Asia Dominguez ch 10- Private way is the best way.

Asia (42) her husband Vincent (45)
Naremi (14) (adopted by Asia), children with Vincent: twins, Paul and Simon.

Narrated by Asia

I have no idea how I would have done this on my own without Vincent's help. He has taken some time off his job to help raise the boys.

I leave early to teach school and he gets up to bathe, feed and clothe our kids.

Naremi has also been a great help. We still have our dog who is now older and not that much active. I think Naremi gets sad when we she sees that cuddles can not get around like he used to.

I try to get home early but being a high school teacher can be tough. Lately I have been thinking that we should do more for Naremi's education. I brought up the idea of private school and Naremi would not hear of it.

She even promised to learn to play the violin if only she were left in public school. I told her not to bother because she will be doing both. I want what is best for Naremi and this is it.

I could tell she was visibly upset but in the future she will thank me. I do this for her future not to ruin her friendships like she says.

We celebrated the boys birthday with some Lobsters I picked up. Its hard for me to believe that I have all my kids going to school. Its truly amazing. For now Vincent and I enrolled them in public school but eventually we will transition them into private school as well.

Naremi finally accepted her fate of private school and has been in a better mood. I hope this mood lasts for a while for the sake of all of us.

Marcos Barillas- Happy to be alive.

Marcos (41), his wife Renee (32)
Marcos kids from previous marriage: David, Eugenio, Pearla and Mateo (quads) 14
Marcos kids with Renee: Twins, Germelo and Anai (3)

Narrated by Renee

After being married for a while you start to fall into a routine. Ours is to lay there at dawn and relish in the peace and quiet of the house. This usually does not last too long.

Marcos and I have finally finished our Master degree programs. Marcos can now finally advance in his career. While I will stay at home for a little bit with the kids.

Anai is learning new things everyday. I can not believe how fast the twins are growing up.

Nap time is getting harder for them because they can now verbalize their protests. I just give them a kiss and tell them they have to take a nap. If they don't then I would never get anything done.

The time I love the most is when Marcos' kids come to stay with us. I used to be their nanny and it warms me to see them growing up.

Pearla and I have always been close. Now that she's 14 she is beginning to tell me about boys that she thinks are cute. I listen but the dating rules are set forth by her mom and dad not me.

Even though we have technically achieved our masters, Marcos still has his thesis to finish. I managed to get mine done but it helped that for now I am a stay home mom.

Instead of doing any school work, I now take the time to get some exercise in. I started gaining a little too much weight and I want to be a good example to my kids. So off to run on our new treadmill I go.

Marcos and the kids had a great idea to host a party to celebrate our degrees. It was something that we threw together. I called his family and they pretty much were all able to come over to celebrate.

While we were getting ready for the party, I glanced and saw Pearla talking to Eugenio's friend Anthony. It looked like Pearla was in awe of him.

It was great to get to celebrate our achievement with friends and family. It has been a long time that we actually had everyone over. We both looked at each other and realized how lucky we really were.

The party was a success. Marcos was busy trying to catch up with everyone that managed to show up. It meant a lot to him that Justin and my sister-in-law LaShawn drove all the way here.

Poor Lashawn was telling me that raising triplets was not what she thought it would be. She is also going for her Masters but is no where near. She is university guest lecturer but tells me that she is ready to quit and become a stay home mom.

Talking with LaShawn I managed to see Pearla and Anthony talking. For a minute I thought Pearla was going to kiss him in the middle of our living room. Anthony backed away and kept shaking his head no. I hope this does not crush Pearla too badly.

Marcos and Justin were talking all night long. Justin's business is growing and he is even venturing in different markets now. Marcos loves his baby brother to pieces and hopes that one day Justin will be able to come visit more.

After we said good night to everyone I looked at Marcos and said,
"I am so happy to be with you."
"and I with you. Now lets go upstairs and have our own celebrations"

Marcos and I made it to bed and spent the rest of the night appreciating each other. This is what make me happy to be alive!

Sim pic extras:

The quads are Marcos' kids from his first marriage to Linda. They are friends and when Renee says she was the kids nanny its because she worked for Linda. Linda hired Renee as a nanny after her divorce from Marcos. It was only by chance that Marcos and Renee met at a club many years later and seemed to hit it off because of the kids.

Here are Marcos holding Germelo and Renee holding Anai.

