Goodbye 2010 - Thank you!

Another year passing us by. It’s crazy that our parents were right: “As you get older, it goes faster.”


This year has been another great memory maker, although, of course, there were intensities along the way. Probably one of the most pivotal moments of 2010 was when my baby girl turned five. To most people it was just another birthday, but to me, my baby is growing up. Preparing for kindergarten. And, the world, really. My ability to shelter her from so much is really screeching to a halt. And then I think, if the first five years went this fast, how fast will the next five go? Or worse yet, 10 or 15?

Then, I lost my job. Me. The person that has a plan for everything, including my future, and always has had a plan – had reality slap me in the face, and leave me as a number. It was heart-wrenching. I cried many tears, but in the mean time, I also grew in my faith, closer to my husband, and re-evaluated my abilities as an educator and my direction. In the end, I learned that I am right where I’m supposed to be, even if I have to ride a roller coaster for a while.

Another moment of pause in 2010 is the day my husband went to Pastor Keith and said, “I would like to be baptized.” We knew we wanted to have a dedication for our children, but Armando’s baptism was the missing link, or the completion. Growing closer to God is hugely important to me, as well as to Armando, and our relationship as a team, has grown immensely this year. Even though, just like any other relationship, we need to foster our relationship, work on being better listeners and communicators, obeying, etc., I feel like we are headed in the right direction.

I could probably write an entire chapter of the blessings and disappointments of 2010, but really it simply comes down to another year full of memories, lessons and growth.

• In 2010, we visited Panguitch, just like every other year, but this year we extended our vacation time and spent more time as a family. We spent a week in Reno/Carson City, where we were able to spend time with my sister; time that we hardly ever get anymore.

• My brother returned from Iraq.

• From a career perspective, I have taken on more responsibilities and really found my niche.

• I decided to take up running and ran my first 5K, taking 2nd place. I never thought I would be a runner, but running ignited a determination for something greater, and built up so much pride.

• I attended two funerals that touched me and reminded me of the importance of life itself.

• We introduced our children to Mickey Mouse, put our feet in the sand of the beach and attended a Dodger’s game. Alina joined t-ball, and tested her Mommy so much, as she filled her hat with field dirt and watched the ball whir by. Alina had her first ballet recital and was a beautiful bumble bee, being the first to buzz off the stage. Aydon practically potty trained himself, and his vocabulary flourished. Armando turned 30! Armando and I took our first hike in Red Rock on our 7th anniversary! Seven years already!

• Armando and I made the choice to add another baby to our family. We lost a baby. And, soon after, found out we were pregnant again.

• We spent many hours with Grammie and Papa. Too few hours cuddling with our babies, but enjoying every moment.

As I always conclude, it comes down to moments. What we do with the bits of time that are presented to us, not as another item on our agenda, but as a moment of wisdom, or caring, or love. It is realizing that not everything is in our control and we are experiencing whatever we are going through for a reason. We are growing and becoming stronger, more compassionate, more wholesome. I certainly do not approach every situation as a learning experience, or “what can I take from this?”; however, typically, I can look back and see the beauty. I can take lessons from the experience and realize that the experiences combined equal who I am today. 2010, like so many other years, has contributed to my life greatly – it has made me a better Mom, strengthened my relationship with my Creator, blessed me with another year in a loving marriage, made me a better educator and simply given me a better appreciation for all that I have and all that I am.

While I know that 2011 will bring hardship, instability, and things that I simply can’t control, I am eager to embrace the New Year for all of the moments that I will be able to experience, turning into memories, which reflect me.

Olivia Grace - I'm already dreaming of your arrival!

Olivia. Olivia has fell from my fingertips almost daily, as I type a random password into my computer. I have uttered the name and just knew that three years ago God was going to bless me with her, and instead, I was blessed with a baby boy. As the days passed in this pregnancy, I knew that the name Olivia was going to remain an emotionless name that would continue to be typed with no meaning, as I just knew this one was a boy. And, then, we opened the envelope.


Armando couldn’t make it to the ultrasound, as I couldn’t wait another week to go to the ultrasound, so he suggested that Sandy write down the gender and seal it in an envelope. After seeing Sandy, I rushed to pick up the kids and get to the middle school as quickly as my car could get me there, safely. I called Armando and said, “Meet me outside!” He came out and together we had Alina open the envelope. Inside were the words “It’s a girl!” nestled in a heart, followed by, “Congratulations!”

I screamed out loud and then began to cry. Olivia. My precious Olivia. The meaningless name now has a life. It represents my hopes and my desires for the little one making me expand daily, inducing tears without notice, and simply causing a bit of a roller coaster. Olivia now represents my daughter, our daughter. An unknown beauty. An overwhelming joy. The sibling to my two precious children. Another life to nurture and guide, bring to God, teach, love and share with the world.

Olivia Grace. How I pray for you to get here safely and how I long for my arms to cuddle you. How I anticipate your big sister loving on you and caring for you with the big heart she has. How I am already thanking God for a beautiful baby girl. And, how I love you ever-so-deeply.