Category Archives: Life

Another Garibay Adventure… A possible life change

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I never thought I’d leave Sacramento. It’s where we planted our seed, it’s where we became we. Our son was born there, my mom was there. It’s where my sister and brother were, it’s where my nephew and niece were. But we left. We made a decision one day, packed our bags and off we went. We left our life behind, our seed, our families, but we kept our we.

We found a happy place, a place that was our’s. A place that we could see ourselves living forever and ever. A place that I pictured my kids growing up. A place where we could always be we…. our happy place.

An opportunity has come up that Gino and I are having a hard time passing up. An opportunity that would steal us away from our happy place, and I grow more and more excited with every passing day!

We are currently on vacation in Colorado. We drove and have soaked up in the beauty that we have seen right before our eyes. With every turn on the freeway we gasp in awe. Of course Oregon is gorgeous, there’s nothing more peaceful to me than the Oregon Coast, but is that enough to keep me there?

At the end of the day it’s just Gino, the kids and me. Can’t we be happy anywhere? I want my kids to grow up with cousins, here in Colorado they’d have that. I want to be able to own my home, and here in Colorado we’d have that. I don’t want to decide where we’ll spend the rest our lives before we’re 30, and moving to Colorado gives us another option.

I think we’re going to be moving to Colorado and I am scared, giddy, excited, feel like I’m going to Disneyland and emotional all at the same time. I mean, come on ~ I’m moving out of the Pacific Time zone…. that’s huge!

There’s a family that lives here that I love to death. My aunt Rayna and I are extremely close. I lived with her for a while as a child. She has 2 teenage daughters that are just special, precious girls, she has a son that’s 2 years older than Jayden and a son that’s 6 weeks older than Ella. She has a husband who shares some of the same interests as Gino does. We have a 4 bedroom, brick, old fashioned home waiting for us. Why wouldn’t we do this? What is keeping us in Oregon?

Tomorrow we will venture to Pueblo where our future home awaits us. We will walk in and vision our future and imagine the possibilities in front of us. We will picture what colors we want the walls, where our furniture will fit, and I will walk into my office/craft room with a smile in my heart…. it will be my dream come true.

I think a huge change is coming to the Garibays and I believe with all of my heart that this change will be good. Please keep us in your prayers as we pray ourselves to ensure that this is what will be best for our family. With how I feel already, I think it’s it. I think this is where we belong.

I will take pictures of our home tomorrow ~ from my understanding it’s an adorable, vintage home, but needs some work…. all the better ~ we will can put our own sweat and love into it and make it ours ~ because we will be bringing our “we” into it.

The People Along Life’s Path

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We finally escaped from our house and got on the road late last night. By the time we arrived at our first hotel at 1am I thought I was going to die of exhaustion. Have you ever gotten to the point when driving late at night where you think, if I just close my eyes and wake up in a hospital bed, at least I’ll be sleeping…. I know, terrible but that’s how I felt. The kids and husband in the car with me are what kept my eyes pried open.

Today we arrived at our first destination. Miserable, loney Ely, Nevada. If you’ve ever been to Ely you know exactly what I’m talking about. Anytime that I come to this town I get this sick feeling in my gut and just want to turn the car around and not look back. It just has the icky feeling to it.

Today was different. Right when we pulled into town I pulled in front of a sports bar that my mom’s ex from when I was a little girl owns. Seeing him did something to me I think. He came out and got to meet my family and had a smile on his face that made my soul feel like it was smiling. I miss him. I miss him and my mom together. When they were together we were a family. I was happy.

I think on this trip this is going to happen a lot to me. I’m backtracking and going to places that are from my past and I’m going to see people and places from my past that will bring back memories and feelings… feelings I really didn’t realize I had in me.

How is it possible for people to come in and out of your life? There are so many moments that happen in our life, relationships that we form, and as we grow apart, move apart, lose contact we forget. We forget how much these people mean to us. I think it is dreadfully sad, and I want to make it a goal to stay in contact with the people that have meant something to me. Not just the current people in my life, but with everyone that has had an impact in my life.

I didn’t have the privilege of having a father growing up. My dad as I’ve talked about many time on this blog has never been my dad. But because of this I have had the privilege of having some wonderful father figures in my life. 1 of them met my children tonight. The other will be meeting them in Salt Lake next weekend. Dustin in Salt Lake was never a step-dad of mine, but he holds the place in my heart that a Dad holds in a girl. He is such a wonderful person and did so much to help me out through my teenage years, and I disappointed him. I just want him to know now and always that I appreciate him, and I am so happy that he has such a wonderful family ~ and I’m happy he continues to help troubled teens. I only hope that they realize what a wonderful guy they have there for them…. Dustin rocks and I CANNOT wait to see him next weekend and have him meet my husband, my children and to see that I didn’t turn out too bad.

I want to remember the people that have impacted my life. I want to make contact with them all and let them know how they helped to make me who I am today, because that’s what happens…. the people in our path of life help to make us who we are.

I Figured Out Why

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I read a quote on Twitter talking of how there are 2 important days in everybody’s life ~ The day we are born and the day we figure out why.

