7 years later...

Well, I figured today would be a good day to start blogging once again.

Joel and I are celebrating 18 years of togetherness and 7 years married. We now have 3 beautiful children - 5, 4, and 2 years old. We are trying to shape them into respectful adults, but it can be daunting when they have a mind of their own with different personalities. Ha! I love this motherhood stuff, even with the poop I had to clean off two different toilets and a 2 year old little that ate to much canteloupe today.

Joel got to take the oldest to his first taekwondo camp. He started taking classes in January this year. As much as it costs, it is worth seeing him grow stronger and confident in his movements and finding his voice. He has always been strong, he IS a leo/dragon. If that doesn't sum up his personality...well it does. Joel's mom, the girls, and Joel went to see him perform his new moves learnt this week. I saw a video at work. Thank goodness for Google Photos and the ability to see what Joel took once he is connected to wifi.

The 2nd oldest just performed her first folklorico performance. I put on makeup and stuck a fun bun thing in her hair. She looked so cute with her outfit.

The baby is just a perfect bubbly little soul. She has began to fight back and be a little bit stubborn, but she woudn't live up to her last name if she wasn't.

I just applied and was offered a different lateral position where I work. It is a whole different realm from what I was doing the last 13 years. I am excited to start making an impact where I  get planted. Though I feel a bit nervous for the new co-workers and that awkward ice breaking. I am good at starting up conversations and people tend to trust me quickly, but not me. I tend to observe and learn as much as I can before I let my guard down. I am up for the challenge even if my heart is at home. I have been working out an lost a lot  of weight. 25 pounds down since April. I just started to incorporate working and out and it has boosted my loss just this week alone. I am currently listening to Johnny Flynn as I write this post.

Joel has been working out lately. Trying out intermittent fasting, keeping track of macros, eating a lot of protein and working out. Summer has allowed Joel to be able to focus on himself more. He has set some goals and I pray that he is successful. We have been through lots of life lessons recently. Today, I love him just as i did when we were first dating. He makes me so proud and he is so handsome.

God has been good to us this year. I am looking forward to reaching some of goals and continue to relay on His plan for all of us. 

September

This month we celebrate 3 months since we have been married. It is amazing how time flys by after you get married.

Joel loves his new job and they seem to treat him with great respect and care. The downside to his job is the commute to San Francisco which can be somewhat gruesome. The Palo Alto station should be opening up the end of this month, which Joel will be stationed at. He has done a couple of 49er's game this month and has developed 2 blisters from all the walking in the stadium with his boots. New boots are on the horizon. He gets to be on a rig with an EMT all by his lonesome and is taking the responsibility really seriously. It has been a blessing that his career is taking off with such a great company.

We recently took our nieces to Pier 39 for the first time. It was a good experience for them to see what a busy tourist area looks and feels. They got their share of seeing homeless people on the side of the street. They really couldn't wrap their heads around about homeless people and showing off their un-manicured feet. We took them to eat at Bubba Gumps where they got a great view of the Bay and Alcatraz.

Next month is full of birthdays and many events...stay tuned.

Other things we did this month:
Joanne made her first zucchini bread. (success)
We attended two cousin's birthdays.
We celebrated the return of Jorel & Kayci (from Colorado).

August update

We are proud to announce that Joel has been hired on as a paramedic with a company called Protransport! He will be stationed in San Francisco County for the first month or two and after will be transferred to Santa Clara County. ProTransport will be rolling out with a new ALS (Advanced Life Support) program as well as 9-11 calls in both Santa Clara and San Fransisco counties. Joel will be apart of the first slew of medics that this company will hire on. Though this means a lot of pressure will be put on Joel and his learning experiences, he is eager to take it all on. We are both very excited God has given him this wonderful opportunity.

This month Joel is going to be turning 27 years old. We don't have much planned because he has been super busy with his new job. This will be one of the first years where Joel is not excited about gifts or celebrations. This job is one of the best birthday presents for him.

Joanne is finishing up with her thank-you notes from the wedding. We have been given two gifts these last two weeks, which was a very pleasant surprise. Also, yesterday we were given our official copy of our wedding photos. We were really happy with how they turned out and can't wait to receive our video.

This month is full of events and we hope to have some spare time to celebrate Joel's birthday as well as maybe squeeze in a last minute camping trip.