Us

This year I declared on New Years that this would be the year of US.  A year about our marriage and working at being a better us.  Working on the many aspects that would make us what God intended for marriage to be.  I wanted to open the doors of communication even wider and make Darren my sound board even though I still have to pull information from him.  I wanted to be the best wife and know that our lives were always going to centered around God and his guidance as we seek him in our lives/marriage and growing closer together through him.

We were going to lessen my volunteer load in order for me to be at home to do other things and spend more time together even if it was about our trips.  We were going to stress less and not have to lose that extra time we could spend together.  And then as I was ending my term with my volunteer position that took most of my time we realized that a second job would help us out on our journey and with tax season done there was quite a bit of slow/beautiful time for me that it would work out well.  With added time at another job plus travel it hurt and helped all at the same time, it was even trying at times.  But we made it through the rough and exhausted days.

We did find ourselves not only joining small groups but also additional ways to volunteer at our church as we also joined separate men's and women's groups.  This, to me, has been very fulfilling and great for our marriage and for both of us to grow individually and together.  We continue to find more ways to be grateful because of the learning tools that are in front of us as well as how to overcome the tough times.

As the year winds down I realize more and more that we did it, we made the year about us.  We slowly turned corners, we made mistakes and continued to learn about each other.  We had some great adventures this year from each of our trips to our neighborhood adventures- yes we always look for the elephant ear stand in our neighborhood and the fair.  Year 2 of marriage came and is almost half way to year 3, I can only imagine what God has in front of us and what he will see us through.  It will be great to know that we had our year and we will continue look forward to making our marriage first before all else while putting God in the center.

For the biggest blessing is to come.  As we see our little one grow in my belly and all the little changes that show us just how great God is, I am certain there will be so much more.

16 weeks December 25th 2013

Things my Mom taught me

Randomly I started thinking about all the different things that my mom has instilled in me, there are moments when I think that my mom does it just that same way and now I am doing it as well.  It is a great feeling, just knowing that some great habits and some funny ones are the things that make me the person I am because my mother was always herself in front of me and her love shines just as much as her personality.

In no particular order:

·         How to make food, my dad also helped in this journey but it is so much better to make it with her now in our home.  I like being the sous chef.

·         How to speak loudly/yell when you need someone and what it is that you need.  Darren does not like this and so I try to only call out for him then wait for his arrival to give directions/update or whatever it might be.

·         How to pray, while I learned this from my Apa (grandfather) she is the one I noticed the most and can recollect her cries as I stood outside her door and kneeling by my parents bed to pray as a family.  I will so do this and not just for awhile for as long as I am gifted with a family of my own.

·         Patience, most of the time she is not in a rush (does not like to be rushed) and likes to peruse through stores or visiting with family or friends and wherever she might be.

·         Hosting, there are still times when my mom throws an impromptu gathering at her house, while I plan events she always has an open door to feed and socialize with loved ones.  The summers I was home from college I was never discouraged from hosting bonfires with friends.  Although my favorite part might be the house being filled as growing up with 4 siblings there were rarely quite times.

·         The ability to speak to anyone, and I mean anyone.  I have not always been this way and slowly other people and life experiences have also helped me in this journey but it is nice to have a conversation without fear.

·         Caring for others, my mother with her siblings helped with my grandparents and with their church family.  I never really thought of it as serving one another, as God intended for us to but it sure is nice to give without receiving.

·         My love language, I had to read a book to figure this one out.  My mom shows love by giving, finding item(s) you may like or she may even have a stash just in case, but this too is how I show my love by gifting.  Although we might receive love differently, still trying to figure out how she receives.

·         The importance of birthdays, we are always celebrated, there was usually a party.  Although now we are much older and things have changed slightly.  I can say that I know each of my immediate family members birthdays and anniversaries by heart- still working on learning Darren’s side.

·         How to read, in Spanish nonetheless.  I cannot recall just sitting and reading but my love of it has not died.  She still answers my questions when I have them regarding the meaning of some words that I cross or at my last job, the best translation.

·         How to greet, our family has its own way but it is always full of love and acceptance.

·         Keeping a secret, honestly I did not know that we had this in common until Darren and I got engaged and I called to her know and that I wanted to tell some of my close family before the rest found out.  She stayed close mouthed until I gave her the go ahead on spreading the news.

·         Desire for fashion at a great price, my parents gave us many opportunities and shopping was one thing I was able to do frequently.  And we still do, its just out of my own pocket except for my birthday or special items she finds.

·         With fashion my mom also taught me the importance of modesty.  Of course she never encouraged swimsuits or shorts/pants but she did teach me not to wear clothing that is too tight, low cut/revealing or too short.  She also drew on my legs with black marker on my swimming photos that were taken each year I swam, if that tells you anything, she covered me up.

·         Great memory, sometimes I think my mom is remembering something/someone else but in fact it is something I cannot recall for whatever reason.  But I am great at remembering the things in my youth and adult life.

·         The importance of hard work.  I have always known that my mother worked hard at what she has been doing for over 30 years now.  Although not in the same career line she did teach me how to give all I have in what I do and not cut corners.  Giving me the opportunity to further my education as much as she and my dad could help me along my way.  

·       Keeping extra napkins from meals out, it has been a life saver as I can be prone to making a mess without warning.

As different as we both are she is my mother and she is pretty amazing.