Good bad days

I find hard to hold the tears sometimes...so sometimes I just let them go.

It is very difficult to be away from my family and friends...and country, especially in theses days when you are supposed to be always happy, around the ones you love.

I miss them.

I miss you.

I decided to read my scriptures before writing in my blog so I could write a better, happier entry. They do put things in perspective.

They can turn your BAD day to a GOOD day!

1 Nephi 19.

Nephi says he will write the more plain and precious things....sacred things....of great worth to him. But still, there will be who esteem them as nothing and trample them under their feet.

V.7,9:

"...Yeah, even the very God of Israel do men trample under their feet; I say trample under their feet but I would speak in other words- they set him as naught, and hearken not to the voice of his counsels.

And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yeah, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men".

One thing I want to do this year, is not "trample" the scriptures, nor esteem them as nothing. But read them and study them, and "LIKEN THEM for my profit and learning". ( v 23). That's top of my list. Monday and Tuesday I didn't, so there goes my perfect report, but it won't happen again :D

How do I love second chances! Where, what would we be without them?

The chance to make it perfect.... and nobody counting the many "unsuccessful tries".

And then why do we find so hard to not judge people or give them the benefit of the doubt.... when we so need it for ourselves?

Why do we forget life is not a competition? This is not about who does more or who does better than who.... There is One who has already won... and He wants us all to win.

We need to focus more on our strengths than our weaknesses. That's how He sees us.

There is only One who is perfect, the rest of us are trying. We all need help.... each other's help... not each other's criticism or kicks down.

I want to keep this in mind this New Year.... many other things... I'll have to find some time and write them down. I need that to help me stay on track. It's so easy to get distracted, I hope I can dedicate my time and effort in what it is that matters most.

Happy New Year to All!!

Last Sunday

It'se last Sunday of 2009.

I'm excited about 2010... and I'm excited about the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games. I was going to be a volunteer, but I haven't got any assignments yet, so I don't think I'm in :(

I can't believe I'm still sick. I am better, but I've been taking the medicine religiously every day for two full weeks...and nothing! So I'm trying something else....

We've had a nice Christmas.

This year Evan had the best reaction to the presents.

The night before they couldn't wait to go to sleep and they argued about who was going to be the first up to see the presents. Carmen thought it would be her, but everybody knows she is ALWAYS the last one getting up, I told her. She tried to convinced me with no luck.

So around 7 Isabel woke up, I brought her in bed with us, I nursed her for a while ( I sooooooo want to stop breastfeeding, but she won't!!!) but she was up for good, so we got up but they woudln't! So Evan had to stand in the hall way and said: Ho HO HO!!!. Next thing we know....Evan comes out of his room running straight to the tree and yelling: Santa came, Santa came!!! So he went and tried to get Carmen to get up...but she was to sleepy it took her a while to realize it was CHRISTMAS!

Evan was awesome!! You could never imagine what couple of cars and a race track could do to a three year old. I almost cried to see him so happy: " I wanted this, mommy, I wanted this!!"

He's been plying with it every second since :D

Carmen likes her presents too, but she didn't go all out about it. SO I'm glad I had an Evan :D

That day we had turkey dinner( thanks to Andrea) at Jordan and Tracy's. I'm glad we had a turkey dinner. It was gooood!.. and my spinach salad was the BOMB ( a 10 out of 10 according to Jordan).

The day after they played soccer in the morning, and Jordan came over with the girls to watch the games... not one but two. First Canada-Latvia (16-0) how embarrassing, poor guys... and then Montreal won...and that's always good. I like a happy hubby :D

This weekend I've had nice naps. The kids were good for me. So at night I've spent some good time with Evan, just us. It's been good. I miss him so much on busy days. He is always so warm, and I am always so cold, it is perfect cuddle time:D

So about the scripture reading...I can't believe I'm doing so well.... I also have really good studies...this is being awesome, I should have started it long time ago :D

I won't write everything about it but over these days, I've read about the birth of our Saviour ( always amazing, and since becoming a mother my love for Mary has so increased!), about Nephi's broken bow....( HE is my favorite prophet!) and then in Mark 9 ( another of my all time favorite phrases : "Lord I believe; help thou my unbelief", right after: all things are possible to him that believeth!) and D&C 121. I really enjoy my readings for my Primary classes. I get to read stories about the pioneers as well. They are amazing. There is no day I cry reading about how they faced their trials, and how they came out of them with such strong faith and testimony. AMAZING.

So I leave you with this verse:

"All thrones and dominions, principalities and powers, shall be revealed and set forth upon all who have endured valiantly for the gospel of Jesus Christ"

"My life cannot implement in action the demands of all people to whom my heart responds"

Every year, every Christmas I would like to send a little "love" to all the people I think about, all the people I care about, all the people I LOVE.... I wish one year I will actually be able to do it.

Please....feel loved!!

I haven't even gone yet to get the presents for my own kids. :S

I guess not having money simplifies things :D

Cars and barbies... it shouldn't take me long.

We got new sheets...that's our present. But it is nice to have decent sheets for once.

We might have some extra money in January so we might get to buy something for each other.

Evan got me a beautiful Picasso picture. I still have to buy the frame. It is absolutely beautiful. "Guerra y Paz".

I've been feeling like I wanted to start painting and writting...and this has defenetly encouraged my creativity.

I've written a couple of things already...but I still have to get into the painting... I can't wait to see what I can do!

So I'll miss my family this year ( again!) I'll miss my friends ( argggggghh!) but Christmas is Christmas.... no matter what, you always end up feeling great!!! There is no empty space that the Spirit cannot fill.

So...

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Visiting GREAT-GRANDMA B !!

Fuimos a visitar a la Sra Betty McLean, abuela de mi marido. Nacio el 17 de Enero de 1917. Ya esta muy viejita la pobre y esta perdiendo memoria. Nos conto la misma historia 3 o 4 veces en menos de 1 hora.

