position will take some time to fill. Not much
happens in the weeks between Christmas, New Year and Three Kings Day.

5 year anniversary
Mood:  amorous
Topic: Married Life
DH and I are off to St Kitts on Wed to celebrate our 5 year anniversary.
It's a wonderful chance to relax, rest, and reconnect. We plan to get back
by the end of the weekend.

venting
Mood:  don't ask
Topic: Working Mom

I'll be going no mail for the next few days. Letty has RSV and
bronchiolitis (sp?), the pedi considered hospitalizing her, but she
seems to be getting better and we¿ll be able to skip the hospital.
DH and I have been caring for her since Thursday. DH now seems to
have a bad cold, Karla has been coughing at school and daycare and
will probably need to be picked up early today. Right now I have to
concentrate on the kids and DH.

Letty will be 1 yr old on Wednesday. We were having a small Bday
party for her last Saturday, but the pedi told us to cancel it until
Letty feels better. I stayed at home during the morning to care for
Letty. DH is now caring for Letty at home. The owner of the daycare
picked up Karla at preschool. (DC owner¿s son attends the same
preschool at Karla and we take turns picking the kids up).

Of course, I have not read a page of my books and have temporarily
stopped studying for the bar. At least until today or tomorow. urgh!

Meanwhile, I¿m sitting at work trying to think and finish some docs
with a deadline. I'd be at home with my sick kids (like I feel I
should), except I've gotten a lot of grief over my sick days and
absences lately.

Letty will be 1 yr old on Thursday
Karla is 3 yrs old going on 20

Room Mother
I'm room mother for Karla (along with another mom). The other mom is
suppossed to be the main room mother and I the assistant room mother. So
far, we've dealt a lot with money collections for activities, yearbook pics,
fundraising-- Innisbrook, the Christmas Bazaar, golf tournament. We have to
get together to divide the chores. Hope to get into more interesting stuff
soon, like chaperoning activities-- I'm off work on Fridays--
and decorating.

September 11, 2006
Today, it?s sweet and sour day.

Every Sept 10 and 11, I get very anxious and pray a lot. We don?t do
flags (forget to put it up), but we do a lot of praying. Can?t believe
it?s been 5 years. Back then I was single, engaged and terrified; Now I?m
happily married, mother to 2 beautiful girls, which help me keep life
in perspective.

I remember being at work and seing almost all the live morning footage.
I was working at a high level govt office and we had access to a TV with
cable on the office next door. I remember everyone trying to fit into a
large cubicle, with lots of crying and screaming. (We hispanics are well
known for being quite expressive with our emotions, especially grief)
One of my coworkers lost her brother that day, and another believed she lost
her sister and aunt-- lucky for them, they had medical appointments
that morning.

DH was my fiance then and he was visiting some relatives in Chile (BIL
works for a Very Large Multinational Corp). DH was suppossed
to travel on Sept 11 from Santiago, Chile to Miami, and Miami to PR. Of
course, his flight got cancelled and he got stuck at his brother?s house. We
got married on Oct 13, 2001 and were terrified to fly. Spent our honeymoon
in Canada, and then in Seattle. I still get nauseous when I fly.

Since Karla is only 3, I have avoided explaining what this day means. I
try to shield Karla from 9-11 images, she?ll see plenty when she is older.
Karla only knows that we have to be checked and rechecked at airports
because some people behaved badly during their flight.

Today is my 36th birthday, so I actually have something to celebrate.
A positive note is everyone remembers my bday. Nowadays, I get more calls
than ever.
HAPPY BDAY to all the Sept 11 babies! May you always have
something good to celebrate on this day (besides remembering all the sad
events that happened).

I?m off to call a restaurant, order takeout, pick it up on the way
home and celebrate life with my family. (And then hug DH and my girls).

Joselyn

Back to School-- Karla's lunches and snacks
Mood:  chatty
Topic: Motherhood
Karla has a lunchbox w/ 2 separate compartments (from Lillian Vernon). Some of her favorite snacks are yogurt, fruit cups (we like Mott's applesauce and other fruits), juice/milk boxes, cereal, pieces of fruit (dry or fresh). Sometimes, I put a sandwich or a cookie in a Ziplock bag. For lunch we pack frozen leftovers (I always save a few pieces of previous dinners) or a Chef Boyardi reheatable pasta cup. We try to pack in as much nutritional stuff as possible, but every once in a while we use prepared foods.

Father's Day 2006
Father's Day 2006

We had lunch with my parents & brothers, and with Pierre's parents &
relatives. We met at a Casa Dante restaurant. Karla had a blast playing
with her cousins. Everyone was carrying and cuddling Letty so I got to eat
relax. :)

The girls and I got home early as we're still sick with some type of strong
seasonal allergy (asthma). Karla was soo tired she was sound asleep by
6:00pm. I was asleep by 7pm. Baby Letty stayed up playing with DH until
around 8-8:30 pm.