IT HAPPENED TO ME. . . .

Yes, my nice iMac desktop computer hit the high road and crashed big time. I knew it was having a hard time finding the software when I saw the question marks flashing on the screen when I turned it on....I googled it and indeed it said it was either the mouse or the hard drive was having trouble seeing the start up software and programs. It happened a few times and then I knew I needed to back it up. I asked Nef one night to please back it up before going to bed and of course, Nef readily volunteered to do it. Only it didn't happen. He started to go downstairs and accomplish the task and then got side-tracked, he did ask how to do it and I explained how-he just never made it to the room to get it done. So, of course, when I knew it wasn't going to turn on, I called the Apple Store and brought it right down. It didn't take long before I got the dreaded phone call stating that they could not retrieve any info from it. They suggested we take it to a Mac repair store to see if they could retrieve anything from the hard drive. All the while, I was looking just like the lady in that photo-I cried several times knowing that all 25,000 photos were gone, all documents, scrapbook ideas, school files, etc....gone-just plain gone!

Yep, that's right-the Mac Doc's in SLC couldn't retrieve anything from it either. They suggested that we go online and find a place we could mail it off to and sometimes they could delve deeper into it and get all the files. So looking online, we found a place that charged $850 just to look and then $250 to retrieve jpeg images. So we were looking at about $1,100 plus just to start the process. I couldn't do it-so again I started crying and finally decided I would get the external hard drive and pray that I had at least had an auto back up from a few months ago-May or June.....

I guess the praying worked or maybe it saved Nef from getting a good beatin'-one or the other. When I plugged in the hard drive on the Mac laptop-I about fainted. Miraculously it had auto backed up the NIGHT before it crashed!!! How is that for a total miracle? I think I screamed loud enough for the whole neighborhood to hear and at the same time I also let Nef know he could now relax and wouldn't have to wash dishes for the next 20 years or do the ALL the laundry, cook, clean, pay the bills, etc..... He had been saved. I was in total distress because I knew that I had just downloaded over 1,000 photos from my camera a few weeks ago from first day of school, Cancun, summer trips, marching band competitions, Lacrosse games and so much more. I automatically set iphoto to delete all originals from my camera after uploading them to the library. WOW!!!!

So now the daunting task of putting everything back on the hard drive. Yes, I did get a new hard drive on that same computer. They won't let me get another protection care plan on it though. So we're on our own.....ugh!!! I almost forgot another great part of the story. Unbeknownst (is that a word?) to us we "thought" our warranty with the apple care protection plan expired in December. Of course, as Garcia luck would have it and to top off this horrible incident, it expired one little week prior to the crash. Nef, again used his charm, and because it was sooooo close to the date of the crash persuaded the manager into doing the fix/repair {new hard drive} for FREE!!! Thank heavens again for small little miracles.

happy november!
it's time to start this up again.... and I'm committed to keeping up with it. I need to do it from the jounaling perspective if for nothing else. I'm really lacking in the motivation and for that I'm so sorry. I have no idea what is up with me-a slump of some kind and it needs to be gone.
so here's what I'm thankful for this month:

* a cozy warm home with all the cold settling in-it snowed today!

* a family that is happy, healthy, wealthy(not so much) and wise

* time to spend with cherished friends and always my family

* sleep-well sometimes

* knowledge of what is right and wrong-what makes me happy

* a computer that works {and backs up my photos}-my Mac crashed 2 wks ago

* the ability to work-fun or not

* a home-cooked Thanksgiving coming up-my sis Kelly will be here to cook....

* life as I know it.....

* an emily who is sweeter than the day is long-love that girl!!!

* shopping- did some today and hadn't in a long time-good? bad?

* hot chocolate, a good movie, and the fireplace on-ooo-la-la

just a few of the wonderful things in life that make it so much nicer to be alive.

Powerful Video

This is quick and quite simply stated how important it is to love those around you and not let a day pass without telling your loved ones how you feel. You'll have to go down to my playlist and stop the music so you can listen to just this video. Here's the link if you want to watch it in full size as well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYhDhiojBPA


Isn't that sooooo good!!!

IT'S ABOUT TIME.....

...I KNOW I KNOW I KNOW...