Cantamos un par de villancicos y en alguno ella tb se animo a cantar :D

Carmen tiene un carinyo especial por personas mayores en general, pero les tiene un carinyo especial a sus bisabuelos. Y aunque son tan mayores y se olvidan de todo...no se olvidan de ella.

Nos paseamos un rato y saludamos a otras viejitas que estan alli y todas estaban maravilladas con mis hijos. Todas me comentaban lo preciosos q eran y se quedaban asombradas de que los tres fueran mios: "Estaras super ocupada"... no lo saben bien... pero se hacian una idea viendome perseguir a Isabel para que no tocara nada e intentar atrapar a Evan para que dejara de correr por los pasillos...

El 23 de ENero tenemos una gran fiesta planeada para su cumple. Espero q todavia le quden unos anyos. Ahora que vivimos en "tierra firme" y estamos mas cerca, queremos venir a verla una vez al mes por lo menos. Y asi tb le damos una alegria a las otras personas que estan alli :D

Let us have INTEGRITY and not write checks with our tongues which our conduct cannot cash

One good quote from one of my favorite Apostles, Elder Neal Ash Maxwell.

I had a good study yesterday that kept me looking for more and more. It began with Philippians 3 and I ended up reading lots of talks by this prophet, Elder Maxwell. I am so grateful for continuing revelation. The more I read, the clearer my understanding. It was gooooooood :D

My favorite verses:

"... I count all the things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win in Christ....

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus"

(v.8, 14).

Today I read D&C 133. It talks about the Second Coming of our Saviour and the preparation for it. My favorite verse:

"... I have trodden the wine-press alone, and have brought judgement upon all people; and none were with me".

Elder Holland had a magnificent talk on this subject not long ago. It was amazing. As amazing as the Atonement is. As amazing as Jesus Christ, who partook of the most bitter cup without becoming bitter.

I think of how often we get hurt and become so obsessed about our pain, so worried about our own suffering, that we can't see the good in our lives, or be happy for the joy of others, or even worse, become even more hurt if WE, and our pain are not the center of everybody else's attention.

Jesus reached outwardly to others in lesser suffering, even in the midst of the most enormous suffering.

Neal A Maxwell shared a quote form Anne Morrow Lindbergh: "I do not believe that sheer suffering teaches. If suffering alone taught, all the world would be wise, since everyone suffers. To suffering must be added mourning, understanding, patience, love, openness and the willingness to remain vulnerable".

I'm grateful that Jesus has experienced ALL suffering. How could I come to Him if He didn't know exactly how I feel ??? How could He understand me or comfort me if He hadn't experienced it Himself??? And He has... more that anyone!

It is very hard for me to tell you all that I've learned, all that I've experince, all the tesimonies I've received, all the times I've been comforted... I know I've been judged, many things have been said of me and the choices I've made, but I am most grateful because I've had the gift of EMPATHY. I've had ONE special person who has that gift. I can always trust that SHE knows. All she's experienced have given her the perceptivity, patience and love that is needed to give comfort and counsel. And I've been blessed by her....( Gracias PATRICIA! :D)

And of course, many thanks to all my friends who have , and still are praying for me and offering your love!

What could we do without friends!

So that I could remember...

I said that I would write the scriptures I read...but I didn't and now I can't remember :(

It was good reading I'd tell you that. :D

I was really busy this weekend.

It was my b-day yesterday and after having been sick and having been most bored in the house, we went out on Friday....

We went to Earl's. I had been craving their prawn tacos.... it was great, exactly how I remembered :D

On Saturday we had a nice surprise thanks to the YW of our ward. They had prepared a little Christmas basket for our family.... It was amazing!!! So many yummy treats!!! And some handmade decorations... it was great!!!!

I did some shopping, nothing too exciting... well yes, the prime rib we'll have for Christmas Eve ( our little tradition ) and the super new chick tablecloth I got for our HUGE table. Oooooh it is beautiful!!!! I love it.

We had the Spanish Branch Christmas dinner. It was very different for the other two Ward's Parties I've been to. First: We didn't have turkey, we had Sirloin. And second: there was no Nativity message or Nativity Story... they had a missionary share his testimony and then DANCE!!! It was super fun!! I loved it. So many songs that brought so many memories... I loved , lOOOOOOOved it!

I forgot one other difference: they started and HOUR late! hahaha...what about that for a reputation!

Sunday at Church we had the Christmas presentation. It was lovely.

I had a good lesson on faith. I read so many pioneer's stories on faith. They are truly amazing and the Spirit was so strong the kids were even quiet and listened and were impressed and taught by it. I loved the class.

We got home and started hetting ready for the special dinner I had organized for today with the Leonard's ( the family from England we visited a while ago).

I made Spanish Tortillas, Croquetas, Melon con Jamon ( prosciutoo and honeydew melon) and PAELLA. I even got fresh seafood to make it with ( that I was excited about!) with Ceaser Salad ( ok, not too Spanish but that was the salad Evan will let me make).

Well... everything was great, but the paella didn't turned out good... I can't double a recipe for the life of me... I lose control and it doesn't turn out as good... but it was still good...just not Reeeeeeeeeally good! Oh well.. I'll have to make it again :D

No pictures were taken...(and my table looked BEAUTIFUL) but

I've felt so ugly all weekend I didn't want pictures.

So now I'm 29... not bad. Not bad at all :D

I forgot to mention I got a super special present from Evan... but that one is for a post of its own :D ( he's been that good!)

So it is my last year in the twenties.... I wonder how it will feel to turn 30.... the big 30. I've always had this image of a 30 year old woman and I'm quite excited to be THAT woman, so I don't think it will be a traumatic event....but we'll see. :D

It's been a super hard year, but I've grown so much that if I could, I'd live it again and try to grow a lot more than I've done.

I love my life. It is my most precious gift. My life, what I've done, what I am, what He is making of me, who He has placed in my way.... AMAZING....

I am ready for more, so bring it on!

:D

Navidad....Noel...CHRISTMAS!

