Summer Time 2014

I got most our house out of boxes before I left for my open ended vacation. We moved 5 days before I got on the plane. Marques started working the day after I left for a temp. job while we wait to hear about jobs in his field. I flew to Utah with my sister, and her 3 kids. The flight went incredibly well. The airlines we flew charged for everything, but it was fine and it got us from point A to B. My sister, Kellie, was waiting for us on the other side. It was a was from the airport home, but it was just fun to be there.
Week one: We started GRANDMA CAMP the next day. The four days to follow were all filled with the most wonderful activities and events to not only bring the cousins together, but as sisters we enjoyed so much! All five of us came home with all the grandkids! Yes all 15 of them, and us five girls stayed at my parents house for 4 days. It was a blast, and a life changing experience for me and my sisters to reconnect our sisterhood like never before. So glad this will be a yearly thing.
Week 2 was spent in Salt Lake. I stayed at my parents other home there all by myself. It was nice to have some down quiet time after the past few days. I visited with Marques' grandma and aunt most the days I spent there. But the main reason I went was to support his sister getting out her endowments! I am so greatful for the church and the blessings that come from being a part of it. What a wonderful experience for all of us. I am so glad that she chose to do it while I was there. What a good time of life for her, we are so proud to have her as out siste. I loved also being able to remember mine and to reflect on how blessed I am to have a wonderful mom who helped me through it with ease to make the most of my day! I love you mom.
Week 3-5 were spent in LA. My sister Lindsey lives there in the northern part and my sister Christine lives an hour south of there. So I was able to see and spend time with them both. When I first arrived I had no leave date. Most people asked how that worked out as I left Marques at home, but he is so great and told me to come home when I was ready, lol. It was fun to see people's faces too. Christine was able to bring home my baby neice, Jaide, from the hospital while I was there. Jaide's adoption into our family had just become final and it was so good to see and hold her. I also got the privilege of visiting with Marques' dad and step-mom. We ate several meals together, mom and I got nails done, and dad and I got to go to the beach for a family reunion thing! It was so fun to see our family from the varela side and to enjoy a day at the beach again!! Toward the end of week 4 Marques flew out and we spent some days with both sides of the family. We then packed up the car we bought from my bro in law and headed out on the 24 hour trip back to Texas!
My husband was so gracious to allow me to go.. He stayed home and worked a ton of hours even overtime! What a great Husband!!
Once back home I started looking for jobs and finished putting our house together. We have found several unlivable things in our house that needed to be fixed like dining room and bathroom lights out (the electrition had to be called as we tried everything we knew), the dishwasher and microwave, sink with a hole in the bottom, leaking focet, and non working shower. So we had lots of people coming to fix all those things. And hey I learned how to and installed toilet paper holders in all three of our bathrooms!! That's a good thing! I also found a job fairly easy. About 20 minutes after I applied, I received a phone call and got an interview. We had a small run around that I had a second interview with another school and thought I missed my chance for the first one, but it all worked out and I have a good job as a Content Mastery Resource Teacher in a Junior high. Marques is still doing steps for jobs, and hoping to hear soon on some positions. Please Please pray for us as we wait to hear back that we will get a good job that can be a good career path for us! I will also post pictures and now that I am home and in a routine again, I will start posting more regularly. Love you all--

Leading into Summer

Well, as usually I have let it go a couple of months, lol. So the end of April was pretty normal. Marques' school was winding down. He got to go to D.C. to present his last project. He was also able to site see a bit and seemed to really enjoy it. And might I add his group got the top group rating in his whole school for their project. I was so proud of him, and his group!! We continued to feed the missionaries as we always do. And as it  has gotten warmer, Rio is enjoying the park, but gets tired much quicker, and arrives home to be a dead doggie! I took on a second job for the last month and a half of school to help try to ease our money situation. I worked for the After-school program that I was working for before we did our internship. So it was long hours from 7 in the morning til 6:30 at night, but we made it through. At the beginning of May my mom came into town for the big day... GRADUTAION!! We were both so proud of Marques, and how wonderful was it to watch him walk up there and here his name in the graduating Class of 2014!! Wow, this moment that I had been wanting and waiting for for two years was here. It seemed so surreal. But non the less I was so grateful for my mom coming, and being able to share that special time with her. My husband did so great, and I will never forget not only what he did here, but what he has done for our family. So proud of you Marques!!! I couldn't have asked for a better spouse.