I haven't been on here in so long. I am not sure what happened. I just know I have missed doing it and yet at the same time feel so overwhelmed in life. Don't we all? It just took a FrEe day without 27,492 items on the agenda to actually sit down and decide that I needed to update this. I need it-and know that as the family historian my family needs it too. They really don't care what is on this blog and have probably never gone to read it but they will when I get it published in a book form and will be forever grateful to their dear old mom when it is done. So it is the start of a new school year and feels ever so refreshing-don't ya think? I think it is time to organize, clean up and out, and get back into old habits. That is, of course, as long as they are good ones. So here goes. AND I'm going to add photos too. You won't believe how many photos are sitting in a folder on my desktop just waiting and asking to be added to this blog. That's right-they want out and in full view so they mean something. 

We've had so much going on in our lives this summer and it just about literally flew by. It always seems that summer is meant to be a relaxing, casual event in ones life and somehow that concept passed The Garcia Gang right by. Not complaining, just noting and realizing what happens when you don't deliberately plan to do nothing and let everyday be simple and plain....the days go by, weeks go by and before you know it a new season is upon you. All too well. Love it!!!

TULIPS

My very favorite time of the year has to be the SpRinG. I can not stand it when the tulips are in full bloom. I just about have heart failure because I don't want to concentrate on anything but them. I have to drive anywhere in UT that has them and I absolutely love having pictures of the kids in them. I have planted sooooo many in the front yard and love to watch them all pop out of the ground and show their faces come the spring. So, needless to say, Emily and Ashleigh, had no choice but to appease their mother and go down to Thanksgiving Point and take some photos. We ended up taking two of the neighbor girls who are Emily's sidekicks: Natalee Goeken and Cami Mendoza with us and got some cute photos of them as well. I messed around with a few of the photos in photoshop and iphoto and did some adjusting. Not too much-I don't have the patience to do a lot anymore; but had fun tweaking a few. So enjoy!

Love the vivid colors in tulips-such a variety.
this is my new desktop photo.... simplicity...

These girls of mine-they are such sweet, innocent girls-love that look.


So, the farm that is behind the tulips and businesses are meant for the small children to muddle through and touch and run after. They wanted to go see because I had "forced" them to do a photo shoot for so long-can you tell the difference between the look on Ash's face from the first photo to the second one? I love it-it started to come over to her while we were standing there and wanted to eat her hair. She about jumped out of her skin and this photo was taken just prior to that incident happening. All too much fun. That in and of itself was worth the trip for me.

Here are the three girls that are totally and completely inseparable....and I'm not kidding-they are really that way about 10 hours a day and if I were to let them it would be a 24/7 thing. Good thing we have doors that lock in our house. Not really, we love them and are grateful that Emmy Lou has fabulous friends to play with. The one on the left is Natalee and then Cami in the middle and Emily on the right.
They didn't last too long looking over the wall, in fear for their lives....silly girls-they were really terrified of these sweet animals.

EMILY: 

10 things I love about you...

1. your smile is so contagious

2. your attitude about life-wow!

3. never ending kisses and loves for me

4. can always count on you to make good choices

5. will follow through and obey to the end

6. you enjoy life more than an other human I know

7. kind and giving heart

8. always a snuggler-blankie and all!

9. adaptable

10. true to yourself-most importantly!!!!

ASHLEIGH

10 things I love about you...

1. wise beyond your years

2. intelligent

3. logical decision making skills

4. excellent driver

5. friend to all

6. sense of humor

7. musician-wow!

8. enjoys life w/ friends

9. loves Christ:knows it with a surety

10. family gal

To all of you who are moms---

the moment i looked at my daughter for the first time i doubled in my desires to be a good, strong, faithful woman. motherhood has made me feel everything more deeply: love, joy, happiness; but also pain, worry, and fear. and as hard and tiring as that sounds (and it is both hard and tiring), that fullness of emotion is what I love about motherhood. i will take the worry and work if with it comes love that makes you want to burst, happiness that makes you float, and a desire to nurture that sends you on the errand of angels. being a mother fills me with purpose.

