Kaeli is doing Math!

My munchkin is getting smarter by the second, I am so impressed. She is one month shy of her 4th birthday, and she is doing math! This is how it all went down yesterday:

Me: Kaeli, your Dad is on the phone. Let's take a break from dinner so you can speak with him.

Kaeli: Ok Mommy, but guess what? I have 4 nuggets left. If I eat one now, then I only have 3 left.

Me: That's great Kaeli, very smart.

Kaeli: Yes Mommy, and if I eat one more, then there will be only two left. And if I eat three, then there is only 1 left. And if I eat that, then there is zero (and she puts her fingers in the shape of an O).

Me: Kaeli, that is wonderful! You are so smart.

Will: (on speaker phone): Kaeli, let's say you have 7 nuggets, and eat two. How many are left then?

Me: (I show her 7 fingers, then put 2 down)

Kaeli: Daddy, that leaves 5... 5 nuggets!

Me and Will: Kaeli, that is right!

Me: She's on her way to Harvard!

I was just so impressed. So thank you God, something I am doing is paying off!

He's Just Not That Into You

Ok, so have you seen the movie? Way funny, saw it twice. Very introspective on the dating scene. Had me laughing more the 2nd time I saw it. Someone told me it is not a good movie to bring a date on, but I disagree. It puts it all out there: the put-ons, the cherades, those signs/signals that people think exist. The movie tells people to just be real and also... wake up! Keep your head on straight. Life is not the live all, end all, with or without a guy or gal in your life. Just keep being you! I am sure you all know what I mean. So I suggest you see it, have a few laughs. Click the link for the trailer below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IeXqvFR6HI

In Our Sunday Best

Jew a few shots of us before we headed out to church this morning.

How Did I Get Here?

So it's been a little over a month since my job in NJ ended. And I know in the grand scheme of things, one month is not a long time. But to me, it is soooooo long. I was so overly optimistic that I could land a job in 1, 2, 3... but I haven't. God must be really trying to put me in some humble place, some desert of a place that I have no choice but to listen to Him. I have never been so... I don't know what the word is...

I have been working since I was 14 years old (good old McDonalds). I always saved my money, paid my bills, worked hard, got promoted, worked hard some more, got promoted again, etc. And I am educated! I achieved something with a degree of recognizable caliber in the work-world. So this whole waiting period drives me crazy sometimes. I know it can't be me, many people have told me that my resume is great, from people that I trust would not say something just to be nice. I know the economic status of our country is terrible right now, which has left many people in the same position as me. So you take less jobs, with more people applying for them, then my resume doesn't look so special compared to hundreds of people where their resumes look the same. So logically, I get it.

I have never ever had to apply for government assistance. I never had a reason to, I always worked and was able to provide. But now... it is a different world I've entered into. I applied for Florida Kidcare for Kaeli, and NJ unemployment for myself. We'll see what happens. I got some information in the mail the other day from Florida Medicaid. I guess Florida Kidcare sent them my application, so now I am applying for Medicaid for Kaeli, I guess. It is just all too weird. But when you have nothing, I guess you apply for everything, right? So this application was a bit confusing, and I called the caseworker that sent it to me. This person was not obviously rude to me, but the tone had an undertone, which left me unsettled. Something like, "You're calling me because you don't understand this application and what type of person are you to have to even get assistance... why can't you get a job?" That's what it felt like to me. In addition, I called this person two days ago and left a message with my name and number. When I got a hold of the caseworker today, and reference that I called and left my number, the person didn't say anything to explain not calling me back, was just abrupt with asking what did I need. Ugh!!! People that need assistance are not pawns on the street, some of us didn't ask for this change in life, it just came upon us, and if someone needs help, then help with a smile on your face. Why else do we pay into these government systems anyway? So that when the unfortunate time comes that someone needs assistance, that it is there for them!

Maybe I have the wrong attitude about all of this. I honestly don't know. I feel that I should be able to get a job, and that I should be able to provide everything that my daughter needs. I have applied to so many jobs, so many web engines, just so many. And I continue to apply, I am searching all the time. So I guess I feel a little disappointed in myself that everything came to this now. I don't look down on people that need assistance, I just didn't expect myself to be one of them. Does that make any sense?

