Amarilis Barillas--Chapter 9

Amarilis (40), Meadow (40)
Children: Arthur (10), triplets: Julieta, Ramon and Raquel (1)
Narrated by Amarilis

The triplets are now a year old and let me tell you that its been forever since we had a toddler. There is just so much to teach them that you feel as though you will never finish.

Thankfully I still managed to get away and do some gardening. I look at my garden and reminisce on how my father used to have us garden all the time. It seems as if it were yesterday that my mom and dad were still here. Now I am the one trying to instill gardening in Arthur.

My poor son Arthur had been feeling a little neglected since we had the trouble with Aaron and Isabel, my oldest set of twins. Now with the new babies here, it just seem tough for Arthur to catch a break. Now I come home and spend more time with him.

I still try not to forget family. I recently invited my niece Sofia and her new husband plus her parents over for dinner. I had not seen my sister-in-law Brandi in a while. It was nice to see how everyone was pretty much living a stable life.

Aaron Barillas-Chapter 2

Aaron (20) Heather (21)
Children (quads) Demetrius, Minor, Sebastian and Sarah (4)
Narrated by Heather

My children are finally old enough to semi understand how to act. I have to admit that these four years of college have been so hard on both Aaron and myself. In the beginning, Aaron pretty much studied and didnt help me much with the kids nor the house.

Towards Junior year that changed. Its as if Aaron grew up overnight. He began scrubbing the house spic and span and he helps me out with the kids all the time. I guess its good that he began to help me since his twin Isabel decided to move out.

All I heard was a ton of yelling and Isabel saying that she was not a babysitter. It turns out that Isabel had decided to drop out of college and was moving out as soon as possible. Aaron felt like it was his fault while Isabel told him that it was not.

The years went by and the kids were busy in school as so were we. It was senior year and literally by some miracle we passed school. I felt bad that my children would need to be transferred now that we were going to move back to viramontes.

The day we moved it was the happiest feeling. Don't get me wrong. I loved my house but I was ready to move back and start our new life.

Linda Chalmers (-EX-barillas) ch. 2

Linda Chalmers (ex of Marcos Barillas) Shared custody of their quads: David, Eugenio, Pearla and Mateo (all 7)
Narrated by Linda Chalmers

My kids have grown up so much. I am looking at them and can not even imagine that I would have had these kids when I did. I am so proud of each and every one of them. As for myself I am still singing and still trying to get my second solo album out. The first one was out about four years ago. I doubt anyone even remembers my name any more. As much as I want to quit I dont for the sake of my children.

Eugenio is the one closest to me out of my kids. We play together all the time. I am sad when its time for my kids to go back to their father Marcos. At the same time I am just happy that I managed to get some of their love back. I have to admit that I am actually shocked that Marcos does not say anything negative to the kids about me. When they ask why I was gone I simply say I was on tour and for now they are OK with that. I never mention that I left to have an affair and live my so called "adventure".

A girl has to get out there and date. Me? I am 29 and have not dated that much at all. Sure I have had a few dates here and there but none that I have been ever enthusiatic about.

We met at a record party and we hit it off right away. He the successful producer and contractor while I was the struggling artist. I took the bite and didnt count on this being more than a friendly fling. After all what would an exec. want with me?

I guess we both were looking for love because before we knew it ...we were. He and I saw each other everyday and our love grew strong. I never wanted to admit to myself that I needed a partner, someone to share my life with. My kids were enough but when he came along...I just knew I needed him in my life.

I told the kids when they came around to visit. They didnt show whether they were happy or sad. They just accepted the news. I hear from them that their father has not dated and I guess they figured that we would work things out.
I know Pearla is a little sadden by me dating..but I hope they get to like him as much as I do.

he met with them over lunch in his apartment. He answered their questions as well as asked some of his own. They felt comfortable so I left them to get acquianted with one another.

I know I didnt need to but I decided to talk to Marcos and explain to him my new relationship. I needed him to know that I would be moving in with him and that Marcos needed to meet him. Marcos was surprise but supportive. He gave as much as one would expect of an ex-husband. He wished me the best and proceeded to meet with him.

They talked and I even heard Marcos being asked about our marriage. I cringed a little expecting Marcos to take this opportunity and say how a bad wife and mother I was. Instead he just said that we married way too young. I was surprised and I was grateful that Marcos didnt bad mouth me.

"Linda" marcos said, " I just hope that you know this guy really likes you. Take your time and relax. I am sure you tow will be happy together. I just hope that you are ready"
"Iam Marcos. I love him. Thanks for not bad mouthing me."
"Why would I? No matter what happened between us..well its over and your the mother of my kids. You deserve to be happy as much as I do. I have to get going".

Later that evening he proposed and of course I said, "yes".

Melody Sofia Barillas Chapter 3

Melody Sofia (23) her finacee Joshua Ruben (26)
Narrated by Melody Sofia

Joshua and I have moved into an apartment and we are so in love with living on our own. I have found a job as a senior manager in an architectual firm while Joshua is a drill instructor in the army.

After we settled in I came home to find the surprise of my life. My aunt Debbie or rather ex-aunt was in my living room when I came home. Imagine my surprise when I found out that she was actually one of our neighbors. I could not believe it.

I did not know the etiquette so I decided to invite her to dinner. She was after all my aunt for several years. Now she is the ex wife of my uncle Ian. I just hope that I am not crossing any family line here. If nothing else she is my neighbor and I should treat her neighborly.
Joshua thinks its too complicated to even be involved in family drama. So he agreed that we should just treat her liek our friendly neighbor.

