Top 10 of 2020

 

10. MEMES!!!! TIK TOK!!!! And general making fun of anything possible online to get through all the masking, social distancing, and quarantine!!

9. Christina gets her learner's permit!! She is the best Yaiya driver ever!!!

8. Heading to middle Nevada because everywhere else is closed... finding that it's absolutely gorgeous. 

7. Apple Hill!! We got to enjoy the treats of fall with Josh and loved every minute and ounce of sugar.

6. Las Vegas to celebrate Yaiya's birthday!! Greek food of the gods, swimming, hiking in the Valley of Fire State park, and enjoying some sunshine during the cold.

IN OUR NEW HONDA PILOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5. Surviving distance learning!!!!! AHHHHHH!!!! ZOOM meetings and Microsoft teams.

4. Surviving a summer of smoke from the California wildfires. All. Summer. LONG!! So lucky Aunty Pam and Sheila were kept safe. Multiple evacuations.

3. Trip to Oregon.... quarantine has us going crazy!!! Time to visit Uncle Corey and Uncle Bill and enjoy the pacific ocean, donut sampling, the most delicious homemade vegetable lasagna and basil lemon vinaigrette salad, and motorized scooters in downtown Portland. We love our Uncles!!!

2. No church. So odd to not go to Church on a regular basis due to covid restrictions. The children haven't been in Primary in 10 months. We are lucky to go to sacrament meeting 1 time a month for 1 hour. 

1. Trip to Hawaii. It was right when Covid was starting to get serious so Papa stayed home. We missed him very much. We had a wonderful time exploring the entire island of Oahu, enjoying rainy times at the Disney Hotel we weren't staying at, multiple beaches, and seeing nude Europeans hiking the Coco Steps. It was a wonderful vacation together with many memories.

2020 was definitely a year of adjustments. We are so very sorry for those that lost loved ones this year. We are so very grateful for all who went above and beyond to help others during this time of crisis. I know I am beyond grateful to Heavenly Father that Jody and I both had jobs, that my little babies were kept safe both at home and at school. That we have good health insurance.

I am grateful for a principal and staff at school who are supportive and wonderful. The end of my first year of teaching was spent on a computer screen attempting to teach little ones. It was a difficult transition because the district was extremely unorganized. My 2nd year of teaching has been phenomenal, I have a sweet class who I adore. I'm blessed to be able to do something that inspires me and helps me make a difference.

The kids at home have been extremely flexible. This year we've developed a little more gratitude, a little more patience, and a little more kindness.

Jody and I have had our ups and downs this year. It was hard, not going to lie. But through it all, we continue to try.

Selling Yaiya Sofia's home was a big decision. And a very hard one at that. Currently we're in escrow right now so not quite done there.

2020. The year that didn't stop. Sheesh.

2018 Top 10

10. Ultimate trip to Arizona!! It was a vacation to remember!!

9. Christmas in California with Withers family!!!

8. 1st place in mile run for Eli!! Also Eli rips out multiple teeth, including 2 front teeth.

7.  Marvel Super Heroes... we watched EVERYTHING!!!/The Office binge-ing

6. Mt. Tallac & Half Dome for Mama

5. Nina gets braces

4. Year of Cupcake Wars on Sundays tied with so much shit breaks... but hooray for new TV, refrigerator, and STOVE!!

3. Death of the mini-can. RIP white maiden. You were totally rad and good to us. Also possible death of Atlas, Jody's Rodeo.

2. Jody cuts his dreadlocks. Say what!?!?

1. We support and love our Papa in all the soul searching he's done this year.

Every Day a Blessing 2015 Top 10

This year was a year full of happiness and sorrow.

 

Bitter and sweet.

I'm so grateful for all that has happened. It may not be what I've wanted, but I'm grateful nonetheless. I choose not to focus on the severe struggles, anguish, and heartbreak.... but I also acknowledge them. Without them, I wouldn't grow.

So. Top 10

10. Vacations!!!

 

9. Birthday Parties!!

 

8. I get released as Primary President!! Great getting to know the kids and adults, good learning experience!!

 

7. Jody teaches lots of classes at UNR and works hard on PhD.

Doctor Lykes is almost here!! So proud of him.

 

6. VEGETARIAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The year free of animal cruelty. For the children, they had meat here and there, maybe a handful of times the entire year. On Christmas, I also had a small piece of meat. The point of this was to eat healthier, be aware of where our food is coming from, and contributing to a kinder earth.

 

5. Books, books, books. I read over 200 and the girls did, easily, too.

 

4. Papa gets his SILVER STAR award from the Post Office.

 

3. BOLLYWOOD!!

The obsession. The passion. The final words.

(The picture is for you mom!!)

 

2. Maria gets baptized!!! So proud of her wonderful decision.

 

1. Yaya returns home to Heavenly Father.

 

2015 was a blessed year. Thank you so much Heavenly Father.

 

End of the Year Musings- We loved you 2014!!!

2014 was a good year.

To go through and pick top highlights would just be too hard. Of course, having our Sweet Ella come was the best part of the year. As the times flies, it is such a privilege to watch the children grow and develop. We have a fine bunch, yes we do!! Ella is a mommy's girl. It's so amazing and rich to think of the bond I have with my babies. I'm grateful to breastfeed and be there for them. It's like they are a part of my soul and being. Happiness is holding my babies. Giving them kisses. Talking to them and seeing them smile and discover birds and butterflies!

Confucious said, "Learning without reflection is a waste. Reflection without learning is dangerous."

