Al's Life!

Recently, we celebrated the memorial of our friend Al. I was tearing up a lot over several reasons! 1. These stories about Al were absolutely amazing. 2. Death is scary and good. 3. I want to live a full life like him. Ahhhhh I never got to finish this blog. But I want to post what I started write so I can at least look back and recall this time.

March 2016

Finding the time to blog has been more difficult that I thought! I also would rather spend my free hour or two- painting my nails, coloring, or reading HP and other books. sigh... Sometimes I also forget how to express in brief amount of words what has been going on! Nonetheless, I shall try to summarize! Thoughts lately - dude i only have about 2 and a half months for my DLAND pass. NOOOOOOOOO. Im not sure if I will get renewed but I want to go at least once a week!!! - ugh death strikes again. in all honesty, I dont handle death as I ought to. In my head, instead of rejoicing my friend is with Jesus, I just think I should have done this and that... I should have talked about this and that. I get guilty. I feel sad. I feel things are unfair. I feel sad for his wife. BUT what I should be recalling is God's faithfulness. My friend is only receiving the new mercies and grace of the Lord as he is now in the presence of who he was created for. also, its been reminding me to be more thoughtful and intentional in my relationships. -i spent the day cleaning our apartment. man!!! i do not know how i will ever manage a house because those are so big!!!! im exhausted. haha -JOSE IS GRADUATING THIS MONTH!!!!! and we are so excited!!!!! -i love celebrating my dear's birthday. i got him some sweet stuff from ADIDAS, we had a full day at the beach where we bbq'd, played all things to do with sports, and had our time near the water too! (notice I said near, because it was TOO DANG COLD to completely immerse myself in it). i was sick the week of his bday and he was gracious to take care of me when i was not feeling like doing anything!!! we went to eat at bachi burger with friends also. that was a blast. -speaking of being sick, it took me out of working out for a week. that bummed me out cuz i felt strong for a good month. but honestly it was good to REST and SLEEP. but i still felt super bloated, weak, and fat. ive been loving the treadmill at work cuz i get to walk at least 50 minutes a day! plus getting my gym time after is great! if you ever want to go with me, I can bring a friend:) - marriage has been sweeter this month. im so so so thankful for that!!! i adore jose more and more! -i legit felt Easter was earlier this year... still got to celebrate Jesus rising from the grave with the church family, dyed eggs with fam, and enjoyed time with Jose's fambam. -been enjoying my meetups with girls. its really made my heart glad! -been so thankful for thursday nights when a group of us are going over the old testament. i am seeing the big picture, Jesus, and the gospel in all things. Its been so awesome to eat, sing, and study the bible with these people. Hoping for a sweet April:)

Updates Around Here!

Ack I really am going to try and blog weekly. A couple of notes Fitness- I am TRYYYYYING to eat better. I walking a TON at work- about 50 minutes a day since they put in a treadmill! I am also trying to go to the gym at least 5x a week doing more cardio and a bit of weights. My GOAL is to lose about 10 lbs. BUT, i honestly need to eat better. I lack discipline in that area cuz i love to eat what i want to! I loooove to snack too. But slowly I am trying to learn how to cook better, make substitutions, control portions, not eat a ton of carbs, and eat more fruits/veggies. Being a Wife- Honestly i love and hate it. I 80% enjoy being a wife. I LOOOOVE serving Jose in all aspects of marriage- laughing, cooking, cleaning, cuddling, reading, praying, memory making, forgiving, encouraging, listening, etc. I hate the 20% of me who is controlling, impatient, selfish, and frustrated. This 20% wages war HARD on my heart who yearns to be gentle, kind, and loving. Sometimes this 20% wins and comes out far more than I'd like. I want things said in a certain tone, done at a certain time, me to be engaged and spent time with, and helped out in various ways. But of course, those things are all about ME. How I am so wrapped up about ME sometimes to the point where it drives me to be frustrated at my husband saddens me. I cant make marriage about works and things he does for me and doesn't do for me. It will never work. There is so much room to grow, but thank God for the Holy Spirit to convict and be a helper to see these things. Thank God for Jesus for redeeming me when I was dead in my sin. Thank God for grace. Life- it never stops. Sometimes I do crave and want quiet time, but sometimes I get bored or I feel I am not doing much. I keep seeing people (which I LOVE!!!!), working 10 hrs a day, going to the gym, coloring my colorbook (ill show you all pictures later!!!- its been sooooo therapeutic), watching flash & arrow on netflix, listening to podcasts about gilmore girls & monk, and reading a couple of books (harry potter, the king and his beauty, and prayer) How do I tell the difference between me being a lazy bum and being too busy?! what is the difference?! An idea- If we ever own a house, Lord willing, we will have a backyard where we can invite our neighbors, friends, and family over for dinner ALL. THE. TIME. In the meantime, I want to plan little gatherings and get togethers at someone else's home (haha) to meet others, get to know them, and share life. I think its so amazing to learn about different cultures, beliefs, thoughts and gather around a dinner table to snack, craft, eat, drink, and make things! Totally hinting this idea towards Ruby right now, OR maybe Sarah, to do this on a regular basis. This generation I feel its hard to be open with our lives and want to know other strangers. But I just think it would be awesome!!!! Financially- We paid off Jose's car!!! WOOOOHOOOOO! The next goal for us this year is to get out of school debt. We have $3500 more, and we are hoping to get rid of it by the end of 2016! :D THE GREAT NEWS is that my husband is graduating in 2 months and I am so so so so so so excited and proud. Its all worth it. Anyways, I am off to bed. Hope to blog again soon. <3

2016 Goals

My husband is in a facebook group where they will keep each other accountable with their 2016 goals. They had to write 7-10 goals, so I just wanted to write some of my own that hopefully will be met, God willing!

1. Read the new testament this year and study through the old testament in the book "A King and His Glory"
2. Take time to pray and know all members of my church and disciple at least two of them
3. Pray daily for at least 10 minutes.
4. Read 5 books outside of my Harry Potter series :p
5. Pay off car debt (4k left)
6. Pay off school debt (4k left)
7. Begin a family-if the Lord wills!
8. Get healthier by eating and exercising. Lost 10 lbs! 9. Go on 2 dates a month with my husband. Go on two little vacations and grow in the Lord with him by reading and praying!

Socal Trifecta Challenge

Two friends and I dared to venture out on an adventure to conquer to socal trifecta challenge: desert, snow, and beach.

We turned it into four places after the first mountain we went to had NO SNOW. haha! but it was worth it!!! it was a fun filled day filled with catching up, singing our favorite musicals (sound of musical and wicked), and picture/video taking!

Here are some sweet moments with the dearest of gal pals

ANDDDDD here's the video summarizing the day!