La Familia Santiago

Afternoon with Leaves!

2010-09-25T20:30:00.006-08:00

So the kids are getting over being sick the last week. They have been inside for the most part and I wanted to give them a chance, since it was a beautiful day to play in our backyard in the awesome fall leaves. Hyrum had a fabulour time rolling around in the leaves and making a mess of the pile I had racked up! It was for them, so I didn't really care too much! Hayden had just woke up from her nap and so she wasn't quite as playful as I was hoping, however she had a good time as well! Enjoy!

A bit of an update on the Crazy Santiago's!!!!

2009-08-09T15:07:00.006-08:00

Well life here in Charlotte, NC is never "boring". For the time being I am a single parent, whether Oscar and I want it or not. Oscar is still in Mexico and wont be rejoining us until we can get his resident Visa or we return to Mexico. Oscar still doesn't have a job, which is hard on him. I am working for Wachovia a Well Fargo Company, and it is what it is. Luckily we have some good friends that watch the kids and in a few weeks Hyrum will start Preschool! He's uber excited! Always asking if today is the day he gets to go to school! Hayden is growing so much everyday. Her hair gets longer and longer! She's a hot pepper that's for sure... right behind me to scold Hyrum when he's done something wrong! They, aside from my husband are the loves of my life!

We are trying to make things work... spiritually, financially, emotionally and logisically! The kids to miss their "Papi" as I do, however knowing this time isn't forever and we are... helps... part of the time! The other part that helps is having friends and work to distract us from the reality of things!

We love and miss you all... we think of you often! Please don't hesitate to call or texted... especially after 8pm est. 704-953-2789. Love you lots!!!!! Trey, Oscar, Hyrum & Hayden

2009-08-07T16:55:00.009-08:00

2009-08-07T16:39:00.003-08:00

More fun pics!

2009-05-17T16:16:00.008-08:00

Here are a few more from over the past several months. Cleaning, Our friend Connor's B-Ball game, Easter Sunday, Bath time and more!

Crazy caught up!

2009-05-17T15:58:00.003-08:00

Well the long of the short of the last several months, is that the kids and I are in Charlotte, NC. We'll be here for awhile. However Oscar in a sense is stuck in Mexico. We love him and miss him. We are hoping to go and visit here in a few months, however we'll see. Things have been a roller coaster for our family for the last year... yes all this madness started almost a year to the date. I can't believe it and it doesn't seem like it's going to get any less crazy for awhile. Well as far as the family being together. I am working at Wachovia again, I feel very blessed to have a job. A good friend is watching the kids and we'll be moving into our own place hopefully this coming weekend! Here's hoping and praying! We all also are in good health. Things aren't perfect nor have they been, especially this last year! I have some to realize things never are how they look to everyone else. Or in other words... perfect and 100% ideal! We all have our issues, struggles, hardships, trails, whatever you may choose to call them. I just know that Heavenly Father knows how much and what we can handle, especially if we endure and are faithful. We're hoping for a Miracle to get Oscar here w/ papers... so here's hoping, wishing, praying, fasting etc. We love you all and are grateful for your love and friendship. Love Us... The Santiago's

