Waking Ned Devine

Ok, this post isn't a tribute to that movie, but just to the good idea that came from random blog hopping the other night. To share how removed I was from the people I happened to blog into: my sister's friend's brother's-in-law "Angel Baby" friend's links. Angel Babies are children who passed away at birth or very young. My sister brought up the site while I was talking to her the other day and for some reason I visited their site and other similar families who have suffered such an intense loss. I don't know what propelled me to keep reading more since it just made me cry harder. Fernando was at the hospital and called me. This broke the cycle long enough for me to think. Then, like it was choreographed, my sleeping Tiago feel out of his bed. The fall woke him enough to let out a little whimper, but then he fell back to sleep. After all that I just read, I starred at my precious children. All asleep, peacefully breathing life in and out. I turned to check on Talia and a wave of gratitude fell over me. This feeling intensified as her little hand met mine. She knows that my arms are to pick her up and tries in her wordless ways to show me how much she wants to be held. Usually, I would let her fall back to sleep and be about my internet fixation, but not now. I held her and soaked in her soft, sweet smell and thought about how blessed I am to have her. I looked back at Mia and Tiago and remembered all my dumb mom moments. I thought of how many times I could have become one of those families with an "Angel Baby" because of my over confidence or lack of judgment. I thought of all the negative things I have done or said to those sweet kids and yet they keep loving me. I thought of all the sadness and hate and anger wasted for no good reason. Then I thought why wait. Why wait until it is too late to let people know how happy you are to have them in your life? Why wait until it is too late to treat people better?
I realize, of course, the truth found in Alma 34:34 "Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world." In other words, the same spirit of peace or anger or whatever that I have been growing and cultivating for years can't change over night, but it can change and today is the day. (Comic Relief: Mia once astutely noted after I vocally proclaimed my desires to change and be a better mom that "You always say that mommy, but you don't do it.)
With that all said, I just wanted to make an incomplete, but heart felt appreciation to the wonderful family I have. We'll start with Fernando's side just because said so.
(And because I don't do a very good job letting them know how much I love and care for them. We totally have very different love languages)

PAPA JUAN
This picture speaks volumes. His smile is contagious and his smile lines prove how often he is spreading the love. His strength comes from years of unknown trials and trust in the Lord. He sacrifices much and works hard to give his children the best. He seems to know how to do everything and even if he doesn't, he is willing to try. I know that I drive him crazy at times, but he looks past my follies to find common ground. Thank you for being who you are and loving us.


MAMA CLARA

Behind this charming smile lies a faith and courage that is beyond motivating. She is always working whether it be embroidering a beautiful dress or cooking or teaching, she is always striving to improve herself and those around her. Fernando often talks about life changing conversations he had with her. Most recently he spoke of how much his confidence and self esteem came from how she thought about him and treated him. If you know Fernando, you know that means a whole lot. Thank you for all your considerate thoughts, prayers, and calls. Thanks for being an excellent example of thoughtfulness and tenacity.

AUNT TIRSA

Have you ever read the story "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein? Well, Tirsa is the tree. She generously gives of her time, talents, and money (lots of it) to anyone and everyone. She works behind the scenes trying to make everything run smoothly. She remembers important, sentimental details about people's lives and will often get some memento to match.


AUNT SULAY

This picture doesn't really capture her personality. She has an infectious laugh and smile (must run in the family). Her kind and gentle heart often sacrifices much to help those around her. She is the champion of underdogs (and might I add that something smells like updog in here). I had the lucky privilege of being at BYU with her and although I had actually been there for longer, Sulay knew everyone on campus. We could walk only a few steps before she would be smiling, conversing, concerning about someone we crossed paths with.

UNCLE DANIEL
Genius is an understatement, but so is Daniel. He never tries to be the center of attention, but will often pull people aside to talk to them. I have had many a conversations with him which he probably doesn't remember, but they were meaningful to me. I still remember when I first met him. He looked totally different, but still a cutie. He interrogated me the whole 2 plus hour drive home from the airport when I went to Fernando's farewell. My favorite part was when he asked me if I was going to marry his brother. Then he started saying my first name with his last name. "Rachelle Tovar, that doesn't sound really good. Neither does Daniel, but it's a lot better then Rachelle Tovar." Hopefully, he has changed his mind.

