Brrrrreeezing!

A couple weeks ago we stayed at the cabins in Cascade, which are rented by Aunt Tonie's Sisters of Charity order, located in the mountains near Colorado Springs. It was such a good getaway, even though I spent much time alone while my parents, Mike and the boys went on a couple day trips; I had a particularly tedious assignment to work on and relished the time alone. It was freezing and did not go above 30 degrees...brrrr!!



Meanwhile, as the clouds hung over Cascade and the mist turned to ice on the branches, the temperature on the other side of the mountains was in the 60's! They visited Aspen, Maroon Bells, and Breckenridge, places I'd like to visit when we return. Mike has a passion for photography and took these photos. He was disappointed that there was some wind at Maroon Bells and was therefore unable to get a good photo with the lake's reflection of the mountains.

The boys at Maroon Bells


Aspen


Life is going well, all things considered. Mike and I are working on some projects around the house and I'm taking advantage of having him here. I also get some extra study time at the library during the day when I need it.

Being close to nature is refreshing and helps clear the head. While Mike works hard to find another job, he's also taking some much needed time for himself. Mike took Gaby and Jojo to Ouray, CO this week and they spent one night visiting the beautiful area. He's also getting ready for his trip to TN next month and will be taking Gaby and Jojo with him. Luckily, all three kids are great travelers...they had no choice! Mike hasn't been back home in two years and he's looking forward to seeing his friends and family. And I'll have time to study for the exasperating GRE test and some alone time with Christian.

Through all this craziness of his losing his job, we are doing well. Mike takes care of us all and is taking care of himself. He's running and exercising, has lost some weight, has a lot more energy and is optimistic about his future. And are marriage is stronger for that.

I hope the health kick bug finds me soon, well maybe after the GRE or after this semester ends ... or maybe by next summer. Oh, nevermind.

No Shame

Life can really throw you some curveballs. Mike was let go from his job a couple days ago. Boom -- let go without the benefit of a severance and at the end of the month when our coverage was to end. He is now 0-2 with the past two horrendous job experiences, and he's hoping the third time's a charm. Luckily, he gets unemployment benefits, we are awaiting to hear if we qualify for health coverage (the children will certainly have Medicaid), and we may even be able to get food stamps. Wow, never thought we'd be in such a position, but we are.

We actually feel upbeat right now. I don't know why with all that has happened recently. I used to say if you have a job -- any job -- that you're lucky. Now I say if you have faith and good health, you're pretty blessed. Friends and family rank right up there, too. Maybe it's because I live near my parents and my old friends that I feel better. My spiritual life still needs some work, but I'm trying.

I have a medical issue that I want to check before too long, and today Mike discussed it with his doctor when he had his physical. He also told her about our health coverage concerns and explained that he wants to continue having her as his doctor if possible. This wonderful doctor spent her usual hour and a half with him. Yes, that entire time was spent with the doctor and not in a waiting room or in an actual room alone. She is Indian, believes in meditatation, and was knocked off her stool when Mike's labwork came back. Mike has been removed from his cholesterol and high blood pressure medication, and she is the first doctor who has ever been proactive with regards to his health. You would think that his blood pressure would be through the roof with the stress of losing a job, worrying about the family, etc. She was keenly interested in what he has done lately. For the past month, Mike has made some important changes: better diet, exercise, and eating smaller portions. Within that timeframe, he also is communicating so well that for the first time in our marriage I don't recognize who he is. We've had some major overhauls in our marriage recently. His doctor went over some breathing exercises and they did it together for 15 minutes this afternoon. She does not believe in eating meat, says to eat fish no more than three times a week, and eat lots of beans, rice, fruits and vegetables. This carnivore does not eat fish, but maybe this will encourage him (Mike doesn't know what he's missing). And now this caring doctor is having someone in her office contact Mike tomorrow to let him know how to continue the same health coverage so that I can go in as soon as possible. God bless her.