Hoy Evan ha tenido que ir al cuartel como ayer, y como Carmen todavia esta malita ( pero muchiiismo mejor) y no va al cole ( la pobre se ha perdido la ultima semana de cole, con el concierto de Navidad incluido, con lo bien que se habia aprendido las canciones de Jingle Bell y Rudolph the red nose reindeer!) no he tenido que levantarme a las 5 para llevarle hasta el curro y quedarme el coche.... pfffff menos mal.

Asi q nos hemos quedado en casita y hemos hecho copitos de nieve de adorno, y unos Rudolphs, e hicimos el intento de hacer unos munyecos de nieve con algodon, pero se nos acabo el animo creativo, supongo :D

(Por cierto que ya creo empezar a tener visiones fugaces de lo que va a ser mi hija y el sindrome pre-menstrual y no es nada bonito!... la pobre tiene q quien salir!)

Evan ha llegado enfermo...el que faltaba, y todas ya sabemos lo que son los hombres cuando se enferman.... se ha ido directamente a la cama...bueno, preguntandome antes si se podia ir a la cama y haciendome un poco la pelota...

En fin... menos mal que como mis hijos estan todos medio enfermos, no han tenido mucha energia y no me han crispado mucho los nervios hoy, asi q no me ha ido mal el dia. Y mi casa esta limpia, que eso me da mucha paz mental! :D

Antes de irnos a la cama hemos estado viendo unos videos de Navidad aqui en el ordenador, y cuando Evan jr ha visto que eran de Jesus, se ha ido a buscar la foto de Jesus q tenemos en la mesita del salon y la ha estado sujetando en sus bracitos mientras veiamos los videos....este hijo mio es un cielo!

El favorito es este:

Hoy he leido en ALMA 34.

Un capitulo maravilloso para enternder el Sacrificio Expiatorio de Jesucristo.

Pero es un poquito despues, cuando ha terminado este tema, que he encontrado el mensaje del dia:

LA CARIDAD.

Un tema muy de Navidad.

Si no tenemos caridad nada somos. Si damos de lado al q tiene menos, y no damos al que no tiene nada.....negamos la fe y no valemos para nada.

Asi que leed los versiculos 27-29.

El final del capitulo tb es apoteosico, asi que leedlo entero :D

FELIZ NAVIDAD A TOD@S!

Uncertain

Esa es la palabra que he escogido hoy para mi estudio....porque encaja perfectamente con como me siento acerca de mi futuro.

Evan y yo hemos estado hablando de posibles escenarios en los que nos podemos encontrar dentro de poco.... me da un poco de panico. Y es q este no es el momento para este tipo de charlas.... estoy enferma, me va a venir la regla pronto ( depresion!), y lo de PAZ en la tierra, pero no en mi casa( ni mucho menos en mi mente!)

No doy detalles porque no se sabe lo que pasara...de ahi lo de UNCERTAIN, no??

Pues solo dos referencias.

Escogi 1 Timoteo 6.

Menudo capitulo!!! Me dice algunas cosas q si son seguras.

Versiculo 7: Vinimos con nada a este mundo y con nada nos iremos.

Versiculo 9: El amor al dinero es la raiz de todos los males.

Versiculo 12: me encanta. Pelead la buena batalla de la FE. Echa mano de la VIDA ETERNA.

Y Versiculo 17: "... ni pongan la confianza en la incertidumbre de las riquezas, sino en el Dios vivo, que nos da TODAS las cosas en ABUNDANCIA para q las disfrutemos"

Muchas cosas materiales no tengo, q no quiero tampoco. Me da igual tener un coche de 20 plus anyos, pero q anda, me da igual tener una tele de la misma quinta, pero q funciona, me da igual estar de alquiler, me da igual tener que mirar el centimito a la hora de comprar comida, pero tener q poner en la mesa, me da igual no poder tener regalos estas Navidades, pero aun asi tener una FELIZ Navidad... Dios se "ha sobrao" con el monton de bendiciones que me ha dado.... mis hijos, el milagro de mi matrimonio, entre las mas importantes para mi. Q NO ES POCO! Y la verdad q con eso me sobra. No iba a ser mas feliz si tuviera mas dinero.

Solo tengo un ruego... un milagro mas.... y espero que Dios nos lo conceda. Dios mira el corazon, no??? Espero q vea q el mio no esta puesto en lo que perece....

Q Dios nos ayude, porque no hay otra.

Y estas fotos son del bellezon q me despierta todas las manyanas... se puede ser mas guapa??? Pero no la crece el pelo ni pa'atras!

La pobre esta con los dientes ( les cambia la cara...pero ella sigue igual, si no mas guapa!).

Es super graciosa, le gustan muchos los libros....de verdad, porque se los come y todo!!

Y ya dice DOS ( viene de lo de contar a mi hijos. Decimos UNOOOOO... y ella salta DOS!jajajaj) y dice: Q es eso??? me la como. Y por supuesto NO y mama, q no papa :D

Y ya come de todo y sola, q no se me ocurra ayudarla q acabo con el plato en la cabeza!

Es preciosa..otra joya que Dios me ha mandado en mitad del "desierto"...

COMO ME PUEDO YO QUEJAR!???!!!

De Relax

Me gusta esa palabra...

....RELAX...

Q pena que no tenga de eso suficiente en mi vida.

Aunque ayer tuve un poco cuando Evan se llevo al nene a la fiesta de su "cole" espanyol unas horitas. Isabel se durmio y Carmen medio muerta y yo otro medio tiradas en el sofa, Carmen pidio ver ELLEN. La pregunte que por q le gustaba ELLEN y dijo q poruqe bailaba y porque era un poco funny!!jaja, creo q la voy a escribir para decirselo :D

En fin... q no tuve descanso a partir de ahi.... y necesito descansar. El jarabe que me han dado me duerme... DIVINAS DROGAS!!! jajaja

No tuve ni tiempo ni de escribir en el blog. Tuvimos FHE y despues de ponerlos a dormir me sente a ver el finale de mi "pograma" favorito: "SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE"!!

