Ram & Cousins come to town!!!!!!!!!!

 

And of course... where are the pictures? Where are the memories that can last forever?

Gone. Because of a dead camera battery.

 

Needless to say though, Ram's kids are amazing. Everyone gets along so well and it is nice to catch up.

To talk freely.

To laugh and reminisce.

To just enjoy time together

 

My life is so blessed to have Ram a part of it. I don't know what I'd ever do without such a beautiful, smart, kind best friend.

Who is the best mother too!!!!!

I honestly have no clue how she does all she does.

But....

I do suspect cocaine.

Famous and Fabulous- Amyra the brilliant

 

When Ram moved to New York I was so happy for her and her family. I knew that it would be a great experience and that they would have tons of new opportunities. Case in point: THEY MET ED SHEERAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Ram got VIP tickets for the Today Show on NBC but they arrived a little late. Amyra was craning her neck and couldn't really see, but it was still cool. But then, a guy notices how cute she is and that she can't see.... AND OF COURSE!!!! offers her a better spot.

ON STAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

So flipping awesome!!!!!!!!!!!

I was smiling all day thinking about this!!!!

Leprechauns rule!

It might be the pink eye talking, but....

I think there comes a point in your life where, to put it crudely but well, shit just hits the fan.

Sometimes people share too much and I don't want to be that person.

But I want to be real.

I look at the gray skies and think, man, this is suffocating. This is so hard to be blanketed by cold. The sun neglects us, she turns her back on us and her rays are a distant memory. And then, divinely, the clouds part. And I can see her. She's there always, I just forget.

Is this life? Is this what life is all about? Sometimes I feel like I can't breath. Like all I do is swallow sorrow and eat abandonment.

I mourn a life I had. I wish desperately for a wish that may never come true.

I see in my mind the scene of a film, where people walk on a busy sidewalk, fast forwarded. You can't distinguish their faces, there are so many people. How do all these people live? So many different stories? How is it all possible that we are here together, all of the human race, at this time so unconnected? The nagging feeling of being alone when so many are around you.

Today my best friend called me. She comforted me. I cry even just thinking about it. And then I went about my day thinking how I wish I didn't have to burden her, even though I know she doesn't consider it a burden. One day I'll win the lotto for us Ram.

I'm not alone. And when I think of those so kind around me, I realize more than anything that there is a God. He loves me. There are so many of His angels here on earth doing His will. I just have to be better, try to be one of those angels, because happiness is when we're helping. I hope and pray I can be like those who lift me and carry me.

I read to Eli and Ella the story of the 10 virgins. Is my lamp full? Do I have backup oil? I do truly hope so.

I read to Christina and Maria a story about prayer. How God answers prayers, how he loves us. We felt so peaceful and full of love hearing those words. I told them to always remember God and that He would never leave them. If ever I could leave my children anything, I pray that it would be this knowledge. That they could know for themselves of a surety.

A good friend of mine left the church. His family too. His struggle breaks my heart. His sadness. The sadness of his wife. I wish I could help or do something.

What is the point of all this? I have pink eye and a head cold. It's bad weather and I just finished a super depressing book. So, never... really. NEVER read super depressing books (let alone about prostitutes who have no hope of a future when it was never their fault to begin with) when you feel bad enough as it is. And don't stay up late thinking that some late night writing session is going to make it all better. Also, don't break your camera. Because if you had a camera, then you could take pictures of all the happy things in your life. The things that go right and that consume your life with goodness. But with it broken, you have nothing but your words and bare soul.

And that is overshare.

But strangely. It's Ok.

Playing Hookie- Because that's just what Ram and I do

 

We were so glad that Ram and the kids came to town. We got to spend a lovely day at the lake together. It wasn't too hot and it was nice to make commentary on people's facebook pictures.

 

 

Everyone got along swimmingly. Is that a lame joke? I think so.

 

Beauties!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

This is about as good a picture of Ram and I as you get. I look forward to doing this when we're 70.

 

Just because sometimes you need to take pictures of white men with braids and their cocktails.

 

Thanks Ram for a great morning!!

 

Also, just for memories sake, our children needed to get a Frisbee so they broke the fence. And we just pretended we didn't notice.