As the summer started we left for up north to spend time with my sister who had moved here. My parents both flew in and it was wonderful to spend a weekend with all of us! Two weeks after that we went back up there to start the search for a place to live. We figured that at least for now while we wait to here on some jobs in Texas that we might as well stay here for a while, but be by family. So we spent that past week and half at my sisters house. It was a nice break since I didn't have to come back to work and we were able to spend some good time there looking for houses. We found a cute little townhouse that really reminds me of Daybreak in Utah. It is more rent then we were hoping to pay, but we had a really hard time finding places that would not only take our pupster, but that didn't allow smoking. It seemed that every place really smelled like smoke, but we got blessed and found our little house. The last two weeks spent in C.S. were mainly packing up our things, and doing our cleaning to ensure that we got our deposit back. It was wonderful that last weekend there, we had some of the missionaries we had fed in the past few years there come back to visit. I threw a little birthday bash for Marques as well, and they got to come. As most of you know, I grew up with missionaries in my home and really loved being able to serve them in C.S.. It was a full house that night as I invited friends too, but we had a great time, and we got to say good-bye to most our close friends. On Tuesday of that week, at the end of June, I took off for our new home. I got to experience driving the U-haul with my puppy three hours. Let me tell you that was quite the drive. But hey I only called Marques crying once when I broke the visor, and I didn't have to worry about falling asleep as the adrenalin was plenty to keep me awake. But we both made it safe, and were excited to try something new...Until next time--

Back in the Swing of the Blog

This week was normal most the days. Marques continued school and I continued work. Thursday, however, was our anniversary. That night we went to Marques' softball game and went to a Talent show after for his school. For our anniversary I had made him a candy poster in puzzle form, hidden all over the house. I also made us a date jar!! Marques bought me beautiful flowers and surprised me Friday with a couples massage class and then massages! It was so fun!!!! We fed the missionaries as usual and hung out on Saturday around the house. That leads us to now, lol. I hope everyone's week is well and will keep posting weekly! Please also always pray for us to get a good job as we near the end of school. Thanks

Pictures for the Past few months!!

Bee's Games with Mom

His First Fish, and what a fun Halloween

Family Photo Time

Hockey Games!!!

Sad to Go!

Snow in Texas

Trip to see my Sister--

We all love Uncle Marques

Doggie Pillow

Ice thicker than we've ever seen

What a Game!!

Catch Up Again

Yet again I have been neglectful on our past several months. Well here is a recap--

July:

• Moved for an Internship- Left our stuff packed in our extra room so that a co-worker of mine could move in and watch the place!! Love her, haven't had a worry since she moved in. What a Blessing!!!
• Almost Lost my Kitty on the drive. Found him inside the box springs of the hotel. I seem to really love that furry thing.
• Found a Job teaching P.E. at an elementary school!
• Marques started and loves his Internship
• Attended a few Bee's Baseball games with family, including  a few great firework show nights.

August:

• My sister flew in for a wonderful trip with her two great kids!! We visited the zoo, went to baseball, went swimming, shot off rockets, made goo, and sang the Aggie war hymn every night with Marques for a bedtime song, lol.
• We went to the temple as a family for my endowments. All my family was there minus one. What a wonderful day and place to be.
• I started working at the school. Loving it so far!
• Had a birthday- My mom hosted a great dinner for us. I got lots of fun gifts that were unexpected: Grizzly Hockey Season Tickets, a beautiful emerald bracelet, acrylic nail starter kit, bead fairy money, and a way cute temple bag!

September:

• Got Labor day off, spent some great weekends at the cabin. Marques caught his first fish!!
• Won a night in Park City- Beautiful Resort with an incredible heated pool. So fun to get away
• My parents had an anniversary- 32 years!!

October:

• General Conference was a great refresher weekend
• Went on the trip of our lifeitme to Oakland. Went to the Temple as a family!! Enjoyed a Hilarious night in San Francisco, and enjoyed spending three days in Monterey!! Got to run on the beach, see my old house (or where it used to be), My old elementary work,  and of course, Cannery Row. I love that place, and now I can be with my husband forever!!!! 
• Visited Flaming Gorge- saw a moose, enjoyed row boating on the lake in front of the cabin, and watching buddy chase a few deer
• Had a killer halloween party hosted at my parents- about 100 came

November:

• My sister had her baby- Afton "Blue Seal"
• Spent Thanksgiving with my sister in St. George!! So great and delicious food

