Trent Mason

I have been wanting to blog for weeks now, but because of issues I'd like to blog about... I have decided to take a break from blogging, (if that makes any sense at all.)

This morning I woke up and was inspired to write something that had nothing to do with the drama that I have named "Blogger Gate." It has to do with me and my journey. I have three kids, I only have two that are living. I have written a many times about Trent Mason I feel him, I love him and I really and truly miss him. I am sad that I didn't get the chance to know him. I am sad that, to this day, my husband and I can't really talk about him. He has defined me as a mother. I treat Taelyn and Trent like glass because I know at any moment they can be taken from me and my heart can be shattered again. I am a strict mother because I want my kids to be good, obedient, mindful, thoughtful and most of all FAITHFUL. I step out of my comfort level more than I am comfortable with because I want to give them experiences and not limit them because of my hangups.

I think about Trent Mason all the time. Today, if God spared his life, he would have been four. I could have had a four year old. That thought is hard to wrap my head around. Taelyn would have been a little sister and known what it would have been like to be a middle child. This morning, I woke up thinking about him and what our lives could have been like, all of the "ifs." I checked my email and this is what I saw:

Really it was the strangest thing because I don't usually get emails like this, they go straight to junk mail, and when I do get mail like this, I don't even open it, I just hit delete. Today, I don't know why, but I opened it and as soon as I read the first line and completely fell apart. How ironic is that?

My mom tells me all the time that Trent Mason gave his live to save mine and my future. Call it Filipino superstition. Nothing I believe in, but since we lost him, I have been the healthiest I have ever been, I no longer have the medical issues I had before. I was able to have Taelyn AND Trent Michael, with very little health problems. I am just so thankful and blessed at the way my life has turned out. I don't know if I owe to it my little guy, but I do know I owe it to God. I remember when I was younger, I would pray for the life I have now. I do have struggles and everyday issues, but the big picture is EVERYTHING I have ever prayed for and ALL that I have always wanted. Even when I didn't know it, this is the life I was meant to have and I am living it the best I know how and I see my blessings and I am appreciative for them all. I needed that reminder this morning. It gave me some perspective. Because of that, I say, "Thank You, Lord!"

Pictures and My Birthday

Random pictures from the last few days
Trent in his Police Car

I walked into the bathroom and he had my bra over his face... I guess he smelled my breast milk

This guy loves to water the plants... His shirt is so fitting

At lunch with friends

I just love these little cuties, we had a "Pajama Party"

Hide and Seek, I guess they were both it

Slow Down

Market Night

Boys in their cars

These girls love to go FAST!

Taelyn and Kailey

Trent was being too quiet, and this is why. My little book worm

Family time at the Sanders' house

Taelyn sleeping with her purse (sorry for the blurriness, it was dark in her room)

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My birthday is December 10th, but since it fell on a Monday this year, we celebrated on the Friday before. I don't remember where I heard about this Mystery Detective Dinner Theater from, but I Googled it and got the information and told a few of my friends and we went. It was so much fun. It is set up kind of like Clue. You are watching a play and then there was a murder and another and then another. The key was to figure out who the killer is and what is the motive. I am usually really great at figuring these things out, but I could hardly pay attention. It was so MUCH FUN!!

My Honey Do and Me

Sweet Tekura, my sorority sister, with my Brother and SIL in the background

Rafaelle and Paul

Calvin, my Brotha from anotha Mutha

My girl Qualia

Me, Tekura and Brigette

James and Amber

My girl Shanoan came all the way from LA to hang with us

The Cast

I am so blessed to see 32 years. I have great friends, an amazing family, the best husband anyone could ask for and two of the sweetest little babies God could ever bless me with . I am overwhelmed with happiness and gratitude. I LOVE MY LIFE!

Tess and Eddie Are A Mess

My mom and Eddie are probably the strangest people I know. They bask in the glory of being old and take full advantage of it. They are silly, oblivious and just plain LOST. I really don't know how these two survive in the real world. They don't have internet (gasp!) Their phones are ancient. My mom doesn't even have numbers stored in her phone because she doesn't know how. She has everyone's numbers memorized, who does that? It's actually quite impressive. I don't even know my own number.

