Ice Jasmine here! Hope this finds you well and happy!  Me, I am looking forward to school: we're having a big party for St. Patrick's Day in the gym at noon; it's more like a half-day for us.  About time; we kids need to unwind, and so do the teachers!

They'll be serving green tea, corned beef and cabbage, potatoes, and other Irish fare for lunch.  Sounds yummy!  

I will be wearing my best green sweater and dark green pants.  I will be green from head to toe.  LOL  NOT going without wearing green today: I made that mistake a few years back ... never again: I got pinched; I ended up getting bruises on top of my bruises!  LOL  

Lesson learned, the hard way! LOL

Papi has a new job!!  He started last week, and he loves it!  He's working at a local restaurant as a dishwasher; he works anywhere from four to eight hours a day (longer shifts on the weekends), which will mean more money coming in for the family and for the bills.  He is so happy; it's great to see him smiling or hearing him sing!!

Mami is happier too.  She can concentrate on caring for us, and caring for us is a neverending job, especially when it comes to the Brat Diva (Nevaeh Grace) and the two special-needs kids (Fawn Jerrica, who is 14, and Bronson, who is nine).  Bronnie is severely autistic and Fawn has brain damage and CP.

I am trying hard to get along better with Fawn and with Bronson, but how do you communicate effectively with people who can't talk or even acknowledge your presence? It's like beating a dead horse sometimes! Very frustrating!

It's no wonder my other brother (Jesus) acts out so often in school!  He has to bear the brunt of Bronson's shenanigans and what's more, they share a room.  I share a room with Fawnie, but she isn't too bad, really.  She's a champion smiler, and she loves life.  I always think, if she can find reason to be happy, then maybe I should learn to do the same!

When we get out of school today, we are going to go downtown for the big St. Patrick's Day parade.  They have one every year.  They will also serve a huge dinner of more Irish fare, and they will have Irish entertainment on the stage they have set up downtown, on the main square.  It's gonna be fun!

Hopefully Bronson will not run off and hopefully Nevaeh won't whine too much.  Fawn, the most she will do is squeal excitedly, but that's okay.  She loves being around people, and that is her way of letting off some pent-up energy or steam.  As long as she's happy, we won't stop her.  And besides, she isn't at a place like church or the store, where loud noises are usually frowned upon by people.  :)

I am going to have to put Bronson on his leash; that way, he will be guaranteed not to run off into the crowd.  That would only spell disaster!  (I't happened before, and there isn't a more helpless feeling to know that your autistic, non-verbal brother has run off again!)

School is going better; I'm not nearly as stressed.  Maybe it's because spring is finally coming here, I don't know, but I seem to be a lot happier than I've been lately.  The trees are just starting to bud, and I've seen my first daffodils and crocuses!  I am so glad spring is here; I got tired of the long, cold winter!!  I hate cold weather; give me warm days and sunshine any day!!

Also, there's only three months left of the school year, which can only mean one thing: SUMMER VACATION!!!!  NOT long now, folks!

Well, I'm gonna go; the bus is here!  I will write in here again soon; until later, this is Ice Esquival saying adios!  Hasta luego!!

~Amor, tu amiga, Ice Jasmine.  :)