The Great Gatsby

I just realized The Great Gatsby comes out May 10th! Juan doesn't know it yet but I see a date night in our near future...I can't wait! Luckily I am almost done with my latest book (Wild...definitely recommend it!) because it is officially time to bust out my old copy of The Great Gatsby.

I found it!

Beach Days

 

Oh how I love our Mother Ocean and relaxing beach days! This past weekend we had some exceptionally warm weather and decided to launch our "summer" full of beach days. 

Growing up, I spent my school year in rainy Oregon and my vacation days (summer, winter & spring breaks) in sunny San Diego. Rain or shine / Hot or Cold; my dad and I spent as much time as we could playing at the beach and swimming in the ocean. There's nothing quite like a dip in the ocean and a nap in the warm sand. I still have my Pacific NW roots; I love the green, fresh air, stormy days inside and countless outdoor adventures but man do I LOVE the beach!

Definitely looking forward to a summer full of beach days with my loves!

Proud Sister

Where does the time go? When did my baby sister become this amazing young woman? I mean I am continually talking to her and hearing about her latest (more grown up) adventures but this last time I saw her was different and has still left me a little emotional (in a good way).

As expected, Beth's first year in college has been a huge success. She's kicking butt on Western Washington's track team, has made a great group of friends, she's rocking all of her classes and continuing to grow spiritually and as a person. On Friday, Juan, Gisele and I drove up to LA (well Azusa if you know where that is) to watch Beth throw her personal record of 145'4" and take 3rd place at the Bryan Clay Invitational (missed 2nd place by 1")! I LOVED watching her warm up (so focused and determined) and of course was amazed by how far she could launch that javelin! But more than anything I couldn't have been happier to see her beautiful face and give her lots of big sister hugs and kisses. Growing up...it is a funny thing. Beth isn't a little girl anymore. I will always call her my baby sister; but I do realize that one day our 8 year age difference will no longer be evident. As she is growing up our age gap is getting smaller and smaller. This last visit was an eye opener for this big sister. Beth is in COLLEGE! She's living in another state all on her own. Mom, John and I aren't watching over her shoulder pushing her along. She is doing it all on her own (I'm tearing up!). 

From the moment I spotted Bethany across the track to saying goodbye, I was in continual AWE of the young lady before me. I've enjoyed being the older, "wiser" big sister; trying to set a good example for my little sister but this last visit I realized she doesn't need my example anymore, maybe advice when she asks for it but she is well on her way. We couldn't get up close to the area where she throws but watching her from a distance she looked so professional and grown up. When she was done throwing and came over to us, we were clearly all having a moment hugging, laughing etc. and this older gentleman walked up interrupting us; apparently he threw the javelin 60 years ago and asked to hold Beth's javelin. Watching her treat this random man with such love, patience and kindness; I was so proud. I know it is a small thing but I don't get to see her interactions with others every day. 

Of course Gisele took to her right away, holding her hand, wanting to run with her and hold her. So cute! Beth was a natural with her. It was so fun watching her interact with G. She was so sweet and loving, (little early to say this but...) she is going to be such a great mother when the time comes!

Then we all went out to lunch and she had the audacity to offer to pay for herself not once but twice! What the heck...who is this grown up lady offering to pay. So very grown up of her and so weird for me to experience. 

Such a cry baby

Anyways I could go on and on about all the little things, interactions with her teammates, conversation topics etc. needless to say...I was amazed by my little sister. Hugging her goodbye, I couldn't squeeze tight enough or stop blubbering like a baby. I can't wait to see her again! Love you so so much Beth! 

Guess who is expecting a baby SISTER! (from her mom...not us)

Sibling Day

Apparently yesterday was National Sibling Day (at least according to facebook). Do you send cards or presents for sibling day? If so, I missed the boat :(

Happy belated sibling day to my four little loves!! You are all growing up WAY too fast! To Beth, Kevin, Cole and Christian: Don't forget that I will always be your BIG sister. One of your biggest fans, here to help, listen, support and love you every day! I love you guys sooooo much! Mmmuah!!

