Summer Bucket List 2016

Summer bucket list and why you need one too..

          We have all thought about it or know someone who has. What is it? A bucket list of course! But why do I have to wait til retirement? Or til the age of 40 or 50? Shouldn't we have a daily bucket list? I know.. Im asking too many questions.. oh well!

          Since attending school is year-round for me I don't want my son to feel like he wishes he was at school because it would be better than watching me do homework. That's when I realized... Duh! I'm a planner! I always give him great fun filled summers and he never knows when we're broke or not haha! He just knows he's going to busy having fun no matter what! So what's the difference this time? Well..., this time I decided to write it down and share with all of you! You may not be able to do everything on my list but, you may just be inspired to plan out your summer. Maybe this will inspire you to create your own summer bucket list. Because this is his first summer as a teenager (side-eye look of worry), and we know teens are moody because, well, that's their job after all; I decided to include him on the ideas I had for this summer bucket list. Please be prepared to hear, "no I don't want to do that this summer". I made a huge list and had him add his own ideas plus remove the ideas I came up with that he didn't want to do. The more you make them feel that they came up with the idea, the more they will be inclined to participate.  

          I get summers off so I get to spend quality time with my 5 foot 7 inch tall tween baby haha. Yes! he will be my baby even when he is 50 and the grandkids will laugh because I call their dad my baby haha. Ok, so back to the subject. Luckily being a planner is what my boyfriend finds to be my most attractive quality. He was so excited to hear about our summer bucket list. There wasn't a specific amount of activities. Just a list of simple, and out of town adventures. 

          You're probably asking why you need a list. Like what's the big deal right? Well, there were times we would forget we could have gone certain places because we had the time. Also, it prevents sitting around saying, so.... what are we gonna do? If you have a list you can make sure to take advantage of the summer weather and stay busy. We make family time a huge priority and you don't have to spend a ton of money if any at all when you make a fun list of activities that can be done at home, in your local town, or a day trip away from home. Please remember that your list should fit your wallet, and be unique to your family's needs and wants. Are you ready to be inspired?! 

Here's the list!:

- Drive-in theater in Riverside, Ca.

- Visit our local museum

- Visit at least 3 museums in L.A. (Some days are free admission to certain ones)

- Go to the San Diego Zoo

- Have a bonfire while cooking dinner outside on the grill at least 5 times during the summer

- Visit La Placita Olvera in Los Angeles http://www.olvera-street.com/ 

- China Town in L.A.

- El Mercadito in L.A. 

- (We do this often) Take the dogs for a walk in Downtown Palm Springs

- Go to the beach, Santa Monica is at the top of our beach list (I'll take recommendations on SoCal beaches)

- Play tennis at the park

- Put a mattress in the living room and watch movies all night 

- Hiking---- La Quinta Trails, Palm Desert Bump and Grind, Palm Springs Indian Canyon Trails 

- Swimming at the pool 

- Take a day trip to Lake Hemet and Idyllwild

- Visit L.A. Fashion District

- Watch the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movie of course! 

I'm excited and can't wait to post and share all of our summer adventures with you guys! 

-I've added some random photos of my little fam haha-

Why didn't you tell me?!

And so it begins...

I can't tell you what we were watching cause when he asked me the question I became immediately uncomfortable and thought to myself  (what does it matter!). 

He knows I used to be a model and most people who know me know that before I got married, then pregnant shortly after at the age of 21, (yes in that order) I had a modeling contract in Beverly Hills, CA. 
So he asks the question... "did you ever do runway?"
I had wanted to be a model, I think from the moment I was born. Ok so I unwillingly answered...
"Only once because I wasn't tall enough for runway. I mostly did print and once I was one of those window models who posed and didn't move."
His reaction? "Really?! Why didn't you tell me?! That's cool!"
Me: "Because that was a long time ago. I feel like because I'm not a model now it doesn't really matter."
Him: "Of course it matters. It's a part of your life experiences and the things you can say you've done."
Me: (I feel like crying) I mean what am I supposed to say? 
Yah, you have the leftovers of what I once was... Beautiful and thin! Am I supposed to say that I feel like a failure because I didn't follow through? I made a decision to be a completely committed mother to my son the moment I found out I was pregnant. I didn't care that they wanted to sue me, I didn't care that I turned down a Pepsi commercial. 
What am I supposed to say? 
I still feel like a model everyday only I don't have to worry about being skinny anymore? My family tells me I'm not that model anymore and they make fun of me when I joke about wearing sunglasses at night because the paparazzi might catch me. I joke alot and make people laugh,... but secretly? I wish I was a model living the model life everyday and the guilt that follows becomes intense followed by anxiety. 
You see...., I was told I could never have children and that's where my mindset was. My grandma said she was sad that I would never have children right before she passed away. How could I be selfish and take on this career that does not cater to new mothers when you are a beginning model? I chose my son, and I have no regrets. I choose him everyday, before anyone. I still in my heart feel like a model. I may not be thin but I have an essence and energy about me. I love the arts, and fashion. If anyone knew what I've been through as a single mom for so many years, they would call me a role model to see how far I've come...
I'm currently substitute teaching and I'm working on my teaching credential in special education. I love being a substitute because I have more freedom to be available to my son and family. 
BACK TO THE BEGINNING: We've been together for 3 years now and I have been such a tough shell to crack. He is still finding things out about me. His favorite part? He didn't know I knew how to cook. hahaha. 
So finally,... what did I do? Change the subject....
A LITTLE BACKGROUND INFO: YOU READY??
I was a little girl living in a trailer park with my mom who was a single mother. Life was far from perfect, let alone even comfortable. I thought being a model was my ticket out. I was finally going to be free and I could help my mom out of this hole we were in. I was on a mission and I guess I still am to make up for the life she couldn't have because she had us... 2 little girls... and a man who loved his girls but wasn't strong enough to be around and do the hard work.... Thinking of what I've been through hurts like a bitch.. My son will only know my story when he is older. For now, I'm his tough mom from Compton who always has his back and provides him with everything he wants and needs. I thank God that he has a step-dad whom he loves and respects as well as a relationship with his father. He has a great life and I have worked my ass off to make it possible.....