December:

• Dad's birthday, and wow it's our last month here!! I'm so sad
• Birthday celebration dinner with Marques' family
• Catered a dinner with mom in St. George
• Had a wonderful Christmas, I love being by family!!
• Spent our last few days at hockey games with my mom and dad
• Got a job for back in Texas lined up

January:

• Got Packed to move back to finish school
• Marques crashed his motorcycle trying to load it (Can I say I never want to watch my husband fall on a motorcycle again. Shook me up pretty good, but blessed that he is ok!)
• Said our very sad for me good-byes and hit the road- made it home safely
• got our house deep cleaned, cleaned out, and moved back in again
• Marques started school again, met his capstone group

February:

• Went to Wisconsin for baby blue seal's blessing- wonderful to spend time with them- Went to mall of America, and saw the main town- might I add it was negative weather there. (-10)
• Started working at an Elementary school as the behavior specialist
• Had a fun Valentine's dinner at home
• Got SNOW!!

March:

• Learned how to make Indian food- korma, marsala, and Naan!! Yummy
• Spring Break- My cousin was here, we took her to see the Waco Zoo. It was so fun. Then my dad came!!!! Oh was it so wonderful to have him here. What a blessing it was! One of the highlights was going to Dallas for a NHL Hockey game- Dallas Stars against our team the Calgary Flames. I couldn't help  myself when the game got exciting to scream out doing my pterodactyl as Marques calls it. The game ended in overtime shoot-out with us winning!!!! But I have to say all in all how wonderful it was to have my dad, oh I miss family.
• Convinced to give a talk in church. I did it, but was scared to death! However, I did say no at first and then Marques got roped into doing one too, so we did them together.
• Learned how to deal with a family crisis living away from them. My nephew fell on his razor scooter, took a huge size chunk out of his leg (14 stitches), cracked his skull, and broke his neck. He was life planed to Primary's, and hopefully on the road to recovery now. We love you little man!! What a blessing both breaks were the best they could of turned out for the situation.
• Found bats living in our attic
• Did one of my favorite callings- Primary Music Time

And that pretty well tightens the lose ends for our past several months. Which leads me to this week. This week my nephew got to come home as my dad was admitted. He had a mini-stroke. We are so blessed again that he and my mom caught it early enough that he won't have residual effects. They are watching a few new things, and hoping that by that his body will return to what it needs to be. I am grateful this week for my husband, and his willingness to be so patient and understand with me, as I have been on breaking point several times. This past two months has been two of the most trying months of my life. I have come to realize that trials come for many reasons, but God is only going to give us what we can handle despite what I think I can handle. (Believe me, I don't think I can do this, and don't really want to.) My trust and faith in H.F. and my savior has increased, and also in the fact that he knows I can do this, but I need to trust myself and my husband. What a blessing I have to have the gospel in my life. We retuned home Tuesday night from feeding the missionaries and our front window pane was shattered out. We called the police and at the end of it, it was discovered that a 10-12 year old kid was taunting rio in the window and shattered it. Luckily for us (another blessing) our landlord was willing to pay for it.  Friday we went to a ward activity, the Chili cook off. I made bread for it this year. And on Saturday we hosted a conference open house. I made Navajo tacos, and we enjoyed listening to conference with several ward members while eating great food.. Grateful that this week is almost done, and that we can get back to some spiritual feeding with conference.
And for Marques this past few months he's been working on his school projects. He has applied to several jobs and we are in waiting phase. He has been doing great, but is always busy with new assignments and people to interview for his final capstone.
I will post picture soon!! Happy Reading--

Catch up for Three Months!!

Wow I have been so neglectful. Since we are so far behind I am going to bullet the events as of late so you aren't reading for so long!!
May~~

• Baseball Games for the College
• A pet lizard living on our car for three days: Striker
• Raining, Raining, and more Rain: Resulting in frogs taking up residence in our backyard
• Split upper lip open from a baseball on accident coming fast thrown by my husband a little over a tennis court distance away
• Taught Relief Society two weeks in a row
• Ride along for Marques with the State Patrol
• Work and school ends!!

