The Adventures of Ice Skating

Justin's birthday is December 3. Each year he tells me to not get him anything, so typically I spend invested thought into determining what to do for him. This year, I decided we need to experience Ice Skating as a couple. Justin was a super troop, he went along with the antics of keeping a secret. You could tell that he trusted me, but desperately wanted to know what we were doing. We made it to the rink, "ICE SKATING...WOW!" He was excited.

This was the first official time we went skating together. This in fact was only my second, so needless to say I was quite nervous about the adventure. Even the skate monitor told me, "it was time to get off the rail" FINE! :-)

We both had a blast; he said it was the best birthday gift ever - good I was so glad. Enjoy the pictures and video...

Justin's video: Jacquie's video:

Granny got NEW TEETH!

YES!! That's right ladies and gentlemen; granny has new teeth. As most of you know, my grandmother is one of the most beautiful women I've ever met. In her younger days she was exquisite and as with most beauties we have flaws that make us even more enjoyable. I would have to say, Granny's over the years has been her teeth. Granny's vanity is no mystery to anyone, she's know for it.

One day, she and mom are having a discussion about health insurance; specifically dental insurance. I guess Granny believed she didn't need the insurance and was prepared to cancel it. This infuriated mom, someone who doesn't have insurance, and someone who is consistently trying to save a penny (GRANNY) had major conflict on this subject. Fireworks were invoked and well...here's the rest of the story.

A couple days later; granny chipped one of her front teeth - don't ask us how, she just did. She found a new dentist and the dentist played to granny's weakness - her vanity. The dentist commented what a beautiful woman Granny is and that her teeth weren't so beautiful. She recommended crowns for the front of her teeth. Well, the dentist hit her in the right place, and so did the journey for the crowns. Granny is excited she has her dental insurance now - but still does have some expense to this. The pictures are of Granny's new teeth. I must say, she looks so much younger and her smile is more brillant and beautiful than I've seen in a long time.

Enjoy Granny's new TEETH - we do.

OH PS; the day the temporary crowns went in; her upper lip remained swollen; as mom says, she resemebled that of a duck. ha! Yes, we all had our laughs, Anitra heard the story over the phone and lost it completely!

HERE'S GRANNY!

Halloween Housewarming Bash

Halloween is a fun time of year; it's that one time you can dress up as something fun, sexy, devlish and no one seems to think you're insane. It's kinda nice really... ha.

We decided that Halloween would be our deadline to have everything in the house complete. EVERYTHING, boxes unloaded, changes we were making, adding things. Boy it's been rough to accomplish all of it. Justin just finally finished staining the deck, I'm not sure he'll do that adventure again. Any how, here are pictures of our party - had a great turn out. Folks loved the house, and I loved having laughter, noise and people fill our rooms. Great way to break in a home! For those of you who know us for our parties...the legacy lives on.

I'm sorry that a lot of our friends from home and scattered across the US/WORLD couldn't be a part of the ghoulish night, but we know you were here in spirit. :-)

Granny was the Black Widow - of course she had to be something semi-sexy and she was. She also enjoyed being in character; she was after the men that night. Go granny go!

I was a witch - I'm totally in love with my hat; it'll be around for a while. ha!

Justin - Napoleon Dynamite, I love my husband

JS - Pancake girl! I love JS' ingenius ways. Here in Kansas there is an International Pancake Race every year in a town by the name of Liberal. Liberal in fact is where she hails from and her mother has run this race. The race is also held in England - the time of the runners is decided, the winner is declared the International winner. Pretty cool!

Enjoy!

Way to go Schotzie

Schotzie! This post is all about Schotzie. Some of you know about Schotz and how she came to be part of our family of three (Justin, Jacquie & Ozzy). If you don't, here's the scoop. Anitra called asking if I wanted another kitty. Justin and I wrestled with having another right after Ozzy. After much debate, Justin agreed, yes another cat; with the promise no more kittys. You all know, we have three...so. Ha! Just keep thinking about schotzie. :-)

Our little girl came to us from Anitra, who had a friend who found this little stray kitty cat. She was tiny, her coat was rough, and to be quite honest, she wasn't very pretty. But, our hearts softened, and Schotzie made the 3 1/2 hour drive, half with Anitra and the other half with us.

