Saving baby pictures from our old computer

We have a ten year old Dell computer that has been out of commission for awhile. It has been in a closet for a long time. It started giving us trouble so we decided to buy a new desktop a couple of years ago. We took tons of baby pictures of all of my daughters and stored them all on this computer. I think the mistake that me and my wife made is not storing these baby pictures in other places like in a photo album or some picture storing website.

I have all of their births and other major life events stores on this old computer. So I had to retrieve these pictures at all costs. I even left the desktop out on the floor as a reminder of what I needed to do. The computer itself is able to "boot" up so I think that is a good thing. I was told that our old Dell desktop was so old that not even any flash drives were compatible.

I have a friend at work who is a computer tech. He was able to help me retrieve all of the baby pictures that were on my computer. All of the baby pictures of my daughters are so precious I am glad we were able to retrieve them. Hopefully I will have some baby pictures to show all of you guys real soon!

Special thanks to my buddy at work who was able to help me!

Reflections 2009

We are quickly coming to the end of 2009. I'm sure all bloggers are going to reflect on this past year. I am no different. I think overall 2009 was a good year for my family(as well as my extended family.) I made a promise to myself that I was going to keep this blog current and I think I have done that. I need this blog for personal reasons. One reason I need this blog is to help me wind down from a long day at work. Another reason I need this blog is to occasionally vent about work (I think that is part of the winding down process!)

I cannot forget that I promised myself that I would blog about the "in and outs" of fatherhood. I don't claim to be a expert on this subject but I try really hard to be good at it. I am "knocking on wood" when I say that all of my daughters have been in good health this past year. All of my brothers and sisters are doing well so I am grateful for that. My parent's health situation has been somewhat steady. My dad has had some problems with cataracts but he is aggressively trying to get that corrected with surgery. My mom has had some health concerns with her irregular heart beat. My brothers and sisters (and her doctors) are trying to find the best treatment for her. We are very optimistic when it comes to my parent's health. I pray that 2010 gets their health back on track.

I spent a lot of time reflecting about my job and everything that happened. I survived several rounds of layoffs. I am grateful that I was able to keep my job. A lot of my friends were not as fortunate. I miss a lot of my ex co-workers. I know all of them have rebounded and have new jobs. I hope that we do not have to experience layoffs again.

I think that 2010 will be better for everybody. The economy is heading in the right direction. You and I experienced the worst of times. I am hopeful that we never have to go through that again.

How was your 2009?

Lists to live by

I bought this book today, called "Lists to live by," The Christian Collection, for "everything that really matters. " Here is a section:

Be an Encourager

• Encouragement is a gift
• Encouragement creates energy
• Encouragement lasts a lifetime and can be life-changing
• Encouragement motivates positive behavior
• Encouragement is often the most effective form of motivation
• Encouragement more often comes from listening than talking
• Encouragement is more effective than criticism
• Encouragement can be as simple as a smile
• Encourage everyone you know and everyone you meet

I think we all can use a little encouragement. What do you think?

Looking forward to Turkey day?

Thanksgiving is around the corner. Time to stuff our faces with turkey, dressing, mash potatoes, veggies , and all the trimmings. The holiday season is upon us. I love Thanksgiving because it is all about giving "thanks" and spending time with all of the family. Usually after Halloween our family starts debating about which house Thanksgiving will be at. It is a fierce debate. My parents have hosted Thanksgiving every year since we were kids. It is time for my parents to sit back and just show up. We will take care of the rest.

Sometimes the Thanksgiving debate between my brothers and sisters is about who is going to bring what dish. I have brought different items throughout the years. (Actually my wife has made different items I just attach my name to it!) Since I have a lot of brothers and sisters there is always a lot of food. Tons of leftovers too. Thanksgiving also means plenty of football including the Dallas Cowboys.

I have a lot to be thankful for this Holiday season. My job is going well. I have been with the same company close to 8 years. My wife and kids have their health. My parents have their health. Al l of my brothers and sisters are doing well. We lost my mother in law recently but she is always with us in spirit 100 % of the time.

