Tuesday, May 29, 2012

My Darling Grandma (Mi Abuela Preciosa)


Maria Del Carmen Garcia December 26th 1928- May 28th 2012
(Para leer en Espanol baje la pagina)
Today, was not like any other day. Memories danced through our minds as we tried to hold onto every perfect moment shared with our beloved abuelita. Today, we unknowingly said our last goodbyes.

My grandmother was an extraordinary woman. She was born in El Salvador to Maria Nicolasa Garcia and Vicente Duran, on December 26th 1928. She had 10 children, 4 girls and 6 boys, approxomatly 39 grandkids, 28 great-grand kids and 5 great-great grand kids.

She was very loving, I will always remember her smile, her laugh and her crazy loud sneezes! She used to walk me to school everday, sometimes giving me a snack she had kept hidden in her purse until we reached the school.
She would always try to sneak me some money when we would go to the store, and she would whisper, "shh don't tell anyone." She loved being generous when she could. She always had a gift for me, a hair tie, an ugly shirt ha ha and a cute little puppy or kitty statue. Once I had Xander, she started getting little trinkets for him. She gave Xander reused gift bags stuffed with teddy bears and tshirts. Precious little toys that she had picked out herself to give.

I remember she loved buying barbies, she would brush and braid their hair, and prep them to resell in Guatemala, or to give away. I remember she would wake up super early and shower, and put gel in her hair and put on a headband. She loved wearing dresses, and carrying around a sweater, ignorning the fact that it was 75 degrees outside. She loved carrying a banana in her purse. She would try to feed it to me anytime i complained of hunger. She cared about making sure we were all fed. Making us eat more then we could.  She focused on reminding me to be grateful and respectful to my mom. She always spoke kind words to me. I remember her trying to speak english, and the laugh we all had everytime she spoke a word.

I love that she tried to speak spanish to everyone, fully knowing they didn't understand a word. I love how loving she was. I loved how much she appreciated any little thing we did for her. I loved her tears of joy when we would celebrate her birthday. I loved her gentle kisses on my checks. I loved the way she smelled when I leaned over to give her one last kiss. I loved how beautiful she looked, laying in her bed resting for moments at a time. I loved how wrinkly her hands were, showing the hard work from caring for a lot of children and grand children. I love that because of her, I am here. Because of her, I was blessed with my beautiful mommy. I love that she loved my son so much. Knowing how much she cared for him made me so happy. She called Xander her little "cook". She always called and asked how he was doing. I love how involved and selfless she was. Most of all I love my grandmother. I love that we got to drive 12 hours to see her, and spend time with her. I love that I was able to say, "te amo abuelita". I love that I got to say goodbye. But it hurt to see her not able to respond. It hurt to see her so fragile. Most of all it hurt so much that she was not able to hold Xander one last time. I am grateful that she was able to see him from afar. In the end, I am grateful for the family who was by her side while she passed away. I am grateful that I got to hold her hand one last time, and I am grateful for her every effort to squeeze my finger to let me know she cares. You will always and forever be in my heart. I love you.


Hoy en día, no era como cualquier otro día. Memorias bailaron a través de nuestras mentes mientras intentábamos agar cada momento perfecto compartió con nuestra querida abuelita. Hoy en día, sin saberlo, nos despedimos por la ultima ves.

Mi abuela era una una mujer extraordinaria. Ella nació en El Salvador a María Nicolasa García y Vicente Durán, el 26 de diciembre de 1928. Tuvo 10 hijos, 4 niñas y 6 niños, nietos approxomatly 39 niños, 28 biznietos y 5 tataranietos.

Fue muy cariñoso, siempre recordaré su sonrisa, su risa y sus estornudos fuertes locos! Ella me caminaba a la escuela todos los dias, a veces me daba un bocado que había mantenido escondido a en su bolsa hasta llegar a la escuela.
Ella siempre me daba algo de dinero cuando íbamos a la tienda, y ella le susurraba, "shh no se lo digas a nadie". Le gustaba ser generosa cuando podía. Ella siempre tuvo un regalo para mí, un lazo de pelo, una camisa fea, ja, ja, y una estatua lindo de perrito o gatito. Cuando tuve a Xander, comenzó a ponerse baratijas para él. Ella dio a Xander reutilizar bolsas de regalo rellenos con osos de peluche y camisetas. Preciosos juguetes pequeños que ella había elegido a sí misma para dar.


