"We should find some Scottish music and do a jig," says my husband upon hearing the news that he passed the TExES Bilingual Generalist exam. We didn't do that, but it's been nice to have a happy husband whose naturally charming eyes were dancing with joy this morning. What a relief! And such a change from the worried, anxious one I've been living with for the past three weeks in the wake following the 5 hour long grueling test April 4th.
If anyone wants a measurement of how much he wants to be a teacher all you had to do was see how happy he was this morning after passing the exam! I think it's safe to say he's excited about the future prospects in education. I'll take a poor happy husband over a rich miserable one any day.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Remembering the gifts. . .
8 years ago, my parents made the long voyage to Venezuela to be present for my wedding over Semana Santa. In Venezuela Easter or Semana Santa is a 4 day holiday beginning on Thursday. It is perhaps the most celebrated holiday in the country. Everyone and I mean EVERYONE goes somewhere for it so of course everything else shuts down (no one is left to run them).
Of course being new to the country this was the only time off I had to get married in time for Jhonny to get a Visa to go with me to the states for the summer. So that was the date we chose. Jhonny didn't tell me it would be IMPOSSIBLE to get a reservation anywhere for a honeymoon. It took lots of string pulling to get reservations out of the country and tickets to get there.
With public transportation down on Thursday, we had to hire a private driver to get us from PLC to Caracas to be sealed in the Temple on the 12th - one day after getting married at the courthouse on the 11th as is the law in Venezuela.
The drive was long and exhausting after quite the reception party the night before which continued a few hours past the time we had expected to end things and leave. But Venezuelans know some things very well and having a good time dancing late into the night and early morning is definitely one of them.
It was a glorious week 8 years ago. I was on cloud nine and could see nothing but those gorgeous eyelashes that batted at me that I hoped all my children would inherit (and they have). I could not have asked for a better wedding.
Last night we attended the Round Rock Easter Cantata, "Jesus is the Christ" to celebrate our Anniversary part I. It was beautiful. As I watched the ASL interpreters sign the program, the Spirit filled my heart and I couldn't hold back the tears as I felt the incredible love and anguish of our Savior.
Today was Anniversary part II. We had superb talks in church about the Savior and His atonement. I was again reminded of the incredible event that we celebrate on this Easter Sunday; of the hope and joy that comes to our lives because of this singularly important event in the great plan of Happiness.
So nice to celebrate two great events on the same day preambled by another miraculous celebration. The birth of our second daughter, Lily.
Lily came after a year of trials - two miscarriages and 7 laser surgeries on my birthmark later, Lily was finally concieved and carried full term. Born on Palm Monday before Easter, she is certainly my Lily and reminder that the Lord is in charge. It's hard to believe she is 3. She brings lots of laughter to our lives. We would not be the same without her. I was pleased to note that she had a wonderful time at her Princess birthday party and enjoyed the entire day. No matter how precocious and independent she may try to be, she is definitely my sweet baby girl.
What a great weekend we've had. So sad to see it coming to a close. I feel somewhat like the Nephites as they pleaded with the Savior to linger a little longer. . .
Of course being new to the country this was the only time off I had to get married in time for Jhonny to get a Visa to go with me to the states for the summer. So that was the date we chose. Jhonny didn't tell me it would be IMPOSSIBLE to get a reservation anywhere for a honeymoon. It took lots of string pulling to get reservations out of the country and tickets to get there.
With public transportation down on Thursday, we had to hire a private driver to get us from PLC to Caracas to be sealed in the Temple on the 12th - one day after getting married at the courthouse on the 11th as is the law in Venezuela.
The drive was long and exhausting after quite the reception party the night before which continued a few hours past the time we had expected to end things and leave. But Venezuelans know some things very well and having a good time dancing late into the night and early morning is definitely one of them.
It was a glorious week 8 years ago. I was on cloud nine and could see nothing but those gorgeous eyelashes that batted at me that I hoped all my children would inherit (and they have). I could not have asked for a better wedding.
Last night we attended the Round Rock Easter Cantata, "Jesus is the Christ" to celebrate our Anniversary part I. It was beautiful. As I watched the ASL interpreters sign the program, the Spirit filled my heart and I couldn't hold back the tears as I felt the incredible love and anguish of our Savior.
Today was Anniversary part II. We had superb talks in church about the Savior and His atonement. I was again reminded of the incredible event that we celebrate on this Easter Sunday; of the hope and joy that comes to our lives because of this singularly important event in the great plan of Happiness.
So nice to celebrate two great events on the same day preambled by another miraculous celebration. The birth of our second daughter, Lily.
Lily came after a year of trials - two miscarriages and 7 laser surgeries on my birthmark later, Lily was finally concieved and carried full term. Born on Palm Monday before Easter, she is certainly my Lily and reminder that the Lord is in charge. It's hard to believe she is 3. She brings lots of laughter to our lives. We would not be the same without her. I was pleased to note that she had a wonderful time at her Princess birthday party and enjoyed the entire day. No matter how precocious and independent she may try to be, she is definitely my sweet baby girl.
What a great weekend we've had. So sad to see it coming to a close. I feel somewhat like the Nephites as they pleaded with the Savior to linger a little longer. . .
Holiday Weekend
Happy Birthday to Lily! Happy Anniversary to me & Jhonny! Happy Anniversary part II! Happy Easter! I'm worn out. . . Needless to say I told the Easter Bunny to skip our house today.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Basic Training
Gavin started doing an army crawl a few weeks ago. The other day we found him stuck in this predicament.Laughter is the best medicine
Jhonny to Jessica over breakfast before school: What are you wearing?
