A busy weekend

We had so much fun visiting with family for Thanksgiving. As I sat there watching everyone as we ate it made me think about how much I love each of them. They all teach me lessons to grow from and love me in an unconditional way that only a family could. It also made me think about all of my family that wasn't able to come. I miss them so much it just never feels quite complete without them.

We were so blessed to spend Friday in St. George with my nieces and nephews at their soccer games. It is a rare occasion that I get to see my nephew play. I love it when his team comes down our way for tournaments. Both of their teams took home a silver medal. I am so proud of them.

In between games while we were waiting to meet up with my brother for dinner we headed over to the Temple grounds and visitors center. My kids are always asking to go when we are down there. We happened to show up as they were getting ready to turn on the Christmas lights. What a special night to "just show up."

We were walking around the visitors center and my little Emilio said, "Mom, I just love the spirit I feel when I am here. It's so strong." It brought tears to my eyes. I had spent most of the morning getting Christmas shopping done and was thinking about how stressful it had been to be in crowded stores with greedy people. His statement made me really think about the true meaning of Christmas and how quickly we all forget what it is really about. I am so glad we were able to take our kids to a place that they could feel some peace and refuge from the worldly things. Even if it was just for a short moment.

I'm so thankful for the beautiful family both immediate and extended that I have they bless me so much!

A Special Friend

I hesitate to talk about special friends of mine because I have been blessed with so many and don't want to hurt any feelings. I love each of them so much! I could go on all day listing wonderful things about them. But last night I was thinking about one friendship I have that is a little unlikely but incredible.
That friend is Val. I can't say that we have all that much in common. She is a farm girl, I'm not. She is a Grandma, I'm not. She has way more knowledge and wisdom that I could ever hope to have.

Our story of friendship is a little different from others. First of all I am telling this story with the utmost respect and love for her family. The first time I heard about her family was when I was newly married. My Mom was a nurse at the hospital and had come home and told me about a little boy that had passed away that day. My Mom was heartbroken. I remember both of us crying for their sweet family even though I didn't know them at the time.

A few years later we happened to move into their ward and neighborhood. I didn't even realize they were that family until she had given a lesson in Relief Society and talked about her precious son she had lost. My heart sank. I was even a little scared to get to know her because I didn't want our connection to be because of her son and my Mom. I'm so ashamed to say that for the next five years I kept her as an acquaintance more than a friend.

It wasn't until we moved out of the ward and back in that our friendship began to take off. Her youngest was in first grade with my son and they became best friends over night. And still are. From that point on we were talking all the time. We have even served in the Young Women's Presidency together.

Last night she dropped a gift off for my little girl who has been sick with the "swine flu". She had also brought over a gift to Emilio when he was sick.It made me think of how blessed I am to have her in my life. I can call her for anything. I can talk to her about everything. We have so much fun going to the movies, out to eat lunch or just talking. She has taught me so much and continues to teach me so much. I have never felt judged by her, just understood. Since then, we have been able to talk about her sweet little boy without any awkwardness. I think it is amazing how God puts people in each others paths for the better wether it is for healing, lessons to be learned or friendships to made. She is so dear to me and I am thankful she is my special friend.

A Moment of Gratitude

Today I put a post on my facebook page about how I was sick of my husband being gone at training. I never expected as many responses as I got. So I thought instead of complaining I should post about the gratitude I have for him having a job.

I am not going to sugar coat it and say that it is easy to be married to a Police Officer. It is a life of constant trainings, low pay, complaints from people that hate cops, stress and continuous worry.

A while ago I had gotten a little complacent in my thinking. I guess I had forgot just how dangerous his job was. I was watching Carlos get ready for work and he put his vest on. It hit me hard that day, that he was putting on something that was meant to save his life. And that he had to wear it every day. He and all of his fellow officers endure mean comments and threats daily. They see things daily that some of us would hope we would never see in a lifetime. It still amazes me how they don't let it wear them down. It is a tireless job with little recognition at times. All of us are allowed to make mistakes daily. But any that they make will be publicized and could cost them their career. And is a little scary to think that there are people out there that want to take there lives.

Carlos always says, "people hate them until something goes down and then they want them there quick." None of them are perfect. They each lead individual lives outside of work. They have people that love them more than anything and want them to come home safely to them each day. They can't solve the worlds problems although some think they should. I'm not perfect I have found myself getting angry over a ticket or what I thought was a bad decision on an officers part but I am realizing just how human they are.

Last summer I had noticed something outside that just wasn't right. I called my husband to come check it out. Before I knew it every officer on shift was at my house searching my yard. Talk about devotion. I know they care about our family so much and I know that they would do anything to make sure my husband makes it home safely to us each day.That is a miracle in my eyes.I also know that everything he does is for us and I love him. So for that I am grateful.

Blog Worthy

Tonight I went into my bedroom and found a note that my oldest son Victor had left taped to my side table. It was so sweet. I thought I had better put it in my blog so I could remember it. I will have to translate what it says since his writing is well, a 14 year old boys writing.

