I've journeyed long; I have overcome many obstacles and carry the burden of others I can't let go of. I have endured many trials, lost my faith, picked up my pieces and looked to the heavens. At times anxiously wanting to take control, I walk by faith knowing that acceptance is where I find peace.
This Lenten season finds me reflecting on all of my story: My past, my present and my future. I'm defined by my past but I reside in the future, in planning, in looking forward to, in anticipating. The present is where I need to be, but it's uncomfortable. I avoid it by filling my calendar with dates and my space with noise. I made a Lenten resolution to be more present and to quiet the noise in my head. Then I discovered that the noise has a place, a purpose. In its absence I am face to face with the fears, the reality, the truth that I've been avoiding.
Some things are best left undone. But not fears. They need to be faced, confronted and overcome. The fear of letting go is a big one for me. It exposes my vulnerability and the reality that I have no control. I am a blind man guided by a higher power and I must learn to trust. It's both liberating and frightening. I don't have to be in control, I just need to be present and trust. Sounds simple enough.
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Thursday, January 7, 2016
2015: A year in review
This weather has the effect of putting me in an introspective mood, so I figured this would be a good time to wrap up the year and write up some intentions for 2016. First things first. 2015 was a year of abundance, transitions (change) and a lot of growth for our family. Personally I experienced a lot of internal and external shifting in priorities and goals. I graduated high school 20 years ago, and while that may sound like a sob story my late 30s are proving to be pretty amazing. I'm stronger and happier than ever and looking forward to many more years of health and happiness. 3 major events defined our year:
1) Dave got a new job, after having worked at Intel for over 17 years.
2) Isaac changed schools, he was admitted into a Dual Immersion Spanish Program.
3) Lucia started working from home.
The kids engaged in various activities throughout the year: Isaac in Tae Kwon Do, Swimming and Little League and Andrea in Gymnastics and Dance. Lucia and the kids spent a lot of time at the park, library, cafe art, rockin jump, hiking, playing, and overall enjoying childhood in all its glory. Lucia engaged in bible study, various night outs with friends, and continued to work on her running. As a couple Dave and Lucia enjoyed regular date nights.
January
Jan 3-4: We started the year off in grand style by celebrating our 13th Anniversary with an overnight trip to Healdsburg, one of our favorite spots. We enjoyed a long and fabulous dinner at Cafe Lucia and did some wine tasting the day after before heading back home.
Jan 6, 20, & 29th: Dave traveled to Portland for work
January 11th: Lucia ran the Coastal Trail Run (22 miles) and our good friends baptized their baby boy.
January 31st: Dave gets a taste of driving fast in a Ferrari :)
February
Feb 14th: We celebrated Andrea's birthday Frozen style
Feb. 22-27: We spent a week in Southern California to celebrate Dave and Andrea's birthday
Feb. 22: We visited Pinnacles, what a magical place!
Feb. 23: Spent the day wine tasting in Santa Maria, CA
Feb. 24: Dinner at House of Blues to celebrate Dave's birthday
Feb. 25-26: Disneyland!!!
March
Mar 7: Isaac's first Little League game of the season
Mar 9: Dave's first day at his new job
Mar 28: Lucia runs Livermore 1/2
April
Apr 5: Celebrated Easter at Joyce's house
Apr 11: Kellie's bridal shower!!!
Apr 12: Lucia and Isaac participate in the PPIE run. Lucia holds an 8:20min/mile pace, her goal for 2015
April 26: Lucia had the honor of being Sam's, 1st Communion Godmother and celebrating with his family on this day.
May
My calendar entries for May were slim. This could be a sign that I was either very busy or not focused enough, one of the two :)
May 9: Lucia ran the Cinderella Mother's Day run (unofficially since she was recovering from an illness)
May 10: Mother's Day picnic at Retzlaff
May 23: Lucia was honored to be Ally Pethebridge's Confirmation Sponsor and celebrate with her family on this day
June
June 5-6 Lucia visits with friend Paola in Southern California by herself and meets her new baby Sofia.