i tried to save this cupcake till tonight when i could enjoy it in the bath with a book and some tea, but the temptation proved too great. as i took that glorious bite, i got to thinking about the place this perfect little cupcake must have come from. then i got to thinking, wouldn't it be the best job in the whole world to own a really sweet and pretty bakery? that made oversize cupcakes and little tarts and cheesecakes and breads? that had the most fabulous party cake designer around and sold little girls aprons and mixes and handmade goodies all along the walls?

then i thought, the only better job in the world would be to have a yarn and fabric store with every delicious yarn and gorgeous fabric, both new and vintage imaginable in wonderful colors and big comfortable couches where you sat and knit or hand sewed and tought people to knit or hand sew all day. oh i just don't know which one i'd like more! but then i considered that another really really good job would be to organize and design happy spaces for people in their homes. to teach people how to get rid of clutter and live with inspiring things around them. and design beautiful rooms and cozy beds. or maybe a photographer, wouldn't that be exciting! but even all the creative careers in the world surely can't match the intoxicating thrill of running a corporation, i mused. that would truly be a one in a million life- fast paced, lots to do each day, in charge of so many important things. oh but it would be fun, i dreamed, to be like a personal shopper. who got to pick out all the clothes and shoes and stuff she loved for someone to wear. shopping all the time! what fun! then again, teachers get to mold a whole new generation- that is amazingly rewarding work- so much sacrifice, so much fruit. that would be a saint's job.

"WAIT!" i thought, "i've got it!" the ultimate most wonderful job that takes the cake! being a mom, who can make her home inspiring, clean, and inviting...who can fill it with fragrant smells of cupcakes and bread baking and throw fabulous parties.. who can sit on a comfy couch and knit when the days duties are done...who can take pictures of her family and life any time she'd like, who can learn anything at all that she'd like to do...who is responsible for clothing and fashioning her little family...who runs her little company with hard work, saving, and all the wisdom of the best corporations- in charge of molding the most important things and people in her whole world. why, yes THAT would be the most perfect, the most fulfilling, the most rewarding job (with the most fruit). and would you look at that? i have it. (taken from a wonderul mom out there.)

OH MY - IT'S WICKED OUT THERE--

I just love this Broadway Musical....we saw it a few years ago in LA and just couldn't get enough. They did a fabulous job and it was actually partial cast from the original in NYC. We went with a group of moms and daughters from Ashleigh's girl scout troop. They were gs's for 6 years together and then we have kept in touch with each other by planning getaways together each year. I love it-we still do them too...back to:We went to see this play yesterday and it was just as fabulous as it was the first time-it was on a much smaller stage; but it was all the same BREATH TAKING. I am always in awe with the whole story line. That is why I go and take it all in and someone brilliant is writing these story lines. The effects were fabulous, the voices of each one of the actors was amazing and it all just got me. We were lucky enough to see it with Julie Stevens and her family-dear friends from Las Vegas who moved up to Park City about the same time as us. I loved seeing Polly as well-her mom. Then I invited my good friend Angie Arbon and her parents. We all went out to eat at the and ooh la la-that was delish too. I haven't eaten that much in ages. I usually don't splurge and really try to control my food intake-but this was a different occasion. I think my mind was still taking in that play and it wanted more and more....I just know it was worth it and for the rest of this week my walks might have to turn into runs and my food intake might have to be cut in half. Oh well! I feel so "lucky" getting to see all these broadway plays. We have seen 4 of them in the last few years. A girl has got to see some-it's just right-so girls go and see a play-broadway musical that is-I'll go with you-just need the invite.....soooo very worth it. Ashleigh and Emily thoroughly enjoyed it this time-I know Emily had a much better time this go round. She really GOT the whole plot and as I watched her take it in I could totally tell she loved it. When the witch accidently cast a wrong spell on a munchkin and he just so happened to turn into a tin man she laughed and then proceeded to lean over whisper to me, "Mom, I think that has to be the tin man in The Wizard of Oz. Yes, Em you are right! It is!!" All too cute.

These are all the girls: Catarina (didn't knowher), 

Carly and Natalie Stevens, Ashleigh and Emily. 

Angie and I.

Isn't this crazy....I think it's a TAX joke!!!

This was just taken a few hours ago...what is going on! I can't believe we just got about two inches of snow. I know it is still April-but we were all ready for Spring!

Enough of the snow stuff.

NO MORE!

