"Dancing Through Life"

Temple a house of God

2012-02-01T07:40:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday we had the opportunity to visit the temple and had the privilege to go in with 2 of our children. Sarah and Jed are now old enough to go in and last Saturday was Jed's first time. The kids did a couple of my family's names and I got to do some of my husbands family names as well. I had the opportunity to seal my grandparents too. What a spiritual high it was for me, what a wonderful feeling of being in temple together. I felt like I was home. I'm grateful for Temples and the blessing we receive.

Projects!

2012-01-27T07:48:00.000-08:00

So this Year I'm set goals for myself. One of them is to make start and finish a project every month. January project is to give new life the our living room tables. And here is the result, I mod-ponged it with a travel the world them. It was fun and I can wait to finish the next one. I'm planning to give my living room a Makeover, but since we don't have the money to buy all kinds of things, I will do it by turning what we are ready have into some thing new, wish me luck!

the After

The before

Our new addition to the Family

2012-01-27T07:38:00.000-08:00

After many years of pleading kids, we got a Cat for Sarah. Her name is Morgana. She is so sweet and very playful. She hides in the oddest places, and gets crazy some time :) We named her Morgana. We were inspired by the show "Merlin"

Morgana on my Bed, she is so spoil

She has become my date time companion she follows me around, and most of the time she likes to sleep in our bed. (mix feeling about that one) However once the kids come home from school she forgets about me and can't decide what kids she is most excited about. She has brought so much into our lives and we hope to have her for many years.

Jed turns 12 and becomes a Decon

2012-01-27T07:30:00.000-08:00

In our Church 12yrs old is a special birthday for both girls and boys, since they move up to the youth program. However boy have the opportunity to receive the preparatory priesthood (Aaronnic Priesthood). So this birthday was a mild stone in Jed's life. We are do proud of him, specially because he has taking it very seriously. But we are mostly happy because, he has the desired to worthy of his priesthood, therefore he wants to be obedient to our Father in Heaven and he loves his gospel.

His Birthday!!

he was ordained by his father on Jan 15th

We are happy parents

He passed the sacrament for the first time last Sunday, and It was great to see him out there even when he is the only Deacon in our ward :)
We hope he continues to grow in the gospel and that he always remember he is a child of God.

Our Year in Review

2012-01-24T18:14:00.000-08:00

I can dedicate more time to our blog since I'm done with school so here I go. First, I will give you a quick review of our 2011 year. Enjoy!

Mexican for a day (my parents visit Cleveland)

The Marin Family...We are growing up!!

We go Mexican for a day, My family
visited us in May and we had a blast We went to our favorite Mexican restaurant. We know is not the best but we really like it!

pretending to be a ghost

Buddies

sweet brothers

Promotions

Sarah and Jed hit a another mild stone this year, they both move up to a new School. Sarah Finish Middle school and Jed finish Elementary School. But first they needed to matriculate from their present schools. It was a full day Sarah ceremony was early in the morning and Jed's a little later in the day. Megan was at school so we got to get some graduates time. Sarah got Merit Roll recognition and she cried because she didn't get Honor roll. It is only a .6 points difference, between the two So in other words the difference between A and A+ . Jed and Sarah were awarded the presidential award and Jed received tickets to go see an Indians games for best safety patrol student, he demonstrated responsibility and kindness . Jed ceremony was later in the morning and after we went to Applebees to celebrate.

Sarah got honor Roll Medal

Sarah's Classmates and soon to move to high School as well

Sarah enjoying a dessert shot

Jed and his gifted classmates giving a presentation

Jed making his entrance

Jed celebrating, he looks so handsome!

Jed receiving awards

Her little group of girlfriends

Summer
We had an awesome but very busy summer. With lots of changes and fun trips. In April we started with
"This is Kirtland", The whole family was involved except Megan. Sarah work back stage, Bill and Jed were part of the cast and I did costumes as the past few years. Our family was so busy, we missed a few activities but we loved being part of the play. We met new people, got to know some more of others, cried and laugh together. The best part was to really feel the spirit and work together as a family. We came home very tired every night but what a great spiritual experience prove to be. Daddy twisted his ankle and couldn't dance for a few night, yes he did dance and was the most energetic Brigham Young. Jed played the part of Sydney's son ,Algernon. He and Sarah missed our trip to Canada because of the play. But they want to do it again this year.

Listening to the plans for the Temple

Ready for the show

Jed during at the school

About to delivered his lines


Megan was in all the rehearsals and shows, here she is with Sarah waiting for the show to start

A Quick Trip to Canada (Alan gets baptized)

Megan and my parents

The baptism

In July Megan and I had the privilege to attend my nephew's baptism and birthday party, it was such a great experience. He had one on one time with Megan and we loved taking a break with the family.

Cub-scout Jed (4th of July)
We love the 4th of July.This year was Jed's last year to participate in the Flag ceremony as a cub-scout, for our ward celebration, he sure is growing up. Then we had the usual breakfast and bicycle parade.

Jed and his troop

Participating in the bike parade


Waiting for the fireworks to start!

Swimming Lessons


Smiling for the Camera

Megan was the only one to take swimming lessons this year. The other two know how to swing and with all the other activities swim team was not part of our summer plans. Now if I can only learn to swim myself!!

New Minivan

So we had a horrible experience with our mechanic and the van, so bad that I don't want to talked about it. Needless to say we bought and new to us van and we got a new mechanic! I did have to find a new body shop as well since I hit another car backing up in a parking lot, plus I didn't again later in the year :( Now we are just glad we have a reliable car so we can go visit family!!

Up State New York Trip (sacred grove)

Megan has been learning about our church history and was very interested in visiting the sacred grove in upstate NY. So after the show ended the kids and I took a trip up there. It was raining but we enjoyed it none the less. We got to visit all the sites and enjoyed some nice quality time. The best part for me was to walk the grove, it doesn't matter how many times I visit I feel the wonderful and special feeling of the sacredness of this place.

Part of the sacred grove

B.O.M Languages

The printing press

Smith cabin

The sacred grove


The Hill Cumorah

Our Family Vacation

Bill didn't have many vacations days left since he had to take a week when I went to Germany. However, we had a long weekend mini vacation. We pack it up to get the most out of it. It was our first minivan trip. First we went to Gettysburg, then to New Jersey once there we visited the Statue of liberty and the boardwalk. On our way our new to us minivan broke down, thanks to our road assistance we stayed in a nice hotel. At the end, all that it was wrong with the van was a wrench that our dealership have left in the engine. We made home a day late but we made it safely.

Welcome back to the 2011 school Year

This year meant new schools for Sarah and Jed, Sarah Started High School and Jed Middle School. Sarah Joined the marching band and Jed joined robotics Club and Student Counsel. Mommy starter and finished her last College semester.

Jed at the Student Counsel Induction reception

Jed receiving his Student council pin

Sarah in her formal band uniform

Sarah at homecoming

Duran Duran Concert

After many years of waiting Duran Duran came to town and we got to go see the concert. We really enjoyed it, however my Bill enjoyed the best :)

Megan Winter Concert

Megan got a duet this year and she did amazing. She wore a skirt I made the night before and while making it my machine broke down. Thanks to my visiting teaching that lend me her machine for the night I got finish.

Me the graduate

After many years of trying I finally accomplish my goal to get my Bachelors degree. I graduated with a 3.02gpa specializing in Marketing. What great day it was, But I couldn't have done it without the help of Heavenly Father and my family. My hubby threw me a party as well, it was a viking theme.

So this was our year we wish for a better 2012!

We are still live!

2011-10-31T07:48:00.000-07:00

Ok I haven't forgotten you my dear follower :). It is only the my schedule at school and home is crazy!!! so I will post as soon as I have a free minute there are lost of neat things going on in our family. We have lots of pictures too! See you soon!

Mommy goes to Germany

2011-06-20T09:29:00.000-07:00

I had the chance to do a short study abroad this spring. I got to visit 3 cities in Germany. Our tour include Hadenhine, Munich and Berlin. We visited business and manufactures. I got to write a paper and do a presentation after the trip. It was a lot of work but very rewarding. I did miss my family a lot, hanging out with a bunch of college age students was not all that, specially when all they wanted to do was drink and party every night. Thanks to my husband and my kids that allowed me to have this experience. My professors that gave me good references so I could be accepted into the program. And the scholarship I earned to attend.

At a restaurant in Munich!

The plaza Virgen in Munich

Belin's gate

Part of the Berlin wall

Capital Building Berlin

Jewish memorial

Big Girl Megan

2011-03-05T06:35:00.000-08:00

Megan is in "I'm a big girl mode" I hear the last couple of weeks the following
"I'm a big girl I don't need books of Crayons for Sacrament meeting"
"I'm going to make myself a Peanut butter and Jelly Sandwich for lunch today"
"I'm a big girl I don't need my night light anymore"
She sure is growing up. She wants to grow taller as qell, but we probably have to wait on the one a for a little while. I love her and love seeing her growing up.

Still here

2011-03-01T16:33:00.000-08:00

So I haven't have time to post lately but big news! we got a Job here in Cleveland so we are staying for a little longer. We are thankful to our Father in Heaven for all his love and blessings for our family during this time and always. We are grateful to our family and friends that kept the faith with us, and for those that didn't we still glad to have you in our lives. I will post some more soon!

Who Megan wants to marry someday

2010-12-19T14:58:00.000-08:00

Megan said today that she wants to marry someone like Indiana Jones. We though she meant the actor, but she really meant the 'Lego' Indiana Jones. Why she likes him so much? Because of his whip--as she whipped her hands in the air making the mock motions of the whip. What a funny girl!

Thankgiving

2010-11-27T19:21:00.000-08:00

We had a nice Thanksgiving we all the yummy food and friends. We missed family this year, since Bill is working a contract he doesn't get pay holidays or paid vacation. So we can't afford to missed 2 days of pay because since he lost his job last year we live paycheck to paycheck and we still trying to recover for the last 9 month of unemployment. He missed two days this week anyways,(because he went on job interview) so let see how this month go.

But today I wanted to talked about being grateful. But bear with me I'm taking you trough my emotional ride about being grateful. I have a class with a professor that is a women, a marketer, has traveled the world, extremely educated, it is a mother and wife. When I was first introduced to her, I thought : wow, she is all I want to be! a course she is a little bit older than me, however if I wanted to accomplish all that she has, I have to say: I'm real behind. Although I don't envied her life, I wish I had some of those things in my life right now. I wish I had more, not all but I will love to drive a reliable car, have medical insurance and most of all I will love for my family to be out of debt. So on Thanksgiving day I woke up wanting to be grateful since I do have things to be grateful for, but I opened my Facebook and saw one of my friends 10th wedding anniversary trip to Europe . I thought about my 10th wedding anniversary we were unemployed. I became so discourage. Then I started thinking why am I so ungrateful? does being grateful means that you are just happy with what you have? I think I know that answer but I think being grateful is just a little bit complicated. At least for me right now. But why, well as a family we are still in limbo since we don't have a permanent job, meanwhile we have no medical insurance, we can nearly pay our mortgage, our cars are about to die and if they breakdown can afford to repair them.and lets not forget all the expenses that coming our way due to the kids education and mine.

