Wednesday, June 30, 2010

An Interview and Baseball

Today I had an interview; an interview for a teaching position at a private Christian school down the street from my house.  It was a tough interview, to say the least.  There were a few questions in which I felt I did not answer in a solid, confident manner and that makes me feel so bummed.  The questions were of the religious sort, questions that you would expect young students to ask, but I felt a little displaced; and my answers were reflective of that.  I will rely on faith that God will put me where He feels I should be.

On another note, Nicholas' team won their first All-Star game this past Monday!  Yay!  They get a week off before their next game on July 5th.  But, of course, there is no break in practice.  They had the day off yesterday, but pratice resumes today.  I think we're all feeling a bit tired from the in-and-out of the house.  But the hard work does pay off.  Nicholas earned the starting catcher position for his team, but he has had to give it up due to a thumb injury.  For now he is playing out field, and I know that's tough for him because he was so excited for the catcher's position, but we have to have him focus on healing his thumb.  In essence he should be giving his thumb complete rest, but that's not an option for him because he wants to play in the games.   Here are a few photos of this past Monday's game.

The Charfauros Family right before the game!


Introducing . . .Nick "The Bolt" Charfauros!

My boy up to bat!

One of his strengths . . . base running!

And this is what Noah does in between cheering on his brother and making frequent stops to the snack bar.  He surely is all boy! 


Thursday, June 24, 2010

Clothing Styles

I have always gravitated toward clean, simple, and classic styles.  I have also joked that all my budget could afford is timeless - classic looks; basically looks that don't go out of style! But really I do just love simple clothing styles, I'm not into all the fluff of things.  Some would call it plain (my mom) but I just like simple. Simple doesn't mean drab and mute. 

I've been eyeing these adorable summer tanks and I just thought I'd share!


Simple tank with a crochet trim.



Love the pleated scoop neck on this tank!



This halter is adorable, even though I'm not crazy about things that tie around my neck.  (An easy fix for this is to sew the straps to the back of the shirt making it a spaghetti strap top!)

All tanks are from Old Navy and right now thru June 29th they are offering an additional 30% Wow!  That's enough to make me think . . . should I just continue dreaming about these tanks or actually purchase one of my favorites out of the three! 

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Inspiration

Baseball has been consuming us. Our schedule for the last week and a half revolves around baseball and naptime! It's been so fun and I can't wait for Nicholas' first game on Monday. Super excited about that!

For now I just wanted to share some inspiration photos.



I love the A monogram . . . I'd love to do that with the letter C in our home!


I love the simplicity of this room and the pops of color from the pillow and monogram.  One of my favorite things about this room is the photo wall on the right hand side.  I, so, want to do that!



This room really speaks to me because it's simple, stylish, and functional.  I love the wall hangings and the color it brings to the room.  I think they may just be scapbook paper framed . . . hmmmm.  Now that's an idea!

All photos belong to Pieces of Me blog site, which has become a new favorite site for me to visit!

That's it for now.  I have lots to do today, in addition to basbeall practice :0) 

Happy mid-week Wednesday!

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Healthy Living

I've been trying diligently to eat healthy and exercise.  Yesterday morning I woke up frustrated, frustrated at the scale because nothing changed.  Not even after spending a week counting points and watching what I ate.  Yesterday I decided that I needed to be more adamant about exercise, because honestly, I wasn't implementing exercise into my daily routine.  And that is definitely a must.

Jay and I went on a run/walk yesterday morning.  It's a route we used to run all the time, a route that used to be cake.  Now I can barely run a fourth of that route.  Very disheartening, but oh well, I guess you just have to start somewhere . . . again.  The again part is what sucks.  But I'll get there again, I'll run that route again!

I've been doing well eating healthy and counting my points.  I've forgotten how good it feels to make good healthful choices.  It feels good to be in control of what I eat and how much I eat. 

Fajita night!  I love the colors of the peppers and I absolutely love cilantro!  All good and healthy for you!