We already switched out the winter clothes in our drawers and closets over spring break for the summer clothes.

I had to go and get the winter coats from the storage in the garage........

I am sooooo ready for Spring and the tulips that have tried to bloom to come out.

Anyone else need a roommate for a few weeks? while it warms up???

We are so ready to come.

Wishing each of you and your family a....

HAPPY EASTER-

Just thought while I had a few minutes I would add this in and tell everyone that I hope their Easter Sunday is a great day. Hopefully everyone is enjoying it with their families and friends and keeping it really simple. I love these kind of sweet, peaceful holidays where there isn't the hype and just the calm, quiet of a Sunday afternoon. We enjoyed a quiet Easter Sunday with church this a.m. and then a small lunch of sweet and sour chicken. It was just our family and oft times-more oft then not lately-I'm just fine with having a small holiday lunch or dinner. I am not sure if age plays a role in that or not; but I'm willing to guess that it must! I like the simple dishes to wash after only 5 people gather and the quiet rooms in the house later when everyone has filled their stomachs and are resting peacefully each in a different room of the house. Living in Utah does have it perk-and that is singular-a basement. So many times it is just Nef and I upstairs while Ashleigh migrates down the stairs and Emily and Christian find themselves out in the back on the trampoline or playing a game outdoors. Peace. Tranquility. Quiet. Simple as that. We did something different this year. Chose to go the simple route and not overdo the baskets. I gathered the plastic eggs, of which we own hundreds, dumped a plethora of coins on the floor from the money jar and started at it. Filling over  100 of them for the kids to search and rescue in our yard. It went over quite well. I still did the baskets. But it was fun watching them find the egg, shake it, and agree that it was worth running around a half acre to find another one or two....that is Christian and Emily found it worthwhile. Ashleigh on the other hand, had no interest in running around [as she put it] and finding coins that wouldn't amount to much. Go right ahead and be lazy Ash-no skin off of our backs-the other two were thrilled that she wanted to watch a movie and let them reap the rewards of her lack of interest. Crazy girl! They definitely scored-I even hid a "Golden Egg" with a gold dollar and movie ticket. Ashleigh just stated that she would in fact get dad to just take her to the movies and he would pay anyway!!! Not!!! I will make sure that doesn't happen. That kind of thinking has got to be stopped.  I love it when I get to be the meanest mom in the world......

   Which brings me to another subject. You have got to take a look at this blog. It is all about that topic-being the mean mom and she does a great job! Hop on over and take a look---

Just another....

Green day. . . 

and that's all that matters. I have always done something really fun for St. Paddy's Day and this year I just let it all go to pot!! {no pun intended} I usually do all green breakfast and have shamrock confetti around the house and then do something fun and green for dinner too-or we go out to eat and pick somewhere that has green food....what happened to my enthusiasm here. I think I am getting old and L-a-Z-y. The kids didn't even say anything and we just let the day go by. I was teaching school and almost forgot to wear green too. I put on green socks to fool everyone and it didn't even work. The kids at school just looked at me and said-"you must have green on somewhere, is it on your socks, your underwear or do you have on another shirt underneath that one?" They are just too smart for me-or I think I am the smart one and it is my age that is fooling me! whalaa.....I give up...

My sweet baby girl-

Just playing around the other day in Photoshop and thought I needed to share what I made. I have good friend from Las Vegas and her sister lives up here in UT not to far from me. She is a way talented graphic designer and photographer. I needed to have a quick review of all the tools in photoshop so I had her come over and we were playing around. This is the latest picture of Emily and her 6th grade teacher Mrs. Klein. She is the most amazing teacher and is perfect for Emily. I am so glad that we got her as a teacher. She just came back to teaching after getting her Master's and has a zing for life that is so upbeat, positive, and likable. Got to love those who still have it in them-I'm getting old and losin' mine. This was at the Valentine's party. Can't believe that this will be the last year for those class parties that all the moms so love to come to and bring treats for-[hope you caught the sarcasm in there.]

Too cute!

