Life is a changin'

 I have graduated with my Associates! I am so proud of my self right now. I was so afraid to go back to school, but I did it and I am so happy I did.  I accomplished something that I thought I couldn't do.

 Juanita talked me into doing my first ever 5k. Thank you for that daughter, it let me know that I have to get healthy and do what I can to get in shape, eat better, and just to take care of my self.

 Threw a baby shower for Juanita and Eric! It was so much fun. I had help from Eric's amazing family, thank you. Family and friends are always welcome in our home. I am so happy for Juanita and Eric. Ani is going to be such a blessing in their lives.

 I had a great time interning at the Guardian ad Litem's office in Salt Lake City. Though the subject matter tears at my heart, it is amazing that this organization exists to help children who have been abused. I worked with some pretty awesome people, and I so grateful to them for teaching me and helping me to grow.

We had family come from out of town, Colorado, and Idaho for a Wedding. It was great to see some old and new faces in our family. I am happy we had the room to accommodate our ever growing family.

Life changes so fast, they say in a blink of an eye, but I think it moves faster these days. I can't believe it is September already and that Emily and Juanita are having their little girls next month. And Temperance is 5 months old! Oh boy I think we really need to take a trip to Idaho soon.

I can't wait to see what the next few months have to bring to our family...stay tuned.

Year of the GIRLS!

 

Our daughter Liana had Temperance in April. We haven't seen her yet, and we really hope to see her soon. It is so hard when family lives far from you. We love and miss them so much. 

 Juanita is due in late October. And Eric and Juanita have already picked out a name, Anita Kathleen Atencio...I am honored and was overcome with emotion when they told us. Juanita is so beautiful! And we can't wait to meet Ani (pronounced Annie).

Emily is due in early October. Emily and our son Christopher are still playing with names. We are so excited for our family!

Girls, boys it doesn't matter...grand-babies are AWESOME either way! We are so blessed, our family is growing by leaps and bounds and we couldn't be happier. We can't wait for our beautiful grand daughters that will be joining our family this year.

It's a GIRL!

My first little girl is having a GIRL! And we couldn't be more happy for our girl. Juanita is going to be an amazing mom. When Juanita and Eric bit into their cupcakes and revealed PINK icing inside. Because you cannot see my reaction because I was behind the lens. I am screaming...I KNEW IT, I KNEW IT, I KNEW IT! While jumping up and down I was so excited...I just had this feeling, I always have.
I knew what I was having while pregnant and even now with my own children....

I am excited to go shopping for cute little girl outfits, etc...Don't worry Juanita I won't go overboard, and I know, no princess stuff or over the top girly. We need to set a date for some shopping, what about next Friday?

Mother's Day

Free picture collage generated with Smilebox

I LOVE BEING A MOM!

 Andrea was born in Phoenix, she was my tiniest baby, weighing in about six pounds. I was so afraid to hold her, I thought I would break her. She has my Grandmothers name as her middle name, Steffany. 

 That is me with my girls, Tiffany and Liana, in Salem, Oregon.

 Look at us.....I think the year was '93 or '94.

 Krysia and I getting ready to leave to the hospital two days after she was born. She was so tiny...and such a good baby, she slept through the night the second week we were home. Gotta love her for that alone...haha

 

                         Juanita took this photo which is why she is not in the photo. California style....

                              Krysia and I at the Falls up at Provo Canyon. It was a gorgeous day!

    That's Christopher and I. We were at the hospital because he had jaundiced. 

Look at all that hair!

                              At the park at the apartment complex in San Jose, California.

                             One of our many road trips. Again, Juanita is taking this photo,

                 she wanted to sit in front and Krysia as you can see really wanted her mommy.

 Juanita, Tiffany, Liana, Andrea, Christopher and the baby of the family, Krysia. 

Let me think...this photo was taken at Olan Mills in Salem, Oregon in 1988, the year Krysia was born. 

Look how little and young they were.

Christmas 2000, Orem Utah. The girls were being silly and Christopher was like, "huh, what's happening?" They all are so funny and can make me laugh. But the best thing about them is that I can call them my children. I have been blessed....I love each and everyone of them dearly and with all of my heart. I loved being pregnant, I loved holding them, reading to them, playing games with them, taking naps with them, talking with them, baking, shopping for them.
I love them to the moon and back, I love them every day and every night, I love them tons, I love them forever and ever....
I love them for how different they are, for how they teach me, for their sense of humor, their tender hearts, and their ability to love one another. 
I LOVE BEING A MOM! I WOULDN'T CHANGE A THING ABOUT ANY OF IT!

Hike with Juanita

                                                   Juanita and I at the top!

                                                    Salt Lake City, top of Memory Grove

                                 I love black and white! And when it involves twisted up wood the better.

I haven't been in the best shape for a while. I had a fall last summer, and it took a toll on my body...but it is time for a change. So when Juanita called me up and asked if I would enjoy going for a walk with her at Memory Grove I was up for it, thinking it would be a nice stroll in the park.
Little did I know what Juanita had in store for me, but it sparked something in me, one, I couldn't breath too well, HELLO asthma...but I think it helps to breath in the fresh air. The spark...I felt incredible afterwards and I wanted more of that feeling. But it was fleeting....the next week I couldn't move after that hike and I was asking myself how am I going to get healthy?
Juanita suggests a 5k, so I signed up and here I am scared I won't be able to breath as I walk 3 miles...Juanita took me for 3 mile walk last Sunday and again, I thought I was dying...not being able to breath is not fun. Juanita set up a schedule for me for the week to follow, and I just have to say, all week I was so tired. I came home from my internship and ended up taking a nap on the couch, just couldn't seem to keep my eyes open. One day of walking 2 miles is not going to cut it.
I need that spark...the spark that is going to push me to finish my goal, an do this thing, this thing being, my first ever 5k. So anyone out there, can you give me some advise? Advise on keeping that spark alive, about not giving up, about staying healthy while I train and during the 5k.

Almost done...

This is me studying for my finals...two weeks of being in mess of books, paperwork, computers, and headaches, and eye strain. But hopefully this work will pay off...the last of school work and then I am off to my Internship in an Attorney's office.

I am tired, sooooooo tired, but excited, happy, and full of hope for a future of doing something I have longed for. A career in the law, hopefully helping women...

I am researching womens organizations to see what I like and if it meets with what I want to be doing. I am excited for the future...and scared too.