Catching Up

Well another week has come and gone and I've survived, barely. I have a severe sinus infection that I've been battling and hope to get rid of soon. Next week starts midterms for me at ASU and then the weekend is the Parada Del Sol Rodeo. In case some of you don't know, I'm really enjoying beeing a part of the Jaycees and getting invovled.

Last week was difficult for me at work because I have two new students. One is sweet but likes to drool and stick things in his mouth, yuck! The other, Oliver, well let's just say that his first day of school he cried for three and a half hours before Miss Melissa called his parents to come get him. On Thursday Oliver started crying again and we tried giving him stickers, cookies, a lollypop, I took him for a walk, etc. Finally I couldn't take it anymore and just took him to the playground. I sat on a swing and placed Oliver on my lap. I said, "Ready...One...Two...Three..." And after swinging, talking to him, and making images out of clouds, he finally stopped crying. He told me about his aunt's birthday, and how he left chocolate chip cookies out for Santa. The other teacher's I work with couldn't believe it and were shocked that Oliver wasn't still crying when we returned back to the classroom. When his dad came to get him, Oliver turnned back and gave me a hug goodbye.

Last night I went to see "Eight Below" with my friend David. It's a good movie, but there were times I got alittle teary eyed, even though I tried to play it off and say that I was yawning and it cause my eyes to leak. Tomorrow we'll be having some neighbors from the old hood over for dinner. Some of you may remember Larry and the kids...they have moved back from California.

Other updates:
* Next week Carlos' girlfriend Lisa and her daughter Adri will be coming for the Rodeo and the Fiesta De Colores.
* Mia is still walking around Christina and Kevin's house saying "Monka".
* Phil is going to let me use his car while he and Krystal are at Disneyland.
* My cousin Antonio and his girlfriend Lesly are getting married September 2nd, 2007. Just found out the big news the other day.
* My friend Christina Castorena from Jr High is also getting married.
* My cousin Andrea is going to be in a band...finally! I'm so proud of her!!
* My friend Daniel Martinez, who was my escourt in my Quinceanera, will be moving to San Antonio this summer.
* Carlos is doing great on ship and says "Hi" to everyone.
* I'll be spending my birthday in California visiting Christina, Kevin, and the girls.


This is Lisa (Carlos' girlfriend)


This is Adri (Lisa's daughter)


Lisa and Adri on their snow trip

Hope everyone is doing good and thank you to those who keep in contact. I appreciate the e-mails and comments...they help keep me moticated.

Love Always,
Moni

p.s. Blue is getting a bath today :)

Scottsdale Jaycess Parada Del Sol Parade

Saturday was great! The parade was a huge success and everybody had fun. Since Phil's camera decided to have a malfunction, we used my camera instead. While taking pictures of the parade we saw Christina and Mia on a wagon going by and since they had room and were encouraging us to jump on, we rode out the parade with them.

Parada Del Sol Parade

Scottsdale City Council


Michelle Lue and Dave Carlton


Parada Del Sol Committee


Check out the hair!!!


Lynn Solice, President, Scottsdale Jaycees


Ann Marie Bodenbach


(l) Pat Collins, Az Jaycees State President


Katie Hinnant, Mia and Christina Miller, Mike King


Dave Pratt and the cast of KMLE Country 107.9

Members of Scottsdale Jaycees

Me and Lynn Solice


Kevin Hole'


Dennis Lue


Elaine Rudolph, Phil Friedman


Robin Elliott, Phil Friedman, Lynn Starr


Mike King, Jennifer Dougherty


Phil Friedman, Mia and Christina Miller,
Mike Martin and Mike Winfrey


Katie Hinnant and Debbie Peterson




Forrest and Tammy Schuette

More Members of Scottsdale Jaycees

Stephie Geertz and Christina Nixon


Dave Carlton and Randy Moeller


Tony "O" Gardella, Dennis Lue, Randy Moeller


Mike Winfrey and Elaine Rudolph


Amy Buchman


Pat Collins and Chris Oldham


Morgan Gardella, Jennifer Dougherty and Mike King


Lynn Starr

After Parade Activities

After the parade there was a little carnival for families and children. Rides were set up and although the big slide looked tempting and Phil said he would go on it with me, I had to say no. We got Mia to go into a moon walk and laughed as we watched her keep falling down.

At The Parade

We have been trying to get Caramia used to horses so we can take her out horseback riding.


Christina, Phil, and Caramia


Me and Caramia


"Play time"


Nice hat Phil!


Pimp Daddy Phil

*Special thanks to Phil for helping me put this collection together and introducing me to more members of Jaycees!

Hope everyone is doing great and staying in good health. Missed seeing you at the parade if you weren't able to make it, but hope to see you at the rodeo in a couple of weeks!

Love Always,
Monica

p.s. I have four extra tickets to the rodeo if anyone is interested.