Another one of my finds tonight. They have two sites and the first one is such a cute name:Blueberry Freckles  Actually, I found all kinds of neat stuff out there. That is why there won't be any posts of importance tonight. I can't seem to get in the mood to do what is really most important. Just thought I would fill you in on some fun items tonight. Found these on a cute site that has scrapbooking tags and such. You can just pay once and download them and have them forever. They will remain on your computer's hard drive after the download and most likely stay there; due to the fact that there will be no time to actually print them out on your printer, cut them out and finally attach them to a scrapbook page. At least not for me at this time.  But all too cute, indeed. The two places are one in the same, just different products. I love 'em. Makes me want to go downstairs to the craft room and create-oops! sleep seems to be a little more important tonight. Guess that is where age comes in. Hum...sleep or scrapbooking....sad enough I'm ready to turn down the sheets and be out like a baby. Here's the link: Scrapbooking Tags.

Then I was on a friend's blog and she made the dang cutest cake. I must attempt to make this too. It looked so fun. I don't have a purpose like a birthday; but there doesn't have to be a reason-does there? Go make one to-Rainbow Cake.

CREATE--
*sorry for the inconvience-if you want to hear this you will have to go the the bottom of my blog and stop the music. It really is worth listening to. This is what happens when you surf the web for a few hours-you find all kinds of fun stuff on the internet-got to love this Mac that I have-so convenient and gets you to anywhere you want to go in seconds.

They're jettin' on jetBlue-

They actually got on a flight and jetted off to NYC this past President's weekend. You can tell that they really wanted mom to come to the airport and take pictures of them, eh? But they had the time of their lives. Is it all really worth it? Don't know yet. Guess only time will tell. They ended up flying with another family who's mom worked for jetBlue-except SHE was on the flight too. They also stayed at the same hotel, so they hooked up with them and showed them the ropes of the city. They got to go to all different stores-Macy's, Apple Store, Toy-R-Us, American Girl, FAO Schwartz, Serendipity [the best frozen hot chocolate], Grand Central Station, the subway, Empire State Building and more. It was a quick 3 day trip that I don't think the kids will ever forget-but I won't ever get to see what they did through the eye's of a camera because Nef took some sad, scary pictures. Not even one of them turned out. That is why me and my Rebel need to accompany every trip that will recorded in the history of the Garcia Gang!

Off to see the Marines---

Marines . . . 

Really was a great end of the week getaway. Nef and I left on Wednesday to head down south for a few relaxing days. I sure needed the break and it was good for everyone. Nef's sister, Lisa, has a son who just enlisted in the Marines. He has been in San Diego for 13 weeks. He did an amazing job and totally took this new endeavor. Good praise him for that. It was a rough time and I know he gave it his all and was there every minute for all his buddies in it too. He oft times was the medic for the platoon and many times gave blessings to those in need. He has the biggest heart and is going to really do well. I think he will not be going overseas-he is going to be in the D.C. area they think for most of the time. He also lost a lot of weight. He went in at 220 I think and when he was done was somewhere in the range of 171. Days and nights of treacherous work. San Diego was beautiful. A little chilly in the morning and evenings but more than anything we loved just hangin' out and doing nothing then. It was early to bed {for us old folks} and early to rise-to watch the Graduation ceremonies. Of course, we ate good, shopped some and got to walk a little along the beach. Tried to talk Nef into moving down there-why not, we've moved so many times in the short 18 years of marriage, what would one more move be.....but could not convince him the benefits would out way the costly expense of just plain "living." Here are some fun photos from the trip. This was the first time we actually left he kids to hang out by themselves, of course, we did have someone stay the night. Mom had to get rides and schedules planned before leaving and that in and of itself was quite the chore. It worked out though and now I'm thinking I could handle doing it once a month if need be just for the quick reprieve from life and a wonderful restful night's sleep! Off again to the computers to book those ever so rewarding flights for all them Eastern jetters.

Long and Lost. . .

I feel so like that way today-like I am losing my life as I knew it and so caught up in this other life that I so did not want. I thought it would all work out and be fine-work a few hours for jetBlue and get the flight benefits and then teach a few days a week and all would be fine. Life would move right along and run smoothly. Why would I ever think that, right? Like that ever happens in the Garcia Gang's home? NO, never!  I just wonder when I will ever figure that out. You would think that after how many years...I would come to know and love the fact that nothing I ever conjure up in my head would really ever take effect. I am ever so hopeful though and for that I think I get an A for effort. I amaze myself sometimes.