2 cups of popcorn equals 2 points.  A nice mid-afternoon snack; and sure it can be frustrating at times to measure your food, but the extra time to do this is worth it!  It just instills awareness and consciousness in what your choosing to eat!
Okay, I'm off to the baseball fields.  This is consecutive day 5 of baseball practice and oh my goodness it's exhausting.  But fun, nonetheless!



Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Baseball

Baseball season is over for us, the regular season that is.  However, we have been anxiously awaiting the announcement of the All-Star team  for our league.  June 15th was the day the names would be posted in the paper.  All day on Monday Nicholas was a ball of anxious excitement and, truth be told, I was worried that if he didn't make the team he would be super bummed.  In an effort to prepare Nicholas for possibly not making the team we told him that no matter what the outcome he should be satisfied with himself as long as he gave this season his best; in essense that's all he could do.  Sometimes things don't go the way we want, or expect, or even believe to be fair.  That was that and we went about the rest of our day.  Grocery shopping, shoe shopping, and then home to prepare dinner and hang out.  Then  . . .there was that earthquake.  It rattled us a bit, mostly Noah; but Jay and I began to shut the house down for the evening.  Jay went to load his gear in his truck and he comes back in the house with this huge smile on his face whispering to me to get my camera.  I grab my camera and follow him outside;  and there was Nicholas' wish come true.  We decide that we're not waiting until tomorrow for him to to discover what he's been anxiously awaiting for.  I hide outside on our porch and Jay calls Nicholas downstairs; of course both the boys trail down the stairs a little puzzled why they're being called downstairs, outside for that matter, at this odd hour in the evening!  And well . . . I'll let the pictures speak the rest of Nicholas' story!






Congratulations to Our ALL-STAR PLAYER


Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Mind, Body, & Spirit

For the past week I have been in such a slump; in mind, body, and spirit. I have been distracted, unmotivated, and utterly grouchy all of last week and probably even longer. My family will concur with that! It's such a yucky feeling to be in a slump and after this past Saturday, I over-lectured Nicholas, snapped at Jay when he was trying to please me, and poor Noah has had to witness his mommy in a "not-so-good" light. I knew that I needed to get myself to a better and happier place.

After reflecting on what makes me feel good I decided that Monday changes were going to be made. It simply needed to be done! This is in no particular order, rather they all work together to make me a better wife, mommy, and overall person!

I decided to go back on weight watchers. More for being conscious of what and how I eat; but losing a few pounds wouldn't be so bad either! :0)

This isn't something I'm just now implementing into my weekly schedule.  I have been going to church every Sunday for months now.  It's special to me and it's something I need in my life always!  I look forward to attending church every Sunday and no matter what worries or troubles I have weighted on me when I walk into church, God makes it less of a load on my heart and in my head. 

I haven't been out to exercise in, okay I'll be honeset here, months!  Months!  That sounds so long and it has been - way too long.  I need to get out there and move.  This is so important, for not only my body but for my mind and spirit too.  There is just something about running that clears my head and helps to put things back into perspective when life just gets hectic!

I love taking pictures!  It makes me happy.  This is a hobby that really does fill me up with goodness!  This photo was taken this past Sunday at church . . . isn't Noah the cutest 3 year old!  I think so (wink, wink)!  For awhile I abandoned my camera, I'm not sure why.  But I'm definitely looking forward to making photography and picture taking a priority again!

I think we are all in charge and responsible for making ourselves happy.  It's so important to not rely on others and what they can do or give you to fill you up with happiness.  Yesterday was day 1 of taking charge and I feel good!  I feel better and I did that all by myself by making changes in my day-to-day life.

Here's to a better day ahead for each of you!

Friday, June 11, 2010

5th Grade Promotion

Yesterday Nicholas had his 5th grade promotion ceremony.  I would be lying if I didn't say that I was emotional throughout the ceremony.  It really does seem like yesterday that we were walking him to his kindergarten classroom.  Now . . . in just a couple of months he'll be walking through the doors of middle school and on to a whole new experiene in every facet of his maturing life. 