June~~

• Threw a Baby Shower
• Started Nannying for a family that attended the After-school Program
• Marques in school from 9-5 everyday
• Swimming with my nanny kids
• Temple Trip followed by a lunch with Elder Smith and Vought
• Dinner/Dessert with AlphaBest Employees
• Marques' Birthday: Wolf Sanctuary, Gift poster and hunt, Dinner
• Both Taught in Church

 We fed the missionaries a lot and always love having them over. The last weekend in June was spent prepping for our little get away. Marques got a internship for six months, so we are having my co-worker move in and we are headed back home!! The trip wasn't bad, gave Rio "chill pills", and lost my kitty in the hotel! What a scare.. Once we arrived this past week has been spent visiting family, and settling in. We surprised Grandma, so fun!!! I have had three interviews and hope to hear back today from two of them. Also I have two jobs on the line already. We are adjusting the dogs, Winston and Rio. They are not loving it, but tolerating it. Hopefully they can work it out. We are so blessed to have this going on. God is definitely helping us find a good path. I am so grateful for my husband, he is carrying us to good places! Well, I will post a few pictures, and will be in touch soon. Glad to be back for a while!!

 

 

Finishing Up April

I am so sorry that I have been so neglectful to post on the past month of our lives. Most of this blog will be catch up. Three weeks ago went faster than I would have liked. I had Monday/Tuesday to get everything ready and the week flew by. Wednesday Came-- ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! It is so surreal that we had actually been married a year. It seems like yesterday. Marques made breakfast for us and we spent a relaxed morning together enjoying the time we had. I headed to work, he later picked me up and we went to dinner at a Habachi grill rest. here in town. After we went home for a bit to pass time because after 9 I got in free to Grand Station. It is a Boondocks like fun center, just indoors. We played mini golf and laser tag. We had a great one year celebration! And I must say, there is no one I'd rather of spent the past year with. I have been so blessed to find Marques. He is perfect for me and more than likely the only one who is patient enough to live with me, lol. I love you Marques, Thank-you for a great start! By the time Thursday came I was cutting things around the house that could wait for me to come back. Thursday night I flew out to go visit my family!!!! The airlines getting there were super interesting including being delayed 4 hours, being switched airlines, and a drunk girl vomiting all down 1/4 of the plane's isle and passengers. But finally arrived safe where the Smart's met me at the airport! I spent the next day with just them, sight seeing Las Vegas. Then we drove up to meet the rest of the family. The Clark's had prepared a taco stand meal in their home.. Those great carne asada meats with corn tortilla's. My dad had also just bought a home, so we, the Smart's and I, stayed there. It is a great house for mom and dad down south! That evening my two sister's and I went for a run. It was one of the high-lights of the trip. Yes I know I hate running, but they didn't make me feel bad, and it was so great to exercise and enjoy their company. Saturday was a wonderful day spent with Hunter at his baptism. My arms got sunburned... But it was so nice to be back in dry heat and no bugs swarming you the second you are outside! We then spent wee hours into the night discussing my life and getting some great advice and support from my family. Sunday was spent mostly with the Clark's as families started to drive home. They drove me to Vegas again so I could fly home. My anut/uncle in-laws let me stay the night, and graciously took me to the airport the next morning in my dream car mind you- a zo6 corvette. If you couldn't already tell it was a much needed trip spent well in a place I love to be! Sooo glad I went. Two weeks ago was spent catching up on unfinished items at home and work. That Wednesday we were able to go to the temple and enjoy the spirit together. We were the only ones in the baptistry! Saturday came and off to the park we went for Marques to play in his softball game against Texas University. Once again he made me proud.. Hitting a home run!!! He did so great. I was thrilled to be his cheerleader. I however, forgot sunscreen again, and fried my upper chest to my shirt line bright red. I taught in relief Society that sunday. Last week was spent relatively normal. Doing school and work for us both. Marques has done well so far this semester and we hope to finish strong. Work hasn't been bad either. The year winding down, and trying to keep kids motivated to go another month. We have continued our weekly events of institute, Enchilada Friday, and feeding the missionaries. But that catch's you up to date in our lives. Crazy that Marques first year of school here is almost over! Have a great week.



Breakfast with Blue milk and on dishes the colors of our wedding!











Grand Station Fun Center- Sorry it sideways. I'll figure it out one day.













Mom and Dad with all my nieces and nephews minus two...

My sister's and I minus one...

Marques at his softball game!!