Life really is movin' right along.  We are doing well and I know that it will soon get to a pace that my body can keep up with. My mind loves going 100 mph faster than my body. I am really feeling the effects of age and can't believe that I will soon be almost a half a century old. That is mind-boggling. I just can't wrap my fingers around that thought. Lookin' forward to the summer days and no more working long days and then nights. Yes, teaching is rewarding and I will have to admit that I can't find one thing about booking a flight for someone rewarding but the benefits of flying are much better rewards than 950 kiddos trying to work on a powerpoint slideshow or trying to get into the internet and the server is down and no one can log on.....hum-should we weigh those two? I knew the answer to that one! Feelin' groggy and tired after a long day on the computer. Need to retire for the night. Stay tuned for the next saga on the Garcia blog.........

YOU have GOT to see this website...

I have some good friends that live in Houston {Katy}, TX and have gotten this site below up and running. It is really a cool idea. I can't believe the response they have received to all this in such a short amount of time. I love how the good of one person and in this case two people can have such an impact on people all over the world. They have had hits from over 80 different countries and are able to put $100 a day in a bank account for him made only for a trustee to to have access to when he is clean and off the streets. He has an offer in Oregon to go to a Rehab and get clean for 6 weeks-just from the website that the Dolans have created. For right now, it is the city of Houston, and in a few days it will be the country of the United States, that is getting the recognition for being a kind, caring, and out of the box kind 0f people that they are. I love the fact that in just a short 11 days the Dolan's have figured out how to help a man who on Feb. 9th had no hope at all. In fact, I'm sure he thought that life as he knew it was going to be living under a freeway sign and panhandling for his day to day food and lifeline. I don't think that he ever thought 2 intelligent human beings would ever approach him and ask him if they could try something that might change his life forever-and change it for the good!

Tim, a homeless, helpless man had given up hope of ever getting off the streets of Houston, TX. It has been 5 long years and was just waiting for the break he needed to make it again someday. Then two nobodys: Sean and Kevin Dolan, took to the streets and found Tim. They made a difference in just one person's life. Doesn't the saying go something like this: "How think ye? If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?" And then I think it even says: "And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray." matt 18:12-13. 

I am not by any means a scriptorian and absolutely not trying to chastize anyone-but I just wonder what a difference this one small act of kindness can make to our world. Especially, in such trying times as this...I am proud to say that I know this fabulous family and only hope that this one sheep turns into a hundred and the hundred turns into a million. It would be such a cool reprieve to see the world catch on to this concept and just try it-in their hometowns. It would be relatable to Oprah's pay it forward, one act of kindness movement she caused a few years back. It caught on like wildfire and is now being filmed and talked about all over the globe.

I just have to let them know how awesome I think all of this is. They are being interviewed by News Stations all over Houston and on Monday morning will be on the Fox & Friends news show. If you don't get to read this before then-which I don't think you will, you could probably go online and see it there. They are also going to be on the Rachel Ray show this week. Just letting everyone know there is a new way of being kind, a new road to healing, and a way to make a BIG difference in the life of someone who thought they would never be noticed. Go go go!!!

They are really getting good responses for the most part. Just as an update: the Monday Fox news was just a quick minute and a half but was really well done. The Rachel Ray show will be just a blurb about them and Jeff Foxworthy joking about it....make a difference pass this site on to whom ever you know and help make a difference today.

~CRAZY HAIR DaY~

A few extra minutes in the morning and look what you can create. Isn't this wonderful. I am going to really miss the days of elementary school. Getting excited about the simplest things. Fun parties-getting to be "Room Mom" and help with. Field trips to chaperone. My days are getting close to the end. It has been a big year for Emily. A year of excitement, growth, learning and new, wonderful changes. She graduated from Primary and moved up to Young Women's. No more Sacrament Programs to be in. That was literally my favorite Sunday of the year. Loved seeing all the kids get up and say their parts so close to the microphone that it echoed and sounded very raspy and scratchy. Em was even the girl narrator for the program this year. The nerves flow and it seems like your part will never get here and then the program will last forever, when really it is just a moment in time that,  as parents, we cherish for ever-well at least until the next one.

Isn't it crazy how there's something in front of you

and you can't see it.