Tephe- Water Park in Mexico

2009-01-27T13:08:00.009-09:00

After the first of the year, Oscar, the kids and I along w/ my mother and father in law, and sister in law and family, all went to a water park about an hour away from the house. We left early in the morning thinking we were only going to stay the day then return to the house that night. My mother in law has lots of birds and she was worried they'd freeze to death, as the nights do get very cold! Well we were able to convince her to stay. The problem was we only had planned on staying the day, not the night as well. We made it work, luckily we'd brought a change of clothes for the way home, and we made do.
Some of the water parks here in this area have hotels inside the park, as so you pay the nights stay, then your entrance is free, as you're already inside! It's pretty cool! We (my sister in law) paid $800 pesos which is less than $80 dlrs, for a room that had 5 beds, yes five, cinco! It was a large room, w/ 1 bathroom and a curtain that divided 2 beds from the other 3. It was an interesting night, my mother and father in law were right next to us, and Holy Cow Batman, do they SNORE LOUD! I knew they snored, it's not bad when there's at least a wall between you and them, however right in your ear, makes for a restless night! Along w/ the snoring Hayden kept waking up crying, like every 2 hours! She was probably overly stimulated or something! Also Hyrum during the last hour or 2 decided to swim in the very shallow hard of one of the pools, and he wanted to drive, well after all the "diving" he tummy was pretty scratch up, and needless to say he woke up more than Hayden did, as he likes to sleep on his tummy and it would hurt! I kept having to tell him to stay on his back or side, (as he's half asleep!)
Well after almost 2 full days of water park fun, Hyrum has almost master the art of swimming... we were showing him some basic stuff, once we bought him some goggles... the boy took off and had a blast holding his breath and going under the water! I wish there was a pool nearby, as to get him in swimming classes, that would make his day, week, month and year! He fell so much in love w/ swimming, once we had to go home, he cried and cried! Poor Boy! When we got home, we took baths, and w/ goggles on, he tried to swim in the little basin we use for a bathtub!
Both Hyrum & Hayden are brozened babies! They get so dark! I apply 2 coats 2 twice a day... and still dark, the wonderful thing is NOT BURN!!! I wish I were the same! I have to apply like 5 coats every 2 hours!
All in all it was a good time, we hope to go again soon, as Hyrum asks every other day about swimming!
Day #2 Hayden, my water baby! Isn't she super tan!
Day #2 Under this hut was part of the main pool area, this is in the morning, cool air, hot water!
Day #2 Morning, cool air and hot water
Day#1 Oscar, Hyrum and I in front of a palm tree, in the wave pool!
Day#1 Hyrum taking a break and eating some yogurt. Day #1 Hyrum and Oscar in the wave pool... it was windy, however the water is warm!
Day #2- Oscar and I in the main pool, hot spring water. There was a cool fountain... I got up on the rock several times!
Night #1 The hotel room, the half w/ 3 beds, Oscar and I were in the middle bed, the kids in the far bed, and the in laws in the bed closest to the camera!
Day #1 Hyrum, Hayden and I in the kiddie pool. It was a pretty cool pool!
Day #1 Oscar helping Hayden eat yogurt w/ a fork (no spoons)!

I-130 Petition was Accepted!!!

2009-01-13T07:01:00.005-09:00

As of January 9th 2009 my petition for Oscar's residency was accepted! As good as that sounds, it's not guarentee that he'll get his visa. I spoke to an Immigration lawyer, that we want to work with, last night. After talking to him I felt happy, hope, frustrated, sad, foolish, stressed,etc.!
I have now realized that we should have first had a lawyer since we filed the I-130. Second not have left the states until we had Oscar's interview date in Juarez(we still don't have that date yet!)And third and before everything else, gotten all our facts straight before deciding on leaving NC.
It comes down to you live and learn, I am hoping that this lesson will end good and we can come back all together on a plane, LEGALLY!!!
I know now that we need to use a lawyer now, as to have greater chances on getting his waiver accepted. We (or the lawyer) has to file a hardship waiver for Oscar as he was in the us for more than 180 days illegally. The lawyer says it's about 200 pages he'll send w/ the Consulor packet (paperwork... lots of it!)
I feel there is light at the end of the tunnel, however I have never felt so scared in my life. Our life and future is in the hands of people we don't know and don't know us. I am praying and trying to have faith that they'll see though all the paperwork we are good people and that Oscar is a wonderful, hardworking father and husband. Also I pray they will see/feel that our love for one another is true and eternal. That we love each other so much and that love grows and spills over into our current children and those to come.
Please keep us in your prayers that we can make it back safely and legally. Also that the lawyers can work hard on our case and be honest. Also that those who our case passes through their hands at the government level, will handle it with care and feel I am a good citizen and Oscar will be the same, if not better!
Thanks to you all for your love and support. We hope and pray we'll be reunited soon! Love The Santiago Family

How we cook in Mexico

2009-01-05T13:11:00.004-09:00

I am going to shed some light on how things are do things down here in Mexico. As well as what things are like. Education for all!
A few weeks ago my mother in law, Oscar and partly myself made some Mole to sell to friends and family in Mexico City or DF. Mole takes a lot to make, Ingredients as well as time. For those of you who are unaware of what it is... it's basically a sauce type substance that you put over chicken mostly. However you can also put it over rice, beans, eggs and other meats etc.
Well we cooked outside, over coals... yes cooking over coals. Well we don't cook everything that way, however it takes a long time to cook and to use the gas would be double the price and we wanted to make a profit. We have to buy tanks of gas a about 2 every month or so so heat the water and to cook on the stove. Here are the pics of us making the Mole outside... yes next to the washer... good times!