It says....
Dear Mom,
"Thank you for supporting me in my stuff and I especially thank you for following up on my grades. Thank you for taking the time to listen, even if I don't.I love you and hope you know that."
Victor Medina

I looked over and Carlos had one on his table too.
It said....
Dear Dad,
"Thank you for being there for me. Thanks for supporting me. And I especially thank you for marrying Mom. You have no clue how much she helps me. thank you for listening to me and helping me."
Victor Medina

That was just what I needed today. I had a long day at work and was so busy. Now that Victor is older I feel like I do more lecturing than anything.He just started wrestling and I find myself picking him up late every night at the High School.I am always wondering if I am getting through. Or if my efforts are appreciated. Apparently something is working. I just want him to grow up to be a respectful young man. I remember how those 14 and 15 year old boys were and I just want him to strive to be a little bit kinder and a little bit more respectful.I think he's on the right track. It's amazing how something as simple as a little note can make you feel like you are doing something right. What a sweet, sweet boy. My little Vic.

Adoption, what a blessing

Adoption Day at the Courthouse


Medina's 2004


I can't believe a year has already come and gone since I last posted about how adoption has changed our family's life.

I have said that I didn't think I could raise someone Else's children. But here I am doing it and the best part is that they aren't someone Else's they are mine. I'm not going to lie, it has not always been easy and I spend many days worrying that their birth mom will try to come back in their lives. I also realize that they are getting older and a few years from now they may want to find her on their own.
I guess we will deal with that if the time ever comes.

I am constantly asking myself if I am doing a good enough job. It has been 11 years since Victor and Olivia came into my life and we are all still healing from a lot of the pain that came from Carlos's first marriage. You would hope and pray that time would heal any wounds over night but it just doesn't happen that way. There are some wounds that we all may carry for the rest of our lives.

Now that I have had two children of my own I can't help but feel some pain for their birth Mom. Every Mother's Day my heart breaks for her. I couldn't imagine going so many years without holding my babies. I'm not excusing any of her bad choices. I know that they were hers and hers alone but sometimes I wish she could just see all she has missed out on and see how amazing Victor and Olivia are.

I know I said this many times before but I never could have imagined that this would be part of God's plan for motherhood for me. But I am so glad he included Victor and Olivia in that plan. It has changed me in ways I can't explain. You truly have to go through it to know how it feels. I am grateful everyday that my husband has trusted me to be their Mom. What a blessing! Most of all what a gift!

Tender Mercies

A couple days after surgery



Many of you know that the last few months have been a little trying for us. We have had several ER visits, unexpected procedures, xrays and surgeries to say the least.

If there has ever been a time to say we are being tested, well were there. I just wanted to jot down a few of my thoughts about the most recent events. I have learned some lessons and don't want to forget them.

The weekend of the deer hunt break my little Emilio told me his tooth hurt. He has had problems in the past so I decided to call the Dentist right away to get him in. Of course the dentist was gone deer hunting. They made an apt for us on Monday and called in an antibiotic to get us through the weekend. He fevered all weekend even with the medicine. Nothing I gave him would break his fever. On Sunday morning an abscess finally appeared in his mouth. I had him stay home from church with Carlos. The whole day I just felt sick, I knew something was wrong.I even tried calling the clinic on Sunday hoping I would get a cell phone number for the dentist. I did get a number but there was no answer. He was no longer eating and we had been up with him crying for 3 nights in a row. Carlos went into work and I asked him to please run home and give him a blessing. He was unable to get off work and all I could do was pray that we could make it until morning for his dentist apt.

I got Emilio up at 6:30 on Monday morning and him and I headed to the dentist. I still felt sick inside. I told the Dentist what was going on and he opened up the abscess. He looked at me and said he is a very sick little boy and needs to see a surgeon right now. Before I knew it we were getting kids situated and calling neighbors to find someone to help Carlos give him a blessing. Carlos called in sick and we headed to St. George to the surgeons. The surgeon told us all the bad things it could be. Believe me there were many. We were even told it could be a tumor or that if it was infection it could possibly spread to the brain. You can only imagine the tears falling off my face at that time. They took Emilio back immediately and operated. The Dr came out and told us he did well and that the infection he had was connected to the sinuses causing a hole in his bone. They took some biopsies and he ordered a cat scan for the next day. We were given strict orders to keep him home for a week until he saw the surgeon again. His immune system was in bad shape. That was one of the longest weeks for Carlos and myself as we waited for results.

On to the lessons learned........The following morning Carlos and I knelt in prayer asking for answers on behalf of our son and our family. We were looking for some kind of enlightenment on why we were having so many trials and asking Heavenly Father to help bear us up through the hard times we were having. Once again, I was bawling my head off. We had truly gotten to a breaking point that week. I can't even explain the spirit that we felt. We came away feeling a sense of gratitude for the Holy Ghost that kept witnessing to me that something wasn't right. We were grateful for a Dentist and Surgeon that acted so quickly and skillfully in a situation that could have turned detrimentally worse for our son. We truly felt the comfort and Tender Mercies that come from the spirit when it feels like you have had all you can handle. The love and support that came from family and friends was more than we could ever explain.

Emilio is now doing much better although not completely cleared. His biopsies came back good and in a month we will follow up to see if the hole in his bone has healed. If not, he will have surgery again to graft in some bone. We are hopeful and most of all thankful for Tender Mercies.

Halloween 2009

Crazy Hair Day




Crazy hair day










My Uncle and Aunt as Garden Knomes. Their son got in trouble for stealing knomes from peoples houses so they thought it would be fun to dress up as one. It's better than their usual piligamist costumes.