Maya's first meal

What an eventful Friday we had. First we decorated eggs and then Maya experienced her first meal.

Egg Decorating

Although I think Easter is such an important event, I don't like the comercialism that comes with it. Eggs, bunnies, baskets, dinner, chicks are all cute, but it takes away from the real meaning of Easter and the reality of our Lord Jesus Christ being crucified and His resurection. So, I've been debating (with myself) what do I want to do/keep of the Easter tradition.

This year we decorated eggs. On Thursday, we had spent all day cleaning/setting up (beds, etc) the house for the Walters' arrival. On Friday morning when we got up, I actually didn't have any chores/cleaning to do. While Maya napped, we played some games, and we took on the task of decorating eggs. It was fun and it almost felt like a "science project, mixing colors with water or vinegar and then coloring the eggs. I think that's one of the things we'll do as a "tradition."

Luckily, the past two years, we've had family visiting from out of town, so we haven't done "traditional,"things nor have I worried about what to do. My family sends Arden a basket every year, and I think that's fine. He really enjoys the treats and it's a cute tradition from his grandparents.

My Favorite Outfit for Mayita

Okay, so I'll admit it, sometimes I'm a little bit obsessed with my children. I'm really enjoying having a baby and doing fun things with a girl. This is my favorite outfit at this age for Maya...yes, I kind of like playing dress up, and I've given myself permission to like the color pink...no, the outfit she's wearing is not pink...

A day in Monterey

Two Mondays ago, we went with our friends to Dennis the Menace park and the beach in Monterey. The kids really enjoyed themselves and were very well behaved. I think I would have enjoyed myself a bit more, if I wouldn't have received the depressing news of Newel not getting the job in Mexico City. I wasn't trying to get my hopes up, but I was a bit disappointed. I know we're supposed to go, wherever the Lord needs us to go. I need to be more trusting in His plan for us. I know living in Mexico City wouldn't have been that sweet for me, overall. It would have been too dangerous and I would have been very paranoid that someone was going to steal my children. Plus, with the crazy traffic, I don't think I would have gone out much, especially if I had to drive. I said I wasn't going to worry, until the end of April, but at times I do get tired of people asking me where we're going and I just reply, "I don't know." Uncertainty, can be exciting at times, but other times it's...well, uncertain and a bit worrysome. I'm trying my best to stay positive, after all, being at Stanford has been an amazing experience for us. I don't know where we'll be by the end of the school year...back in FL? Texas? Living in my in-laws basement? San Diego? Who knows.

In my life, I've found that things work out for a reason, and it may take years to figure out why something didn't happen the way we thought it would. For example, when I turned down my admissions to BYU, as a Senior in high school, I was very sad and dissappointed. I didn't go since I didn't have my green card at that time, and I didn't want my parents paying for my education...among other reasons. Looking back(years later), it was a wonderful decision to not go to BYU. If I would have gone, I would have never met Newel, who happens to be the most important person in my life. He's my best friend, and the love of my life. With him, life has been amazing and never a dull moment. We've had many wonderful experiences together. We have the most amazing and beautiful children. We're raising our children the best we can...and I'm realizing my dreams of having an Eternal family, with a wonderful man...could that have been accomplished if I would have gone to BYU? Probably not (plus I realized I'm not a cougar fan =) ). I might have met someone, but perhaps, not as wonderful as Newel. He has just about everything I've wanted on a husband, a father, a companion. At the time I turned down my admissions, I didn't know these wonderful experiences were in store for me, but He did and I'm so glad I was guided to follow Him.

I know years from now, I'll look at these trials, and be thankful for them...and I'll know the reason why I needed to have these experiences...perhaps to learn to be humble, to learn sympathy, patience...stay positive...

Happy Easter!

Last week my friend Abbey and I took the kids to a nice field on campus to take their pictures. This is the unfinished product. We might go and take more pictures.

Taking children's pictures can be exhausting. One child looks at the camera, while the other one looks elsewhere, or neither of them look at the camera, or there's crying, etc. Even though this was crazy fun, I don't think I could ever do this for a living. I hope you enjoy them and have a holy Easter.

Arden trying to get Maya to smile.

Newel's Job Interview in Mexico

Yes, last week Newel went to Mexico City for a job interview. There's a slight chance we might go live in Mexico, but not I'm not holding my breath. We really don't know where we're going, yet. I'm hoping by the end of April we'll know for sure.

Anyways, on his trip to Mexico he had a chance to see some of his old buddies from the mission. I was so jealous...the good kind. He hung out with some of his friends, went sight seeing, and ate Hermana Ocampo's delicious enchiladas...yes, that's why I'm jealous, her enchiladas are the best!

The Undurraga's Welcome Home Party!

Our friends, the Undurraga family, went over to Chile over the Holidays to visit their family. Carolina was about 31 weeks pregnant when her water broke and ended up giving birth at 32 weeks to an adorable little boy named Borja. They stayed in Chile, for almost 3 months, and just returned this week. We missed them terribly, so we decided to host a welcome home party and invited their friends over to our house for a b-b-que on Tuesday night. Here are some of the people who came to welcome them home. It's amazing how many people you can fit into a 850 square foot apartment. Thank goodness for the patio and the backyard. Arden missed his friend (Maria). He was so happy to see her back.
By the way, Carolina is the one holding the tiny baby on the right.

More Volunteering

Here's Arden with Walter who ran a mile in about 5 mins and introduced Arden to the yo-yo!

Here we are with Ruth

Last Saturday, we went to cheer on the Special Olympics competion in San Fran at the Golden Gate Park. We met with other MBA students from USF (U of San Fran) and Stanford. The best part was cheering on the players and helping Arden feel comfortable with people who are different from him.

I remember last year, we were at the Happy Hollow Zoo looking at the train exhibition they have. After looking at the exhibition for a while, a mentally handicap person stood next to Arden to watch the train go around the track. Arden noticed the man, and he moved to the other side of the window. Then, the man (who was following the train) also moved to where Arden was standing. Arden moved away from the window and went over to a bench. At that moment I realized Arden was feeling uncomfortable with this man, and kept staring at him. I finally asked him what was the matter, and he told me the man was scary. I tried to explain to him, that the man wasn't scary, he was just different, along with more explanation. I decided tointroduce ourselves to the guy and talk to him; and help Arden realize he wasn't "scary." However, as we were about to approach him, his group was leaving, and I felt that I had missed out on a very important lesson for Arden.

I feel that going to the Special Olympic events this past month, has helped him feel comfortable being around people who are different than us. I have a lot of love for people with special needs, especially since I've worked with them in the past. So I hope, my children will feel comfortable around them, too. To not be afraid of them, just because they're not like us. Mentally and physically handicap people get ridiculed so much, that I hope that we can make a small difference, even it it's just not being scared of them, giving them a smile, a high five, or just saying hello.

Of course there's no way we can go to Golden Gate Park without hitting the children's playground!

Lunch at the Oval

This is our first lunch at the Oval this year. The weather had been great all week long that we decided to meet Newel during his lunch break at the Oval. It was one of our favorite things to do last year, and we hope we'll do this more often. Maya really liked feeling the cool grass on her feet. Arden enjoyed playing running around and playing with Ellie and daddy.

Faces

On Sunday night, we were hanging out, relaxing. So we decided to play with the camera a little bit. First, it was just Maya and me, but within seconds, Arden wanted to get into the action. So we started making different faces for the camera.

Can you guess what emotions we're trying to express?