Holiday Newsletter

2008-12-27T12:15:00.000-09:00

Make a Smilebox greeting

Last Sunday on the farm

2008-12-21T11:17:00.002-09:00

Last Sunday we had to go and visit a friend of Oscar's and his family. They live in a small town near Oscar's hometown. However it's mostly dirt roads to get there! Well Hyrum had a blast w/ all the animals they have out there. It was a good Sunday evening as well a time to learn a bit!

First we learned Hyrum really isn't scared of animals. He got right up into the sheep's faces and wanted to play.

Second, that mom can pick up a baby sheep and help her son try and pet it... after this picture was taken... the mama sheep came running and I quickly put the baby down... I was afraid mama was going to ram me or something! It was funny, ask Oscar! hahaha.

Third Hyrum is still getting the in's and out's of going potty when away from home... therefore no pants... oops! However that doesn't slow him down... he was willing to feed the sheep, once they were back in their pen.

Fourth, we learned that chickens and turkeys sleep in trees down here... maybe in the US too, however I always thought they slept in coops!?

And fifth, Hayden... after a nap... learned how to walk on a pasture... not quite as even as grass! She had a good time seeing all the animals as well!

Definately something we'll do again, however not in Sunday dress... as so mom doesn't freak out if Hayden's dress gets dirty... I seem to do that a lot lately, freak out when the kids get their nice clothes dirty. Not something I can avoid for now... so I am learning to relax... learning!

Potty Training... Going #2

2008-12-17T08:51:00.002-09:00

Well many of you know we have had a crazy year. The whole potty training thing w/ Hyrum has been a long road. I wanted to have him potty trained shortly after he turned 2, as so I wouldn't have double diaper duty... however he wanted nothing to do w/ it at that time. We knew at the end of May we'd be headed down to Mexico, so we decided to wait until we arrived down there, as to be in a stable environment to get the job done. Well things didn't work out as we wanted when we had our first round in Mexico. We were in Seattle for a short 4 months (not as planned), and we tried again there... as we thought we'd be staying longer. While we were there, he got the pee pee thing down pretty good, thanks to the Pre-School he was attending, however he wasn't in big boy underwear and he treated the Pull-ups as diaper, when it comes to #2. We've been here in Tepatepec, Hidalgo, MX for a little over a month now... and about 2 weeks ago (yes I am a little slow!) Hyrum did his first #2 on his own. We didn't tell him to go or try... he just did it on his own. As many of you, we were overjoyed. As you can see from the picture (which was a re-enactment several minutes later!) He didn't not go on the "Potty". At my in laws house here in Mexico... you have to go "outside" to go to the bathroom... the bathroom it's self is a room, house the middle of the house is open and all the doors face the middle (court yard... sorta kinda). Well someone was in the actual bathroom, and my wonderful husband taught (against my wishes) that if the bathroom is occupied to go "outside" near the washboard and washing machine, as there is a drain out. Well that's where Hyrum did his first #2, he was very proud of himself that he did it all by himself. Guess who had the honor of cleaning it up... oh no not me... papi, as he taught him to go there! Well since then the going #1 or #2 "outside" has stopped. Thank goodness... GROSS! We have had several accidents... however we are going strong and we have had 2 dry nights so far... so hopefully we can get that done and over with, before we try on Hayden. They say girls are easier and faster... we'll see!

More caught up!

2008-12-11T10:06:00.002-09:00

Since the last few months I haven't been the best as far as keeping updated, I thought I through a few more pics of ourtime in Bellevue in. Enjoy!

This is Hayden on the place leaving the Sea-Tac Airport going to Texas. She did pretty well on the plane! Thank Heavens for 3 seats... I couldn't have done it otherwise. She slept most of the both flights!

Hyrum on the flight on Sea-Tac airport to Texas... he was watching I believe Fung-Ku Panda... one of his new favorites. Hyrum was pretty great on both flights... he watched movies on the first and slept the 2nd!

We went to the pumpkin patch to pick some Pumpkins in Fall City, Wa. We went w/ Uncle Cris and Auntie Jenn, as well as our cousins. They both had a good time!