She and Ozzy grew to love each other, and are true companions. In fact, from time to time you see them cuddle together in a corner. :-)

Schotzie and Justin have a very special relationship. Anyone who has met Justin, probably knows about Schotzie. Schotzie has also picked a favorite amongst us, Justin. She loves her daddy. In fact, about three ago, Schotzie started what is commonly referred to as chittering. I love to think that she and her dad have meaningful conversations. :-) This converations only started with Justin, but over time have started with me and with others (Mom, Granny & Cyra). :-)

The cat talks all the time now. Ha! In one of her rare moments of a conversation between her and Justin I was able to capture a video, and Justin posted on YouTube. Justin and Schotzie were talking to one another, turns out the video is a HUGE hit on the site. It also been viewed so much that Utube wants to pay us - we don't know how much; but its real cool! So you may see us on America's funniest home videos or the Animal planet. ha!

For your enjoyment - no money coming to us now...:-)

Enjoy the show!! :-)

OUR HOUSE!

So I have to apologize for my delay in getting these pictures out to everyone. It's been quite an ordeal keeping all the balls in the air and still finding time to put the junk in it's new place. However, hope you enjoy - we love our new home! :-)

We live in a new development; but one of the things that drew me to the area is that our home doesn't back up to anyone else. The first morning I slept in my new house, I looked out my bedroom window and awakended to the wild sunflowers growing behind us. Absolutely beautiful!

spare bathroom upstairs

My new office

Living Room

Kitchen

If it's at all Possible, I'm in love with my stove!! It's amazing!!!!!

This is all I can get up now - need to finish dinner - enjoy!

Cancer Surgery

So today has was the day we'd all been waiting for. Today, started at 3a with a very short night the night before. We managed to get up, get Granny going, me in the shower and doing some official work time as I'm remoting in from the office. We GOT there, that's the important part!!

We had mom at Via Christi St. Francis at 5:15a and ready for surgery check-in. They immediately took mom back, we said our love yous and prayers, and there she went, rolling in the opposite direction we were motioned.

Mom's surgery didn't begin until 7:3oa and we didn't hear from the surgeon until 11a. Dr. Porter said it went VERY WELL; that the tumor was quite VICIOUS (not a word I would normally here from a doctor). He was deteremined and successful in the removal of the tumor - hurray. There is lots of scarred tissue, but they anticipated that and stated that her pre-treatement of radiation and chemo was the best thing for her.

All in all, mom is doing well. Granny and I are both exhausted and I'm back to work as I finish out my remote-in day. Thank you for your prayers and everything. This is all thanks to God.

If you want to send flowers: Here's the address to the hospital. She will have to stay for 4 to 7 days post op for observation.

Via Christi St. Francis

Attn Patient: Roxanne Estrada

Room: 8056

929 North St. Francis

Wichita, KS 67214

Happy Birthday Cyra

On July 21, 2007 Anitra went into the hospital for having preclampsyia, they admitted and induced her. It was a long night, but Tante stuck around to be there for Hetra and the arrival of Baby Cyra. I certainly wasn't going to miss this....

At about 1300 the lady next door started screaming BLOODY MURDER! I imagine she was delivering a 13lb child at the rate her lungs were screaming. Anitra and I woke up, began to talk and talk about everthing.

We started this long venture together patiently awaiting Cyra's visit. I was so excited, I can't explain how my impatience grew, I had already waited 9 months and the next 15 hours seemed like an enternity.

Finally that evening, my blessed niece made her appearance. Today is her 2nd Birthday! It's amazing to see how she's grown from the wee lil' one pictured above. She's developing her character, her voice, her disposition....EVERYTHING. This Tante feels as though she's missing out on quite a bit with them being overseas. But I know I'm probably not.

She's been the best gift I could have ever asked for, my child or not...she's mine no matter what anyone says. I imagine Anitra would argue that she atleast looks like me. :-) She's the apple of my eye, the joy of my heart, the blessing God intended for our family!

Cyra - Tante Loves you always & Forever!!! Happy Birthday!

