Just a note

So really quickly I just want to say how excited I am to be able to come up to Utah for the Holidays... It's been 6 month's since we have seen everyone one and we are so grateful that we are able to make it back up for a small break. I am hoping that we will be able to see as many of you as we can...
On a side note I am dreading the freezing cold weather everyone is telling me about... That is for sure one thing that I do not miss about Utah. Oy snow.... Oh well it is all worth it to see all our friends and family.
I hope you all have a great next week and you all stay safe...
Much Love,
Ambs

Things I am Thankful for...

So I took this post idea from one of my bestest friends Steph....
THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR
Here it goes:


* MY KIDS 2 of the most amazing people in my life I never knew what love was until I experienced them... They are the 2 who can ALWAYS make me smile when I am sad. They are my heart and my life... And with them by my side I know I can conquer ANYTHING life throws my way....
* My Mom and Carl the 2 people who have always been there for us and who never cease to amaze me. Thank you for always understanding and loving us no matter what... Thank you for everything you will never fully know how grateful I am to you both for what you have done for me and the kids...
* My brother Ryan and Tish who are always there for my kids showing them a great time. They are incredible examples of an aunt and uncle.
* My Grandma and Grandpa Lukes who are 2 amazingly wonderful people who have shown me what strength is.
* My dad and Jill for supporting me in everything I do and for always loving me no matter how intolerable I have been in the past.
* Bridget who has been my best friend for 15 years and counting... She has been my rock and my other half and I know that she will always be there for me no matter what because she has proven it over and over again...
* JoAnn my newest friend who from the second we started talking has been my guardian angel... She has shown me that it is okay to feel the things I need to then to let it all go... And that I can do it all with a smile... She will with out a doubt be a life long best friend...
* Every single one of My friends! They have been here for me from the start and have never left my side no matter how much I was going through. They kept my head above water when ever I wanted to sink. And for that I am grateful... ( you all know who you are)
* The opportunity to be ME with no holding back
* The chance to go to school to become something more
* My strength I am thankful that god has given me strength to endure all lives curve balls.
* My extended family members for all the times they were there for my kids and myself. They helped us so much. (you know who you are)
* For all the luxuries in life that some people never have the chance to have.(clothes, a roof, and transportation.)
* For the opportunity I had to work with some of the most amazing people at Sucasa I had some of the best times of my life in that little restaurant. Every second that I spent with you guys was amazing and I am so glad that we have become so close... Sucasa will always hold a special place in my heart.
* Also for all the incredible life long friends I met while serving at Sucasa... My regulars That I had the pleasure to serve for years. You guys are the best and I am so glad I had the chance to meet each and everyone of you... Each one of you have taught me so much... Thank you for always being there for me through the last 10 years.
* I am grateful for all my life lessons I have learned thus far... Because without them I would not be who I am today.
* Laughter one thing that I think is really important in life. If your not laughing your not living...
* The ability to Love and be Loved it is truly an amazing thing
* God
* Life
* Everyone who has stood up and fought for our rights and others and given us the opportunity to do just this.
* I am thankful For a lot in life and this is just a small portion of what I am Thankful for...

To all my friends and family you have no clue how much this thanksgiving means to me because of you... This last year has been one heck of a ride but it was all so worth it. Each and everyone of you have taught me things that I can take with me any where in life and for that I thank you... You have all shown me love and strength and also helped me to become who I am... Each of you have a special place in my heart...

I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT THANKSGIVING! Remember to embrace those you love and be grateful for them...

I love you all!!!
AMBS

Halloween 2008

This Halloween was a lot of fun because both the kids were actually into it... We carved the pumpkins and had chili dogs for dinner then we were on our way to score some candy...

Wes was as you see BUZZ LIGHTER "TO INFINITI AND BEYOND"... It was so much fun and he had the light ray that made the sounds even... He had so much fun with it... when he saw cars he would shoot them with his light rays... LOL aw it was great...Unfortunately Wes Fell asleep at like the 2nd to last house before getting home... He was exhausted. (Well wouldn't you be if you were Buzz Light year!!!) HAHA he loved it and at least he lasted that long...


Then we had our little Princess Jasmin who was absolutely Beautiful... She loved dressing up and playing the part as Jasmin... She actually got mad at me because I didn't refer to her as "PRINCESS"... It was so funny... She had so much fun trick or treating, but after her bucket got full and heavy she called it quits... I asked her if she was sure and she insisted that we go home... She wanted to pass out candy to the tricker treaters at home....