Ian Barillas -Chapter 10 Teach them to fish.

Ian (41)
Children (currently living at home): Julio (24) and Darcy (15)
August (24) and Sayra (10).

Narrated by Ian and Julio.
Ian~~~~~~

One thing I noticed ever since Mary and I split up is how much crap accumalates in this house. I and the boys try to clean up but its a never ending pile!

The stove is a mess to clean up. I really have no idea how Mary kept it so nice and clean around here. I would hire a maid but with all the child support I have to pay I just cant afford a maid.

Julio lost his job and was not happy about it. I told him to come and work for me in the mechanic shop but he just did not want to. It hurts me to see my son down like this. Ever since August got married, Julio just feels lonely. They are twins and have never been separated until now.

I tried to tell Julio to date but he just gives me a blank stare. I love my son but I know that there is no real difference in my eyes dating a man versus a woman. I know my son is gay and I have no problems with it. I just want him to get out there and meet a man...anyone! He is 24 and is more of a home body than I am.

I dragged his butt out and gave him money and told him to socialize and win. I just hope he does not lose it all because Julio is not a great poker player.

I noticed he kept staring at the bartender so I told him to go for it. I don't think it went to well because after their little chat he was anxious to leave. I told him to take me where he would meet someone and to my surprise he told me a cafe. Seriously? OK fine lets go there and meet someone..anyone!!!
Julio~~~~~~

Aren't dads just suppose to stay home while their kids go out to mingle? Not mine! He is on my ass to meet someone. Just because he will lay with a woman if she breathes on him he wants me to be the same. I told him that I would meet someone here. I just want a breather!

Before long I saw him following some old woman into a room. We all here saw them both go in. Everyone here knows what that room is for.

I could only imagine what my father was doing. I honestly do not think that I inherited his suaveness to date.

I started to mingle and there were a lot of gay guys there that night. My dad was tired and he said that he wanted to go home. I stayed and talked. People were starting to come in from the clubs and well he told me to mingle right?

One guy really got my attention. He asked me if I was there to meet him and I said no. Apparently he was being stood up. We started talking and he asked me if I wanted a coffee. I said sure why not.

We literally talked all night long. I had not had this great conversation or chemistry in a long time. The last guy that even remotely made feel this way was Guy. His name was Anthony Hiatt and we clicked immediately.

We exchanged information and kissed each other farewell. I think it went good but now the waiting game begins.

I got home and of course they all thought I had slept over some guys house. I was sleepy but that disappeared when I saw my twin August there.

I had not seen August in a long time but he was leaving as I was getting in. Dad asked about last night I told him and he wished me luck. The doorbell rang and I got up to get it.

I noticed a small rose on the floor with my dad's name on it. I knew it was from the lady he was with last night. To my surprise I also saw Anthony about to drop off some roses for me.

He was so embarrassed because he wanted it to be a surprise for me. I thought it was the sweetest thing and asked him out on a date. I told him to let me change and we would go out to eat.

********

We have been out on several dates. We never seem to get bored of each other. We even went to do Karaoke and we both laughed at each other's singing.


We both agreed that our best dates were when we did not sing. We had been out almost every night and finally one day Anthony mentioned if I would like to be exclusive. There was not hesitation on my part and I said yes.

We did a little toast to our new relationship and were ecstatic to be together.

That night we wound up at my apartment and in my dad's bed. It felt wierd but I knew that my dad was going to stay out late. After we were finished he left and I went to sleep.

The next morning I was so embarrassed when Darcy told me if I could keep it down next time. I could not believe that my little brother heard us! Next time Anthony and I will go to his place. He lives in the outskirts of Viramontes but I rather travel than have Darcy hear us.

Anthony came to see me again and I told him about Darcy hearing us. He was so embarrassed. I told him to come up and meet my brother and dad. He did not know what to do but he came up anyway.

I could hear my dad and Darcy talking. Anthony just held my hand tight when we walked in and I introduced everyone.

Dad seemed to like Anthony. He did not act too goofy around us which I appreciated. James looked like he too enjoyed the lunch my dad had prepared.

Now that he met half of my family we were good. I like Anthony a lot and I am just happy that we met at the right place at the right time. I guess I do owe my dad thanks for forcing me out to socialize that night. If things could not get any better we both decided to move in together. We are going to look into buying a house. A small one but at least it will be ours.