Found an old Favorite

This series of photos were taken about 4 years ago.

They are from the Amescua side of the family.

One funny and less known fact about us Mexicans is that we love birds.

Often they are kept in outdoor cages (if the climate permits).

These are my Aunt & Uncles birds.

Another fascinating, at least to me, fact is that it is common to keep chickens in East L.A.

My Aunt & Uncle have quite a few.

However, they never sought to own chickens.

They simply flew into their backyard and have never left.

The photo above has chickens in it.

Can you find them?

This is the rooster who also made a home in their backyard...

Hmmm... Wonder why?
Now this is the photo that I truly love.
Uncle Mike has the best sense of humor.
His cap fell out just as we were showing up to visit.
Why do dental emergencies always occur on the weekends or out of town?
Well, lucky for us it did.
While it took a few tries, we got this great photo of Cecilia & her Great Uncle Mike both missing a front tooth.
p.s. We do like to call him : "Great Uncle Mike" 'cause that is who and what he is.
We had popped into town on our way back from 'dog school'.
Uncle Mike was having an art installation done at a community center in a neighborhood that has recently undergone dramatic renovations.

Here is part of it. I can't remember what it is called.

The men who work for Uncle Mike have done so since they were little kids.

They are now men.

He is a generous & respectful employer.

A Few Quotes I liked

When a stupid man is doing something he is ashamed of, he always declares that it is his duty. - George Bernard Shaw
Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live. - Oscar Wilde
You can take all the sincerity in Hollywood, place it in the navel of a firefly and still have room enough for three caraway seeds and a producer's heart. - Fred Allen

Each Motherhood Situation is Unique

"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. Many are able to be 'full-time moms,' at least during the most formative years of their children's lives, and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part- or full-time; some may work at home; some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else."
M. Russell Ballard, "Daughters of God," Ensign, May 2008, 108
Topics: Motherhood, Children of God, Love

Super Citizen

Cecilia with one of her 'typical' friends.

They are on the train at The Springs Preserve
Photo with her Pricipal Ms. Murray

Super Citizen Certificate

Cecilia with Ms. Murray

The kids who are 'Super Citizen' get to eat pizza on the stage with Ms. Murray

Cecilia & her shrimp soup:)

Christmas photo at school-

He Went About Doing Good

"The spirit of giving gifts has been present in the mind of each Christian as he or she commemorates the Christmas season. Our Heavenly Father gave to us His Son, Jesus Christ. That precious Son gave to us His life, the Atonement, and victory over the grave.
"What will you and I give for Christmas this year? Let us in our lives give to our Lord and Savior the gift of gratitude by living His teachings and following in His footsteps. It was said of Him that He 'went about doing good.' As we do likewise, the Christmas spirit will be ours."
Thomas S. Monson, "What Is Christmas?" Ensign, Dec. 1998, 5
Topics: Jesus Christ, Charity

Gibbons Christmas Letter

Merry Christmas

I tell you I am feeling more somber than usual this Christmas. Not much news. It has been a good year and we are feeling even more blessed than usual.

Brad has taken to reading quite a bit this year. His current genre is books/novels that are made into screen plays. He reads the book then watches the movies and critiuqes the two. It has kept his mind open and happy.

I have been a bit more crafty than usual this year. Learning to blog has been fun. However, I have been knitting and beading with much of my spare time. It has been fun and is a great way to pass the time with my girlfriends.

Cecilia continues to defy all expectations. She is enjoyable and is communicating more each month. It is great to have our staff of 5. They help me count my blessings and journal all of Cecilia's progress. Many people will say I have it easy with the 2 girls. But I really feel like I have 7 blessings.

Maria is also striving and working hard. She is a fun & kind. Her Christmas list this year had 6 toys and one odd request. She wants a bell off of Santa's sleigh. Hmmmm.

My sister bought a home last month and is living independently. I am so happy for her. She was nervous about it at first. But she is doing great. She took Malcom one of our dogs with her. However, she brings him over almost everyday.

My resolution for this year is to take more photographs. I get so into the moment I tend to forget to photograph anything. Case in point. Our highlight of the year was a visit from Brad's cousins from The Netherlands. We were so busy chatting and having fun that I forgot to break the camera out:( I have resolved to journal and photograph more this year.

Merry Christmas, keep in touch and know you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Heather

Girl in Whirl

This is an old favorite. Enjoy...

The Girl in a Whirl
By "Sister Suess"

Look at me, look at me, look at me now!
You could do what I do
If you only knoew how.

I study the scriptures one hour each day;
I bake,
I upholster,
I scrub,
and I pray.

I always keep all the commandments completely;
I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.

I help in their classrooms!
I sew all they wear!
I drive them to practice!
I cut all their hair!

I memorize names of the General Authorities;
I focus on things to be done by priorities.

I play the piano!
I bless with my talents!
My toilets all sparkle!
My checkbooks all balance!

Each week every child gets a one-on-one date;
I attend all my meetings (on time! Never late!)

I'm taking a class on the teachings of Paul,
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all

I track my bad habits 'til each is abolished;
Our t-shirts are ironed!
My toenails are polished!

Our family home evenings are always delightful;
The lessons I give are both fun & insightful.

I do genealogy faithfully, too.
It's easy to do al the things that I do!

I rise each day early, refreshed & awake;
I know all the names of each youth in my stake!

I read to my children!
I help all my neighbors!
I bless the community, too, with my labors.

I exercise & I cook menus gourmet;
My visiting teaching is done the first day!

(I also go do it for someone who missed hers.
It's the least I can do for my cherished ward sisters.)

I chart resolutions & check off each goal;
I seek each "lost lamb" on my Primary roll.

I can home-grown produce each summer & fall.
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all

I write in my journal!
I sing in the choir!
Each day, I write "thank you's" to those I admire.

My sons were all Eagles when they were 14!
My kids get straight A's!
& their bedrooms are clean!

I have a home business to help make some money;
I always look beautifully groomed for my honey.

I go to the temple at least once a week;
I change the car's tires!
I fix the sink's leak!

I grind my own wheat & I bake all our bread;
I have all our meals planned out 6 months ahead.

I make sure I rotate our 2 - years supply;
My shopping for Christmas is done by July!

These things are not hard;
It's good if you do them;
You can if you try!
Just set goals & pursue them!

It's easy to do all the things that I do!
If you plan & work smart, you can do them all, too!

"It's easy!" she said
& then she dropped dead-

By Vickie Gunther
Redlands, California

Halloween-Trunk or Treat

Maria in her "Creepy Clown" costume -

Daniella is Maria's favorite friend.

She was a rockstar-

Nice-

Cecilia was a Pink Rockstar/Sharpay
She is appropriately ignoring the paparazzi-

Look who is 40

In my defense, I had no idea what Shenja was photographing.

Apparently, no pun intended, it was some sort of fertility image.

Nicaraguans are amazing artists.

This photo was taken in the lobby of our hotel.

Same location.

We had a lot of fun in the hotel lobby.

We were the only people there during most of our stay in a former convent.

Where is scratch and sniff photography when we need it? Next to the meat department-

Open air market; Leon, Nicaragua

Self photo of me and Shenja. Our first photos/trip were taken in Macchu Picchu, Peru 16 years ago when we met in a train station in Cuzco waiting for tickets. Time flies.

Shenja kept telling me to stop cooling off in front of the fan. What an 'American'. All I can say to my Euro counterpart is it was hot. Not Nevada hot... I mean hot...In the way that you are not sure you are still breathing air. I assure you the only thing anyone saw was my attitude-

What.

'til next time...


That was the best birthday present ever...
Thanks Brad & Shenja-