HAPPY.

It's 11:45 PM on the last night of 2012, and I am currently wrapped up in a cozy blanket drinking a hot cup of coffee watching a Hallmark movie. Officer Bob is snoring while snuggled up with my two favorite bed-hogging mutts, and this might be my favorite NYE we have shared together.

I had full intentions TWICE of getting all dressed up and hitting the town this evening. However, my dress and heels are still sitting in the closet, and I am still parked in my favorite spot on the couch.

I'm not sure if it's the Kahlua in my coffee or the super annoying feel-good cheery script of the Hallmark movie I'm currently watching, but I feel happy.

• Happy that I made it through 2012 in good health and with somewhat sane mind.
• Happy that I survived the Mayan Apocalypse.
• Happy to have spent time with my fun-loving family on the last day of this year.
• Happy that the family I speak of consists of a happy mother, a happier than I have seen in a long time father, and three siblings who make me very proud.
• Happy that in exactly 15 minutes, I will be able to say "I am getting married this year."
• Happy that my heart believes the man I will be marrying is my soul mate and true love.
• Happy that when that marriage occurs, I will be gaining another set of loving parents and a full crazy crew of brothers and sisters whom I already consider to be some of my best friends.
• Happy that the disturbing broadcast of Jersey Shore's finest fist-pumping guidos and meatballs will finally be terminated from the television airwaves leaving more room for SOA's Harley-riding hotties and the living dead to haunt my evenings.
• Happy that both Officer Bob and I have found careers that we love and that allow us to financially cover our basic needs.
• Happy that the only resolution I can come up with this year is to be equally happy on the last day of 2013 as I am today.

It's annoying, I know. I have recently been described as both obnoxious and peppy, and I have a reputation to protect. I am proud of both qualities for those irritating character traits are the same characteristics that allow me to embrace the positive life around me. Trust me when I say that every day of this past year has NOT been sunshine and laughter. There have been tears. There have been struggles. But there have also been smiles. Lots of smiles. Those are the moments I want to remember.

As I watch the clock strike midnight, I will take a glance at my bucket list scheming ways I can cross off as many items as possible in 2013. I will rejoice in the sound of my fiance sawing logs, and I will sip on yet another glass of Kahlua. Man that's good shit.

Happy New Year to all and to all a good night!

Feliz Navidad

From mi familia a tu familia..........

 

THE DIVA AND SUPER ADORABLE ONE

 

 

THE PRETTY AND EMOTIONAL ONE

 

 

THE SMART AND ATHLETIC ONE

"The Golden Child"

 

 

 THE BROWN AND PEPPY ONE

 

 

THE WHITE AND FUNNY ONE

 

 

 THE TALL AND UNPREDICTABLE ONE

 

 

AND ONE HECKUVA GOOD LOOKING BUNCH

OF MISFITS!

 

Merry Christmas from my family to yours.

 

 

 

A Belated Birthday for Beans

Keep in mind the party was only 6 days belated, but my poor excuse for blogging is what caused the 12 day delay. :)

Due to geographical location, the Casa de Bob family was unable to party with Beans on the 1 year anniversary of her birth. However, the Belated Beans Birthday was well worth the wait, and my little burrito of a niece was quite the firecracker. This would be no surprise if you have met either one of the poor girl's grandmothers. :)

In order to make the mess slightly more manageable, it was decided that Beans would receive ONE chocolate cupcake for surviving ONE year of direct care by her father. This child could just not contain her excitement at the site of the deliciousness in front of her.

However, the excitement quickly turned to fear/confusion when a room full of Mexicans started singing to the scared child. She better get used to it as I'm sure our family Mariachi band has already booked gigs for future birthday celebrations. 

The confusion soon subsided and attention was again focused on the task at hand. Eat. Chocolate. I never knew so many emotions could be involved in eating a cupcake, but Beans has proven that the art of Cupcake Consumption is quite an emotional journey.

And of course, you could not turn away from the magic. Beans made sure to reiterate that she was indeed the center of attention.

 

Cupcakes were followed with clean-up and the Belated Beans Birthday was concluded by the annual tradition of the presents. Her favorite was obviously her Uncle Officer Bob and Aunt Big Boca Bob's gift - if you define favorite as the gift we forced her to put on and parade around the house. Raise your hand if you are going to be the cutest flower girl in the history of flower girls?! (tied with Pebbles of course)

 

FELIZ CUMPLEANOS, BEANS!

The past year flew by, and you are no longer Daddy's little baby. You are a diva full of attitude who has mastered the art of the "don't mess with this chicana" glare. This makes me proud - but could you do me a favor? Hold off on growing up TOO fast? I want to make these moments last.

 

P.S. Beans was also kind enough to share her fiesta with her second favorite Mexican aunt. (Sorry Dancing Queen but the truth hurts.) TWENTY cupcakes for the TWENTY year old.

 

 

And all de-flamed in one breath. She. Is. Good.

 

I must admit that I'm really loving all the family time I have been getting lately. I feel so spoiled getting to watch my little nieces grow, and it makes my heart happy knowing my time in doing so has just started. This is Officer Bob and I's 8th Christmas together, and the FIRST time we will get to spend it with BOTH sides of the family TOGETHER.  I am extremely grateful for the oppotunity to be surrounded by loved ones during this holiday season. It's a dysfunctional group to say the least, but it's our family.

 

 



Twenty Years Have Passed

 

And I'm still browner than you.

 

Some things will never change.

 

************************************************

 

And that includes my love for my little twin.

 

Feliz Cumpleanos, Dancing Queen!!!

 

Congratulations on officially surviving your teenage years.

(and proving those teen pregnancy statistics wrong)

 

Now take on your 20 somethings like a true warrior!