Now me I went back to the 70's again Which was fun... I never dress up and I wanted to go all out and go buy me a new costume and all but I just did with what I had and had fun...

Hoedown and pumpkin patch

A few weeks ago we went to a hoedown at Kayla's school, we had so much fun... They had it catered by Outback steak house and they had booth's of fun games, a petting zoo and dancing... The kids had a good time and they loved the Petting zoo. We also met some of Kayla's friends, Delany is one of Kayla's best friends out here and they are total opposites... They are too cute together...

Then today we went to the pumpkin patch so that the kids could pick out some pumpkins. It was very different from the pumpkin patches that I have ever been too... They had pony rides and bounce houses and a petting zoo... It was some great fun...

We also experienced our first Ducks game at the Honda center which was so much fun... They really enjoyed that experience...

My Vacation

So the last month was a little hectic with school and a million other things... Heck who am I kidding the last 10 months of my life have been hectic and crazy... But I finally got a vacation and it was amazing and well worth the wait... I got the chance to go to Puerto Vallarta where my friend Joann and her husband Tim live, and it was so great. It was a very nice relaxing vacation to just revamp myself for the next adventures of my life...
It was an incredible place with a little bit of everything... The 1st day I got there we went to the Malacone, I believe it is called, walked around the shops and beach went to dinner, watched the sunset and just took it all in... The next day we went jet skiing in the ocean, which was incredible I love the water and jet skiing, we were hoping to see something while we were out there but we did not have any such luck... after that we got ready and went up to the Jungle and went zip lining through the jungle another amazing experience... We zipped down 10 lines and back and forth from one mountain to another and it was just beautiful... Later that night we went down to release baby sea turtles to the ocean for the first time we were a little late but I got to hold one and it was just amazing... They are so tiny and squirmy and oh so cute. After that we just enjoyed the evening life down town in PV... Now the next day we just relaxed a bit hanging out just me and Joann... That night how ever was a whole other story... LOL We went and watched the drag show at the local gay bar... What an experience that was... It is definitely an experience I will never forget... WOW just WOW!!! The following day we went boating and snorkeling which was so incredible and so relaxing... It was so great to go snorkeling and go swimming with the fishies... They are all so beautiful... And as JoAnn says it is like swimming in a giant aquarium... (It truly is)
That night we went and stayed at the Flamingo resort and it was gorgeous, I would love to have a timeshare one day to go anywhere in the world and vacation in a resort like that... Just another goal to add to my list... We went to dinner at a great restaurant on the beach and watched the sunset and just had a very calm relaxing evening... The next day, Friday, was my last day and it was just a kick back walk on the beach, talking kind of day as well as a very hard day...
We had such an incredible time and I was so grateful to JoAnn and Tim for sharing with me their world and happiness... It was truly a vacation I will never forget and I am so glad I got to share it with two amazing people...
There is a whole lot of stories to share but I have very little patients for typing them all and it could take days.... So if you want to know anything in particular just ask and I will write a special post all about which ever topic it may be....

I miss you all and can't wait for this holiday season...
Much love
AMBS

A little update

I am so very sorry to you all for failing to keep up on my blog... I have been crazy busy... Well I like to think I have been. LOL School has been very demanding and I feel like I have been doing math like everyday. Oh wait I have, but it is paying off quite nicely.... I received a 100% on my test in math which I am very proud of just because I have been out of school for ever and I was just impressed with myself. I was also impressed with myself in my theater arts class... Which I am actually enjoying despite the evil essays... Who would of thought that theater was so much fun... I went to my first play production and it was great... It is something I will continue doing as often as possible... I also experienced my first MLB game with the dodgers and the cubs which was pretty neat... I wouldn't mind going to another... I think that's about it with me... Boring I know....
Now the kids they have been doing just Amazing!!! They have been enjoying every minute of it... Kayla just went back to school after her break and she is still loving every minute of it, she has a rough time wanting to do her homework but she gets it done, and she has also been doing really good on reading thanks to the help of my mom and Ryan they have been helping tremendously with the reading... Every night now We read together and I read a story then she will read a story to me... It is so awesome and the smile she gets when she finishes a story just melts my heart...
Now Wes he just sits there and listens to us read and looks at his books with either cars, buzz, or dinosaurs he loves it... He has been doing awesome on his talking and learning words, he can now repeat the alphabet as it is said to him, his favorite words to say I think anyways, are Dinosuars, kachow , and Jaz... Well those are my favorite words that he says... He gets so excited and it is just the cutest thing ever when he says them.... We are taking a back seat to his potty training right now cause he just is not to interested in it but I think with time he will get it... They have also been having so much fun with their swing set, they love it... Kayla has learned to swing all by herself, and Wes is becoming a little braver with climbing up the ladder..
Needless to say we are doing awesome... I can't wait to come see you all around Christmas time it will be so much fun to see everyone... I hope all is well and that everyone is in good health....
Love, AMBER

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MOM

It is my mom's Birthday so I thought I would let you know on her day how great she is!!!

