My Inseparable Boys!!!

Tonight Anthony wanted to sleep by himself in his room since now each of my three boys have their "own room". Anthony sleeps with Lucas in his bedroom almost all the time. Lucas has a bunk bed so there's always extra room for one more person or two. Mateo, on the other side, always sleeps in his room, every now and then he will go down in the basement in Anthony's room and sleeps with him. Anyhow, tonight they all went to sleep in his own room. Lucas and Mateo upstairs and Anthony in the basement. After saying the prayer and sending them to bed, I hear Mateo talking in his room. I went in and asked him who he was talking to. He was sad and told me he liked the "old way" better. He said "why can't it be like before when we all slept together in the same room? Emotions overwhelmed me, and I told him that is it still the same. I said "if you want to sleep with your brother Lucas go and sleep with him". He grabbed his soft blanket and his soft froggy and crawled in with Lucas. Lucas was so happy. Then I felt that I needed to check on Anthony in the basement, so I went down there and he was awake. I could tell he was not very excited about being there by himself. I asked him if he wanted to sleep by himself or with Mateo and Lucas upstairs. Immediately he told me upstairs with his brothers. So right away Anthony went up and laid in the middle with his brothers. Lucas was laughing and excited to have his brothers with him. I told them that now that they each have their own bedroom, it's every bodies bedroom and they can all take turns sleeping in each others bedrooms. I think they understood that. Ever since they were little they have always been together and sleeping together, and now that they are older and have their own bedroom, they still want to stay together. I am totally okay with that. I want them to be that way, but I also want them to have the option to be alone sometime and have some privacy when they feel like they need it--and believe me sometimes they need to be bythemselves. They have so much love for each other and that means the world to me. I think that's every mothers greatest desire, to see their kids love each other.

My basement is finally done!!

We worked so hard in the basement, and I never saw the light at the end of the tunnel, but finally it's done. Yesterday we got the carpet put in and two days ago we finished installing the drop ceiling. Daniel and I worked until midnight finishing it. We were so tired and frustrated. When we were done, our backs were killing us but we needed to finish it before the carpet was installed. We didn't want to mess up our nice new carpet. And yes, it's very very very nice...so comfy, it feels like I'm walking through pillows. Hopefully the feel would last a long time. Now we just need to place the furniture and decorate it. We probably won't get all our furniture until after Thanksgiving. We bought it from two different stores, so the delivery time varies. The boys are so excited. They keep rolling all over the carpet. The full bathroom that is down there is not done yet. We probably won't finish it until after Christmas. That's a separate project, not so bad though as the entire basement. We still have to put the baseboards, but we are taking our time on that. It looks so nice now that I don't think we need them, but Daniel insists. But for now, I am just relaxing and enjoying my work..

Daniel's New Calling in the Bishopric!

Bueno son las 4:37 a.m. y he estado despierta por mas de dos horas. Creo que fue porque me acoste bien temprano anoche y luego me desperte y no pude dormir mas. Bueno lo que quiero escribir es acerca del nuevo llamamiento de Daniel, primer consejero en el obispado de Arnold, Missouri. Estamos muy sorprendidos por este llamamiento, es muy grande. Yo me siento rara, no se como que ahora tengo que ser mejor ejemplo en el barrio y en mi vida. Pero muy feliz pues se que esto va a bendecir nuestras vidas. Apenas lo llamaron ayer domingo, y ya empezo a ser cambios en su vida. El primero, se afeito su candado. Eso fue un poco duro para los dos, pues ya llevaba muchos anos, como cuatro, usando el candado, y ya estaba acostumbrada a verlo asi. Como que su cara cambia y se ve diferente, un poco mayor tambien. Pero el presidente de estaca le dijo que tenia que despedirse del bigote. Y el lo hizo el mismo dia, buen comienzo. Tambien manana o hoy en la tarde, vamos a ir a comprar un saco, un cojunto con su abrigo para usar los domingos. Hoy cuando le tomaron la foto con el obispo, Brian Kimbrough, y el segundo consejero, Kevin Hudson, el era el unico sin saco, solo su camisa blanca y corbata. Asi que otro cambio. Lo mas chistoso es que los tres fueron llamados hoy y ninguno tiene experiencia en el obispado. Brian Kimbrough hace dos meses lo llamaron como maestro en la guarderia. El era el maestro de Lucas, asi que Lucas lo va a extranar. Es maravilloso la forma como Nuestro Padre Celestial escoge sus servidores. Hoy tambien Daniel fue apartado al oficio de Sumo Sacerdote. Ese es un oficio del Sacerdocio muy especial, que solo sucede una vez. Se que este llamamiento va a traer muchas bendiciones a mi hogar, ya siento el Espiritu mas fuerte. Es increible!! Estoy tan orgullosa de mi esposo y de todo el progreso que ha tenido en la iglesia. Te amo muchisiiiiiiimo Daniel. Tu nina Kathe
Here's Daniel with the Stake Presidency. The only one not wearing a suit and with a beard. I think... we need to make some changes.
Here's the new Arnold bishopric! It goes little, medium and large, ha, ha,ha.
Soooooooooooo proud of you, my dear. Love you soooooooooo much.