I went to my mom's house sometime in June and she was working out. I asked her what she was doing and she said, "I'm doing the Insanity." So I said, "Your bought the DVD's? You know I have them?" She looked at me confused and said, "No, I just watch it on TV, it comes on on the weekends." Now it was time for me to be confused. I told her that there is no way that she watches it on TV, you have to pay for it, I then put it together that she was just watching the infomercial and I said, "Mom, that is not Insanity, that is the infomercial selling Insanity!" Then she said, "Oh, is that what that is?" OBLIVIOUS! I took this picture of her work out:

See what I mean, then the other day, I went over to their house for lunch and Todd noticed that Eddie was wearing a belt with SWEATS!!! Who does that? Really? After about 5 minutes of laughter from all parties, I took a picture to show him how silly he looked and his response was, "I ain't tryin to impress nobody." I can't wait to get old, for that reason alone. Old people say and do whatever and seem to get away with it. Here is his lovely ensemble:

Then here is the kicker Everyone is really into this whole "Gangnam Style" phenomena, so while trying to entertain the grandchildren, this is what they look like. They kill me, but they are fun, they love each other and they certainly keep each other young and happy.
Gangnum Grandparents

Taelyn Says the Funniest Things

Taelyn is talking so much right now and I just don't want to forget some of the things she says. So here is a list of things that have come out of her mouth:

1) "I can't like it."
She says this when she doesn't want to eat or do something. It drives me crazy, I correct her all the time, but it is cute for now.
2) "Don't leab me!"
If I go anywhere without her, even if I just leave the room. I hope this is not a sign of separation anxiety.
3) "Don't Bodor me, son!"
Don't bother me, son. Referring to her brother. She is easily annoyed with him. I am able to catch a few sweet moments between the two, but mostly what I get is her being annoyed with him, yelling for him not to bother her.
4) "I want wador" Water
5) "I DeDe my baby, like you, Mama."
DeDe is the term for breastfeeding in Filipino.
6) "I give you m'sage, Mommy."
She loves to give me a massage and I love to get them.
7) "Everybody like it, punana!"
The song by the Agroliytes, "Banana" We get way too many giggles out of this one, it is just wrong!
8) "You smell good."
She gets close and whispers this in our ears.
9) "That was Totally Wicked!"
This is from The Incredibles, she loves when the little kid says this at the end.
10) "I not goges, I butipul"
I tell her she is gorgeous and she tells me she's not, and then replaces it with beautiful.
11) "Baby Nerves ME!"
She hasn't said this in a while, but she said this before and I wanted to remember it.
12) "Don't touch me, please don't touch me!"
She says this to my brother, Russell. He LOVES to aggravate her and make her cry and she runs from him every single time she sees him. She also says this to people who she thinks are sketchy.
13) "I kiss you, other side, other side..."
She likes to kiss me on both cheeks over and over. She was never really affectionate as a baby, but as she gets older, she is becoming more affectionate. I will take the kisses where I can get them.
14) "I go pee pee and get candy"
Taelyn has been potty trained since August and we did the reward with candy. We don't always give her candy anymore, but when she tells me she has to go, she says it like this in a sing-songy voice. It is the cutest thing to me.
15) "Is that to me?"
If she sees something I have, that she wants, she asks this in the sweetest voice.
16) "You lay down to me, one more minute, two minutes."
When I put Taelyn down for bed, sometimes she asks me to lay down with her for a few minutes and how can I not oblige? She holds up her little fingers to tell me how long. It is so cute.
17) "Jesus in my heart"
We read a book to her that is called "If Jesus Lived Inside My Heart" She LOVES this book and will easily listen to us read it over and over again. She puts her little hands over her heart and says that Jesus is in her heart, it literally brings tears to my eyes.
18) Taelyn loves to pray for the family and when she does, she asks God to bless every person she has ever come into contact with. Sometimes her prayers are LONG! I just give her encouraging listening sounds and let her go until she says "Amen" with is more like a shout. She is so sincere and heartfelt in her prayers. I love it!

Taelyn is so amazing, sometimes I just sit and watch her in complete AWE. I don't know how we made such a vibrant, loving, sweet little girl, but she is truly a joy. I never want to forget this stage in her life. I wish I could freeze time at this stage, but I know I can't and I know it is just a season and that before I know it, it will be over, so I need to keep these memories safe. What I would give to be able to bottle her energy and SELL IT! I would be a millionaire! Taelyn, my miracle, I love you more than I could ever articulate, you are the reason I breathe, sometimes, you drive me to drink, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

Sprained Ankle and Universal Studios

On Saturday Morning, I was rushing out of the house. Taelyn was going down the stairs on her butt and I came down carrying Trent. Taelyn had been a pill all morning and was whining the whole way down. She reached the bottom of the stairs and stopped and was playing with the gate. I was annoyed because we were running late and she was not cooperating. I went to step over her at the bottom of the stairs and I rolled my ankle. I went tumbling down. I tweaked my body to spare Taelyn and I landed funny to save Trent. I seriously don't know how it happened and how we all survived, but I was in PAIN.