CROMAR FAMILY (my side, I'll keep it too the point as I have known them obviously longer then my in laws)

GRANDPA CROMAR

My dad has a veracious appetite for knowledge. The amount of information that he consumes is mind boggling as too is how he assimilates information for interesting conversations. He is tenderhearted and always looking for that perfect something. I still remember spending hours at the florist looking for the best flowers to wear on mother's day. He always bought us these delicate orchids even when we were in primary. I can only imagine him in the store shopping for my kids. He often will call to share his meaningful moments. Thank you for your trust and love.



GRANDMA CROMAR

My mother's strength and love have carried me through many a hard times. She will listen to understand my problems and then offer wisdom from the true source of all love and insight. She'll often quote scriptures and spiritual moments that pertain to the given situation and help shift my focus to one more positive and productive. She has sacrificed much of her time and energy. I still remember finding her curled up in a blanket waiting for us to return home. Thanks for your patience and love.

MY SIBLINGS AND THEIR FAMILIES
AUNT ANGELA AND UNCLE JOSH AND COUSIN LIAM (and bean 2)

So fun family to be around and yet we aren't often together. Josh and Angela are both very kind and generous. Angela is a woman that thinks all things are possible and listening to her, you believe that they are. She often will start up conversations with random strangers in hopes to make them feel better and that includes several homeless people. Josh has this fantastic laugh, which I want to call giggle but that is way too girly for him. And although one shouldn't be judged on their appearance, Josh has some sharp clothes and ties to knock your socks off. Thanks for loving my sister so much and being such a great dad to my little nephew and peanut.

UNCLE CHRIS, AUNT EMILY, ETHAN, AND BABY GIRL TO BE

Also fun family that lives way too far from me. Aside from the fabulous, but free hair hook up, Emily is fantastic at helping organize and structure even the most tangled situation. I must confess I have a love hate relationship with playing games with them. They try to dumb things down for me, but alas, they are just gamers who own things I have never even seen on Target's shelves. It's hard not to think about them this season, since they are more than fans of Christmas. Thanks for sharing you whit and cleverness with us (an hopefully a book. . .hint hint). Chris is the creative genius who can pull off such fantastic things like being the "Soul Train". Thanks for loving my sister so much and being such a great dad to my little nephew and soon to be neice.

UNCLE KEVIN AND AUNT LAUREN

This picture screams who they are. I am sure one day they will save the world and find world peace and discover the cure for the common cold among other things. They've perfected the art of showing interest in people. Their conversations are engaging and often make the speaker feel so intelligent. Kevin makes me laugh so hard, I often can't finish sentences (or prayers on some occasions.) Again, I wish we lived closer so we could bash around outdoors together. Thanks for being our babysitters at the most awkward and inconvenient times.

UNCLE LANCE AND AUNT AMY AND TEXAS


I am glad that I had this picture of them. Then you could all think that they aren't as good looking as they are. I often try to convince Amy that warm Texas is the place to be, but what can one do about this housing market. I love how dedicated and diligent they are. Both work full time and go to school. They often sacrifice much to meet their goals. Thanks for being a great example and move to TEXAS. You know you want to.

The Funny Side of Organics

I don't even like Star Wars (I know. . .how un-American). This spoof on Star Wars has to be the funniest one I have ever seen.

