Goodbye 2008!!

You know 2008, you started off okay. Nothing too eventful. We sailed through the first 6 months and all was well.

Then the chaos ensued. Around late June, we decided we were definitely moving north and we put our house up for sale. Talk about STRESS! Our house went on the market in July and by mid-August it had sold! We found ourselves a new house in CP and were moved in by the end of August. September gave us a nice surprise...I was pregnant again! In October, I headed to DC. We also celebrated our anniversary and shared the news of my pregnancy with all our friends and family.

Then November rolled around and that's when things turned really bad. It was supposed to be a great month...Jackson's 2nd Birthday, his birthday party, Thanksgiving. Instead, we lost one of the most important people in my family. It was a horrible month. December was no better. We've tried to make the best of it but it's been very difficult.

2008, you dealt us a dirty blow! What a crappy way to end the year! You suck and I'm ready to bid you adieu and start 2009 with a bang. So goodbye 2008. Here's to a better year ahead. We hope 2009 brings all our friends and family nothing but the best. Happy New Year!

We're having a....

GIRL!

I knew it, I just knew it! I'd been feeling so different this time around and my mommy intuition was telling me 'girl' from the get go. We're so excited!

It's bittersweet though. A girl is exactly what my grandma wanted and now she's gone. It makes me incredibly sad that she's not here to share in all the excitement. I know, I know, she's watching over me but it's not the same. This little girl will just be that much more special.

I'll upload Baby Girl C's pix and share more details later. Just wanted to share the big news!

The Weary World Rejoices

This one's for you Grandma. Merry Christmas! We love you and we miss you very much!

Merry Christmas!

We hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!

We have movement!

I'm now 17 weeks pregnant and can finally feel the baby moving! It started last week but it took me a few days to really figure out whether it was the baby or just my stomach rumbling. I'm absolutely sure now that it's the baby. The movements still aren't strong enough for Jerry to feel but I can sure feel them and it's so cool. Just a special little thing between me & my sweet baby!

Hill Country Flyer

Last Sunday Jerry & I rode the Hill Country Flyer to Main Street Bethlehem in Burnet. We were really excited about riding the train out to the hill country. And we were thinking 'Main Street Bethlehem' meant the whole little downtown area of Burnet was decked out all Bethlehem like and Christmasy. Boy, were we wrong!

Now, the 2 hour train ride to Burnet was definitely fun. Santa was on board to say hello to everyone. A sheriff dropped by to warn our car that there were train robbers on board looking for some cash (donations). McGruff, you know the crime dog, was in attendance...that didn't make much sense but whatever. Once we arrived in Burnet a shoot out took place and then everyone went about their separate ways.

So we're expecting all kinds of cool stuff happening around Burnet. We walk a few blocks down to the downtown area and it looks like a complete ghost town! Where the heck are the shepherds and all things Bethlehem!? And why isn't a single thing in town open!? Where's the food!? We're starving!! Come to find out, Main Street Bethlehem is some event that takes place on some church grounds and the line to get in is 2 hours long! Are you kidding me!?!? There were no Christmasy things going on anywhere!!!! Why didn't anyone tell us this?

So okay, I can deal with not getting into Bethlehem central but what I can't deal with is the fact that not a single shop or food place in downtown Burnet is open. What are we supposed to do for 3.5 hours!?! I was one extremely grouchy, hungry, pregnant lady. So much for my Christmas spirit. You know where we ended up eating? Freaking Whataburger!! And you know what we did after that? Sat around at a coffee shop for the rest of the evening, one of the only places open! So we took a 2 hour train ride out to Burnet just to eat at Whataburger and sit around at a coffee shop! Bah Humbug!

Despite how irritated I was, I did manage to get my camera out and snap one or two pictures. If anyone plans on taking the Hill Country Flyer out to Burnet for Main Street Bethlehem, good luck! We won't ever do that crapola again! That's what happens when you procrastinate and don't buy tickets for the North Pole Flyer in time!

Digging Leaves

Grandma Flo & Grandpa Larry came into town last week and had loads of fun with Jackson. They bought a very cool tractor digger thingy. I don't know what it's really called. Anyway, it was a HUGE hit. Jackson loves it. We took it outside one morning and he had a blast digging in the huge pile of leaves.