I started to cry, sob, screech in complete and utter agony, clutching my ankle and rocking back and forth. I don't remember the last time I cried from being in pain, but I sure did a number on my ankle. Taelyn was horrified. She didn't know what to do. She started crying and saying, "I say sorry, no cry Mommy! You forgive me?" She thought it was her fault that I was crying, technically it was, but not for the reason she thinks. I was crying because I was hurt, not because she upset me, but she thought that she upset me and she felt awful. She was hugging me and trying to wipe my tears away. Poor Trent was looking at us like we were crazy. He had no idea what was going on and why we were both crying, but he hugged me tighter. (Such a sweet little man)

All three of us sat on the floor for a good 10 minutes before I could even attempt to get up. What's worse is that I planned on a whole day of being on my feet, walking. We were running late to get to Universal Studios.
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When we got to my mom's house, we had some breakfast and headed out. My ankle hurt, but I managed to walk all day AND push a double stroller. Superwoman over here!

Family in front of the Infamous Globe

My Big Man on Studio Tours

Taelyn hugging Apo after "Scary King Kong"

Grandpa giving me a break and holding Trent

Trent didn't miss his nap time like Taelyn did.

We got there at about 10am and left at about 7pm. The whole day was pretty fun. The kids really enjoyed it, especially Taelyn. She commented on everything she saw. She thought, "King Kong was too scary" Earthquake was, "Too bumpy." The Fast and the Furious dancing cars were, "Totally Wicked" These are all the things that came directly from her mouth. Silly girl.

Seven total hours on my feet. I think my ankle became numb half way through the day. I was limping all day. When I got home and actually took a good look at my ankle, it was swollen to the size of a golf ball. I put the kids to bed and iced it, elevated it and went straight to sleep. Oh, in case you were wondering where Todd was this whole time, he was at the USC/Notre Dame game, having a blast!

He ran into his cousin, Colleen

Thanksgiving 2012

I started my Thanksgiving morning with a run, it was more like a slight jog, actually, it was more like a grueling struggle and fight to the top and a clumsy trot to the bottom. I took the kids to the water tower in Highland. I thought it was a good idea. I figured I'd get a little extra exercise before I over indulged in Thanksgiving dinner. It was ROUGH!!! I didn't realize how hard it would be to push two kids up and down a hill. This was on Thursday and it is now Monday and I'm still pretty sore. I am in pain. At least when I made it to the top, I was able to see this view.

Taelyn and Trent didn't seem to care much for the sun, but Taelyn was such a great motivator when I wanted to just turn around. She kept saying, "You can do it Mommy!" I made it to the top all by myself. I'm proud, but I am paying for it.

When I got home, I made some pilgrim hats out of cookies, Mini Reese's peanut butter cups and some yellow icing.

I also made some turkey cupcakes, this was my contribution to Thanksgiving

Unfortunately I am completely lame and forgot to take a family picture when everyone was all together. This was the ONLY picture I took of anyone in my family. This is my nephew Junior and Trent. I can't get over how tall Junior is. Giant Status.

We had a great, family filled Thanksgiving. I am thankful for my amazing family even though I neglected to capture any of them. I don't know how I forgot to take pictures, I will be much better by the time Christmas come.

Random Pictures

Just a few random pictures from the last couple of weeks
Calvin came home for a visit early. It was a super surprise. So glad my guy is back for a few weeks

I got to hang out with this little cutie for a whole day. I was out with THREE kids the majority of the day.

We went to Target and while I was looking for socks for Trent, I turned to look at him and he was wearing this hat. He grabbed it and put it on all by himself. I just love his triumphant smile.

Trent and I visited Taelyn's class at church and they made cute crowns.

After church, we joined Daddy for some football. Gooo Chiefs!

Taelyn had a play date with Abby and when I saw what she was wearing, I put Taelyn in the same thing, they were twins for the day.

Funny Face! Silly girls

Some mornings Taelyn wakes up early to go potty and I let her stay in bed with us, this is how they end up.

Trent and I are morning people, while Taelyn and Todd are so NOT.

Watching football with Daddy

Taelyn love the book "If Jesus Lived In My Heart" We read it to her nearly every night for the past few weeks. She looked so cute in our big bed reading to herself while she waited for me. She is such a sweet girl.

Calvin brought his niece over for a play date and boy was this little girl stylish! I want to be like her when I grow up. She was such a diva.

While we were at my mom's house, my brother brought his kids over for a bit too.

Todd and I went on a date to see Breaking Dawn Part 2 with our friends Olly and Chae. We went to Gold Class Theater in Pasadena. Goodness the movie was great! I have to say, and this is the 1st time I have EVER said this, but "The movie was better than the book!" That actually hurt to type. There was a huge twist at the end and it was such a pleasant and welcomed surprise. I was very happy and impressed with how they did it. Two Thumbs Up!

After the movie, we went to get some yummy Boba. Great date night with some awesome friends.

Tylia came over to spend the day. These two are the best best friends that anyone can ever have!

Trent and Taelyn got some packages from Oma. They had a great time playing with the boxes