JULY

Raf and I had so much fun on our mini-vacation we decided to do it again, in San Diego.
We ate too much, we slept in, and most important we enjoyed each other!

This is also the last month I heard my sweet Mom's voice. I talked to her on her 56th Birthday, July 14. I again talked to her on July 16th. I called her because I was planning a trip to see her the first of August. This was a sad phone call because I had also just found out, Aunt Marieta had Lung Cancer. We laughed, we cried, and we HOPED...She passed away the next day, July 17th...I wonder how a month could start out full of love and end in such sadness?

JUNE

June I went on my first ever (since marriage) girls trip. My friends Michelle and Mindy invited me to go to Vegas. I was lucky enough to make another great friend, Crystal. What a wonderful couple of days we had!

MAY

VALENTIN graduated from Kindergarten...Need I say more about this month? Why or why must my baby boy grow up?

APRIL

April was another fabulous month. First off, I was baptized and welcomed into the Catholic Church. I had worked so hard for this and after attending for more than 9 yrs with Raf, I took the plunge. It was the right time in my life to make that commitment. I sure am glad I did!
Also, my Dad came out to visit for 2 weeks. We had so much fun going to the Zoo, Dr Pepper Museum, exploring Austin. He even hit it off with my BFF Tiffany. They had some silly connection over silly things.

MARCH

This was a fun month!
Raf and I had our first Honeymoon!! (I know most people do it when they first get married). We just never had a chance with Raf in the Army and all that WAR stuff going on!! We went to a cute little town, Fredricksburg and stayed in this quaint little cabin. Chelo watched the kids and when we came home AB was 100% potty trained!!

Rafael and I were married again, in the Catholic Church. It was a simple ceremony and kept it small, just a few friends and Rafs parents and Brother. I wore the dress my Mom married my Dad in (with a few alterations). My Mom never had a chance to see the pictures, she never saw me in the dress I spoke so fondly of. Looking back, I wish she had. I have learned NOT to procrastinate!

FEBRUARY

Valentines came and went.
Since having children Raf and I have dinner at home with them.
My birthday on the other hand was AMAZING!
Raf invited a great group of friends, rented a private area of a local bar, an SURPRISED the HECK out of me! He is truly an AWESOME husband always thinking of his kids and wife first!

A year in review, this may take awhile!! JANUARY!

JANUARY
January was a great Month...
But when I think back it was bitter sweet, the very last time I saw my Mom.
The last time I touched her skin, gave her a hug, gave her a kiss, looked into her full of life eyes.
We had fun taking the kids to Sea World.
My favorite part: Mom eating Corn, mexican style. She couldn't get enough!