Isn't it crazy how letters aren't numbers, not one bit.

Isn't it crazy  that you are you.

Isn't it crazy that you are mine - it's true.

Isn't is crazy that you make us laugh every day.

Isn't it crazy that I love you in every way?

C H R I S T I A N

You ARE one crazy dude!

Here's the story behind this crazy boy of mine. He is always entertaining us. Never a dull moment with him around. So one day is figures out that if he puts a fan on the floor {or holds a blow dryer too} in front of him it would create the effect of him falling and screaming as he goes down, way down...He is pretending that is in California Adventures and is on The Tower of Terror ride.

This is what he would look like. He ends up entertaining himself for hours and making Ash and Em laugh forever too. Then he brings in me and dad and there we sit. I with my camera and Nef holding the blow dryer: for effects only!!  too funny.

FRIENDS. . . 

Oh, isn't that true. I love a good book, a good movie and a good friend. I think they all fit in that same category. always make you feel good. comforting. peaceful.  i need that right now. i'm glad that Ashleigh has that in her life. I am going crazy but not Ash. She always has someone to laugh with, someone to text her back when she needs them, and for sure a good laugh. She is always reading a good book that catches her attention and keeps her engaged in it for many an hour. she can read like nobody's business. get in trouble at home and at school for reading too much. but is always ready when a friend calls. love that about her. simple. doesn't need much attention. doesn't ask for much. loves life. loves school-well, don't know if she loves it, but; she does do quite well despite it all. just a happy-go-lucky kind of gal. i'm so proud of her and the decisions she is making. always one step ahead of the game. received her young women's medallion in church on Sunday and even bore her testimony. fabulous. couldn't ask for much more. love every thing about this girl. way to go ash. i'm so glad you were sent to me. might not say that in a few months when you are driving. for now you are worth your weight in gold. love ya to the moon  and back!! mom

A day of love. . .

Isn't today suppose to be a day of all kinds of flowers, hershey's kisses and hugs, love notes and rose petals? I guess I missed the boat. 

NYC - here they come...Nef, Emily, Christian

Kathy G - here you go- NO WHERE!!

I get to stay home and...oh, nevermind, I don't even get to stay home. I get to work all day today. Ashleigh will be home alone doing homework and catching up on oboe lesson songs, online class and chores. Kathy on the other hand will be in SLC at the jetBlue reservations center and working/talking her little mouth off. I get to work for 10 hours today to help a friend from the class out. I did give those kids a really good Valentine's though! How 'bout a three day trip to NYC-free of charge-well, not completely free but  pretty much! Cheap hotels, free airfare and tired feet with blisters. Can't beat that. If you continue to read on I should have a few photos from the trip posted. If their dad takes any good ones, that is. Enough said.

We've been busy--

Can't you tell I'm a new woman? Look at the beautiful photography I've done and look at the wonderful baking I've been doing. Girls and I have had a blast. I am practicing for Valentine's day and can't wait to surprise everyone with my new look and love of the kitchen-NOT! But I gotcha for a minute didn't I? That isn't even close to my baking or photography by far. I wouldn't even come close to it! Wishful thinking. Do love it though and if you are good enough to come close-let me know, will ya? I would love to hire you for the day and then pretend it was mine. Please, pretty please?

i peeped this gorgeous image on a little sussy and my heart skipped a beat. somehow...the look and feel...the perfect colors...the cozy and cold...the purity and serenity...the bold and simple...the wild...the calm...the crispness...the solitude and peace...and those colors!...sum up how i want my life designed. translate this image into a home, a wardrobe, a mood...and it is my dream.

"GIRL-YOU'VE GOT SOME

TO DO. . ."

I get into this slump and don't keep this updated for awhile and then think. . . I have to, it is basically our family's journal on the Daily Happenin's at the Garcia's Home.  Then the guilt begins to set in and I just can't let it go. I don't really have any other way of remembering what we have done if I don't keep up with this. I'm so glad that someone out there used their creative juices and put them to good use. Creating a way to stay in touch with family, friends and the likes. Sometimes I have a feelin' that people that I don't know or would care to know, are reading this too. Oh well, I guess it's going to happen somehow, someway. I don't know if you can stop that or not. So I'm going to go back in and update this for the sole purpose of finally getting the last year printed into a book for family heritage reasons. Good way to pass this off as Genealogy for the Family-budget item #27-right?