My mom is an incredible woman in every way shape and form of the word... She is the best mom, grandma, wife, friend, aunt, etc... No matter what she is always thinking of others and willing to do what ever it takes to help someone out... Whether it be giving a helping hand or giving an ear she is there... I get to experience it first hand and the last 25 years she has been there for me throughout all my ups and downs, especially the last 9 months... I can not tell you how much strength she gave me on my saddest days... And how grateful I am that i could call her anytime and she would just listen to me no matter what the tone of the conversation was... I am so glad that I get to call her my mom...



Thank you mom for putting up with me throughout all of my ups and downs...
For being there for me at any given moment when I needed you and for helping me along my way to an amazing life....
I LOVE YOU AND HOPE YOU HAVE AN AMAZING BIRTHDAY!!!!!
Love your AMBER

Wat a do :-)

I know it has been what 2 weeks! Give me a break I started school on the 2nd( yay for me) so I have been just trying to set a schedule for myself so I don't get behind... And yes school is going quite well so far but again 2 weeks is nothing next to the upcoming 4-6 years... AAAHHH...LOL

Okay so anyways the last 2 weeks Kayla has been off track so we have just been hanging out going swimming and Disneyland twice...WOOT! We had so much fun as you can see in the pictures... The best was when we watched the pixar parade at California adventure, The kids loved it... Their reactions were priceless... When lightning McQueen came up oh man Wes' face Lit up, I almost started to cry... Then we went and did the Turtle talk, it is an interactive show where kids can ask Crush, the turtle from Nemo, questions and he answers them so on and so forth... Well he decided he wanted to talk to Kayla, Who he actually called Cucamunga Kayla, anyways he asked her where she was from and you would think she would say Utah or California, or something to that extent right? NO she replies, without skippin a beat, "LAND", aw man it was great... After he was done talking with Kayla he wanted to talk to my mom, who could not stop laughing about Kayla's little piece, so Crush got some good teasing in on that one too... Great times Great times....
K so carrying on....

Lets see we also made it to the beach well just Wes, Ry, Tish, and myself, that was a blast... Wes LOVES the water I might possibly get him into surfing when he is a little older... Then again maybe not... LOL He does have a blast though he runs to the water and runs straight back up the beach screaming as the water comes back at him...HEHEHE So much fun... And While we were at the beach Kayla had some fun of her own Rock climbing and Jumping on the trampoline with the harness she had a blast... She also made a pool safety video that I need to figure out how to post it is hilarious...
Oh and my great wonderful loving brother is finally putting up the swing set that the kids got for Christmas last year... The kids are so excited... Can't wait for that...That should be some great fun...
Thank you RY!!!!
Well I guess that is about it for now... So until next time... Lotsa Loves, Hugs, and Kisses!!!!
AMBS and KIDS

Sorry it took me a minute to post a new blog... There has been a lot going on... Anyhow we have as always been up to no good;-) We went to the dino show at the honda center which was pretty cool...The kids loved it... lets see Kayla gets her first break from school starting tomorrow which she is excited for... She is still doing really well with reading and math... Wes is still Wes he is talking up a storm he is now trying to speak in complete sentences which is so funny to listen too... Then there is me, not to much going on just being mom, and getting ready to start school next week which I am so excited for...

And As you probably see in the slide show I put in some pics of their room as well... They absolutely loved it... It suits them both so well...
well that's it for now... I hope all is well with everyone...
Ambs

Kayla

Kayla turned 6 today so I thought I would throw up a post about my little princess...

I can not believe that she is 6... it is so crazy how time flies... It feels like just yesterday I was holding her in my arms for the first time running my fingers through all her dark beautiful hair, smiling from ear to ear with pure happiness... She is the most amazing daughter and I couldn't have asked for a better daughter... She is the most incredible, happy, inspiring, fun loving, caring, sweet spirited little girl you will ever meet (with a slight attitude at times...lol)...She is blessed wtiht he ability to make a person's day no matter what... I look at her and she melts my heart to the very core, making my day everyday....




