Francisco Otani Leopardi-ch 9

Franciso Otani (39) his wife Shelby (39)
Their kids: Quads: Angel, Francisco, Nevada and Sergio

Narrated by Otani

The kids are all excited to be back in school. I was totally opposite from this growing up. I guess I should be happy that they love discussing math at home.

Shelby is steady working at her bacherlors degree. I think that she herself did not realize how much she would enjoy going back to school. Now that the kids are getting older it's easier for her to get work done.

For the kids birthday they did not want anything so we gave them a small little birthday party. I can not believe that we are now parents of teenagers. They make me feel so old!

Shelby has been feeling the age thing too. That night she told me that she remembered when we discovered that she was having quads. We both laughed when we thought about the small apartment that we were living in.

Now that they are teens they are always wanting to go out. If they even stay inside its like they have ants in their pants. Before it was give them a book. Now they are running all over the house driving their mother crazy.

Finally we took them to the park so they could burn off all that extra energy.

At Viramontes new park they have decided to have instruments there for people to use. I guess they want to promote new musicians to ban together and entertain. It was not that entertaining hearing Nevada trying to play the drums.

We all headed to the bowling alley after. It is great, this stage where its a little more competitive than before. Now we can actually try to beat each other instead of watching that they don't drop a bowling ball.

******

And of course with the teenagedom comes the boys and girls calling this house. I have walked by and seen Nevada on the phone too many times. I know that she has friends but I have to have Shelby try to figure out who she is on the phone with all the time.

Just because we feel older does not mean that we do not go out. Now with teens we feel a little better about going out. It is like a new found freedom.

Shelby even tried to act like she did not know me. I guess she wanted to spice things up between us. I just got nervous and told her I did not want the bouncer to kick me out for harassment.

We even did some karaoke. She is way better than I am but hey it was fun.

Of couse while we were gone we were told that Nevada was on the phone non stop. We just have to make sure that she does not grow up too fast. She knows dating is at 15 not 13!

Extras:

I was amazed when I sat Nevada next to her mom. I think they look alike no? He has her dad's eyes.

Austin Miguel ch 10- We are family.

Austin Miguel II (39) his wife Kea (36)
Their children: Austin Victor III (12) and Venizio (4)

Narrated by Kea.

My baby is going to turn 5 and I do not want him to. I look at him and just stare at him in awe. I sometimes think about having another baby. I still remember Miguel being against me getting pregnant the second time. I surely doubt he will want another one. I still wonder what it would be like to have a little girl.

When I have work at home to do Victor takes care of his little brother. They have this bond even thought they are 8 years apart. I want them to grow up close together.

Ariel came over from her job the other day to tell me that she is having mixed feelings about her ex--husband frances. After the death of my niece Alexa, they have been brought closer together. I still don't understand why they even split up. It doesn't matter because Ariel says he dating and she has been dating a guy for over 3 years. I made sure she would come to Venizio's party to talk some more.

******

All of Miguel's family members came to wish Venizio happy birthday. I love having family time because enforces that families should stick together.

Miguel loves barbecuing so he was already cooking the burgers and hot dogs.

The cousins were all playing inside and Venizio loved drawing for them.

Soon it was time to cut the cake. Miguel was so proud to hold his son. I was happy that so far we have had an easy life.

After he hugged me and kissed me. He told me that he loved me and I told him that I loved him too. Its hard to believe how fast time flies. We have been married for 16 years. We were hugging and talking when Africa asked if she could talk to Miguel.

I saw them talking from a distance and it looked like it was something serious. I hoped it was not that anyone else was sick. I could see that Africa was hiding back tears.

He called me over and I sat down. This is when he told me that Laci and Africa were in severe financial trouble. I knew that Laci had not been working in a while....so how did they afford their children and the house? I never knew. Africa wanted Miguel to take Sasha and Nicolas for the next two year. Apparently she asked if miguel could pay for their schooling too. I was in shock.

I did not hear what Miguel said because I was thinking of how we were going to afford their misjudgement. Miguel and Africa hugged. I went upstairs because I needed time to process this.

Miguel came up and explained to me that Africa owed almost $1ook and her debt was climbing. We would house, clothe and feed Nicolas and Sasha until they go to college. That is a big IF they go. I think this was a bad move on our part. Why not just offer them money?

I told Miguel that I felt that we should not take this on because we had our own kids. He insisted that it was his sister and she needed help. I had nothing to say since family is important to me. I did not want to sound like a hypocrite so I agreed.

*******

A few weeks later Africa came by with Nicolas and Sasha. I could tell that Sasha was upset at having to live with us.

