I will be better....

I can't believe it has been so difficult for me to blog/ write in my journal. I will be so much better. I have had so many blessings in my life in these last 3 months in Iowa that it would be very ungrateful for me to not document them for my posterity. I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for allowing me to have so many wonderful experiences with my family and loved ones. So much has happened here. Poose had her 1 year birthday palooza, a new niece was born (Stella), Carla loves nursery, we have made lifelong friends, Poose is starting to walk, etc... Details on these events are to come!

Book of Mormon Stories is...

Carla's new favorite song. We sing it all day long, especially before bedtime and naptime, and of course every Family Home Evening- along with Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam. It is so stinking cute! What a cutie pie.

That is "kitty" doing Book of Mormon Stories with her. Kitty is Carla's best friend. He does everything with her. She got Kitty from Grandma Roberts for her 1 year birthday and she is still in love with him.

Sincere Prayers...

So, lately Carla has started to say "real" prayers. She has been asking for what she really wants and needs, and being grateful for real things. She just makes my heart melt. Some the the things that she has included in her prayers are as follows:

Please mommy so Carla Winnie Pooh poop

Translation: Please let mommy let me watch Winnie the Pooh

Bless Daddy homework

Translation: Bless Daddy at school and at work whichever one he is at

Thank you toes

Translation: Thank you for my toes

Please Singa mimis, mommy mimis, daddy mimis, Carla mimis

Translation: Please bless each one of us that we can go to sleep (mimis)

Please Bita and Wito come here

Translation: Please let Grandma and Grandpa Barrientos come see me

These are some of her please and thank yous. Goodness she is smart! It also got me to thinking. She really prays for what she wants, even though she is so young, she understands that Heavenly Father is listening to her and cares about the simple things. Do I have that kind of faith? Do I pray for the small things that concern me, or just for those life altering decisions that need to be made? Carla tells Heavenly Father EVERYTHING she does during the day, that we went outside to play, that she had eggs for breakfast, that she played with her toys, why don't I? She has such a sweet, innocent, and sincere relationship with her Father in Heaven. I am grateful that I have the opportunity to see why the Lord said to become like a little child. Their relationship with Father is sincere and simple. Something I need to work on. Thank you for your wonderful example mi hija!

Jesus is here????

The other night we were sitting down in the living room playing with Carla, when suddenly she heard the main entrance to the apt complex open and someone walk up the stairs. She stopped dead in her tracks and said, "He's coming! He's coming!" I proceeded to ask her who was coming and her reply was simply, "Jesus. Jesus is coming." Puzzled I asked her again, "Jesus is coming?" She said, "Yip. Jesus is coming."
Oh what sweet innocence. I thought about it and realized that He IS always coming. He is always with us, in our home, in our hearts. I love the things that come out of the mouths of babes, except for when it is "no." Never loose your innocence my little love.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was such a calm, relaxing day. On Thanksgiving Day we were couch potatoes. We did almost nothing until 5 pm. We snuggled, watched a movie, and played with Carla. Then, off we went to my parent's house. Sariah, her new husband, Patrick, and their now 5 kids, Abi and Diana, Diana's parents, Melissa and Alan, and their girls, Rolando, Helaman, and Elvis were all there. We had so much fun eating, talking, and dancing! Carla loved the potatoes, and had a little bit of the turkey. She isn't much of a meat eater, but oh how she loves her fruit and potatoes!

After coming home from My parent's house we set up for Christmas. I couldn't wait any longer! It was so much fun! Lexie, Lydia, and Kyha were loving the fact that Christmas time!!

I am so grateful to my kind Father in Heaven for such a beautiful family. How I love my husband and daughter. I am grateful for amazing parents who have brought me up in the Gospel, and have always been examples of good. I am grateful for my brothers and sister, and the special memories which we share. I am grateful for my family in law, and all of the joy they bring into my life. I am especially grateful for my mother and father in law. They have raised such a spiritual, kind, loving, sweet, compassionate son, the love of my life, my eternal husband, and father of my children. I am grateful for my life, for having served a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am grateful for those who I met in the mission, and how they have changed my life, for the examples that they were of finding TRUE JOY in our Lord Jesus Christ's Atonement. I am grateful for friends, new and old, and for their love towards me. I have always been able to share my deepest feelings with them and know that they love me for who I am, and help to to be better. I love my Heavenly Father and His Son and my Savior, and Friend, Jesus Christ. I will forever strive to be the daughter that He knows that I can be. I am grateful for this opportunity that I have to live on this earth.