Thanksgiving Activities

Fernando and I have tried to find fun annual events for our family to participate in that don't revolve around food. The list of events are as follows:

Turkey Bowl: Usually put on by our church. I much say that I have my issues with such an event. Who thinks that it is a good idea for one's significant other to use the precious free time they have away from the home. Not the wife, that's for sure. Can you really hear the woman of the house saying "Don't worry. Even though I cleaned the house all week and taken care of the kids, I'll stay home and clean, cook, wrestle with kids some more while you go play with your friends. When you come home, take a nap and I'll get Thanksgiving squared away." If you can imagine that, you are either a man or a very understanding wife. I am neither so I chose not to stay home. So the kids and I go and watch Fernando use his cleats and receiver gloves. (Fernando is the one running to block for the QB. The fog in the background gave a "Rudy" feel to the whole event. Fitting since almost all the players were more like "Rudy" than anything else.) Luckily there were other kids there this year and the weather was enjoyable.
The donuts didn't hurt either. (Talia wishing she got some doughnuts)

Turkey Trot: This has been attempted in years past, but never achieved. This was our year. Fernando tried to hype people up by challenging them to certain athletic feats. Nothing says family fun more than beating someone in a push-up, sit-up, bicycle kicks, and lunge contest. (I won the lunge contest. And just to rub it in, I did an extra ten past the last standing man, Fernando.) With Fernando's sisters (Sulay and Tirsa) and Talia in the stroller, we headed out for a nice jog around the block. Fernando wanted a longer trot and forced us up our Cardiac Hill in our neighborhood. This proved to be a challenge to our weakened lunging legs, but prevented much after aches.

Turkey Chase: This came about as a fluke last year, but we brought it back again this year. The concept is simple--yank as many feather's off of everyone else's back. The trick is you have to strut around like a turkey while you do it. The feather's were a bit more artistic and it was fun having more people to chase.

First "First Thanksgiving" Play/A Girl After My Own Family's Heart

No money? No problem. With common household items you too can have hours of fun and entertainment. My sister's and I did everything from couch cushion houses to plays about all sorts of things. Because of my deep voice, I was always cast as the male. (You got to represent the other gender even if you don't have a real man to play the role. . .Kevin you weren't even born.)

Mia had lots of pre Thanksgiving fun at school and would update us daily on various facts and interesting tidbits of information. Somehow, we came up with the idea of putting on our own Thanksgiving play. Mia "wrote" the script and Tiago memorized his lines. I quoted wrote because she didn't actually write it down, though she probably could have. I didn't want her to agonize over trying to sound/spell out things like William Bradford (Tiago's character) and Plymouth Rock. I am working on the transcript if anyone is interested :)!

Mia painted the backgrounds, figured out appropriate actions, and thought of various ways Talia could participate. Unfortunately for Mia, but luckily for Talia, she was sleeping during the process so didn't have to be someone's papoose. I hope that Mia will want to make this a tradition. We'll have to work out a few kinks like the long wait between action scenes, but we have time.

WARNING: Long length, but pretty adorable especially for the relatives. Turn the volume up to hear the kids over the adoring audience.

Tongue Taco

I have so much to blog about with Thanksgiving and Fernando's family being here, but not enough time at the moment. So for now, I will leave you with this video of me enjoying a little corn tortilla taco, with cilantro, onions and the meat of choice prepared by my Mother-in-law

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

(what's with my heinous hair. . . it needs to be figured out).

RedBox Etiquette

When one uses the RedBox Terminal at any given grocery store, fast food joint, or neighborhood pharmacy, there are a few common courtesies that would make the world better for all. First, it isn't a movie store. Movie stores are built around the idea of browsing and finding many various movie options. At said movie store one can read the synopsis and ponder the age old question of "will this satisfy my mind numbing desires?" If you want to browse, head to blockbuster or better yet, do it online. Redbox allows you to view the various titles, read the plot, and even have it held for you at your nearest RedBox locations. That way when a mother of three needs to return their one movie, she doesn't have to painfully watch the indecisive bumblings of the customer in front of her all the while diverting the kids eyes from the gory/sexually explicit material glowing on front of the RedBox console.

Ok, may be there is only one common courtesy, but I keep running into the people who are unaware of life around them. Tonight being the worst with some lady returning 5 movies (a slow and tedious process, done one at a time) and trying to find her next 5 selections, but only ended up with four after flipping through the selection screens about 10 times and re-looking at the pictures on the console. Tiago did point out almost every foul movie there and described why it was a "yucky" movie. The Hulk got a bad review since it showed "his sacred body and he is mad". I did have the UN-satisfaction of giving a patronizing "you know it works a lot better if you check out the movies on line so they are held and waiting for you to slide your card and pop out just like that."