On the topic of siblings, if you don't know already, we recently found out that Gisele is going to be a big sister (and no I am not pregnant...her mom is). Although I imagine we will be 10 times more excited when she's expecting a Martinez brother or sister....we are so excited for little G! 

Being a big sister has been and I know will continue to be one of the biggest joys in my life. From wrapping my baby sister Bethany up in her baby blanket and treating her like my own special doll, going to the airport and picking up Kevin my 13 year old TEENAGE brother to homework nights with Cole and Christian. I take joy in every little moment I share with them. I could go on and on, sharing all of my wonderful memories and bragging about what amazing kids they all are but they know how much I love them and how they make me so proud.


My role as a big sister will never change but as life is changing and Gisele is becoming such an important person in my life, I can’t help but focus on her and the new role she is about to play. What will she think? Will she be happy? I think so. Will she be jealous? Maybe in the beginning? Haha so many things to think about. I keep applying my past experiences and family life to my little life with Juan and Gisele; my experiences as a big sister have only magnified my excitement for Gisele. I know she is going to be a wonderful big sister! I can't wait to hear her stories and watch her take on this new role. Her little life is going to change! Gisele is already growing up so much. Her vocabulary and ability to have lengthy conversations amazes us every day. I can only imagine what having a little brother or sister will do for her. 

Being the oldest sibling can be difficult at times. As I imagine most parents feel, I always strive to be the very best for my brothers and sister and put a lot of pressure on myself if I feel like I am letting them down in any way. As a big sister you want to teach them everything you know and look after them every step of the way. I recently stumbled upon this poem and thought I would end this by dedicating it to little G (even though she won't understand it for a few more years) and to Beth, Kevin, Cole & Christian...I hope I am setting a good example for you guys, that you all learn from me and become even better people out there in the world.

BIG SISTER

My little eyes

are watching

all you say and do

and when I grow up

big and tall

I want to be like you.

My little ears

are listening

to everything you say

I am learning how

to grow up

to be like you

someday.

So be careful how

you teach me

to be the person

that you are.

You're the best

friend that I

could have;

You're my brightest

shining star! 

"Favorite Holiday"

I usually keep a fairly up to date journal but lately my little leather journal has taken the back burner. I know people have been blogging for years and maybe blogging is old news but it sounds like a pretty good way to keep some sort of journal for myself and "keep in touch" with my loved ones. I've been meaning to write in my journal about this past Easter and thought "Hey...this might be the perfect time to start my blog!"

Easter...a time to really embrace Christ's Love and the message of New Beginnings. So today...I start my new blog! 

 
The other night Juan told me he thinks Easter might be his favorite holiday. What?! I really didn't see that coming. Juan's new found love for Easter made me reflect...

Easter really does hold a very special place in my heart for many reasons (1) I received my first communion and was confirmed in the Catholic Church Easter of 2009, it was a truly life changing journey going through RCIA and becoming a part of the Catholic Church (2) Last Easter I officially met the 2nd love of my life, Miss Gisele Martinez. (3) Hello Raquel...we are celebrating the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are celebrating the Eucharist! How did I not realize how special Easter is?! Thank you for opening my eyes Juan.

Juan and I started reflecting on the past couple weeks and all of the wonderful things we did and learned. We truly had an amazing 2 weeks leading up to Easter Sunday, it brings me to tears just to think how truly blessed we are.  

To warm up for our Easter celebrations we did some Easter crafts, slowly purchased special Easter gifts for Gisele's basket, went Easter dress shopping with Gisele (who is going through a very girly stage and LOVES dresses) and I did a little Easter egg toy filler shopping (I had far too much fun picking out cute little Easter knick-knacks). Then we really kicked it off when we took Abuelita Cecile (Juan's mom) to our Church for the first time. Celebrating Palm Sunday with Juan, Gisele and his mom at Corpus Christi was really special.  