It's A New Year!

I have never really been one to set New Years Resolutions. I forget, or change my mind, or feel a little overwhelmed at all the goals, and the lack of progress I am making. So when I saw this idea posted somewhere in blogland, I really liked it, and thought I would do it this year. The idea is that you select one word that you can focus on, meditate on and reflect upon for the whole year.

So I thought about it for a couple of days, going from one word to the next and decided on this word:

I love the definition "moving forward toward completeness or perfection" I think over this past year I have come to gain a greater desire to do this. To be better, to become the person who I know I can one day be ~essentially doing good, being good, and becoming better.
"We will not attain a state of perfection in this life, but we can and should press forward with faith in Christ along the strait and narrow path and make steady progress toward our eternal destiny. The Lord’s pattern for spiritual development is “line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little” (2 Nephi 28:30). Small, steady, incremental spiritual improvements are the steps the Lord would have us take. Preparing to walk guiltless before God is one of the primary purposes of mortality and the pursuit of a lifetime."(Elder David A. Bednar, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles)

I think at the end of 2009, if I am a better person than I am now, January 2009, I will feel successful in my life. I hope to progress in my life as a daughter of God, mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, and in this way become a little more like my Savior.

Have you ever played Suduku? Well, you will love this one. It is so much fun and can become addicting. Of course, my sister brought it to Lake Tahoe and we never wanted to leave the cabin. Brain Freeze! "Don't touch another one-let me work it out!" I couldn't keep up with all of them. They were so fast and furious. Placing the colored wooden balls on the board. It was crazy. Even the kids took to it. Kept them up 'till the wee hours of the morn' trying to figure out why each color went where it did.
Then, upon our return home-each family is racing to the computer to find it, can't get it on Amazon-it's a top 10 item and is SOLD OUT! Can't find it anywhere....gone, gone, gone. Then I, after many hours of searching, find it. In a small shop in Old Town Spring, an old familiar stomping ground of mine-Houston, TX. I bought 2 of them and they gave me free shipping. Of course, the other one will go to the highest bidder....hee hee. jk Kelly wanted one too. We'll have to have a game night. So when you are ready for a fun-filled night of popcorn, cookies and Lime Rickey's just let us know.

Let  the  GAMES  begin.

IT'S TRUE . . . I'M BLUE

I just started working for jetBlue and I am thrilled! I think this is going to be a great opportunity to do more traveling and enjoy life that much more. Just started this past week - life can't be any better than "jetting" all over the country, right? Right! I am thinking to myself and wondering how I will end up traveling more when I am working more? Good thought process, Kathy. Well, I'm going to have to come up with some really good excuses as to why I can't work- kids have the flu, husband is out of town, I'm sick, dog ate the phone, will it work? NO, then I wouldn't be jetting all over the world if all that was true, would I?

So I'm going to have to come up with a lot better reasons than that. I just need that long awaited vacation and I've worked so hard, I deserve it! I'm so ready to jet off to the Swiss Alps. {Nef teases me about that, since I have wanted to go there forever}. What he doesn't know is that I am entirely serious. I'M JEttING. I know you are thinking by now that I am a little crazy with the whole "jetting" thing. But that is their new logo. Everything has to do with "jetting." All of us crew members have a great "jettitude." So-I guess I'll be saying that all the time now. Call me crazy.

I have to travel 85 miles a day for the next 6 weeks to go down to the center and train. That's a long commute. Nice to know that I have 3 buddies to do my commuting (or should I say jetting?) with. Found a few who live close and created a car pool. Nice! Think my brain will be on overload after the next 8 days. Will be memorizing all the airport codes, airline lingo, and flight speed [software program]. I just might be too old. I just have to say that if all those ladies who are much older than me and are retired can do it, so can I! I must! Haven't been in school for years. Feel like it is happening all over again. This time I'm not quite the spring chick I was before. I can do it! I'm thrilled to be starting something fresh-if you have followed my life at all you know that I love a fresh start, a new game, the thrill of a new ride at Disney, the whole shebang! Bring it on.

 I'm ReaDy!