Mike has had a lot of support from his former employees, some of whom have called him since this happened last Tuesday. Mike had refused to write up three of his employees for an incident that was not their fault and that was perhaps viewed as insubordination in his employer's eyes and was the final straw for them. Sometimes doing the right thing is difficult. And that seems to be what life is all about. It's not meant to be an easy or a straight path. We're all here for a reason.

Tonight my brother Sergio asked me if I am going to continue with school. Honestly, I was ready to drop out a few nights ago, but then I realized that I need to keep working at it because if I don't do it now it may never get done. Our conversation and his insights cheered me considerably.

So if you are reading this, know that you are important and dear to me my brothers, family, near and far friends, and friends from the past.

Wedded Blessedness

Mike and I just celebrated ten years of marriage on September 4th. I am not an expert at marriage because we live it day by day...

year to year, prayer to prayer...

bliss to sometimes diss, coasting or careening by the seat of our pants, and through it all arriving at the same conclusion always. What would one do without the other?

RULES OF MARRIAGE -

as described by kids

1. HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY?

-You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff.. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.
-- Alan, age 10

-No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.
-- Kristen, age 10

2. WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?

Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.
-- Camille, age 10

3. HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF 2 PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
-- Derrick, age 8

4. WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?

Both don't want any more kids.
-- Lori, age 8

5. WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?

-Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.
-- Lynnette, age 8 (isn't she a treasure)

-On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
-- Martin, age 10

6. WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?

When they're rich.
-- Pam, age 7

The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.
- - Curt, age 7

The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.
- - Howard, age 8

7. IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?

It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.

--Anita, age 9 (bless you child )

8. HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?

There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?
-- Kelvin, age 8

And the #1 Favorite is (and my personal favorite)

HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?

Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck ..

-- Ricky , age 10

My Sweetheart

Mike and I celebrated Valentine's Day by going to the movies and out to dinner with our friends Tanya and Darren. We saw 'The International' and it was eerily appropriate for what is happening in our strange economic times.

Since this year marks our tenth year of marriage in September, I would like to share a few (mushy) things:

1. I fall in love with Mike all over again when I re-read old cards and letters that he wrote; this is a good way to get out of a mind altering funk that I sometimes find myself in when I get annoyed by little things. You know what I'm talking about, girlfriends.

2. I fall in love with Mike all over again when he gets up early with the boys on weekends so I get a little extra snooze time. He gets up early anyway during the week, yet he does this for me. What a man.

3. I fall in love with Mike all over again when he spends time with the boys taking them on adventures, taking them out of the house so I can relax for a few hours, and when he wrestles & plays with them.

4. I fall in love with Mike all over again when he acquiesces to Christian's desire for Daddy to have a 'sleepover' in his room.

5. I fall in love with Mike all over again when he, by example, shows a steadiness, patience, and potty-free mouth (in contrast to me). And humor!

Potty training blues -- Jojo gets more use out of Gaby's underwear than Gaby does at this point!

6. In the end, love is all that matters in a relationship. There are ups and downs, unexpected occurrences, day-to-day blahness at times, and dizzying perplexities other times. Yet, marriage is so worth it -- all the work and struggles mean something.

My dad gave a very special speech during our wedding service, and I close with some of his words of wisdom: "We Christians identify marriage as Matrimony. It is centered around motherhood, the family. We never refer to it as the sacrament of Patrimony...So we can't let a young couple run off and start their own thing. We have to make a big deal out of it. We do that to let them know that what they are doing is the right thing, that it is good not only for them but for the rest of us. We need to see good marriages...I dare to look into the future, well into the next millennium when the term Y2K will be just another curious fact in Trivial Pursuit. In the year 2029, when they are celebrating their own 30th anniversary, and my grandchildren ask Elena and Michael how could they last so long. Michael might well say, 'Well, it's because marriages are made here on earth day after day,' and Elena might add, 'You know, it's like when you order chocolate and all they can serve is vanilla, you learn to make that work.'"