See You Later

Goodbye, Bon Voyage, Ciao, Adios!

Or as they say in Aruba...

Ajo!  

The Acostas are on vacation in Aruba for the next week!  Be expecting many more pictures like this when we get back!  

It Feels Like Home to Me

This past weekend, we were invited to one of our neighbor's home for a party.  We had a great time...I mean a GREAT time!!!  You see, we recently had some neighbors move in that are Hispanic, like us.  Though they are originally from San Antonio, they are Mexican-American like me.  

We got to their house and I seriously felt like I had traveled 800 miles, like I was walking into a house in El Paso.  They had many traditional Mexican features in their home, like a Last Supper and Virgen  de Guadalupe in their dining room.  And then we went to the backyard and they were playing Mexican/Tejano/cumbia music.  There were about 15 other adults there and maybe 10-15 kids there.  

Our neighbors, Nelly and Max, were VERY hospitable.  Not only did they invite us into their home, but they treated us like family all at the same time.  They had carne asade, homemade salsa, Mexican rice, and little corn tortillas, and lots of soda and beer to go around.  

It was Max's 40th birthday, and though they don't have kids, they had a bounce house (or as we would call it, a "brinca brinca") in their backyard for all the kids.  And after everyone sang Happy Birthday to Max, we proceeded to shout "¡Que lo muerda! ¡Que lo muerda!".  Basically, what this means is that Max was supposed to bite into his cake, while people behind him pushed his face into the cake.  

This really made me terribly homesick and completely warm and welcomed all at the same time.  I really felt like I was at one of my tio's houses with all my family and cousins around.  I cannot tell you how many pictures I have of me with cake all over my face from when I was little after my family would push my face into a cake.  Every party that my mom ever has at her house has a "brinca brinca" at it.  And though I long ago gave up eating beef, I could not help but eat up every last bite of my carne asada...that right there is my comfort food...it makes me feel like home.  

And apparently nature is stronger than nurture, because Jillian is every bit of Mexican as me.  I can honestly say that I do not think that Jillian has heard much Mexican/Tejano/cumbia music in her life.  But within 5 minutes of being at Nelly and Max's house, she was begging me to put her down so she could shake her booty and clap her hands to the music.  And she was eating all her food by the spoonful...she could not get enough of it.  We spent easily one hour in the brinca brinca...she just LOVED it!

She even found a little Mexican boy friend.  Much to Julian's chagrin, there was a little boy at this party who was wearing a t-shirt, plaid shorts...and cowboy boots.  Not like country cowboy boots...like Ranchero cowboy boots.  He was dancing and stomping right along to the music and he and Jillian were tearing up the dance floor together.  Like I said, Julian was not too thrilled about this and he kept commenting on how he was not quite ready for this.

***This really is not the best video in the world, as I took it on my iPhone...but you get the gist***

I know that some of you who are reading this...my family/friends in El Paso...you are probably thinking "what's the big deal? This is what I do every weekend...".  And my friends here in College Station, I am sure you can sympathize on some level about something that makes you "homesick" or something that reminds you of home.   But never in College Station have I felt so at home, so completely in my element, so Mexican...if that makes any sense.  

I hope that one day, I can explain to Nelly and Max how much we appreciate their hospitality in opening up their home to us, not just for great food and a great time, but for making College Station feel like home to me.

Julian's Kind of Day

In honor of Father's Day, Julian got to spend a day doing anything and everything his heart desired.  We chose to forgo gifts for Mother's and Father's Day, instead, spending the money on our upcoming trip to Aruba.  And this was the vow I made...Julian would get to do whatever he wanted with no little complaining by me. 

His day started with a late breakfast in bed, served by his favorite, cutest little waitress, Jillian.  She must have gotten the message that it was Father's Day and that meant that Daddy would want to sleep in because she did not wake up until 9:30!  And she just couldn't resist eating some of his breakfast before I got her to our bedroom.  Silly Jilly, but Daddy didn't mind!

