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.........

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.

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!