Hot n' Cold

So a couple of weeks ago we had one heck of a crazy day - weather wise. The high temp hit 81. It was bright and warm during the day but by 11pm it was below freezing & snowing!! CrAzY! That's Texas for ya. So what do you do when it snows? Well you make a snowman of course! Jackson & I didn't dare go outside the next morning. It was way too cold but we made sure that Jerry went out to make our snowman. Here it is in all it's glory! :)

Wanna know...

...what makes a Mama proud? When your son hears Coldplay on the radio and says "Tolplay, yeah! Tolplay, yeah!" And I didn't even teach him that!! I think this may be my finest moment as a mother! To top it off, after the song had started, Jackson says "Mom, Mom, loud please!" No problem son! I'll turn that dial as loud as you want!! Anything for you & Coldplay! ;)

Christmas Tree

Last week we headed out to the Elgin Christmas Tree Farm to get our tree. We had a lot of fun! We got to go on a hayride to the back of the farm where they have all the Leyland Cypress trees. We're used to getting a fairly tall tree as our old house had massive ceilings. Our new house though has much shorter ceilings so we were on the hunt for something no taller than 7ft. The first tree we saw fit the bill! So Jerry chopped it down and we went on our merry way. I just realized though that I still haven't taken any pictures of our tree decorated. It's not even completely decorated though. I have no tree topper and no garland....just ornaments. That's probably how it will stay. I'm much too exhausted to do anymore decorating. I have a few more ornaments to add and once that's done, I'll share some decorated Christmas tree pix!

Life Continues On...

Jackson turned 2 on November 29th. That evening my family was holding a viewing for my grandma so we at least wanted to do something fun for Jackson that morning. Since we had to cancel his big birthday party we decided to take him to the Chuy's Children Giving to Children Parade. It was COLD but we had a great time. Jackson loved the balloons, the fire trucks, and of course, The Biscuit Brothers!

If Tomorrow Starts Without Me

A week ago tomorrow we laid my grandma to rest. It was probably the most difficult day of my entire life and I'm still trying to come to terms with it. I just can't believe she's gone. I feel so lonely without her. There's just a HUGE, HUGE void now that she is no longer with us. I'm so incredibly sad.

Jerry received this poem in the mail and was told to share it with my family. It's perfect for my gram.

If tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
all filled with tears for me,

I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things,
We didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
and each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too.

But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand,

And said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away,
A tear fell from my eye
For all my life, I'd always thought,
I didn't want to die.

I had so much to live for,
So much left yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.

I thought of all the yesterdays
The good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
and all the fun we had.

If I could re-live yesterday
Just even for a while,
I'd say good-bye and kiss you
And maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realized,
That this could never be,
For emptiness and memories,
would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you and when I did,
My heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through heaven's gates,
I felt so much at home
When God looked down and smiled at me,
From His great golden throne.

He said, "This is eternity,
And all I've promised you.
Today your life on earth is past,
But here life starts anew."

I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last,
And since each day's the same way
There's no longing for the past.

You have been so faithful,
So trusting and so true.
Though there were times you did some things
You knew you shouldn't do.

But you have been forgiven
And now at last you're free.
So won't you come and take my hand
And share your life with me?

So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I'm right here in your heart.

Oh Grammy, I miss you so much and I love you with all my heart!

Modesta Reyes Ybarra

Our beloved Wife, Mom, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother Modesta Reyes Ybarra was called by our Heavenly Father on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at the age of 78.

Preceded in death by her father & mother, Macario & Belen Reyes, and her brother Macario Reyes, Jr.

Modesta fought through her many years of illnesses with dignity, grace, and humor. She was a pillar of strength who provided us all with unconditional love and support. There is a void in our hearts that can never be filled. Rest now, Modesta, for you are at peace with the angels. We love you.

Survived by her loving and devoted husband of 55 years, Joe C. Ybarra; 4 children Armando Ybarra and wife Denise of Austin, TX, Arthur Ybarra and wife Kim of South Korea, Teresa B. Ybarra and husband Andrew Romero of Austin, TX, and Anita Carrizales and husband Steve of Round Rock, TX; 15 grandchildren Alyson Ortiz and husband Miguel, Wendy Chavez and husband Adam, Alexis Hernandez and husband Javier, Brandon Ybarra, Zachary Ybarra, Ashleigh Ybarra, John Ybarra, Richard Ybarra, Erica Ybarra Cohen and husband Jerry, Diego Ybarra and wife Crystal, Stephanie Herrera, Sgt. David Herrera, Andrew Romero II, Steven Carrizales II, and Michael Carrizales; 7 great-grandchildren Ariana, Kylie, Caitlyn, & Cassie Ortiz, Isabelle Chavez, Javier Jeremiah II, Jackson Cohen and Baby Cohen due May 2009; one loving sister, Lillie Ybarra, one loving brother, Rudy Reyes, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Mrs. Ybarra will Lie in State at 6:00pm at Dolores Catholic Church with Recitation of Holy Rosary on Sunday at 7:00pm at Dolores Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial on Monday at 10:00am at Dolores Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. John Korcsmar officiating. Internment will follow in Cedar Creek Cemetery in Cedar Creek, Texas.

