Diary of a Tex-Mex Wanna-be and her Cuatro Pequeno Tacitos de Pollo con Guacamole y Pico de Gallo

If you know my Fiona at all, you already know that she has more personality than all of us put together--maybe even the whole Contreras-Cole mix, although Ian is determined to follow in her fun-filled steps.  Fiona is not afraid to speak her mind, she never gets pushed around or led by the nose into temptation.  No, if Fiona sins, it is fully and well premeditated and she will be the first to cop to it.  She never lets anyone take the fall for her flubs, but I'm worried she's just building her street cred.  So, tomorrow we're having a hip-hop swim party.  I don't know what something like this looks like, but I know exactly how it sounds...like Fiona's kind of fun.  We are all so very fortunate to be closely related to her--she knows exactly how to party hardy...like a pop star.  Go on, girl, get your groove on.

...or, at least they wanted to break the piggie bank and spend all their precious coins to stay.  I have to admit, I don't blame them one teeny weeny bit.  It was the most relaxing and fun-filled weekend we could ask for after such an emotional week.  Plus, David, aka Mike TV, only watched an hour of TV the entire weekend!  He spent the rest of his time with the kids and my uncle, planting corn, riding on a flatbed tractor trailer and on smaller grass tractors, too.  Low and behold! I even put the camera down for an afternoon of kick-the-can, round-up, and fishnet.  We were all well spent, reconnected and sunburned after a day of play in the Michigan sun, and happily so.  Now that's worth breaking the bank.

We spent some time together out-of-doors and with my camera in tow.  Although we had a mission, we also had a lot of fun.  I wish I could post them all; some of the very best pictures were not "perfect" at all, but they showed every ounce of each babe's personality and individuality.  It was nice to be outside with my babes in the soft Ohio sunshine.  

Losing my papa has made my family that much more important to me, starting with the fruit of my womb and extending to the furthest cousin.  Although I don't know what the future holds, I pray it involves a move back across the continental divide and closer to mi familia, but, if not, at least an ability to visit each and every summer.  My family is unique and, as always, a refuge in life's storms and a fiesta for life's charms.  Over the many weeks past, I don't have enough fingers or toes to count how many times we were told by both strangers and friends how unique and special my family was and is.  It was a calling home to my heart, a reminder of what I ran away from all those many years ago.  I ran from my circumstances--a step-father I couldn't love, a mother I didn't respect--but, sadly, I also ran away from those I love the most in all this precious world.  I am thankful for the six weeks spent together, loving and comforting one another in our Contreras way.  Although we are not perfect, we are family, and that's all that really matters.  It will hurt--it is hurting now--to say goodbye to mi familia: my heart, my love, my life.  But, I pray the Lord continues to remind us of our need for one another and draw our lives together again and again in the future.  My family is special.  I always knew it, but now it's official.

When my uncle brought his summer table and chairs out of the shed this past week, David discovered this water gun that was covered with spider egg sacks.  We never found out what kind of spider to which they belonged because we found ourselves rather busy over the following days, but we did discover that we homeschoolers are a breed all our own, and we science-lovers are a deeper sub-category too.  Not one of my many young cousins wanted to get within forty feet of the gun with its EMPTY egg sacks and apparently DEAD mother spider.  Truly, "Home is the loneliest number that you'll ever see....."  Public schools and its teachers' attitudes have sucked the delight in the created right out of its kids.  

Juan Rueles Contreras, age 86, of Toledo, Ohio, passed away Thursday, April 24, 2008, in his home, joining in Paradise his wife, Herminia Torres Contreras, and his daughter, Deb Armstrong.  Juan was born on December 21, 1921, in Timpson, Texas, to Longino and Julia Contreras.  He served his country in the U.S. Army, worked as a DJ for WTOD of Toledo, and retired from UNICAST/Midland-Ross Corporation after 32 years.

Juan was preceded in death by two brothers and a sister and is survived by two brothers and four sisters, a dear friend, Benita Cumpian, and four doting children, John Contreras, Jr., Cindy Tobin, Tom Contreras, and Rick Contreras, with their respective families.  Juan will always be remembered for his insatiable hunger for life and his bewitching celebrity smile.

***I had the distinct privilege of writing my papa's obituary.  According to the need for financial restraint, it had to be short and sweet.  There are so many things we will remember about him, but death is big business and we are too poor to list everything.  Thankfully, it costs nothing to hold them in our hearts.

Fiona was a hit with Tia Cindy!  And when she left, Fiona declared her to be her most favorite auntie ever.  I have to admit that she's my most fave too.  It was hard to see her go, and it will be hard to leave home myself, but I know that our lives must go on, no matter where they lead us and no matter how different the paths we take.  I only hope that we will take time to embrace each other along the way.

Like mother, like daughter.

Olivia and Briana got a bright idea yesterday--to put their hair in curlers.  They were both very generous about it and shared the lot, instead of taking turns with the rollers.  I appreciated it, too; it made for a good photo op.  The glamour girls sat for us very sweetly, as you can see.  Olivia will really miss her "sis" when we go. 

Ian enjoyed his first ice cream cone of the season.  It was a new-to-us flavor, called Scooperman, which is blue, pink, and yellow, and smells heavenly.  Of course, Ian really liked it, asking for another when he finished his first, and, to his dismay and disappointment, I said no--yes, it's true, I said no to my wonderful baby Ian, which is why he doesn't appear too thrilled to be photog'd.  Paybacks, Mama, paybacks.

Sad and beautiful boys make great photogs.  Thanks, Baby, paybacks are the best!

Since the first was such a hit, I thought I'd make it a series.  Strangely enough, and most disconcerting, Ian has walked to his bed wide awake for the past two nights.  I think he's building up a tolerance to sleep...sheesh.  A momma can't even exploit a son nowadays.