The Kool-Aid Tree

Well, that is what Tay calls them anyways. I don't know what they are called, but they are showing up everywhere. Tay thinks they smell like grape Kool-Aid, hints the name.

As we were shopping this evening, we saw this tree and it brought back childhood flashbacks. My Grandpa had a purple tree in his front yard. It was between their house and ours. I remember always playing outside while he was working in the yard, with my sister and Happy Heavner cousins, and we would climb the tree. We were always in that thing, but it always had bee's in it. Grandpa would always tell us to get out of the tree, and away from the bees, funny how after all these years, I see a purple tree and I can still hear his voice, like he's right next to me.

So thank you Kool-Aid tree, for helping me stop, smile and share a special moment with my Grandpa Leon today! So, Does anyone know what these trees are called, or what Grandpa had?

Remembering, Ces.

I am just Happy!

It's been almost 2 weeks since we said good-bye to Adolfo's father. It still seems so unreal at times, but I am so thankful we had the time to be by his side to the very end. Thank you to everyone who has been by our side with your thoughts, prayers and encouragement. We've been so touched by the amount of support. People are so kind, and we are so grateful for the wonderful family and friends the Lord has placed into our lives. Everyday I will remember Alex because Adolfo is so much like him. He was a peaceful, quiet and hard working man. He did everything in the name of his family, and he would do anything for anyone if he could, and didn't expect anything in return. He was a wonderful man, and I am so grateful I get to spent the rest of my life with one of his most special treasures, his son.

It is crazy to me how quickly life goes on, and nothing slows down. We are so grateful we have jobs that allowed us the time we needed to step away and just be with our family, even amidst a very stressful busy season. Without family, you have nothing and that is where we needed to be. But, man the week flew by, and then it was back to work. I felt like Monday I went to my client and then I slept and it was Friday. It was that crazy!

Adolfo and I know we need to take care of each other, and we needed a break. We decided today was all about us, just having fun. This morning we woke up and enjoyed a yummy breakfast date. Mornings are beautiful, and extra special when we get to share them together, it's rare. My friend, who lost her baby awhile back found out they are pregnant, YEAH!, and I told her I'd love to help with anything, so Adolfo and I are helping design and paint the baby room!!!! Believe it or not, this is fun to us, it allows us to be creative since we like to keep things simple in our apartment, it's kind of like our therapy, lol. We spent the morning at Home Depot with the Mother-to-be picking colors and just brainstorming, it's going to be SUPER cute! Adolfo joked that this is kind of like our dry run, lol. We did a little shopping, none for me, lol. One of Adolfo's friend and his wife invited us over for BBQ this evening and it was perfect, sunshine, resting, pineapple and rum, and just catching up....really it was EXACTLY what we needed. Now, as my hubby is sound asleep, I lay here and type.

These past weeks have really just put alot of things into perspective. I don't want to waste my time with things that don't matter. Things I get worked up about, or worry about just aren't that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things. I don't take enough time to just enjoy life. I take for granted that "things" I am comfortable with in life will always be there, truth is they won't and I need to know each night as I lay down I did everything in my power to appreciate my blessings, show my loved ones how special they are to me, and just enjoy the gift of life.

So as I lay down tonight, my heart just smiles, because at the end of the day when I think about my life....I am just Happy! Ces.

P.S. Oh, and today Tay got our family George Straight tickets, fun times ahead....I love concerts and I LOVE my family, so I am excited!

Continued Prayers...

What a beautiful weekend, Thank you Lord! Since we have been MIA, and not really shared what has been going on with everyone, I thought I'd provide a status update, while we are home packing for the week.

This weekend Adolfo and I stayed at the Ranch to help his Mother and Sister who have been by Alex's side through this whole process, day in and day out. All of us other kids have continued with our work/school load, but it's getting exhausting. So we decided we needed to be out there to give them a break.

Last night we stayed up with him, but he is getting too restless and uncomfortable. He has stopped eating and drinking very little. It is the worst feeling when you love someone so much and want to make everything better, but you have absolutely no control. I am so grateful for loving family. My GMA and GPA Ribera came out yesterday to just be with us, and comfort Adolfo's mother. It means so much to us, they don't even know.

Since this week is Spring Break, and he's getting more weak and more help is needed, we've decided to stay at the ranch, continue to work but be there so nobody has to go through all this alone.

Thank you for the prayers, he is still fighting, and there are moments that he seems so strong for his condition, all his vitals were strong today, better than yesterday, so really we are just being together, praying, and supporting each other. I know this is plenty scattered, but ha, so is our life at the moment, just wanted to share, and continue to pray for Alex's comfort and the family's strength during this process. Love you all.

The Castros.

Our life lately...

Our life lately has definitely been one big roller coaster ride of emotions. As all you sweet family and friends know, Adolfo's Dad has been fighting cancer for a couple years now. These past couple of weeks have been really rough, in and out of the hospital. He is home now, but getting sleepier and even more weak. Among the business of school and busy season, we are going non stop and spending every available moment we have with him, just being together as a family. This week got a little harder, and this coming weak we expect the same. Please continue to keep Alex, Adolfo's father in your prayers, as well as Adolfo and I and the whole Castro Family. He is the rock, and no matter how much time we have to process what is going on, or even if we still spend every waking second with him, it still hurts just thinking about it. So my emotions have been nothing more than an emotional roller coaster ride, everything makes me cry.....

Work is busy, as expected this time of year, and I've been traveling to SA the past 2 weeks. This week I felt as though I was going 100 MPH, with a Spanish test, just really missing Adolfo and being with his family, and trying to focus on work......So last night and today, I enjoyed my office away from the office. Here it is folks, where have I been....at my kitchen table, lol. Just one of the perks of my job, FLEXABILITY, you can load you office in a bag and work anywhere....I have things to get done, but I don't feel super social at the moment. There really is no place else but the comfort of my home I want to be right now....

Monday, I was invited to dinner with Jaime's family to celebrate Claudia's 26th Birthday, I had such a great time, and of course the food was AMAZING!

Claudia and her "Cake" She gave up sweets for lent, so she got an organic pineapple platter, very creative!

The Strawberries were my FAVORITE!

Presents....


Sisters on her REAL birthday.....

Hope everyone enjoys a beautiful weekend, and please remember. Every moment is too precious to be filled with worry and non-scense. Make sure each day to smile, enjoy life, and tell those in your life you love them.