Open House, Aunt Sue and Megan's Birthday

Vanessa and I. She is growing up so fast!

Alex and Megan. Megan opening up Little John's present, it was Carla's chew book! Little John is so funny! I don't think Carla would appreciate him giving away her toys. :)

Carla loves her auntie Megan! She really has a way with kids. She will be a great mom someday. I don't know what Jenn is looking at.



Why is Zach wearing my hooter hider? Your guess is as good as mine!

Zach said it is his cape. Tee hee hee!

Oreo! Little John, Aunt Sue and Phalinx (alex). Aunt Sue and Little John came to visit from St. Louis. She tried so hard to convince us to move to St. Louis with her! I WISH!
She is a professor at a community college and is so smart. She is so full of love and faith. I really look up to her. Amazingly enough, I talk to her more than I talk to my mom's or dad's sisters! I love Aunt Sue so much. She really is a light in a world full of so much darkness. Little John is just plain funny. He is such a great kid! I really do wish we lived closer so we could get to know him better. I love him also!

Carla also loves her Auntie Sue! And I know for a FACT Auntie Sue ADORES her!

I love the fact that Zach makes me laugh everyday. Most of the time it is at him. He isn't embarrassed to show me is silly side. I love it!

We were able to go to the Oquirrah Mountain Temple Open House on Saturday also. We left Carla with Mom and Aunt Sue and were able to have some us time at the Temple. It was AMAZING! Inside was gorgeous, we were awe stricken! There was a peace there that made all of the trials that we are going through minuscule. The eternal perspective makes our trials seem nothing more than little hiccups on our journey to eternity. I am grateful for Temples, for the peace, love, and warmth that is felt there. I am grateful for a husband who is worthy to take me to the temple. For his steadfastness in the Gospel. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father, who in his divine wisdom saw our need for a Savior and was willing to sacrifice one of His children, His most perfect child, so that we all might return to live with Him someday. I am grateful for my Elder Brother who accepted the call to sacrifice his mortal life to save each one of us. Thank you!

Sad News...

I was so excited, my period was 10 days late. We were hoping that we would soon have a family of four. Saturday night I began spotting. I figured my period was coming. I was a bit disappointed. Then Sunday morning came. I started bleeding like crazy! I was soaking a pad every couple hours, then I started passing clots. by then, I knew what was going on. I have had two miscarriages already and the bleeding, cramps, and clots were all the same. I lost another baby. At about 12:30am we called our friend Chris Radigan, Rady, and asked him to come and assist Zach in giving me a blessing. When we called Rady, he said that he couldn't fall asleep and didn't know why. I believe it was because he needed to come give me a blessing. Before Raddy got there, I said a prayer in my mind that I would be assured whether I had been pregnant or if I was having a heavy period. In the blessing he stated that Heavenly Father was "pleased with my life," and that I "would physically be able to feel the hand of the Lord as He comforts me during this trial," he then repeated, "physically, not emotionally, or mentally, but you will physically feel His hand." He also stated that, "if (I) continued to eat healthy, (I) would be able go get pregnant again, and give that baby a perfect body." I felt an overwhelming sense of peace come over me. I knew that I had been pregnant but that I needed to miscarry, and that it was for the best. Zach and I talked about how we both were assured that I was pregnant, but that if I hadn't miscarried then, that I would have later in the pregnancy or that the baby would have been born with severe handicaps. I am grateful for the calm assurance that the Lord is overseeing us as we go through this trail, and that everything will be okay. I know that Father answers our prayers, and that even though we might not receive the answer that we are hoping for or want, it is ALWAYS the answer that we NEED. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who never leaves me alone in my trials, and for an amazing husband who is always supportive and loving.

MIRACLE...