Nicholas has been a great student throughout elementary school.  This is not to say that he wasn't vocal about the things he disliked doing, such as,  homework  reading, writing book reports, and being more descriptive in his writing.  Little does he know that there is so much more of that to come!!!  But Nicholas has always been a rule follower, always good at doing what he is told and what he knows is the right thing to do.  He may question it, but he never disregards it.  For that I am proud and I will continue to pray that he builds his character on those very same things. 

Here are some pictures of his "big day!"


Congratulations to all the 5th Grade Pilots!

Receiving his 5th Grade Promotion Certificate

Congratulating his brother!

Proud Dad & Brother!


Our Boys Nicholas & Noah

Nicholas being a sport about me taking pictures (I think I have one like this when he was in kindergarten)

Proud of Our Boy!  He has worked hard in school and even maintaining his Honor Roll Student status his entire 4th and 5th grade year!  Awesome!  By the way, Noah is far from sleeping in this photo - he's just being a silly boy!

A New Look

For the last few days I have been playing around with my blog.  I've been trying to get it to look a certain way - and finally I have.  I hope to add more color to my blog header, as it is pretty grayish looking.  I'm still learning though . . . so stay tuned.  I am truly enjoying this aspect of blogging, you know prettying it up!

But stay tuned, I have pictures to share of Nicholas' promotion ceremony.  Right now I've got one last 5th grade lunch to pack.  Today is Nicholas' last day of school!  Yipee ~ Summer has arrived.  Now if it would just warm-up a bit more.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Corpus Christi

This past Sunday we celebrated Corpus Christi at our church. Noah was an arch angel for the first time. And although mass was a little long and the wings to his costume caused some frustration, he did very well. He even said he'd like to do it again next year.

The angels and arch angels getting a pep talk from Father before mass begins.

After mass and right before the procession began.  He wanted his dad and took off running to him! :0)

Here he is finally walking with his dad.

The beginning of the procession.  The Chamorro Choir.

Individual shot of our lil' angel. Noah John Charfauros age 3

Nicholas and I.  He's taller than me and I'm wearing an inch heel. 

Jay and Nicholas; this one really shows what a grown young man he is becoming.

Noah being sociable with his fellow angels.  Here I think he is yelling, "Guys wait! Guys stop it!"

It was another wonderful weekend and another wonderful, blessed Corpus Christi event.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Happy June!


It seems like most of my posts are at the beginning of the month and I'm always amazed it is a new month.  But really, I can't believe it's June and summer is literally right around the corner!  I can't wait for our pool and beach trips and lazy summer days with the kids and Jay.  I always look forward to that!

We have wrapped up baseball and it feels odd not having somewhere to dash off to.  Hopefully Nicholas gets the opportunity to play on the All-Star team - I know that would make him so happy.  And, believe it or not, I love being at the fields :0)

Memorial weekend was nice - spent it at mom's.  It's always nice to go there and get away and spend time with everyone.  The boys sure enjoyed themselves.  Poly surprised Noah after church and had a bounce-house set up in the backyard.  We all had fun jumping around in it.  Best of all, it was for no reason at all!  Just because they wanted to let Noah jump around all day!

Sunday was actually a real treat for Noah. After church we went home to my mom's for breakfast and then took Nicole and Sebastian (my sister in-law and her son) to visit Jay at the firestation. But of course Noah was all over it . . . he loves going to his dad's station and he always acts like it's his first time there :0) It's so adorable how he is fascinated with everything around there! I love how proud he his of his dad! You can see it all over his face . . .





Good times for sure!  And of course Nicholas was with his cousins, the ones more his age!  He's getting to that age where we aren't so cool to hang around.  It's kinda sad, but it's not always.  Sometimes he likes to just hang out with my mom.  Such the homebody :0)

On another note - I haven't had any luck with the job hunt.  But I'm trying to stay positive.  Having faith in God that He will provide an opportunity for me that is fitting for the crazy-hectic schedule I have with my two active boys and a hubby who works unusual hours.  In the meantime I am thankful that He has provided our family with all that we need.  For now that is all I can ask for.

Happy Thursday!  And I'm looking forward to another weekend at mom's!