My 30th birthday

Last friday I welcome my 30th birthday not how I wanted to but it came, and I thank God for allowing to me see another birthday and my 30th at that. See my 30th birthday was supposed to be a time of celebration, but I lost my uncle on Wednesday and his service was Friday and burial was Saturday morning. Before everything let's rewind a few days, and let me tell you that we got the bad news that he wasn't doing good and he was not going to make it all on my grandma birthday. Yes all this has happen around our birthdays and every time our birthdays come around will be celebrating, but at the same time we will also remember my uncle. We celebrated another year of life while remembering my uncle in a wonderful service and with the people that loved him. It's been hard but knowing he became an angel a few days after my grandma's birthday, and few days before my birthday brings comfort to my and my grandma heart knowing he's not suffering nor in pain anymore.

Here is a little summary of my uncle:
He had diabetes, he lost both of his legs due to diabetes, he was on kidney dialysis as well as on lots of meds, he was always in and out of doctor offices and the hospital. Every time he got admit into the hospital he would return home this time he didn't make it home, but instead made it home to his gold mansion in the words of the father at his mass. My uncle was a one of a kind who would help others when he can and when he could, and would not say no to nobody even if he was feeling sick. He found strength every time he got sick, but this time around he was tired and ready to be with his dad/my grandpa. He loved to dance, his tejano music, love to bbq, and love his family and extended family and friends, he also love to go to bbq cook off, be in cook off, and was strong in faith.

Knowing that we would celebrate his life and say our see you laters on my birthday bought tears to eyes, but bought peace to my heart.

My birthday was a time to celebrate and I was thankful for that day, but I just wasn't in the mood to celebrated this pass weekend. But even with the circumstances my friends and loved ones still made this girl feel special. All my birthday wishes I got from text, facebook, or even at my uncle service bought a little joy to my heart including the hugs.

Not the way I wanted to celebrate, but I know I will have another day to celebrate once everything calms down so stay tuned. But I was happy to be there for my uncle in his last final moments and be there for my mom and grandma, I would not have had it any other way.

Talk about going out and welcoming my 30th with bang not how I wanted too but that's what God had plan this time around.

After all this I'm grateful for my uncle and the 29 years and 2 days I had will him, he may be gone but he won't be forgotten.

Now let's see what's in store for me in my 30s and everyday I get with my husband, son, and loved ones will be a blessing and I will not take for granted.

Again stay tuned to see what's in store for my 30th birthday as the celebration will happen eventually, and in my 30s!!!

Lauren

Losing a loved one

This morning we went to the hospital to say our goodbyes to my sweet uncle who fought the battle of diabetes, lost both of his legs due to diabetes, as well as was on kidney dialysis. He was not only my uncle, but a father figure to me since I didn't have my father in my life. He was the one that help my mom when I didn't listen to her to go to school. He was the cooked in the family, and he cooked his mean brisket for my 15, and with the help of my husband he cooked for our wedding. My uncle dance with me at my 15, was there for my bridal shower, and wedding. Also came to both of my graduations and when we need prayers he would say them. Also as sick as he was he came to see me after I gave birth to my son and met his nephew for the first time.

He was man of God, would always had a smile on his face when times were rough. He fought this battle till the end, and when he couldn't do it he found the strength to do it, and he did it. At times I didn't get to see him but thanks to a few calls to check up on him and Facebook I knew how he was doing. I never thought a week ago today my/ our lives would be turn upside down when we got the call that he was not responding and he was rush to icu. As the days pass a simple check up while in the hospital all this all happen: he had a stroke, he was without oxygen for 15 minutes, he was brain demage, he was on a breathing machine, they almost lost him again, till now time to take him off the machine but before we get to say our final goodbyes. We said our see you laters, and as well as family and friends who were able to make it.

After everyone had a chance with him, and him battling so long it was time to let him go as he was tired and he told us, and when he did go...my grandma told us he last 2 seconds without the machine and went very peacefully.

He was a fighter and fought this as hard as he could and till the end, my heart hurts, I'm crying and still crying but known he went peacefully bring peace to my heart.