I have to make the rounds on Thanksgiving. It is a all day event. Here is my day:

• Wake up at 9:00 am
• Watch a bit of the Macy's Thanksgiving parade while getting dressed
• Help get the kids ready
• Don't forget the salad or mashed potatoes
• Go to my family's house
• Eat
• Watch the Dallas Cowboys (fall asleep)
• Leave my family's house
• Arrive at my wife's family's house
• Eat again (I'm really stuffed)
• Drink beer
• Let my wife drive me home
• Draw names for Christmas gift exchange
• Debate on which house will host Christmas lunch/gift exchange
• Eat leftovers for the next few days.

As you can see I have a busy schedule on this day. I hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving.

The need to blog

I think everyone reading this post should have a blog. I have my reasons for blogging. Some posts are very personal and other posts are for fun. I really want to leave a written record for my children. My dad handed me a personal memoir of his life a few years ago. It was a very detailed account of his jobs, his struggles, his personal demons, and what he had to sacrifice to raise all of my brothers and sisters. Just think how much more he could have written if he had a computer to blog on.

My reasons for blogging are simple. I want them to know what kind of father they have. I want them to know what kind of family I came from and that I am not perfect. I am sure that most parents would admit that they are not perfect. But we all try as hard as we can to do our best. Like my father before me I want to provide a written account of my personal thoughts, likes, dislikes, observations, and struggles.

I know my girls will enjoy my posts. Some of my personal favorites so far:

• Take five minutes
• A mother's hands
• A letter to my mother in law
• A father and a friend
• Our gift to each other
• Exhilarating moments
• Raising daughters
• Hero's among us
• Childhood the most beautiful season of all

These are just some of my favorites but I really like all of the posts I have done. Each post has taken some thought and fact finding. So I think that everyone should take a few minutes to start a blog and write down some thoughts. I know some of you have other hobbies like scrap booking or exercising. Your blog will stay on the Internet forever. With just a few clicks of the mouse my kids will be able to open up a treasure that they can hold onto forever. If each of my daughters want to start their own blog then that is something that they can leave for future generations as well. So start blogging!

More posts to come!

A father and a friend

A daughter is a little girl who grows up to be a friend.-- Author Unknown

I'm hoping that one day all of my daughters will read this post. I know that our family is relatively young and you girls are growing before my eyes. I still remember each one of you as a babies all fat and chubby. I miss holding you girls like little babies and sometimes I wish I can go back there but I know that you all have to grow. Believe it or not I miss the diaper changing, the burping, the feedings. You girls hold a special place in my heart, always.

I want you to know that you can come to me if you need to talk. Any situation, it does not matter, I am always here. I am your father, and a friend. You girls define who I am. I already have some wonderful memories and I know there are more to come . I have learned so much from all of you already. Just by watching you guys I have learned that if I fall someone will always be there to pick me up. I have learned that it is ok to share my emotions whenever I need to, someone will always listen. I have also learned just by watching you guys that life is like a box of crayola crayons. It's ok to color life a bright blue or green or maybe even a purple. Whatever color I feel compelled to use.

I have learned that when you girls chase each other around the house, maybe I can chase life and chase after my own dreams with a little more enthusiasm and gusto. I have also learned it is ok to give and receive hugs whenever I feel like it.

Just talk to me.

Humble Oil Station and my Grandfather

I am excited that the Humble Oil Station here in San Antonio won the "This Place Matters" national competition sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. This 1930's gas station is located deep in the west side of San Antonio on 1091 S. Laredo st. I am happy that Audrey Zamora- Johnson with the City of San Antonio was able to get the word out on this historic building. I know this building has great meaning to San Antonio and to many families whose relatives used to work there. This building also has meaning to my relatives.



My dad recently told me that my Grandfather used to pump gas there. As a boy my dad said that he used to go visit my Grandfather while he was taking care of his customers. I know my Grandfather had a great work ethic. I know that work ethic has been handed down to my dad and to all of us. My dad is a retired director from CPS Energy and all of my brothers and sisters are professionals in different fields. Everything from law enforcement, banking, insurance and education.


I want to get my young family over there to see where their Great Grandfather used to work at one time. I know it would mean everything to them. I hope to see if restored to its original glory. There are so many historic buildings around San Antonio that I think we should try and save, I hope this is just a stepping stone.