A Visit From Uncle Damion

Several weeks ago we received an email from our sister-in-law regarding a surprise trip to West Virginia. Damion's birthday was soon and she had planned to surprise him with a ticket to visit us. We were all so excited but Derek was super excited, he and his brother are so close (the talk to each other almost every day).

It was a short trip but it was so much fun. We've been living in West Virginia for three years and we still get homesick during the holiday's. We didn't get to go home for Christmas so having family visit is just what we needed.

Pittsburg, PA 

Damion flew in Friday morning, Derek had the day off so it worked out great. We spent a few hours in Pittsburg, we discovered an amazing street that had a variety of ethnic foods and stores. I found the Latino market and there was a taco stand near by so of course I had to order my carne asado tacos, Derek and Damion found the local Middle Eastern market and ordered Gyros and our little American boy Acalias enjoyed some french fries and nuggets from the McDonalds (Yup, I took my boy to a place that I myself haven't eating at for over 9 years...I'm so bad I know but it was also the only place we could sit down indoors). The streets were flooded with Pittsburg, Steelers paraphernalia  and cheap stuff. We stopped by the fruit market for some fresh healthy treats and we had to get a treat from the dessert shop too.

There are a lot of Italians here, therefore cannoli's are a big hit. 

Good thing I'm not a big fan of them, they aren't worth the calories.

I really don't know why we felt like we needed a treat after eating so many sweets during the holidays...and setting goals to eat healthier.

We ended up getting a white and dark chocolate dipped cookie and a coconut macaroon, chocolate dipped cookies...both were very yummy.

At home these two wasted no time in catching up with hugs and goofing around. 

Skofeild was very jealous and and wanted in on all the action.

On Saturday we visited Valley Falls, it was such a beautiful day. 

We spent the day there and had a picnic.

These two couldn't get enough of Damion.

Acalias was thrilled to have an Uncle to play with him. The weekend flew by way too fast. 

This was the last few minutes before Damion departed at the airport.

We had a great weekend.

Here's a few love letters to Acalias from this too week...

Goals 2012

Each year I create a long list of things I need to improve, things I want to do and goals I wish to accomplish. In 2011 I accomplished 75% of my goals, I completed three major sewing projects, ran 1060 miles, made my weight loss goal! 

I wish I could say that I accomplished every goal but sadly, I did not. I failed in speaking to Acalias in Spanish everyday, I did not cook 4 vegetarian meals a week (they all tasted like cumin and I lost my fire to continue cooking them) and we didn't have Family Home Evening every Monday.

 In reflecting over the year, I realize that the goals I achieved were the goals I was persistent with. I was accountable and I assessed my goals on a regular basis. For example, the weight loss was hard and now that I'm at goal it's even harder to maintain. People are curious about the overall loss, America seems to be obsessed with the number on the scale ( I admit that I'm guilty of it at times too). I guess what I'm trying to articulate is that that it truly took persistence, patience and vigilance. It's what you do on a continual basis that will affect the overall outcome. I compare goal setting to obtaining an education, one of the things I loved about school is knowing that the efforts I put into a class revealed itself in the grades I received. In weight loss if I decided to eat an entire pan of brownies, fried goodies and candy on one day but was good the remained of the week with out slipping up It was like earning 85% on an exam and I'd still lose a pound. If I decided to track all my calories and workout without slipping up at all I'd earn 100% and I'd lose 2.5 to 3.5lbs in one week. Get the idea? This is what makes motherhood hard for me, there's not really a measurement of my efforts but that topic deserves an entire post to itself. With that said, this year I will be persistent and assess all my goals on a regular basis. Hopefully next year I will report that I accomplished all of my goals.

Nativa's Goals for 2012 

#1 A few of my running buddies invited me to run the New York City Marathon...which entails running a pace of 6.59/mile whoa, I've never dreamed of running that fast. I will strive to improve my pace, and I've increased my mileage to 2000 for 2012. I have several marathons scheduled for this year I will report back to you on a regular basis so look for the label "2000 in 2012".

#2 Take more pictures. Acalias will be my main subject for this years project, so look for the the label 365 Love Letters. Here are a few of my favorites, to see more photos check out 365 Love Letters To Acalias, I will try to keep it updated weekly.

#3 Create a line of super hot clothing for my family and some more dresses...ok a lot more dresses. How will I fund this on our non existent income you might ask? Photography!

#4 I know there are thousands of photographers to choose from in Utah but in West Virginia, the options are limited and severely over priced. I admit that I have a lot to learn but I'm confident that I can take good enough pictures to receive monetary compensation for it. Unlike other photographers, I won't be charging too much because really it's just a hobby that I enjoy, rather than my livelihood. This year is the year to make a few bucks from my talents. I'm working on my website, it should be up and running by March 2012. 

Good luck with your goals this year!

Christmas Day

Derek and I were giddy with anticipation for Christmas with Acalias this year. We had set out presents earlier but when I caught Acalias tearing into a present I had to hide them in the closet. We didn't make it back home to celebrate Christmas with family but Derek had a few days off to hang out with Acalias and I.
The weather has been beautifully mild, so we took a walk downtown to see the the window displays and lights. I noticed this Nativity scene while out on the run one evening and I thought it looked neat against the brick wall.

Our Christmas tree.

Just in case you wondered what it would be like to visit us during Christmas.

Our newest ornaments. 

