Big League Dreams..coming true for Drew

After a crazy year of baseball 4 days a week of 3 hour practices and 8 weekend tournaments in a row our team, Eastside Select Magic 11- U team will be headed to Arizona in March for tournaments at the Big League of Dreams.

It is such a fun opportunity for the boys to get to play in such a fun ball field, they have mini replica stadiums and our entire family will be traveling with us for a mini family vacation.

I have met so many great families this year and am so proud in the growth I have seen in Drew, he really is an amazing son and I am so proud of him.

In 8 weeks we have played 22 games with 14 wins and 8 losses

Drew led the team with 2 home runs (1 GRAND SALAMI) and that was in the last inning which led our team to victory by 1 point. Wow that was fun to watch and I had to hold back my tears because I was so overwhelmed with pride for my son.

He led the team for top home runs, top doubles, top slugging percentage(.633), batting average(.415) and top strikes pitched.

I am not exactly sure what all that means, but I am learning very quickly baseball lingo.

This last weekend was our last tournament for the year. Drew will start training again in October. He is getting ready to start middle school in 4 weeks and I just can't believe how fast the time flies.

GOO DREW SANTANA!!!!!

Dazed and confused

That is exactly what my weekend was full of.

What was supposed to be a weekend full of visiting both my parents ending up giving me a reality check.

I had not spoke with my parents prior to Friday the day they were supposed to arrive so I assumed they had changed there mind about coming for a visit.

Oh no, My dad who has always been a rock for my mom and supported her through MS seems to have developed dementia.

After speaking with a DR. It may also just be a burn out or a mental breakdown from being a caretaker for so many years.

I have made an appointment with his Dr. next month so I can go talk to him about what is going on.

We started by finding him in a local parking lot (completely by chance) and I could tel something was wrong (1 my mom was not with him, 2 he was pale and disoriented).

Joe and I took him into Subway and he could not order a basic sandwich. We knew right away the signs of dementia and ordered his food then took him back to our place.

He ended up leaving at 3 in morning and drove back home, Thankfully he made it safely but I am overwhelmed with worry and don't know how I am to manage an ailing mother and father at the same time.

On another note, I have also have had an epiphany of the meaning of friendship or what I thought was friendship.

A friend is not someone who calls or e-mails you only when they want or need something from you but calls just to cry with you or laugh about life and it's craziness together.

I am soo appreciative of the support..so thank you!

A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked..this always puts a smile on my face :)

I am looking forward to this weekend for a much needed lovers getaway with my Joey.

I am not sure where we are going as Joe has planned a surprise for us but I am sure we will have a wonderful time like we always do.

Please keep my parents in your thoughts and pray I will figure out how to help them in the best way possible.

Happy Days...

Well, I certainly can say I have had my fair share of bad ones, but lately things have been going exceptionally well for me and my "little" family.

Last week for the first time, Drew had to try out then be chosen in a draft for baseball teams. He is in the 11-12 division this year, I can't believe it.

I am not surprised that he was the 1st round 1st draft pick. He was picked up by the Indians. This year we will be Newcastle Indians. GO DREW DREW.

Drew has also picked up on snowboarding, he is now what he refers to as a "medium" snowboarder a.k.a intermediate.

Devin is working 2 jobs, starting his computer science degree in April and can I hear an AMEN getting ready to move into his first apartment in a few months. He is getting my old couch, his bed and I am going through my old kitchen stuff to see what he can have for his place.

He has informed me he will be invited us over for dinner when he gets settled. I am so proud of how far he has come and continue to pray he stays on the path to positive things.

Jordan, from what I hear unfortunatley is mostly from snooping on my space. He is doing well and looks amazing.
JoJo is getting so big and handsome. When I see this kid again I am going to hug him so tight and tell him how much we have all missed him and his laugh, he is SOO missed. We love our JOJO.

Vanessa, my precious baby girl, she is really turning into a tween. She always wants to go to the mall, get her nails done and when her and her friends are at the house it is filled with music and laughter.

Right now I have the Adam Lambert song WHADYA want from me? stuck in my head. It's so funny I catch myself singing "party in the USA" and other songs I would not normally listen to.

The babes are on mid-winter break this week and yesterday the kids and I went to Coulon Beach with Frank and Carol (Joe's parents) we watched the kids play for 3 1/2 hours at the playground. Carol and I had the most fun soaking up the sun and talking about everything.

Joe and I are really starting to get cabin fever and hoping we can plan a getaway soon.

We have been on a VERY strict budget diet and I am so happy to report I am 100% debt free. This is a miracle. For those of you that knew my past, this is a HUGE goal I have had and now can say have achieved.

2010 is amazing and I look forward to the summer time and fun times with freinds and family.

A fabulous event for a special woman

The last month has been amazing.. Just as predicted, this year is turning out to be beautiful. I hosted a baby shower for my wonderful(ex)sis-in-law,Maria Maria is just about ready to have a baby girl, so her sisters and I have been planning a baby shower she would never forget. I love that my former in-laws and I remain so close. They are truly family to me and I love them dearly. It was just amazing and so well coordinated, I am thinking I should become a professional planner (joking, it was alot of work). I have an amazing talented friend, Peggy who we like to call cake boss lady. She is so detail oriented and can make any vision you have of a cake come true. Thank you Peggy H, you Rock! The cake was homemade chocolate with layers of chocolate chiffon. Maria's colors were pink and chocolate Brown with polka dots and her cake matched just perfectly complete with tiny footprints in the belly. (aauughh) loved that special touch. Maria was so surprised and I was honored to host this event at my home. I want to give a special thanks to my beautiful daughter Vanessa for being the perfect co-host. She is really growing up and I am such a proud mama. She is the best daughter anyone could ask for.(loves) Vanessa made a video for her auntie all by herself and played it at the toast. Needless to say, she brought tears to her aunties eyes. I uploaded so you can see what a honor video from a 9 years olds point of view looks like. I love she chose Michael Buble for the song, so sassy! Great job sissy!

I gotta feeling....

That this is going to be a fabulous New Year~

This year marks a few milestones in the family. Joe and I will be celebrating a love driven 5 years~ (I heart him)

Vanessa...My BABY is going to turn 10 years old! She is already planning her red carpet Hollywood themed b-day bash~

Devin turns 19 this month and he is doing better than he has in YEARS~

Jojo will be 16--wow and

Drew is in his last year of elementary school and then watch out middle school.

I feel like I have been in hibernating mode for the last few years but I am ready to get out and live this year. My resolution this year is to make this year successful, full of joy, and reconnecting with friends.

I have started by committing myself to an early(5:30)in the morning workout with my lovely friend Laurie Clark, she is a firecracker and if I can catch up to her in our workouts without throwing up or passing out, I will be extremely happy.

Joe's family is amazing and I love them so much. It's so easy to see why Joe is the man he is when you get to know his family. They ROCK!!

Until the next post, here are a few pics from the last year for you to enjoy~

Happy New Year my dear friends, I hope to spend time with you all this year!