More Christmas Photos

Sophia with her new baby doll on the right and her old baby doll on the left. I told ya there was a lot of princess dolls.

Julianne with the learning market and her bowling pin penguins.

Merry Christmas to All!

We hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! We spent Christmas Eve with Miguel's family. We had a wonderful dinner that was followed by a presentation of the nativity. Little Julianne was the star. She did great flying through the air, thanks to her dad, and held on tight to it.
Gabriela about had a meltdown when she realized she wasn't picked to be Mary, but overcame her disappointment once she was decked out as an angel. Sophia was a lowely shepard abiding in the field. We opened gifts and had a great time. The family talent show was a hit again. Miguel and I graced everyone with a jitterbug routine we stole from "Dancing with the Stars." It had a few glitches, but the audience was still generous with their applause. Miguel, Gabriela, and Sophia stole the show with their techno dancing version of Amazing Grace. (I'll post video soon, since I got the techno to do so for Christmas). The girls looked cute as ever in the dresses my Mom made. These are by far my favorites. They looked like little wrapped gifts. They even let me put their hair in curlers the night before.

Santa was good to the girls again this year. Gabriela wanted a princess maker (?), so Santa brought her a lot of princess dolls. She also got an art easel with supplies since she is a budding artist. Sophia got a new baby doll, highchair, and playpen which she likes as well as a cleaning set. Julianne got a piggy bank toy and a cash register/market toy. Our house is a mess, I'm sure like everyone elses, but it's worth it. It's been great and the kiddos make the holidays so much more fun.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

My word. Have we been burried in snow or what. I think we at least got a foot of snow yesterday alone. This is the view out my kitchen window into the backyard. Do you like the monsterous icecycles that hang from the house?We actually got the girls bundled up and let them play a little bit in it.

It was Sophia's first time ever being in the snow. I think she has a love affair with it. It didn't matter if her hands were freezing or not, she wanted to be out there. She even wore her snow bib to dinner last night, because she liked it so much. Here you can see how much snow had fallen.


Poor Julianne was left inside with Mom. Even though the picture isn't the clearest, I just loved the smile I got.
This is the newest addition to the Ruiz home. The Ruiz family piano. It just makes the home more homey. Too bad none of us really know how to play. Miguel can plunk out a few tunes, but hopefully that will all change shortly. Sophia will go sit up there, hit the keys, turn the pages of the music, and sing us a few notes.

This is the few of the frontyard.

I know most of the country is freezing right now, but at least us Utahns have something to show for it!

You're HIRED!

Ladies, I found myself a job this week. Yep, all by myself. Don't gasp just yet. No, I'm not leaving my children to some stranger, but I think I need a little balance in my life. I'm employed by the Provo School District as a "Para Professional." I think that's a fancy name for an aid. I'm actually going to be helping one or two students that may have some sort of physical disability with their classwork in the classroom. It's for 3 hours in the morning. Miguel is such a good sport and understanding. He'll get some good one on one time with the girls. I'll come back a happy woman and be excited to see my kids plus be happy knowing I'm bringing in some extra money. I'm exited about it because I've been thinking that when my kids get in school, I might enjoy teaching school. Of course I would need a teaching certificate, but I think this will give me an opportunity to observe and really decide if that would be something I would like later on. The principal seemed really impressed with my letter of intent and resume, which made me feel good, since I constructed it on my own. I haven't had a job in over six years and the one I used to have, my dear mother helped me get it, so I'm excited and proud of myself. I hope this is going to be a great experience!

On another note, I found it interesting thinking back on the last several months that my path has taken some unexpected turns. It all started with wanting to do that Mrs. Utah pageant. Once I realized I needed a platform, I went out searching for volunteer opportunities. I believe those volunteer opportunities prompted me to look at this job and also gave me the experience to get it. I don't know where my path will lead from here, but I believe all of these experiences will somehow help me in my future.

The wonder medicine

This is for all you Mom's who are exhausted from listening to your child cough all night long. If you are like me, you have little faith in cough medicines. I have found a solution...and I'm serioius. I recieved an email from my Mom a while back that said you can put Vick's VaporRub on the bottom of the Feet and cover them with socks and it should help them sleep soundly all night long. All of my kids are sick and the first night was horrible. Gabriela was crouping and Julianne had been continuously coughing and crying all night long. The second night I was determined to do something. I tried the Vick's and lo and behold it worked. Julianne didn't make a peep all night long. I didn't hear her cough once. I actually wondered if she was still breathing. So there is my little piece of motherly advice. I endorse it 100%. Give it a try and tell me if it works for your kids too.

Santa Baby

Ward Christmas Party 2008

Holy Ghost?

It's funny to see how things connect in the minds of children. Especially my little Gabriela. Here's how the conversation went down the other night.

Gabriela: "Eww, Mami it's dark outside. That means there are scary bats and ghosts outside. Right?"

Me: "Well there could be bats, but I've never seen them. It's a good thing we are inside."

Gabriela: "Well Mom, it's o.k. (the lightbulb comes on, because you can see it in her eyes) Hey Mom, you remember the Holy Ghost! The Holy Ghost can protect us and he's nice."

Me: (so impressed with my child) "You're right. The Holy Ghost can protect us. I'm glad you remembered that."

Gabriela: "Hey Mom, maybe there could be Holy Bats and Holy Witches too like the Holy Ghost. They could be nice."

Looks like we need to review that lesson again for Family Home Evening. I'm thinking she's a little confused. It gave me a good laugh inside though.