Easter Crafts: Silly Bunnies and Crazy Eyes Cotton Ball Bunny

Dress shopping bike ride. Palm Sunday with Abuelita! Easter Basket!

But wait...it doesn't stop there. We decided to get the kiddos together and have an early Easter egg hunt since we knew Gisele would be with her mom this Easter. Linda and I prepared the eggs ahead of time. My eggs were toy filled and hers were candy filled. Linda, Armond, Roxanne, Uncle Steve, Angelina, Gracie, Kiana, Abuelita Cecile, Juan, Gisele and I showed up Pre-Easter Sunday morning at the Rowland Ranch to celebrate with my dad, Allison, Cole and Christian. Juan and I brought the tortillas and carne asada, Linda brought the fixings and chips, and of course Allison was prepared with all kinds of special treats. The kids had a blast running through the field, searching for eggs, jumping on the trampoline and of course eating some of their Easter candy. We adults had a wonderful time as well, taking joy in the kids' excitement and soaking up the beautiful Spring Day! 

Overall our Pre-Easter weekend was pretty awesome! It was a great balance of Church, family and friends! Then Holy Week began...much to my excitement Juan attended all three days of the Easter Triduum. We both love our Church and little community at Corpus Christi; after taking my class and meeting some wonderful parishioners I really enjoy seeing a few of my classmates smiling faces at Church. 

Anyways, Holy Thursday we went to the 7pm mass at Corpus Christi and sat close to my friend Glenda who runs the RCIA program. I always love watching the washing of the feet, such a great reminder that we are all equal, we should all strive to be Christ like, love and take care of one another. That evening Juan and I decided we would start a new tradition and wash each other's feet every Holy Thursday. It was a really special night, one that I will never forget.

I'll have to admit we both struggled getting through Friday (especially me). I am not the friendliest when I am hungry but I tried with all my might to keep a smile on my face; I'm of the mindset that if you are going to fast you should do it with a smile and purpose and keep your complaints and grumpiness to yourself. Juan was very patient with me and to my excitement he picked me up on my lunch break and drove us to mass. We decided to go to a nearby Church that we attended on Ash Wednesday (St. Gregory the Great). It was a very long mass (much longer than I ever remember it being) but it did its job setting the tone and really making us reflect on the Passion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross. Still one of the most powerful traditions is the passing of the cross...gets me every time! To watch the elderly, children (think the kids got to Juan) and people from all walks of life work together to pass the Cross and leave their sins on the Cross was beautiful. The intercessory prayers can seem boring, up and down up and down but we tried to pray them together along with the Parishioners of St. Gregory, putting in special intentions for each prayer between the two of us. It truly is a beautiful thing, all of the Catholics from all around the world, getting together on Good Friday praying the same prayers for the Church, the entire world, Christians and non-Christians.

Holy Saturday...Father Pat has been warning us the past couple weeks, "remember this is a very long mass, 2.5+ hours, be mindful of this if you are planning on bringing your children." I think Juan wanted to run the other way after hearing that week after week. I promised him it is a beautiful mass; one that I hold very close to my heart. It was only a few years ago that I was confirmed on Holy Saturday. In the end we both went and we are so glad that we did. Some highlights include the passing of Christ's light through the dark Church, watching little ones and even some older ones get baptized, first communions and watching 56 people get confirmed in the Catholic Church (YES...56 at Corpus Christi! Amazing!). It was a VERY special night, we even hung around after 11pm (yes we were there over 3 hours) and chatted with some friends. Looking back, I couldn't have asked for a better two week Easter celebration. Celebrating an Easter like that really opened my eyes and helped me realize what is truly important and that Easter just might be my favorite holiday too! I love you Juan! Thank you for being such a special part of my life and really embracing this Easter season.

St. Gregory. Holy Saturday. Corpus Christi.

 Oh and I failed to mention....we went on the BEST Easter Sunday Mt. Bike ride. Seriously I have never had so much fun riding! Can't wait to do it again!