We are great. Tiberias is sick this week because he's teething. But
other than that we're great. I'm going to focus on getting Tiberias to
use his words. He has started trying to not say any words but just point
and grunt. So I am refusing to read him books unless he says the name
of an item on each page. So far, today, he has not done it. He's getting
close to 2 years old and could talk if he tried. So my focus has to be
on getting him to talk.
Luke is now sacred to go anywhere in
the apartment unless the lights are on and mom is nearby.
Sterling officially
applied for CrossTraining. So hopefully he'll get a great job in the
next year. He applied for different jobs, some we'd like more than
others.
I am now teaching Valiants 8 & 9 at church. So far I
love it but have stuff to figure out on how to make the most of my
class time. The kids like to waste a lot of class time and so far I have
been unsucessful on changing that.
I sang I Heard Him Come
last Sunday. It went so great. I didn't mess up. I was so nervous
though. I was shaking up on that stage. Luckily it seems nobody could
tell I was nervous.
Stephanie moves away in about a month. She shipped her car already and the movers just came for her stuff too.
My new next door neighbor whose husband is gone TDY found out her
husband will come home for maybe a week after his TDY then go on a
6month deployment. It really sucks. She is sad.
I am excited to her
next door though because I can tell we are going to be friends. She'll
have to come hang out with me a lot while her husband is gone.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Primary Calling
Here is an email I wrote my mom. It tells what's up lately with me.
Hi Mom!
I'm am so excited that you are going to go help grandma put the genealogy on a computer. That will be wonderful!
And it's so awesome that you sold so many crafts at the fair!
If you've looked at my blog now you know we did have an amazing time with Abigail here. Now that she's gone I am really busy. I have so much going on that I can only do a little bit of each thing. Examples; photography (there are always volunteer opportunities on the base through the photo club), teaching Luke, singing, dinner with friends, service in the ward.
Luke goes to school so I don't feel too bad that I don't have time to do school often at home. But he's been out of school for two whole weeks (vacation and then spring break) and I've only done school with him maybe two times in all that time. I should have done more.
There are always opportunities to do service in our ward. Husbands gone for work, pregnant women, people moving in or out, etc.
Right now I think I have four church callings. I know I have ward historian, which I finally received the official guidelines and folder for even though I've been doing it a year.
I know I am a visiting teacher, of course. I know I am a primary teacher. And I think, but am not sure, that I am still the bulletin board coordinator.
Now we're in the new church and I have a whole bulletin board clean and ready for me.
This week will be full of preparing for church callings...busy busy for me.
This weekend is a baby shower I am helping put on for a sister I visit teach. That same day I have two baptisms of kids I believe are in my class...I have taught yet so I am not sure.
This week I am having a less active couple over to dinner because they seem to not have made any friends in the ward even though I've seen them come on and off for atleast a year. I feel bad I have never reached out. The couple seem like people Sterling and I could really become friends with. Better late than never.
There are two families in the ward who's women are physically unable to take care of their families. So I am hoping to get a meal over to one family this week and one meal to the other family the next week. I'd like to take meals to both families every week but I'm also trying not to overload my schedule. It's so busy!
Since Abi has left I find it the house cleaning is not a high priority anymore. I'm so busy that the apartment is trashed before I get around to cleaning it.
But spending time with Sterling and the boys takes up a lot of my time too. Sterling needs a lot of time with me or he really misses me. So I always have to spend as much time as I can with him. Sometimes that means I have a day here or there where everything has been postponed so long I have to get stuff done instead of spend time with Sterling.
When Abi was here she would play with the kids and I could get everything done. It was nice!
There's also a family moving away soon that we're sad to see go. We're best friends with this family so I'm trying to do something fun with them once a week until they go. This week it's dinner together. Next week I think we're going to go on a double date.
Ok, I'll let you go. I could go on and on though. Busy life.
Love, Tiffany
Monday, December 19, 2011
Stories I Wrote
Last month I read "Someone Named Eva" and enjoyed it. The ward Book Club was reading it so I did as well and then went to the book club meeting. It was fun.
This month the book club is reading "The Midnight Ball." It looked so much like a book I would LOVE. So I am reading it. I've only read three chapters but I already think it's going to be my favorite book.
Reading this book reminded me of a story I wrote when I was young. I started writing short stories in high school and continued writing a bit after high school. I only finished a few of the stories. The one I finished was 21 pages, well written and I was so proud of it. I leant out a few copies for friends to read and leant out my last copy. All of my three friends lost the copies and so I lost my work.
I was very upset for years that I had lost one of the few stories I had ever completed.