So Why do I keep tourturing myself with REDBOX? An outdoor (usually) kiosk containing "Easy $1 new release DVD rentals. No late fees. Rent and return at over 10,000 locations"

Random Blessings

The picture is to highlight randomness. It has nothing whatsoever to do with this post except for the children are apart of the post too. This was taken the Fourth of July as we were leaving our ward picnic and found many frogs to pick up and play with. I did my best to look excited with the idea of bacteria riddled frogs in my children's fingers.


This past week has brought some unexpected blessings. First, a good friend, (we'll call her L. Westbrook or Lynn W.) let me in on a fantastic deal. End result: a free membership at the YMCA near us. And for those who had my scary concept of what YMCA's look like, set your minds at ease. It is a new facility that usually costs a whopping $80 to join. For some that is not very much, but for me it is. The childcare is pretty good and the Zumba class is heaven. (Zumba is a new term for a latin jazzercise class). Could there really be anything better then good latin music and dancing for and hour? Yes, it could also burn calories and tone some flabby jabby.

Miracle number two: Fernando has a pretty great schedule this month. He does take call every few days, but then has a whole day off. Shocking. Well, on one of these off days, we went to the gym, then headed to Costco, and finally back home just in time to pick up Mia from the bus. We decided to get our mail which is located around the corner from our house. Lazily, I pulled the car over to get the mail. Nothing was found. So, I jumped back into our 2006 Civic and expected to drive the block home. False. Yes, False! The car simply wouldn't start. Talia and Tiago were done being in the car which only added to the frustration. Fernando ran home and drove the 96 Corolla to jump our dead car. To no avail. A nice neighbor who we have waived to once or twice in passing, stopped his car to try and help. He seemed to be pretty well versed with cars and we felt that gut wrenching/wallet squeezing feeling that always accompanies the words "bad starter or faulty alternator".

It should be mentioned here, the military has a funny habit of mismanagement. Now, I don't mean to judge harshly since it is a large organization. Somehow every transfer there is a risk the the military can overpay you. Strange as it may seem, the thousands of transfers that are categorically similar sometime go a muck. Then after a few months and money spent finding the overpaid people, they take their money back. All of it, all at once. Yes, it happened to us. It just so happened that a few days before the car incident, they came and found $800 they wanted back from us. Why don't they use all those post transfer money finding people to just get things right the first time? Back to the car. . .

Fernando and I had the fantastic experience of pushing our car home. I really mean fantastic. Pushing a broken car has its own kind of charm and makes one feel like they could do anything. We rolled in into our driveway just in time to catch Mia from the bus.

I was so grateful that our car chose to die in front of our mail box and not a 30 minute drive away at the Costco parking lot just before Mia came home from school. I am glad I wasn't flying solo and cell phone-less with the kids when it happened. But, I never expected the blessing that came next.

Fernando spent over an hour checking all the fuses and found no hope. We prayed and prayed again. The kids prayed, we prayed all in hopes of figuring out what went wrong. I also prayed that we would wake up in time the next day and get ready quick enough to walk to school since there was no other option. Sure enough, we made it on time for school and I had the distinct feeling to call a Honda dealership. I explain our situation and then had to have the service man repeat the next part:

Quote "Mam, it sounds like your battery has died and it is still under warranty. We will pay a tow truck to get your car to our dealership, replace the battery at no cost to you and have it done by this afternoon."

True to his word, we have a well running car (the whole reason we bought the Honda Civic) and a new battery with a new 8 year warranty. This was also music to my ears since Texas is harsh on batteries and I was told to not be shocked if I only got two years out of my battery.

There are so many other little things, including gas for $1.86. It make Doctrine and Covenants 78:17-19 even more impressive.

"17 Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you;
18 And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours.
19 And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more."