Marcos Barillas--Ch 7

Marcos (35), Renee (26),
Marcos kids:David, Eugenio, Pearla and Mateo (9)
Narrated by Renee

Marcos and I have been having a great time as newlyweds. He does not even mind the fact that I burn the pancakes once in a while.

We live in the same house where he lived with Linda. Amazingly enough I still get along with Linda and even her former dogs. They are with us all the time and I have to admit they console me when the kids leave.

Marcos surprised me the other day and asked me if I wanted move. He felt as though we needed a new beginning and this house held too many memories. I never asked him to move. I love this house but I also wanted something that I choose. I agreed and we began our search for our house.

We found the perfect smaller house for us. Our old house sold fast and even though Linda was entitled to 1/2 she decide that Marcos could keep it. Marcos and I felt blessed that we would have this house to decorate in our style.

I love my new smaller kitchen. I have been taking advantage and taking some cooking lessons. Hopefully I will not burn anymore pancakes. I have also discovered that I am pregnant. I havent told Marcos yet because he has been working overtime. By the time he comes home I am sound asleep. I will tell him soon enough.

The kids have come to spend their time with us. They love the new house. It seems strange to them still that I was their nanny and now im their step mom. As much as we bonded as me being the "nanny" its so different now that im their step mom. It almost seems that I have to prove myself all over again.

The pregnancy has not been going good. A few weeks ago I made my second month and then tragedy struck. I started bleeding and I ran to the emergency room. I lost the baby and I am so sad. I feel as though I failed. I keep thinking what I could have done differently.

I told Marcos about the pregnancy and me losing the baby. He was devastated. He didn't know how to console me. I didnt need his consolation. I needed to be by myself for a while.

I know that I have shut Marcos out but I just need a little time. Marcos is a great husband and he understands. He kisses me when he comes home and always says, "remember I love you and i'm waiting for you". That is the main reason why I love my husband and for tonight I will cook him dinner and tell him how much I love him. I just hope he forgives me for shutting him out.

Ian Barillas -Chapter 7

Ian (35), Mary (34), Darcy (9), Sayra (4)
Narrated by Ian.

Mary and I have a good thing going on. I would never deny that. I love her but there is something missing. Lately she has been talking about getting married and I seriously am not there yet.

She is still not working so we are struggling financially. I still work as a supervisor at the garage but its still not enough. Mary just doesn't understand that getting married is just another financial obligation I don't want.

Darcy my son with Debbie (my ex-wife) comes over by himself. My older boys Julio and August have decided to go to college. I miss them but I know that I want them to do what I never did.

Sayra is growing up and I feel guilty when I hold my daughter. I know she deserves so much more. Lately I have been arguing non stop with Mary. I would leave but I just cant live without my Sayra.

There has been plenty of new businesses opening up in the new city of Bluewater. It seems that they are developing quicker than Viramontes. This baker in Bluewater is the best. When I drive around I sometimes think of moving here.

I have become a faithful client and have decided to bring Darcy along for breakfast. He loves the fact that its just us two hanging out.

I hate to admit it but I am having an affair. Her name is Ana Survich. She too frequents the bakery. We actually met trying to buy the last piece of pie. We shared it and since then we have been "dating". I have not told her about Mary. I don't feel strong enough in my feelings for Ana to leave Mary. At least not yet.

I am spending more time with Ana. Our "dating" has become physical. I am careful though because I don't want another unexpected pregnancy. That is how Mary and I began living with each other and I don't want the same circumstances with Ana.

I got home one morning and found Mary in bed. I was perplexed and I have to admit a little upset. She looked up from her book and gave me the glare. I thought for sure she knew I was having an affair. To my surprise she said she missed us having sex. She wanted to surprise me and she also mentioned the possibility of having another child. Was she serious? I just walked out. I have to make a decision and fast.

Brianna Barillas-Chalmers Ch 7

Brianna (35), Neal (36) their kids: Taylor (7) and Isaiah (5)

The family is still getting used to having both kids go to school. It is so nice to see that the whole family gets ready and is out the door on time.

Neal has really enjoyed his promotion to Commander and has even contemplated pursing further promotions. As of now he enjoys coming home and barbecuing for us.