So why am I grateful for this year? Well I'm immersible grateful for my Saviour Jesus Christ and his atonement for me, for his gospel and all the he provides for me everyday. I'm grateful for my family, my husband, my kids, my parents, my brother and all my real friend (not just Facebook kind of friends). I'm grateful for my house because it is more than a house it is my home. This year I found one more thing to be grateful for, that even when I don't have all the things I need and want in my life I so lucky to have it in my life. I'm grateful for "opportunity". Opportunity to live a life with those who I love, opportunity to succeeded, opportunity to educate myself, opportunity to proved myself to my Father above, opportunity to have it all, opportunity to grow, to be happy and overcome everything that come my way. The opportunity to be just me. That means that I have been dealt a separate set of circuntances and I have the opportunity to overcome them, for that I'm extremely grateful.

new school year!

2010-09-03T10:47:00.000-07:00

Megan ready for 1st grade. She pick this outfit all by herself

Sarah ready for 8th grade. She loves the retro look

Jed loves his team shirts and his silly bands

Unemployment

2010-09-03T09:51:00.000-07:00

So now we can say that our status has change from unemployed to under- employed. What is it mean? Well the hubby got a temporally work assignment for the next 6 months we hope. This company tents to fire people at will and has been very clear about letting us know that they are not interested in hiring right now. So for now we are ok. We are still have to clean up our financial mess from unemployment but we can take a sigh of relief before start working on finding a more permanent situations.
We want to thank to all those that have pray for us and help us along the way. And we asked to please continue to pray for our family since we are not out of the woods just yet. Please know that we appreciate the support of all of you, since sometimes we felt like Job and his friends that blame him for all his problems. We have endure heavy criticism during this time as well, which hurt us lot but we have felt the love of the Saviour and his hand in all that we have receive during this months as well. We are very happy to have prayer and personal revelation in our lives. We love our saviour and we appreciate the opportunity to grow and to strengthen our testimony of him. We love His comfort and constant blessings. So lets keep dancing!

Eternal companion

2010-08-29T08:08:00.000-07:00

The other night I was awaken, as I look at my husband laying as sleep next to me something hit me: "He is your eternal companion ". Nothing else matter at the moment, I think, I known this all my married life but for some reason this particular night it was reassure in my heart and in my mind. I love my husband, I'm so glad we get to spend our early life together but most of all I look forward to spend eternity with him. I'm glad our marriage in not just until death doth part but for all eternity

July 4th

2010-08-29T07:07:00.000-07:00

Ok so this one is way behind but it is a fun one. This year my family came down for 4th of July weekend. It was so fun. Sarah comment about it. "this year we get to have people over for a bbq, instead of having it alone". Anyways having family was the best. We ate all kinds of good foods, we went to the beach , we celebrate my brothers birthday and play together. What else could I had asked for?

Family summer Fun

2010-08-29T06:35:00.000-07:00

Since we didn't have a job this summer, we couldn't take many trips or do too much but we still manage to have fun as a family. This summer we enjoyed helping others, we went to the beach a couple of times (lake Erie) we had a 3 family garage sale. We went to the Zoo, pick rasberries, had our family visit us and had the most wonderful food. We spend a lot of time at the pool and we work together in this is Kirtland. We too spend a lot of quiet time as a family, we play games watch TV and plain enjoyed each other's company! So
(I would post pictures once I find my camera cord)

Summer

2010-08-21T06:41:00.000-07:00

I believe in in simplifying things so instead of trying to get caught with my blog I just going to write an update.

Sarah performing at camp recital

Sarah at Music camp. Camp closing performance

Sarah: had a great year at school. She is now an 8th grader. wow...it crazy to realized that in one more year, she would be in high school. She started her summer by attending girls camp and them she attended music camp, which she enjoyed very much. She was a big help while I work in the show this summer too. She helped with trimming hats, with inventory, ironing, and even sowing some buttons. She's has a quiet summer, she has been babysitting and plant sitting for other people and making money, I think she made more money that me this summer.

She has a very nice group of girl friends and this summer once in a while they got together to have some fun. They like to write stories, sign, books, video games and as I found out yesterday they like musicals. They are simple in their ways, and in away they have a little bit of little girl in them but we are happy with that. They do like boys but like to be the exception and no the norm.

Sarah's big accomplishment this summer was to save enough money to buy a new bike. It's a very nice grown up bike with all kinds of neat stuff. she is so ready to go back to school and I hear her talking with the other girls that they are ready to be the big fish in the pond. To finish her summer she decided to invite all her friends to the beach, only 4 came but we had a great time.

Orange-Cranberry scones

Jed: He had an excellent year at school he had a very nice teacher that help him a lot. Jed was one of the few students that were invited to a bbq at the teacher's house to celebrate their accomplishments. We are grateful to our home teacher that drove him there. He took Tennis and swimming lessons this summer. He loves tennis since it is a sport that he can play without being hurt. He is became a very accomplish swimmer and wants to join the swim team next year. He loves to swim in the deep end and dive. This summer Jed wanted to save to get a cat, but after he cat sit for a family he decided that it was too messy and cleaning the kitty litter was not worth it. He is a little apprehensive about 5th grade but is it happy to be going back to school. He is turning into a very computer savi kid. This summer while the girls and daddy were camping Jed and I made orange cranberry scones. He likes to cook a lot and we are helping him learn how to do the basics. Soon we might have a famous cook in our mist. This summer Jed has gotten the most "special mention" award. Every Monday during a family home evening we mention someone in the family for making something above the called of duty to help others or worth mentioning. Jed has been one of the most helpful child this summer.

Megan: is not a baby anymore. She had an amazing school year. She learn to read and write in Kindergarten and loved school. She is worry about having a new teacher and not seeing her friends again...she is a first grader!! wow it is scary to think we have no more babies. He took swimming lessons this summer and did very well. She even jump of the diving board. She did it once with the help of a life guard that practically put her in the water. She never did it again. But she is more confident in the water. She loves to write notes to people in the family specially to Jed. She likes to read by herself but still prefer to be read to. She is now learning how to tie her shoes and getting read y for 1st grade.

Daddy: he has been busy networking and looking for a job. He has been working on a effort to have Duran Duran inducted into the hall of fame. He has a good group now and is even impressing some future employers. This is all I can say about our employment situation right now since we seem to be in every body's gossip circle right now and we would like to be out of all those. Bill has been a great help around the house. He has taken over the kitchen duties, laundry and cleaning. He was a very amazing help when I did the show as well.

Me: I finish my first year in college, after a 10 yrs absence. I did well if you count all the stress and the 3 kids I have to deal with while attending school. As soon as I finish school I got to work on a show that is put by the church portraying some of the event that took place here in Kirtland. I was in charge of costumes for about 60 cast members. I was to fit, make and alter costumes to fit all of them. A lot of work but It was very rewarding, not just a fun thing to do but I had a lot of spiritual experiences as well. After I finish the show I try to get a job, but not luck. So I spend some time with the kids and as right now are getting ready to go back to schooll.

So we had a nice and calm summer. We did a few things as a family but I leave that for another post.!

YW

2010-07-12T08:49:00.000-07:00

Ready to go to the this year yw broadcast

Sarah is enjoying Young Women even when most of her first year in YW she was the only one active in our ward. This year she went to her second year of girls camp. She got home sick this year, she felt alone and abandon (in her own words), but thanks to the loving care of one of her leaders she was able to enjoy the rest of it. She made some new friends too. She is so shy, I think it comes from seeing people coming and going out of her life too often. But she is making some good friends within the YW in the stake, loves the YW program and after many prayers more Young Women are moving into our ward. We are grateful to her leaders that spend so much time and energy preparing activities and lesson. But most of all we are grateful for Sarah that is making very good choices and learning and following the gospel of Jesus Christ.SarahShe really loved coking her own mealsThe sleeping quarters, our ward share a tent this year.

NJHS

2010-07-12T08:33:00.000-07:00

Tayo, Sarah and Ana

Sarah was privilege to be inducted into the National Junior Honor Society this year. Only 10 student in her middle school had this honor. We were so proud of her. We didn't even know what she had won until we got there. It wasn't that big of a deal for her, but it becomes a big deal once she applies for college. It is one of the most prestigius Natiaonal intitutions. Plus, she gets a sum of money for college if she makes it into this society in High school. Congratulation Sarah!

Daddy/Son camp out

2010-07-12T08:10:00.000-07:00

Jed camping with his DS

The church celebrates the restoration of the priesthood by having a Daddy/son camp out. Jed loves these outings. He looks forward to it every year. He loves to play with his friends, spend time with dad and the hike they get to do after everything is done. This year he got to play soccer, hide and seek and monster with his friends. One of his friends suffer a broken leg but they all had fun anyways. They enjoy a yummy breakfast and course the smores.Daddy hitting some golf ball wit the other men

the perfect walking stickEnjoying hiking through the woods

lost child

2010-07-12T07:52:00.000-07:00

Since I've been in school I haven't had too much time to be part of my kids school life but towards the end of the year I got to go with Jed as a chaperon for one of his field trips. I was in charge of only 4 boys including Jed. However I managed to loose one, it was very scary for a few minutes but we found him. I felt so embarrassed. The teacher took over from there. I guess I was out of practice. Other than that we had a fun trip we went to the the Cleveland Botanical Gardens. It is a pretty place and Jed loves plans and nature so he really enjoyed it. ( I have not more pictures since the battery in my camera Died)

Soft Ball

2010-07-12T07:39:00.000-07:00

Sarah joined her school's soft ball team this year. She worked very hard and became on of the best bunter in her team. We were a little concern about coming up with money to buy her cleats. But it was a one of those tender mercies that only come when you need them the most. I went to the store and to look for them. I got a pair of dress shoes for Megan and got her cleats for half the price. We were so grateful we got them and she could play. We had a lot of fun going to the games and seeing her in her element having fun with her friends!She looks so tiny But she is a mighty Player

From 4 to 12

2010-07-12T06:57:00.000-07:00

The Marin Family

When my parents decided to move us to Canada we never imagined what was to come. A lot of things have happened since then but the best is that our family has grown up a lot. The last time we went to Canada we took some family pictures and it hit us our small family of four is now a big family of 12. We are so glad that our family is growing in the gospel of Jesus Christ and that we are a forever family.

The Kids, from left to right (Holding Andres is Ana, my brothers wife)Andres, Nicolas, Alan, Jed Megan y Sarah (at the back)

35 Years old it is very old

2010-07-11T15:21:00.000-07:00

I turned 35 this year and I felt so old. I don't know why, since it really is not that old. But I think moving to a new age bracket on a survey made me feel old. Anyways it was fun!

Spring break!

2010-07-11T14:28:00.000-07:00

So I'm a little behind so I would try to catch up in a very brief way.