My uncle was not a fighter but love to talk mess, he was a mean cook who love his tejano music and light up the pit. Also love to be outside with his pit and music. He had a heart gold who help people out when he could. He love to dance, spend time with his family and extended family, smile like no other, hang out with friends, go to cook off, dances and so much more.

As I call it a night I still can't believe you are gone my dearest Uncle. You had so much to live for still and see. But I know you are now at peace and now an angel watching over us. I love you, adore and truly will miss you my Uncle. Thank you for the sweet memories you and I have, and for the one of kind relationship you and I have, that I will forever cherish and hold close to my heart.

You may be gone but you won't be forgotten and my son your great nephew will know who you were, as we will keep your memory alive!

You may be gone, but you won't be forgotten! I love you and will always love uncle. Thank you for everything and for all the memories. Everything of you and with you will be cherish forever and won't be forgotten. I will also cherish April 7th forever in my heart as it was the last time I heard your voice and won't forget our conversation...thank you for that. 

Now Fly high Uncle Robert!

Love your Niece,

Lauren

A Toddler Pinterest Project, was it A Pass or a Fail?

Today pinterest project for my toddler was using paint brush, but this was not a normal paint brush it was a pom pom click onto a clothespin...I call it painting with a twist! 

We decide to do some painting today and my son got the hang of it after awhile, and truly enjoyed it.

In my toddler eyes it was a PASS, and you know what I even had fun as well.

Materials:
Paint(I got paint set of 10 using a 40 percent coupon at hobby lobby.)

The rest are from the dollar tree:
Construction paper
Muffin pan
Clothespin
Pom Poms Ball
Shower Curtain linear

I set the shower curtain linear on the floor so we could sit on it. Muffin pan was use to pour the paint in it. Click your pom poms onto clothespin. Grab your piece of paper and sat everything on the floor and your are ready to go. Here are a few pictures that I took: 

It was PASSED for my toddler, hope it's the same for your toddler! 

Stay tuned to see if the next toddler Pinterest project is a pass or a fail! 

Lauren 

Enter to win a family pack (4 tickets) to the McDonald's Children's festival

McDonald's Children's festival is coming April 23 and 24. Enter now to win a family pack (4 tickets).

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the McDonald's Children's Festival plus giveaway

The largest festival is coming to our town April 23 & 24  presented by Baker Hughes and many other wonderful sponsors to help make this festival possible for Child Advocates. What largest festival coming to our town you may ask? Well the title gave it away it's the McDonald's Children's festival, and it carters to the younger crowd and help child advocate. What is Child Advocates? It helps children speak to adults about their abuse, who are not love, and is remove from their home and put in the syste. Unfortunately many kids are taking from their homes all for a reason, but at the end they have a shining star waiting for them once they overcome their ordeal. 

When coming to the McDonald's Children's festival you are not only coming to have fun, but you and your family are helping to raise money(so far it has raise over $5.2 million) for Child Advocates in our area and put a smile on the kids faces who are in this group. So mark your calendars for April 23 & 24, and come on out enjoy live entertainment, meet and greet Disney star Dove Cameron which pass are available now for sale same for the Ninja Turtles, yes Ninja Turtles will be there again this year! So go get your tickets, as well as meet and greet and come out and enjoy your day with lots of free and paid activities and of course lots of good food, dessert, and cold drinks. Hope to see y'all there!

When:  April 23 & 24
Where: Downtown Houston- City Hall Area, Sam Houston Park, and Tranquility Park
Admission: $12.00 per person, 3 and under are free
Food, Beverage, games by coupon only; 9 coupons for $10

For more information please visit the Houston Children's Festival at
http://www.houstonchildrensfestival.com/

Here is a little recap from our fun from last year:

Now that I have shared a few of my photos from last year I'm excited and looking forward to the festival this year as it's our second time for my little family and I, and of course this year my son is walking and is into things now. 

Since he's walking now and this year will be different I have my calendar mark as this will be our second time going with my little family and I, and I am excited to make new memories! 

Before going to get your tickets for you and your family to the festival I have a chance for one lucky winner to win a family pack (4 tickets) to the festival. All you have to do is Enter Below, Follow the steps, and Good Luck as the winner will be announce on April 8.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lauren

**Disclosure -  I will receive free tickets to the event in exchange for this and any future posts. These are my own opinions and thoughts, and no compensation was received!