Category Archives: Faith

Got Purpose?

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A friend of mine and I were talking today and she was saying that she saw a bumper sticker that said “Got Purpose?” If you really think about those 2 words they really are amazing. You can’t really be happy unless you have purpose. I know my purpose. My purpose is to be the best mom I can be to my kids. To be the best wife I can be to my husband. And to live my life according to the gospel. That’s my purpose, and since I know that and strive to do my best at these things I’m happy.

My Cardiac Baby

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Every night I lay down and I look at Ella and rub her cheek and I thank God that she is still with me. Every time I think of what happened to her my stomach just flips upside down. Today I felt so bad, because she had to get shots. She was so happy and just cooing at the nurse and then she stuck her and Ella screamed her head off. And of course I’ve spent the majority of today listening to her heart over and over again. We’ve almost gone 3 months w/out Ella having to be rushed off to the hospital and I couldn’t be more thankful for all of the prayers that have gone Ella’s way.

The thought that runs through my mind the most is what made Ella’s doctor want to see her the day after I had brought her in? I have never had a doctor do that. I’ve brought Jayden to the doctors when he was sick and after the doctor checked him over they didn’t call me the next day and say “We just want to check him out since it’s Friday and the weekend’s coming up.” When Ella’s doctor’s office called and said this I almost hesitated to be honest, but thought might as well, she’s still sick. Little did I know that my daughter’s organs were starting to shut down. Little did I know that her heart rate was at 280. Little did I know that in a couple more hours I’d be holding a baby that stopped breathing. Little did I know that my whole world was going to be flipped upside down and forever changed at that moment. Little did I know that I would learn just how much I loved this little girl. I thought she was going to die. To see her laying there lifeless was a feeling I can’t even describe. To have tubes breathing for her was the most horrible sight I’ve ever seen in my life. To have to drive 4 long hours in the middle of the night to Portland while she was being mediflighted there. Not knowing if she made it. Yet, getting that phone call and having the best sigh of relief I’ve ever had – the plane has landed and they’re on their way to the hospital.

One thing that always sticks out in my mind is that next morning – 7am shift change. We’d barely had any sleep since we had arrived there at 4am. But I heard the nurse walk in to the room and say, “This one’s awake in here.” Gino and I jumped up so quick and ran to her side. She just looked at us w/her big beautiful eyes and tried to move her mouth like she wanted to tell us everything that had happened to her and even tried to cry, but there was a tube going down her throat. My little precious, 7 week old, newborn baby.

I cannot express how thankful I am for every prayer that was said for her. For God carrying her in his arms.

Even though she’s had no episodes, she still has her heart problem. I still give her medication every 8 hours. On that ECHO her WPW will still be there. So please pray if you pray that Ella stays healthy.

Thank you.

New Years Resolutions

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It’s that time of year again. A time where we all make a bunch of goals that we usually don’t make. Last year I didn’t make one. This year I decided what the heck… I’m making some and determined to keep them!

I’ve been pondering over what I wanted my resolution to be all day. I’ve read other’s blogs, I’ve taken account what friends are doing and this is what I’ve come up with:

On Becky’s Blog she talks about focusing on one word and I think this is a great idea. Choosing a word and focusing on it and incorporating it into your life. I like that. So I’ve chosen a word. And it’s a word that I believe will be a great asset and challenge in my life. It’s Faith. I’m starting to go back to church and I think Faith plays a major part in that. Faith plays a major part in my marriage, my parenting, my family. So, I’m going to focus on Faith for the entire year of 2008.

I’m also going to start writing down weekly goals. And keeping track of them on my blog. These goals can vary every week therefore I’m not feeling obligated on focusing on one certain thing all year long. These goals can range from house cleaning, cooking, marriage, church, parenting… all kinds of topics.

One resolution I’d like to keep is starting to do scripture study every night before bed. Even if it’s preparing for the week’s lesson at church just spending quality time w/my scriptures, prayer and our Heavenly Father every day.

I love to hear other people’s ideas and goals, so please comment and let me know what your resolutions are or comment with a link back to your blog talking about your resolutions.

Being a Mom

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Being a mom is such a blessing. I love looking over at my sleeping babies and thinking to myself – WOW I did that. I made them. They’re mine. But at the same time it’s the scariest thing ever. They’re mine. They’re mine to mold. They’re mine to make sure that they are fed, dressed, bathed, taught, loved, taken care of. They rely on me. Without me they could fail. And that’s scary. They watch your ever move and they want to be just like Mommy & Daddy when they’re little. Sometimes we forget this. Therefore, we have to be careful what comes out of our mouths. We have to be careful what directions we’re leading them in life. We have to be careful. I want nothing more than my children to love God, love themselves, love me, love their kids, loves their spouse and live a good life. It is my responsibility to see that they get on this path. An amazing thing to think about is that God trusted me to take care of his children. He chose me to raise them how he would want them raised. He chose me. I don’t know why I never actually stopped to think so deeply about this before. It’s scary, but it’s almost like an exciting rush. Life doesn’t make much sense until you’re staring at your sleeping baby. My life makes complete and perfect sense. I am here for them. I am here to make them good people. I hope that I never fail them. I like to think that I will be here forever for them, and even though I know that I won’t be able to catch them every time they fall, but I sure can try. I am so thankful for my family. I am so thankful that I have been given the opportunity to be a wife and a mother. I am so thankful that I am part of a wonderful church. I am thankful for every smile I get to see on my family’s face. They melt my heart. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Church Day

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We had the most wonderful time today. It was Fast Sunday where people get up an tell their testimonies of the gospel and the church and I was a little nervous, but Gino seemed to really enjoy it. There were a couple of testimonies that were pretty powerful and I think he needed to hear them. The Relief Society has a bunch of wonderful girls in it and they really made me feel welcomed. We filled out a survey today of extra activities we’d be interested in. There were so many! Things like Yoga, book clubs, scrapbooking, Gospel Study, Parenting Classes, CPR – all kinda of things I’d love to do. They all loved Ella ~ but who doesn’t? Hehe. When it was all over with and we got in the car Gino told me that he really learned a lot and enjoyed it. I was hoping this is the response I’d get 🙂 So, I’m pretty happy!! Jayden told us he learned about Jesus and got to sing songs and had lots of fun. I was nervous for nothing 🙂

Church Tomorrow

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Tomorrow is a huge day for the Garibay household. For the first time ever, as a family we will be going to church. I never thought I’d see the day that my husband would walk through the doors of a Mormon church. It’s been so many years for myself that I’m extremely nervous. This is what I want for my family. My kids deserve this and as parents it is our responsibility to introduce them to our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus. Our entire relationship Gino has never had a positive attitude on my church. It was always negative negative negative. He still is questioning every aspect about it, but the fact that he is willing to give it a try for us means more to me than words can even describe. I’ve wanted this ever since I was pregnant with Jayden, but never thought it would be possible. Please pray for us that tomorrow goes well and that Gino has a wonderful experience. I need him to have a wonderful experience. His kids need him to have a wonderful experience. I especially can’t wait to pick up Jayden from primary tomorrow and hear about how much fun he had. His favorite thing about school is singing and he’ll get to sing in primary. I know he’s going to have so much fun. He knows there’s a God and he knows his sister Mya is with him. Now he’ll be able to make sense of it all. Do you know what my one wish is? Other than of course Ella’s heart healing itself. For my family to walk into a temple and get sealed together and to get Mya sealed to us. That’s my wish. It will take time, we have to take baby steps, but it will be amazing when it happens. So amazing.