Now I'm over it because it was written with two main characters based off myself and Justin H. It was about an LDS girl who met a boy in high school who ends up later in life joining the LDS church and they of course marry each other in the end. It was a cute story. The girl had just moved, her senior year of high school, to a new town when she met the boy. When they dated it was interesting because they came from two different worlds but were striving to live the same way in their present day.
The other story I recall I finished was about a girl who lived back when everyone dressed fine, the women in dresses all the time, and courting was essential to a relationship.
The girl was coming to adulthood (18 yrs) and wanted to stay a child. Her best friend was a little older and a male. I can't recall if they were officially intended to wed each other or the young man was just obviousely hoping for it.
The girl and the boy have a cute, fun relationship. I used Zack and myself for the inspiration in this story. Zack and I never dated but being such best friends with someone of the opposite gender, you know the thought of "Should we ever date each other?" has come across both minds a time or two.
I was never attracted to Zack in any way other than a bosom friend. Someone I could rely on and turn to any day. Someone who truly knew me and loved me no matter what.
But we had some amazing times together. One time we went to the movies and afterward got ice cream cones. We were up on the parking lot top floor at The TEXAS in Las Vegas walking to the car as we ate our ice cream. I can't recall if it was Zack who pushed his cone into the tip of my nose or I who did that to him. But it was funny and we started a little ice cream fight almost. I added that in my story.
Anyway, the girl runs away from her life when she sees a fairy in a wild flower field one day and follows it. She ends up on a magical adventure, being magically transformed to the size of a fairy herself and entering into their world.
The fairy she had followed was male. She becomes friends with him and learns that fairies are playful and whimsical to the point that they are irresponsible and self centered. She learns the importance of growing up...atleast to a point.
When she returns from her adventure she is ready to court her best friend and face her life.Something similar happened in the movie that came out a year or so ago Alice in Wonderland with actor Johnny Depp. Note; I wrote mine first (years ago) :)
A few stories I started writing but never finished. One was about a girl in a make believe world where electricity did not exist and times were simple. In a world where falling in love was a fairy tale and did prove to exist. Couples were matched together and wed without meeting each other prior.
In a small village a girl prepared for her own match with the help of her friends.
She was not happy with her forced marriage and her life planned out for her.
She is blessed however to be matched with such a man who would be the hero of any story.
The girl goes through all sorts of emotions, fear being the most overwhelming, as she and her new husband ride a wagon out of town to start their new life. The first year of marriage is to be spent alone, just the husband and wife, away from any town. Supplies are brought to them regularly so they need never enter society. They spend their first year, their Honeymoon, getting to know each other and build a foundation for their life together.
In a cottage in the woods they have their honeymoon. The girl is not accepting of the marriage. She is a bit bitter and won't let him near her. Being married to a wonderful they eventually find themselves in love. I never finished this one. I don't think I even got to the part where they fell in love. They were being kind to each other but had not reached Love yet.
I tried to work more on it but could not find the inspiration. I don't think I have that one anywhere anymore.
When we were preparing to move to Italy Sterling and I went through all our belongings. I found a few stories and cannot recall if this last one was among my things or not.
I do know I have the story I started after high school inspired by Alissa and myself. At one point we called each other Assila and Ynaffit because we would spell and try to speak backwards. lol
I changed the names to look better Asyla and Inafit or something like that. Or maybe I just used the Asyla and found a different name for myself.
It's been a while since I looked at it even though I know exactly where it is at this moment. In my bedroom on my bookshelf.
It is a story that only has a start. A world of king's, their daughters, knights, fairies and all things magical. The king decides to go on a quest. I cannot remember much about it. It really only has a few pages, if I recall correctly.
Another story I started was of a princess who meets a knight. I believe he came across her castle when he was escaping a battle and seeking help. The king takes him in and supplies him with the food, bed and medical attention he needs. The knight is bedridden and the princess introduces herself one day. They became friends and she kept him company as his body healed.
While he was still bedridden a prince came to the castle. I believe he was intended for the princess. She was reluctant, against the idea of being forced to marry. The prince has some sorrow in his background. I believe his father, whom he was very close to, was dying or already gone.
The prince had a lot of character but struggled with his current situation.
The princess and prince start to get to know each other.
Eventually the princess finds herself torn with feelings between both men.
The knight gets well and chooses a life of adventure, planting no roots. The princess and the prince get married and strengthen each others character. I don't believe I got to the point though. I think I stopped writing it when the knight was almost healed. I knew how it was to end though. At one point I considered having the princess kill herself and nobody has a happy ending. lol. But that's just too dreary. For a while I looked at reality as not having happy endings and wanted my stories to be realistic.