We had a wonderful spring break this year. Daddy was home however I was in school during the kids spring break but, we still manage to have good times. The kids and daddy pull their birthday money my parents send them and took a trip to Castaway Bay. They spend the whole day there had so much fun. It was nice for Bill to distress himself from all the job searching and spending time with the kids was priceless for him.Jed loves the wave poolDaddy rode the water roller coaster 12 times!!Megan loves the water

what kind of mother would I be if I didn't have spend some time with my kids. So we went mini golfing. We had hush poppies and got some much needed warmth and sun.

Daddy got a hole in one. Mommy did too but don't have a pictureDaddy got a whole in one

Megan need it some coaching but she caught up quickly and loved it!

Another Birthday

2010-04-11T07:13:00.000-07:00

Bill having his Birthday 'breakfast for dinner' meal and his gift.

Bill turned 38 year old this past March. It is crazy. Time really flies. He is matured and grown a lot all in the last past years. Although if you look careful enough the gentle child I met still there. He is a family man, that loves his kids and me (his wife). He loves to serve, and loves to have friends (even when he doesn't have too many). He is not perfect but is trying to improved. He loves the Lord and is trying to help his family to love him. We love you daddy and we hope we get to enjoy more birthdays with you.

Jed, Daddy, Sarah and Megan. Ready to have some cake!

Celebrating 14 years on a budget

2010-04-11T06:05:00.000-07:00

Bill and I at the Tavern and Co. for our anniversary dinner

In March we celebrated our 14th year anniversary. As I look back at our marriage it seems like is been a long time, but as I look forward I see it is but a drop in the sea of all eternity.

This year we had a great celebration, the most fun yet. We started by celebrating a day early since, lately our days have became crazy running around with kids. Anyways, we started by going to one of our favorite dinner special. $5 Burger and a Beer (no, we don't have the beer we always get pop) Once we got there we find out that they've changed the price to $9. Still it was doable for us. So we had the biggest hamburger with fries and a drink for dinner. It was very good. We had a nice waitress that told us they close at 2am and we could stay as long as we wanted to...no we didn't but we didn't feel rush.

We need it to go get our presents, so we decided to go to the Dollar store and get each other something fun. As we browsed the stores shelf we saw so many crazy thing that we couldn't help it but to laugh, we laugh a lot like we haven't in some time, Bill even took picture of other crazy things and are posted on his Facebook page. Anyways Bill end it up with some very stylish sunglasses and I end it up with a Tiger Bear stuff animal. It looks like it was supposed to be a bear but ended up having a tiger head. I'll always remember this day. It wasn't fancy, just fun and memorable just like our marriage has been, the last 14 years.

Bill and I enjoying and showing off our presents

A few of our marriage high lights- The best of all, we had 3 wonderful children and hope someday soon add a few more through adoption. We had been unemployed 3 times, this one being the hardest yet. We had 3 cars, one died of old age, and the other one of a serious accident. We hope the 3rd one lives a little longer until we get a job to be able to let it go. We have travel and visited Disney, Florida, Tennessee, NJ, Time square New York, Atlanta Georgia, Niagara Fall and Niagara on the Lake, Toronto, Hamilton, London and Kitchener. (Bill got to visit Denmark ). We like to visit Art museums, love musicals and theater. We like international foods and love to get to know other cultures. We both had attended school and together still paying for student loans and will continued to pay them even when it is time to start paying for the kids' college. We had lived in 4 different states and move about 5 times. We have laugh, cried, fought, yelled and loved each other and we can still say we say that all those years ago we made the right choice. We are glad we made covenants with the Lord and with each other to be together forever. I pray and hope that we have many more years together.

Band Concert

2010-03-23T10:52:00.000-07:00

I need a better Camera. This is the only ok picture I got of her waiting for the concert to start

Sarah was chosen for the second year in a roll, to play in the honors Band Concert for her school district (middle School). Our school district has a very good Music program, which we are so please to be part of, and enjoyed its rewards. The band got to play some music from the musical Wicked which is one of our family's favorites. At the end, the band join the strings (orchestra) to play the theme from Mission Impossible. It was a nice, short and sweet concert. Sarah has been practising for the last 2 months, every week with the honors band. This on top of school, YW, Science Olympiad, softball and regular band. We are so happy for her dedication and accomplishments. If we stay in Cleveland she would have the chance to play at Severance Hall next year. It would be a great finish to her middle school program. We are so exited about it. So lets cross our finger that we stay here.I was trying to take a pretty picture of her all dress up, at the reception. But she didn't let me. She was too exited about being with her friends and being done with the show.

The good in Unemployment!

2010-03-19T07:34:00.000-07:00

There are times in life where our situations seem so dark that we miss those small rays of light that iluminate our steps troughout the dark times. So, today I would like to dedicate this post to all those tender mercies the Lord has shown us during the last months.
Our dear little Boy Jed (well he is not so little anymore) was having the hardest time with life in general. We were looking into professional help since it seen that we had done everything in our power to help him smile again. We were very worry about him when we became unemployed, he doesn't do well with change and we were worry that things were not going to be easy for him. But two things happened that we didn't expected. One, a nice little girl moved into our ward and he got the biggest crush on her. It made him smile again, he didn't feel so lonely in primary anymore. Two, since dad is home more now, Dad's had the change to go with him on field trips, pick him up from school every day, does homework with him, and even plays video games with him. (more than before) I think all of these things has help Jed a lot. Although their relationship is sometimes stormy Jed has started to smile again, talks more and finally he is starting to enjoy life a little more. It is like the black cloud that was over him has became to disappear. We are not the only one's that had notice the change, school and primary teachers has notice the change as well. Even if this is the only good thing that comes out of unemployment, we had gain the world.
When you have growing kids shoes seen to be a mayor expense. The other day a notice Sarah's shoes, they were rip and very worn. (she was wearing her shoes from two years ago) I asked her where this years shoes were? she said that something was wrong with them and she couldn't wear them anymore, because they hurt her very bad. I told her she should have told me about it. She just gave me a look, she is a teen after all. I knew that she didn't want to tell me about it because she knows of our situation and wanted to be considered, specially because this year she is playing softball and needs cleats. (She has notice us struggling to get them for her) The next day Bill and I happened to be at Wall-mart getting some essentials and I saw the rack of shoes on Clearance. I went to look for a pair of shoes for Megan since her school shoes are so tight now, that her feet hurt at night. I found a pair of shoes for Megan, Tinkerbell ones, just want she loves for $10, I was static. Then I look for Sarah but didn't see any. Bill help me look and found a pair for $10 as well but when we ring them up they were $15 although a good price for shoes, Bill when back and got his $5 back. Megan is so exited about her new shoes that she puts them back in the box every night after she wears them all day, she likes them so much that she even wears them while at home. Sarah was happy too. She said she would wear the new ones for school and continued to wear her old ones for softball practice. I was grateful that she was happy with walmart shoes, I know she is at the age where looks and brand names matter. But she is just grateful to have a pair of shoes that are clean and new. But we still needed it to get the cleats so yesterday as we were looking for shoes for daddy we went into the store and I happened to spot cleats, they were only $20 I think they were boys but -'hey'- we though they could work. Then I realized that we can get a second pair for half of the price and remember Megan asking daddy to get her church polish since they are so scuffed, so I found a pair of church shoes for her and got the cleats for half a price. I got home and made sure I acknowledge these tender mercies that the Lord gives our family to let us know that He still mindful of us.
I want to keep these entries brief, so I going to stop here for now. But I just want everyone to know that these blessings are only a fraction of all those rays of hope we've receive.

My newest quilt

2010-03-18T15:18:00.000-07:00

Ok, so this is not a new pattern. I've done it before but I love the colors in this quilt. It is for a little baby girl. I finally learned why I've always had so many strips left. Well, the left over strips are used to made the side borders. Duh! all I need to do was to read the directions. Anyways, I think I'm getting better. My next quilt would be interesting it is going to be made with Indian colours so it going to be very colorful!

Unemployment

2010-03-18T14:51:00.000-07:00

So I decided to blog a little bit about our unemployment period; maybe someday I can look back and learn something.
We had known for a while that the bank was going to be cutting jobs. My husband's boss had assured his group that their probabilities of losing their jobs were very minimal. The whole department had worked endlessly to showed the top executives that they were indispensable to the company. But after all it didn't work, most of the department was laid off, a lot of people lost their job that day.
I receive Bill's phone called while at school. I had gone early to finish studying for an exam. I knew he was let go because the caller ID said the called was coming from home. I heard the disappointment in his voice. I did my best to assure him even when inside I wasn't sure myself. It was a beautiful day, cold outside, but sunny. I was studying at the bottom floor of the Law library. I was sitting facing a large window where I could hear birds, see the wonderful sun, the green grass and the colorful trees. This made me feel secure, although I was saddened by the news, I felt the peace that only comes from my Heavenly Father and I knew everything was going to be ok.
That was 6 months ago. the following months have been full of ups and downs. However I think we had more ups than downs. I remember the day when the words to the song "All is well" came to my mind, the words played in my mind all day and made me feel loved and on the mind of a loving Father in Heaven.
The searching started well, we had a couple of offers, but none of them were good enough to sustain our family's needs. These gave us hope to keep going. As the holidays came the phone calls and interviews slowed down. The holidays are not the best time to be looking for a job.
Christmas came and everything was well. Bill and I got the chance to make candy together for the kids school teachers. We spend a lot of time together...something we haven't done in many years. We had a small Christmas but it was full of wonderful moments with family and friends. We got the chance to spend some time in Canada with my parents and my brother's family. One of my past branch presidents asked me (while in Canada) how we were doing? I answered that we were great...just unemployed. He answered -I knew that but how are you really? It was then that I realized everything was well in our life and not having a job was not a real tragedy. It was funny around this time we felt like some how everything that worried us before we lost our job had just melted away. All that was important, still remained.
Weeks past and the searching started to pick up again. More hope filled our hearts. However
once our severance ended we couldn't help but to worry; it was then that we decided to put our fears away and trust in the Lord that he would help us provide for our family. So far we have not defaulted onvany of our bills, including our mortgage. We have sought for ways to reduce our bills and so far it's working. Of course we had our bad moments, I started to have nightmares and trouble sleeping and the stress started to affect my schooling, but I was not going to give up. I had decided to trust the Lord. Of course I'm not made of steel and finally gave into despair. I gave into the stress of it all. I don't want to move, I don't want to move the children I don't want to be separated from my husband and I'm afraid to to lose my faith. So what do I do? I keep praying and putting my best face forward. I just wish people would stop asking me how is the job search going? What can I say? We still don't have a job. I wish they would stop saying what can we do to help? Duh, what else can someone without a job need? "Money", but we can't say that. I do think people have the best of intentions and care for our family and this is why they ask these questions, and I'm grateful for them. Some days, It is hard to put up a happy face but most of the time the words " wait a little longer" resound in my mind and those words fill me up with hope.
Bill is having interviews an average of 2 per week. There is a lot of potential there, but not light at the end of the tunnel yet. We will continue to have faith and pray so that we might make the right choices for our family in this time of trial.