After a chill morning, I asked if Julian would want to go to the pool, since we had such a great time the last time we went.  So we threw on our suits and headed to the pool.  As a special bonus, Dads got in free!

After family fun time at the pool, we went to go get JJ's Snow Cones.  I'm pretty sure that JJ's are the highlight of Julian's summers in College Station.  On our way home, we guessed that we must spend easily $150-200 a year on snow cones...

Then it was time for Julian to lay on the couch and watch sleep through the Yankees game.

The Yankees must have known that the best gift they could give all the dads out there was a win.  And thank goodness for that because a Yankees loss has enough power to ruin entire days in our hosehold. 

After a quick nap, Julian got to do the unthinkable...he played XBox in the middle of the day!  For starters, it had been a year since he did this since we did not have internet at our house (long story, don't ask).  And then once we did get internet, XBox time has always been limited to late night when there are not a million other things going on that have to be done that I nag about until they get done.  So while I went grocery shopping, Julian pulled his Father's Day card and got out of this chore and played with his best friend, Norgie.  Silly boys and their silly toys! 

After a quick FaceTime chat with his parents, we fired up the grill and ate burgers and shrimp for dinner, more of Julian's favorites.  By this point, Jilly was exhausted so after putting her to bed, we curled up and watched a movie...you guessed it, Julian's choice!

Father's Day really was Julian's Kind of Day, filled with games and naps and his two favorite girls.  I am sure that he had a great Father's Day!

The Best of You

Happy Father's Day!

Julian, in Jillian, I see the very best of you...

From the moment she wakes up in the morning with a smile on her face and a lot to say, I can't help but smile and be happy because this is just like her daddy.  You wake up everyday with a smile on your face, and you already have a lot to say.  You are both so chipper in the morning and it makes my days so much brighter to see you both so happy so early in the morning!

Jillian has a way of taking things at her own pace.  She is not really in any hurry, taking her time to go from one thing to the next.  I always tell people that you do not have a haste button.  For you, there is no need to hurry through things.  And now that I see that same characteristic in our daughter, it makes me appreciate you both so much for showing me that life is not about speeding through the day, but about taking our time and enjoying everything that comes our way.  You both teach me to take it slow and go with the flow!

I see the way Jillian lights up when you get home from work, as she knows that with Daddy, it is always play time.  And even if you have worked a 12-hour day, you are always ready to chase her, or tickle her, or make her laugh, or make her smile.  You have had that same energy with me for years, and though I appreciated it before, I have come to deeply value how you give such good, positive energy to me and Jillian.  I know that she is that source of energy for you, too, as she is what powers you through your day!

I see so many wonderful things about you by just looking at our daughter.  She clearly has a lot of the Acosta genes (not too much from my family, maybe next time!), from those precious curly cues on her head to the same little toes as you, she is just like her Daddy.  And not to mention, that girl has personality for days, just like you!  And though I am sure she has a lot of great traits from me too, please know that in Jillian, I truly see the very best in you!

Happy Father's Day to the best Daddy(/husband/best friend/man) we could every ask for!  Jillian loves you so much and I do too!!!

Silly Jilly: What Did She Just Say?!

Yesterday evening, Julian, Jillian, and I were sitting on the couch.  Jillian was crawling all over us and using us as human jungle gyms.  I was sitting cross legged and she was attempting to get out of my lap.  She kept putting her foot in my...nether regions...yes that's what we'll call them.  

Me: Ouchie, lovey! You keep kicking mommy in the crotch!
Jillian: rotch
Me: flabbergasted look on my face
Julian: Did she really just say...
Jillian: rotch
Me: Oh my gosh!  She is trying to say crotch...
Julian: Rolling laughing hysterically
Jillian: rotch

Welp, guess we really gotta watch what we say with Silly Parrot Jilly!