Trabajo, Trabajo y Mas Trabajo...

Nunca habia trabajado tanto como he trabajado en el basement (sotano) de mi casa. He pintado como loca, pero antes de pintar, he tenido que empanotar las paredes con barro y luego esperar que se sequen para lijarlas. Despues de eso, pintarlas con una base y esperar que sequen para pintarlas con el color escogido. Algunas de estas paredes he tenido que darles hasta tres capas para que cojan bien el color. Ha sido mucho trabajo. Tambien les organice una biblioteca a los ninos en el basement, debajo de las escaleras, y ya se las termine de decorar. De tanto pintar tengo cayos en las manos, uno bien grande que ojala se me quite cuando termine. Lo bueno es que ya estoy casi terminando y no tengo que hacerlo mas. Solo faltan las escaleras de el basement, alli hay que pulir las paredes y pintarlas. Creo que muy pronto vamos a instalar la alfonbra y el techo, y despues de eso viene lo que mas he esperado... comprar las cosas nuevas y decorar. Pero todo este trabajo que he hecho vale la pena. Tengo mas espacio en mi casa y los ninos, cada uno, tiene su propio cuarto solo. Daniel tiene su cuarto de cine y un bano abajo. Claro que ese aun no esta terminado. Estamos esperando terminar con el resto para contratar un plomero. Ojala que terminemos pronto, pero despues voy aburrirme y no voy a tener que hacer. Yo tengo que estar siempre haciendo algo para no aburrirme. Bueno algo nuevo encontrare, todavia falta algun tiempo para eso.

Reading The Book of Mormon As a Family!

Last night we started reading the Book of Mormon as a family. Daniel decided to read the Book of Mormon instead of the regular bedtime book the boys usually read before they go to bed. We started from the beginning. We all read one verse except from Anthony and Lucas who still don't know how to read, but they can repeat it. This morning Anthony asked me if we were going to read the Book of Mormon again tonight, and I told him every night. He's so excited. I think this is going to be a good spiritual experience for our family. It definitely invites the spirit into our home.

Mother & Son Hayride!

Today Mateo, Anthony, Lucas and Mama went for a hayride at Mateo's school. I got tickets for Anthony and Lucas too, even though they're not in Fox Elementary yet. It was fun. First, we eat hot dogs, chips and soda. Then we went for a hayride around the school. After that we had smore marshmallows, so yummy. Finally we sat down and listened to a scary story. The kids loved it. The weather was really nice, about 65 F degrees. It was a little chilli but nice. The school was taking pictures of the parents with their kids sitting on hay. We got a good picture taken. This is a good time for me and the boys, all this cool school activities, and so many more to come...

At Trip to the Eckert's Orchards Farm with Mateo!

Today I got to go with Mateo to his school field trip. I couldn't stay the whole time because I had to be home by noon to get Anthony and Lucas from the school bus. Mateo was so excited to see me there.
Here's Mateo with his class.We had a great time picking up green apples. Mateo doesn't like apples, but he asked me if I could make him apple pie. He said maybe he'll like apple pie. We'll see. We enjoyed watching the pig race.
I am so blessed to be part of every moment of their lives. I don't want to miss anything. It's going to be fun when Anthony and Lucas are all in elementary school. I'm going to have to juggle my time to be with all three and not miss anything. It's just going to get really busy for me, but I can't wait for that!!

No More Bedtime Stories for Mama!

Now that Mateo reads, I don't have to read the boys their bedtime stories. Mateo reads it to them every night. That's a big help for me, because when the night comes, I'm so tired and ready to relax and do nothing. They usually read a book of church stories. Mateo, what a big helper you are for me.