I remember one more story. I started it after high school. It was a story about a princess who was to choose a husband. Her father collected a group of princes and held a week long event at his castle. The princess and princes would spend their time in the grand ball room (something like that). Events, parties, etc would go on so that this single princess could spend time with and meet these eligible prospects. Some archery and sports events were held so the princess could see who was strong and who excelled in different areas.
The princess was shy, being thrown into such a situation.
She meets a lot of puffed up men, some idiots and lot of jerks. She also meets a man who is not very pleasing to look at. He is a prince and he is beautiful on the inside.
I cannot remember if there was another contender who actually had a chance. I think there was...a handsome prince who was decent. Or a servant who held her heart but could not hold her hand.
Anyway, I never finished this one but I believe she was going to choose the ugly prince because she knew what was important.
After high school I found it hard to write well...probably because I was out of practice. That is probably why most of my stories were never completed more than half way.
I wanted to write this entry to remember what I could of the stories I have lost. This way I might have a way to remember as my life gets longer.
This month the book club is reading "The Midnight Ball." It looked so much like a book I would LOVE. So I am reading it. I've only read three chapters but I already think it's going to be my favorite book.
Reading this book reminded me of a story I wrote when I was young. I started writing short stories in high school and continued writing a bit after high school. I only finished a few of the stories. The one I finished was 21 pages, well written and I was so proud of it. I leant out a few copies for friends to read and leant out my last copy. All of my three friends lost the copies and so I lost my work.
I was very upset for years that I had lost one of the few stories I had ever completed.
Now I'm over it because it was written with two main characters based off myself and Justin H. It was about an LDS girl who met a boy in high school who ends up later in life joining the LDS church and they of course marry each other in the end. It was a cute story. The girl had just moved, her senior year of high school, to a new town when she met the boy. When they dated it was interesting because they came from two different worlds but were striving to live the same way in their present day.
The other story I recall I finished was about a girl who lived back when everyone dressed fine, the women in dresses all the time, and courting was essential to a relationship.
The girl was coming to adulthood (18 yrs) and wanted to stay a child. Her best friend was a little older and a male. I can't recall if they were officially intended to wed each other or the young man was just obviousely hoping for it.
The girl and the boy have a cute, fun relationship. I used Zack and myself for the inspiration in this story. Zack and I never dated but being such best friends with someone of the opposite gender, you know the thought of "Should we ever date each other?" has come across both minds a time or two.
I was never attracted to Zack in any way other than a bosom friend. Someone I could rely on and turn to any day. Someone who truly knew me and loved me no matter what.
But we had some amazing times together. One time we went to the movies and afterward got ice cream cones. We were up on the parking lot top floor at The TEXAS in Las Vegas walking to the car as we ate our ice cream. I can't recall if it was Zack who pushed his cone into the tip of my nose or I who did that to him. But it was funny and we started a little ice cream fight almost. I added that in my story.
Anyway, the girl runs away from her life when she sees a fairy in a wild flower field one day and follows it. She ends up on a magical adventure, being magically transformed to the size of a fairy herself and entering into their world.
The fairy she had followed was male. She becomes friends with him and learns that fairies are playful and whimsical to the point that they are irresponsible and self centered. She learns the importance of growing up...atleast to a point.
When she returns from her adventure she is ready to court her best friend and face her life.Something similar happened in the movie that came out a year or so ago Alice in Wonderland with actor Johnny Depp. Note; I wrote mine first (years ago) :)
A few stories I started writing but never finished. One was about a girl in a make believe world where electricity did not exist and times were simple. In a world where falling in love was a fairy tale and did prove to exist. Couples were matched together and wed without meeting each other prior.
In a small village a girl prepared for her own match with the help of her friends.
She was not happy with her forced marriage and her life planned out for her.
She is blessed however to be matched with such a man who would be the hero of any story.
The girl goes through all sorts of emotions, fear being the most overwhelming, as she and her new husband ride a wagon out of town to start their new life. The first year of marriage is to be spent alone, just the husband and wife, away from any town. Supplies are brought to them regularly so they need never enter society. They spend their first year, their Honeymoon, getting to know each other and build a foundation for their life together.
In a cottage in the woods they have their honeymoon. The girl is not accepting of the marriage. She is a bit bitter and won't let him near her. Being married to a wonderful they eventually find themselves in love. I never finished this one. I don't think I even got to the part where they fell in love. They were being kind to each other but had not reached Love yet.
I tried to work more on it but could not find the inspiration. I don't think I have that one anywhere anymore.