Mis favoritos: Katherine y Jakob, aunq tb me gusta Ashleigh.

Bueno, pues..al grano...la escritura de ayer.

Helaman 15:5-6

" Y quisiera que os fijaseis que la mayor parte de ellos se hallan en la senda de su deber, y andan con circunspeccion delante de Dios, y se esfuerzan por guardar sus mandamientos y sus estatutos y sus juicios, de acuerdo con la ley de Moises.

Si, os digo que la mayor parte de ellos estan haciendo esto, y con infatigable diligencia se estan esforzando por traer al resto de sus hermanos al conocimiento de la verdad, por tanto son muchos los que se unen a su numero diariamente"

Me hace pensar... mi deber?? tenemos tantos "deberes", verdad??? pero mi deber es claro:

MI FAMILIA.

La de sangre y la espiritual. Q todos somos hermanos. Y en este ejemplo dicen q se esforzabas con INFATIGABLE DILIGENCIA.... madre mia.... no me queda nada para llegar a ese nivel! Con lo facil q es cansarse.

Y circunspeccion ( lo he tenido q buscar en el diccionario) es : atencion, cordura, prudencia. Seriedad y decoro en acciones y palabras.

Me parece que ahora si q tengo deberes :D

Doctor, Doctor...

Hoy por fin he ido al doctor. Ya no puedo mas...pero es que Carmen la pobre, tb se ha puesto maliiiiiiiisima, asi que he ido por ella, y ya de paso que me diera algo a mi para que por fin esto se me cure.

En fin, Carmen tiene gripe, y yo...pues un resfriado, Q noticia!

Pero bueno, me ha dicho que en una semana estaremos mejor. ( Mas vale, q es mi cumple el domingo!)

Pues hoy esto q no paro...la limpiez de todos los dias, el doctor, la compra, y por la tarde me voy a hacer de modelo ( de pelo, porque de cuerpo!!jajaja) para una chica q tien una competicion y necesita gente.... q te hagan el pelo gratis, ahi estoy yo la primera!! pues me tiene q ver el color y eso.

Estoy super estresada, mi casa esta mas desarreglada con cada minuto q pasa.... mejor me voy pa' no verlo.

Pero antes dejo la escritura del dia.

Hoy me ha costado un poco entender este capitulo.

Romanos 5...

el versiculo elegido, el 3-5

"... but we glory in tribulations also knowing that tribulation worketh patience. And patience, experience; and experience hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in opur hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us".

Bueno, no tengo por donde agarrar a este.

Dificultades... me sobran... y me cansan a veces...necesitare mas paciencia. OK.

Experiencia.... creo que te ayuda a tener mas compasion, a parte de poder ser util. "Usable" para ayudar, claro, si no... para que la experiencia???

Esperanza... se refiere a q no seremos avergonzados por tener esperanza en Cristo??? de verdad lo creo :D

Y tb creo que el amor de Dios esta mas presente que nunca cuando lo pasamos mal. Por supuesto Dios nos va a mostrar su amor cuando mas lo necesitamos. Es un Dios de amor. No disfruta viendonos en dificultades.

Mi experiencia ha sido y es que siempre, que NUNCA me he sentido abandonada, sino todo lo contrario. Q esta mas cerca que nunca cuando estoy sufriendo.

Ala... ya no me alargo mas, que me pilla el toro!

Full Day

We started the morning by going to the Old Spaghetti Factory for lunch ( courtesy of Uncle Duncan). After we went to the IMAX to watch "A Christmas Carol" ( courtesy of Grandpa Clarke). It was good. Of course my kids liked the scary parts and the funny ones... and the 3D kept them entertained.

After that we went to the Surrey 1st ward Christmas Dinner. They had a really LOOOOOONG presentation. I was all dead by then. But it was fun.

We were all tired but no one went to bed right away... Carmen is always fighting going to bed lately, so I thought it was a good idea to sleep with her. But no! She si horrible in bed. She gets so hot, she gets too cold, she moves a lot, she makes noises, she gets thirsty....what a horrible nigh!! And then she is up at 7'30??? She is ALWAYS the last one getting up! So never again.

Before I forget, the scripture of yesterday:

Mathew 10:29-31

"Are not two sparrows sold for farthing?? and one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father.

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows"

I love this verses. I love the way he uses to teach us of our great value, and His love and care for us.

The scripture of today:

Moses 5:10

"And in that day Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgressions my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in my flesh I shall see God"

I memorized this one too. It is one of those testimonies that become yours.

Making mistakes have really opened my eyes as well to my need of HIM. It is amazing to think of Jesus.... to think where, what I would be without HIM.

It is true that wickedness was never happiness,and it is true that HE can make us clean, that in this life we will make mistakes, but that because of HIM we don't have to suffer if we repent and come unto HIM. And it is amazing that we will live again, that we will see HIM....that thought fills my heart with JOY, it always does. The Spirit ALWAYS testifies to me that it is true. That HE lives, that I'll see HIM that He LOVES me.

That makes a lot of blog entries.....

That's what Evan said when I told him about my plan to blog the scripture os the day....

Oh, well... I might not post it everyday, but I'll write it down so I won't forget to tell you about it, even if it is in a later day.

So today I looked for HEAL in the Topical Guide.

Last night I received a blessing. I am SICK of being SICK, so Evan actually asked me if I wanted one. I am happy he asked me, you know... I wasn't sure if I should "call upon the powers of Heaven" for a cold... but I SO wanted to be healed, so I got a blessing. I prayed before. I have faith but before blessings I always plead "Help Thou my Unbelief".

It was a miracle for me... after being sick for sooo long I immediately started to be able to breath normally. I even had a good sleep where I could breath thru my nose!! This morning it is better, but still congested. I think this will go away soon :D

So I read in Numbers 21 today, but I had a cross-reference to Jacob 4:14 that was great:

But behold, the Jews were a ^astiffnecked people; and they ^bdespised the words of ^cplainness, and ^dkilled the prophets, and sought for things that they could not understand. Wherefore, because of their ^eblindness, which^fblindness came by looking beyond the ^gmark, they must needs fall; for God hath taken away his plainness from them, and delivered unto them many things which they ^hcannot understand, because they desired it. And because they desired it God hath done it, that they may ⁱstumble.