Sarah Turns 13th

2010-03-18T14:44:00.001-07:00

We officially have a teenager in the house. Sarah turn 13 last week. We had cheesecake and moose tracks ice cream. On Saturday we went to her favorite breakfast place" First watch" We are so happy with her and how well she is growing up. And we are marvel at how fast time flies when you are having fun. Happy Birthday Sarah and we hope you have many more.

Trips and things

2010-03-09T17:46:00.001-08:00

I should be doing homework but I feel like I need to update our blog so here it goes. The last past months have been busy and full of all kind of good things. We are continuing to look for employment, we are a little weather but not defeated jet. We have faith the Lord we'll aid us and supports us throughout this time. We are specially hoping to do His will and make correct choices for our family. We thank our friends and family for all their prayers, love and support during this time.

I'm still school, however due to the stress and luck of time I have gone down to 3 classes, therefore adding one more year to my school plans, but I'm doing ok and enjoying it. Before School started I need it some replenishing so I took a trip to KY to see some friends. I got to see one of my best friends and go to IKEA. We had a lot of fun but specially I enjoyed the company. I was sorry to miss other friends that I wanted to see. Shannon and her familyDessert I got at IKEA

Shannon and I

Jed is doing great, I think since daddy is home more and spends more time with him, he is improving very much, his mood is improving and his overall behaviour is changing. He even has his first little crush (please keep it between us). He celebrated his 10th Birthday in January.We love having our happy and sweet little boy back.

Sarah is doing great in school and it is very busy with her music, sports, YW and friends. She got to go to the science regional's this year. They placed in the top 14 teams although she was little disappointed but I know they worked very hard and they'll do better next year. Her past school semester she did very well she even got 3 wards. (citizenship, honor roll and effort). She is practising for her honor band concert this month. They would be playing songs from the show Wicked. We are so happy with her, she is a great example for her siblings and for us. She is such a giving and caring young women. She would be an official Teen this week. She is turning 13 years old.

Megan is doing great in Kindergarten she loves to do homework. and extra work. She is learning to write and read. She enjoys writing notes for her friends and family. She loves to dance and brings some much joy to our lives. She sure is growing up.

Bill (Kirk) is very busy being a stay at home dad. He is doing very well, with me in school full time he has plenty to do. Plus he is busy with interviews all over the Midwest. Although not job yet he is lucky to have phone interviews every week and had the chance to fly to Indianapolis, and Atlanta last month. He should be going to Columbus (again ) and to Pennsylvania in the next week. We continued to look for job and hope for the best. I we love him for the effort and work he puts into making sure he finds a job soon.

Make-up artist Megan

2010-01-19T09:11:00.000-08:00

Megan and I love to spend time reading or watching Arthur on TV. The last time we were watching TV she deiced to give me a make over with the only make up she owns. She used her lip gloss and proceeded to put it on my lips, finger nails, eye lids and cheek bones. She was so please with herself. I was thinking about giving her my make up to put on me, but nah, why ruing the moment. Megan loves make up, jewelry and pretty things, unlike Sarah. So I do enjoy playing make up with Megan. (Sarah liked dolls and dress up more than Megan does now) We made a fun memory although I was sticky and sparkly at the end.

New Year's Eve

2010-01-05T13:04:00.000-08:00

My favorite holiday is New Year Eve. This year at the last minute we decide to invite some friend over for food and games. We had a lot of fun. We hope for a better year this year, specially when it comes to a job. We want to wish everyone a happy new Year!The Food spread, we had fruit and veggies, cookies and chicken wingsIt's the new year Jed waiting for the new Year

Bill cooking his yummy Chicken wings

Wicked

2010-01-05T12:53:00.000-08:00

Sarah asked for tickets to see Wicked for Christmas this year. We got tickets a few months ago through Bill's bank (when he was working). She was so exited. I got to go with her and she loved it. I was so trill so see her enjoyed it so much. During the intermission we went to the orchestra pit and she was so happy to see that there was a clarinet there and was surprised to see how big the pit was. We had a good time. We were very cold since I forgot how chili Down town can get but thanks to our valley parking guy we didn't get to spend too much time outside. My wish is that my children can enjoy theater more often, I hope some day we had the funds to do it.

Christmas and the food we ate!

2010-01-02T10:53:00.001-08:00

We had a nice Christmas this year. On the last day of school for the kids we left for Canada, we stop in Buffalo to have Ted's hot dogs, then to Tops Market to get some Loganberry soda and in our happy way we went to Canada. We didn't make to Canada 'till midnight but we were surprised to see snow. We haven't seen snow in Cleveland for a while. Once there the kids had a great time playing with their cousins. We enjoy sledding, ice skating, the church's "Nights of Bethlehem" (a Christmas live nativity), and church Christmas Concert. We got to enjoy a cup of Tim Horton's hot chocolate plus Timbits, it has became a tradition for our family. Thanks to my parents we had some shopping money too. The kids got to go to the toy store and pick out some fun toys, including the most coveted toy of the year, Xhu-Xhu pets. My mother cook the most wonderful pupusas for me and my family. We all decided to have an early Christmas, since we were not going to spend Christmas day together. We had a nice dinner ('pan con pavo' = Turkey Sandwich) and allow the children to open their gift. It was too fun! We came home on the 23th and got ready for our own Christmas.

We had a nice and quiet Christmas at home, It was raining but we gor some snow on Christmas eve so it was nice. We are so grateful to all our family and friends that made possible for us to have a Christmas in a time of unemployment. We had some nice steaks from Omaha steaks courtesy of Papaw Harrington for Christmas dinner. This year we enjoyed the real meaning of Christmas. I think the best Christmases we've had are the one's when have very little. I guess is because we don't have to worry too much about what we need to buy, but how we can enjoy each other and make more memories. This year we skip a few traditions like greeting cards and home presents for family but we still want everyone to remember that all of you were in our hearts. Ted's the best hotdogs I ever had. We make a stop in Buffalo to have them everytime we go to Canada.

Pozole is a Mexican dish. My brother has some Mexican friends and they had brougth some soup the day we arrived so we got to have some, It had more color than the one in this picture but it was very good.We all know the Tim Horton's Hot Chocolate to my taste is the bestTimbits or donuts hole as some call them. We love them we make sure to get some for the trip home

Turkey Sandwiches are the best, they are fill with Turkey, water crest, cucumber, tomatoes, radish and top with a delicious tomato source. They are traditionally eaten in El Salvador for special occasions

Pupusas are tortillas fill with pork, cheese or beans. They come from El Salvador and you eat them with a tomato source and cabbage salad (pickle)

Christmas Concerts

2010-01-02T10:04:00.000-08:00

This year we had 3 Christmas concerts. Megan had her first Kindergarten winter festival. She was so cute and fun. She got to decorate a cookie after that show and spend sometime with her little classmates! Good Job Megan.

Jed was our little start this year, he participated in his school play " the penguin and Princess" he had 2 speaking lines, we thought they were that best lines of the whole play. We were so proud of him, all the kids work so hard. Congratulations to all!

Sarah was great in her yearly music program at her school. This is her 2 year her school and her 4 year playing the Clarinet. She is improving all the time. She look beautifully she is growing up. We are so proud of you Sarah.

B's for mom

2010-01-02T09:52:00.000-08:00

After all the hard work and tears, I finally finish my first semester at CSU with B's across the board, well expect for the evil intermediate Economics class that I didn't fail but I have to take again because I didn't get the required grade for my degree fulfilment (I was short 3%). So, for my first semester after 8 years of absence I feel content. It can only get better from here. Next semester would be fill with Statistics, accounting, economics and a social studies class. It won't be as fun but I'm all for the challenge.

Thankgiving '09

2010-01-02T09:13:00.000-08:00

My brother sent me this picture as a thanksgiving greeting

We celebrated the Canadian thanksgiving this year and then we lost our job, so for our American thanksgiving since we could go anywhere, host anybody or had any invites we decided to celebrate thanksgiving with the good folks at Crackle Barrel. We had their turkey meal, It wasn't grandmother's cooking but it was ok. We end it complaining about it, and we got a free meal for a latter date. However the most important part was that we were together and we were glad to give thanks for all the we had in the past year.

Our dinner

My baby and Me

The girls..

What to eat?

A moment in the life of Megan

2009-12-02T06:15:00.000-08:00

Megan had a play date the other day with a friend from school. (it was daddy's idea, I was so worry she is only 5 and we only know the parents from school) Anyways, when she came home she was so happy but the first thing that came out her mouth was- "Mommy Esme (short for Esmeralda) lives in a Building" you go inside and there is a door and there it is! her house!. It made me smile, she has never lived in an apartment building or known someone her age that does. I love to see the world trough her eyes.

A moment in Sarah's life

2009-11-20T06:36:00.000-08:00

We went to special meeting at Sarah school last night. Sadly there has been in incident involving a student and teacher. We known for a while about it but last night there was a meeting at the school to give us more information ans to help us better protect our children from predators. The resent case involved the Internet ( we are not sure but that is what sounds like) so they spend most of the time remind in us about online safely and since every child in this school has a laptop with Internet access they gave us more information about tools that can be helpful in helping our children be safe. I was a little worry because we don't have a lot of these fail safes in place for Sarah, in our way home we decided we need it to do a few more things to keep our kids safe. When we got home we found Sarah in our living room, with her laptop I look at what she was doing, she was playing some kind a game but in the background surprised me a little bit, she was listening to the scriptures. I flash of relief pass through me, here I was worrying about what he could be doing and this just make happy. I know she has reading her scriptures more lately the other night she had asked me if she can stay up a few minutes more to just read her scripture for the day. I know she won't always make the right choices and I would be naive to thing that she wont have temptations, but I'm glad she is doing well right now.
The other night too after coming home from a baptism, we were talking about it and how the spirit help us recognized the truth. She said " it is funny how everything a learned every week at church it just want I need to survive something during the week" I was glad them for her, and for YW leaders, and primary Teachers that had take time to teach her. I have to say I know it is hard for her to be the only active Young women in our ward, but I'm glad she is developing her own testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

News!

2009-11-08T12:47:00.000-08:00

Not much of anything is going on in our lives. Bill still looking for a job, he is having interviews and average of 2 per week sadly none here in Cleveland. But we still have hope that we might be able to stay here.
I'm still in school and I'm getting ready to finish my first semester and ready to start my second semester. I love learning but I would like to have a more balance life.
Sarah got a lap top from school, so she has a new toy. She likes to make movies with her brother and sister.
Jed is doing very well at school, he is benefiting a lot from having a male teacher. We are closer to find out what is going on with him. The last therapist that evaluated him told us that he is a very bright child and he might just be getting bore at school, plus they recommended some therapy to help him with his coping skill.
Megan is loving school. She loves to do homework. She is learning to write and read and she is so exited to be able to do it.
We hope we can stay in Cleveland longer, we love here but we trust in the Lord's will.

Halloween '09

2009-11-08T12:24:00.000-08:00

Our Halloween Pumpkin carving

Halloween came and went too fast this year. We kept it to the minimum but we still had a lot of fun. We had a fun Halloween night at church with chilly and lots of nice treats. On Halloween night the kids went out to with daddy and got lots of treats.

