2010 in Review

So it's been a while...

Last time I updated this blog was November. Gee how the time does fly. 

I thought I would send a re-cap of 2010, as so much has happen this past year!

OK, let's see if I can get this right!

Last January, 2010, we were heading back to the U.S. as we had spent half of 2010 in Honduras.  If you got to the past blog posts, you can read about our amazing experiences in central America. 

JANUARY- Leaving Tegus, Central America
Lesson: When God is in charge, He takes you places you would never imagine!

We celebrated New Year's at the Silverios' in L.A. and stayed with family and friends from January - March. During those months, we made the best of moving around and living out of suitcases.  We enjoyed snowboarding in Mammoth and Tahoe in February, visited New York and Disneyland in March, and celebrated Easter in LA in April. During that time, Brian had been checking out job opportunities, and the spring, accepted a new job in Phoenix Arizona. 

FEBRUARY- Tahoe snowboarding trip

Lesson: Doing things together makes for the best of times!

MARCH- Disneyland 

Lesson: Castles don't always make you smile.

MARCH- New York with sister Leslie

Lesson: Little sisters can teach you big things

APRIL- LA with the Silverios

Lesson: With Family, you are always welcome

After such a long period of time in flux, we were extremely grateful to have found a job and home.  Leaving L.A. and Santa Monica was not easy, but after calling Honduras our home for nearly 6 months, the transition was more bearable.  We lived in Scottsdale briefly and found our first new home in April 2010 at Fireside, at Norterra in Phoenix AZ.

     

                                MAY- Our New Home

Lesson: Good things do come to those who are faithful.

MAY- Tita Ching in Anthem

Lesson: Having family help out is one of the greatest gifts!

Brian's Family came to visit us and help us get settled and Tita Ching stayed for a few weeks to help with Olivia.  What a treat! We quickly learned that the playgrounds, splash pads, and children's facilities in Phoenix are top notch! We found our place at Christ Church of the Valley, and began to get to know our neighborhood, and in June, my Mom and her husband Tom came out for a visit! 

JUNE- Fireside Community Center

Lesson: Adults never want to grow up.

JUNE- Lake Pleasant, Phoenix
Lesson: There are lakes in Arizona!

JULY- CCV Church

Lesson: Bringing Children to Church can be fun! 

JULY- Swim class
Lesson: Fear is taught

Once the Phoenix sun really started heating it up, we took a trip back to LA which is only a 6 hour drive. It was worth it to see our family and friends! It's funny how with your close friends you can just jump right in and pick up where you left off. It's the same when I go back to NY, and that's what's so precious about relationships; once you build them, they are like a fortress, keeping you warm, safe, and loved.

JULY- LA with the Sullivans, Iishi's, and Silverios

Lesson: Good friends are like family

In August, my sister Angela came for a visit as well! It's been so great having family to come. It makes everything more fun, and really feels like home when you can cook a meal and chat with your own family in your own home! We had a great time! Both my little sisters are so grown up; smart, beautiful, and amazing young women. I spent so many years teaching them; now they are teaching me!

AUGUST- Vic and Angela
Lesson: A sisters' love is eternal

AUGUST- Angela and Livi!

Near the end of August, we went to Tahoe to celebrate our friend's wedding and visit Brian's sister Nicole. It's so beautiful there! Our next dream place to live...

AUGUST- Tahoe, CA
Lesson: California is still #1 in beauty

AUGUST- Tahoe, West Wedding

Lesson: Friendships like this last forever

As September rolled on in, I began a Preschool class at our Community Center. Olivia enjoys it so much, and is making new friends and learning so much! I've made some great friends as well :)

SEPTEMBER- Learn and Play Group begins
Lesson: Fun is contagious

SEPTEMBER- Mommy Hike

We took a drive to nearby Sedona and were so amazed by the beauty Arizona has to offer!
We know there is a lot to discover in Arizona, and though I miss the Ocean, I love the sunsets and the mountains here. 

SEPTEMBER- Sedona

Lesson: Every state has it's unique beauty and treasure

OCTOBER- Escrima, Phoenix downtown

Lesson: Fight of flight is necessary 

In October, we went to an Escrima family picnic with Brian. He began practicing Escrima, which is Filipino stick and knife fighting, sometime this year. Brian has also been teaching a JKD Martial Arts class at our Community Center and has several students that come weekly for lessons.  He is a man of action, and loves to be doing activities and building community through experiences. 

We have been hosting and leading a Neighborhood group, and in October enjoyed a great pot luck.

We are building relationships, and learning how to serve our Neighborhood together here in Phoenix.

OCTOBER- Pot Luck, CCV Neighborhood group

Lesson: Food always brings people together!

We had fun dressing up a LOT this year, and even made another trip back to LA for a party our friends had! It's always so fun and yet emotional to visit our friends in LA. We have so many memories together, which is amazing! It's hard to be away from the passionate people and vibrant city of LA. It even makes me miss NYC all over again! Yet in time, I am finding people in AZ that are both filled with vision and passion. It's exciting to see what the year will bring for all my friends- old and new!

OCTOBER- Lory, Vic, Livi LA party

Lesson: Putting on the costume changes the attitude

November in Phoenix is perfect weather, and we had so much fun this month! We went to a pumpkin patch, Wake boarded with friends, Brian was able to drive the Bronco again (its TOO hot in the summer to drive it), and can even bike to work (only 3 miles). We also went to Grand Canyon with my Family who came for a visit, and celebrated Thanksgiving and Olivia's 2ND birthday!

NOVEMBER- Pumpkin patch
Lesson: Cute is as cute will ever be

NOVEMBER- Bri Wake boards on Ken and Kathy's boat
Lesson: You can do it if you just give it a try!

NOVEMBER- The beloved Bronco

Lesson: Old is beautiful

NOVEMBER- Chris, Melissa, Liv, Me , Dad visiting AZ

Lesson: Babies know their family by instinct

NOVEMBER- Olivia's 2ND Birthday!
Lesson: Enjoy each moment because its passes so quickly.

In December, I organized a Womens' Retreat to Sedona for the weekend. It was amazing to get to know the women in my life better, and experience God's beauty in Nature and relationships.   I can say that come December, we can finally call Phoenix home. Although, as I've said in the past, home is always where you build your memories. For us, home is New York, California, Honduras, and now Phoenix. This December, we went Christmas Caroling with new Friends, and opened lots of gifts from family and "Santa". But we really know that it's God who has given us the best gift...all of you!  We will be celebrating New Year's 2011 with new friends and sending all our love out to everyone. In hopes this year to continue the relationships that we have been blessed with, and learn how to share God's love with everyone we can extend our embraces to. I've learned this year that it is not what you have nor where you are that makes you happy. It's enjoying those around you and making each moment last. Lots of love and laughter in 2011! see those moments below...

Womens" Retreat, Sedona
Anthem's Tree
Christmas Caroling
Christmas Eve at CCV
Christmas Morning

!