June 20th Kellie and Ryder's Wedding, the kids were flower girl and ring boy
June 22: Isaac's first day of Summer school
June 26-28 Big Sur Camping trip with my sister and her family
July
July 9: Isaac turns 6!
July 11: Isaac's birthday party Big Hero 6 style
July 26: Lucia completed the Big Basin 50K trail run!
July 31-Aug 2 Fallen Leaf Camping trip with the Pethebridges
August
Aug 8-14: We spent a week in Carlsbad, basking in the sun and relaxing. We got to spend a couple of days visiting with family in Southern California.
Aug 20-23: Calaveras Big Trees Camping Trip
Aug 24: School resumes and Isaac begins DI program
Aug 30: Lucia runs the Diablo Trail Run 1/2
September
Sept 5: I visited my friend Griselda and met her new baby Max
Sept. 23: Isaac begins faith formation
Sept 26: My birthday! We celebrated overnight in SF with dinner at Lolos
October
Super busy month!
Oct 3: Star Wars themed Giants game--A ball!
Oct. 16: Andrea and Dave join Naomi's birthday at Disney on Ice
Oct 25: Chardonnay Run with Joyce (Super fun!)
Oct 31: Halloween party at our new friends' house
November
Again, another busy month. Few entries but a couple memorable ones
Nov 26: Lucia runs turkey trot 1/2 and breaks 2hrs (1:55)
Nov. 26: Thanksgiving with friends
December
Dec 4: Nutcracker "Mommy and Daughter" outing
Dec 10: Annual MOMS cookie exchange
Dec 12: Angel Island 10K Run followed by brunch and wine tasting--Awesome!
Dec. 20: Christmas lunch at Joyce's
Dec. 24th: Christmas Eve at our house
Dec. 25: CHRISTMAS!
Dec. 26-30 Visit family in LA
Dec. 31st: NYE at the Gurdians
It was a great year!
Going forward this year I'm setting out some intentions:
1) Consume less, spend less, rethink every purchase--While 2015 was a year of abundance, I think that scaling back is often necessary to maintain ourselves grounded. 2016 will be a year of less but more quality.
2) Break old habits--I realized over the break that I've fallen into some bad habits that I need to break. I am prepping myself for and setting out an intention to work on these throughout the year. There are 3 major ones that through prayer and intention I hope to overcome.
3) Being more present with my children and thriving in my role as a mother--I've become quite comfortable with my roles and I enjoy motherhood more than I ever imagined. I'm settling in well into my new identity and embracing my mommy body and mind. This is a huge accomplishment thus far so I hope to continue down this path.
Cheers to 2016!
1) Dave got a new job, after having worked at Intel for over 17 years.
2) Isaac changed schools, he was admitted into a Dual Immersion Spanish Program.
3) Lucia started working from home.
The kids engaged in various activities throughout the year: Isaac in Tae Kwon Do, Swimming and Little League and Andrea in Gymnastics and Dance. Lucia and the kids spent a lot of time at the park, library, cafe art, rockin jump, hiking, playing, and overall enjoying childhood in all its glory. Lucia engaged in bible study, various night outs with friends, and continued to work on her running. As a couple Dave and Lucia enjoyed regular date nights.
January
Jan 3-4: We started the year off in grand style by celebrating our 13th Anniversary with an overnight trip to Healdsburg, one of our favorite spots. We enjoyed a long and fabulous dinner at Cafe Lucia and did some wine tasting the day after before heading back home.
Jan 6, 20, & 29th: Dave traveled to Portland for work
January 11th: Lucia ran the Coastal Trail Run (22 miles) and our good friends baptized their baby boy.
January 31st: Dave gets a taste of driving fast in a Ferrari :)
February
Feb 14th: We celebrated Andrea's birthday Frozen style
Feb. 22-27: We spent a week in Southern California to celebrate Dave and Andrea's birthday
Feb. 22: We visited Pinnacles, what a magical place!