The part I like is that blindness comes from looking over the mark. Blind to the things of righteousness, to real and lasting happiness, to the truth... that's what we become when we look to anyone or anything else but CHRIST. That is my thought for the day.

Evan has his final test today and then he is off to yet another weekend away with training in the army.

So I'll miss him tonight, but I have good plans for tomorrow :D

No cooking no cleaning...all day away from home doing fun things, hanging out with family and friends... I'll tell you all about it tomorrow!! :D

Very Difficult

I don't know about you ladies who are extremely better organized than me... but I find really difficult to read my scriptures everyday. Because we read them with the kids, or because I read them with Evan sometimes I just feel that " Oh, well... I've read them today" and I feel totally excused to not have a personal study.

Evan is perfect....and I said PERFECT at reading them everyday. ANd not just a fast read and let's go... no! He studies them everyday.... everyday that I've lived with him and I've seen him do it. ( that coupled with morning and night prayer). Everyday for the last 6 years. No exaggeration. Don't know anybody that has a clean record like that.

I've only been perfect at that the year and a half I was a missionary. But HE has kept it for life. He is my greatest example.

Anyway.... thanks to my calling ( and the extreme need I have for revelation, spirit, etc.... ) I feel forced to read them, but now I've come up with something to help me be PERFECT at reading my scriptures daily. I'll share a verse that impacts me from my daily study with you via BLOG( blessed blogger world). So...

today I even memorized the verse.

Doctrine and Covenants 35:24

"Keep the commandments by which ye are bound, and I will cause the Heavens to shake for your good, and Satan shall tremble, and Zion shall rejoice upon the hills and flourish"

Isn't that amazing to think!?!? ... I mean, Obedience brings blessings, no doubt about that, but GOD shaking the Heavens for your good is an AMAZING picture.... and Satan trembling!! The devil scared, filled with fear!! We can do that by being obedient??? Next time you're obedient allow yourself a minute to feel very powerful :D

So there...

the scripture of the day :D

And more coming.... I am now accountable to you all :D

STRONGLY DISAGREE!!!!

Evan and I had this argument about something we were watching on tv....and he said:"All is fair in love and war"....WHY IS THAT??? I hate that saying, I hate it! If you love someone and they don't love you in return that is NOT fair! And, if a third person gets into your relationship and he realizes that he loves that other person and leaves you....THAT is SO NOT fair either!! So I don't like when people say that...

What reminds me of another thing that I used to hear a lot ( and hate) at the beginning of my mission: "Fake it till you make it"...really??Agggg... I hated it, I still do. I guess I just don't like when people are not genuine in their interactions with me or with other people.

What I am trying to say is: Be fair with me and please don't fake it with me either.

THANK YOU.

:D

I don't like Mondays...

You would think that after a weekend you'd be all rested and energized to face another week...that is if you actually can rest!!

Mondays are my cleaning day: loads and loads of laundry ( clothes never get put away, it seems), bedrooms, kitchen, floors.... plus the routine messes that my kids manage to make in one day!

So if you add to that that I'm sick, huge headache, horrible cough, runny nose....I feel disgusting and with NO desire to clean.... but I have to. It hurts me even more to have a messy house....and I can't get the thought of it out my mind.

So sick and all I managed to enjoy a friday night 100 Anniversary of the MONTREAL CANADIENS. We went to the Salvador's home to watch the game. They are a Peruvian family in Jordan's ward ( again, Richmond is the only ward that doesn't have any Latin members :( ). It was fun.

On Saturday we had our ward's CHRISTMAS dinner. There were looooots of people. And I think it was good food, but I couldn't tell you, because I CAN'T TASTE ANYTHING!!!!! I hate it, hate it, hate it!

Carmen was a pretty angel in the play :D

After that, we went to the Base, where Evan was working... and they had a dinner party there, but we went when they were done. Evan had and intense game of air hockey and Evan Jr had so much fun playing with daddy. Carmen wanted a photo shoot, and of course, I was happy to do it for her. She kept giving me directions, she is hilarious!

Isabel was a bit cranky, but loved playing with some boxes, and of course she loooooved the attention she got from everybody!

Sunday we had to sing in Sacrament. I had to really rely on the Spirit because my voice surely couldn't. I hoped I didn't sound so "nasally" and if I did, I hoped people could get pass it and hear the message, feel the Spirit of the song..... I think it turned out good. I love singing with Evan. I love his voice, I love us together.

We got home and I collapsed...went to bed and slept for a while. It felt good. A little while after, our neighbors brought us a ginger bread house, so we spend the evening decorating it. Evan took advantage that I couldn't taste anything to make a spicy HOT dinner. I had some and I could feel my tongue getting tingly, you know.

So... that was the weekend.

December is here.... Christmas approaching fast...how exciting! I haven't done any shopping yet, I hope i get well soon so I can actually get excited about getting out of the house. I wish money wasn't an issue, but there is always some miracle :D

A Whole Lot Different

I can't believe how fast the days go pass me... I never got a chance to write down how different I feel now about my ward.

What made the difference?? My callings.

First: Primary. Having to prepare a lesson, being involved, serving, feeling of belonging, feeling of help... getting to know my class members, growing to love them.... it is a miracle, really...they are not what I call "easy to love", well, some of the time they are :P

Second: Visiting Teaching. Feeling loved by my Visiting Teacher, Loving the sisters I visit ( they are so lovely), having a companion...

Last Sunday I felt great... and to top it all, a sister gave me a bouquet of flowers and the Bishop's wife ( my Sunday School Teacher) came and gave me a beautiful necklace because she noticed I like chunky jewelery :D

After Church we were invited for dinner at the Wolsey's and the Keller's came along. Both sisters are so cool :D I like them a lot.