This is now me... 10 years later... imperfectly, perfect me...

Moms don't go to the restroom.... They go on a getaway! !

       
          I know I'm not the first or the last mom to find refuge in the restroom.  It's the one place I can sit with my thoughts and not be interrupted.  Single moms don't even get this luxury.  So I have a solution, (I think anyway haha) why not try to switch things up and have family reading time. Some people do not like to read, however if you find a book that reflects the type of shows you like to watch it can be a great getaway.  Into romance?  Find a romance novel. Sitting with your children while they read allows you to escape into the story into a world far from your own. Option 2- read just before bed. If you're a new mom or have older kids chances are you don't go out much or even get TV time for that matter. Do you have ideas for mommy ME time? Share!

Healthy mom, Healthy baby. 

                                          Love, your Co - mommy,  DivaPinks

What goes on in our mind...

aaaaahhhhhh.... paradise.....

We can dream can't we?.....

Heart Surgery Update!

          Oh boy.. Where do I start... I broke down in the hospital as they took him away and popped a little blood vessel in my eyeball. I knew that if they didn't take him fast enough I would break down into a million pieces.
There was a split second after I said goodbye to him that I changed my mind. I wanted to yell...
"Please don't take him! I've changed my mind! I want him back and you can't have him!"...
But instead I ran...
As soon as the door shut behind me I could hear myself screaming from far away...
 (Thoughts inside my head- What if his heart stops? This will be all my fault for fighting as hard as I did. Why am I being so selfish? Other parents go through worse! What if he'll hate me for putting him through this? He's missing school and he'll fall behind. This is going to affect him emotionally, I just know it. Why did I ask his dad to come? I've been doing this alone for years! I'm doing it for my son. My son needs his father to be here. He SHOULD be here. He SHOULD be going through this with me. I know... I'll buy my baby a giraffe from the gift shop)...
GIRAFFE?? .... Yes giraffe!
The pediatric area of the hospital has a "giraffe elevator" and I teased my son about it when I saw it. I told him they found out he is the tallest kid in his grade so they built an elevator tall enough for a giraffe so he would fit haha. Everyone laughed.. (I forbid anyone from coming that couldn't control their emotions so I made sure to make everything funny and talk about our plans after the surgery).

This was taken right before the surgery... They brought him an xbox so he wouldn't be bored. 

Can we say awesome sauce?!

Boy was he grumpy after the procedure... No visitors please! 

It only lasted about 30 minutes..

Here's my happy boy! Lets go home mom!

OMG THANK YOU GOD WE'RE HOME
So of course his bff furbaby (Hercules pom/chihuahua mix) had to suffer being away from his best friend because he could accidentally open his incisions. I was so grateful that no one was calling my phone and they were giving me space. The house was quiet and he had to lay flat. We did this for about a week including giving him Motrin and having followup appointments. Of course this entire time I didn't sleep. I needed to get up every 20 minutes because he needed something... even throughout the night. I figured it was like having a baby again and getting up every 2 hours so I just sucked it up and did it with a smile. Everything was finally OK. We were going to be OK. He was starting to have more energy and walking a lot more. I really thought we were finally in the clear. Then....

OMG PLEASE NOT AGAIN.. GOD PLEASE...

Do you see the giraffe?

My Baby- "Mom..." (as he comes in the kitchen clutching his chest)
ME- "omg. Whats wrong"
My Baby- "My heart.... it hurts I cant breathe..."
ME- "ok I'm calling 911 lay down and stay calm so your body can help your heart, slow breathes baby"
ME- (omg not again. I thought this was over. I will have their heads if something went wrong!)
Everything went so fast. We ended up in the ambulance being transferred from the palm springs area all the way to Loma Linda Hospital. The local hospital was too scared to see him, they thought it was best to take him back where the doctors knew his situation.
At the hospital I was angry and I wasn't leaving without answers. They ran every test they could before finally coming to the conclusion that his heart was perfectly healthy now and it was just the nerves that were irritated and his muscles were strained because they had to travel to his heart touching things on the way and stressing the muscles of the heart.
(I knew exactly what to do... mom to the rescue.)....

In the car on the way back home..

Someone was exhausted...

Giraffe is still his comfort buddy..

When I got home with him I gave him 500mg of Magnesium Citrate to relax his nerve endings and 200mg of L-Theanine to relax his mind and body so he wouldn't have anxiety. Did this work? YES! When it comes to my baby I follow my motherly instincts. He has not been able to participate in recess yet or vigorous activities but he is stronger everyday. When I asked him how he feels now he said,
" .... I really feel the blood flowing through my heart and I don't run out of breathe anymore when I try to walk fast. I feel like I have a brand new heart. I feel like I can do anything now. I can even take really deep breathes now."
ME AGAIN: Thank god and the prayers from everyone who knew what was going on....

Stay tuned for next weeks blog showing how he's currently doing! :D 

Life is full of ups and downs.. What matters most is how you handle it..

Take life by the bull horns! It's YOUR life! Take charge!