So God, I know you can answer all prayers and petitions. I also know that just because you can, doesn't mean you will. I just wish I knew what your will was in this situation. I don't see any clear signs, I don't feel anything within me telling me which direction to go. I am just hoping for some door to open. I know you want me to be patient, that even in this different world, this residency is not permanent. You know the day and time that things will change for Kaeli and me. Can you just let me know? Aahhh... patience is a virtue I need more and more of.

Daytona Bike Week

My Dad and brothers go every year to Daytona Bike Week. Now that I am living in Florida, my initiation is on. They warned me about scary looking people, topless women, crowds galore, etc... But you know what? At least for me, it was none of that. People were nice, there was enough room to walk around, and no - I did not see any nakedness. I did see a bunch of women squeezing their bodies into clothes 2 sizes too small for themselves, but hey, who am I to judge? Overall, an awesome day, with a ton of walking, and I am BEAT! Not my feet, my wonderful Saucony sneakers kept them going strong, but my lower back was starting to ache, from walking around with a full packpack.

If I had a motorcycle, I would buy this hot pink / white / stars down the sleeves leather bike jacket. It was awesome!

Check me out on this purple motorcycle. It was hot!


Check out this pink number! So cool... but it was $35,000. So I got off real quick before I broke anything. haha

It's the guys from OCC. Hehe, just a big poster, and us trying to look cool. I used to watch American Chopper all the time with Will back up North.

This is the Bible bike. Isn't it cool? On the back of the bike, the owner had a box of bibles that he was giving out for FREE. What a way to witness, at a secular worldly event! Who knows how many people may have taken a Bible, and a seed was planted for the Lord... Just awesome!

Dominoes anyone?

Well, it is an obvious right of passage that if you are of spanish descent, then you must learn to play dominoes. I mean MUST. Otherwise, for the rest of your life, when you are at family gatherings, you will be left out of a lot of fun. A game has been played at every family function I have attended. And so it begins...

Kaeli Anna got a Princess dominoes game from her grandparents (Will's parents) for Christmas. I thank them for supporting this endeavor, considering they are Irish and Hungarian. They must know how much this means to me. (hehe). Anyway, it is a basic game of matching so far, but once she masters this without me reminding her which picture matches what dominoe, then we will go on to the real numbers game. Here's some pics of angel-face playing dominoes. She'll be throwing them down in no time, and calling out "capi-q", or "ca-pee-qoo". I don't know how to spell it, but it is when a player ends the game with a dominoe that closes out both ends, and it is an extra 100 points.

Playing Catch Up

I have been away from writing updates for too long. Sorry. So let's see what's been happening:

1. I finished my business with Preferred in NJ, and now I am officially unemployed. Yikes! (Big sad face). But I am forever grateful for what my company did for me with the telecommuting for 3 months. And I have benefits until the end of this month. After that I will buy short-term health insurance for Kaeli and me. I am confident I will find a good job, I just don't know how long it will take. You know? I have applied on many websites, and sent my resume out into the far reaches of Internet space. Guess we'll see what happens. If nothing hapens within a couple of weeks, then I'll take up employment at a local store in the evenings for the time being. Bills gotta be paid, right?

2. I got new glasses. They are really cute, Ralph Lauren. BUT, they keep sliding down my nose. I am going to get them adjusted again, but if they continue to do this, then I am returning them. Lens Crafters has a 30-day money back guarantee. So for now, here is a pic of me with them.

3. We sent out some Valentines to Kaeli's little friends and some family. I wanted her to still feel included with the people she loves, so this was a perfect time to send some love out. And we took some pics of her for her Dad and grandparents in NJ. Here's some of those pics.

4. Kaeli wanted a plant to take care of. We went to Walmart and got her this little begonia. Well, we watered it too much, and it didn't make it. (sniff). But here's a pic of the plant when we got it.

5. On the 15th was my nephew Jonh's birthday, and we went to his party. It was a great day with family and meeting some of my brother's friends and their kids. Here's a pic of us before we went:

That's about it for now. Kaeli is growing and laughing and jumping and spinning and running circles all around me. Whew. I am now tired. hehe