When we were preparing to move to Italy Sterling and I went through all our belongings. I found a few stories and cannot recall if this last one was among my things or not.
I do know I have the story I started after high school inspired by Alissa and myself. At one point we called each other Assila and Ynaffit because we would spell and try to speak backwards. lol
I changed the names to look better Asyla and Inafit or something like that. Or maybe I just used the Asyla and found a different name for myself.
It's been a while since I looked at it even though I know exactly where it is at this moment. In my bedroom on my bookshelf.
It is a story that only has a start. A world of king's, their daughters, knights, fairies and all things magical. The king decides to go on a quest. I cannot remember much about it. It really only has a few pages, if I recall correctly.
Another story I started was of a princess who meets a knight. I believe he came across her castle when he was escaping a battle and seeking help. The king takes him in and supplies him with the food, bed and medical attention he needs. The knight is bedridden and the princess introduces herself one day. They became friends and she kept him company as his body healed.
While he was still bedridden a prince came to the castle. I believe he was intended for the princess. She was reluctant, against the idea of being forced to marry. The prince has some sorrow in his background. I believe his father, whom he was very close to, was dying or already gone.
The prince had a lot of character but struggled with his current situation.
The princess and prince start to get to know each other.
Eventually the princess finds herself torn with feelings between both men.
The knight gets well and chooses a life of adventure, planting no roots. The princess and the prince get married and strengthen each others character. I don't believe I got to the point though. I think I stopped writing it when the knight was almost healed. I knew how it was to end though. At one point I considered having the princess kill herself and nobody has a happy ending. lol. But that's just too dreary. For a while I looked at reality as not having happy endings and wanted my stories to be realistic.
I remember one more story. I started it after high school. It was a story about a princess who was to choose a husband. Her father collected a group of princes and held a week long event at his castle. The princess and princes would spend their time in the grand ball room (something like that). Events, parties, etc would go on so that this single princess could spend time with and meet these eligible prospects. Some archery and sports events were held so the princess could see who was strong and who excelled in different areas.
The princess was shy, being thrown into such a situation.
She meets a lot of puffed up men, some idiots and lot of jerks. She also meets a man who is not very pleasing to look at. He is a prince and he is beautiful on the inside.
I cannot remember if there was another contender who actually had a chance. I think there was...a handsome prince who was decent. Or a servant who held her heart but could not hold her hand.
Anyway, I never finished this one but I believe she was going to choose the ugly prince because she knew what was important.
After high school I found it hard to write well...probably because I was out of practice. That is probably why most of my stories were never completed more than half way.
I wanted to write this entry to remember what I could of the stories I have lost. This way I might have a way to remember as my life gets longer.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Each Day Is A Gift
There are stretches of time where my life is solely bliss. Every day is amazing. I find joy in every bit of my day...every bit of my life. I just have to smile because I could not be happier.
Then there are times when life is a little less perfect...but it's usually based on my outlook or mood. Recently I came out of the bliss part and started another less perfect part of my life. The difference, I'm guessing, is my health. I was not taking my multivitamins and then started feeling not so great. I start to feel a little depressed. I have found that when I take my vitamins, eat healthy and exercise regularly I get back into that state of bliss I wrote about.
This time it may also be due to the fact that I started to feel less happy when I returned to Italy; leaving my Boren family in the states (possibly not to see them again for two more years).
I looove being in Italy! I am happy being with Sterling and my two sons. However, I miss my family.
Sterling and I have a wonderful marriage. We call it ideal.
We talk to each other. That is so important. We like to go hiking and do things together that give us great opportunities to find random things to talk about. When we don't make time for that activities we may go a few days without good conversation and that's when we start to miss each other. Especially Sterling. He loves to talk and really converse and have deep conversation. When we don't get a lot of that time he feels neglected and far from me.
We have many things to work on in our marriage. But we are so happy and so in love. We care so much for each other and that our marriage be perfect. I personally need to get better at telling Sterling how I'm feeling and how much I need him. Since that is something he needs most...that's his love language I guess.
We have a lifetime to perfect it.
I wanted to type this entry to say that our life right now, while we are young together, is not perfect.
Right now I am having a really hard time.
After Tiberias was born I still weighed a lot. It took a long time before I started to lose the weight I needed too. Going from the fattest I've ever been to the thinnest I've ever been in just a matter of months made me feel amazing. I was eating healthy and hiking a lot.
