3 Truths and 1 Lie

The Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge

Tell us 3 things that are true about you, your condition, your Health Activism, or your life. Now tell us 1 lie. Do you think we will be able to tell the difference?

For those reading this blog who know me, will most likely be able to tell which one is the lie. But here goes.

I am in the process of starting a health and nutrition website with my AFPA Health and Nutrition Consultant certification.

Chris and I have backpacked through Europe and our favorite place was Tuscany.

I have had psoriasis for over 10 years and am now a National Psoriasis Foundation mentor.

I have family from Buenos Aires, Argentina and Spanish was the first language I spoke.

Can you guess which one is a lie?



Keep guessing?



Think you have it?



Well, by now you should know I do have psoriasis and have had it for a long time and I am also in the process of starting a health website. So if you guessed those, you're wrong!

Next, Spanish WAS actually the first language I spoke growing up. My mother is from Argentina and we would go almost every Summer. We had the best time.

So Chris and I have never backpacked through Europe. That is actually one of our long-term goals. He has only been out of the country once, and that was recently when we went to Vancouver. He has also been dying to go to Argentina since meeting me and hearing all these wonderful stories from my family. So our next, long, long-term goal is to take about a month off and go to Europe... before we have kids :)

Hope you enjoyed learning a little more about me and my life!

Think your close friends could guess the lie? Try it today!

This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J

Dear 18 Year Old Me

As part of the National Health Blog Post Month Challenge

3. Dear 18 year old me. Write a letter to yourself when you were 18. Be sure to tell yourself what to do more of, what to do less of, and what you have to look forward to in the next few (or several) years.

Dear Sabrina,

Well, let's see. You've had a pretty good life so far, so have that to be thankful for. And I promise, it only gets better from here. Granted, you will be thrown some curve balls along the way but it's how you deal with them that makes life so much easier.
Always remember where you came from. Family is the most important thing and you have the best one. Every family has their drama and fights but always remember they aren't going anywhere and life is too short to be mad. Remember mom's words "always be patient, you're going to get where you're going eventually. Don't stress and take a deep breath" and take on life with dad's carefree and forgiving attitude, being there for the ones you love. Remember your bond with Marina and Nicholas. Siblings fight all the time and the past is the past, mend fences and love with the big heart you have.

Being diagnosed with psoriasis is a hard thing to learn—but things could be worse. Even though there is no cure for this auto-immune disease, dealing with it in the right way will help you out in the long run. Be patient. You will be able to make a difference while having this disease by becoming a NPF mentor and help more people than you know. Hang in there, it gets better.

College will be the best time of your life. Scary at first, like every new experience. But tackle it with the confidence you have. You will change your major SEVERAL times, but you will eventually find something you are great at. Join a sorority and you will make a difference, meet some life-long friends and your future bridesmaids.

You will meet the man of your dreams. It's not going to happen fast, so don't get frustrated. And throw away your plan of "I'm going to be married by 25 and have 2.5 kids by the time I'm 30" Be patient (starting to sound like a theme, huh?). When you meet him, you will know and he will change your life in so many amazing ways. He will be the strong and confident, unique and caring and the most handsome man you know. You will learn how to compromise, be financially organized (yes, it's possible) and love him unconditionally. Yall's marriage will be the happiest most exciting time in your life to date. You will also live in some really cool places with each other, rely on only each other and learn how to take on life together.

You will also have the best job out of college, interning (and eventually being promoted) at a reputable PR agency. Look to her as your mentor because everything you learn from her will give you the confidence you need professionally to do some amazing things.

Be better at receiving constructive criticism and becoming more proactive. You will learn time management skills and how to prioritize the many projects in your life.

Continue to be the kind-hearted, sweet, smart, forgiving, confident person everyone tells you, you are. Love unconditionally. Be patient. Everything happens for a reason. Be thankful everyday. This life is what you make it and will be the best one you can live.



This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J

My blog is being turned into a TV show!

Ha, I got your attention! It really isn't being turned into a TV— don't we all wish we were on TV for a little while?! This is my second blog post, so read on :)

2. My TV Show. Your blog is being turned into a TV show! Congrats – you’ve
earned it. In fact, you get to co-write it. Write about the TV show based on your life or blog.

Eeeekkk, I thought the book titles were hard. I can't tell you how many times I've heard in passing, conversations with friends, FB updates "my life should be turned into a reality show" or wow, that is definitely reality TV show ready.... Everyone wants their 15 mins of fame. And if they say no they don't, then they're lying!

Now, back to my TV show. I would love the TV show to incorporate all my book titles, hehe! Basically chronically my life as a twin, the good and the bad (definitely some drama for the ratings); my family dealing with the health scares of my parents; my diagnosis with psoriasis which was in high school—like high school isn't rough enough on a teenage girl, I now had to deal with a disease we knew nothing about—then later going on to become a National Psoriasis Foundation volunteer mentor; my sister getting her first teaching job; my moms cancer treatments; meeting my husband (add in some ups and downs) and then our marriage(lasting longer than 72 days, mind you. Too bad, Kim K!). Then a season finale can be that Chris accepted the job to be the Mauitime Art Director and we move to Maui!