Hyrum on his first day of Pre-School at Lil' People's World in Bellevue, Wa. He loved his teachers and made some good little buddies while we were there! He loved his backpack... so proud!

While we were living w/ Uncle Cris and Auntie Jennifer we got a bike, a lot like the bike here in Mexico... he loved it and was so excited when he first saw it!

1st & 3rd Birthday!!

2008-12-10T07:41:00.005-09:00

Well shortly after arriving back in Mexico, Oscar planned a Birthday Party of Hyrum and Hayden. Hyrum turned 3 on Oct. 30th and Hayden is now 1 year old as of Nov. 19th. Over this last year both have grown so much, especially my Hayden. I can't believe she has been walking for about 3 months now and is wanting to talk so bad. Thus far she has papi, mami, more/mas, bahbah (bottle), esta (this), and love to shake her head "no"! Well we had a great time at their Birthday party. Lots of Oscar's family! The night before we thought only 1 maybe 2 siblings would arrive, as all were saying they had this or that do. However the day of, we were greatly surprised at the turn out. 4 of his 8 siblings and spouses came, as well as their children. We ate food very tradition to this part of Mexico. Tamales- chicken w/ green salsa as well as sweet tamales- pineapple, rasins and apple... not together... in different tamles. As well as Ponche- which is a hot fruit drink, similar to apple cidar or wassel. Also Posoles- which is dried corn which you then boil for a few hours to soften, then there's pork chunks, and then you at the chiles mixure. You eat it as a soup w/ tostadas, shredded lettuce and fresh lime. It's super yummy! However it stains! We also had cake of course. Oscar's brother Ivan and his wife Lizeth, brought a "Kung Fu Panda" pinada. The kids had a great time. Hyrum had to change his shirt 3 times, as he got so excited about his cake and got it all over him, before we even started the party. Silly kid! Latin tradition is that after you blow out your candles (Oscar bought trick ones!!! Thanks I got to blow, and blow, and blow them out!), that you take a bite of your cake... well Hyrum didn't want to, then after he saw how funny it was when Hayden did it... and he kept putting icing on his face, and Hayden jecked and got it on her forehead! I hope you all enjoy the pics! We had a great time! Thanks to all!

More Fotos!

2008-11-30T14:49:00.004-09:00

So we have some caughting up do! Here are some fotos of the kids while we were in Bellevue! Hyrum, Hayden and cousin Emma getting ready to do some shopping

w/ Mommy and Auntie Jennifer!

Matt, Bryanna, Hyrum and Emma playing super heroes.

Emma, Hayden and Bryanna

My serious Boy, Hyrum at the Water Park!

Hayden showing off her new paci clip and matching hair bows our friend Melissa made us!

More Pics!

2008-11-25T12:14:00.006-09:00

NC- chill'in during a movie!

Our last pick w/ the McCall fam, in NC... minus Lindz.

NC- Our first Bath together!

Moneterry MX.- Meeting our Tio Mori,

for the first time, on his mission.

Santiago MX.- Abuelo/Abuela outside a cool art expo.

Enjoy a few more!

Quick Caught up!

2008-11-25T11:27:00.006-09:00

Okay, now that we are in Mexico again... and we are far my our family and friends in the US, I have promised myself to be better at updating my blog and filling you all in on our fun mexican adventures and what not! Since June 1st we left the US and we were all together in Mexico June & July. Then the 1st of August the kids and I went back to the States as we were informed that we couldn't start Oscar paper process from Mexico. We went to Bellevue and were living w/ my brother Cris, his wife Jennifer and thier 3 to 5 kids (depending on the weekend). We had a good time getting to know better our auntie/sister in law, as well our cousins/ nieces and nephews. I got a job w/ Wells Fargo as a Teller... same as when I was w/ Wachovia. I really enjoyed working for this company as it's a great company as well as the people made it easier to go to work everyday! We found out it was going to take a longer time then originally told, to get Oscar his papers... as we don't have the $$ or the connections. They haven't even looked at our petition to date, and it was received in mid August! We are hoping to sell our house here in Mexico as to be able to pay a lawyer to file the hardship wavier, we are unable to do it on our own! Well w/ all this in mind, it was clear we needed to be together as a family. So on Nov. 15, 2008 the kids and I made another long trip back to Mexico. We are living w/ my in-laws as it's hard to find jobs here in Mexico and we haven't to date! We are hoping this all changes, as even though we love his parents... it's just not the same to have your own place and privacy. Please keep us in your prayer for all the above things! This past year 2008 has been a rollercoaster for the Santiago family. More stress then I would have thought it would have brought, and I am pretty sure the stress isn't going to change much into the New Year! However I am grateful for my loving Husband and my 2 wonderful kids. Hyrum has turned 3 years old and my baby girl Hayden is now 1 year old, as of November 19. We all get to be in 1 room together... it's fun and interesting! We are going to have a small party for Hyrum and Hayden to celebrate their Birthdays, this Saturday the 29th of November. Basically all of Oscar's siblings, their spouses and kids... so I guess it's not going to be too small! We will have updated pics. this weekend! I hope you all enjoy, I know I love seeing your's! We love you all!