When I am off, we managed to get some basketball games in. Lately I have been feeling tired and not really up for playing B-Ball.

We are also trying to socialize more. Ever since Mary came and asked for my advice on Ian I have been feeling guilty. I think Ian is indeed cheating on her but I have not proved it. I guess my effort in making them work is by inviting them over and having them see how well our family gets along.

The best feeling is still laying in bed together. I told Neal that I had my doctor's appointment and he was going to call with some lab results. Neal was scared but I was not. For some reason I was confident everything was going to turn out right.

I got the news from the doctor and I ran to tell Neal. He was shocked that I just barged into the bathroom. I couldn't help but blurt out, "i'm pregnant". Neal just stared at me. He was surprised since I was told I could never have kids. This is the reason we had two beautiful adopted children. Now we had this miracle baby and we didn't know how to react.

I had a very low key baby shower. My sister-in-laws and sisters were shocked to hear that I was pregnant. Neal took very good care of me. He made sure I did nothing that would cause a miscarriage.

The kids were happy but we quelled their fears of us loving this baby more. Both Neal and I have never from the kids hid the fact that we were honored to adopt them.

Gratefully they get along. Sometimes I wonder how it will be when the new baby arrives. I am sure that they will love it as much as they love each other. Neal could not be happier. He even told me that he had even contemplated asking about adopting again prior to my big announcement.

We try to have family game night and as always reinforce that we are a family no matter what. I think my kids are the best (of course im biased). Neal enjoys the llama game a bit to much. Where as I tend to hold back Neal actually gets competitive.

Soon enough it was time for me to give birth. I was a little scared because it was my first ever birth.

We welcomed a beautiful baby girl and named her Samira.

Consuelo Barillas Chapter 11

Consuelo (42) her wife Maura (42)
Their kids living at home: Jaquelyn (19) and her wife Opal (19)


Consuelo has been trying her best to keep this business going but it has become tedious in the past year. She loves that Maura helps her. Her new daughter-in-law Opal has shown interest but its still not enough.

She didnt mean to but Consuelo looked at the realestate market and found that her old childhood home was still up for sale. It was a beach site and maybe with the sale of this enormous place she could pay off some debt. Maura looked hesitant at first but then decided to go for it.

They broke the news to the girls the next morning. They offered them to move with them or they could venture and get their own apartment. Jaquelyn wanted to continue living with them. Maura was concerned that they literally have not done anything after graduation. Sure they help in Consuelo's business but what about their own future? Maura told them that they could move but they needed to find jobs.

On the closing day Consuelo sighed when she had the keys to her old childhood home. She could not believe that this was now her home. Maura felt the lay out needed some work. Consuelo had not problem changing the lay out at all. She just wanted to be home again.

After everyone settled in their new furnishings Opal and Jaquelyn discussed things about their future. Opal didn't have a care while Jaquelyn was considering getting a loan to do college at home. She was asking Opal if this was a good idea when she noticed Opal had fallen into a deep sleep.

The next morning Consuelo asked if everyone slept comfortably in their new rooms. Opal said she did and was ready to start working in the store. Consuelo said it would be a while before she constructed and opened the store but she would be hired as a cashier.

eight months later the store opened and Consuelo had a great opening day. She vowed she would take more time to get to know her customers. Before her philosophy was to just go ahead and sell sell sell! Now she was more into knowing her community. Hopefully it would all work out.

College years: Audrina, Lizandra and Lauren Barillas.

Lauren (19) her husband Alon (20), Audrina (19) , Lizandra (19) and her husband Orlando (19).
College Years:

Freshman Year:

All of them minus Orlando sat down together to try to grasp this whole college thing. Orientation was over and now it was time to get down to business. Audrina proposed that every year they sit down and make sure that everyone graduates together. After all Audrina, Lizandra and Lauren are part of a quad. Alon smiles, nods and then agrees that they should meet often. They live in the same dorm but they each have declared different majors. Lauren has declared herself a Psych Major while her husband Alon has decided on Economics. Audrina has declared a Politics science major. Lizandra is a lit major while her husband is still undeclared.

