…and have A LOT of catching up to do! There is so much to tell you, and I'll do my best to get you informed…
But first, I have to share….For those of you who didn't know, I went to Florida for almost 2 weeks to help my sister with her children when she had her 4th baby!
We planned for and prayed for perfect timing. And the Lord answered amazingly well! (Teresa wasn't due until 3/7, but she always goes early! My wonderful, flexible customers and my awesome family at home made it possible for me to go.)
I was there on a Tuesday, and Emilio Javier Rizo, 6 lbs (+ something) was born that Friday night. So I had a few days to help and get into their routine and basically a week to help Teresa transition a little.
She's kind of amazing actually!
I realize we all make choices for our family. Mine are different than hers and her husband's. We homeschool; they have 1 in preschool (driving twice in the morning), 1 in 1st grade (bus stop–morning and afternoon) and now 2 little ones at home.
I don't know how she does it!
Many people tell me they couldn't homeschool. And while we have our own difficulties, I kinda feel like I have it easier! We don't have to GO anywhere by any deadline. We just have to live with each other (*Ü*) and be diligent and committed.
Anyway, I certainly have a new appreciation for all you moms who get it ALL done!
And I definitely have a greater respect for my sister and all she does to keep her family running smoothly.
We had a great time!
I adore my niece and nephews, and the time we spent together was precious. And my new little guy, Emilio, certainly is a good baby. (Hates being naked and getting his diaper changed, though!) Keeping that up will be a great help to mommy!
Oh, and the kids all adore Emilio, too. They are 7, 4 1/2 and 3. The first day home, they each had a different book and were reading OUT LOUD to Emilio at the same time. So cute!!
Well, Saturday's return home was full of tears, not surprisingly–on both ends of the trip. I didn't tell Teresa this (tears), but when I was giving Antonio (age 3) a kiss goodbye in his carseat, I got a big kiss and backed away waiting for the other 2. He sat there looking at me quizzically (tears) with his arms open waiting for a hug. (Normally, he's just a kisser, but mommy had told everyone to get unbuckled and give me hugs n kisses. He couldn't do the buckle but was waiting for his hug, too.) I love them so much and cried again when my plane lifted off, leaving Florida.
So you can imagine the same was on the other end. But they were busy discussing how soon I would be crying. Most were right….it was before I even saw them. And there they were waiting with flowers. (Todd teasingly said, "I think these will break her." Like I'd be strong until I saw the flowers. Such a goof.)
After big hugs, they took me out for dinner–where my other sister and mom were also waiting. And at home, it was spotless! and dinner was already in the crockpot for Sunday afternoon. They all stepped up around the house and worked together, and it was so nice to come home to a nice clean house.
They're the best!
(And Aunt Teresa sent hugs n kisses home for them in the form of her Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies. Todd used the term "golden standard" in speaking of her cookies. I agree. I helped her pull out ingredients and open sticks of butter, but I told her other than that I wasn't touching them. She makes the best–and I'm not messing with that.)
Thank you, my dear, sweet customers for your patience with me–and for working with my schedule and desire to help my sister. (I'll share pics when I see you next. *Ü*)
And thank you, Todd, Tyler and Elizabeth, for all you had to do while I was gone. I so appreciate your love and support!
Miss you, Rizos!
Have a great day!
(I'll be back later this afternoon or evening with some of the business stuff you need to know!)
Remember,
if you can fall in love with a project, you can learn to
create it! Here to help you channel your inner Creative
Genius….
Steph
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