Jed and Megan as cowgirls/boys ready to go treak or treating

Jed having dinner at the church Halloween dinnerSarah found some Harry potter fans

Megan and her litle bear with a cowboy hat

Sarah as Luna from Harry Potter

Orange Poppy Necklace GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-10-11T15:54:00.000-07:00

I love this giveaway!!

Orange Poppy Necklace GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Stronville Field Trip

2009-10-11T15:18:00.000-07:00

One of the best parts of being unemployed is that now Bill has more time to expend with the kids. Last week he got to go to no a field trip with Jed's class. They went to a 1800's village to learned about how life was back then. They got to make candles and shores that way kids worked back them. They even met some sisters missionaries from our church that were doing service there. The kids love having him and the teacher loved having Bill with them. The most interesting thing was that all the parents that went on the field were layoff. I guess the schools get to benefit from parents out of work.

Bits and Pieces

2009-10-11T14:44:00.000-07:00

Kirk/Bill: As many of you know Bill lost his job to KEYvolution (name of the program to re-structure the back) We were a little surprised, but not really there was always the possibility that he would loose his job. His team had been given hope ( due to their skills) they had a high possibility to stay. But that wasn't the case. So now we find ourselves without a job again. Yes, we are a little stress about it, but we are grateful for the outpouring of support from family and friends. We are so blessed by the Lord that we know things will work out somehow. We ask that you keeps us in your prayers, specially that we continue to have faith and strength through this time.

Claudia- I'm still in school, doing as well as can be expected after years of absence. I'm crunch for time and need of rest but I'm in good spirits.

Megan is doing great in Kindergarten, she loves school and is progressing nicely.

Jed has decided to play the flute this year. He enjoyed it very much and we hope he has a good experience with it. He is doing better at school, he has a male teacher this year and this seems to be good for him.

Sarah is excelling in school. She has her head into getting into a good College (yes, she is already thinking about college) so she does her best at school. She still paying the clarinet and she is getting better and better.

Megan has a Birthday

2009-09-20T14:35:00.000-07:00

Our little Megan turn 5 years old and she proclaim herself a "big girl". On her birthday we had cake and ice cream. I asked her want she kind of cake and what flavor ice cream she want it. She responded by saying Surprised me!!. Once I picked her up from school I was trying to let her know what I've gotten for her but she insisted for me know to tell her and again she told me she wanted to be a surprised.Megan was surprise to have a chocolate fudge cake and banana split ice cream. She was so exited that she kept blowing her candles in the middle of the happy Birthday song.I made Megan a pinata for her little party. I didn't have all the materials but it turn up very good.we made a bear cake, it turn out pretty good for Megan's party.We had a teddy bear toss, the kids had a blast.

We made an obstacle race at the end Sarah and Jed would pull the kids on the slides

Megan had a small birthday party. She loved it and the kids seen to had a lot of fun. Megan wanted a boys and girls party this time so we came out with a Teddy bear team.

It was very nice to see her older brother and sister helping with the party. I was just a little shock when she announced to he whole party while opening her presents that she didn't had a use for a particular present. I felt so sad that my child was not grateful. But now I'm happy to announce that she asked me the other day to fix her "puffy tutu", it was a little long and she wanted to play with it (this was the present in question). So I had the chance to teach her a little bit more about appreciating peoples gift. We were so glad she had a good time and a hopefully she would remember this party with fondness.

Kindergarden Homework

2009-09-20T14:24:00.000-07:00

The other day I found myself doing homework with Megan. Its just a review of what they are learning during the week and it is fun. Although sometimes it can be messy. Last week the homework was to draw geometric shapes with Shaving cream. Jed was ready to get into the action it look so fun, but I was a little weary because it got all over, including our wood floor. (shaving cream is known to strip paint ) But at the end it was fine and fun.

Just bragging !

2009-09-13T11:27:00.000-07:00

This is one of my latest creations! I gave it away already but just want it to brag about it.

Love September Favorite Skirt Pattern GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-09-13T11:22:00.000-07:00

Love September Favorite Skirt Pattern GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

All in school and all is well!

2009-09-13T09:53:00.000-07:00

We all started school at the beginning of September, Including Mom, yes me. Although I
start a week before the kids, We were officially all in school last week. Megan's had a good time at school. She doesn't like to spend time getting ready for school in the morning, and wines about going to school everyday but she sure loves school once she comes home in the afternoon. She has a lot of fun. Jed loves his new teacher Mister Mendez and we hope that after he gets tested by the child psychologist, his school experience is going to improve greatly. But we are trill that he has a male teacher this year and we are happy he has chosen to learn to play the flute this year too. So we'll have two musicians in our family. We better prepared our wallets for all those instrument rentals and private lessons, anyways we are just so happy to have a school district that helps us with music education and encourages its students to appreciate music. Sarah started 7Th grade and loves the fact that she is able to see her friends everyday again. She hates her new principal but so far she is doing well. She is going to be playing softball in the spring and would be getting braces very soon too. So a lot of new changes for her and for us, now I can say we have a teen, well almost teen in the house.

I started school as well and so far so good. I feel like I have my nose in a book or writing on my computer all the time. It has been hard fulfilling all my duties as a wife and mother. But so far so good. I'm so grateful to have a very supportive husband and children. My husband is my official Economics tutor, packs and takes the kids to school when I have an early class and even cooks dinner when I'm too busy,Jed gets to be my homework body some times, since he sometimes has a hard time doing it by himself but I think we really enjoy our time together, Sarah shares her school supplies with me and is a great helper when it comes to chores and Megan, little Megan has a hug for me anytime I feel overwhelm. I love to be busy and the opportunity that I have to be a mother, a wife and a student. We are "a house of learning" , we all appreciate education and hope to always love it .

First day of 7Th Grade

First day of 4Th Grade

Megan at the Flag Raising

First day of Kindergarten

Getting ready for her first day at school ever

First day of Kindergarten at the classroom.

Kitchen Tile!

2009-08-30T11:11:00.000-07:00

My husband being a romantic, wrote on the floor before we started tiling!

Since we move into this house the room that we had wanted to change the most is the kitchen. It is outdated, and on top of all of that it had sticky tiles (vinyl tiles, with adhesive in the back) that came off every time we tried to clean them. Them we had water damage from a bad roof, so needless to say our kitchen needs some work. So we started by fixing the roof, so that should take care of the leaking. Then we decided to tile the kitchen floor, and thanks to Hollie (who helps us do the tiling) we accomplish it in 3 days. It was fun but full of hard back, knees and hand labor. But now we had this awesome floor that can be clean. I love tile. Next would be the ceiling and finally the paint. We would wait to do cabinets and counter tops once we have little bit save up.

PS. We still have to put up baseboards. once they are up I'll post a picture of the final result.

Lets go to Down Town?

2009-08-30T10:20:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago we went to my school, to finish some business before classes started. Bill had taken a day off from his job to work on our kitchen but need it to go down town to his office to turn something in. So we packed the kids, parked at the school, took the free trolley to Bill's office and after that we had lunch. We had hot dogs from a street vendor.

I love a good street hot dog. Even when I know it is the worse thing you can eat. But when I was younger once in a while when my mother went out shopping I would asked her for a hot dog from a street vendor, at the beginning she would respond "I could make you one". But I would respond" I want one from the streets". She was worried, but joke around saying "So you want a dirty, exhaust from buses' fill Hot dog?" and she would get it for me, anyways. Then, once we grew up my brother and I, loved to go down town Kitchener (our small home town) to have German sausages. This is before he was married. It gave us a time to talk. away from the house. My husband found out about his little cork of mine when we attended OSU. There were always Hot dog carts all over campus and when I was pregnant they were so enticing, but I was too shy to ever get one. (don't ask me why, maybe something to do with pregnant lady eating a hot dog in public) So, he knew I like them and once we moved to upstate NY, it became a tradition to go out for a hot dog from a street vendor . I think the best ones I ever had from a street vendor had been from down town Cincinnati. But the the best hot dogs ever are from "Ted's hot dogs" in upstate NY.

Anyway going back to my original story, we bough the hot dogs and sat at the Main library gardens. It is a very nice shaded area, with a fountain, lots of benches and chairs. Then we visited the library. It is huge, and beautiful. The kids always enjoy a good Library, but they had a lot of fun looking at the tons of DVDs and the wonderful sculptures inside of one of the buildings. We had a fun day. And hopefully we made some lasting memories.

Play Dough People

2009-08-17T10:32:00.001-07:00

We like to make homemade play dough. So, in on of this occasions the kids made play dough people and want it to take pictures of them. So here they are, the camera is not the best. But you can see their imaginative work.

Sew Cute Shop Amy Butler Birdie Sling GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-08-17T10:32:00.000-07:00

This is so cute!!
Sew Cute Shop Amy Butler Birdie Sling GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Camping

2009-08-17T09:47:00.000-07:00

We attended our yearly ward camp out this summer. We always enjoy it and the kids have lots of fun. We camped out at the John Jonson Farm. (The camp site behind it ) It is a nice site with shower and flush toilets. Plus the company is always nice. This year for the first time we cooked tinfoil dinners. It was very yummy.

Megan had a very hard time going to sleep. She didn't like the bugs, or noises. She claim there was quacking outside. Then she wanted her night light and her teddy bear, that puts her to sleep according to her. Jed was up at the break of dawn and left. Then Megan wanted to go out after him. Where was Sarah? she was in another tent with her friend from school. Since we don't have many youth in our ward, Sarah invited a friend from church to come with her. We made some new memories. We loved the Kirtland Area there is so much history and heritage.

Hide N Seek Woodland Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-08-05T09:38:00.000-07:00

Love this giveaway!!
Hide N Seek Woodland Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Harvest

2009-08-05T09:26:00.000-07:00

We had a great harvest of green beans. One of our plots worked great this year, but the other one has a very long way to go. I think the dirt on it needs some nutrients. But now is too late so we'll worry about it next year. But I was so glad that we got enough beans to freeze and eat more than once this time around.

We wash them

We cook them

we cool them and they are ready to freeze

Lake Erie

2009-08-05T08:45:00.001-07:00

I love living in Cleveland, yes you hear me right. It is so green, has wonderful parks and beaches around. Lots of free great fun!. Anyways, since this year we had too many expenses and not enough funds, we decided to delay trips and vacations for a while. But Bill and the kids need it some time to enjoy life. So Bill took a day off from work and we packed everyone on the mystery machine (our old clunker mini van) and took a little trip to one of the many beaches at lake Erie. We had a great time. The kids love digging and making sand castles. We brought our kites and fled them high into the sky. I let on of one them go and I can only imagine how funny I looked running after it. Thank to Jed that run ahead of me, we finally caught with it, once it landed on some unexpected sunbather. They we nice about it though and help us hold the string until we reel it all the way in. We spend the whole day there. We walk to the light house. (Bill loves light houses) It was a long way, maybe a couple of miles, but we made it and found lot of nice little rocks on the way.

Although we reapply sunscreen I ended up with a very bad sunburn. Not fun, It hurt for a few days, but nothing a little bit of Aloe gel didn't help. We hope to visit another beach around here before the summer is out, they are so close it is a shame we don't go more often. It only goes to show we can have fun and make families memories on the cheap.