I feel like it was  year full of new learning. One big thing that happened toward the end of year was our choice to go Vegetarian. The girls and I have now been meat free for almost 3 weeks. We want to make healthy choices. I still want the girls to be flexible and not feel any pressure, however we all have empathy toward these beautiful animals that aren't being treated right. How can we be a part of something so wrong and cruel? I'm hoping to continue educating myself about where food comes from and eventually see if I can go Vegan.

I almost finished the Doctrine and Covenants this year. I'm in the hundreds and have found the Institute student manual invaluable. I've really felt the spirit as I have read and developed a new love for the early saints and all they had to endure. I did finish Jesus the Christ. My understanding of His life has definitely grown and my appreciation for Him is beyond verbalizing.

The girls were in Gifted and Talented classes this year. Christina is being challenged nicely. Maria is still way advanced and continues to do work under her level. We compensate at home as much as possible. Their memory is wonderful. I was quizzing them about authors and was proud of all they could remember! Watch out Jeopardy!! Most important, I'm proud of their gospel knowledge. They know all the articles of faith, main points of scripture stories.... they read scriptures nightly and continue to ask thoughtful questions or make insightful comments.

Elijah! Oh dear. This boy!!! 3 years old and reading. He definitely is learning differently from the girls. Much more energy required for concentration! However, he teaches himself and he does so quickly. He is the funniest little thing EVER! He is so well behaved and nice. Everyone who meets him falls in love with him. He really is just the coolest. He is UPTOWN FUNK!!!!!!!!!

Family, as always, is my greatest treasure. Not a day goes by, that I don't have joy because of my wonderful family.

Our talents in art seem to be growing. I am so grateful for the internet and the sharing of ideas. Our home definitely benefits from all that is out there and is strengthened by the knowledge of others.

Good friends fill our lives too. A comfortable home. Cars that run and a job that Joe excels in.

Yes, 2014 was a good year and we are always so blessed.

Thank you Heavenly Father.

Top 10 in 2013

What a wonderful year, yet again! Every day I see the hand of Heavenly Father in our lives and am so grateful that He is our God. He truly has blessed us beyond measure. The joy and happiness we have. The prosperity. The health. The trials and opportunities for growth. The support and uplifting hand of strength. Truly every day of this year and life has been nothing short of a miraculous blessing. God is good. Understatement. We are grateful. Understatement.

With that said, here is my personal top ten memories/moments of the year.

10. Watching Elijah grow so fast and learn to talk.

 

9. Seeing the girls excel in school. Plus a great year of good literature!!

 

8. Homeschooling!! However brief, it was awesome!

 

7. Parties!! Vacations!! Field Trips!!

 

6. New Calling as Primary President.

 

5. Mom and her 9 lives, we’re so blessed.

 

4. Being spoiled, loved, and supported by family and friends. Especially loved Yaya Sofia’s magical checkbook this year!!

 

3. Swim Team for Christina!! Watching Maria develop as a runner!!

 

2. Jody became a professor!!!

 

1. Pregnancy with Sweet Ella Clara.

2012 In Review

Ah, 2012. It was a good year. Top highlights included:

10. Fun callings.
I'm so excited to be a Primary Chorister. Church every single Sunday never fails to be a great day. It's such a privilege to be with these children and teaching them all about what truly is important in life. The music is angelic. I love every single song in the Primary Songbook and I'm so grateful to a loving Heavenly Father who would extend this opportunity to me.

9. Summer of Red Hawk.
Ahh.... how we miss you warm sun and peaceful poolside.

8. Mom Retires!!

7. Baby Teefy is born!!

6. Parties! Parties! Parties!

5. Great Music. Great Books!!!!
We especially loved gettin' down to Psy Gangham Style, Selena Gomez, Goyote Somebody That I Used to Know & a random Tamil Song Koulaveri. The year in books included the entire Narnia Series- 7 books, 2 books in A Wrinkle in Time Series & the entire Percy Jackson series 5 Books (Minus 10 pages).

4. RUNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!
Who would have guessed? Joe completed his marathon. I did a personal 10K. The girls ran their first race. And now we all having running shoes!!!!

3. Joe gets his masters degree!!!
Wow. A big year for accomplishments for him!! Way to go hubby!

2. Elijah grows and grows!!
Where does the time go. Our baby is beginning to be a toddler!

 

1. Christinoula gets baptized!!
Such a sacred and special day! We're so proud of her good choice and that she has followed The Savior. She is a shining example and we know that she will continue to do things that are pleasing to Heavenly Father.

Closing out 2011

I was thinking I'd close up the year with my top 11 favorite happenings this year! It was a good year, as every year is. We are truly thankful to our loving Heavenly Father for all He's given us.

11. My Garden = Peace & Serenity

10. Joe learns how to run! And we say goodbye to the beloved dreds.

9. Summer at Wild Waters and any other place we can enjoy swimming!!

8. Zumba, Classic Literature and PINTEREST!!! Personal Time

7. SEA WORLD!!!!!!! Does life get any better than fun fun fun vacations?!?!?

6. Missoula Theatre- The girl's first play!

5. Sergio Flores. Nothing says happiness like listening to your 7 year old hum George Michael.

4. Fancy Party. Mafioso.I don't remember the last time I saw my folks so stunningly dressed! Joe in a tux! Crystal out... Fun times.

3. Christina learns how to ride a bike without training wheels (Maria too! with training wheels!)

It took a few tries, but now they are pros! Sidenote:They always wear helmets, of course, the one picture I get of them, they're not.

2. Maria learns how to read and her fabulous tangled birthday party!

1. Elijah aka Mingo Star is born!!!!!!! Hooray for sweet babies!