Life With L&M

Another weekend has gone by and I am totally exhausted. But exhausted is a good thing. It means the weekend was busy and there was a lot of fun had.

Friday started off with the girls celebrating their birthday with ice cream cups for their classmates.

Then we had an impromptu BBQ Friday evening.

It is great that these girls have cousins that live just a couple of streets away.

Won't be like that for long cause they are moving, (sad face) but we are definitely making the most of it.

Can I just say? I am loving my new Instamax camera. I plan to get a board for one of our walls and fill it up with polaroids of those who come to visit.

The kids sat outside and it's always a battle trying to get all four kids to look at the camera at once.

Mia, look at the camera.

Lily, now you look...

Nathan....

Close enough...

This Froyo truck is a blessing and a curse. A blessing on nights like these and a curse on week nights when they troll the streets right before dinner time.

Saturday, I had the chance to watch Ella's dance recital. She did such an amazing job.

I came home to this little one in the deepest of sleeps.

So, Lily and I played around on Snapchat. I only use it to play with the filters. For the life of me, I cannot figure out how to use the darn app.

My parent's dropped by to see the girls and we had a yummy dinner at a great Sushi place in Whittier.

Sunday, we headed over to La Mirada to watch one of my closest friends, and the girl's Godmother's daughter at her swim meet while enjoying a day at Splash!.

We headed over to pizza after and this little one fell asleep, while Mia said, "I'm hungry" over and over again until the pizza showed up.

Look who finally woke up.

Endless amounts of quarters and 30 plastic containers later...

One thing is for sure, we do a great job at keeping busy. Life has blessed me with so many precious moments that I get to share with those I love. I am surrounded by family and friends and it is such a great feeling. God is good. Till next time...

<3, Angela

Photo card made by my cousin, Liane Angeles

Yesterday, we laid my Lola (grandma in tagalog) to rest. It was one of those bittersweet moments. I am completely heartbroken and saddened that she is gone, yet I feel a sense of joy and peace knowing that she lived a wonderful life and she is finally resting with those whom she has lost before.
I put together a book of collected memories from family members and I thought I would share what I wrote.

Death is sometimes viewed in such a negative light. For Lola, it was her ticket home. Her one-way ticket to once again be with the love of her life, to once again see her youngest child she should have never of had to bury and the rest of the loved ones she lost along her life’s journey.

Lola was many things to me. She was my caretaker, my chef, my hairdresser, my advice giver, my fashion guru and most of all my Lola. Most of my childhood memories have her in it. When I was in grade school, Lolo would pick Jet and I up from school and take us back to their place. Millie and Angelo would be there as well. She would always cook us our favorite snack, fresh cut French Fries with the skin still on. Then she would turn on MTV (back when they actually played music videos) and make us all dance to the music. She would French braid my hair as tight as possible and I would remember my eyes were extra squinty because it was pulled back so tight. I remember when I was in third grade, my cousin Millie (she’s two years older than me) got a perm. Her hair was long and pretty. I was so jealous and I wanted one to. Lola didn’t even hesitate and before I realized what was happening, I was sitting in the kitchen with a head full of rollers. Next thing I knew, I had short, curly hair. Not to mention, bangs. Short, poofy bangs. I don’t think I was expecting that much curl. Needless to say, I learned to appreciate my straight hair. Come to find out from some of the older cousins, I wasn’t the only one she gave a perm to. There is at least three who can attest. Maybe more if they are willing to admit and cough up some pictures.

In high school, she would always ask me if I had a boyfriend and to make sure that if I did have one, he needs to be able to drive. She was such a beautiful lady. Always well dressed and accessorized. She told me that she never left the house without getting ready first. Even if it was just to run a simple errand. She told me to always get dressed and never go out in my “house” clothes. I’ve got to admit, it’s pretty tough. If she was ever introduced to leggings or yoga pants, she may have changed her views. Then again, she probably would have dressed it up and would have looked amazing as always.

Lola, I am lucky that you were able to meet my girls, Lily and Mia. I am happy for you that you are finally at peace but I am also sad that my girls will not get to grow up to see what a truly amazing woman you are. You will live on in the stories I tell them about those good ole days and through my mom whom I believe is just like you. I love you Lola and I will miss you. Forever and ever.

There were so many people in attendance yesterday which proved how much my Lola meant to those who knew her. She touched the lives of all those around her.