An Update

So I have come to the realization that I am horrible on keeping up on this blogging... While some of my friends can update daily or at the very least weekly I can maybe manage like once every month to 2 months... After kids and school and everything else I just don't find this on my todo list...
Anyways....
Quick update...
Lets see the kids are doing fantastic they have been growing like weeds and learning so much the last few months its been fun... Kayla is having a blast with her friends and school, she is improving on her reading everyday... Wesley will be 3 on Saturday and he is well aware that its almost his birthday and he is very slowly taking to potty training but he is being very stubborn... But he will get there...
As for me I have just been going to school taking everyday as it comes... I myself just had a birthday which was one of the best I have had in years:) I had so much fun at Disneyland with my kids, Ry, and Tish... The best part was the Birthday button =) LOL Oh yeah and the $69 gift card I received was cool as well... (for those of you who don't know on your Bday this year you get to get in free to Disneyland!!! Or if you have an annual pass you get a choice of a few different things, one being a gift card for the amount of a ticket)
Anyhow, it was a lot of fun... I also got a lot of really great gifts=)
We also went to Goofy's kitchen again for mine and Wes' Bday dinner which was a lot of fun as well, even though Wes was a bit crabby at first...
Everything else is moving right along we still enjoy living out here and can't wait to hit the beach again...
I hope all is well with everyone...
I will post pictures soon, but I have run out of time and have to get ready for school...
Loves, hugs, and kisses
Ambs

Dec '08 - Jan '09

Okay okay I know how lazy I have been with this the last few months but I like to add a slide show of pictures as well and frankly I have not wanted to do it... But I will...

So Lets see the last month well as most of you know we went to SLC for christmas which was great, but I do have to say I do not miss the snow or being cold, there was so much snow it was ridiculous... The kids had a bit of fun in the snow though... Christmas was great and for the first time I actually didn't feel stressed... How ever giving up my kids for part of the day was really hard for me and I feel bad for the kids because they have to go from house to house to house to please everybody... It sucks when you have to revolve your life around others to please them... But all in all in was a great time and I know my kids had a great time... It was good for them to see Jeremy...
I am so grateful to my family for helping us to get up to Utah for Christmas so we could be together for the holidays... I got to spend a ton of time with my Grandma and Grandpa Lukes and I actually learned things about my grandmothers past that I never knew... I can honestly say that they are some of the strongest people I know they are incredible people and I am honored to call them my grandparents. It was so great to see my family and friends that I got to see... I wish I would have had more time to visit with more of my friends but I will be down often.
We also spent a lot of time visiting Kylie, Kayla's bestest friend and it is just so much fun to watch them together and Wesley tagging right along... ( I think Wes has a crush on Kylie he always has to sit by her and be close to her, Its the cutest thing ever!!!) But it was so great for me too because I got to spend some much needed time with my Bridget, we had so much fun and made so many great memories, I also got to meet Brooklyn for the 1st time and I enjoyed it so much.
I also got to go back to my roots at Sucasa a few nights while I was down and it was so great. I didn't think I would miss that place but I do... I saw so many of my regulars and friends and I was reminded of how great people are and why I stayed as long as I did... Sucasa will always be considered a second family to me...

Lets see what else... oh yeah I got to meet up with some friends that I haven't seen in years and we had a great time hanging out I only wish I had more time with them... I got a lot of family time in and met my new niece Hailey, but I didn't get the chance to meet my nephew Bennet but soon I hope... BUt it was great to be around the family...

New years was bitter sweet for me it was sort of like an turning point in my life, It pulled at my heart in so many ways... I was sad to experience it alone in a sense, but I was so happy that I have gotten "ME" back, that I have my kids and that I have a whole lot of incredible people in my life... I reflected on the last year And I realized that even though I lost a lot, I gained a whole lot more... I got a lot closer to my family, I found out I have a sister, Alex, who I am excited to get to know along with my niece Catherine, I truly found out who really mattered in my life and who my true friends are, I gained some great friends whom I owe tremendously for what they have done for me, but most importantly I gained a new out look on life and a new meaning and understanding of who I am and who I want to be which will in the end help me and my children to grow so much as a family and individuals...

I hope you all have a great year this year...
I miss and Love you all!!!
Ambs

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