Memories....

Sometimes Chris & I look around and realize that we live in Colorado. I know that sounds funny but we were both born and raised in Southern California so sometimes it's funny that God has us so far away from "home". I would even go as far as to say that we tend to get homesick sometimes. We start daydreaming about going down to CDM and getting some Golden Spoon and just taking a walk or heading down for a date night which is as simple as grabbing some Gina's and just sitting on the sand or walking. So it's basically that "beachy" living that we miss the most but then we begin to think about our daily life there with work and busyness and realize wow we were struggling there. Not only financially but struggling to picture raising our family there in this sort of made up picture that I've always had in my head of making snowmen on Christmas morning and bundling up and going to an actual pumpkin patch with our children. Now I would say that with all the places that Chris and I have lived in our marriage from OC to Germany nothing is perfect! I know that sounds so simple to say but man is it true:). We realize that what you get out of it is really what you put into it... So with that said Colorado definitely has had it's moments! First off last winter with the blizzards, PLEEZ!! Holy cow that was crazy intense and I was about ready to pack up and leave:). The brown in the winter, not my favorite and being a bit landlocked without tons of water not our favorite either but MAN OH MAN God so knows what he is doing:). I say that because we could not live in a more incredible neighborhood... I know you've heard me say this before and it's probably getting a bit annoying now but I can't help it, this place rocks. We wouldn't leave strictly on the principal of our relationships and the community we've made. It is an absolute gift to be here, I can't stress that enough. I think I talk about it so often because we want everyone that we love and care about to experience life like this, ya know?...
Renting a stretch SUV limo for someones 40th birthday, who does that? I mean come on.... All but one of these ladies lives on our STREET!!! Seriously?? Isn't that crazy. We have the best time together.

Poor Susan was absolutely stunned to find her 15 friends and neighbors outside her front door with a stretch SUV limo:)! She is the one right next to me standing up with a jean jacket on looking a bit surprised:) You all would seriously love her she is just awesome and so genuine! (Friday 4/26)

Creating life long friendships with the people who live directly next to you! Seriously?? Where does that happen?

This is at a friend/neighbors house and it was Lindsay's baby shower. Cary lives right next door to me and Lindsay lives directly next door to her and Nicole lives directly across the street from us! Crazy, I'm telling you. Walking through life in community with people that you live next to and love. It's crazy! (Sunday 4/27)

The reason I titled this entry memories is because my best friend Kristin (who unfortunately does not live close to me:( and I were chatting about memories from Junior High, High School, College, early 20's and we were just reminiscing and getting sort of "sad" that were definitely growing up, more responsibility, did we "goof off" enough and mess up enough to be where we are today? You know how it goes... anyway, as we were sort of getting nostalgic she said something profound that rang truth to me loud & clear, she said, " Yes all those memories of our young adult lives were great and what not but not great enough to go back because when we are in our 40's we will be reminiscing about our 30's which is now. What memories are we making now!! And what will we remember from right now!" I thought that was perfect because when Chris & I do sort of question, Ok Lord really, Colorado? Ok whatever you want for us we will now take a step back and realize that if we live here for 2 more years or 20 that the friendships, relationships, community and MEMORIES that we make now will be irreplaceable later on in life and no matter where we end up here or there I will look back on the experience of living in a neighborhood that people only dream of with a huge smile and fond Memories!!!!!....... Now that I've said all that you all have to come out and visit so that you can experience a bit of it yourselves:)!

Family!.. Friends!..

So there are those people in life that just touch your heart, your spirit and you are better for knowing them. Well our first year of marriage we lived in Seattle, WA (as most of you already know) and Chris' cousin Darlene lived there with her family. When Chris & I moved they did everything to welcome me in to the family and welcome two kids from So. Cal. to the Pacific Northwest. They showed us around, mentored us, loved us, hung out with us and even threw us a shower with other family members that Chris hadn't even met before. They basically made our first year of marriage more of a gift than it already was. And believe me it was an absolute gift having family around after getting married and moving out of state the next week! With all of that said we think of them often and their family has grown from 3 to 5 within the last almost 10 years. Their oldest Drex is now 12, that just blows me away. Anyway they were randomly in Denver for an evening on an unexpected layover and WOW does God work in every detail of your life. I was coming off an incredibly difficult week and here they were, people / family / friends that have spoken so much truth & love into our lives in the past were able to be here and lay hands on us and pray for us, What a Gift!!! I want to keep writing about the power of our time together. It was only a couple of hours but it seemed like we were able to reconnect spiritually. I don't want that to sound hokey I just want to show the power of prayer and the Holy Spirit! We miss you Davis'......... Thank You Lord for the gift of their layover (even though it was under horrible circumstances of missing flights and losing baggage:( They will never know how much their visit pulled me out of a valley!)

