"MY SISTER IS COMING!!! MY SISTER IS COMING!!!"

.....shout both Gabrielle and Lucy with excitement. Sarah, Gabrielle's big sister, and Martha, Lucy's big sister flew all night last night and then all day today; and are due to arrive in Doha at approximately 9:55 PM tonight. We all can't wait to see them!! This will be a FIRST TIME visit for each of them, which will last about 10 full fun-filled days before we all leave Doha, making a 5 day stay in beautiful Barcelona, Spain, on our way to Texas. Whew...........GOTTA LOVE SUMMER, AND BIG SISTERS! ;)

MONTH OF MAY.......the Grand Finale!

Never knew we could do so much in just one month! Here's how we spent the rest of it!

Girl Scout's Father/Daughter Desert Safari Event-

Gabrielle Celebrates her B-Day w-Friends-

Then, Lucy Celebrates her 35th by buying herself an ABAYA-

Gabrielle's Girl Scout EOY Ceremony-

Layla gets her last vaccination and is "MOVIN ON UP" in accomodations-(This song is for litte Layla - CLICK on arrow below.)

And last, but certainly not least: "PORK FEST"!

THE END!

I am GEMINI....Hear me ROAR!!! (The name of Lucy's future autobiography!)

Yes, you guessed it.......Today is MY Birthday - my 35th, to be exact!!! And I, too, wanted to share with you one of MY all-time favorite songs. Really, anything Bon Jovi was my favorite growing up. I've even been able to listen to his new stuff and love that, too.

Other things in my life that I have done, loved, endured, and am looking forward to are: growing up in old Baytown through hurricane Alicia, being cheerleader at Baytown's own Lee College, had my first real love who later broke my heart, received my Bachelor's Degree in Management from UH-Clear Lake, endured the loss of my beloved maternal grandmother, was the only Latina waitress at Monument Inn Restaurant in LaPorte, appearing on the local news with my nephew Jr., working as secretary at my own Catholic parish, having had a successful job with HMT out in FM 1960 for a couple of years, dancing my a@# off at Boogie Nights every chance I got til it closed down, have known the hardship and joy of commuting to and from work for one hour (one way), have been laid off from work due to price of oil in Latin America, went to my friend from India's arranged marriage in NYC (yeah, baby!), got married to a wonderful man, became a step-mom to a very adorable 6 year old named Sarah (who is now going on 15), proceeded to give birth to my own daughter, the best little girl ever (all 9 lbs. 1 oz. of her!), vacationed in the Bahamas after visiting Disney World Studios in Fla., suffered the loss of my dear paternal grandfather and attended his funeral services in Mexico with my husband and daughter, celebrated my 30th birthday by sky diving (would do it again in a heart beat, if given the chance), given birth to my son who we proceeded to name after my deceased grandfather, decided with my husband to relocate to Doha, Qatar (1 1/2 yrs. and counting), lost another grandparent, have been blessed enough to visit Milan, Paris, London, and will be touring Barcelona in the very near future....and, for the kicker, I have managed maintain some level of sanity, enjoying life, and loving everyone in it, especially my family, to the fullest!!!

Those of you who think you know me well are probably wishing you had the ability to add to all of this (scary); and those of you who don't know me that well yet, are probably (hopefully) wishing you did. ;) So, I would like to say that, if you like what you have read so far, just wait until my book comes out!!!! Because, remember, after all, I AM GEMINI, HEAR ME ROAR!!!!!

MONTH OF MAY......Busy, Thus Far!!!

WWe've had a GREAT and BUSY month, thus far! We have: celebrated CINCO DE MAYO with friends, honored ME along with all other MOTHERS on our special day, went to Gabrielle's school to listen to her recite a poem she wrote about "FISH", and watched the kids enjoy their ICE SKATING lesson by "playing" hockey with their coach. Even Layla, our puppy, has contributed to all the hustle and bustle by allowing us to teach her some new tricks, as well as learning about the real meaning of "NO! GIRL!" when it comes to potty training and chewing on just about ANYTHING!

To be continued.....

Introducing......."Sheikah" LAYLA!!! (Gabrielle's Big B-day Surprise!)

This is "Sheikah" LAYLA~



We know, totally ADORABLE! And she was Gabrielle's big birthday surprise (2 days early)! She is a great puppy that has brought both of the kids sooooo much happiness, we often wonder why we waited so long! Well, it was time and it has been so worth it. She is a 2 1/2 month old Spitz from an 8 pup litter, born right here in Doha, Qatar. The vet said two very wonderful things (aside from her being a very healthy puppy): 1. It is a very rambunctious breed, and 2. they are super smart; which to us translates to: very playful for OUR rambunctious kids, and, very trainable - to keep our home clean from pee pee and poo poo! Truthfully, the first two nights were the worst, and even they were not bad at all. We knew it would be like having a new baby at home with the potty training and her biting into everything! But, she has been great....We really have been lucky. She woke us up one time during those first 2 nights to go out to potty, but by the third night, she demonstrated more self control and waited until Rolando let her out before he was off to work. These days, by the time the kids and I wake up for school, she is good to go. We try to get in 2 walks a day, when the heat allows, but really, most of their exercise is indoors playing catch, or watching her trying to catch dragonflies in our back yard. At the end of some of her busy days, bathes are also interesting and somehow seem to exhaust all three of them together, not to mention Mom and Dad! ;)





















You can see from the pics that her and the kids get along beautifully. It is like they were made for one another. Did I mention that Gabrielle's been asking for a puppy since she could talk?! Well, here's proof that dreams really do come true. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR LITTLE CINCO DE MAYO GIRL!!! WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH AND ARE PROUD OF YOU MORE THAN WE CAN SAY.....



















Here are the pictures of Gabrielle's actual B-day (5 de Mayo)! Nick and Mommy went to Sissy's school with Krispy Kreme doughnuts to help celebrate it with her class. Later, we celebrated with Daddy,who bought her a dozen roses, and our friend Todd who stunned her with another of her wishes, a Tomagochi. And, yes, Mommy baked her her birthday cake which was a total hit, served with ice cream!!! ;)

Thank you to all of her Tias, Tios, Cousins, Friends, Sister and Grandparents who called to express their love and extend their B-day wishes to her; as well as those who sent emails. You all helped make her day super special!!!