We had to get a WV instrument since we've moved 30 minute away from WVU, the logo is everywhere.

The 2nd ornament was a gift from family.

On Christmas morning Acalias was a bit annoyed that we woke him up, once he tore into his first present his mood quickly changed. His grandpa scored with this dog book, if anyone loves puppies, it's Acalias. He was so distracted with the book that he didn't want to move on to the next present. We ended up opening presents throughout the day rather than in one sitting.

Acalias loves music so much, he loved the toy instruments Santa got for him.

Derek and I were more excited for this remote control car than Acalias was.

I forgot how much I enjoyed playing with toys!

I almost finished my green dress on time for Christmas, I wore it anyways. I need to take it in a bit so that the folds are taut against my body like the dress form below.  I really enjoy creating my own clothes, it feels good to tell people that I sewed it myself!

I love my dress form, it makes dress making easy! 

I know longer have to try on my dress a zillion times and avoid getting pricked with pins.

The weather has been so nice here, can you believe this was take on Christmas Day?

Hope everyone enjoyed Christmas.

Happy Holidays

Countdown to Christmas!

The holidays are so much more exciting with children!! Derek and I are so excited to celebrate Christmas this year, we cant wait to see Acalias' reaction to opening presents. In my excitement I set up the Christmas tree too early. It's been a constant battle to keep ornaments on the tree, Acalias thinks that they are balls that he can play fetch with.  The top of the tree is cluttered with ornaments in our attempt to avoid making them accessible for a toddler. Next year I will not put up the tree until the second week of December.

Acalias loves story time at the library. He loves singing the peanut butter song most, he spins his little body in circles once we start singing. He loves the musical instruments that they allow him to play with. I think he might me musically inclined. I don't know where he got that from, definitely not me!

This week was extra special because Santa brought presents and visited with us.

Acalias was excited for the presents so he tried pulling Derek towards Santa while the other children were a bit apprehensive to visit with him. 

Acalias was so serious. We couldn't get him to smile for anything.

Not even when Santa tried to tickle him...this picture is kinda awkward.

I guess I should be happy that he looked at the camera right?

I'll have to dig up some of my old Santa pictures I was just as serious.

La Obra Del Senior

Too many of us forget the real reason for this season. I have wonderful memories as a missionary, Christmas time was among the most memorable because I was so close to the Lord as his servant.

A photo shoot with the Elders in Bridgeport/Clarksburg area...

I love this primary song, I always feel the spirit when I hear it.

I hope that my son will have the same amazing experiences

that I had as a missionary too.

We have two sets of Elders in our area,

a set of bike Elders in Clarksburg and the District Leaders here in Bridgeport.

 I asked the Elders to each bring something to personalize their photos.

Gotta love the flag, this logo is everywhere in this state.

Everyone loves WVU.

Choose The Right!

Elder Mechm has served in the two areas that we have lived in (White Sulpher & Bridgeport),

he is a happy Elder and it is rare to not see him smiling.

Smiling is contagious so it's hard to be upset when he's around.

Before my mission my brother would leave me post-it note in random spots where he knew where I would find them. The notes always said the same thing "Practice smiling, you'll need to have one on your face at all times when you are a missionary". My big brother has always given me advice that linger long after it's given.

Elder Moreang, my Polynesian brother.

He can get Acalias to laugh so hard, maybe he reminds him of uncle Stevey.

We've been spoiling him with some Polynesian food. I was lucky, I had access to plenty of Poly food on my mission...and it helps to know how to cook it.

Elder Mears, is quiet the jokester in case you can't already tell by his poses.

Elder Johnson didn't like taking pictures at all.

Hence, the lack of pictures of him.

My husband was the same way, he has a handful of pictures from his mission and he's not in most of them.

I hope their families enjoy their Christmas gifts,

the Elders wanted to send home a current portrait of themselves.

Now that I'm a mother and return missionary, I would be thrilled to receive a picture of my son as missionary.

I look forward to watching Acalias grow up to become a missionary, for now I'm happy with this stage. He's a fun loving, energetic, super guapo (he struts around whenever I call him Guapo), little boy!

Not to mention, I love, LOVE his great big hugs that he gives so generously.

17 Months

We're loving all the curls on this little boys head. He has little streaks of blond highlights just like his daddy.

He can say: 

"Shoe"-"patos" (zapatos)

"Shhhhhh" with his finger up to his mouth

"Dank u" -thank you

He prefers to grab our hand and lead us around the house to point out things rather than talk.

"oh!" while wildly shaking his head to tell us no

He's got four molars coming in along with his K9's. He'll be 18 months soon, we are so excited to put him in primary so that we can enjoy lessons in church.

He has become picky with food textures. Most days he will happily eat raisins, yogurt, apple sauce, a variety of fruit , cereal and bread. On good days he will eat a few bits of chicken and pork. Don't let his size fool you, he is picky!

He loves this little car, he is so happy when I let him ride it outside. It has been a mild winter, so we've enjoyed playing outside.

He's a climber, my anxiety level has jumped a few notches since he started jumping off of furniture. 

He loves to sing, whenever we sing in church he tries to out-sing everyone around us and he is so loud! We love to hear his little voice. We've replaced story time before bed with singing primary hymns and Christmas songs.

He's still in the 95% for height and weight. 

We love him so much, we are so excited to celebrate Christimas with him this year!