Evan and I will be singing next week : "Love has no Borders"... it is a pretty little Christmas song, and I am excited to finally sing with my hubby :D

So I feel like I'm starting to feel at home... I hoped for that, and now it is happening. I love it!

I knew it was all a matter of time.

I went to the Temple yesterday and I loved it... Although something ( or everything!) ALWAYS goes wrong, like: your water bottle bursting in your handbag and getting everything wet ( including the cell phone-is dead now, the passport and the brand new visa), losing the heel top of my boots, losing one of my brand new earings ( is the second time in a week... I am on a row!) a whole in my leggings..., yeah, it was quite frustrating, but inside the Temple all that is of little to nothing importance compared to the good, nice feeling of being in the House of the Lord.

I really missed my babies, as it often happens when I am having a great time and I want them with me! But I am really glad that every once in while I make myself have some alone time. :D

Now...

I am looking forward DECEMBER!!!

my favorite month!!!

I am so excited!

Exciting!!!

What can be better than having a Temple in town????

A HUGE part of why we moved to Vancouver... I miss the Temple so much. Having to go to Seattle was a pain, even more of a pain if you add a ferry ride (ggggrrr I HATE THE FERRY!)

But this is how the Temple here is looking now....

SO EXCITING!!!!

It will be dedicated the first week in May. I can't wait. I remember the Madrid Temple dedication...and NOTHING, NOTHING could be greater. I'm excited for the Prophet to come...everything about the Temple is so exciting!!!

I'll be going to Seattle next Saturday with Evan's family. I'm excited. Last time I was at a Temple I was in Spain :(

Soon...very soon the Temple will be here!!!!!

Can I say it???

Christmas is here..

Yes, I said it.

You know it is Christmas when there is EGGNOG in the fridge.

And Evan got my first yesterday:D

I thought the stores where exagerating a little with all the Christmas decorations and everything... but Christmas is here!! i can't believe it. My favorite season ;D

So believe it or not...I put up the decorations at my house. I guess we'll get the tree beginning on December...but the lights are on!

We started on Monday, for FHE, to go over the Christmas Story and we'll keep that subject for all this glorious season.

What makes me happy

My children's laugh.. them playing happily in the background... Sure I have many things that sadden me in my life, but I do HAVE my family. And they make me happy.

Evan was away all weekend... he called me not long after I got home from Church ( I really missed him at Church... I really missed him period)... Oh, how happy I was to hear him, and to hear he was here... waiting for me to pick him up :D

I didn't change my clothes or the kids... he likes to see us all looking good :D

When I came out of the car, we kissed. He said he missed me. And he told me how hot I looked ( like he always does) He kissed me again. He tried one time to tell me we couldn't kiss ( like a real kiss) when he was wearing an uniform...yeah, right. They can go ahead and fine us if they want.... when we kiss...we kiss for reals :D

He's naping now, the kids are playing... it is happy time at home. My heart is full.

I am so grateful for them. I am so lucky to have them in my life. I am so lucky to be loved by them.... and I love them back... more than I could have ever imagined I could love anybody.

La gripe....

Yo debo ser la mas tonta del mundo, porque todo lo que sale en la tele me lo creo :D

Cuando estaba en Espanya y solo pasaban sacando casos de muerte por la gripe porcina me entro ese miedo, el de pensar: "wow....este virus nos va a matar a todos..." Pero claro, que no debo ser tan tonta porque lo de la vacuna q nos cura a todos tampoco me convencia...

Asi que mi cunya me ha mandado esto...y yo lo comparto con Uds para que os sirva de informacion. Patri, ensenyaselo a papa, por fa!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0JqQyl09zQ&NR=1

Only Love

That's the title of my favorite song of all that Evan has written... It is powerful. It is amazing, lyrics and music...very touching.... the power of loving someone... it is unbelievable.

The chorus goes like this:" So don't give up the fight, cuz I will be here every night, what I feel for you is ONLY LOVE"

He just composed some music, and he is letting me write the lyrics. I TOTALLY asked him to let me do it :D I've been wanting to write lately...lines keep coming to me and I need to put them down in writing and make a story out of them. I'm so lucky Evan is so talented and his mind is full of music... it just comes to him. It amazes me. Anyway, I am excited... now I just need to find time... little thing, yeah, you would think!

We never have time to sing together... I'd love to do that. We are just never alone, just him and I.... were we ever??? I really don't remember... it's been too long.

So we'll be singing at church in a couple of weeks. "Abide with me" arr. by Sally Deford. It is an amazing hymn. The harmony is absolutely beautiful.

I love music.

My kids love it too. You seriously have to watch the last video I posted in facebook of my kids dancing. I wish my eyes had a memory card incorporated and I could record every little thing, the everyday, so I could show you... but I am the LUCKY one who is their mother....and watching them is MY privilege.... what an honor, don't you think I take that for granted!

I love they love music, I love it moves them to dance, to express themselves thru movement... I love it! I love they are so amazingly amazing ( that must be my favorite word).

They are so talented. My responsibility is great.

So this post is absolutely random.... sorry. That's what you get when I am on a Friday night, and I face a whole weekend without hubby... You would think I'd get used to, but no. And I have MANY, MANY weekends like this in front of me :(

I guess I'll go shopping tomorrow... there is nothing like a new pair of shoes to fill the empty space of your loved one, hahaha.

Isabel's First B-day

5 months after leaving Nanaimo...we went back!! I was so excited! We got to stay at the Slobodan's ( this amazing falmily...I've talked about them before...they are amazing. Sis. Slobodan was my vt companion for a long time, the 2 daughters I had while I was in the YW in they are awesome!!...) Anyway...they weren't going to be there the first day because they went down to the Temple and the kids kept asking about Paulina, their youngest girl.