Our wedding day was small and simple. After all my family had just been united for my cousin Carson's wedding. I felt no need to try to preform another big wedding. I instead had a small one with just Joshua and my immediate family.

My parents said that they were so proud of me. They wished me the best and told me to always remember to communicate with my husband. they love Joshua and even my little brother loves him too. I am just happy that I am married and ready to start this new phase of my life.

We took several wedding pictures but this one I love the best. My little brother who is also named Joshua had to be persuaded to be in the picture.

After it was all said and done we managed to get a little room in a hotel just to celebrate our first night as a married couple. But when we got home we managed to stay in bed all day.

Carson Barillas--Chapter 3

Carson (23) fiancee Vanessa (22)

Vanessa and I got back to Viramontes and signed what seemed to be our life away to rent an apartment. The rent in Viramontes has gone up so high since I moved to away to college. Now just to rent one needs to have major saving saved up. Vanessa and I loved our new apartment and we could not wait to get it decorated.

At breakfast we discussed the details of our next big plan: our wedding. Vanessa and I were nervous but at the same time we knew that we wanted to get married. If it weren't for my family, I would have a small ceremony with just Vanessa and I.

The day of our wedding the whole family showed up. When I say WHOLE family I mean everyone. I was a little sad that my grandparents were not here to see this. I can only imagine what they would think after seeing three generations here in one room.

We said our vows and I admit I got a little teary eyed when Vanessa put my ring on my finger. I could not believe that we were finally married.

My mom's were happy and they took every opportunity to snap a picture with us!

After it was all said and done we came home and proceeded with life as normal. We cant really afford a honeymoon yet. Once we can then I will take my beautiful bride to the islands.

Vanessa has found a job as an event planner and i myself as a paramedic. I have to work my way up the ladder but hope to one day be a physician like my grandmother was.

Alfredo and Shaila Barillas--Chapter 3

Alfredo (23) his sister (quad) Shaila (23)
Narrated by Alfredo

My sister has been down in the dumps ever since Weldon has disappeared from the map. I dont know what happened to him but for him to do this to my sister is extremely bad. I feel bad and I try to pep her up. I tell her that she deserves better but she doesnt even want to hear it.

The other day my boyfriend Merlin did the cutest thing. He has been wanting to move in with me in our own apartment. I want to but I cant leave my little sister alone. Therefore I have told Merlin for us to wait.
I guess he had enough waiting because he asked my sister if she wouldnt mind him moving in with us. She said she didn't mind at all.

My parents met Merlin and they were happy to see how well we got along. I guess Merlin was a little surprised to see that my parents were two women. It just went to prove that all families come in different packages.

I can not complain about our relationship with Merlin. What started off as a rare possibility of a relationship has spun into a committed and beautiful relationship. We are both happy to have found each other.

My sister on the other hand, I tried to hook her up with one of my friends named Pong. Of course he was against blind dates. Now how exactly would it be a blind date if they have already met each other? Either way he said he would think about it.

Guess who managed to bring himself back as a lovely surprise? Yes its Weldon. I couldn't believe my eyes when I came home an saw them talking/arguing in our front yard. I guess they got it all out of their system.

Next thing I knew Merlin and I would go make breakfast and there was Weldon and Shaila sucking the life out of each other. I cant believe my little sister..eww.

Shaila has been in a much better mood. She even asked if it was OK if Weldon moved in. It seems that their relationship has been progressing. I wanted to ask her where has he been or what was he thinking when he left without a goodbye. Instead I told her it was fine for Weldon to move in and we would make a big happy family.

ch 5--Justin Barillas

Justin (27) his wife Linda (36)
Children: Cameron and Candice (Newborn)

Linda and I are so happy to be parents. She has a great job as a university Lecturer and I have a pretty good home business. I sell decorative items and I do admit that Linda is a big help to my business. Now that we have the twins it seems that I am being pulled in two directions

I stay up late night to try and finish some projects that are the big money makers at my store. FOr example the blanket on the wall beside me? I made that and it brings in about 3000 simoleans. I need that to break even. I want to take my business to the next level. When I start working I tend not to look up until I am basically asleep on the sewing machine.

I come inside and help feed Cameron. I usually try to feed Canice as well but she ends up asleep in bed with Linda. Now that the twins are one its pretty hard to keep up with their feeding schedule.

Linda continues to help out the best she can but still it still is not enough. My one employee is noticing the drop in both merchandise and in our sales. I know that if I dont dedicate enough time then it simply wont succeed.

The dreaded talk that I was fearing actually occurred. Linda told me that the latest numbers for my shop are way below the average that I have been maintaining. She says that I have to consider hiring someone else to manage the place. I dont have the money to do that. Right now Linda needs to get back to work and that means hiring a nanny that we can not afford. I told her that I will think about what is our next step.


Sometimes its hard to think and that when I love that our place has its own small lake. I come out here and fish whenever I need to think. I want my business to succeed but at the same time I think Linda is older and she sometimes feels she can tell me what to do. She's 36 and im 27. She has a successful career and I am a struggling shop owner. In the end I know that she is right. I need to make a choice.

I came up to look at our children and the choice was simple. I laid of my employee and gave him a great recommendation. I put a closed until further notice on the door. I am going to keep the shop closed until the kids are a little older and we can afford to have a nanny.