Jess: (shrugs and looks at her clothes)
Jhonny: That's not what I picked out for you.
Jess: I know.
Jhonny: So you lied; you really CAN get dressed by yourself?
Tense Pause
Me: Well, Jessica there just one thing to say
Jess: (looking at me quizzically)
Me: April FOOLS, Dad!!
Jess: (shrugs and looks at her clothes)
Jhonny: That's not what I picked out for you.
Jess: I know.
Jhonny: So you lied; you really CAN get dressed by yourself?
Tense Pause
Me: Well, Jessica there just one thing to say
Jess: (looking at me quizzically)
Me: April FOOLS, Dad!!
Up! Up! Up!
Space Race:
Spaceboy goes up!
Lily goes up!
Spaceboy goes up! up!
Lily goes up! up!
Spaceboy goes up! up! up!
Lily goes up! up! up!
Lily: up! up! up!
Me: Which is the word up?
Lily: (standing and reaching up to the ceiling) UP!
Me: No, on the page, Lily. Which word is up?
Lily: Lily goes up! up! up!
Me: Here is the word up. See U-P.
Lily: I pee?
Me: No, U-P.
Lily: I pee in here? (pointing to "Lily's" spaceship)
Me: No, the word up is spelled U-P.
Lily: I pee? I'm potty trained.
Me: Ha! ha! ha! The WORD up is spelled U-P.
Lily: Ha! ha! ha! It's funny when you say pee!
Crazy awesome week
I got a lot out of conference today. I heard so many messages reiterating things that have been on my mind these past few months and it was nice to be affirmed in my thoughts and feelings. . .
1. Service - just do it. It's good for you especially when it's not convenient.
2. Temple Service - set a goal to go on a regular basis.
3. Trials - Joy in the journey - faith offers hope and no room for doubt and fear.
4. Home - a place of refuge - I need to work on this one a little more for my children's sake.
5. Provident Living - take advantage of the little extra now to prepare for the future when there may be a lot less resources to go around.
6. Member missionary work - What am I waiting for? Invite, invite, invite. . .
This past week I got to get back into my calling and go help a little more. It felt good to have the energy to do my work and serve. Even getting up at 4:45am to get a sister to the bus station was a blessing too complicated to explain. I hope others that sacrificed to help also felt the blessings of their service.
I've enjoyed attending the temple monthly this year. I felt the impression to make it a new year's resolution and so far I've done better than I have in the past couple of years since we moved here. It's hard to go from a 5 minute to a 2 hour commute, but I'm resolved to get it done. I loved what Elder Scott had to say about Temple service today and I just have to say - AMEN.
Another thought on that subject - With my husband unemployed I was a little concerned about how to continue to pay for that trip once a month, right? Well it hasn't been an issue yet. Last week when I went, 2 people gave me money for "gas". Or so they said. I had run an errand for one (Less than a mile trip to the store) and took a child to school for the other (again - less than a mile trip). Between the two of them I got more than enough to pay for my gas to go to the temple. I thought it odd that both when I tried to turn down the money said, "Well, just take it for gas." When I went to fill up my tank to make the trip to the temple at the end of that week it was just under what I had recieved from my two benefactors. Coincidence? I think not.
The rest of the above are just some other goals on my mind that I need to put into action. Nice to have the extra push from the brethren. I really liked what my sister said a while back in her blog about REALLY doing what the Spirit impresses upon you during conference - not just thinking about it. I truly have seen some amazing blessings in my life just from applying their counsel even though it took me way out of my comfort zone. I challenge you to do the same. Pick something that impressed you and focus on it to really apply it over the next six months. See if you aren't blessed by your efforts.
1. Service - just do it. It's good for you especially when it's not convenient.
2. Temple Service - set a goal to go on a regular basis.
3. Trials - Joy in the journey - faith offers hope and no room for doubt and fear.
4. Home - a place of refuge - I need to work on this one a little more for my children's sake.
5. Provident Living - take advantage of the little extra now to prepare for the future when there may be a lot less resources to go around.
6. Member missionary work - What am I waiting for? Invite, invite, invite. . .
This past week I got to get back into my calling and go help a little more. It felt good to have the energy to do my work and serve. Even getting up at 4:45am to get a sister to the bus station was a blessing too complicated to explain. I hope others that sacrificed to help also felt the blessings of their service.
I've enjoyed attending the temple monthly this year. I felt the impression to make it a new year's resolution and so far I've done better than I have in the past couple of years since we moved here. It's hard to go from a 5 minute to a 2 hour commute, but I'm resolved to get it done. I loved what Elder Scott had to say about Temple service today and I just have to say - AMEN.
Another thought on that subject - With my husband unemployed I was a little concerned about how to continue to pay for that trip once a month, right? Well it hasn't been an issue yet. Last week when I went, 2 people gave me money for "gas". Or so they said. I had run an errand for one (Less than a mile trip to the store) and took a child to school for the other (again - less than a mile trip). Between the two of them I got more than enough to pay for my gas to go to the temple. I thought it odd that both when I tried to turn down the money said, "Well, just take it for gas." When I went to fill up my tank to make the trip to the temple at the end of that week it was just under what I had recieved from my two benefactors. Coincidence? I think not.
The rest of the above are just some other goals on my mind that I need to put into action. Nice to have the extra push from the brethren. I really liked what my sister said a while back in her blog about REALLY doing what the Spirit impresses upon you during conference - not just thinking about it. I truly have seen some amazing blessings in my life just from applying their counsel even though it took me way out of my comfort zone. I challenge you to do the same. Pick something that impressed you and focus on it to really apply it over the next six months. See if you aren't blessed by your efforts.
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