It was a busy weekend, you know... you try to squeeze everything you want to do, everyone you want to see...but Saturday morning we got together for ISABEL'S 1st B-DAY PARTY! So we could hang out for a bit and have some fun :D

I was worried that she would just not care much, but she had fun...and she loooooved her presents :D

And she loooooved the cup cake :D

It was fun! Thanks to Auntie Sarah that let us have the party at her house :D

Evryone: Carmen and Isabel. Maria, Isaiah and Jane ( Evan's brother Jordan's children, they look the same, don't they?) Adriel and Sloan ( Sarah's kids) Emily ( Vicky, a friend from the ward's daugther) and Evan.

We spent some time with Brodie ( evan's old group drummer), we watch the Hab's game, we dropped off the kids at Katie's, we went out with Evan's friend's from the reserves. It was nice to get out without kids. We haven't had the chance in like forever to get out together...

and then on Sunday we had church. I can never talk to people at church... it is defenitely not the place I go to visit with people, anyway, I managed to say hello to everyone. I miss it a lot. Nanimo is a great ward. Richmond Ward is being a challenge for me. By the way, I am a primary teacher, for the 9-10 year olds. Another challenge. I am trying to give it time, and not complaint too much, but I'm finding it a bit difficult. It will take time, that's what I keep repeating to myself...

I love Nanaimo, we even had a personal chat with Bishop Ballageer. He is great.

Right after church Natalie was baptized. SHe invited me to sing "What Heavens sees in You"... it is a beautiful song. I practiced not to chock up during it... it was hard. I failed a little :S We don't really know, understand how special we are to our Heavenly Father.... this song gives way to the Spirit to testify you of that, to reassure you of that. I like it a lot.... and we didn't take pictures of that because Evan would just refuse, for some reason....Natalie looked beautiful though.... and the baptism was one of the best I've ever been to.

We had pot luck after and food was delish, and dessert even better :D

We had to rush out to catch the ferry... I was so tired, I was checking my emails and falling asleep reading some...

Now it's time to get back to the routine...It was nice the break.. why do all good things come to an end?? :D

HALLOWEEN!!!

We did the pumpkins!!!!

... It was just me and the kids. Isabel was asleep when we started but half way thru there was the cry...so much for two hands to do this...

Anyway... we finished them, I roasted the pumpkins seeds ( so yummy!!) and made buns to go with the stew for dinner.

Of course there was some posing for the pictures and here they are... each with his/her designed pumpkin of their choice :D

We'll do trick or treating around the neighborhood with Jordan and Tracy plus a Peruvian family from their ward ( we are the only ward that doesn't have Latinos!!).

We'll have Hockey Night in Canada together, enjoy some pizzas and of course the treats!! It is more for us really than for the kids :D

PaRtY TiMe!!!

I found this Hispanic pre-school class once a week, right at Carmen's school, right at the same time. So I take Evan and Isabel there. They are all mexicans mothers with their kids... it is fun :D

We had a little Halloween Party for the kids. This year they are getting to wear their costumes a lot.

Evan is super shy, wouldn't want to pose with anybody and for anybody. He is normally atta

ch to my leg all the time we are there... except the times when there are boys at the "car statio

n" and he plays there, but not really WITH the other boys...he is just there...

I have Carmen who is a social little bug... and then I have Evan. He depends so much on Carmen to make/have friends...

Ah, by the way, he is still not talking in English to anybody... so Carmen tells people what he is trying to say... I don't know if that is part of him being shy and relying on Carmen or what...

In any case... I enjoy him so very much.... he is too cute!

Inglaterra...

Evan wrote a song on his mission ( in Keigthley, to be exact) and named it "Inglaterra". It is one of my favorites, by the way.... and he sang it on our wedding reception in Spain.

But that's not what I was going to talk about... I actually wanted to talk about Inglaterra, England, the country.

We had dinner with the Leonard's on Sunday night. I had ne

ver met them before. Bro Leonard's brother was the bishop when I served in Dewsbury ( my last area). We became really good friends....his family is amazing. I love them so much. I can't really explain how much... it is the kind of deep love that you only acquire on your mission... no words that make it justice... anyway.... his brother and family moved here! They have a beautiful Yorkshire accent. It was like being in England again... they made us an amazing roast dinner with yorkshire puddings and everything!! and she made custard to go with my

apple pies! :D

....it made me be a bit nostalgic....

I miss my mission. I would go back in time on a heart beat.

We looked through our pictures and I realized that I forgot a lot of names... lots of memories came back... and I miss them all... I miss everything about my miss

ion. I loved it so much...even the "hard" times ( they were really not that hard.... what is having a companion that doesn't want to work compared to trying to get your 3 year old to behave d

uring Sacrament..... or your 5 year old to lean about obedience in FHE???.... yeah, rainy days, doors closed...not even close)

Anyway.... I feel so blessed I served a mission. I am glad I didn't allow myself to deprive me from the blessings of serving the Lord full time for a year ad a half....

It was amazing.... the blessings are amazing... England is amazing...its people are amazing....

We had an amazing night with the Leonard's.

These are the pictures of the two little pretty girls :D

( I forgot my camera... these were taken from the I-phone)

events of yesterday

It was Carmen's party!!! She was saying she was still 4 because, of course, she hadn't blown her candles yet!! So I think I won't blow candles anymore :D I'll stay 28 forever!

We had 9 kids. We decorated a halloween cookie and then we played games.

We had yummy treats. I made monster toes and banana ghosts...and two cakes... too much food!! Kids don't eat that much, ya know... but they had fun. Carmen got lots of presents and she loved her party :D

Made some fun videos but the blogger videos uploader takes foreverrrrrrr so someone tell me how do I do it???

In the mean time.... pictures!

With her cousin Jane

With her cousin Mary ( Isabel is in love with her)

With her friend from school AJ

BEST FRIENDS

With her friend from school Mira ( she was the most polite little girl)

With her Colombian friend Sara ( Francia, her mom, is in Jordan's ward and I met her when they came to our family ThanksGiving dinner.... she is really nice, we are becoming good friends)

With her very special friend, her cousin Maria

With everybody!