My Sweet Boys!

Today Mateo came home from school with some gifts for his brothers. He has been working really hard in school, (doing his homework, behaving, listening, etc.) and gained some money. Every time the students do something good, the teacher gives them a nickel, dime or quarter. He got to go shopping in school and spend his money. He had earned a dollar. Instead of just buying stuff for him, he bought Anthony a toy (.25 cents) and Lucas a car (.25 cents also), and with the remaining he got a cool ruler for him. I thought that was so sweet. Every time he gets something in school, he shares it with his brothers. Anthony does the same thing. He gives Mateo and Lucas the best he gets in school and keeps something little for him. Lucas is not there yet. He still gets treated as the baby, and gets spoiled by his two big brothers, but he's really sweet and shares with them too. I just love my boys with all my heart. I have never seen brothers that love each other so much as I've seen my boys.

Hiking with the Delaneys!

Yesterday the Delaneys invited us to go hiking with them. They love going hiking and doing outdoors activities. The took us to Elephant Rocks State Park in Graniteville, Missouri. It's about 70 miles south of our house. It's very impressive. The rocks are giant. Lots of rocks to climb. I was a little nervous about the kids falling, but they were okay. No injuries, just lots of fun.

Frank is so good at doing the splits. Daniel and he were helping out the kids get through the tough spots.

Frank was really trying to throw me off here.
Daniel had to use all his strength to lift this giant rock.

After doing the trail, we had a nice barbecue. Frank did the cooking. By the way Frankie, your hamburgers were not very tasty.
Overall we had a great time. Thanks guys for inviting us. I would probably have never found this cool place. But now that I've been there, I will never forget it.

A Night With Gladys Knight And The SUV Choir!

Last night Daniel, the boys and I went to a fireside at the North Stake in Hazelwood to see Gladys Knight and her SUV (Saints Unified Voices) Choir. Since 2002 Sister Knight and her choir have dedicated their talents to spreading the spirit of the Lord and embracing the cultural diversity of the wonderful people coming into the Lord's kingdom. The choir consists of nearly 100 members, all LDS, from various cultural backgrounds who reside in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was a great fireside, one of the best I've ever been to in the church. It lasted two hours, and most of the time she and the choir sang. Some of the songs were from the church, but with different music, and others were composed by her. When she first started singing with the choir it was so touching. Our eyes watered immediately and I had this not on my throat. The spirit was so strong. The amazing thing is that she is been doing this as a missionary tool to bring people to the church. We were told she was called by President Gordon B. Hinckley to do this wonderful mission using her music and talents. "Gladys Knight was born in Atlanta, Georgia on May 28, 1944. She began singing professionally at the age of four, winning a talent show on television. She is most famous for her work with the Pips including Midnight Train to Georgia and I Heard It Through the Grapevine. She currently makes her home near Las Vegas, Nevada. Gladys Knight loves to cook. She has a large family, which includes 3 children and 11 grandchildren" quoted from http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.geocities.com/solmes.geo/gladys-knight-2004.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.geocities.com/solmes.geo/gladysknight.html&h=601&w=585&sz=50&hl=en&start=3&usg=__IrOxwUlhRZ8m0uJuoOtraQKBVmc=&tbnid=x9912_ychPPLaM:&tbnh=135&tbnw=131&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dgladys%2Bknight%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den

"Gladys Knight’s first group was made up of her brother Merald and cousins, William Guest and Edward Patton. This group would later go on to be called Gladys Knight and the Pips. They called themselves the pips after their then manager and cousin, James “Pip” Woods. The group sang around the South and began recording music in the 1960s" quoted from http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2005_06/house/kids/famous/glaydsknight.htm

If you would like to visit her website with the SUV choir follow this link: http://www.suvchoir.org/
Although there are many choirs in the LDS church with the mission of sharing the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ through inspirational music, only one is directed by Gladys Knight: the Saints Unified Voices.

We had a great time with her. She also has a great sense of humor. It was very entertaining listening to her. I know that because of her talents and her strong testimony of the gospel, she will be bring many souls to the church. I'm grateful for her and for this marvelous work she's doing. She's really an inspiration to me.

Mateo & Anthony First Baseball Practice!

Today Mateo and Anthony had their first baseball practice at YMCA. They are both in the same team, which is good because Anthony can have Mateo for support. All they did today was practicing pitching and batting. Daniel got in just in time from work to help the boys. He is an assistant coach.
Anthony really needs to practice batting and keeping his eyes on the ball. Daniel is going to work with him on that.
Mateo is really good hitting and throwing. Since he was little he has always been very athletic.