Then I went to America to vacation. I spent a month visiting family, shopping and eating food I don't typically eat here in Italy (fast food - because there are so many options there & junk food - taking a break from my healthy diet). I did not gain too much in America but when I came back to Italy my diet was ruined. I was no longer in those healthy habits. And so I started gaining weight. I have gained about 6 lbs in the last three months.
I need to lose that weight and then maintain a diet that keeps my weight still. It is really hard to go from eating when I'm hungry to counting calories and limiting my daily calorie intake! It's also hard to get back into working out. And we've been doing no hiking. It gets dark early now and I hate hiking in the dark. So yes, I'm not currently in the pure bliss part of my life. lol
In other news...Sterling and I have our first bed ever! We still sleep on the king sized mattress Sterling bought us before the day we married but now it sits on a bed! It's beautiful and big and takes up most of our bedroom. lol
Lachoneus also received his new queen sized mattress yesterday! He loves it!
We threw out his broken toddler bed I've hated.
The new mattress sits on his floor. I will probably start teaching Tiberias to sleep on it soon...for naps. I remember how difficult it was teaching Lachoneus to stay in bed and go to sleep when he moved out of the crib. You have to find a way to keep them from playing with the light switches (cover them with bookshelves or try to tape them down). You have to stay by the door listening to make sure they are ok. And soon they learn to open doors and you have to keep putting them back into their bed as they cry the whole time. With Luke I kept doing that until we both got tired of that and we decided to stay in bed if I was standing in the doorway watching him ...ready to put him back in his bed if he even tried getting up. I had to stand there until he fell asleep.
Tiberias is older than Luke was when Luke started climbing out of the crib. Ty does not try to climb out yet but he is over 14 months old so it won't be long.
I love being a mother! My boys are so fun and adorable and smart!
Sterling and I are very blessed.
Then there are times when life is a little less perfect...but it's usually based on my outlook or mood. Recently I came out of the bliss part and started another less perfect part of my life. The difference, I'm guessing, is my health. I was not taking my multivitamins and then started feeling not so great. I start to feel a little depressed. I have found that when I take my vitamins, eat healthy and exercise regularly I get back into that state of bliss I wrote about.
This time it may also be due to the fact that I started to feel less happy when I returned to Italy; leaving my Boren family in the states (possibly not to see them again for two more years).
I looove being in Italy! I am happy being with Sterling and my two sons. However, I miss my family.
Sterling and I have a wonderful marriage. We call it ideal.
We talk to each other. That is so important. We like to go hiking and do things together that give us great opportunities to find random things to talk about. When we don't make time for that activities we may go a few days without good conversation and that's when we start to miss each other. Especially Sterling. He loves to talk and really converse and have deep conversation. When we don't get a lot of that time he feels neglected and far from me.
We have many things to work on in our marriage. But we are so happy and so in love. We care so much for each other and that our marriage be perfect. I personally need to get better at telling Sterling how I'm feeling and how much I need him. Since that is something he needs most...that's his love language I guess.
We have a lifetime to perfect it.
I wanted to type this entry to say that our life right now, while we are young together, is not perfect.
Right now I am having a really hard time.
After Tiberias was born I still weighed a lot. It took a long time before I started to lose the weight I needed too. Going from the fattest I've ever been to the thinnest I've ever been in just a matter of months made me feel amazing. I was eating healthy and hiking a lot.
Then I went to America to vacation. I spent a month visiting family, shopping and eating food I don't typically eat here in Italy (fast food - because there are so many options there & junk food - taking a break from my healthy diet). I did not gain too much in America but when I came back to Italy my diet was ruined. I was no longer in those healthy habits. And so I started gaining weight. I have gained about 6 lbs in the last three months.
I need to lose that weight and then maintain a diet that keeps my weight still. It is really hard to go from eating when I'm hungry to counting calories and limiting my daily calorie intake! It's also hard to get back into working out. And we've been doing no hiking. It gets dark early now and I hate hiking in the dark. So yes, I'm not currently in the pure bliss part of my life. lol
In other news...Sterling and I have our first bed ever! We still sleep on the king sized mattress Sterling bought us before the day we married but now it sits on a bed! It's beautiful and big and takes up most of our bedroom. lol
Lachoneus also received his new queen sized mattress yesterday! He loves it!
We threw out his broken toddler bed I've hated.
The new mattress sits on his floor. I will probably start teaching Tiberias to sleep on it soon...for naps. I remember how difficult it was teaching Lachoneus to stay in bed and go to sleep when he moved out of the crib. You have to find a way to keep them from playing with the light switches (cover them with bookshelves or try to tape them down). You have to stay by the door listening to make sure they are ok. And soon they learn to open doors and you have to keep putting them back into their bed as they cry the whole time. With Luke I kept doing that until we both got tired of that and we decided to stay in bed if I was standing in the doorway watching him ...ready to put him back in his bed if he even tried getting up. I had to stand there until he fell asleep.