Granite

The house is coming along nicely. We've been given a date of closing of August 28th. WOW, how the time flys when you're busy with everything. Here are two pictures of our granite and cabinets together. I think we have a nice touch. I'm also including our kitchen sink faucet; Anitra's comment..."Class all the way Chuck." I hope so!

Thoughts?

Chicago

So as some of you know, I took my first trip ever to Chicago, IL. WOW, what an amazing city! We stayed at the luxury Penisula Hotel - wonderful beautiful and exciting. Here are some pictures from my amazing business trip. The conference was okay, but the location made up for it in all the right ways! :-)

Happy 4th of July!!!

Growing up, I watched movies that celebrated the 4th as a hot summers day where children played in tree lined streets chasing each other with sparklers. Classically a midwest captured moment in my opinion. Anyone that's lived in Lompoc knows that's not EVER been the case for us. Lompoc, Ca is celebrated with beautiful hues of foggy fire works, sweatshirts and hot cocoa.

When we learned we were moving to Kansas, there were two things I was most excited about in regards to holiday's; snow at Christmas and hot summer day for the 4th of July! Ha! :-)

Our 4th started off with us sleeping in; for those of you who know of our lives at this moment in time, every Saturday is accompanied by an early trip to the Cancer Center of Kansas (CCK) to have mom's chemo bag taken out for the weekend. But on this particularly day; she allowed me to sleep me...thanks MOM! :-) Our plan for the evening was to go to the local baseball teams game, the Wichita Wingnuts. We enjoyed the game, and then watched and celebrated our nations Independence day at the stadium. It was everything I've ever wanted a fourth to be like, ball games, great summer day with a medium breeze, hot dogs, and FIREWORKS along the Arkansas River. PERFECT!!!

Of course at the end of the game; the real show started with our hosts of a local morning show here in Wichita, taking some time to introduce some home town heroes. It never ceases to amaze me to live in a city where people aren't afraid to show much they love their nation. After a moments time, one of the hosts asked for all current military and veterans who have served our country to stand; I could hardly count as those standing around me were a plenitude; complete silence as men and women all around us stood up and remained standing as, one clap turned in to two, three, a hundred and so on. Granny leaned over to me and asked, "I bet that makes you proud?" motioning towards Justin. Yes was my reply. I am very proud of him!

Someone once asked; what purpose does it serve to celebrate our Independence and why is it important? The only answer I can give, is that this celebration reminds us of our fight for all our freedom's. The ability to attend America's favorite past time (baseball). To practice our faith amongst others, to wear what we want in clothing, to even ask the question. As I've grown in my faith, God created us to be creative, not to be one in the same. In this celebration of the 4th, I think we created something that preserves life, pursuit of happiness, and allows us as Americans to be bold and strong. Talk about God's genius!! Wow, thanks GOD! :-)

I love America - may she reign many more days to come!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!

BTW: WICHITANS are nuts with FIREWORKS!!!

Another movie

Took this as we were leaving the house today!

Movie of the House

The following is a movie of a tour of the house. I'll attach another movie that shows the basement. Enjoy the movie & pictures!

AMPHI....WHAT?!?

It never ceases to amaze me the individuals my husbands works with. All are very unique, remarkable and genius. Justin works for Lockheed Martin and works in a two man shop; he and another gentlemen by the name of Scott.

Justin tells me that Scott has an Amphicar. You can only imagine my response; "AMPHI-WHAT?!?" You mean like a car that goes in the water...yes. How's that possible? Well, leave it to the Germans. The Amiphcar is a German vehicle and only 3,000 were ever constructed. The car is hollow; very similar to that of a bathtub. It's licensed as both a boat and a car. Still in disbelief; Scott insisted we go out for a ride...

Justin and I took our lunch breaks; drove down to the Arkansas River (pronounced, OUR KANSAS) River and we hopped in. I will say, I did hold my breath as we drove into the water...hahaha...but sure enough we floated and navigated the river.

Here are pictures of post excursion - very fun; and a rule of the amphicar per Scott, "YOU HAVE TO WAVE!"



Justin & Scott

Scott getting in to leave....

Pictures of the House

So I've been getting questions about seeing the house: Here we go!!



House w/some siding
Mom and granny figuring out what room they are in.

Me so excited

Three days ago without siding

granite selection for kitchen and bathrooms



More to come as I can update!