Lucas was really upset because he didn't get to play. I told him when he turns four he can play. He told me he didn't want to be three anymore. He wants to play baseball so bad.
I had to figure out something for him to keep him entertained. I told to pick up rocks and count them. He liked that. That helped a lot because I was trying to watch the boys and being the water girl for them. They asked for water every five minutes. Next time, I have to bring toys for Lucas to play with or something.

Beware of Pirates!!

I'm finally done decorating Mateo's new Pirate room. When he moved into his new bedroom I asked him what theme he would like, and he said pirates. Right away I got busy and started to work on it. I love decorating and it's very exciting for me, so it was a lot of fun doing it. I think I get more excited about it than the kiddos. Here's some pics. Enjoy!

The boys love this room. Anthony and Lucas have a sport room that I spent many hours decorating too. But now this is the most exciting room in my house. Tonight, they're going to have a sleepover. Mateo already has it all planned out; play some games, watch a movie, etc. Tia April suggested having a sleepover every now and then, and I thought it was a great idea, since Anthony and Lucas really like the room. Anthony was kind of jealous that Mateo got a new room and new stuff, but I told him he'll get a new room too. It will be the new room we're finishing in the basement. It's going to be a superhero room. Lots of fun. I think once that one is done, the pirate room won't be as exciting.


This is the back of the room, above the closet door I'm going to hang a pirate sword, but Mateo won't be getting it until Christmas. I already spent too much money on his room, and now I'm broke.So finally all my three boys have their own room. Lucas gets the sport room, Mateo the pirate room, and Anthony the superhero room. But I'm not sure how the superhero room is going to work because is in the basement and I don't want Anthony to sleep there all by himself. The good thing is that Lucas' room has a bunk bed so Anthony can sleep with him if he wants to. We'll see. Anthony just needs the assurance that he'll get his own room too.

Basement Work

We are so exhausted from working in the basement!! Daniel took off a week of vacation to speed up the work in the basement, and all we did during that week was work. We got a lot done, even though it doesn't seem like it. We finished all the drywall, starting taping and mudding, and some duck work. We had a lot of help from a friend from church who knows how to drywall. He came over several times to show us and to help us mud. That it so tiring. We are still not done with drywall. We still have to go over some spots and apply one more layer of mud. Then we wait until the next day to sand it. More than anything we're anxious to get it done, but frustrated because it takes a while, and there's still a lot of work left. Tomorrow, I might start priming Daniel's media room. That room is almost ready for priming.

We are plastering that wall by the stairs. We didn't want to drywall it because it would have made the staircase too narrow. All we have left after finishing up with the little bit of drywall left and installing the doors, is the carpet and the drop ceiling, but we are paying somebody to do that. There's no way we are doing that. The good thing about doing all this work ourselves is that we have saved a lot of money. It doesn't look that pretty yet, but it will after all the walls have their colors and the furniture is all set up. I can't wait to get it all done.

Mateo's New Bedroom

After Loli left to go to Colombia, I decided I would give Mateo her room. I would not have done this if she had decided she would live with us for good, but since she keeps changing her mind about staying here for a long time, I think Mateo will use it more. First, I had to make a few changes. After selling all the old unmatched furniture in her bedroom, I painted it Mateo's favorite color, blue.

I got a great deal on a queen mattress set for Labor Day sale. The rest of the furniture: bed frame, bookcase headboard and dresser I ordered online, still waiting for it. The bedroom already has a new TV combo with the stand in one the corners by the closet.Last night, Mateo and I were reading one of his school books that he has to read every day, and I couldn't wait any longer. I told him that was going to be his new bedroom. I have not told him anything yet because Daniel and I were going to wait until his 8th birthday to surprise him. But I figured since nobody sleeps there anyway, he could start using it now and enjoy some privacy from his two little brothers. I thought this was going to be hard for him, adjusting to a new bedroom all by himself since he has been sleeping with Anthony and Lucas forever. He was so amazed and excited when I told him this was his new bedroom. He jumped on the bed and asked if he could sleep there for the night. I was shocked. I thought he might be scared but no. He slept the whole night there and woke up so happy. My baby is so big. I never thought that introducing him to a new bedroom was going to be this easy and this fast. I will post more pictures when it's all decorated.