Tiberias is older than Luke was when Luke started climbing out of the crib. Ty does not try to climb out yet but he is over 14 months old so it won't be long.
I love being a mother! My boys are so fun and adorable and smart!
Sterling and I are very blessed.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
4 Years Married
Yesterday was mine and Sterling's 4 year Anniversary.
Sterling's been working 12 hour shifts...so he worked all day. He picked up the babysitter on his way home. We call the Stevens family when we need a sitter. They have a 17 year old boy 16 yr old girl and a 12 yr old girl and a 10 yr old. Jessica, the ten year old, likes to tag along to learn how to babysit.
We got Josh and Jessica to sit last. I think Josh is better at it than Raquel (the 16 yr old).
Sterling brought home a gorgeous bouquet he chose each flower for. He picked four red roses and four pink lilies then filled the bouquet with white daisies and some babies breath.
He also gave me a Willow Tree figurine. I love the Willow Trees. He picked out a mother rocking her child in a large quilt. I love it.
I gave Sterling a Grillers cook book. I also made Sterling a card. Inside I wrote ;
"Four Years
Our first year as husband and wife we learned a lot about each other.
We learned how to be a married couple.
We prepared to invite a baby into our life and start our family.
Year 2 we learned how to be parents for the 1st time.
We enjoyed spending time with our families. We went to Zion's with my family and to Disneyland with yours.
Our 3rd year we face another adventure and moved to Italy.
I was not afraid to move across the ocean because you were with me.
You hold my heart. You are my best friend. You are "home" to me.
Wherever we go, whatever we face, as long as you are with me I can face it strong and confident.
I feel our relationship grew to perfection that year.
Perhaps it was because we are far from our families and have to completely rely on each other for love.
We also decided during year 3 to have a second child. Tiberias was born.
Year 4 we faced the challenge of finding time to make love and enjoy intimacy being parents of 2 children. This year has been the best year of my entire life.
Seeing the world, raising two adorable sons and spending lots of time with you!
I absolutely love the man you are! I love watching you teach and play with our sons.
I love that they have you to look up to and follow. You will be their hero and their guide.
You will teach them to live the gospel and be a servant of our Heavenly Father.
From you they will learn to walk on this earth valuing and practicing honesty, hard work, virtue, faith and love. They will come to love learning as you do, I am sure of it.
And you will teach them self reliance with many valuable skills such as gardening, how to use tools and how to build things.
You amaze me! I could not be happier in any life than I am as your wife.
I truly, faithfully love you."
Lachoneus cried when he realized we were leaving him. He doesn't cry when we leave but this time he did.
We drove up to Barcis for dinner. We ate at a restaurant and then took a moment to look out on the lake before the sky grew dark. It was gorgeous! We had a great time.
Tonight we are going to Porcia to do our family portraits. Josh is coming along to get the kids to look to the camera and smile.
I am going to be really busy until I leave for the states next Thursday...if we get to leave that day.
Ty's birthday is next Friday. I'm going to wait until I'm in the states and celebrate his birthday with my family. They can help me decorate Ty's first birthday cake. I can teach my niece how to do it. It was Sterling's idea to celebrate late with my family instead of early.
I am so excited to have my family see how big my sons have gotten! And for my boys to spend time with their relatives! But we will really miss Sterling!
Sterling's been working 12 hour shifts...so he worked all day. He picked up the babysitter on his way home. We call the Stevens family when we need a sitter. They have a 17 year old boy 16 yr old girl and a 12 yr old girl and a 10 yr old. Jessica, the ten year old, likes to tag along to learn how to babysit.
We got Josh and Jessica to sit last. I think Josh is better at it than Raquel (the 16 yr old).
Sterling brought home a gorgeous bouquet he chose each flower for. He picked four red roses and four pink lilies then filled the bouquet with white daisies and some babies breath.
He also gave me a Willow Tree figurine. I love the Willow Trees. He picked out a mother rocking her child in a large quilt. I love it.
I gave Sterling a Grillers cook book. I also made Sterling a card. Inside I wrote ;
"Four Years
Our first year as husband and wife we learned a lot about each other.
We learned how to be a married couple.
We prepared to invite a baby into our life and start our family.
Year 2 we learned how to be parents for the 1st time.
We enjoyed spending time with our families. We went to Zion's with my family and to Disneyland with yours.
Our 3rd year we face another adventure and moved to Italy.
