Rain

Since Victor works in Costa Mesa right across the street from the OC Performing Arts center, he gets all kinds of fun people staying at his hotel. He was able to get 2 tickets for us to go see

It's a group of 4 guys that look, act and sing like the Beatles! Everyone knows how much we love the Beatles so I was so excited to go see this show!



We dropped Alana off with my cousin for a few hours and headed to lunch across the street from the theater. Date day for us!! See my chopped hair?!?! I cut 6 inches off of it! So healthy and WAY easier to handle now.


You aren't allowed to take pictures in the theater so I had to take them low-key. Our tickets were GREAT!! Orchestra setting, center stage! The crowd was full of tons of old people... tons and tons! I think Victor and I were one of the only young couples in there!
The first half of the show was AMAZING! It was so crazy to feel like we were at a Beatles concert, minus thousands of screaming girls (and the real Beatles).

They went through all their stages of music and changed costumes. The guy who played Paul was his twin I swear! This guy looked so much like him. He sounded just like him and even played JUST like him! It really was awesome! The other guys were great, but Paul stood out to me big time. Could be because he was my moms favorite so I automatically liked him more? Not sure, but all together they sounded just like the Beatles! During the breaks when they were doing a costume change the large screens next to the stage would play old school songs from others during that era. They even played some commercials from the 60's and 70's. It was really crazy to see!

At one point, Paul came out on stage to sing a Ballad. The second he started to strum the strings I started to cry. It was their song "Yesterday". That song lays deep within me. It was one of my moms favorite songs. At any given time I can hear her sing it. I can hear the words coming out of her mouth and see how her face would sing each word! It's crazy how vividly I can see and hear her sometimes, and then not at all other times. This was for sure one of those times. I balled throughout the entire song! It made me happy but sad. It was played as the first song in my moms slide show at her funeral. So of course it will always remind me of that too. But mostly because I'll always remember her singing it... brought me to some serious tears!

Victor and I LOVED the show so much, honestly we felt like we were at a Beatles Concert back in the days... one could have been so lucky. There were a few points they let us stand up and clap along. I would have done it the whole time, but it was supposed to be more of a theater show then it was a concert. We left there saying "We should go see it again tomorrow and bring Alana". This last weekend was their last shows here so that didn't happen. But I bet Alana would have loved them just as much. She knows so many songs! She definitely our little girl! It was a great "Date Day" for us! Thank you babe for making the day great!

Yesterday,
All my troubles seemed so far away,
Now it looks as though they're here to stay,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.

Suddenly,
I'm not half the man I used to be,
There's a shadow hanging over me,
Oh, yesterday came suddenly.

Why she
Had to go I don't know, she wouldn't say.
I said,
Something wrong, now I long for yesterday.

Yesterday,
Love was such an easy game to play,
Now I need a place to hide away,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.

Why she
Had to go I don't know, she wouldn't say.
I said,
Something wrong, now I long for yesterday.

Yesterday,
Love was such an easy game to play,
Now I need a place to hide away,
Oh, I believe in yesterday

Duck Duck Goose

My good friend Martha came over to hang out and we took Alana to the "Duck park" which is a nice park right by us! I LOVE this park. It has a lot of meaning to me. When my sister was going to get married, I brought her and her boy to this park to take their engagement pictures, it was my first time there! Victor and I used to live right across the street from it so we'd go there and jog around the pond and run up and down the stairs back in the days... When Alana was just a few months old we took her there with my other niece's and took some great pictures of them! Jacquie and I would take Ellie and Alana there so Ellie could feed the ducks but Alana was way to little to know what was going on. Now it's Alana's turn to be big enough to feed the ducks! She loved every moment of throwing bread to the ducks.

Monkey see, Monkey do

Alana's first year of life was with Kali here, but we don't get to see her all that often anymore, so when we do Alana soaks up every moment. I watched Kali for a few hours the other day and they had so much fun playing together as always! Alana tries to do everything Kali does, it's really cute. A big sister kind of thing! Kali was trying to show Alana how to tie her shoe. Although Kali is still learning how to do it herself, she wants to teach Alana everything which is so cute!

Cheesy girls!

1966

Was a good year. I just got my hands on my mom's senior picture! This would be my Wordless Wednesday picture... but I had to add words. Stunning picture mom!

STAR power!

This weekend my favorite girls came to spend some time with us! Jacquie packed the girls up and came out! I miss those girls! We had a great few days just visiting, watching the girls play together! Saturday night, Ellie was our entertainment! She seriously is soooo funny! She knows so many words to songs, I'm impressed with only being 4.

Check out her songs! The first one cracks me up because this girl is the WHITEST girl possible!! Not even sure what song she's singing but obivously a country one!

This is some Taylor Swift! LOVE my Ellie!

Friday - Chicken day!!

In case you missed the Holiday... Friday was National Poultry Day! Working for the chicken has sooooooo many benefits!! Of course we got the day off, plus with my company it's a standing rule that the day before a holiday you leave half day! Seriously people, the BEST company to work for, for SO many reasons!! So Alana and I planned to head to the beach Friday since it's been so hot out lately! This is our first beach trip of the year, MANY more to come!! Alana loves to wear her sunglasses and it was a perfect day for it.