Lizandra and Orlando seem to be involved in love and displaying it any chance they get. They are into being in bed more than making it to class.

Audrina manages to meet some guys but her plan is spoiled when her brother-in-law Alon comes to join them. She was aghast that he actually wanted to do some research.

At the end of their senior year, not everyone was happy with their grades. Lizandra saw Lauren and was devastated. It seems that Orlando failed and she was now a sophomore while Orlando would be a freshman. All in all Lauren understood.
Here are the final grades for Freshman year.
Lizandra Grade: B Grant: $700
Orlando (her husband) Grade: F Grant $0 Held back Academic probation.
Lauren Grade: C+ Grant: $500
Alon (her husband) Grade: C+ Grant $500
Audrina Grade: D Grant: $0 Held back Academic Probation.
Sophomore Year:

They have all been trying to get together to discuss grades now that they were all sophmores but to Alon's surprise not everyone made it. Lizandra came into the cafeteria and informed him that both Orlando and Audrina were on Academic Probation. This was awful and Lauren could barely finish her food.

Again Orlando did not meet them since he was over this college thing. Audrina was upset and promised to study harder. For sure she would not be graduating with them. She was now a year behind.

Hearing the news Consuelo and Maura decided to take a trip to their old college campus. Both of them were nostalgic to see their old dorm. They saw their daughter Audrina and hugged her. They told that she just needed to put forth some effort and it will all be OK.

Jacquelyn also came for the trip. She wanted to see what she was missing in choosing not to pursue college. Lately she has been thinking if she made a mistake but she would never admit that to her parents nor her wife.

At the end of Sophomore year things did seem to take a serious turn. Only three of them met to discuss grades. Lauren and Alon were looking at Lizandra and were hoping that the marriage between Liz and Orlando would make it. Lizandra has been stressed knowing that Orlando is studying more and getting tutored..but at the same time he is ignoring her more. Hopefully Lauren's marriage wont suffer negligence now that they were Juniors.
Grades:
Lizandra Grade: D Grant $0 Held back Academic probation.
Orlando (her husband) Grade:B Grant $700 He is now finally a sophomore.
Lauren Grade: C- Grant: $400
Alon (her husband) Grade: C Grant $400
Audrina Grade: b Grant: $700 Finally a sophomore.

Amarilis Barillas Chapter 11

Amarilis (42), Meadow (42)
Arthur (12), Julieta, Ramon and Raquel (4)
Narrated by Amarilis.

We have both feeling under the weather. There's this bug going around and it really doesn't help if the family gets together and spreads the germs.

Arthur turned 13 and he is starting to meet a ton of people. He told us right away that he was gay and he hoped we were not sad his news. How could we be sad? Were two gay mom's raising our kids. We don't influence anyone's sexual preference. We are worried that this guy he's talking too is a little too old he is nearly 19. Too old to be hanging out with Arthur.,

I invited everyone over for the triplets birthday party. Finally we were done with high chairs, and potties. We were even asked if we would have more kids and we both said ,"NO".

I was happy to see the family together. Renee (Marcos') new wife seems to be getting along with everyone. I think she was overwhelmed with the size of her new extended family.

As always I wanted to get my garden together. I know the kids are older so they can help me out more. Meadow insists that I am using child labor.

Too much time in the sun and this is what I get. This glass of water is not helping because all I want to do is faint.

Arthur and Julieta are getting along fine. He is always playing with her. Now that the kids are older we can do so much more with them.

Meadow and Raquel have a good time dancing while Arthur tries to pass the current level of his video game obsession. When I walk into these scenes it makes my heart warm up with love.

Meadow and I are still hot for each other. The other day our younger kids asked why we weren't married. We never really felt we had the need to. I think Meadow maybe changing her mind. Until it comes up again then we will put the issue on the table. Til then we are just happy being together and in love.

It seems that our advice to Arthur has worked because he is now talking to Alon Livingston, our newspaper boy. Now this seems more appropriate but we decided not to say anything.

They seem to be getting along. My son is more flirty than I would have ever imagined him to be. I love seeing that he has my mom's red hair and he's attracted to red heads. Go figure.