Elder Alexander Alviso

Well, the day we have been waiting for since the birth of our oldest son has finally come. He has been called to serve a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He will be serving in the El Salvador, San Salvador - East Mission. He reports to the Missionary Training Center on July 28, 2010. We are so very proud of the fine young man he has become and the great choices he is making in his life. I know he will be an amazing missionary and serve his Heavenly Father with everything he has. He is very excited to be going to Central America and to be able to learn the Spanish language.

TWENTY-TWO YEARS!!!

David and I just celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary on Valentine's Day. Unfortunately we were both terribly sick and in bed the whole weekend (and not in a fun way). I did have plenty of time to think about our relationship over the years and how grateful I am for this man and the life we have created together. I thought it would be fun to do a time-line of our relationship.

August, 1985 ..... Met David at a ward Beach party where he got my attention by pouring wet sand down the back of my swim suit.

November, 1985 ..... Our first date

December, 1985 ..... David & I had first "marriage" discussion

April, 1986 ..... Officially engaged (for way too long - don't recommend for ANYONE)

January 1987 ..... David graduates

February 14, 1987 ..... Wedding Day!!!

April 1988 ..... Moved from our 1st apartment to Corona (the same ward that I grew up in)

August 7, 1988 ...... Michelle born in Riverside, CA

November 29, 1990 ..... Alexander born in Corona, CA

June 1992 ..... bought our 1st home - a condo in Corona (still same ward)

January 1994 ..... David starts work at Ironwood State Prison in Blythe, CA

(commuting home on weekends)

May 26, 1994 ..... Abigail born in Corona, CA

May 1997 ..... David transfers to S.A.T.F./S.P. in Corcoran, CA

July 1997 ..... Family moves to Visalia, CA back living together full-time in 3 1/2 years!

(first time we will be more than 5 minutes away from my family)

March 29, 1998 ..... Benjamin born in Visalia, CA

April 1999 ..... bought our first home in Visalia

December 2003 ..... bought our first "brand-new" home in Visalia

February 2004 ..... Surprise!!! Pregnant again after being told not possible.

June 2004 ..... moved into our beautiful new home

October 7, 2004 ..... Joshua Alviso born in Visalia, CA

June 2006 ..... Michelle Lela graduated from El Diamante High School

January 2007 ..... first little birdy leaves the nest - Michelle off to college!

November 2007 ..... Alexander receives his Eagle Scout award

December 27, 2007 ..... Michelle Lela marries Andrew in Fresno Temple

We have been incredibly blessed in our life and our relationship. I am so grateful for a loving husband who loves me and his children dearly and takes such great care of us. I am thankful to have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our home and that my husband honors his priesthood responsibilities. I am so blessed to have 5 amazing children that our Heavenly Father has trusted David and I to raise for him here on earth. I am thankful for an amazing extended family who has continually supported David and I in our marriage and in the raising of our family. What a lucky woman I am! What amazing experiences we have had in our first 22 years of marriage and I can't wait to see what the next 22 years has in store. We are looking forward to more graduations, missions, marriages, and grandchildren to love and spoil!

My Idea of a Great Mother's Day Weekend!

This Mother's Day weekend was my idea of perfect. It may seem a little unconventional to some, but for me at this point in my life, it was great. David took my two little boys to the coast for the annual Father and Son's outing. So, with Abby and Alex (who could not go because he was swimming in league championships) in school - I had all day Friday to myself! Yeah!!! I went to the mall. It took me a while to figure out what I was doing though. I'm so used to stopping by some snack spot to get something to bribe Josh and then hurrying to get the needed purchases while making sure Josh (who feels that he is way too big for any type of stroller by the way) does not pull clothes from racks, or escape the store before he begins to whine that he wants to go home. Anyway, I was actually able to take my time and shop and actually try things on before buying. I then treated myself to In-n-Out, fun! That evening I went to watch Alex swim in the WYL league championships - his school came in 2nd in the league. Saturday I got to spend time with my brother Jonathon and his son Lance. We all took my mom out to a late lunch at our favorite Mexican Restaurant - and then I just hung out and relaxed and watched some "chick flicks". Sunday morning Abby and Alex fixed me breakfast, and David and the little boys got home in time for David to go to church with me and then they took care of dinner! It has been so long that I have had time away from the little boys, that it was really relaxing to just be able to come and go as I pleased and not have to worry about chasing boys or cooking! I was glad when they came home - it's just not the same without my whole gang around!