The Ybarra Family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of South Austin Hospital's 4th floor CVRU for all their excellent care and support. We sincerely appreciate all they did to make our mom as comfortable as possible.

Guestbook available online at http://www.legacy.com/statesman/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=120784605

Happy 2nd Birthday!

Happy Birthday, my sweet boy! I cannot believe you're 2!! I hope you enjoyed yourself today despite the sad circumstances. I love you so much, buddy! Happy Birthday!


Here are some pix of Jackson's birthday party invite 'photo shoot' that I took a few weeks back.

A Somber Thanksgiving

Today should have been a happy day. Instead, it was incredibly difficult. We spent Thanksgiving without someone who was incredibly special and important to us...my grandma. She passed away on Tuesday afternoon after a brave fight in ICU. I still can't believe it's real. This wasn't supposed to happen. I am beyond devastated.

Still, we all gathered today at my grandparents house for our annual Thanksgiving lunch. We laughed, we cried, we left her chair empty because that's where she would always sit. We got her things ready for the funeral, we talked about the details...who will read, who will speak, who will ride with who, but most of all we missed her. We missed her immensely. I lost someone who was like a mom to me and I can't imagine life without her.

I love you grandma! I love you so, so much!

The Power of Prayer

I got the above title from my friend Deborah. She mentioned it during our conversation yesterday and I found it fitting for this post.

First, I just want to say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to all of you who have been praying for my grandma. If it weren't for all those prayers, I don't know that my grandma would still be with us today.

So Thursday was a rough day. My grandma started off the morning not doing so hot. She had developed a great deal amount of fluid in her lungs and began to have very labored breathing. By the evening, she had take a turn for the worse. Every nurse available in ICU and every single doctor involved in her care worked on her for an hour and a half. Most of my family was already at the hospital but my aunt & I were both at home up north. We quickly got our things together and rushed to the hospital out south. Jerry called off sick from work and met Jackson & I there. My grandma's amazing heart surgeon, Dr. Kessler, came out and told my grandpa that an angel must have been with her because she pulled through and was now stabilized. Apparently, her body just couldn't take it anymore and her heart stopped beating for a brief moment. Dr. Kessler worked his magic and quickly brought her back. He said it was definitely scary there for a moment but that my grandma is a strong woman and she's still fighting for us.

They let us go back later that evening to see her but wouldn't allow us to touch her. My poor grandma had a million more machines hooked up to her and she had the breathing tube again. I know how much she hates that thing. It was so hard to see her like that especially knowing all that she had just been through. I just stood there with my grandpa and cried.

As of today, she seems to be doing okay. She's stable. Dr. Kessler constantly reiterates to us that she's a strong woman...she's still fighting. Yesterday she went into surgery again. This time for a permanent pacemaker and she did really well with that. She has the breathing tube again and is being given antibiotics for her lungs, so they're hoping that the both of those will help make her lungs strong again. And with the nutrients she's getting, the doctors and nurses are hopeful that she'll be back on the road to recovery.

Talk about an emotional roller coaster. I was a complete mess on Thursday. I just could not accept the fact that I was about to lose my grandma. I know that she's tired and that she has suffered for so long but I'm just not ready to let her go. I still need her...for hugs, for talks, for laughs, for comfort, for everything. I pray every day that she continue to fight and again, I sincerely thank everyone for all their thoughts & prayers.

Update on my Grandma

It has been an excruciatingly LONG and EXHAUSTING 5 days! My grandma had a 5 hour open heart surgery on Friday. One of the arteries leading to her heart was leaking and needed to be repaired. Unfortunately, the surgeon was not able to repair it so he had to completely replace it. Fortunately, her heart has been doing great since then. We couldn't be happier with that!