Saturday we had a goal to go to the Temple to do sealings because we hadn't been to do sealings since before Carla was born. It has probably been about 8 months! Not good. We had arranged for my mom to watch on Carla for a couple hours. When Carla awoke at 6am to eat, I tried to get out of bed when I had a horrible, sharp shooting pain from my feet up my leg. I couldn't walk or even stand on my foot. Zach was saying that we should postpone our Temple outing. I really wanted to go and I felt as if we HAD to go. Zach massaged my foot and tried to move it around. A couple hours later I was able to put some weight on it. We decided to go to the Temple after Carla's nap. We went to my mom's house and dropped off Carlita, and then to the Temple we went. Zach dropped me off by the doors and as soon as I got out and my foot touched the pavement, all the pain was gone. I was able to walk perfectly on my foot! I am so grateful to Heavenly Father for the trials in our lives to test our faith and to help us place our trust in Him. I know that as we strive to do Father's will He WILL bless us and He WILL take care of us. I thank my Father for the opportunity that Zach and I had to go to the Temple and remember those covenants that we made to each other two years ago. I love you Babe, saying "yes" was the best decision that I have ever made in my life. I am so proud to be your wife.

Kyha's Sealing

On Saturday we went up to Salt Lake for Kyha's sealing. Melissa and Alan adopted her when she was minutes old, two years later the adoption was finally made final. They had a lot of problems with their attorney who was supposed to have finalized everything over two years ago, but never did.
Now she is three years old and just barely finalized everything. Drama drama drama! We were blessed to go to the sealing which was so special and spiritual. I started crying even before they were blessed. I just saw Melissa and Alan, and I lost it. I am so happy for them. This is such a blessing after so many trials that they have gone through.
Then when the three girls walked in wearing their beautiful white dresses, it was as if we were in heaven, and they were little angels.
The sealer taught us about Elias and Elijah and the sealing power. It was very insightful about how Elias is the forerunner to Elijah and the different Elias' and Elijahs that there have been. Kyha held on to Melissa's thumb as she was being sealed, it was precious. Alan looked so proud and overjoyed! Afterwards we went to the luncheon and were able to witness Kyha also be blessed. What an amazing spiritual morning. I am so glad to have the Gospel in my life, for the knowledge, comfort, and peace it brings to me. I am grateful for the Priesthood and the many blessings that can be preformed with it.

Blessings Left and Right!!

On Friday Zach prayed for us to find a job within the next two days. I thought he was crazy. Jobs don't pop up on Saturday and Sunday. I guess I was almost thinking, "God doesn't preform miracles on the weekend, silly." Well, did God ever prove me wrong! Saturday morning Kyha was sealed to Melissa and Alan (my bro and sis in-law). Alan is the manager Winger's in Vernal. He is currently in need of a cook, he offered Zach the job. Of course, Zach was very doubtful, but once he heard that they have a spare bedroom and we would all go up during the week and come home during the weekend, he was much more willing to do it. We will be up there by June 1st if not earlier. We will be doing this arrangement until Zach finds another job down here in Orem. The other nice parts of this arrangement are that I will be able to work a couple hours as a waitress, which is something that I am very experienced in doing and the Temple is SO close, and my sister will be able to watch on Carla so we can go! Woo Hoo!! We will be able to go weekly once again, for at least a little while. And we will be able to build a stronger bond with our family and nieces. They already adore "Uncle Ake" and Abcde (Carla Abcde pronounced Absdee) and so it will be so nice to have our two families bond. So one prayer most definitely answered! So yeah, Father does preform miracles, even on Saturdays!

Then on Saturday evening I went to work for a few hours at my parents place, "Tommy's Burger" and when I got home I saw a bag in the living room. Zach told me that when he came home around six it was on the porch. I opened the bag and there was clothes for Carla. The exact sizes that she needs. Whoever gave us that clothes is an angel sent from Father. I know that they heeded the prompting from Father to relieve my stress and concern. Dear Angel, thank you.

Father so many times sends us angels, both in this side of the veil and the other. I know that God watches over us and is waiting to bless us. He loves each of us so very much and uses us as instruments in his hands to help His children. I thank Him for sending so many angels to us in our times of need.

Jobless..