I was not afraid to move across the ocean because you were with me.
You hold my heart. You are my best friend. You are "home" to me.
Wherever we go, whatever we face, as long as you are with me I can face it strong and confident.
I feel our relationship grew to perfection that year.
Perhaps it was because we are far from our families and have to completely rely on each other for love.
We also decided during year 3 to have a second child. Tiberias was born.
Year 4 we faced the challenge of finding time to make love and enjoy intimacy being parents of 2 children. This year has been the best year of my entire life.
Seeing the world, raising two adorable sons and spending lots of time with you!
I absolutely love the man you are! I love watching you teach and play with our sons.
I love that they have you to look up to and follow. You will be their hero and their guide.
You will teach them to live the gospel and be a servant of our Heavenly Father.
From you they will learn to walk on this earth valuing and practicing honesty, hard work, virtue, faith and love. They will come to love learning as you do, I am sure of it.
And you will teach them self reliance with many valuable skills such as gardening, how to use tools and how to build things.
You amaze me! I could not be happier in any life than I am as your wife.
I truly, faithfully love you."
Lachoneus cried when he realized we were leaving him. He doesn't cry when we leave but this time he did.
We drove up to Barcis for dinner. We ate at a restaurant and then took a moment to look out on the lake before the sky grew dark. It was gorgeous! We had a great time.
Tonight we are going to Porcia to do our family portraits. Josh is coming along to get the kids to look to the camera and smile.
I am going to be really busy until I leave for the states next Thursday...if we get to leave that day.
Ty's birthday is next Friday. I'm going to wait until I'm in the states and celebrate his birthday with my family. They can help me decorate Ty's first birthday cake. I can teach my niece how to do it. It was Sterling's idea to celebrate late with my family instead of early.
I am so excited to have my family see how big my sons have gotten! And for my boys to spend time with their relatives! But we will really miss Sterling!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
It has been an interesting day!
Tiberias was awake crying for most of the 3:00a hour. I refused to get up and feed him. He has been sleeping all the way through the night lately and I need that. Plus, I am only breast feeding him once a day now...as of a few days ago.
I could not sleep much while Ty was crying that hour. Then I had to get up at 5:30a with Sterling. I had to get the boys out of bed so we could drop Sterling off at work.
I came home and put the boys back to the bed. They protested but then Ty fell asleep fast. Luke was quiet a while but then got up and came downstairs.
At 8:40a we left for the base. I needed the car today to go get Tiberias added to my Soggiornos. The building is right next to Sterling's work. He said he was going to try and meet us there. My appointment was at 9am. At 9:20a I was done. It was quick. But now I have to wait two months before I actually get it. They told me the pick up date is September 15. That ruined my plan to take Tiberias to the states with me on August 25th! I want to go home to attend Eliza's wedding reception and ring ceremony. Tiberias cannot leave Italy and return again until he has a soggiorno (temporary permission to stay in Italy).
I was crushed. I was determined to go home and see my family. I miss them so much now!
I decided if I had to leave Tiberias here for a week, take Luke to the states with me, I would. But then Sterling told me that I'd have to be in the states two weeks because there would be no military SpaceA flight the week I wanted to return.
I can't leave Ty for two whole weeks. I was crushed again.
Sterling drove the boys and I home so he could have the car for the rest of the day.
When we got to the house he noticed another paper the Soggiorno office gave us. I had not even read it because I was so distraught over the news of Ty not being able to go to the states. The paper was permission for Tiberias, Luke and I to go on the rotator even though his soggiorno won't be here yet.
Hallelujah! Now the only obstacle left is to get seats of the rotator plane the week we want to fly to the states.
Tiberias was awake crying for most of the 3:00a hour. I refused to get up and feed him. He has been sleeping all the way through the night lately and I need that. Plus, I am only breast feeding him once a day now...as of a few days ago.
I could not sleep much while Ty was crying that hour. Then I had to get up at 5:30a with Sterling. I had to get the boys out of bed so we could drop Sterling off at work.
I came home and put the boys back to the bed. They protested but then Ty fell asleep fast. Luke was quiet a while but then got up and came downstairs.
At 8:40a we left for the base. I needed the car today to go get Tiberias added to my Soggiornos. The building is right next to Sterling's work. He said he was going to try and meet us there. My appointment was at 9am. At 9:20a I was done. It was quick. But now I have to wait two months before I actually get it. They told me the pick up date is September 15. That ruined my plan to take Tiberias to the states with me on August 25th! I want to go home to attend Eliza's wedding reception and ring ceremony. Tiberias cannot leave Italy and return again until he has a soggiorno (temporary permission to stay in Italy).