On our way to Irvine to pick up Auntie Crystal, she ditched half day to come with us!

Alana was ready to hit the beach! We sat and ate some lunch on the sand and then Alana got up to running around chasing all of the birds, that she kept calling ducks.

My beach baby!

She loved digging in the sand and putting it in her bucket!


She had me on the run for at least one straight hour of chasing her up and down the beach! Best exercise ever!

After I showed her how to write her name in the sand, she stopped every 5 feet to write letters!

Chasing the birds

After a great day at the beach in the sun we headed home. My Niece Kali was performing in her first tumbling act for school. So we headed over there to see her and then they had a carnival set up for the kids! (More pics to come once I get them) Right before we walked out, Daddy won Alana this little pink kitty cat. She slept with it and it hasn't left her hands since!

While we were there, Alana had her first face painting! She sat still for it really well, better then I thought. I'm sure she's addicted now, she LOVED it!

Here's to another great day in the life of Gonzalezville!

The Fighting Irish

Yes I am Irish, I don't know a lot about my heritage, my parents never really talked much about being O'Brien and Harps... but I do know my blood runs green. I may look more Italian, but I'm actually more Irish.. strange. St. Patricks Day was always my mom's holiday. After all, she was Patty O'Brien, red hair, blue eyes... Dad always had to remind me that my mom's name was Pat and my dad's name is Rick... Patrick... It was just her day. I remember that every single year she would cook Corn beef and Cabbage for us! There was nothing I loved more when I was a kid! I was going to try to make it myself this year, but was lucky enough to get out of it by being invited to my Aunts house for dinner! It was just as amazing as always and had that comfort factor to it. I will for sure try next year!

This past week has been an especially hard one for me. I've woken up a couple times in the middle of the night just balling my eyes out because I had been dreaming of my mom. This week I cried more then ever. On the way to work, sitting at my desk at work, in the shower, laying in bed. It didn't matter, it was just a lot of missing her more then ever this week. Today marks not only my mom's holiday but 6 months since she's passed. I bet your thinking, I can't believe it's been six months already, right? 6 months without her with me has been a lifetime for me. It's crazy that I feel like it's been sooooo long since I saw her last and so long since I laid in that hospital bed with her holding her hand talking to her. I feel like at this point I shouldn't be crying for an entire week like this... but some how this week has been worse for me then any others so far. So many people keep saying, "You're allowed to be this upset, it's only been 6 months". I know there is no time line on it, but for someone to think it's only been 6 months like it happened yesterday is so crazy for me. It honestly feels like a lifetime! But when you put it in the big picture, she's been gone only 6 months out of my 30 years with her... it really isn't that long. I know I'll have better weeks, and I hope it's soon. To quote the Dixie Chicks and my sister"They say time heals everything, I'm still waiting". It is was it is, but man it sucks. I think this week has to do with turning 30, big milestone for me. Maybe because this week is 6 months and that seems like a milestone... next month being Mother's day? The fact that when I used to get up and go to work in the mornings like I do now, I used to call her every single morning and talk to her all the way to work. We always had so much to talk about... whatever the reason, been a tuff week of missing her tons.

When my mom died 6 months ago, my sisters and I sat down to talk about who we could ask to read something at her funeral. My cousin Chrissy is always a great speaker and someone who might be able to keep it together while up at the mic. So we asked, of course she said yes. We told her to pick anything she wanted. Something that reminded her of mom. She picked an old Irish prayer. I think of it often as it has some great words to it.

Death is Nothing
Death is nothing at all
I have only slipped away into the next room
I am I and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other
That we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes
We enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me,
Let my name be ever the household word that
It always was.
Let it be spoken without effort,
Without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant
It is the same as it ever was
There is absolutely unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am
Out of sight? I am but waiting for you
For an interval
Somewhere very near
Just around the corner.
All is well.

I cry every time I read it. But it means so much to me. "Whatever we were to each other, That we still are." She is still my best friend in the world.
"Let my name be ever the household word that it always was"... Alana knows who her grandma is and we will continue to talk about her, tell stories about her and always have her pictures with me in my mind and in my home. Always.

This Irish girl will fight another day

Sunny Days!

Sunday I started my day off driving up to the mountains in Colorado, through the snow, super chilly! I ended my evening coming home to a nice warm evening! The weather here has been amazing, close to 90 degree's every day! Thank God for my back yard, I will be sun tanning early this year!
Alana and I washed my car. This is the first time she's helped me, and she loved it! She wanted to just keep scrubbing... go ahead!


The other day I started folding some laundry. Alana wouldn't pick up her toys as mommy asked, so I told her if she picked up her toys, she could help me fold laundry. So what did she do? Ran over and picked her toys up! I bribed her with laundry?? She IS Victor's daughter!!

So glad sunny days are back and hopefully here to stay!

SURPRISE!!

