Yolanda

Happy Birthday Yolanda Maria Mendez

Okay, I am a few weeks late on posting this, but its summer and I have 3 kids and am going back to school. There is only so much a girl can do. ;0)
Yolanda turned 15 on August 8th. 15! Wow, that number just keeps on growing, and so does she. What a special young lady she is turning out to be. Yolanda is learning who she is and where she fits in. Yolanda enjoys reading (especially Twilight!), jewelry making, photography (oh my gosh, she has such a good eye), and cooking (if it is her idea and I am not asking her to do it). It is so exciting to see her develop new friendships and enjoy old ones. This year she had an old friend from Yakima come and stay with us her whole birthday week. Athena and Yolanda are very beautiful, intelligent, exciting young ladies. They had a blast together.
Yolanda, I love you so very much and am so very thankful that Heavenly Father trusted me to be the one to raise you and take care of you while you grow. You know how much you mean to me (I sure hope you do) I try to tell you on a daily basis. What more can I say except.....
I LOVE YOU!

Things that make me smile

Just a few things that make me smile..........

SERIOUSLY? 104 degrees!
come on....this is the Portland/Vancouver area!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
MONICA SHEALYN MENDEZ

Yesterday was Monica's 11th birthday. It is hard to believe that it has been 11 years. Monica has grown so much. She is very smart, and has discovered a love of poetry. She LOVES the color orange - therefore requested everything orange for her birthday, and she got it! She got an orange iPod, orange clothes, orange bed sheets and blanket, orange clothes hangers, orange backpack....you get the idea. She was very pleased with her birthday. We had the Sister Missionaries over for dinner and her dad bbq'd for us all. Everyone had a great time. I love you Monica! You are a very special little girl and I am thankful that I am your Mommy!

Well, I am back in school! I am beginning to wonder if I am going to be a professional student! Can I afford that? LOL

I just graduated last Oct with my Associate Degree in Accounting. I have decided to go back and get my diploma for the Medical Administrative Assistant. Most of my credits from before transferred, so I only have to go a couple of terms and I will be done! This will help me get into a Dr. Office, Clinic or even the Hospitals! Jobs are hard to get any more and I need all the help I can get these days.

Not much else has happened to us lately. We have been pretty much staying around Vancouver the past month. Summer is finally getting here. It has been in the high 80's to mid 90's the past couple of weeks. Hopefully we will get a few beach trips in here soon. Nothing like going to the beach!

Hope all is well with all of my family and friends! We love you all.

Happy Birthday Grandma Lucille!

Happy Birthday Aunt Jimmi Lyn!

One Flaw In Women

Women have strengths that amaze men.

They bear hardships and they carry burdens,

but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.

They sing when they want to cry.

They cry when they are happy

and laugh when they are nervous.

They fight for what they believe in.

They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer

when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have.

They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.

They cry when their children excel

and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about

a birth or a wedding.

Their hearts break when a friend dies.

They grieve at the loss of a family member,

yet they are strong when they

think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss

can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you

to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what

makes the world keep turning.

They bring joy, hope and love.

They have compassion and ideas.

They give moral support to their

family and friends.

Women have vital things to say

and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,

IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

Happy 4th

Happy 4th of July to all our friends and family!

Cannon Beach 06-13-09

Mom and Dad came to Vancouver for their Vacation. We were able to tag along with them as they explored the wonderful Portland/Vancouver area. On this day we went to Cannon Beach and watched the sandcastle competition. It was such a blast. There were many, many, many good entries. A lot of time and talent is put into these sculptures, and then by the end of the day, the tide comes in and washes it away.