I was crushed. I was determined to go home and see my family. I miss them so much now!
I decided if I had to leave Tiberias here for a week, take Luke to the states with me, I would. But then Sterling told me that I'd have to be in the states two weeks because there would be no military SpaceA flight the week I wanted to return.
I can't leave Ty for two whole weeks. I was crushed again.
Sterling drove the boys and I home so he could have the car for the rest of the day.
When we got to the house he noticed another paper the Soggiorno office gave us. I had not even read it because I was so distraught over the news of Ty not being able to go to the states. The paper was permission for Tiberias, Luke and I to go on the rotator even though his soggiorno won't be here yet.
Hallelujah! Now the only obstacle left is to get seats of the rotator plane the week we want to fly to the states.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Wedding Bells R Ringing
I have been babysitting full time. My friend Carla is working and I watch her daughter Amber. I get less time with just my boys...a lot less time. But I love getting paid. I spent $200 to get a robot vacuum which is an amazing help to me! And I am saving my money because I want so much to go home and see my family.
I thought that I could make it four years without going to the states to see my family. When we moved to Italy I did not plan to fly back to the states because of the money. But it is affordable when you fly Space A (military flight from Europe to America).
Sterling went to the states for TDY a few months ago and was able to spend a week with his family. So with my little sister getting married I really wanted to go to the states. They ended up moving the actually wedding up to this month and I was not able to go. They were married and sealed in the Salt Lake temple yesterday! But they are having a ring ceremony and reception in the beginning of September...when they are out of school.
I have been doing everything I can to make it possible for me to go see my family and celebrate Eliza's wedding. But I keep getting hit with obstacles and I keep being crushed.
Sterling did not want me to go I think because he will miss me and he may not have gotten over being away from me so long from his last TDY he returned from just a few weeks ago.
It would not be such a big deal if I did not feel so disconnected from my family. And if my family were not having so many problems right now.
Financially, physically, and some even spiritually. Tereasa is in a wheel chair!!
And my niece and nephews are growing up!
Once I told Sterling how important it is for me to go to the states he started looking into making it happen instead of trying to convince me not to go.
In the wedding card I am sending Eliza I wrote some advice for their marriage. I told her that she and Florencio should always be considerate of each other's feelings. Sterling taught me that by example. He thinks before he talks so that if he needs to tell me something that might hurt my feelings he does it the nicest way possible. He is amazing.
My second bit of advice for their marriage is to each be selfless. I honestly believe that is the cause of most failed marriages today. Thinking of themselves instead of putting their spouse above themselves. Two selfless people in a marriage will love each other and be happy forever.
Sterling and I have learned this together. We are truly happy and in love. More in love than ever before! As we grow and change together our bond becomes stronger and we don't know how we can be any happier in our marriage.
I thought that I could make it four years without going to the states to see my family. When we moved to Italy I did not plan to fly back to the states because of the money. But it is affordable when you fly Space A (military flight from Europe to America).
Sterling went to the states for TDY a few months ago and was able to spend a week with his family. So with my little sister getting married I really wanted to go to the states. They ended up moving the actually wedding up to this month and I was not able to go. They were married and sealed in the Salt Lake temple yesterday! But they are having a ring ceremony and reception in the beginning of September...when they are out of school.
I have been doing everything I can to make it possible for me to go see my family and celebrate Eliza's wedding. But I keep getting hit with obstacles and I keep being crushed.
Sterling did not want me to go I think because he will miss me and he may not have gotten over being away from me so long from his last TDY he returned from just a few weeks ago.
It would not be such a big deal if I did not feel so disconnected from my family. And if my family were not having so many problems right now.
Financially, physically, and some even spiritually. Tereasa is in a wheel chair!!
And my niece and nephews are growing up!
Once I told Sterling how important it is for me to go to the states he started looking into making it happen instead of trying to convince me not to go.
In the wedding card I am sending Eliza I wrote some advice for their marriage. I told her that she and Florencio should always be considerate of each other's feelings. Sterling taught me that by example. He thinks before he talks so that if he needs to tell me something that might hurt my feelings he does it the nicest way possible. He is amazing.
My second bit of advice for their marriage is to each be selfless. I honestly believe that is the cause of most failed marriages today. Thinking of themselves instead of putting their spouse above themselves. Two selfless people in a marriage will love each other and be happy forever.
Sterling and I have learned this together. We are truly happy and in love. More in love than ever before! As we grow and change together our bond becomes stronger and we don't know how we can be any happier in our marriage.
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