Once again, Zach didn't work most of the week. He only worked on Monday for 3 hours! OUCH!! You know, sometimes Father's ways are so difficult to follow. We have been consistanly looking for a new job and placing applications for the past 3 months, and with no avail. It is so difficult not being able to buy Carla clothes that fit her because we don't have the money. We can buy her a few little things here and there, but with the rate that she has grown, she has very little clothes that fit her well. I see how our life would be so much easier if I would work, but every time we pray about it, we get a very strict "NO, this is time that you need to dedicate to Carla. It is Zach's job to provide for the family." Often times I find myself crying and begging Father for peace. All I want is peace, and a confirmation that everything will be okay. Then I recieve that peace, and the next day, I get frustrated again, and pray for peace, and of course a job. I have such a hard time being able to keep the feelings that the Spirit pours into my heart. I quickly forget that comfort that I felt just hours before and have to pray for the same thing once again. I do know that all will be well, we pray, read our scriptures, pay tithing and fast offering, and try to be as obedient as we can, and the Lord will bless us for our efforts. I feel like sometimes I get frustrated with His timetable. I want my blessing now, and I want them to come easily, but I KNOW that is NOT how Father works. We are here to prove ourselves, to show Father that even though life may not be as easy as we would like, and although we may suffer, we will obey, we will have faith. I guess that is what mortality is for. It is for Father to allow trials to bombard us, and sometimes He quickly comes to our aide, and sometimes He waits, and sees how WE will handle our trials, will we rebel or will we obey? As for now, we will make do, we will continue to fill out applications, send resumes, and pray, hope, and have faith. "This to shall pass."

Another Happy Sick Baby Update...

Before I start, I just have to vent about one thing... Pepe. I guess the only thing that bothers me about it is that I feel like she is getting addicted to "Pepe, her boyfriend," as we call him, others call him a binky or pacifier. We didn't want her to be one of those babies that you only see with the binky in their mouth. Where they can't do anything without that binky. But now that she is sick, she starts to cry and here comes Pepe! Oh well, as soon as she is well, she'll have to break up with her boyfriend. Anyways, back to my sick baby...

On Wednesday we went to the doctor because Carlita is still sick. It has now been over two weeks and it is so hard to see her so sick. At the same time they did her 6 month visit. We found out that she is in the 95% for her height 27", and 90% for her weight 19.6 lbs! She is the average height and weight of a one year old! He said it wasn't too common to see a baby's weight jump so much after 5 months. Oh well, we like her PLUMPY!! Perfect for loving on! I love holding her and feeling her fat between my fingers! I really need to go through her clothes and pull out what doesn't fit her. So much of her clothes I have to stretch and stretch just to get it to snap closed. Tee hee hee!!

Well, it turns out that she doesn't have Bronchiolitis anymore, thankfully, but she got another cold when she was getting over her Brionchiolitis. The doctor also said that there is no reason why she should still be wheezing unless she has asthma. Talk about a dosey! He gave her albuterol, which we have to give her twice a day for six days. Since she is so small, they can't diagnose her with asthma because they have to do other tests to make sure, but he suspects that she has it. We hope that it is something that she will grow out of. We have to watch her closely because she will start to cough and cough until her lips turn blue and she starts vomiting. It hurts so bad seeing her in so much pain and watching her struggle to breath. Last night it was especially bad. She still can't sleep through the night because she will have coughing attacks. Last night she started coughing and I ran to get her so that I could console her before her coughs got to bad, but I was too late. She coughed and coughed until she vomited. I couldn't take it anymore, I made Zach call Jake to come help him with a blessing. I just held my baby and sobbed. In my head I pleaded with my Father in heaven, "Why do such things have to happen to innocent babies? Don't take her away from me, please Father, let her stay here with me. I promise I'll be a better mother, I promise I'll be more obedient. Please, you have healed me so many times, I have seen you heal so many others, won't you heal her? Please, heal her. I promise that I will study my scriptures every day, that I will be more obedient, and complain less. I promise, I promise. Heal her please, I know that thou art omnipotent and can preform this miracle, please Father, please." Jake arrived, dressed in his church clothes, I gave a humble prayer to invite the Spirit, Zach anointed, and Jake sealed the anointing. He stated that her lungs would be opened, that she would get the rest that her body needed, he blessed her with the knowledge that her parents loved her, and that she was looked after. He also said that she would have the strength to fight off this infirmity and that we, her parents, would look to her for strength. He also blessed us with strength to help her. The rest of the night was still scary, her breathing would suddenly be more wheezy, and she would cough and cough. At 4am I got her out after another coughing/vomiting attack, I fed her, and laid her down with me. She still woke up 3 more times before waking up for the day at 7am.

During the day, the really got the rest that she needed though. She fell asleep playing on the floor for the very first time. We went to run errands and she slept the whole time. Her 2 hour afternoon nap turned into a 4 hour nap! It was amazing! And then she went down for the night at 7pm. Today she hasn't had any coughing/vomiting attacks for which I am so grateful. I know that Father will bless her with health. I know that He doesn't rejoice when He sees us suffering and helpless, but that He cries with us and suffers with us. I do know that we HAVE to go through trials so that we can become perfected. I just pray that Father will give me the strength to overcome the trials that lay ahead, and that I am currently going through.