April Showers

Hello again! We have had nothing too exciting. I had Jury duty this week, but luckily didn't get called to the Jury. I don't know what my deal is, but I hate doing it and I get called every six months to do.
Oh well, Life moves on. Thursday I must brag about my husband. We went to his softball game that night and he hit a in field grand slam!!! You bet I was screaming for him!! He couldn't stop smiling! Friday and Saturday, he attended a conference for the school. And Saturday night he went to the Priesthood Session of General Conference for church. I got a ton done Saturday while listening to conference. I was so grateful for conference this weekend, I truly got uplighted and filled with the spirit. Work was the same this week. Monday started off horrible and it continued the week. We are hoping for a better week this week. But the weekend was nice to relax and listen to the Prophet. I made bread, and cleaned the house on Saturday. That night I made the dough for rolls, and we had some friends over after Marques got home. Sunday Morning I made cinammon rolls and regular rolls for the Honey. During the first session of conference we went to our same friends house and I crocheted through most of it. We watched 17 Miracles, then returned home to watch to second session. During that one I finished sewing two burp rags for our neighbor, and fixed my employee's shirt for her. I also made an easter egg carton topper for my sister. After that I made flautas for dinner. And that sums up our week. Like I said It was refreshing to listen this weekend. And I will post a few pictures of the Kitty. He was a knuckle.. lol, enjoy your week! Love you all-

His new drinking fountain...Thanks Mom
 

                                  His new spot to sleep, on my head. Again Thanks Mom and Dad!

Preparing for Easter

Monday started off with the Kitty getting stuck in a tree. He must of been chasing something when I go out and see that he is trying to get down and can't. After about twenty minutes of us reaching for him, climbing the tree, and Marques getting on top of the garbage can, Dusty finally jumped down. He hurt his paw, but seemed to only be sore for a few hours from it. At work that afternoon, One of our autistic kids has a pretty bad meltdown right off the bat, before we were even done with him, another got upset worse then the first one. By the time we got to the end of the day my supervisor was there, a little kinder in my office waiting for mom with a 104 degree fever, those two autistic kids in my office, and parents called to pick-up early, and a third non-verbal autistic child pooped his pants and got it all over the bathroom including down his shirt and hands. It was quite the day! Tuesday wasn't as bad, but come Wednesday we were back on the same track having all kinds of issues. I told my supervisor that something must be in the water for this week. We made it to Thursday and managed to have a good day. However, two of those students were absent both Tuesday and Thursday..lol! We recieved a package from Grandma and MaDonna on Tuesday, which made it much nicer to have a good attitude. We both had Friday off of everything, so we headed to Houston that morning. We had gotten temple recommends last week, and so we started the morning there at the temple doing baptisms for the dead. It was so amazing to be back, and enjoy the spirit of peace and rightness of the temple. After we met up with the missionaries, Elder Vought, Smith, Jimenez, and Thorpe. We took them all to lunch at Fuddrucker's. It was so fun to see Elder Vought and Smith again, to catch up and check on them! We then returned home for a nap, and to feed the missionaries here in College Station. Saturday, we delivered an Easter Gift to some of our friends and hung out at home, and that night dyed eggs with the missionsaries. Sunday, Easter, we read our spiritual eggs, went to church, and then ate dinner with my visiting teacher sister's family. It was fun to eat with them. Their kids are one of two families that actually behave in the ward. Then we ended our night playing games with two other couples down the street. That sums up our week.. We are doing well and excited that march is over!! Hope the bugs don't get much worse.. Love you all.

The Tree Adventure...

The dirt ball kitty after his outside adventure one day this week.

                          Dying Easter Eggs and Getting ready to head to church Easter Morning!!!

The End of our Week

We didn't do much for the end of the week. I was so glad I listened to the spirit about making the dinner for my visiting sister's family even though she said they were fine, because her baby girl ended up in the hospital that night and Dad had no dinner for the kids, until mom called and said it was dropped off, it is in the fridge! It made my day to hear that I had done a good deed. I also went shopping for the program and found the coolest gadget. It is called an Eggie! It makes boiled eggs without the shell. I hate making them for Marques cuz I have yet to master the shell coming off, and this way I don't have that part. I tried it our and love it! The box was a dollar and came with six of them, now all my sister's are wanting one!! On Thursday we went to Marques' softball game. I love watching him play sports. He made two runs for the team, and struck out once. But we won the game. Saturday we fed the missionaries, and cleaned the house. Sunday was a relaxing day, we had pork salad for dinner and watched movies that night. So the end of the week was good and glad we are to this week now, lol. Have a good Easter prep week all.

St. Patrick's Week

Huge Bulls with the Texas Long Horns!!