Growing babes

2008-09-13T01:00:00.005-08:00

As many of you may know Hyrum, Hayden and Mommy (trey) are in Bellevue, Wa. w/o our daddy Oscar! Well I haven't been very good at keeping up with this whole blog thing... as I don't have my own personal computer for the time being and well the part I enough most, after reading the funny blogs you all do... are the pics... I don't like doing a blog if there are no pics to include! Well today my friends... I do have some! Yea!!!
Well I am going to be better at this whole blogging thing, as Oscar is going to be checking it from time to time to see pics of his babes! As we are not exactly sure how long we all will be apart... in the meantime we need to stay in touch and he needs to be able to see his little ones and how they are growing!
Hyrum thinks is a big boy... like teenager! For example... while in Mexico, after seeing his older Cousins go a few house down the street, where there is a little store... Hyrum learned to open my in-laws door (not an easy task... it sticks and all) and walk down the street... before we even noticed he was missing he was back, candy in hand. By the way... the child had no money... he begs for candy... GREAT! He shows me daily how much he's not a baby anymore... even through he refuses to pooh in the potty... nasty!! Filth if you as me!
Hayden will be a year in mid November! WOW... this year has flown!!!! Crazy! Today for the first time she took 2 and 3 steps at a time... this last week it was a step and a half... maybe 2x a day... today was several times! She can also crawl up stairs... and tummy crawl down... well that happened only once! Finally have 9 months my baby girl can hold her own bottle! I love how she walks and crawls at a normal rate... but the bottle thing, which is "easier" she just waits on! Silly little girl!
I have enjoyed watching them make milestones in their lives... these simple and small things are what really bring me joy!

What a ride!!!

2008-08-17T15:52:00.003-08:00

Well as a few of you may or may not know... Hyrum, Hayden and I are back in the US... unfortunately Oscar was left behind in Mexico. Oscar was left behind as we are trying to get his permenant resident Visa. We hope he'll join us soon, as we miss him a ton! I went to church today and it was a little hard to be at church w/o him... I have done pretty good at not breaking down and crying every 2 seconds... however today was/is a harder day. I really miss him and wish I could talk to him and hold him. I miss the little things most... like when he touches my hand softly when we're sitting on the couch watching TV, cuddling with him, the way he smells, the way he laughs and smiles etc. We will hopefully get this he papers off tomorrow... and pray we'll be reunited soon... as he miss us and we miss him. Please keep us in your prayers as this is a rough time for our little family. We love and appreciate all you love and support!

2008-05-28T13:54:00.002-08:00

Since my last blog little Miss Hayden can now sleep on her own! Not too much of a fuzz is put up for naptimes or nigh, night time! Even though some nights were very hard for Oscar & once he went in and got her. He loves her so much! I love that about him... he doesn't like to see his babies hurt!

To Rock or to Cry?

2008-05-06T19:03:00.004-08:00

I've have spoiled my baby girl Hayden! When my son Hyrum was a month old he would fall asleep all by himself in his crib. I was/am very proud of that! However I have been a slacker or just can't bare to hear my baby girl cry bloody murder!

Well Hayden is now almost 6 months old and it's got to stop! I was finding it easier to rocker her to sleep ( however it had to be w/ her head to the left and a blanket over her head, mostly to block out any distractions, ie HYRUM!) It was/is easier as she falls asleep very fast, then about 15 minutes after that I'd put her in her crib and she'd stay asleep (at night).