I'm a Viking

2009-07-23T18:04:00.003-07:00

So I finally got all those promissory notes from the schools and I decided to go to CSU. Mainly because I don't have to pay out of pocket right now to go to school. In other words one of the school offers cheaper rates than the other, but still I have to relay on student loans. Which I didn't expect to do,since I didn't before but what else can I do, I need to finished up so I can get a job. I only have about a 1 1/2 left (18 classes) I'm starting this August taking 12 hours that include Buss Law and Ethics, Intermediate Economics, Info Tech for competitive advertising and intro to production management. So wish me luck.

This is Kirland and me!

2009-07-23T17:47:00.000-07:00

Ok so everybody knows already, that this summer I took part in the "This is Kirland" play. I was involved with costumes. I did repairs, alterations and even put together some of the pieces. So here are some pictures of my work.

My first ever bonnet

These two dresses I put together. Rebbecca cut them for me.

Play skirts

2009-07-23T17:26:00.000-07:00

Two Panel blue plaid skirt

I can't seem to be able to keep Sarah clothed. She is growing so fast. The most challenging thing for me and her is to find cute, inexpensive, modest clothes for church. Or just dressy clothes. Everything out there seems to be made for 20 yrs old or too casual. So, I started to experiment with making clothes for her. But since I'm not that great at sewing I figured It was not going to work, but after all the alterations and costumes making for this is Kirtland I decided to give it another go. This time I started small. I made a few skirts for Megan and hope to make bigger ones for Sarah later. They turned out ok. Megan loved them. Now I just need to learn a cute top pattern and hope Sarah likes what I make for her. Megan love her little skirts but she is only 4 yrs. Sarah is 12 and finding her own style .

Lady bug ruffle skirt.

Pre-school Park

2009-07-23T17:02:00.000-07:00

Since we couldn't afford to pay for Megan to go to pre-school, we went to the pre-school room at one of our local libraries. The room provide us with all that a normal pre-school would provided except the teacher. Megan love going there, but she too enjoy the park next door. While the weather was still nice, we went to the pre-school room and them to the park. It became a weekly routine. The park became to be known as the pre-school park. Once the older kids were out of school, we stop going to the pre-school room. The other day Megan asked to go to the pre-school park. The older kids weren't to thrill with the idea but we ended up having a great time.

Updates

2009-07-10T09:01:00.000-07:00

College: I still haven't decided what school to attend in the fall. I'm waiting for both of the school reward letters to see which school makes more affordable for me to attend. So far I'm leaning towards, CSU, I even register for classes there. But I JCU offers better when it comes to financial aid. I would love to attend there.

Work: Key Bank has decided to postpone their layoff until Oct. Which can be seen a good thing, but if we get layoff at the time it would be to late for us to put our house on the market, the kids and I would be already in school making it hard to relocate. But in the other hand we still have a job and I know I least we have one until the Fall.

Costumes: I'm had a very busy 2 months working on the 'This is Kirtland' costumes. It was so much fun, but mostly I learn a lot in the process. Rebbeca is a great designer and I was so glad to had work with her and learn so much from her. The show in in full swing right now. There are presentations this weekend and It would wrap up next weekend. I get to help put thing away for next year.

Musette Bracelet GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-07-10T08:55:00.000-07:00

I know I never win anything but this is so cute!!
Musette Bracelet GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

4th of July

2009-07-10T08:15:00.000-07:00

We had the best 4th of July this year. But like last year not many pictures. We started by going to our church ward 4th of July breakfast. We had a very yummy breakfast buffet. Then we when home and took a very nice nap. Them we went to a friends BBQ. It was a great one we got to pick from a list of very awesome burgers. And them the burgers were made to order. And they were unbelievable. Plus we got to enjoy great company. Then we went to the fireworks we got there about 3 hour early. But we got great parking and great seats. Sarah was mortified and embarrass, since we were the only ones waiting for the fired works by the side of the road. She counted how many people stared at us and after she hit 125 cars she stop counting. The kids got to use sparklers for the first time. It was odd to me since I think I played with sparklers when I was about 2yrs old. By the time I was my kids age I've moved to bigger fireworks that are probably not even legal in the US or Canada. When you live in a 3rd word country everything goes.

We are so glad to live in a country with the freedoms we enjoy and for all those that keep us safe from harm. We were so exited to celebrate another birthday for our beloved country. Happy 4th america!

Camp Mohak

2009-07-10T07:32:00.000-07:00

Sarah had the chance to go on a science camping trip with her school. (Thank to her grandfather we could afford it.) It was a 3 day camp and cost a whopping $250. As I was helping her pack, I realized I was sending her on a trip with people that I hardly knew. Was I crazy? a lot of things came through my mind-she is too young, she is so naive, she is a girl! But as I talked it out with my husband I realized she would be ok. We taught her good principals, she is a good girl, but most of all I know the Lord would protect her and guide her. And as hard as I try I can't protected her from everything in this life. As a new parent of a teen, It help me to know that other families in our church that have children in the same school has send them on longer trips (like Montreal). So I relax a little bit.

Sarah seem to have a great time and learn a lot. She was happy when she came home. She was safe and sound. Here are some if her pictures.

Boojiboo Flirty Apron GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-07-02T11:24:00.000-07:00

Very Cute!!
Boojiboo Flirty Apron GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

The roofers are here!

2009-07-02T11:08:00.000-07:00

After 3 year of having the same problem with our roof we finally got our insurance to covered it and the roofers came in to start the work. We finally get to have some vents and a exhaust fan, which would make it more comfortable for all of us, specially for Sarah that has a room in the attic where it gets very hot in the summer.Now we just need to wait for the rain to clear up for them to finish it up.

Indians vs Reds

2009-07-02T10:20:00.000-07:00

The fireworks

We were so happy to be able to go to my first baseball game. (yes never before been to a baseball game). It was fun, we brought bottle water that we found out once we got there that It's not allow. Since you can buy water inside for $4.25 per bottle, but the guard let us go for this time. He did suggested juice boxes for next time. I don't know, Juice for summer heat? I might have to come up with another way to bring water in if we ever comeback. I was surprised that Megan sat for the whole game. She loved clapping to the drum. Jed enjoy the ketchup, muster and onion's race and Sarah sat there with her teenage face on, well she was tired after a week at girls camp. We enjoy sugary snacks the whole evening. It was a little sunny and hot but as soon as the sun went down the weather was beautiful. I'm happy to report that the Indians won!!....after the game we stayed to enjoy the fireworks. What a great day.

Megan and her sheep, she taker it everywhere!!

Sarah is wearing her girl's camp cap and pins

Jed and Megan in the blazing sun

Pretty Sarah

The game

Sock Monkeys

2009-06-25T07:26:00.001-07:00

The monkeys

I've been so busy lately that my kids had been a little bit neglected so I decided to put together a craft project that all the kids would enjoy. Sock monkeys! We started very well and having fun, then it wasn't any fun anymore. It wasn't as easy as we thought. Megan refused to make one and Jed didn't think it was cool enough. But then it got to be hilarious, with all the mistakes we were making and the funny ways the monkey were turning up, we couldn't help but to have fun. I was pleasingly surprised to find out the Jed knows how to sew by hand. I guess is one less skill I have to teach him for his mission. Sarah loved the challenge and saw the whole thing trough. At the end we end it up with not so cute sock monkeys, we loved the time we spend together and most of all we had a load of fun.

Hard at work

Twenty minute Simple Skirt Tutorial AND GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-06-21T17:32:00.000-07:00

This is a great link to make an easy skirt!
Twenty minute Simple Skirt Tutorial AND GIVEAWAY!!!!

Zoo Trip

2009-06-21T16:23:00.000-07:00

We loved our Cleveland Zoo. We went to their Dinosour exibit this past week. We ha a lot of fun!

Father Day Suprised

2009-06-21T15:57:00.000-07:00

The kids decided to surprised their daddy by going to where he parks his car, before he takes the train to work, and place a basket with a goodies and a nice sign to show him how much they love him. We have a lot of fun doing it.
I just have to say how much I love my husband, for the wonderful father he is, for his hard work and love for all of us. Happy Fathers day to all the wonderful fathers in our lives!!

Blogs

2009-06-07T12:08:00.001-07:00

I'm updated I think...well no, but mostly. The kids are out of school and 'till I'm done with the play I would take longer to post. I'm however trying to keep up with all your guys' blogs, sorry not time for comments. But so you know, you are in my thoughts.

My new wardrobe

2009-06-07T11:55:00.000-07:00

My new wardrobe not really. Since I moved here to Cleveland (except one year) I've being helping the main costume designer for the play "this is Kirtland"with costumes. I really enjoyed it, but this year I have a little bit more of responsibility, together with someone else I'm in charge of the women costumes. I even got to do 2 dresses. I really like sewing to the sound of ebooks. I got trough 2 already. I think I might be able to listened to another this week while I make the second dress. Thank Rebbecca for giving me the change to learn and to be part of it all. I will post pictures of the dresses I made latter on!

Non traditional Student

2009-06-07T11:50:00.000-07:00

I don't think I've been a regular student ever in my college Carrier, but now more than ever. Since Megan starts school in the fall and there are not more children in our future I'm going back to school. I've been accepted to two Universities in the area. I still deciding which one to attend. Both having pros and cons. Specially when it comes to money. But what I know I would be in school this fall, and I'm exited, happy, nervous and afraid to death to start school again.

Megan's green beans

2009-06-07T11:41:00.000-07:00

So we haven't had time to plant much this year. But Megan and I went outside and we started green beans. Last year we planted some but there wasn't enough to eat. So this year I decided to dedicate a whole planter box for it. Hopefully we would get enough to eat and to can. I decided to called it Megan's garden since she was that one that help me plant it.

Among friends were are safe!!

2009-06-07T11:04:00.000-07:00

Last Friday after a very stressful week. Our family was invited to a cook out at some friends house. Bill and I went into the kitchen to prepared one of our dishes and Bill was a little shaken after rumors of his team maybe going through some changes. ( Yes we are still in danger of loosing our job) I said come on cheer up we are among friends. He added- yes we are among friend we are safe. I liked it when he said it. It rings true. I don't think I could make on my own with my family so far away, but I'm glad we have been blessed with wonderful friends that care and support us. Thank you everyone for being such great friends to our strange (sometimes) Family.

Nothing better that a nice fired in a cool summer night

Volley Ball, something for everyone. Even Jed that doesn't like sports as much!

Even when we can't have more children anymore we are so glad to surrounded by others peoples babies

Jumping on the trampoline

End of the year concert

2009-06-07T10:48:00.000-07:00

Jed is in the blue shirt. We can never seen to wear that right clothes for these events. Maybe next year.

In our school district we are still fortunate enough to have a music program. In the 4th grade if I child would like to, can choose and instrument and for a year receive instruction. Jed being in the 3rd grade is not jet in the program. But in 3er grade they start by learning the recorder. Jed not only played the recorder with his class but was chosen to play a special number with the school orchestra. He did so well and he are looking forward to next year when he can finally pick up and music instrument.
Our smiley Jed after the program. We are so glad to see him smile again. I know it is taking awhile but we are getting there.

