Here are some pics of our decorations . I'm hoping the memories they jog will make my children sufficiently homesick so they'll come see me next Christmas.

See how many of these things my family of origin can pick out as things they made or sent me for Christmases past. José kept the moving Santa with the light in his hand, and the snowman (I think Kristi made that one??).

¡Felicidades a todos de la familia Diaz!

J.D.'s Newest Acquisition

J.D. decided to get a bigger tv for the apartment, but it's so excessive that it doesn't fit in my entertainment center, so he just put it on his dresser. Just like a guy! He's in heaven!!

Look at this beautiful little family! This is the Keith Bruce family [that gorgeous mom is my eldest daughter Tere]. They all look ready for Christmastime, don't they?

Forget the timing...I love Christmastime!!

The first picture is of April and Dan's new abode in Mississippi. The one on the end closest to the camera will be theirs. I'm sure they're anxious to get into it -- but I don't know because my daughter never writes to me!!!

The other is Christmas last year in Waco. Why, you ask? Because I'm sitting in semi-darkness with all the candles in the house lit and Christmas music blaring. I'm just feeling kinda Christmasy right now so there ya go!

Here are a few pics of Nico's Halloween. He's a little upset with me that I forgot to take him on a picnic to a graveyard to celebrate El Dia De Los Muertos (the day of the dead) yesterday. I, of course, didn't even know that was the plan. I think he believes I can read his thoughts or something...

Okay, so I really stink at picture taking. The other pictures are of his pumpkin rolling contest at Pack Meeting. Yes...it's a wonderful life!

http://www.playlist.com/user/37162053

Operation K.I.D.S.

Today, Nico went to the base for Operation K.I.D.S. He came home very excited and all painted up in camo. They even made coins (like squadron coins) for the kids that were made especially for military B.R.A.T.S. He had a great time!

The Ninja Nico Strikes Again

For the sake of my sister Jeny's entertainment, and because Nico wanted his sister Tere to see his Naruto book. Here are more pictures...

Here is J.D. with his new latest and (not-so) "greatest" acquisition. Mom, the ER nurse, is not happy about it at all. There's a reason we call these "donor-cycles", but he's one happy camper. He came home the other day just beaming that he filled up his tank with just $12! I guess that's one bright side of it -- that he's finally learning the value of money! Ha, Ha!

Okay, so Tere is here and she's teaching me how to add photos ('cause it just makes it easier to blog about something). This is an old picture of one of J.D.'s ROTC competitions -- go figure, he's the tall skinny one in the back! ha ha

Home alone

Ah!! Our patient census was low tonight so I only worked for 4 hours and then came home. Nico's at his dad's, J.D.'s with his girlfriend and Mike is working out of town tonight so I have the place to myself. I don't know why I feel such pleasure in being home alone, but after growing up in the Lauritzen zoo and having 4 children and a spouse in my adult home and now having a significant other and two of my children with me most of the time I take great pleasure in having a few hours to myself. Of course I'll probably clean or something boring like that, but it's still nice once in a while. There's not alot going on in San Angelo right now, but we're looking forward to the end of May when my eldest daughter and her family come down to see us for J.D.'s graduation. Their dad will be in Iraq at the time so we can have a peaceful, stress-free time together. Can't wait!

I'm Back!

I know I'm horrible about writing anything consistently - Teresa, my eldest, seems to be much better at this than I am. I'm glad because she lives so far away so I get to know what her little family has been up to.

Here in San Angelo things are the same as usual. I work, go home to bed, get up take my youngest, Nico, to school, go back to bed and get up for work. What a lazy life...I love it! Last night at work there was a little excitment. Just as I was winding up my shift, one of my patients heart decided to stop, so we coded him for a while and got him back and sent him to the ICU. Then I had to finish all the documentation for everything. So much for getting off on time! Such is the life of a nurse, right?

I still have boxes and boxes of stuff to unpack and I can't find Nico's clothes anywhere so we've been using stuff from his dad's house. What a pain! But the house is taking shape and my eldest son, J.D., seems to like it a lot. He's been spending most nights here instead of at his dad's house. It's nice.

Just for today

Thought today would be appropriate to get started blogging - it's my birthday!! No, not my belly button birthday...my recovery birthday. I'm celebrating one year today. Yea me!

I've got to get ready for work so I'd best git. Love to all!