Shadowing the Coleman Girls on the last day of 2008

iphone tutorial by Blake

Phill's Christmas Feast

Happy Christmas

Saturday 12/20
Our Christmas week started on Saturday, December 20th where we went to Tammy's house and celebrate my Uncle Jeff's birthday and enjoy some holiday cheer. Tammy ordered catered food of delicious and authentic Mexican food. They served enchiladas, tacos, tamales, rice, beans, chips and salsa. We did a fun gift exchange where Mike got a singing Snowman and I got a pewter cheese block. There were so many gifts all around that I actually forgot to take the cheese block, oh well...Michelle loved playing with the Rock Band Game and Emmet just wanted to be held by Mom...nap deprived, Emmet was ready to go as soon as he had finished his last cookie!

Sunday 12/21
We drove over to Billy's new place where we decorated the Christmas tree, took pictures, ate some amazing meats (BBQ'd by Mike). Billy, Laurie, Dad, Andrea, Andrea's daughter, Kate, her husband, Josh, and their daughter, Megan, Mike, Michelle and Emmet. The kids opened their gifts and they got some pretty amazing things!

Monday 12/22 - Both kids woke up with horrible coughs and congestion, including mom. We took a visit to the doctors where they both were put on antibiotics. We were instructed to drink a lot of fluids, get lots of rest and take the medicine that was prescribed. I had originally planned on taking the kids to see Helene and Pam (who was visiting from Florida), but we had to cancel due to the illnesses.

Tuesday 12/23 - Michelle and I went to Best Buy to buy some fun gifts for Dad. Michelle decided to get "Meet The Robinsons" and to buy two iphones for mom and dad. She asked for the cheapest payment plan so it would not break the bank. The nice lady wrapped up the gifts and said that we could not activate these until Christmas Day.

Wednesday 12/24

The kids started to feel better and were looking forward to a special Christmas celebration. Mike prepared a special dish called, "Coq Au Vin" and oh was that delicious!

New Year Week

The second week of the holidays and leading up to New Years, Michelle, Emmet and myself let Mike sleep in while we raked, mowed and swept our front yard. The kids wanted to do a random act of kindness for our neighbors so we mowed, raked and swept their front lawn too! A great activity to get exercise, fresh air and make the place look nice and clean.

The following day, we went to the San Francisco Zoo and renewed our membership (thank you Uncle Billy from New Hyde Park!). We took a ride on the little puffer, saw a sleepy giraffe, a couple of monkeys, a sea otter, some penguins, the lions, the tigers, a zebra, and a very hungry ant eater.

The kids also bought stuffed snakes and two stuffed sea turtles. We did not play on the play ground, but decided we would do that next time we attend the Zoo!

We also received a surprise telephone call from Jonathan and Maria saying they were coming down for New Years! What a very special treat!

We had a wonderful meal on New Years:

• Tuna
• Teriyaki Skirt Steak
• Grilled asparagus
• Greek Salad

The kids took a bubble bath and got to stay up until 10pm...then Maria, Jonathan, Mike and myself lit some sparklers and sung "...should all aquaintence be forgot..."

Happy New Year!

12/15/2008

This week seemed like the longest week of my educational career, however, exercising every day was very helpful when dealing with how I felt about myself, In this moment, working at Sequoia has made me a better person and what I plan on doing is being an even better person. I will receive 1,000 of unexpected income in the next thirty days, where all our financial concerns will become freedoms! I am free! Love, peace, All is well!

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving this year was spent with my family, my brother, my sister, her girlfriend, my dad and his wife, Adrea. The meal consisted of:

• Turkey, stuffed with Mama Coleman's (Mike's Mom) recipe
• Creamed Spinach
• Mashed potatoes
• Gravy, from the drippings
• Cranberry relish (with orange zest)
• Sweet potatoes, candied
• Pumpkin pie
  
• Pumpkin cheesecake
• Apple pie
• Ice cream

It was close to thirty years since I have spent this holiday with my dad, my sister and my brother and there was no drama; Everyone was happy and grateful to spend some time with each other. Ten years ago, I would have never thought that my father would be back in my life. However, the strength that I possess now is due to the amazing friendships that embraced me when I felt I had no one. I will never forget how living in the in-law of Boynton Court would give me so many traditional memories. So many discussions and debates about relationships, men, women, true love and facing the point in your life when you have children...and you are questioning every decision you make and hope that you are doing the right thing. Thank you to the many meaningful friendships that I have met since Mike has come into my life, thank you to all those friendships (old and new) who helped me through my journey of DCIS, my journey of having children after thinking we could not have children, and for supporting me when I could not love myself. You have all made me a better person. Thank you and I love you all!