Kayla, I love you forever,I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be... :-)Your Mommy...

Circus and Goofy's Kitchen

On Sat. we had so much fun... We went to the circus which was amazing... I haven't been to one since I was 8 so it was basically the first for me and the kids... At first Kayla was kind of skeptical about it because we told her we were going to a clown college, so when we got there we went to the floor to walk around and see the different clowns and the performers and she thought we were serious about her becoming a clown... Even after we told her it was the circus she was still nervous about it until we got up to our seats and the show started, then she relaxed a bit.She loved it all... And Wesley was just in aw of all the stuff going on and his favorite was of course the motorcycles in the round cage, he did not take his eyes off for a second... It was so cute to see the expressions on both of their faces as they watched it all... We will definitely be going back to the circus...
Our day didn't end there...
We decided to have an early b-day dinner for Kayla because grandpa wasn't going to be able to be there for here actual b-day, so we ended up at downtown Disney at Goofy's Kitchen... It was so awesome... Its a buffet style restaurant that has the characters walking around to give autographs and take pictures... The priceless looks on my kids faces with each character was so worth the 1 hour wait.... The pictures grasp most of the expressions but not near as good as they actually were... The best was when Mulan sang Happy Birthday to Kayla, the smile on her face was absolutely worth it...
That day was seriously a blast, I felt like I was a kid again... Kayla was almost embarrassed of me because I was seriously having a great time and I laughed a lot... LOL
Anyways...
I hope you are all doing well...

Washington

So before we moved to cali I went up to seattle for my cousin Lindsey's wedding... Can I just say it was the funnest most Beautiful wedding I have been too... You always hear about the weekend weddings where everyone stays at the same hotel and does the whole weekend wedding, this was it... We had so much fun...It was at a lodge in Easton, WA that was basically in the middle of the forest it was so quiet and beautiful...

The night we got there we had a 70's night rehearsal dinner which is the pic's you see with our 70's attire... We had a blast dressing up for the occasion and just chatting and carrying on... Then sat was just kick back go do the fishing thing or sight seeing, etc until the wedding... Then of course the wedding and the dinner which was absolutly Amazing it was so nicely decorated adn it was just perfect... So needless to say I had a blast and it was so great to just go walking around and be alone at times to clear my head...
Before we left we also made it to the space needle which was awesome, but I think I like the one in Vegas more..LOL they have all the fun stuff to do... HAHA
Anyways I just wanted to share that experience...
Love ya all....
Ambs

We had another great week!!! where to start.... Well Kayla lost her first tooth and she was so excited about it, she wrote a note to the tooth fairy and all... Apparently the tooth fairy liked it cause she gave her $7... My mom says it is because of inflation in CA...HAHAHA she thinks she is so funny...
I have also started to potty train Wes.. So far we are not doing to hot but he has gone once on the big boy potty.. So not to much progress but he gets the idea...
As for our adventures, the 3 of us experienced Beverly Hills for the 1st time, and it was a blast. We didn't get much time to do the walk of fame or anything else but we got a few things in, but the main event, Wall-e at the El Capitan theater, was alot of fun... They had a live show before the movie that was so much fun, if you make it to Hollywood I highly suggest making a Disney movie at the El Capitan theater a must... We also hit Rodeo Drive, now I was loving that,(even if I don't have the money to shop there...) it was incredible to just watch people or walk into all the crazy expensive stores... Me and Letisha walked into, I think it was Versace, we were just browsing on the upper level when we over heard one of the ladies that worked there ask a customer if she would like a glass of wine or champagne while she waited for her dress to get taken in... Wow how would it be... So needless to say I love Beverly Hills I am def making a weekend out of it one day to do everything....
We have also been swimming like 3 more times this week which was a blast my kids are def water lovers... Kayla just jumps into the water like nothin now (of course she still has floaties) but she has a blast.. Wes is also getting a lot braver with the water, he likes to just float around on the boogie boards... (He no longer has a death grip around my neck when we are in the water)

We also went bowling last night, and can I tell you how much fun my kids are, oh my Wes has never really been bowling so that was an experience in itself.. He would roll the ball and turn around and say yes and give high fives, all the while Kayla was in the back ground cheering him on... Now Kayla she gets the concept now, but if she got any number of pins down she would get so excited, but when she got her strike she flipped... It was the cutest thing ever....
I went and saw The Dark Knight too, and I highly suggest you go see it,I think I have just found my all time favorite movie, Heath Ledger did an incredible job as the Joker...
Anyhow until next time we miss you all and hope all is well... And Happy 24th!!!
Loves Ambs, Kayla, and Wes