Time for a Change

Just recently, I decided it was time for a change. From the time I found out I was pregnant with Jillian (over 2 years ago), I decided to grow out my hair.  It just kept getting longer and longer, until finally, I just couldn't take it anymore.  Summer finally hit here in central Texas and now it is hot as hell an inferno the Sahara Texas.  

So I went to the new Chrome at Tower Point.  I will admit that I was a little nervous.  I researched different hairstyles all day and decided on one.  When I got to Chrome, they asked if I wanted a complimentary drink.  I asked for a bottled water...ohhhh, I'm sorry we are all out of water...would you want wine instead? Uhhhh, yes please!  Ahhhhh, just the liquid courage I needed!!!

I took a quick photo of my long hair before. I am pretty sure this is the longest my hair had ever been (OK, maybe when I was 10 my hair was longer, but who's counting?!)

As soon as I sat down, my stylist asked what I was going to do.  I showed her pictures of the styles I had researched and she got giddy. Seriously. Giddy!  She told me that when she saw me sitting in the waiting area, she took one look at my hair and thought to herself, "Oh this girl is only going to want a little trim.  How boring."  Nope, not just a little trim for me...not this time at least.  

So once I showed her the style, she put my hair in a rubber band.  And before I could even think twice, she chopped my hair off...all 12 inches of it...gone...just like that.  Guess there was no turning back after that.

She then proceeded to work on styling it and she chopped off another 2-4 inches in the process.  So all told, I lost about 14-16 inches, which feels like 2 pounds, and makes me about 10 degrees cooler. And from some of the feedback I have gotten from people, I even look a few years younger.  Not bad for simply sitting in a chair and drinking wine!!!

I asked the salon if they would donate the hair.  They said that they would and that they were pretty sure it would be able to be given to Locks Of Love, which makes me happy.  I have gotten nothing but positive comments from people about my hair cut.  And in case you're wondering, Jillian likes it too...even if she did not really seem to notice that I chopped off all my hair!

Up at Night

A few weeks ago, Jillian had a rough time sleeping at night.  There were so many little things that were ailing her...she had a little nagging cough (doc said it sounds ok in her lungs, just sounds terrible on the outside), she had about 4 teeth coming in (including a molar or two), and she had an ear infection (again!).  Couple that all with a light sleeper and it was a recipe for a few more than a few nights awake.

During that time period, one of my former students, Allison, asked if she could stay at our house during an impromptu trip to College Station.  Of course I said yes, since she had just graduated from college and was waiting to move to Ohio to go to grad school.  I knew that she would be getting in late, and that didn't bother us one bit...

...except Jillian was up all night...

...which meant I was up all night...

...and though I was awake taking care of Jillian, I was also up worrying about Allison.  It's not that Allison was out too late, or not that she is a wild child, or even that I was worried about what she was doing while she was out.  I was just worried...why hadn't she text me yet, who was she with, did she designate a driver, was she with the right crowd who would take care of her if need be?! 

All the while, I was holding Jillian, rocking her back to sleep....

And I couldn't help but think about how I would stay up EVERY NIGHT for the rest of my life in order to hold her in my arms, and keep her safe, and know where she was, and that she was okay, and that there was no one else around who would not have her best interests in mind, and that she was at home in one piece.  I was thanking God for blessing us with this amazing miracle and for entrusting in us to take care of her, keep her safe and healthy, be there for her. I felt a sense of overwhelming responsibility to do everything we can to teach Jillian about making good decisions and looking out for herself.  I could not stop thinking about how precious these moments were and how quickly time flies, because someday, it would be Jillian that I was up late worrying about making it home. 

It was just one of those moments...you parents out there know what I'm taking about...

I know my mom knows what I'm talking about.  She used to wait up countless nights for me and my brother to get home, all while rocking my little brother or sister to sleep.  Mom, just want you to know that I now understand what you meant and how you felt...I am greatly appreciative...and greatly sorry for putting you through that. 

I am happy to say that Allison made it home, safe and sound.  And I rocked Jillian back to sleep for the rest of the night.  And all was well in the Acosta household.