Anyone want a 3 year old - cheap!!!

Disclaimer - If you don't want to read "potty" talk, just skip to next paragraph! Well, I thought that we had Josh all potty-trained ... I was soooo wrong. I think he is just messing with my mind. He went 3 weeks with no accidents and then he pooped in his pull-up and informed me he did it because he did not want to be a big boy anymore. I have tried rewards, bribery, logic, schemes, threats, and swats NOTHING is working. I'm sure he knows he is in control and he LOVES it!!! You would think that with 4 other kids that have learned successfully how to use the toilet as well as being an older, more experienced mom that I would know what I was doing. Wrong! Our tactic this week is Tae Kwon Do - he wants to go with his brothers, and we told him that if he could once he wore only big boy underwear. We'll see if this works!

Well, enough of that...

I am still sporting many different hats - sometimes all in the same day! Because of this I am feeling somewhat overwhelmed - but life is good and I am happy to be where I am in my life. David and I are trying really hard to get into shape. We have started walking. We are doing 2-4 miles 5 days a week. I am feeling much better - it is true what they say about it helping your state of mind! It is really such a stress reliever. Now, any hints to help with sore muscles?

Speaking of stress...My adorable Michelle and Andy decided to play an Aprils Fool joke on David my mom and I. They sent us an email of an ultrasound picture with an announcement that they were expecting and due in October. Because I have never been a real "April fools" joker - I took it seriously and got myself all worked up. I do want to be a grandma - just not yet. She was sure that we would know she was joking because we have talk with them so much about their plans. They want to wait until Michelle graduates. We determined that she definitely has her dad's warped sense of humor and that my mom and I really are gullible.

Abby is busy this week with Choir stuff at her school. She has also been accepted into Redwood High School's choir. She is excited. She is also anxious to play summer water polo and then be on the JV team when school starts. I can't believe she is going into high school!

Alex is doing great with his swimming this year! Last week he improved his time in all his races. Today they swim against the "evil" El Diamante Miners. It is always their goal to beat this team because all the schools really have a vendeta against this team. He is competing against a kid that is so arogant and he really wants to beat him. He has been working really hard this week to improve his technique. I will try to get some good pictures and post them.

Ben just turned 10 last week. Now all but Josh are in double digits! Imagine that. He is excited to be a Webelo Scout. I am his leader so that is really fun. He is anxious to take some friends to Adventure Park this weekend. He is just a great companion!

I am excited for General Conference this weekend. What a great thing that on Saturday morning we will get to sustain a new President of the Church. I read that this is only the 15th time in church history that has taken place. I love listening to the words of our leaders. It is like a shot in the arm of strength to help me get through whatever may come up in my life.

Yeah! Kids Went Back to School!

Today is a good day - everyone is back to school after spring break. I was really looking forward to the break this year, and we did have a good time off - but man, am I glad to get back on schedule. I don't know what I'm going to do this summer. I thought that the toughest part would be trying to keep up with the big kids and what they wanted to do and where they wanted to go. Boy, was I wrong!!! The hardest part was dealing with Josh. He just does not get that he is much younger than everyone else, and he can not just come and go as the others do! I was surrounded by teenage boys for most of the time. My nephew Ted came up for a visit, and then he Alex and several friends deceided to build a fort - so I had about 5-7 big "man-boys" in and out for a couple of days. That was when the fun started. Every time kids came in or went out, Josh would pitch a fit because he couldn't go with them and then the dog would bark at every entrance or exit! Chaos is the only word I can think of. I am also in need of re-stocking my pantry! I am thankful that of all the things that these guys could have been up to - they found it fun to build a fort! What a blessing to have good kids.