So since being in Cali we have had a some what of a busy schedule... We have gone to the beach and Big Bear, and we have also been swimming like crazy, as well as getting Kayla started in 1st grade, which she started today, and I am almost finished with my process of getting going with school, (I go in on Thursday for my assessment tests...) Oh yeah and we had a new addition to the family, Belle(our dog) had her puppies, sadly one died but We were left with an adorable little boy puppy that my Brother, Ryan, named Mooshu....
I can not tell you how great this last week has been, I thought maybe the fist few weeks would be very hectic trying to get going with schools, and getting unpacked, and adjusted. But it has been going really good.
The kids are adjusting nicely they are enjoying every minute of it, I think I might have created a couple of beach bums though...They love the beach... Wes thinks it is so cool to play in the sand and get his feet wet in the water and be pulled up as the water goes back. I will post a video so you can see what I am talking about, just as soon as I figure out how to do that... Kayla has fun searching for seashells, and running to the waters edge and screaming and running back up to try and escape the water... LOL they are just a riot to watch.... We also like just sitting on the back porch in the evening watching the sun go down...
And Me I am doing great, I still have my moments when I have a hard time but I have had more happy incredible moments then anything... It feels so good to be in this place in my life, I am so glad that I finally get to go to school and do what I want to do... And I can not tell you enough how much I love the beach, I could spend all day just lying there listening to the surf and just relaxing, I love to go and catch the sunset, I finally got to see a great sunset last night at Redondo beach with my friend Jen... it was incredible....
Anyways thats about it for now... I have to go get my little 1st grader from school....(oh my that just seems so unreal...)
I hope you are all doing well....

So we made it to Cali and it is slowly all coming together... On the way down we stopped in Bryce cannon and drove through Zions which was a new experience for me and it was all so beautiful... We had alot of fun... I def want to go back one day to do more hikes through Bryce. I think it would be so fun to do all the hikes out there...
So now that we are here we are just jumping into a busy busy schedule, tomorrow I am going to register for school at RCC and the kids are having a blast, keeping busy with swimming... We have so much planned for the summer, I am so excited... On the 19th we are going to the El Capitan theater in Beverly hills to watch Wall-E, we are gonna go to Sea world, Zoos, and we are going to the Circus, along with swimming lessons, and a million other little things we are going to be crazy crazy....

So as most of you know we will be moving to cali on July 3rd, and it is coming up quick!!! It all hit me real hard today but I know that this is what I have to do for myself and my kids and I know that great things will come of it... Anyways I will be adding more posts and Pics at least once every week starting sometime in July so that you can take a peek into our new lives:) I am having a ton of mixed emotions right now about it all but i know it will be ALL GRAVY BABY!!!
Until next time....

Some funny things my kids say

So I just thought I would share with you a talk me and Kayla had last night it was so funny...

So we were brushing her teeth and we were talking and she got in to this whole thing about her perils (aka Freckles) and that if she has them she can't be a cheerleader, I immediatley disagreed and told her she could be anything she wants to be... So she continued on how when she grows up she wants to be a lifeguard... And I thought that was pretty cool, then she preceeded to tell me that she wants to also be a cotton candy giver... LOL It was so funny I immediatly started to laugh and couldn't stop for the life of me... She is so funny, I get a kick out of her and wesley both....

So I will now tell you about this past weekend and what wesley was saying...

We were at my mom's hotel room(or as kayla would say ho motel lol) dropping off some clothes for the kids so they could stay with nana and papa for the night... We were just chatting about the date me and Jer had just been on and my kids were jumping on the bed diving into pillows... Well Kayla likes to say the phrase bow chicka wow wow (from the chipmunk movie) when she is jumping and what not, Well little brother likes to copy his big sister so before he would dive into the pillows he would say wow wow, wow wow, It was so funny and cute the way he says it... Kayla also taught him koo koo koo koo( its off the robots movie) and he does that as well before he dive into those pillows....

I only wish I had a video camera handy at the time so I could've captured that... Learned my lesson... But I just have to say that We are all so lucky to have these two incredibly adorable, funny kids in our lives... They can always make a person smile or laugh... They are the BEST in our eyes...

The family

Kayla
Wes

Blog

So I decided I would set a blog account up so that we could keep up with some family and friends in some far and not so far off places... I will try and keep up on it... we will see....