Sasha's Summer Fun

Sasha and the youth group from church have been busy having fun and hanging out. Allison the Great! the Slapjacks - the greatest Softball team ever! After getting "kicked out" of IHOP - they didn't want 25 teens, go figure?!? They ended up at Taco Cabana - EVEN BETTER! Cheaper food, serving everyone! A night at the Bowling alley. Just the remnants of the group! the official "Slapjacks" softball team.

Fishing Trip

Fishing trip with Michael and Rose. They were brave enough to take Sasha, Bianca, and Brianna. Lots of fish - Sasha and Bianca had the "Catch'o'the'day". They had lots of fun too!

A Sunday afternoon with the Fam

The family came over on Sunday afternoon for some burgers. It was a nice relaxing afternoon. As always, lots of laughs and of course everyone plays with Nate. He was asleep when everyone arrived so when he woke up there were people everywhere. I think he was a bit confused. The girls: Sasha, Bianca, and Brianna went to Somerset for the weekend to hang out with Michael and Rose. They went fishing and had a blast. Manuel is in Waco for basketball camp - he drove by himself. NERVOUSNESS!!! Be careful Manuel. Mikey came over later, I don't know why we didn't get the new graduate in a picture. And Rose, where are you? Chasity and Jorge are "sunning" in Rockport. Chas, you don't like the sun, why are you going to spend the weekend in Rockport? I have to ask her when I talk to her, I just thought of that. Michael let Sash drive a bit this weekend also. He said he has permanent whiplash...the beginning of many I presume with a young driver in our midst. Didn't we all have trouble learning not to STEP on the brake or gas, but to press intead?? I know I did. It's just the beginning. We'll see how it goes in a standard, yikes! Brianna and Grandma. Jr the 2 movie stars with their new haircuts - GORGEOUS! Arla and Bianca. Papa and Nick. Sorry Papa didn't mean to catch you having a chip :) Grammy is checking out the veil for Mary for the Teen ACTS retreat. She is going to help make a headband so it stays on - we are having a time keeping it on her head. Thanks Grammy for the suggestion and willingness to help.

A Sunday afternoon with the Fam continued

So, is Michael really asleep?!?! Yup I think he's snoring :) playing at the sand and water table, and giving Katcher some sand too. In my dirt bucket. I like to put the dirt in water and make mud. playing at the sand table too...you're never to young to play with sand and water! drinking from the faucet, my new favorite summer thing to do! It was a fun day. Relaxing. Enjoyable. I love Sunday's.

Congratulations Jr!

Jr is being honored the Community Award for serving on the Edwards Aquifer Board by the Hispanic Heritage in San Antonio. Wow! What an honor. Congratulations on a job well done.

I ask St Florian often to protect firefighters

I ask St Florian often to protect firefighters. It was difficult when Nick and I first got married. Now, it is difficult at times. There are even times when I just have this feeling, so I pray. Then come to find out it was a challenging shift either spiritually, mentally or physically. I guess now I have come to trust that God is with him and he is doing a noble service. Sasha too understands so much and has become more compassionate. As we all know, some stories are sad, some are funny, and some are down-right strange but overall, firefighters are a unique breed of character and a gift from God. In honor of Mikey's graduation please pray for him in his career and all firefighters who serve and protect. God Bless.

St. Florian's Prayer for Firefighters Dear God, Through the intercession of our patron, Saint Florian,

have mercy on the souls of our comrades who have made the supreme sacrifice

in the performance of their duty, and on all who have gone before us

after years of faithful discharge of their responsibilities which now rest on ourselves.

Give us Grace to prepare each day for our own summons to Thy tribunal of justice.

Into Thy hands O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Withersoever Thou callest me, I am ready to go.

Merciful Father of all men, save me from all bodily harm,

if it be Thy will, but above all,

help me to be loyal and true, respectful and honorable, obedient and valiant.

Thus fortified by virtue, I shall have no fear,

for I shall then belong to Thee and shall never be separated from Thee. Amen.

Congratulations Mikey!!!