Feb. 23: Spent the day wine tasting in Santa Maria, CA
Feb. 24: Dinner at House of Blues to celebrate Dave's birthday
Feb. 25-26: Disneyland!!!
March
Mar 7: Isaac's first Little League game of the season
Mar 9: Dave's first day at his new job
Mar 28: Lucia runs Livermore 1/2
April
Apr 5: Celebrated Easter at Joyce's house
Apr 11: Kellie's bridal shower!!!
Apr 12: Lucia and Isaac participate in the PPIE run. Lucia holds an 8:20min/mile pace, her goal for 2015
April 26: Lucia had the honor of being Sam's, 1st Communion Godmother and celebrating with his family on this day.
May
My calendar entries for May were slim. This could be a sign that I was either very busy or not focused enough, one of the two :)
May 9: Lucia ran the Cinderella Mother's Day run (unofficially since she was recovering from an illness)
May 10: Mother's Day picnic at Retzlaff
May 23: Lucia was honored to be Ally Pethebridge's Confirmation Sponsor and celebrate with her family on this day
June
June 5-6 Lucia visits with friend Paola in Southern California by herself and meets her new baby Sofia.
June 20th Kellie and Ryder's Wedding, the kids were flower girl and ring boy
June 22: Isaac's first day of Summer school
June 26-28 Big Sur Camping trip with my sister and her family
July
July 9: Isaac turns 6!
July 11: Isaac's birthday party Big Hero 6 style
July 26: Lucia completed the Big Basin 50K trail run!
July 31-Aug 2 Fallen Leaf Camping trip with the Pethebridges
August
Aug 8-14: We spent a week in Carlsbad, basking in the sun and relaxing. We got to spend a couple of days visiting with family in Southern California.
Aug 20-23: Calaveras Big Trees Camping Trip
Aug 24: School resumes and Isaac begins DI program
Aug 30: Lucia runs the Diablo Trail Run 1/2
September
Sept 5: I visited my friend Griselda and met her new baby Max
Sept. 23: Isaac begins faith formation
Sept 26: My birthday! We celebrated overnight in SF with dinner at Lolos
October
Super busy month!
Oct 3: Star Wars themed Giants game--A ball!
Oct. 16: Andrea and Dave join Naomi's birthday at Disney on Ice
Oct 25: Chardonnay Run with Joyce (Super fun!)
Oct 31: Halloween party at our new friends' house
November
Again, another busy month. Few entries but a couple memorable ones
Nov 26: Lucia runs turkey trot 1/2 and breaks 2hrs (1:55)
Nov. 26: Thanksgiving with friends
December
Dec 4: Nutcracker "Mommy and Daughter" outing
Dec 10: Annual MOMS cookie exchange
Dec 12: Angel Island 10K Run followed by brunch and wine tasting--Awesome!
Dec. 20: Christmas lunch at Joyce's
Dec. 24th: Christmas Eve at our house
Dec. 25: CHRISTMAS!
Dec. 26-30 Visit family in LA
Dec. 31st: NYE at the Gurdians
It was a great year!
Going forward this year I'm setting out some intentions:
1) Consume less, spend less, rethink every purchase--While 2015 was a year of abundance, I think that scaling back is often necessary to maintain ourselves grounded. 2016 will be a year of less but more quality.
2) Break old habits--I realized over the break that I've fallen into some bad habits that I need to break. I am prepping myself for and setting out an intention to work on these throughout the year. There are 3 major ones that through prayer and intention I hope to overcome.
3) Being more present with my children and thriving in my role as a mother--I've become quite comfortable with my roles and I enjoy motherhood more than I ever imagined. I'm settling in well into my new identity and embracing my mommy body and mind. This is a huge accomplishment thus far so I hope to continue down this path.
Cheers to 2016!
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