The Waldorf Astoria

We really needed to get away and be alone with no kids.  We have really never been away from our kids unless you want to count the time we were away and I was pregnant with Alison and we were only gone 2 days. This time was not any different though, we were only gone from Friday night until noon Saturday.  Some day we will be able to go for a longer period of time.  I am glad that Sister Ocasio could come and watch the kids, well basically just Conner.  Parker was across the street at his friend's house the whole time. This hotel was amazing, it was so beautiful inside and out.  We had dinner at their restaurant, Bull and Bear.  The food was excellent and they treat you really good.  I want to go back again!!

The reception area was so beautiful.

Looking out of our hotel room window we saw this awesome Cinderella coach.  We had no idea about it so we asked and  for $75 you get a half hour ride with cookies and goodies for the kids.  We thought it would be a fun thing to do with the grand-kids someday.  I know they would love it.

The pool area

The Waldorf Astoria

The golf course

Conner's last day of school

 Today was Conner's last day of school and they had a pool party at the school pool.  I stayed because I figured he would not want to swim the whole time, the party was from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon.  I was right, by 10:00 AM he was ready to leave.  It makes me sad because he doesn't know how to play with others.  He was pretty much swimming alone almost the entire time.  At times he went to play with the other kids and they would just either talk to him and then leave him or just ignore him.  I felt bad but I could not do anything, I have to let him do things for himself.  I just watched and tried not to cry!

Conner and his teacher Mrs. Fetters

After school we went to the store and got an Origami kit , just something fun to do other than electronics!

I can't believe he is done with third grade and going to be in fourth grade this next school year.  Time goes by too fast!

Knowing Spanish is a BIG blessing!

I think I shared this story last year but it came to my mind again last Friday.  Last year when I was serving as the Stake Relief Society secretary, we were having a pre-conference visit with one of our Spanish units in our Stake. I was translating for one of the Counselors in their Relief Society Presidency.  I was feeling bad because I thought I was doing an awful job and was stressed out.  I noticed that this sister started to cry. At the end of the meeting she came up to the Stake Relief Society president and said that even though she could not speak English and understand what she was saying, that she felt the spirit very strong! I felt humbled that, yes I am not very good at translating but the SPIRIT is the true teacher!!

Well, this experience came to my mind again because on Friday, Brent and I went to the temple to do a session on Friday with our Ward and while I was waiting for him so we could go to the chapel, the temple president saw me.  He was our Stake president 3 years ago. He asked me how I was doing and we talked for a minute and then he went to see if Brent was still in the locker room.  He came back and said he was almost done.  When Brent came out, President Halversen had a talk with us.  He said that he was thinking about me the other day.  They had a group of sisters come from South America and they did not speak any English.  He thought about me and that I could help him when sisters come and need help with translation. He asked us if it was OK to call me when they needed help.  I was humbled to think that the Lord thinks I am capable to do this.  I have always thought of how hard it is to translate.  But if the Lord feels I can do it then I trust Him.  

Then on Sunday, we went to the Semoran branch (Spanish) conference.  I am the first counselor in the Stake RS and the RS president, Johanna Lopez is also Hispanic, she is from Venezuela. I translated in Sacrament and in RS for the first counselor in the Stake RS, sister Peggy Snow and the secretary, Diane Wingate. Johanna and I take turns in teaching RS in the Spanish units and it was her turn to teach and my turn to conduct.  I was amazed at how well it was going.  It came easier than in other times that I had translated.  Peggy was really impressed too and she told me that I had done a great job.  I am thankful to my Heavenly Father for helping me, because I know it wasn't all me who did it, I know He helped me.  I stress so much when I translate but this time I was relaxed and I knew in my heart that it had gone well. Prior to the RS meeting the Stake president came up to Johanna and I and said; "How wonderful to have two Spanish speaking sisters in our Stake Relief Society." It sure made me feel good and appreciated. I am glad that I speak two languages and I am able to use this blessing to serve others and assist the Lord in His work!

I think I forgot to share that two weeks ago on May 10th Brent and I went to the temple and performed many sealings on my family line!  One of those sealings was my mom's sealing to her parents.  I am so happy to have done that!!!

My gift from Brent

 Brent gave me a bracelet and earrings for our anniversary.  Besides our wedding ring this the first time that I buy a nice piece of jewelry.  He bought me a white gold bracelet with diamonds and because my wrist is abnormally small, haha, they had to take two brackets off.  The neat thing is they took the brackets and made me earrings! So I got two pieces of jewelry for the price of one! I love it! Thank you Brent!! I love you!!

Missionary work and Random stuff

I went to lunch a couple of weeks ago and one of my friends looked at me and said she wanted to ask me something.  She asked me if I was a Mormon!  I thought she already knew but I guess she did not.  I asked her how she knew and she said that she could see it in my face.  She said that a long time ago when she was a teenager she had a friend that joined the Mormon church and her face completely changed.  Her friend had piercings on her face and she took them off and she said she was completely transformed.  She said that she could see there was something different about my face and that is why she thought I was a Mormon.  She then asked me what we believed and so we had a good talk about the church. I invited her to go to church.  She has not gone yet, but I will continue to invite her.  My friend Natty was at the lunch. I have invited Natty to church activities and she came once to a family home evening with the missionaries at my house. So I told Natty what Meyleen had said and Natty said to her "Oh yes, she is a Mormon.  I love their religion, they are nice people.  My daughter loves going to their church and I do too.  It is what I am looking for".  WOW!! It was awesome! Missionary work is easy when you have friends like that!!

Walmart add in the "El Sentinel", the Spanish newspaper

Mother's day flowers and a green pot Parker made in his ceramics class at school.

Walmart commercial video!

I took a video with my phone so it is not very good quality.

Mother's Day 2013

We Skyped with Alison today!! It was so wonderful. We called Ashley and Brittany on Facetime so they could see her and talk to her. Alison was so surprised to see her nieces and nephew so big!  She is doing great! We sang happy birthday to her. Her birthday is on Tuesday, May 14th.

Mother's day 2013

Anniversary Dinner

Brent was in Miami last week so we went to dinner on Friday for our anniversary.  I love eating at Roy's.  Brent had told them it was our 25th wedding anniversary so they decorated our table with flowers and gave us a desert for free! They wrote in chocolate "Happy Anniversary" in Hawaiian!

Alison's pictures from today's email

Kevin's baptism

Kevin

Alison liked this she called an interesting work of art.

Kevin's baptism

Walmart commercial

Today I spent the day shooting the Walmart commercial.  It was such an amazing experience! But I would not want to do it again. I was so tired by the end of it and had such a huge headache.  I had been sick with a throat and sinus infections for 5 days before and yesterday I lost my voice. I prayed that it would be good enough to do the commercial.  I guess it was because they said it went really good! Now I just have to see them on TV, it is going to be so weird to see me on TV and to hear my voice that wasn't quite back to normal! Natty saved 12% and I saved 17% of the purchases.  Who ever saved the most got to do the commercial.

With my hair and makeup done.

Natty and I with our hair and makeup.

This is the main girl in the Walmart commercial for all of the US Spanish Walmart commercial.

Happy 25th anniversary!!

 Today is our 25th anniversary.  Brent is in Miami so we could not be together but we will celebrate another time.  This pictures were so much fun to re-create. I think we should do this again in a few years!!  I am so blessed to have a wonderful husband, who loves me and his children, who takes such good care of us. He always makes sure we are his number one priority! I am lucky!