Houston Zoo Trip -Friday March 15, 2013

Yes again, it has been two weeks!! Time for me is flying by.. We are already through March almost and that is a quarter way through this year!! Wow, blows my mind, but anywho. Our past hasn't been anything to exciting. Besides the regular school work and a few extra staff meetings, work and school were the same. Last week, however, was spring break for us. I chose to work since we weren't going anywhere, but I took the morning shift. I woke up at 5:30 to make it on time, and arrived home usually by noon. Suprisingly, I really enjoyed the early shift and having my whole day after. My supervisor had a ton of wonderful fun activities planned for the week, and it went by pretty fast. Friday we drove to Houston and went to the Zoo! I love Zoo's, and this one had quite a few animals I had never seen. We really enjoyed it. Marques said we will have to find a home one day in a city with a big zoo and get a membership because he loved watching me light up inside when we got there and then again at each new exibit. Apparently, my love for zoo's shows on the outside too. I taught relief society last sunday too. The lesson went great, thanks to me learning to follow promtings from the spirit for the lesson.We held family night at our home on Monday last week with several other no kid couples in the ward. It was really fun to have a lesson by Marques, eat fruit and dips, and play games. I am so glad we started this FHE thing with them. I also was able to get some visiting teaching done. One of my sister's, the same one I helped out with driving her little one's to school a few weeks back, got a sinus infection and then brocitis on top, so I am making her family dinner to be help out. We, of course, fed he missionaries too. I feel like cooking things for people is  away that I can serve well, so I hope that god allows me to continue using the talent I have to serve those in need. For St. Patrick's day we were invited to our friends house for a green traditional Irish dinner. I still don't love Corn-beef, and don't eat cabbage period, but none the less it was so nice to get together with friends. I feel as though I am still being tested in living here. I know it sounds like we have a lot of friends, and we are blessed to have them, but I really miss my family. The end of this week was another rough one. My husband is so great to ask how he can support my need, and hold me when I cry about our distance from them. But I am grateful for those couples that have reached out to me. This past few days spring has hit Texas full blast. It is upper 80's and humid. The trees are blossoming with little leaves, and oh the bugs have started to arrive. We already have had to knock down red wasp hives in our doorways. Wow, I hate the bugs here!! Ok that blog was much longer than I anticipated and it probably seems really jumbled, sorry if it is. But we love you and will report again soon!!

Heading into March

This week is pretty boring too, sad to say. We are heading into waiting mode for jobs for internships for Marques as he continues his semester. Work has been really good the past month, so I can't complain much about it! We went to a single couples FHE monday night. It was so fun, and now we are doing it every other Monday. The single means no kid couples, lol. This next Monday it is at our home!! We still do institute on Tuesdays, and Marques' Soccer on Thursday's. We fed the missionaries three times this past week. They are so fun to have over and I love being able to serve someone regularly. On Thursday, I woke up and took my visiting teacher sister's kids to school for her as she headed to the hospital with another child for surgery. It was early, but glad I was able to help her out. Friday night Marques was able to met and I was able to see Pres. Bush and his wife. They came to a conference here. What a fun thing to meet the President that started the school we are attending. We are getting better at regular gym visits, and trying to get back into shape. Rio and Dusty are loving the outside mornings they get. Except for hating the wash down after, due to the rolling in the dirt and wanting to come in after. Other than that our lives are pretty boring! It has flown by, however, I must say with it already being MARCH!!! Enjoy this week.

Boring Time

As I sat down to write this week's post, We have nothing to write about. Our week was very normal and boring. Marqrues' school is going well, and he is staying as on top of it as he usually does, lol. If you know him, you know what I mean.Work for me is good. This week was pretty calm. I have a good team and hopefully they will all stay for a while. Marques started outdoor soccer. It was fun to watch him, and he was told he changed the dynamic of the game. Way to go honey!! Saturday we went to the ward chili cook-off. We helped set-up and I made a white chili for it. Didn't win, but it was really fun. After we played games with a couple in the ward. We are still doing all our regular things: FHE, institute, gym time, walks, etc. Toward the end of the week, we got news that one of Marques' old friends had passed away. It was sad to hear, but nice to catch up with some of the old crew. Other than that our week has been boring. We will keep in touch and hope that this week will hold more excitment.

Valentine's Celebrations

My cheesecake and cupid cups for Marques!

The House

Headed to Dinner

Made him Chorizo and eggs for Breakfast! with Pink Milk!!