Sundays Are Fun Days

I love Sundays! They really are fun days. We usually get to sleep in until 9:30, then bring Carla into our bed and just cuddle and play with her until 11am, and then we start to get ready for Church, have lunch, let Carla sleep for 30min while we shower and start to get ready for Church. Then off to Church we go. We have some amazing talks, followed by insightful Gospel Principles class, topped off by an uplifting Relief Society lesson. We go home, eat, visit friends or family (depending on the week), and spend the rest of the evening relaxing. Ahhhh, it is truly a day of rest.

Well, today we went to the Orem University First Stake, 16th Ward, and were able to witness the mantle of Bishop placed on my daddy. I was so proud of him and my mom. I know that they are going to do great. It was an awesome experience to see how instantly you could see my daddy become a Bishop and how he transformed from being a great father, husband, and example, into a common judge in Israel, a Leader in the Lord's Church, and a loving, caring, and concerned Priesthood Bearer, in addition to his other callings. I am so blessed to have my daddy in my life and the great example that he is to me. He always helps me put my life into an eternal perspective and to find joy in my trials, and solutions to my problems. He is going to be an amazing Bishop. I love him very much.

Then we came home, put the lasagna in the oven, fed Carla, then went back in time for Relief Society, so I could be with my mommy. It was so neat to see how the sisters in the ward gave my mom their undivided attention when she gave her opinion, and thoughts. After Church we, my mom, Zach, Rolo, Helaman, Carla, and I, came home and ate and talked and laughed with Carla. My mom bought her some hopping bunnies. You wind then up and they hop. Carla was laughing and laughing! She thought that they were the funniest things on this planet. We of course laughed with Carla not at her! Then I put Carla down for a nap and Zach and I went to Priesthood and Relief Society in our ward. My mom stayed with Carla and waited for my daddy to be done with meeting and come and eat.

We LOVE our ward. We are blessed with so many good influences here. The Relief Society Lesson was amazing, like usual. It was taught by Sister Chestnut and it was about the ministering of angels, a lesson from the November Ensign. It was amazing! It really made me think about the tender mercies of the Lord and Father and how much They are watching over me. I know that they love my and are always concerned with my life. They hurt when I hurt, cry when I cry, laugh when I do something silly or air headed, and rejoice when I do what is right. I am so grateful for the many angels that I have had, and currently have in my life, both in this side of the veil and the other side of the veil. I know that Father wants us to have a happy life and puts "angels" in our lives to help us along the way.

After that inspiring lesson, we came home, and my parents left. Carla, Zach and I cuddled on the sofa for about half an hour. I love cuddling! I was sad because Carla won't sleep with me anymore. Well today I got my wish, she fell asleep in my arms. It was a Teresa sandwich seeing as I was between the two mortals I love most in my life. As I held Zach and Carla, we read from the Conference edition Ensign. Oh sweet Sundays!

Then we got ready and off we went to our friends, Ally and Dan. They were our neighbors, but bought a condo in American Fork. We went and had dinner and played "BANG". It was a blast. They are such great friends. We love them very much and miss them too! Well, we came home, fed Carla rice cereal with banana, because she DETESTS plain rice cereal, and put her to sleep. Now I am relaxing as I blog. I am so blessed to have the Gospel in my life. Everything good in my life has happened because I have been faithful to the commandments of Father. I am grateful for such a selfless husband, and a sweet, calm baby.

Far from Father??

Zach is losing his job, this we all know. I thought that he was losing it at the end of the summer. Nope, in MAY! I have been stressing. We went for a job interview at a Crisis and Respite Nursery in Orem, and haven't heard back. He has put in over 30 applications, and still nada. Yesterday was particularly frustrating because once again he hasn't worked very much this week. Only 22 hours. It is really hard to pay all the bills only working 22 hours a week! So yesterday, I began to feel just really stressed, frustrated, and alone. We have been praying so hard, and nothing. I have been reading my Scriptures daily, and nothing. A couple weeks ago we had a FHE lesson about getting the "missionary glow" back. I don't get those spiritual highs very often anymore, and it ISN'T because of life, it is because of me. Everyone can have spiritual experiences every day, we just need to work for them, and lead a spiritual life. We challenged ourselves to be better. Anyways... yesterday, I was crying a lot and we would pray and I would ask Father why He wasn't answering our prayers, or at least blessing us with peace, yet again, nothing. Zach was on his knees for quite a while and a quote came to mind.