It reminds me a lot of {this post}.

But more importantly it reminds me that I am a mom, and my life has taken a completely different turn that before and the reason why I live, breathe, eat… everything is for my children. One reason why I am here is to be an example to them. To bring them up with values that will carry on with them throughout their life. To love God and be thankful and thoughtful of what Jesus Christ did for them. To be a good mother to my children, to God’s children, and to treat all of God’s children with the respect that he wishes we would treat each other with.

It reminds me that I make mistakes every, single day of my life, and I have a wonderful savior that died for me so that I can learn from these mistakes and be forgiven. That there is such a thing as unconditional love, and that I should express this to the people in my life, since it is expressed to me from Him.

It reminds me that I’m not just on this earth to live in the moment of life, but look at the eternity aspect and think of that before my actions. To think before I act, so that I can be proud of who I am and for what I stand for.

It reminds me that I am here for a reason, and a reason that is worth living for, and reason that will have rewards in the next life ~ in eternity.

Time and life

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I have not been able to find enough time in my days lately. My to do list is overwhelming, my project lists are overwhelming and I sometimes feel like I’m failing as a mom. At the end of the day I sigh and wish I had taken videos of Ella’s cuteness, of the things that come out of my precious son’s mouth and maybe more pictures.

But after rushing through the day, and not even being able to keep up my house I almost feel as if I’ve failed the day. I need to be more structured, and although I’ve been working on this, I’ve never actually succeeded here. My entire family needs structure, because things get forgotten, and that’s not supposed to happen.

I used to spend a lot of time on the computer – not working, but doing the things that I love to do. I’ve cut that time durastically, because I felt like I wasn’t doing the best I could for my family. Things weren’t getting done, and dropping my computer time has indeed helped. But there’s more that needs to be done. I sometimes feel rushed and I don’t like that. I want more special one on one time with my children. I want to have a fun project that we do at least every other day. Their childhood is flying by and I’m scared that through rushing through my days that I’m going to miss something important.

I want to see the excitment in their eyes as they dip their hand in paint and not fret about the mess that’s about to be made. I want to have set hours that I work and not work other than those hours, a set time to sit with Jayden and have him read or read to him, a set time to spend one on one time with my husband (even if it just consists on catching up on Desperate Housewives episodes). I just don’t want to forget the important things I should be getting done daily.

My kids and my husband need to know that I do have it together, I can handle it all, and they are the most important thing ever to me.

I love Garibay Soup

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I started this blog back in November of 2007 for the sole purpose of updating family members on our life away from them. I was reflecting back on how much bigger it has become. What new purposes it serves, and how I’ve grown from it.

I have had the most amazing privilege of getting to know other bloggers out there, and learning things I never thought I’d learn in bloggity world.

I am making my family’s history. I consider this my version of my family’s life, and one day my kids, their kids and possibly even their kids’ kids will get read about the things I feel, the things I love, the things that anger me, but the main thing is they’ll get to know me.

Sometimes I post meaningful things to me that I know my readers don’t care about, but when it comes down to it, this blog is for me. It’s for my family, and it doesn’t matter if I have a million readers or none…. this blog will always remain, and I will always try and keep in perspective the purpose of this blog.

I don’t always have joyous things to write about. I’m not hesitant to write about the trials in my life. I like to focus more on positive things, but let’s face it…. life isn’t always rosy and cheery. I’m happy that I have this blog to turn to and record the things I have failed to write in baby books, that I can talk about the things that frustrate me, the things I’ve discovered that work for me, and a place to just ramble about whatever my crazy mind has on it.

I’m extremely grateful for so many things in my life, and I find it kindof funny that Garibay Soup is definitely one thing I am grateful for. I love that my life is right here, that I have a record of the things that I have accomplished, the things my children and accomplished and the monuments in our life.

I love Garibay Soup.

Being Thankful

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Do you ever wake up in the morning happy to be awake early? Happy to be alive? Looking forward to all of the days activities…. even if it’s just about getting housework done? This has been me for the past couple of days. It’s weird.

I get excited when I wake up and can’t wait to start living. I’ve been more enjoyable to be around, not complaining and nagging, or getting frustrated with my husband and children.

I’ve been trying to stay positive and look at the wonderful things about my life. I don’t focus on what I don’t have, I’ve been focusing on what I do have. Ella might be a pill (like at church today) but it’s okay, because she’s here…. alive. She could be dead. Yes, quite morbid, but she did almost die as a newborn and instead of getting all stressed out, I am starting to appreciate the fact that I do have a toddler here with me to throw a fit. Her fits can be like music to my ears, because it could be like Mya. I never got to hear her throw a fit, or laugh, or have her pull my hair. I have gotten to the point where I understand why she’s gone. I have accepted it. She died so Ella could be here. In my heart I know that we will all be together one day. One day I will get to meet Mya and I will thank her for allowing me to have Ella in my life. Without Mya dying there would be no Ella. That is my positive outlook on losing Mya. It took me a long time to get there, but I’m there. I’m at peace.