Nicolas said he wanted to get a job and move out instead but Africa said no. That if they did want to go to college then they both needed to save whatever money for that. Africa was doing all the talking while Laci looked so embarrassed to be there.

*******

It was a transition for all of us for the twins to be there but we were all starting to adapt.

They have proven to be a big help and both might go to college. I just hope that they are not to emotionally scared from moving from their house to here. For now I just hope they realize were family and were there to support one another.

Juno Leopardi-ch10 - Giving my best.

Juno (41)
Her kids: twins: Phillip and Stewart (14) Quads: Cristina, Hugo, Lewis and Othaniel (4)
Narrated by Juno

Otani comes over and makes sure that I am OK. I have to admit that I love having my brother over. He has been my shoulder to cry and lean on since Jade passed away.

I try to stay upbeat for my kids but this is not happening. Otani insists that I go talk to someone but right now I just want to be sad.

It's worse when the kids go to sleep. This is the time when I cry and miss Jade so much. I don't know what I did to have her taken away from me.

It's even worse when I catch one of the kids looking at our pictures. Phillip holds his emotions inside him. He cried at Jades funeral but does not really mentions her much.

Now that the toddler stage is over I could not be happier. I love my kids but changing four kids diapers all the time was getting tiresome. This also means that they are going to school and that means I have to come up with the cash somehow.

I am always scared that the kids will forget their mom Jade. They were only 3 when she passed. I hear Hugo and Othaniel talking about her seldomly. I think they vaguely remember her.

With all kids off to school, this gives me time to look at my finances. As of now this does not look good. I crunched numbers and I have to make some drastic changes. The first is to pull Phillip and Stewart from Private school and place them in a public one.

I also started growing some tomatoes. I heard its a little bit of a money maker plus the kids need some chores to learn responsibility.

*****

Beatrix called and asked me to go out to the park with her. I have not seen her since the funeral and she wanted to check up on me. It felt great to talk to her and get out a little bit. She lived with us so she knows more intimate details from my marriage to Jade. She asked if I was going to start dating again in the future. I honestly said it was not in my plans.

We talked about kids and then Chris came by to pick her up. Chris has been a great guy to Beatrix. I never thought she would get serious about someone until he came along.

They said goodbye to me and I stared at them missing my own connection with Jade. I never thought about dating because honestly right now my kids are my world. I now had to go home and tell two of them that I was changing their school. I hope they would not be too upset.


I sat both Phillip and Stewart down and told them that this family could not afford private school any more.

Their look on their faces almost killed me. They offered to work and help with the bills but it would still not be enough. Stewart looked more hurt than Phillip. In the end they both agreed, not as though they had a choice.


Stewart went upstairs and I could hear him playing his violin. I know he does this when he's upset.

Then I found out that he has been talking a LOT to one of his classmates and this is why he does not want to leave his school.

She came over to dinner and even tried to advocate for me just sending Stewart to private school. That was out of the question. I did not really care for this girl. I hope she is just someone that Stewart will move on from.

As a treat I offered to take everyone skating in the park. Phillip and Stewart declined but Hugo, Cristina, Othaniel and Lewis were ecstatic to go. I hope that they realize that I am doing the best that I can.

Africa Dominguez-In too deep.

Agrice(42) her partner Laci (42)
Their children living at home: twins Sasha and Nicolas (16), Quads: Amin, Caleb, Kenya and Sahara (5), Quads: Anne, Ellen, Mayra and Ryan (2)

Narrated by Africa

There has been financial troubles brewing for a while here. I try to get Laci to cheer up but she is not happy. She has been unable to find a job and it has put a strain on us.

I feel that sometimes Laci regrets me getting pregnant again. How was I supposed to know that I would have quads back to back. I know its hard but soon we will miss this stage.

I am still on leave from work but that is ending soon. I have to go back but that would mean Laci has to stay home with the kids. We can not afford a baby sitter and our loan is killing us as it is.

I know Laci is stressed but lately we are no as romantic as before. With 10 kids under this roof its hard to find time alone.

We both agreed that we need help. Suki offered Laci a job at her salon but that would mean we need to spend more money on a Nanny. Upcoming school fees are really going to hit us financially so I told Laci I was going to ask my brother Miguel for help.

Laci felt embarrassed and even asked why we just did not sell the house and move into a smaller apartment. How could we even do that with 10 kids now? I could ask Dominica if she could spare the room but that would be too far away. Miguel is are only option for right now.

I promised Laci it would be alright. She smiled but I know a fake smile when I see it. I just hope Miguel can help us out.