"I find that when I get causal in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no Divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself in the scriptures, the distance narrows, and the spirituality returns. "- Pres. Spencer W. Kimball

That is how I feel. I feel so far away from Him. I don't know how it happened. All I know is that I NEED to feel Him close again. I miss His constant presence in my life, in everything I do. I WILL immerse myself more fully in the scriptures and instead of just reading the scriptures, I'm going to genuinely study them. I can't expect Him to bless me if I'm not keeping His commandments. I also believe that we speak to God through prayer, and He speaks to us through the scriptures, so I haven't been giving Him an opportunity to talk to me.

Moral of this huge long story: STUDY THE SCRIPTURES, IMMERSE MYSELF IN THE SCRIPTURES AND HE WILL BLESS ME.

Temple...Finally

I hadn't been to the Temple since a week before Carla was born. I never noticed how much I love going to the Temple until I couldn't go. We finally decided to go on Friday. We left Carla at the Lyman's (of course), and off to the Temple we went. We did baptisms and confirmations for my family. It was such an amazing experience. I love how as soon as you walk into that sacred place, all of your worries and cares melt away. Zach and I finally went on a date that lasted for more than an hour. It was a perfect day. I love my husband. I mean look at him. Who wouldn't be extatic for spending their life with such an energetic guy?? I am so glad that we will be together forever. I'm loving every minute of it! Oh yes, and I wore my pre-pregnancy suitcoat! WOO HOO!! I have been zachified!

Fast Sunday

Today was Fast Sunday. It was such a spiritually uplifting Sabbath. The testimonies that were borne were amazing. I learned so much from listening to them. In Sunday School, I was reminded of the amazing Plan of Happiness, and how God always has a purpose in His creations. Relief Society was the cherry on top today. Beth's lesson was about finding God's tender mercies amist our trials. We talked about trying to have a, "what am I supposed to learn from this experience" attitude and not a, "why me" attitude. Zach and I are heading into some stormy seas and we have been praying for a new job, and for the Lord to make our situation easier. Last week Zach gave the FHE lesson on how we need to pray for guidance, patience, and to learn the lesson Father wants us to learn from our experience. I realized that many times in my life I ask Father to take away my trials or to make me strong so that I can endure them, but almost never to help me be a better person because of them, or to be able to learn from my trials. As I contemplated Father's love for me, I realized that He never allows trials to happen to us because He wants us to be miserable and grumpy, but because He wants us to find JOY in our lives. He wants us to learn how to depend on Him, and to be happy despite what we may be going through. Recently I have been pondering on a saying which states, "God sometimes calms the seas, and sometimes He lets the seas rage and calms His child." I love that saying because it is so true. I feel like I have to go through the same trial multiple times until I finally say, "Okay, what am I suppose to learn. Please Father, help me." I find peace in my trials when I finally ask for His help. We cannot find true JOY unless we are willing to forget ourselves and focus on Him. I learned something from Beth's sister in law, she said that for her JOY stands for Jesus, Others, You. It made so much sence, it finally clicked. You cannot find true JOY unless you give yourself to HIM, our Maker, our Redeemer. I love learning from my sisters. I felt the Spirit so strongly during the lesson, and the testimonies that were shared at the end of the lesson added so much more to that feeling. I know that Christ was in our midst. I know that Father is so proud of each one of us as we learn of Him, and from Him. I love the Holy Sabbath and the perspective that it gives to my life. Thank you Father for the gift of the Gospel in my life.

Pule and Temple Square

Last Saturday, we had a very special friend come to town. Pule is our good friend from Alaska. He came to pick up his nephew who was going to move back to Alaska with him. We got to see him on Sunday for a couple hours and most of Monday. We went to Temple Square and had such a fun time! Pule and Zach are so funny, they crack me up! They were having a blast. It was so amazing just being on Temple grounds. The Spirit was so strong there, and the Conference Center was beautiful. I learned so much about the construction and all of the care that was taken into making it as magnificent as it is. I love being in Holy places, places where the spirit of the Lord is present and His wondrous love is felt. How blessed I am to have the Gospel in my life to lead and guide me. I know that my Redeemer lives!

