Congrats to Drew

I received a phone call from the schools PTA this morning informing me that judges have chosen Drew's reflection project as a Washington State finalist.

For those of you who have not started elementary school routines yet, The Reflections art program is a National PTA and a Washington State PTA cultural arts Competition. The purpose for this program is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves though their own original works, created around a specific theme. This year’s theme is Beauty is...!

Drew entered into the Film/Media production category. His idea of beauty was nature and taking care of nature by recycling composting, and going the extra mile for mother nature.

I am so thrilled for Drew, he really has to study and work hard for his grades, if he had his way he would skip school and go straight the the MLB. His love of the game amazes me.

This academic recognition is just what he needs to boost his enthusiasm for school.

For making it as a finalist, Drew has been invited to attend an awards ceremony in January at the IKEA performing arts center where his video will be on display.

It will also be announced who will be advancing to nationals.

GOOO DREW SANTANA!

Life is one big road with lots of signs

I am sitting here watching the wind whip around the beautiful fall trees and have had an epiphany. I realized for the first time today that family is alot like the 4 seasons,stormy and windy, bright and cheery,steady and smooth and sometime just plain unpredictable

I have finally learned to embrace ALL the seasons that some along with being a parent and can't believe that my little boy has become a man I am not so proud of right now.

I believe there is a certain burden that comes along with the name "mother" It is not always a burden that certain mothers can bear but with the support and love of family and friends, it's a challenge that I have embraced. I am thankful to those of you who have called and offered your encouragement and support to me, it means more to me than you could ever know.

On October 21, Joe and I called an intervention on my son Devin. I will spare you all with the details of his behaviours and drugs of choice as I am still trying to process this information and come to complete terms.

After 5 hours of consulting with him and having a HARD realty check He agreed to enter into the detox facility.

On the 7th day of his detox, I met with him for the first time since entering and WOW he had rosy cheeks and a look of life back in his eyes, he confessed his addictions to Joe and I and wept through our entire meeting.

I was humbled.

I am proud to say he volunteered to enter into an in-house treatment and I took him in yesterday and he was admitted. I will not see him until he is done and look forward to throwing him a "sobriety dinner" to congratulate him on his accomplishment.

So here's to Devin and embracing that my child is now becoming a man and not just any man but a clear minded man free to follow his dreams and goals.

Here is a wonderful saying I found that really hits home for me.

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.
-- Washington Irving

Back to the 80's

One thing is for certain. I am feeling my age rather swiftly these days,
I can't believe my children are referring to the 80's as "the old days" It seems like just yesterday I was blaring our Bon Jovi and loving it (oh wait that was yesterday LOL)

Recently the kids went to an 80's themed birthday party for the Santana family, as always they had a wonderful time with them.

Celebrating Joe Cepeda

From the minute I met this man, I knew my life would never be the same. The last 4 years of our relationship has been a blessing. He is kind, humble, giving, nurturing and has a heart of GOLD. He is the definition of a true partner. Happy 32nd birthday my love, you are amazing and I love you more each day.

We are celebrating Joe's b-day tomorrow at our home with family and friends.

We love you Joe, Happy Birthday to the love of my life.
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Hug a jew today :) Happy Yom Kippur

We are on our way to celebrate the day of Atonement with the Cepeda family. Today is a day that represents out with the old and in with the new, it s day meant to experience the joy of breaking free from the past and starting anew..

Here are a few thoughts to send your way and celebrate all the wonderful things to come:

On Yom Kippur, we are given a glimpse of who we can be if we don't fall back into familiar negative patterns and behaviors. Just for that day we transcend our corporality and touch the infinite (or at least we try to).

And we experience joy – the joy of knowing there are no limits to what we can accomplish and how much we can grow, the joy of knowing that we are not trapped by our past actions, the joy of the chance to start anew, the joy of our fresh beginning.

All the mistakes we made in the past are extinguished, are nonexistent. We can make fresh commitments (small ones) and new decisions (also small ones).

Bless you all,

Joe and Ronda

Debute Party at S.A.M for the all new Hearst Seattle Media

It's been awhile since I have had a moment to update. The last few weeks have been a swirl of excitement at my new position at Hearst Seattle Media. I am on brain overload as I have been in a quick swift learning mode of some amazing digital services to help advertisers maximize budget and learn a new way of marketing.

The SeattlePI (A Hearst owned company) stopped all print on March 17, 2009. In Seattle we are the first and largest newspaper print company to go 100% digital in the country.

We decided to have a debut party for ad agencies and top clients so could introduce ourselves and the "new kid on the block"

So the last few weeks have been filled with delivering Royal Cupcakes with personal invites to agencies and marketing directors, we had a wonderful turn out with over 200 people

Here is a link to some of the press release in the Stranger.

http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2009/05/21/selling-the-seattlepicom


I am looking forward to seeing where this history making endeavour will go and being apart of history.

Science Fair and baby Westyn...

The last couple of week have been full of fun activities. Joe and I met baby Westyn, she is absolutely so beautiful!! She has the cutest little face ever!! I am so happy for Ashley and Troy.

Drew and Vanessa has a Science fair this week and it was a success. Both kids got an A+ on the projects, Drew's project was all about the moon and it's surface and the names of all the craters on the moon, I had no clue moon landscape had so many names.

Vanessa project was an experiment on "GOOEY SLIMY GOO" this is where you mix glue and Borax to create a slimy, not sticky substance.

Devin just got a 2nd job and will be working at the Rock pizza at the new Landing in Renton when it opens in a few weeks. Life is good.......