Memorial day

2009-06-07T09:54:00.000-07:00

Sarah after the parade. she's never march before so she sure was very tired.

Our small city has a yearly Memorial day parade. We only have to walk to the street next to ours and there we can enjoy a very nice parade. Who knew ? Sarah got to played with her school band this year. After 3 years of living in our neighborhood this is the first time we spend memorial day weekend in town, We had lots of fun, collecting candy. We meet Sarah at JCU where the parade end it for a hot dog and a drink Then we went to the neighborhood part to enjoy and nice cook out with friends. The weather was perfect but the company was the best.

I love my neighrhood.

Waiting for the parade

Sarah marching with her school

Science Fair and Father son camp out

2009-05-28T07:02:00.000-07:00

It's seems like is been a long time since I last blog. I've missed reading other peoples blogs too, but I've had so much to do. I always have a lot of things I have to do but I not always do it, but this time around other people are depending on me to do it, so I'm doing it. So I'll try to update as much as I can and hopefully catch up with every one's blogs too.

Jed and daddy at around the camp fire

Jed very upset after daddy and friend told him very scary stories

Jed and Bill started the Harrington's Camping season with the yearly father/son camp out. They went to Hyrum with our whole stake. This time they got to camp on the church's back lawn, instead of the camp ground, but still they have so time to bond and lots of fun.

Jed in front of his 1st place project

Jed had his first science fair this year. And he won first place. His topic was "how chemicals weather rocks". He really enjoyed it. He likes rocks, and thanks to some friends we got to secure some marvel chips. He loves science and we hope this is just the first of may successes. We are so proud of you Jed. Congratulations!!

Jed and Sarah checking up the exhibit

Jed certificate of participation and blue 1st place ribbon

The world of beads

2009-05-11T12:45:00.000-07:00

My Earring collection

Thanks to my friend Sarah, I have discover the wonderful world of beads and jewelery making.

Here are some of my feeble attends to create jewelery. They are quite nice but my camera doesn't take very at close pictures. This would be a nice hobby to get into it. But I don't think I can afford just now. Thank Sarah for give me the opportunity to have a taste of it.I made this little bracelet for Megan.

I got the little heart in a gift bow and I used it as an inspiration for this piece
This one was my first oneI love this one, is neutral and goes with a lot.

The Brass Hussy GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-05-11T12:19:00.000-07:00

These are very unique and lovely pieces. I really hope I win.
The Brass Hussy GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!: "Wednesday, May 6, 2009"

3 years on the making

2009-05-11T11:43:00.000-07:00

3 years ago we decided to tile our bathroom. Tiling turn into tearing tile from the walls and then tearing down walls and ceilings. We ended up gutting our bathroom. What were we thinking!! I don't know we were CRAZY...we figure it would take only 3 day and about $400 to rebuild, well its taking us 3 years and about $2000 to finish it. Thanks to my hard working husband (and his friends) it is finally complete and it looks so nice. There are still some finishing touches to do but it looks so good. So pretty.
Now we can finally move to the kitchen. Wait .... no we had to repair our front stairs and out a new railing so we don't loose our insurance, and then fix our roof so we don't get leaks in the winter, plus put in a roof fan so we don't roast in the summer. Oh well let see how long it takes to finish all those, before we can start on the kitchen. And let's pray nothing else brakes in between all those projects. The joys of owning an old house!

What I learn from my mother

2009-05-10T10:22:00.000-07:00

This year instead of writing my feeling about my mother (since she doesn't even read this blog), I though I'll write some of the most wonderful things I learn from her.

Never depend on a man!-growing up in a Latino culture with macho men and women are to serve man attitude, she always told to find away to stand on my own two feet so I wasn't treated like a maid. Plus, she said that having a boyfriend early in life would keep me from being free. She told me that once I was ready to loose my free down then I could started dating. This attitude kept me from having a boyfriend until I was 17 yrs old. And even then I keep myself very independent.

We are women and we are strong-she always taught me that it didn't matter what situation we were in, we need to always show our strong side. Even when we were hurting inside.

Always have a nice dress- I think this one came from my grandmother. But I remember always having a very nice dress just in case I need it to go somewhere special.

Covenants are serious commitments- I always wonder why she stayed with my father, specially when he was a very angry and difficult man. Her answer was simple, " I made covenants with him and the Lord in the temple and as long and he keeps his end I would keep mine. Plus I kind of love him !". I too always remember her saying to me you made covenants with the Lord, no body force you to do it, so now stick with it, but if don't you are the only one that would suffer the consequences.

Always carry extra money- Cash to be more precise, you never know when you would get in a situation where you need money.

The way your kids and husband look would reflect on what kind of house keeper you are- I hated this one. Kids don 't always like to wear what you pick out for them. And husbands don't always were clean and press clothes. OK I''m a bad house keeper!

Love and serve everybody-my mother is loved by many, because she is always serving and loving people even that ones that are difficult to serve and love. She always said to me, it easy to love those that are nice to you, but how about the other ones that are not so easy to love. Those are that ones that we need to love the most.

Friends are precious-friends are always important people in our life, we need to treasured then and keep them as long as we can. Friends are like family, they can help you make memories and be there for you when you need them the most. She still writes and call a few of her friends that she'd for over 40 years.

Simplicity-life is full of thing to do and have. But she always made everything simple. Life is simple, live simply and you'll be happy is her way of doing things. Plus simplicity keeps us humble.

Don't complain so much, nobody like a complainer- I think I still have to learn this one. Keep a positive attitude, show your best side, smile and people would come to you, she always says that to me.

Don't be afraid to speak up- although she is as shy or more than I 'm when she has something important to say she says it, even if the other person is not ready to hear it. I remember her telling me of an experience when a friend of the family was telling her how his family was suffering and her responding to him 'you know why this is happening to you? it is because you have stray away from the Lord and his gospel' he was shock but agreed with her. She always speaks up specially when it comes to defending those who she loves.

Have an odd sense of humor- If you spend time with her you would see that she has a very serious personality. But out not where she would make you laugh until your belly hurts. He responds to bad or stressful situations by laughing. Some times it isn't a good thing but other times you can't help it but to laugh with her.

Enjoy life- she loves life, she enjoys nature and travel to new places. She embraces new experiences and appreciate talent. Her memories are treasures in her life. She savors every moment and want everybody to do the same. She came from very humble beginnings she enjoyed the fact that she share those moment with her mother and brothers and she love how simple life was even when sometimes it was hard. She knows that life is short and it is meant to be enjoy.

Be nice to your guest- being polite is important but when in comes to guest give them your best. Make sure they feel at home.

Love for children- I hated when we were out and she would strike a conversation with kids (even babies), now I found myself doing the same thing. She was a teacher and she learn to love, and to care for them. She still to this day would sit down on the floor and play with her grandchildren. She would come to children's aid not matter who's they are, she would teach them and care for them. And she would tell me not only to care and put my own children first, but all children I come in contact with. She truly believe children are special sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father and deserve the best attention and care.

Love, support and trust your husband- I remember when my husband was jobless and she told me "I have faith in Bill that he would find a job soon". I think she had so much faith in him that it help him and me to go trough it. I too remember her being mad at me after witnessing a fight between my husband and I and her counseling me to back off, that the way I reacted wasn't the best way. She always loved my dad, even when he was hard to love. She tough us both to respect him. She always encourages me to be loyal to my husband and to care for him. But her example as a wife has always being the best teacher in my life.

You are not a gold coin- I remember one time coming home from school and telling her about someone not liking me. she responded by saying I love you and it hurts me when someone it's unkind to you but in reality you are not a little gold coin that everybody would love to have. So, some people would like you and some other won't. You just have to deal with that.

Love the Lord before anything else- she has been an example of love for the Lord. She has a strong testimony of his gospel and have learn and practice Christ like qualities, but most of all she taught us children to do the same.

Have faith and pray-she's called me almost every week since I got married and left home. Her encouraging words had always been 'pray often and have faith's. I know that when she prays the Lord listens. I know when she shows faith thinks happened. I hope some day I can have the same faith she has and pray with as much faith as she does.

Don't give up, nothing last forever- trials always plagued our life but she always tells me it would soon pass, nothing last forever and if it does you'll die before you have to endured forever.

Share-as children we were never allowed to eat in front of other children if we didn't have enough to share. But the example of sharing to me was when we were still living in El Salvador and our city was under attack by the guerrillas. Gun fired kept everybody indoors and people started to run out of food. My uncle and cousin risked their life to come to our house and see if we had some food. My mother share with them our food storage. At the time we didn't know how long it would be until we can get food again, but she didn't hesitated to share with those who need it our help.

Be the best you can be at your callings-when we moved to Canada my mom's English wasn't the best but she was called to be a sunbeam teacher. She was to teach every other Sunday. For the following months she prepared her lessons and with her limited English though the little sunbeams. She was love so much by those kids that when my kids came to visit, they were upset to share sister Marin with the grandchildren. She has been my example of visiting teaching too. She was my first companion. I remember her asking me when would be a good time to go out. Since I was to busy with school, most of the time I forgot. So she would go alone. One time I remember taking a break from my studies and saw her going out. I asked her where she was going and she told me she need to go to the store. One of the sister we visited teach was in need of some food and was without money. I walk with her to the store and bough a few essentials for the family. It was then that I realized how important VT was and that my mother was a great VT.

OK so I can go on forever telling you about all the things a learn from my mother, but there is not enough space or time to tell you all of it, but this represent a small chuck of all the wonderful thing she tough me. I'm so glad I had a wonderful mother that took the time to teach me not just by word but by example. Love you mom!!

The Mall

2009-05-04T06:47:00.000-07:00

We were running late, half hour to be exact. As we parked our car my friend and I rushed to mall entrance wearing our Sunday Best. (It was not a Sunday) I hate malls was all I can think, It didn't help that we got the stares for what we were wearing, but It didn't matter. What was waiting for us was more exiting. We knew where we were going. We looked for the Chinese food place, there in front of it where standing two very good looking guys, looking at us, waiting for us. We looked at them and approach them, they too were wearing their Sunday best. They smile when they saw us walking toward them, one them approached me and said, 'the whole place started to beam when you walked trough those doors and then he kissed me'.
Ok, ok, I know cheese but I though it would be fun to write this little story as they do in those romance books. Now the whole story. Our friends from the Mayfield ward, decided to have dinner before we went to the adult conference on Saturday night. Since both the guys are Sunday School presidents (in their own ward) they had a leadership meeting before the adult session. So they when ahead, and we met them for dinner. We ended up at the mall, near the stake center eating Chinese food. It was fun to go out with another couple. It was kind of cool to meet them there. My husband and I didn't date much before we got married so our dates take on a different meaning for me some times. We are thinking we can make this a tradition but since the Yearlys might be leaving soon we'll keep this occasion as cool memory.