Well as I said before the time has come and I as well as my husband need more alone time... as it's once in a blue moon we actually get to talk before we sleep, let alone anything else (read a book, what a movie... don't know what ya'll were thinking about! ;)) Anyway I am counting to night as a success!!!! I was tired, Oscar was at his weekly meeting at church, Hyrum didn't want to eat his dinner... (story of my life, for now!), Hayden wanted me to hold her non-stop, had dirty dishing to take care of and pick up toys in the LR... well I was needless to say, ready to call it quites!! So I put Hyrum to bed, brushed his teeth (in that order... not normal... I was frustrated however!) Tried to put Hayden to sleep the old way... she wasn't having it... so I told her (as if she can completely comprehend what I was telling her,) "Hayden, no more... it's night night time and your going to put yourself to sleep"- translated from Spanish (I tend to speak spanish to the kids when I get upset... more passionate or something!)

Well I washed the dishes, even the stove, pots and pans... about 20 mins later of crying on and off... asleep (by 9:30pm!) We're on the road to 8pm bedtime... Yeah!!! I am feeling better now... I know however if Oscar would have been here during the whole thing... he wouldn't have let 5 mins. go by... he's a more loving parent than I am I guess, or his baby girl melts his heart... we'll for for #2.

I was actually able to call my mom and talk to her for a few mins before Oscar got home! It's a GREAT NIGHT TO BE A MOMMY!!! SUCCESS!!!!

International Fed-Ex

2008-04-03T08:38:00.003-08:00

okay, I have to get something off my chest. As some of you may know my little family and I are moving to Mexico at the end of May. As to make the drive down there a little easier we decided to ship some book, photo albums etc. down through Fed-Ex. We have a friend who used to work for them and was able to get us a great discount on the shipping.
To make a long story short... packages shipped 3-12-08... not able to deliver as there was a tablecloth & matching napkins inside w/ no sales tags... for those of you who don't know... you can't ship any cloth or clothing w/o sales tags on them. So I requested to have them shipped back... they have to charge me the amt. w/o discount... well it's been almost a month of dealing w/ this and still not packages. I'd love to say whatever throw them away... however... they are irreplaceable things inside... mission memories and journals etc. So I am on FIRE w/ Fed-Ex right now! I guess it really boils down to Customer Service in general... I can count on 1 hand how many good experiences I've had... and I've called CS Reps.... a million-catrillion times! Soap Box completed... for now! :)

Jan.6, 2008- Hayden's Blessing Day

2008-04-01T06:52:00.005-08:00

My sweet & beautiful Princess!

Hyrum giving Baby Hayden some advice!

The Day Hayden was blessed. A very happy day!

Update conts.

2008-04-01T05:38:00.005-08:00

I was very happy to have my beautiful little girl as well as to not be Pregnant... I'm not my best when pregnant... my poor family!

Hyrum is a proud big brother... wasn't sure what to make of this new little person!?

Oscar couldn'thave been more happy and proud to finally have his baby girl... as he used to want all Girls... 5 to be exact... that's changed... he loves is Big boy Hryum w/ all his heart!

Update

2008-04-01T05:33:00.003-08:00

Hayden Starr Santiago was born Nov. 19, 2007 at 12:05pm @ 7.5lbs. & 20.5 inches long. She's so very happy to be in the world in this pic.

Update!

2008-04-01T05:22:00.004-08:00

As you many of you may or may not know... we had Baby #2. This was me... at my petty much Biggest. Loverly... I know.

Immunizations

2008-03-24T13:24:00.000-08:00

Well today I am starting this whole blog thing... as to get it established before we make our great move to MEXICO!!! Yeah! Today was my daughter, Hayden's 4 month Well child check up and as many of you mothers know... this means poking and prodding... as well as several pricks... or Immunizations! I know these are medicines to help our child fight diseases and what not... however to watch your child endure the lesser pain... is still one of the hardest things to see. Instinctively we, as mothers what to protect our children from pain and suffering... yet we let this pain happen as to prevent any greater pain of occurring. If that makes any sense at all. I know it's necessary and I am grateful for modern medicine... it's just a very heartbreaking thing to watch your little baby cry out in pain. I am grateful she'll be protected! We love our children!