With my 30th birthday here and gone it was time for Ashley's 30th!! She is always 2 weeks behind me on every big birthday milestone. Myself, Crystal and Jen flew out to Colorado to surprise Ashley for her birthday weekend! Her husband picked us up at the airport and brought us back to the house. I rang the door bell and Ashley came to the door, screamed and cried! She was sooo happy we flew out to celebrate with her! She had no idea, we were able to really surprise her!

Friday night we headed out for the first drinks of the weekend and some much needed dinner! Cheers!


Saturday morning we had a "Spa Day" planned! I was so excited because I had a very stressful week and was in need of a massage! So we headed to the spa with Ashley's sister Amy!


Ashley was treated with a Hot Stone Massage and a Delux Manicure! Happy Birthday Ashley!


Ashley's husband David planned a party at the house with some family, he had an awesome Beach Themed cake made from their favorite place!

Saturday night we took Ashley out to a cool Karoake bar in Downtown Denver. Place was really fun, but we made it even more fun!!! First shot of the night... many, many, more to follow.

Me and Crystal

Ashley and her sisters Amy and Lisa!

Believe it or not, we did get up and sing. I said after 5 drinks I would... I held true to my promise. What song did we sing? You know it, Baby Got Back!

Sisterly love!

Me and Jen, soon to be 30th Birthday girl!

Ashley's sister Amy was nice enough to not drink as much so she could drive us drunk asses home. THANK GOD! The drive home was the best part of the night, as is most nights after tons of drinks and several shots! We of course, had to stop by Del Taco. Love these girls, the weekend wouldn't have been the same if you girls didn't come out with me!

30 years old, 23 years best friends!

Happy 30th birthday Ash, I'm so glad we could surprise you and spend the weekend with you!

EAT YOGURT - FIGHT CANCER

My really great friend Jennifer put together a day at her friends Yogurt shop in Menifee for our Relay for Life team! Our team gets 20% of all proceeds raised! EAT YOGURT, FIGHT CANCER! Please come out for a bite to support our team if you are anywhere near Menifee! Come wish Jen and I a Happy 30th Birthday! Mine was last month and hers is next month!

Wednesday 3/10/10 5pm - ish
30076 Haun Rd. Suite 210.
Menifee, CA

Please stop by to buy some yogurt and empty your penny jars, every little bit helps!

Hope to see you there!

**Everything I do, I do in remembrance of my mama**

*Disney Family Day*

This weekend we took a family day to head to Disneyland! The day was gloomy but the rain stayed away until we were walking out to the gate. Alana has a new found love for Goofy! Instead of pointing out Mickey Mouse most of the day she was pointing out Goofy. So our first stop was for her to meet Goofy. In line she waved and talked to him and the second it was our turn she wanted nothing to do with him. She finally ended up trying to give him a kiss but never made it. That was good enough for her.


Winnie the Pooh is another favorite of her lately. Victor got her hooked on the old school Winnie the Pooh movie and now she loves Pooh. Pretty sure her 2nd birthday party, which is right around the coroner... SCARY... will be Pooh. Her and Daddy rode together.

We brought my mother in law along for the day, she never gets a day out of the house without all the kids so we stoled her. She really enjoyed spending the day with us there! This woman is amazing and has been such great support to me. I love her like my second mother! I realize how lucky I am to LOVE my mother in law, but man, she makes it pretty easy!

With all the long hours Victor's been working at the new hotel we needed a Family Day!

She's getting to be so big, almost 2. Only 3 months away... can't believe how fast it goes :(

My sweetheart!

Victor and his mom!

My mother in law hung out with Alana while Victor and I got in the very short line for the long awaited Captain EO!! The park was pretty empty Saturday with the weather so gloomy so we lucked out on no waiting pretty much all day. They played a pretty cool (For the 80"s) behind the scenes look at the making of it. We stood and waited and waited and waited for those doors to open.

The doors opened late and before we were even seated they had started the show, which really pissed me off! We've been waiting to see it and we come in to it already started and the lights stayed on until everyone was seated. I was sooooo annoyed!!! But once the lights went off and everyone was seating it all came rushing back to me! So amazing!!! Especially from being done in 86, it was still just as great as the first time I saw it! As soon as Michael came out, it totally brought a tear to my eye! Everyone clapped, it was great! The best part about the show was the theatre. Back in the days it wasn't anything big, but since they redid it for Hunny I shrunk the Audience it made it all that much better. Through the songs the whole place moved to the music on beat. It was great! We both walked out of there amazed and so happy to be able to see it once again!


We spent the rest of the afternoon at DCA because Victor's mom had never been. We had a great time and took her on Soaring. She was so blown away! We went into the "Brother Bear" part of the park and ran Alana around.

Grandma got some great quality time with Alana which they both enjoyed.

We took Alana to the new Toy Story ride. 3D glasses for everyone!

I was really surprised but Alana was allowed to sit by herself and have her own gun to shoot! She did very well sitting with Daddy. The new Toy Story ride was amazing and I can't wait to go back on the ride again!!

Great family day for us 4. It was nice to get Grandma out of the house with us too!

Wordless Wednesday