I often times get overwhelmed with all of the tasks that I have to complete. Well, instead of letting these tasks overwhelm me I’m trying to be thankful for the fact that I am able to stay home and have these tasks. I could be working out of my home and not be able to see my children until 5:30pm at night. Thankfully, I spend every waking moment with Ella and with Jayden when he’s out of school. I am thankful for that. I am thankful that I put my mind to being able to become a work at home mom and I did it. I want to be here for my children. I want to be the one who raises them, and I cannot express how much gratitude I have.

Being thankful isn’t something that is so easily done. You have to actually think about these things and realize the many tiny, little things in life that you don’t realize are so wonderful. The fact that I have running water, food ALWAYS on my table, a husband that is my best friend, and children who are loving and a son that has more respect than I’ve ever seen in a boy. These little things about life make me smile and feel overwhelmed with thanks.

When you feel like your life is out of control and there’s a million reasons why you hate your life, you should stop and make a list of all the things you love about your life, the things you’re thankful for…. even the small things. Focus on those things, and make your life what you want it to be…. paint your own picture. That is what I have been doing and I’m very thankful for it all.

The Secret… some Saturday inspiration

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A couple of years ago I picked up the book The Secret. I couldn’t put it down. I probably finished that book within a day, and started to apply the things that were inside of it to my life. The outcome was phenomenal.

It’s been a couple of years, and I know that I’m not so conscious of what my thoughts are and I’m making goals for my life, and I thought it would be good to pick up the book again and be refreshed. I’m so glad I did.

There’s a couple quotes that I’ve read that I wanted to share on here. The first is

Others cannot create your happiness, they can only share in your happiness. Your joy lies withing YOU.

Matthew 21:22 Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive

Mark 11:24 What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

You can start with nothing, and out of nothing and out of no way, a way will be made ~ Michael Bernard Beckwith

Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions. ~ Albert Einstein

Whether you think you can or think you can’t, either way you are right. ~ Henry Ford

There’s tons of inspiring quotes inside of this book. If you haven’t read The Secret, I highly suggest picking it up and reading it. You are in control of your life, and how it unfolds. If you want more debt and struggles, then think about just that and it will come to you. If you want success, money, love, decide that, focus on that and achieve that.

Some days I tell ya

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The potty training with Ella has amazingly been going pretty well. She tells me when she has to pee pee and we go running to her little toilet. I did not expect this AT ALL. I expected her to not understand the concept ~ she’s not even 2!

Today was one of those days where you actually stop for a brief second and wonder why you’re doing it. Why you’re in the spot you’re in. I run and run and run. I have a full time job at home that does not involve the kids. I barely keep up the house the way it should be kept up because if I’m not working I’m going to one of the kids’ activities…. or taking the dog to puppy training…. EVERY SINGLE DAY THERE’S FRICKEN SOMETHING!

I need a vacation from it all. I visioned myself on a beach with nobody…. guess what, I envisioned a margarita with tequila in it too! Just sitting there on the beach, letting the burning sensation run down my throat and hearing nothing but the waves. But, I’d get a headache, curse myself for drinking when I quit when Gino got baptized (except for the slip up of wine with my friend who’s reading this… hehe) and start missing my chaos. That’s the weird thing about it all. Somedays you just want to scream, but if it all went away and you were left without it, you’d be even more miserable than you were with it.

Today really sucked. I hope tomorrow is better.

IT WAS FAKE!!

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I went to Jayden’s conference and left so pleased. My little man isn’t doing too bad, and I kept looking at the report card with this warm feeling in my heart…. he’s doing so great!

So, the fact that he’s doing great in school isn’t a fake, but that report card was! We got another student’s report card ~ so I have yet to see how Jayden is “really” doing LOL.

I have seen a huge difference in him and his school work. His reading comprehension used to not be as good as it is now. He’s been getting 100% on his reading comprehension answers, and his math skills at home have been excellent.

I as a parent need to try harder though. There are days that I actually forget to have him read to me… there shouldn’t be a day that goes by that Jayden isn’t practicing his reading. I need to be more structured with the kids and myself. I need a time schedule in this house to keep me on track. I know that it doesn’t work for some, but I think it would really work for us. Sometimes I get consumed in other things and I need to limit things for all of us…. computer time, TV time, and make sure that there is time for the things that matter.

I need to block time for my work for my grandparents, I need to block time for Wildtree and make sure that I’m not spending too much time on those things and not the kids. I should be completely done with everything by the time I pick up Jayden so that the rest of our day is spent together and that they have good memories… and this isn’t impossible. It just takes organization and structure… and I need to get us there.

Life for us….

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Life in the Garibay home has been a bit different lately. There are things that have happened that I can’t yet discuss on my blog due to privacy issues (I’m not sure who reads it!!)

I will say this… I’m exhausted, sad and I just hope that everything turns out the way God intends it too. This doesn’t have much to do with our immediate family, but is effecting it. Not in a bad way 🙂 So… basically, life has changed a bit and will remained changed for probably a couple of weeks… maybe longer who knows.

Today is General Conference and I’m anxiously awaiting to see what guidance is passed down to us today. I know a lot of people will gather at the church today to watch the words of our prophet and advisers, but I will happily be watching at home with a pause button…. something much needed with kids!!!