What are best friends for!

So it's been a rough couple of days. . . just going through some emotional rollercoasters lately and have desperately needed a pick me up or some words of encouragement. With that said Thank God for close friendships because I honestly don't know what I would do without my best friend & sister Kristin. As some of you read my blog with our house pictures I jokingly stated that my vases were feeling empty and lonely; well to put a smile on my face Kristin sent me dozens of petite roses to fill them with! Now I have been such an emotional wreck that of course when they were delivered to when I opened the box and read the card I began balling and giggling at the same time because random acts of kindness like that are never really understood by the person performing them. As much as I've thanked her and told her how amazing it was she will never fully understand what a huge role those flowers have had in lifting my spirits. So if there is someone in your life that just needs a few words of encouragement or support don't forget to take even 5 minutes to call, email, write or send something to let them know that you are thinking about them, praying for them and loving them. What are best friends for ??? I tell ya, I got that question answered today, THANK YOU TIN!:) Love you dearly xo

There were so many that I was able to fill 2 full size vases for my dining and family room and have enough left over to fill a small silver mint julep cup for my bedside table so that I can wake up to them every morning!:) yeah!

Our House!

So I don't have many pictures of our house as it is now but I took a couple in the last few days. We're pretty much at a stand still for decorating or buying anything, budget and all:). We all know how that tune goes. Isn't it funny though that once you're sort of "finished" with your house there's a part of you that wants to start over and just pick all new stuff. It's sort of funny how that works.

So this is our living room. I think I was standing on the stairs. Those windows lead out to our front porch. I will say we love this room. It's definitely where I read, take naps, people gather to sit and just have long conversations after dinner or something. And those pictures are pictures that I took in New York. Those are my pride & joy, I sit in our leather chair; you can't quite see it in this picture and just look at those pictures, love them!

This is our master bedroom. Our room is definitely the one that seems to get the least amount of love while decorating. You always seem to address all the other needs of the house before this, which is actually crazy if you think about it but anyway we finally did a few things to it and now it's one of my favorite rooms in the house. Now I finally have a cozy corner in our room so that I can read, do quiet times and just look out the window. I'm telling you I don't know why we waited so long to do something to this room. We love hanging out in it and just watching movies.

Our dining room, look at that poor vase just waiting to put some fresh flowers in it. hint, hint j/k:).

Here is our kitchen, not in the cleanest state it's ever been but at least you can see what it looks like:). It was laundry day and the cable guy was there fixing something give a girl a break:):).

Alrighty so that's a few pictures of our house if you want to see anymore you'll have to come out and visit!!:)

Nothing to important

Well it's going to be a crazy weekend around the Garcia household this weekend! Along with a crazy work schedule today; meeting with brides and a wedding rehearsal later on today it just feels busy. Tomorrow my work has it's annual bridal show so that's usually a very crazy, busy day. I've got a wedding on Sunday and we've turned another OC Californian to the dark side:) my friend Eren's brother and wife are moving into the Denver area in the next month or so but Dan has to start work next week so he will be living with us for the next few weeks in order to settle into his new job. Should be fun and you know me it's always exciting for me to show new people around the area. Always fun watching all the Californians making their way out here and enjoying life:)...
Speaking of our house I've gotten some requests to take some pics SO I will definitely do that and post them later on tonight but I'm not promising anything:) since I've come home from my trip to Northern California, getting ready for Dan to move in and just rearranging, it's a bit of a nightmare in here:). Anyway I'll post those later. I've gotta run to work right now so all of you who read this enjoy your day and more later:)!

I can't believe it's April!

I know, I know it has been forever, oops:) Ok life's been a little crazy but I'm back. So the most exciting news over the last couple of weeks that I've been ignoring my blog:) is that I was able to get a much needed few days away and visit my bestest friend who really is more of a sister in Northern California BUT the best news is that I was able to be there for my nephews dedication!

Kristin, Colin and Auntie Sabrina. Please tell me how freakin' adorable this little nugget is. I miss him so much. This was the morning of Colin's dedication!

So needless to say we had a great time just connecting, laughing, crying all the normal things that happen when you get together with your best friend whom you live so far away from! It's crazy to think that we've been friends for 20 years!!! We kept saying are we old enough to be friends that long:). Anyway I loved every moment and had a fabulous time. I feel honored that I am considered Colin's aunt (since I don't have any true siblings of my own:) and spoil him at every chance I get! Enjoy some other fun photos from the weekend:).
Trying to help mama out with feeding my nephew some of his first solid food experience! Yum, yum nothing like bland mushy cereal and runny carrots:)

Yep folks that's Auntie Sabrina baby bjorning it:) Just practicing. .

(that is Krissy, Gavin's sister. Colin's other aunt)

Kristin, her mom and I were on our way out the door for a walk.