Kite Festival

 

Joe was really wonderful to take the children to the Kite Festival, spur of the moment. Ram was in town and I got to have a girl's lunch and time at the mall staring at her like a creep while a woman with purple lips tried to perfect perfection. Seriously, no wonder I don't take pictures with Ram.

 

This picture sums it up except Ram would obviously be a beautiful dark skinned goddess instead of Lil Wayne pre-fame.

 

 

There must have been at least 500 people at Rancho San Rafael. It was beautiful and colorful. The kids had a blast running around with their daddy. 

 

Later on I took the kids to the park and watched them fly the kites some more. The weather had turned stormy and cooler and it was very nice!

 

Love this sassy girl and her fun faces!

Ryan & TaReon's Wedding

 

It was a wonderful time in Tahoe, being able to celebrate the marriage of Ram's brother Ryan. She actually was the one who introduced the two!

 

The venue was beautiful, but the company even better. Everyone looked gorgeous in their saris. We had a good time with the older girls, thanks Papa and Yaya!

 

 

Mrs.Fernandez and her sisters.

TaReon was stunning! Loved the succulents in her bouquet!

 

I was happy because they asked me to do the guestbook. It was nice being able to say hello to everyone as they came in.

 

The girls ran around and had a blast together!!! Congrats Ryan!!! Here's to a long and happy life together!

The Mansion

 

The main reason to vacation in Las Vegas was to see Ram and familia!!

They have a gorgeous new MANSION!!!!

Ramya is so multi-talented. She does an elegant job of decorating.

It was beautiful and classy, yet functional for kiddos!!

It is a total party pad and in a great part of Vegas because it's so easily accessible.

The ladies had tons of fun being able to run around and just spend time with Amyra and Mya.

 

 

Eli and Teef got along great!!!

I adore these pictures of them!

 

Ram cooked a delicious dinner for us. She's so thoughtful and even made it vegetarian for us. It was nice to just relax and talk.

Plus Ramya still loves us after we trashed her BRAND NEW carpet.

Oh my goodness. We stink.

 

A random tender moment. It was just super cute.

 

And even more random is who is neighbors with Ram and Lateef.

I'm 95% sure that she has told me before who her neighbor was, but I forgot. So it was double the excitement. Oksana will be moving.... but still. What a great conversation starter, "My best friend lives next door to Oksana." then I can whip out these pictures?? I wonder what the grocery checker would say?

 

Ram has this HUGE open space as you walk in with a large wall....

at first I was like, get your portrait there... but upon second thought, I think the following picture could be done in acrylic?? Would they be freaked out if you did that then invited them over to dinner?

Percy the Fish

 

Thanks to Aunty Ramya, we have a new family member!!!

Everyone was very excited to finish up dinner and head over to Petco.

She hooked us up with everything!!!!

Thanks Aunty Ram and crew!! Most. Thoughtful. Gift Giver. EVER!!!!

 

I do have to mention, the above blur of Christina. This was the majority of pictures because everyone was jumping up and down with excitement!!

 

We were going to have Percy downstairs but decided it might get too cold. The girls love having him in their room. Other names that were thought of were Aphrodite and Buttercup.

 

Eli loves quote "Percy Fish" too!

 

The Fam and The Pet.

 

Thanks again Ram!! Hopefully we don't kill it.

FAME

 

Ok, so I had to post this. The other weekend was a huge football game between Seattle and the 49ers. Lateef and Colin Kapernick are in a fraternity together and so they got free tickets to the game.

 

They enjoyed free food by being confident and walking into a pre-game party.

 

And, this is why I love Ramya... because she was super thoughtful and got Jody a bunch of trash on the ground that was Seattle. Honestly, one man's trash is another's treasure.

 

He was so excited. Sure, we might (??) have to rinse out some alcohol from the cups... but ultimately, it was just so awesome of them to think of Joe! He was seriously ecstatic! I guess this is the first time in a long time that the Seahawks are going to the Super bowl. The last time, he had watched it with Nono. I'm just glad football season is almost over. It's been super annoying to have the TV on, on Sundays.

 

Also, Colin just seems like a really nice guy. Feel bad he lost.