Tender Thoughts

I was just reading a friend of mine's blog. It was a spiritual one, and I felt an overwhelming sence of love from my Heavenly Father. I want to stand as a witness to all who read this blog that I know that Christ lives and loves each of us. We ARE children of a King. God is our Father, and He wants us to be happy. That is why He gives us commandments. That is why we give our children rules, because we want them to be safe and happy. Still, we sometimes disobey, but even though we do, Father provided a way for us to repent and be cleansed from our sins if we just will it. Christ suffered for each of our sins and it is up to us if we partake of the atonement or let that suffering be in vain. I know that Father is always there to listen to our prayers, and will always answer them too. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is God's kingdom on this earth. I hope that I can be a light of virtue, and an example of charity, and not for my glory's sake, but so that others can "see (my) good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven."

Blessings...

I just want to say that I know that there are miracles every day in our lives. My grandma lives in El Salvador and I usually go see her every couple years. Now that Carlita is here I really want her to meet her great-grandma. So we really wanted to go this May, but money was short. We have been struggling, like a lot of people these days. So, I picked up a couple hours at Tommy's and became my mom's "official" tutor. I was tutoring her before, but now the school pays me! Sweet! And with the money that we're getting back from taxes, we'll be just fine and be able to go to El Salvador too!



I have been having a hard time coping with my "after baby" body. My sweet, amazing, kind, sensitive and adoring husband sent me to get my hair cut, highlighted, bought me clothes that fit, and a treadmill. I have, in two weeks, lost 6 lbs, and am feeling pretty again. Let me tell you, I haven't felt that way in a long time! My blessing and miracle: not only feeling pretty and losing weight, but to be married to such a wonderful man. He is my strength, my piller when I'm weak, the holder of my heart, my inspiration, my best friend, my husband, Zach.


My extended family has been such a blessing. My mom and dad who always call to see how we're doing. Who give so much of their time to help us, and get just as excited as I do when Carla reaches her little milestones. I always call my mom because I know that she'll listen to me complain and tell me what I want to hear, and if it isn't what I want to hear, she puts it gently. Thank you for teaching me the way of the Lord mami y papi!




And of course, my in-laws, who don't feel like in-laws at all, but like my family. I love them and appreciate everything that they do for me. They give so much of themselves. Zach and I went on our first date since Carla was born on Jan 22nd because my "mom" and Megan, Vanessa, Josh and Jen, came down from Herriman and watched the baby while we went to Tucano's for my birthday date. It was so nice! Mom, you raised an amazing son. I hope you know what a wonderful mother you are, and that you are such a great example to me.

My life has been filled with blessings and miracles! I am greatful to my Savior and Father for each and every one of them. "I'm trying to be like Jesus."

From Heaven, Through Daddy, to Me

Carla was blessed on Sunday, Feb. 1 2009. It was such a special day, for many reasons. That was also the day that I was baptized and confirmed, Feb. 1 1992. I was so proud of my baby, and my lover. I am so blessed that Zach is a worthy Priesthood holder and can perform ordinances such as this one. Carla was so good, thanks to the fact that I fed her right before she was blessed, so she slept through the whole thing! The members in the circle were: Zach (of course), my daddy, my dad, Alan (my brother-in-law), Rolando, Dan Evans, Glen Paystrup, Roger Paystrup, Fulgencio Choy. Some things that were mentioned in the blessing were:

Being blessed with health and strength

Grow healthy and strong

Mind will be enlightened by the Spirit at a young age

Educated in church and in studies

Be an influence and example to your family and neighbors
Treat others with kindness and respect

Marry a choice husband, a worthy Priesthood holder in the Temple

To be raised in the Gospel by parents who love you

Raise your own family in the Gospel

Charitable heart and be able to see others for who they are

You will love others

Filled with the Holy Ghost

Know your mistakes and repent quickly

You will be led and guided by choice people who love the Savior

What a beautiful blessing! After Sunday School, we went to the house and had a shindig. We had family and friends come to the house and ohh and aww at Carla. I feel so blessed to be a mommy. I love my daughter, my little love. It's 3am and she's screaming her head off, and I go in her room, and as soon as she hears my voice she quiets down. I feel so lucky to be a mommy, to have those experiences that bring joy to my heart. I love going into her room when she starts to squirm and she opens her little beautiful eyes, and looks up at me and gives me a big smile. I feel blessed, I feel complete!