On Thursday Mikey graduated as a Travis County FRO. Thank you Melinda for letting me borrow your pictures. Nate was sick so I couldn't go - boo hoo. Nick took Sash and the carpool to tumbling. Arla and the girls were in EP. We love you Mikey and we are all VERY PROUD OF YOU! Here Melinda is helping him get dressed. What would we do without our mommy's? Mikey needed the "June-bug" as he calls Jr, to help him out. The official certificate...ssshhh...everyone is quiet and holding their breath. Well at least that is what I would visualize since I wasn't there I will just re-enact it on the blog. don-ton-ton....drumroll please...Michael pins Mikey's badge. Awww, I'm crying just looking at the pictures. The oath. Although not an official oath, it makes me think of the Firefighter's Prayer: When I'm called to duty God wherever flames may rage. Give me strength to save a life whatever be its age. Help me to embrace a little child before it is too late or save an older person from the horror of that fate. Enable me to be alert to hear the weakest shout and quickly and efficiently to put the fire out. I want to fill my calling and to give the best in me, to guard my neighbor and protect his property. And if according to your will I have to lose my life bless with your protecting hand my children and my wife.

Mikey is officially a FRO

So Mikey, does that mean you have to have a FRO to? So handsome, those Chapa boys. Melinda, Mike, and Manuel Mikey and Grandma Popo would have been so proud of you "Mick-ey". An honorable profession, you studied hard, and perservered...AWESOME. You can do anything you put your mind to.

Chapa boys: trouble. Manuel, June-bug, Mikey, and Michael.

Such a handsome motley crue they are.

oooh firetruck...

Mikey with the fam. The ooh-so-cool firetruck check out Grandma... Of course, can't have an evening with the brothers without someone claiming to be the "best" Congratulations Mikey. We are proud of you!

The Sunday afternoon fun

Bianca.....help?!? I think Nate might be needing some lessons from Bianca :) We went to visit Michael and Rose on Sunday afternoon, picked up Bianca and Brianna and took a drive. We had a nice relaxing time. Nate had fun. He is a very good little boy, curious, and loves music! Aunt Rose can I drum on the pots too? Sure, they make a different sound. The "Chapa smile".

Mom-mom will you take a picture of me? Say cheese!

O.K. so really, other people are around - we just don't ever think to photograph them too, Nate is just too cute. What can I say? I am his mom, don't all mom's say the same thing?

We love you all, even if we don't take pictures of you all of the time :) Please forgive me.

(point up) Lighhhht (in a whisper)

Nate experienced his 1st firework show. We went early to the Bedford's, thanks Brev, Allison, and family, had hot dogs, sweets, and then walked to the golf course to set-up for the fireworks. HE LOVED IT! He didn't blink, think, he immediately was fascinated by the fireworks. Romey, Brev and Allison's lab on the other hand, had to go home. Poor thing, she was frightened.

Nate loved it. He went to everyone in our group: The Wuests - Gary, Jill, and Jake, The Bedford's - Brev and Allison, Parma, Sasha, Nick, and myself pointing up to the "lighhhts". He was completely amazed. He wanted to make sure we each saw the lights so he showed us. And he wanted to know what all of the music was so he stole Parma's headphones too. Happy 4th!

The Booming Metropolis

We went to visit Granny and Grandpa Schramm. We weren't going to make the 4th festivities in Seguin so we wanted to be sure to stop in. Nick was working the weekend of the 5th and 6th so we decided we needed to go Thursday evening. Nate had fun playing with all of the toys at the house. THEN he found the step ladder. O.K. not only does he like hose, he also likes ladders.....I know he is in charge of his own destiny but his dad-dad is liking this trend. We went to eat dinner in Seguin too. Aunt Betty Dean was in town for the 4th festivities. It was great to get to spend time with her also. At dinner, Nate decided he didn't need me to feed him. He felt he was quite capable of feeding himself. He had refried beans and rice EVERYWHERE. I do mean, everywhere. When we got home and went to give him a bath, he had food in his diaper! He is learning and very proud of his accomplishments, as we all are :)

Nick, Nate, Sonya, Grandpa, Granny, Aunt BD, and Sasha. Dinner was great at Casa del Sol, Grandpa's favorite place. Happy 4th.

Visiting the Morgan boys

We started our July by visiting the Morgan boys. Nate enjoys going to see them. He likes especially to play with their little car - he likes to drive. Patrick and Joseph, like always, are such great hosts. They entertain Nate and he takes a nice long nap :) Mom likes that. Joseph likes his new little brother Andrew. He is very loving, wants to hold him, and is just too cute. Patrick likes his new frog friends that have joined his family. He put them in the water table. Nate was trying to empty the water and Patrick was trying to keep the frogs in there.

Andrew thought it was all fun, but quickly decided these boys were too active for him. He was hungry and tired.

Congratulations Kevin, Lisa, Patrick, and Joseph on the arrival of your newest family member Andrew.

Nate can't wait till he can run around!