After Dinner at home

My Flowers!

His slice of cake on our Love plate

Baby Cupid Cups for my co-workers.

The house...

To start the week off we went dancing last weekend that I failed to tell you. We used to go dancing in Utah, Country and Hip Hop. So we decided to go here with my co-workers. It was fun, but least to say they dance so different here. Their country is not country. It is called two step and all you do is walk around in a circle sideways for every song fast and slow.. It was fun cuz of the people I went with, but we told them we didn't want to go back to that place, cuz it was kinda lame. Anyways, this week wasn't bad. Sunday we got in a water fight, yes in the house. It was my fault becuz Marques was mouthing off, and I took the sprayer thing and squirted him. Least to say, we both ended with wet shirts, lol. Besides that nothing happened until Thursday. Valentine's was so fun!! I made Marques breakfast then after he left, I decorated the house and made two fun dessert. I left a fun suprise for after dinner as well. Marques planned to hide flowers and choc. covered strawberries at my work, and then took me to dinner. He also bought me new workout pants!!! The pictures will show you what it all looked like. We didn't do much the rest of the days.We fed the missionaries both Friday and Saturday. And I was paid a great compliment by them. We had the new missionary, Elder Brito, here for the first time for dinner. We were discussing the dinner menu, and Elder Ulu said, "Oh Sister Varela, you know you know how to cook." I replied, "Well I try so Thanks, I appreciate it." Then Elder Brito said, "No, that was one of the first things I heard from here, was that Sister Varela can cook." I was very excited and told Marques that that was huge for me. I always wonder if my food is really good, and I think I am a good cook, but you never really know, but It was so nice to hear that it is going around the mission that here you are fed by me, and it is good!! Put a smile on my face anyhow. Well we had stake conference broadcast through Salt Lake today. Pres. Eyring, Elder Scott, and two other authorities spoke with us. It was neat. Oh and we've been really good at going to the gym three times a week. We'll see if it helps lol. Anyways enjoy the pictures and have a good week. We love you all.

Valentine's Week is Here

Hiding under mommy's lamination, I know I'm invisible now! Just want some of that dinner is all. Dusty thinks you can't see him under it!!

The spilled milk clean-up crew!!

Becoming a buffalo right here in my back yard, enjoying the one day of sun this week.

I've taken over mommy's work bag, yes I am a ute fan too! But you can't see me remember!

Hey everyone. This week has been rather boring I must say compared to last week. We had quite the week with the animals though. I cleaned the house Saturday and obviously I didn't mop well enough because Monday Rio stepped in his own poo and came in the house with it. "How devastating it was that my mommy put me in the tub!! And she cleaned my paws...Oh that death bath, and daddy was mopping when I came out with that death mop!" Oh life was close to over for him, lol or so he thought. And then Tuesday night I was getting milk out for me, and the little one decided he needed some. Being the nice mom I am I poured Dusty a little in his kitty bowl, but that wasn't good enough! I turned my back for one second and he had helped himself to my glass by dumping it all over the floor and counter. It has become annoying becuz he doesn't even drink it after he spills for more than a sip, then he is all done. But anyways Rio helped too, and the floor got it's third mop. Wednesday we went to breakfast with the missionaries, as one of them was being transfered out. We have found this little home rundown mexican place that I have fallen in love with. It is my new taco bell, for those who know about that fetish. I would eat there every meal if I could, and the thing is is it is cheap!! Wow that sentence has a lot of is' in it..sorry. Then in Marques' words I became a diaster that night. I was fine and all the sudden was super sick and throwing up. In the middle I ran out of toilet paper and went to stand to get some and knocked my head really good on the cupboard door. The husband came to the rescue and held me as I cried about my tummy and my head. He then got me in bed and called my mom, lol. There is one advantage to living by my mom, She takes care of me anyways!! Miss that, as I must admit Marques has a point that I am kinda a diaster a lot, sadly to my dismay. Saturday wasn't as bad, we got up and went to the gym. At the end we played badmitton! I love badmitton, and it was a blast to play. I was actually better than Marques for once, Yes! Sunday I taught in relief society. The lesson went really well. Upon return from church, we went and fed the turtles and ducks. There were a few out but still not many like in warm weather. Well, that sums our week. Now seeing it, it doesn't seem so boring, but I guess in the sense of regular work and school it was. Anywho, Enjoy this special love week and we'll talk to you all soon.