It was impossible to take pictures of the opening presents part...I managed this one :D

She is a very blessed girl. We are very blessed to have her in our family. She is growing so fast I can't believe it! We get in this very serious conversations more and more each time... She is so smart and kind and loving.... I love her!

happenings....

I'm listening to "Lucky" right now and Carmen is singing in the background from the dining room in a very cute ( and high) pitch :D

It makes me smile... but I wasn't smiling a while ago... what has actually motivated me to write....

I was sorting laundry ( on my my least favorite things to do... but another thing that bothers me soooooo much is picking up toys/things from the floor... I hate it! so much!)... anyway, I was doing that when I hear a hard POOOOM...followed by a painful cry from Isabel and running steps ( I knew it was Evan). So what I see is blood all aver the floor, Isabel leaning on the Tv stand, just crying and gushing blood from her mouth (this happens a week after she bumped her mouth in the bathtub)... I was a mad woman... if someone had seen me I would be embarrassed. I confess I called Evan and up for him to see what he had done and I smacked his bum really hard as I held Isabel by the sink and tried to stop the bleeding. Now as I write I see the dried blood in my fingers....

I want to cry.... Now I feel sorry for Isabel, and for Evan...and for Carmen ( she got yelled at too, poor thing, she was just playing with her Nintendo)

I had Isabel suck on an ice for a while...she got a huge fat lip. I nursed her and she fell asleep. I held her for the longest time. I was so sorry she hurt like that... my poor baby.... it hurts I can't spare her from pain... and she will feel pain in her life, many times, and there will be sometimes when I won't be able to do anything to stop it.... and the funny thing is: there I was wanting my baby not to feel any pain but causing physical pain to my other baby.... ironies of life? the dangers of anger...

....It hurts not to be perfect, especially for my children. I wish I could multiply myself. One of me would cook, other will clean, other will run errands, and I will stay with my kids ALL the time.... that will be nice.

I asked them to forgive me. They are so loving, my dear children... when they saw me crying they gave me a huge hug...Carmen gave me an extra squeeze and said: "it is ok mom"...

Now Carmen and Evan are coloring on the table so happily and nicely together, so quiet, Carrie Underwood now playing... I love it. I love my kids, I love my life, I love the lessons of my life...

Now I have to get on with life... finishing laundry, putting things, cleaning bathrooms, moping floors... and start dinner...

you gotta love life :D

Who says Carmen is not cool??

HOLA ME LLAMO CARMEN VOI ATIENED UNA FIESTA CIEDES VENID COMIGO CHICAS ?....

I had this page opened and Carmen decided she will write something.

We have been talking about what to do for her B-day party and she is so excited....she is inviting you to come!!hahaha

She will be 5!! My firstborn is growing so fast!

She came from school yesterday and she told me that Olivia wasn't her friend anymore. She said Olivia told her: " I don't want to sit beside you, cuz you're not cool" ( and used this winny voice to tell me :D) and she said:" That's not nice vedra ( that's how she says verdad) mama?"... No that's not nice and I can't believe that a 5 year old says those things already.... so she said: " I am going to tell her tomorrow, that that's not nice to say". And then we talked about how being friends with everybody IS cool. She is so smart and so special... it is amazing to me how grown up she acts sometimes. I love her.

Every Monday they have Library day and the first week she brought one book and I asked her if she was going to read it for me ( she can read perfectly already) but she said it was a difficult book. " But you can read difficult books, so that's ok". Her teacher had told her that.... it frustrated me a little. So next Monday she brought home two books.... she almost had memorized the other one.... I love she loves reading... she just sits quietly reading until she is done the book ( like her dad).

On wednesdays she has gym and she is in love with her gym teacher. Mr Fergusson, she came home and told me her teacher si so cute and she is going to marry him!... and I have to say that my daughter has an excellent taste :D I met him on the Teachers Night and he is HOT.

Right now she is playing random notes on the piano and trying to sing along.... it is so cute trying to match the high ones.... OMG! I want to eat her!....

I love the background music of my life... Carmen playing the piano, Evan having some awesome car racing and Isabel's little bare feet footsteps sounds ( cuz YEAH!! She just started walking yesterday!!!)....

I love this (short) moments in life...

Short because I know that someone will start crying, or will need a diaper change, or the dryer will be done... or somebody will get hungry and dinner will have to be made... but still LOVELY while they last....and they won't last too long at the pace my babies are growing!!

When things happen....

This has been an stressful week for me.... maybe I make it more streful for myself, but still, it's been stressful.

It all started when our car wouldn't start last Sunday. Our little old car...that we need so much, and it almost died on us. Two days of praying paid off. It survived somehow, but I am afraid it will die any day... and I pray for a miracle that that won't happen, since we have no money to buy one. Sometimes I start daydreaming about what it would be like to have an extra $15,000 to get a new car, I even think about those people( I always think of Dr Phil or Oprah...just because they are so generous) that give that amount of money to people in need and wonder if they knew about me would they give me some? .... dreaming again....

Anyway...then there is little old tv ( that is not even ours, we got it from Evan's parents) it is starting to do weird thing with the picture and I am afraid it will also die soon... and I mean...I could live without tv, but those two hours of a Disney movie where it seems like I don't have anybody home are PRICELESS...worth buying a tv...if I had any money! and let's not mention b-days coming up....Christmas.... why does anything have to cost money?

Then I think I would feel really stupid if some catastrophe was to happen and I had a nice car in the driveway and a nice tv in my living room but no food for my family....

To top it all I've been sick all week... being weak physically tends to make me weak emotionally as well...I really get so stressed that my heart hurts sometimes... but somehow I always think: I pay my tithing, I keep the commandments... He will bless me. And He does. And that is so comforting. And as long as I trust Him and put Him first...it all works out. That I know.

I am at peace.

It is a difficult time, but it will pass.... Evan will be done school, our debts will be paid, we'll have an income and we'll breathe!

I have everything I need.... and if I don't I've learned to do without, so problem solved...

(it would still be nice to have new car and a new tv, wouldn't it?)