Recuerdo que le encantaba comprar Barbies, ella pienaba los cabello, y los prepararaba para revender en Guatemala, o para regalar. Recuerdo que ella se despertaba temprano para estar lista poner gel en el pelo y se puso una cinta para la cabezaElla amaba los vestidos, y llevava un suéter,ignorando el hecho de que era de 75 grados fuera. Le gustaba llevar un plátano en el bolsa que trataba de dar  de comer a mí en cualquier momento que me quejaban de hambreElla se preocupaba por asegurarse de que todos estábamos sin hamre. Y nos hacia comer más que pudimos. Ella se centró enrecordarme a ser agradecida y respetuosa con mi mamáSiempre hablaba conpalabras amables para mí. Recuerdo que trataba de hablar Inglés, y la risa que nos lo pasamos cada vez que hablaba una palabra.


Me encanta que ella trató de hablar español a todo el mundototalmente a sabiendas de que no entendían una palabraMe encanta la forma cariñosa que era. Me encantó lo mucho que aprecia cualquier pequeña cosa que hize por ella.Yo amaba a sus lágrimas de alegría cuando celebravamos su cumpleañosYo amaba a sus besos suaves sobre mi cara Me encantó la forma en que olía cuando me incline para darle un último besoMe encantó lo hermosa que estaba,acostada en su cama descansando por momentos a la vez. Me encantó la forma arrugada sus manosmostrando el duro trabajo de cuidar a un montón de hijos y nietosMe encanta que gracias a ella, estoy aquíDebido a ella, tengo la suerte de mi mamá hermosaMe encanta que ella amaba tanto a mi hijoSabiendo lo mucho que se preocupaba por él me hizo tan felizElla llamó a Xander su pequeño "cocinero". Siempre llamó y me preguntó cómo estabaMe encanta cómo está implicado   altruista que era. Por encima de todo amo a mi abuela. Me encanta que puede manejar 12 horas para verla, y pasar tiempo con ellaMe encanta que yo tuve la oportunidar de decir "te amo abuelita". Me encanta que puede que decir adiós. Pero duele ver que ella no puede responder.Me dolía verla tan frágil. Por encima de todo me dolía tanto que no fue capaz de mantener a Xander por última vez. Estoy agradecida de que ella era capaz de verlo desde lejos. Al final, estoy agradecida por la familia que estaba a su lado mientras que ella fallecióEstoy agradecido de que puede tomarla de la mano por última vez, y estoy agradecido por su esfuerzo para apretar mi dedo para hacerme saber que le importaUsted siempre y para siempre estará en mi corazónTe amo.



Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Our Anniversary!

David and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary, on March 27th. However we also celebrated our temple sealing anniversary on April 23rd! Wow, indeed. For our March anniversary, we dined at Rodizio Grill! YUM.  Drool. That place is fantastic and never disappoints!!!! Afterward we headed home and went hot tubbing. I however got hit with a massive migraine, so I wasn't much company :( Despite that, we had a wonderful evening together! For our April anniversary, we ate breakfast at The Park Cafe, by Liberty Park. They have delicious french toast and amazing hot chai! 


Later that evening we headed to one of my best friends weddings. What better way to spend your wedding anniversary then watching one of your dearest friends get married!!!! :) Love ya Chris! Anyway, I just wanted to blog about it because these were special moments that we enjoyed, even though I am a few months late! 


Dinosaur Park

So back in October, Xander won best costume at David's work party, and his prize was a year membership to the Dinosaur Park in Ogden. We've taken him twice so far, but here are some pictures! 
Here's his Halloween costume! He dressed up as Scooby Doo!

And here our some pictures of him at the Dinosaur Park!


Currently he started watching this show called "Dino Dan" it plays on Nick Jr. and its completely silly to me, however he loves it! He will "gasp" when a Dinosaur appears and he will shake his head vigorously when he's a little intimidated. Its the cutest thing ever.