Another Birthday

2009-05-04T06:25:00.000-07:00

I turned 34 last month. Woohoo for me. I had a nice day. Bill took the day off and took me out to lunch. We ended it up at Applebees, since the closest Olive Garden (one of my favorite places to eat) was close. Then I got to spend I nice day at home, without worries. We had cake with the kids and to as part of my birthday Bill took me see "The X MEN" movie, on our date night. It was so cool!! Jed got me flower seeds and all the makings for a Butterfly garden. I can't wait 'till I can plant them.
So what else can I say, I'm 34 yrs old, mother of 3, including an almost teenager, an almost happy 9 year old and very goofy 4 year old. I've been married for 13 years to a very wonderful man, lived in 3 countries and 3 different states. I'm getting ready to go back to school and I finally know what I wants to do when I grow up (sort of). But above anything else I can say this is the year I've been the most happy in my life. So here, here to another wonderful year in my no so very normal life!!

My cake, it was white and chocolate, and yes I only had one candle. We didn't have 34 candles.

Time to go back

2009-04-30T11:23:00.000-07:00

Megan is starting Kindergarten in the fall and since we can have anymore children and the chance to adopt is not financially possible right now, it is time for me to go back to school and finish what I started 15 years ago. I've applied to two school in the area. JCU and CSU. I got accepted at JCU but since it is a private university, one year would cost us 1/2 of our annual income, but I'm still looking to see if I can find finding. I" don't want to borrow anymore money. I want to attend JCU because is close to my house and can be available to the kids after all I'm still a full time mom.Plus JCU offers quality of education. But if I can secure funding within the next couple of month then I have to look for a less expensive alternative. Wish me luck!

Sarah's life moments

2009-04-30T10:54:00.000-07:00

The Book
The other day Sarah told me that a book she was reading had some bad word in it. I asked her what the bad word was, she told me. I told her it was up to her to keep reading it. A few day later she told me that she put it down and wasn't going to read it anymore. I heard too that she had talk to her Dad about it and he told her that if she didn't feel comfortable reading it not to read it anymore. So she decided to go for another book.

The Movie
Sarah told me that she had watch 'The Patriot' at school. At first I didn't pay much attention, because I though it was a rate PG-13 movie. Although I was annoy the school had not inform me about it, I though it was a mistake by the substitute teacher. The next day Sarah told me that they had watch the rest of the movie and she herself email me the rating. I was uphold. This was not a mistake anymore. She told me that she had read a book while they watched it. And asked us to call the school to let them know she was not allow to watch those movies, because they were watching the last part of it the next day. I email the principal and her homeroom teacher that say. They were both horrified and asked the teacher not to show it anymore. It is school police to only show G movies to students. Any higher ratings parents need to sign a consent form. Sarah too advice her friends that she knows are not allow to watch PG 13 movies, like her, of the ratings. We are so proud of you Sarah for making the right choices.

This is the Email response I got from her Homeroom teacher.

Hello Mrs. Harrington,
I spoke with Sarah today and told her if there is ever a problem in class to ask the teacher for a pass & she could come and tell me. She asked to stay in my classroom today as she wasn’t sure whether they would be showing the Patriot. I told her she could certainly stay in the room. Also, I told her I would check with the teacher to see if they were showing the video. They were not. I told her that if for any reason she needed to leave just to ask for a pass & come to my room. I was very proud of her for asking me about staying. Thank you emailing me about this unfortunate situation.
Mrs. Christy

Art Nest Pincushion RingGIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-04-30T09:53:00.000-07:00

This one is so cute. I so want one. I wish really hard that I win!
Art Nest Pincushion RingGIVEAWAY!!!!

Books

2009-04-25T17:31:00.000-07:00

I love to read, sometimes I read like there is no tomorrow. Last year I read over 60 books. I've always liked to read but I've not always had the time or the books to read. While in El Salvador, I know we had books but my family didn't own too many. My dad and mom were teachers and had many reference books, school books. I don't think books were very widely available at that time, in that country. They didn't have libraries either. Well not like the ones in Canada or US. I do remember the only books I had back then, were a Disney fable's book, a book of poems, Pinocchio and Puss in Boots. I loved those books I read them over and over. I loved stories too. I remember listening to a radio program where someone read fairy tales, I was enchanted by them, to this day they are still so clear in my mind. When I was a little older my mother bought me a set of kids encyclopedias that contain lots of different things for kids, from stories to crafts. They became my treasures. I took my time reading them, I savor every page, every story. Then we moved to Canada I had to learn a new language, but I was lucky enough to live down the road from the theater and the biggest public library in town. I spend hours in those 2 places. I didn't know very much English but I loved the feeling of being surrounded by so many books. But then life got busy, high school, college, work and motherhood. So my passion for reading slow down. But books were still there in the background. Books played a wonderful part in my courtship with my husband and in the early years of our marriage. My husband read to me. I loved the sound of his voice as he read to me. He stills reads to me once in a while, it soothe and calms me. Our girls love to read too, Jed well we kind of drop the ball with him, but still, he reads like a pro when he wants to do it. Books are a wonderful part of our family life.
I still love libraries, love books and stories. I'm so glad that I have more time now to be able to read. I'm so glad a found what kind of books I live to read. I'm so glad a live in Cleveland where they have one of he most awesome library system I ever known. Plus being part of Good Reads, helps me pick wonderful books thanks to my wonderful friends. So if you ever want to talk books or want to share a book with me. I promise I would give it a chance and be grateful for it.

Simple Skirts GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-04-20T11:16:00.000-07:00

Another great giveaway from grosgrain.
Cute and simple GIVEAWAY!!!!

On of a kind

2009-04-20T10:39:00.000-07:00

I said to my friend that other day "it is a miracle that my husband and I are still together". She looked at me surprise and asked me why I said that? I just responded because we knew so little of each other when we first got married.
Bill and I had experience many trials in our marriage, some that could have broken up our relationship but the wonderful thing is the we still together and we still love each other. As I sit here in my bed, with a box of tissues, a sore throat and a stuffy head. While my husband sits downstairs at our dinning table working from home because he decided to stay home to help me take care of the kids while I rested, I realized I married a one of a kind man. When we were newly weds I used to say to him that he was perfect, a course I was wrong. He is not perfect but one thing I know he is perfect for me. I'm glad to say I love him more than when I first meet him. I'm glad that we are different, and that we knew so little of each other when we started, if we knew more I don't think we would've married. But now that I grown up and understand love and marriage a little better I'm glad he cross my path.
I'll remember today because he got a parking ticket downtown while picking up his laptop, because he took Jed to school, took Megan to work with him (just to get his stuff), allowed me to sleep 'till 11am and made me lunch all of this, just because I got a very bad cold and he care enough to put me first in his life. Yes, we don't have the Edward and Bella love story but we could give them a run for their money. And at this time it is enough for me.

VT

2009-04-15T17:52:00.000-07:00

13 years ago as a newly wed, in a new situation, in a new country, living away from home for the first time. I was feeling lonely, afraid, and in desperate need of friendship. And then my visiting teacher came to visit me. I was so overwhelmed with everything that as soon as they sat down I started to cry. I didn't care that they were strangers, all I knew was that they were my visiting teachers and they were here to care for me, they were my sisters. Because of this experience I promised myself I was going to be an instrument in God's hands and be the best visiting teacher I could be. In my life my mother has been a great example to me when it comes to visiting teaching. So all I needed was a little bit of practice.
I have to say it has not been easy but it has been rewarding. Since I made this goal, I have had wonderful experiences through this inspired program. I met a wonderful elderly woman that taught me the value of service and love for others. I've shared in the pain of a divorce, and the healing that only comes through the atonement of Jesus Christ by visiting with a sister that was only 22 when she got a divorce . I met a woman with terminal cancer and got to see her come to grips with the fact she was about to leave her children alone, and once she died being grateful to have been part of her life. I learned to play hide and seek with a girl that refused to see me. (she really used to hide from me when she didn't want to see me and sent me around her building looking for her). I would never forget the day when I heard that the husband of one of the people I visit taught passed away, and how glad I was to know we had talked about sorrows and how Christ could help us in all kinds of situations not too long before this happened. I have to say too, I had wonderful companions that have worked hard along my side, that have taught me love, service and to never to give up.
This past week I had one of those experience. I have had a sister on my list for about a year now. I had not been able to make personal contact with her. We've gone to her house but we haven't ever been able to ever find her. We've kept in contact with her by mail. But we always wanted to be able to visit. So this past week was her birthday. I decided to asked Heavenly Father for His help. I prayed that I might reach this sisters heart. I left hoping to drop off a small gift and card for her at her doorstep. But to my surprise she was there. In the middle of the day. I didn't even have to knock, she came to the door and opened it as I was putting the little present at her door. We got to talk for a little bit. It was amazing. I'm so glad that I got to see her, I hope that from now on we can see her more regularly and that she can feel the love of the Lord in her life. I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to be a visiting teacher and to have the chance to serve. I'm grateful too, to have visiting teachers that care...that are there for me when I need them the most. I'm not the best visiting teacher I can be yet. But I'm going to continue to practice that I might give it my best. But most of all, I want to be an instrument to help the Lord care for His precious daughters.

Easter Dresses

2009-04-15T17:33:00.000-07:00

So this year I found some material on sale and since I had some dress patterns for both of the girls I decided to make some Easter dresses. They were easy to make. I still have to work on Sarah's dress, it needs to be more fitted and the inside is fraying, but not a big deal. I'm glad I was able to finish them on time and that they look ok. And most of all the girls liked them and wore them.

Easter Weekend

2009-04-14T17:19:00.000-07:00

I got an email from my brother that said "I'm working extra-time so we can come and visit for Easter" I was so exited and touched. I love when family comes to visit Specially when I know they made a lot of sacrifices to visit. Thank Mario and Ana for making the effort to visit.
During the week we all work so hard to be ready for their arrival and enjoy a nice weekend with each other. It is so fun to have 11 people in the house. My parents, my brother, his wife and 3 kids plus our family. We sure have come a long way since we were a family of 4. I was sad to see them go. I always wish I was closer to them, to enjoy time with my nephews and help my parents out in their old age. But I can't have it all so I will always treasure the times we get to spend together. I love the memories we make together and specially enjoy the felling of love we share.

The Egg hunt

The Base-Ball Game. The Toronto Bluejays vs the Cleveland Indians

Rocking 12

2009-04-14T16:14:00.000-07:00

Sarah had her first big girl party, to celebrate her 12 birthday. He had 7 boys and girls over for a pizza dinner and rock band. They had a lot of fun. They walked home from school and spend the rest of the afternoon singing and snacking. Bill and I cooked the pizza and kept and eye on the kids. Bill was so surprised to see boys in the house. I told them-well she spend a lot of time with them at school, might as well get to know them. I was glad Sarah felt that she could bring her friends home I loved getting to know them and most of all I feel I little better when she is here and I can see how she interact with her friends.

Giveaway

2009-04-01T13:34:00.000-07:00

I love this site, she reviews and giveaway wonderful books. Check her out here. This one is particular of interest to me. My daughter is a shy as I''m.