On the down side, she's been having other complications. She ended up having a stroke and appears to have some focal problems. She had been on a breathing tube since the surgery and seemed to be doing very well with her breathing so the tube was taken out yesterday. Unfortunately, she started having breathing problems again, developed fluid in her lungs, and now has a breathing mask in place to help her breathing. This makes her very, very vulnerable to catching pneumonia. With the breathing tube out, she can now talk, which is making things even more difficult. She strains to talk and gets anxious when she has company, which in turn spikes her blood pressure. She can't relax and therefore cannot breathe properly which ultimately affects her lungs. She is very weak and we are incredibly worried about her getting sick. For this reason and after discussions with her doctors, we are asking everyone to respect our decision to limit her visitors to immediate family only and Tia Lillie and Uncle Rudy (her brother & sister).

We sincerely appreciate all the support our friends and extended family have given us and please take absolutely no offense to wanting to limit her visitors. We're just looking out for my Gram so that she can get better as soon as possible! Once my grandma is out of ICU and in a regular room, visitors are more than welcome at any time. If anyone wants any information regarding my grandma's progress, you can contact me via email or Annie via phone (cell or home). In the meantime, please keep praying for her and my family. We've all got a long road ahead of us.

Coldplay

Despite everything going on right now with my grandma, Jerry & I still managed to make it out to Houston to see Coldplay. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a HUGE fan. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Coldplay! We had planned on going with our good friends Matt & Deborah but our schedule didn't work with theirs so we went to Houston yesterday and they're enjoying Coldplay at this very moment in Dallas. Anyway, it was a great distraction for us and we loved it! We had such a good time. The concert was FANTABULOUS! This was our 3rd time seeing them and I can't wait to see them again! So fun!!!!

Oh & I didn't take the video, I just found it on YouTube. It's from last night.

Friends

A few weeks back we got together for our monthly dinner with our good friends Matt, Deborah, and Baby Bryce. Jackson & Baby Bryce really enjoyed each other. Bryce would laugh at Jackson's goofy antics and Jackson would love on and be silly with Bryce. It was very cute!

My grammy

We found out earlier this week that my grandma has a leak in one of the arteries leading to her heart. She will be having heart surgery tomorrow. Please keep us in your thoughts & prayers.

A boy & his great-grandma

Yesterday Jackson & I headed to my grandparents house for the afternoon. Their church was selling turkey plates to benefit the Knights of Columbus. That sounded sooooooooo good to me so my grandpa bought some plates for lunch. My grandma hadn't been feeling too well though. I noticed she was having some labored breathing. At one point she had a really bad coughing attack and was having a very difficult time catching her breath. After her attack, she started complaining of a heavy chest, some tightening, her back was hurting, and she felt as if she couldn't breathe. So we made the decision that she needed to go to the hospital ASAP!

My Mexican friends & family will know what I'm talking about when I mention 'ojo'. I grew up in a household where if you felt sick or what have you, someone may have given you 'ojo' (the evil eye), made you sick, and you needed to be rubbed with an egg. Once rubbed with the egg, it was cracked and put into a cup. If after a while the egg looked cooked, it meant that you had been given 'ojo'. My grandpa has been doing this with Jackson ever since he was baby. Any time I've mentioned that Jackson was sick or wasn't sleeping well or whatever, my grandpa would rub him with an egg. Jackson really likes it actually. It's kind of funny.

So yesterday after my grandma had her coughing attack, Jackson ran to the refrigerator and had my grandpa get an egg out. He pointed to the egg, rubbed his head, and said "Momo, Momo". I said "Do you want Momo to be rubbed by the egg?" He replied "Yeah". I thought, oh my god, what a sweet boy you are! I don't know if he had gotten scared or what all he may have been thinking but it was so sweet for him to go and get an egg for my grandma. Maybe he thought it would make her feel better or comfort her in the way it comforts him. He obviously knew she was sick. It was just the sweetest thing ever. So while my grandpa rubbed an egg over my grandma and said a prayer, I held Jackson and he watched with a smile on his face. It just melted my heart. What a sweet & thoughtful boy.

My grandma is in the hospital now. Turns out she has a lot of fluid in her lungs and some other complications. They'll be running some tests today to see what exactly is going on. My poor Gram, we hope she feels better real soon!

Activities

Jackson & I have recently gotten into doing a daily art activity. Well we try to do one everyday. Anyway, he's been having a lot of fun with it. His most favorite thing to do is paint so we try to do painting activities as much as possible! Here's a few things he's made:

The letter A

An Acorn

Pumpkin Painting

Fish Bowl (this was Jackson's fave)!!

Sheep