Season starts off with us living in paradise and chronicles the tough times—no job for me or friends for awhile, small place, planning our wedding, adjusting to a completely new island lifestyle, rubbing elbows with the rich and famous(can you say Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Josh Radnor, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban?) and the good times—Chris excelling in his job, being honored for his design work, meeting life-long friends, visiting breath taking places and everything else in between. Shots back home to include my sisters promotion at school; brother moving to Colorado; updates on my parents; Chris's brother graduating high school and starting college. Season ends with Chris accepting another job to become the Associate Art Director at the Seattle Met Magazine! Surprise—time to move, again!

Next season starts off with our new life in a COMPLETELY different city. Going from living in tank tops, swimsuits, shorts and flip flops to jackets, scarves and rain boots; handling the death of a very close friend; still no job for me; public transportation; moving expenses; new puppy; one year anniversary; family visits; planning and leading my first event; learning a new city and the list goes on.

So there you have it. No, I haven't given this any thought..... what would your TV show be like? I'd love to hear!

This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J

Take Time for 12 Things

Just recently we had some friends from Maui stay with us last minute due to some unforeseen family drama on their families part. Chris and I were glad we were able to be there for them and that they felt close enough to call us.

Before they left, Karen (whom I used to work with at The Grand) left me with a poem that hit home on way too many levels.

Last weekend made me realize that no matter how young or old you are, whether you're still in high school or not, whether it's work, home, friends or family drama—EVERYONE has it. But we have to make sure to take time for the special things in life, 12 things to sum it up. And always be grateful for the days we have with our family and friends, drama or not.

1. Take time to dream .... it hitches your soul to the stars.

2. Take time to work .... it is the price of success.

3. Take time to think ... it is the source of power.

4. Take time to play ... it is the secret of youth.

5. Take time to read ... it is the foundation of knowledge.

6. Take time to worship .... it is the highway of reverence and washes the dust from your eyes.

7. Take time to help and enjoy friends ... it is the source of happiness.

8. Take time to love ... it is the one sacrament of life.

9. Take time to laugh .... it helps with life's loads.

10 Take time for beauty ... it is everywhere in nature.

11. Take time for health .... it is the true treasure of life.

12. Take time to plan .... it is the secret of being able to have time to take time for the first eleven things.

— Author Unknown

Life Is Not a Race, Take Some Me-Time

I saw this on one of the women entrepreneurs blogs I follow on Twitter (@womenonthefence) and just had to share it.

SLOW DANCE.

“Have you ever watched kids
on a merry-go-round
Or listened to the rain
slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly’s erratic flight
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down
Don’t dance so fast
Time is short
The music won’t last

Do you run through each day
on the fly
When you ask “How are you?”
do you hear the reply?

When the day is done,
do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
running through your head?

You’d better slow down
Don’t dance so fast
Time is short
The music won’t last

Ever told your child,
We’ll do it tomorrow
And in your haste,
not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
‘Cause you never had time
to call and say “Hi”?

You’d better slow down
Don’t dance so fast
Time is short
The music won’t last

When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift….
Thrown away…

Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.”

Everyone is always on the run and on the go. We have to get out of the house and not miss traffic. Gotta make this meeting or my boss is gonna kill me. I have to make these brownies tonight for my kids bake sale tomorrow. I have to study right now to get into a great college. Can I make a 15 min run today after a long day of work?

There is always something that you are going to feel like you need to be in a rush for, but really what we all need to do is SLOW DOWN.

I really have to credit my mom with this, too. It doesn't matter where we are or where we're going, you will always hear her say "What's the rush? We're going to get there eventually." It doesn't matter if there is a five car pile up or just 5 o'clock traffic, she is as cool as a cucumber. Thank you mom for teaching me the patience I have—but could always have more.

Chris and I have had a lot of things happen to us, good and bad, but we are on a mission to just slow down, take life as it comes and live our life day to day—not in the past. That was one of the main reasons we left Houston. To put it in Chris' words "We were tired of the rat race." Sitting in traffic every day, always rushing some where. So we definitely slowed things down, Maui style, and loved it while we were there. Fast forward to present time: Dealing with moving two times, up rooting our lives, leaving our friends and families, not having a job, several family health scares, death of a very close friend, births of our friends babies, a new group of friends, air mattress and college living for a week, getting to know a new city— so yes, we have been through A LOT. But there is always time to S-L-O-W D-O-W-N.

Take time during your day, kiss your kids and parents, call a friend, listen to music for 10 mins, send a "just thinking of you" text to your significant other, take some me time and slow down.

Something Chris and I love doing is we have a date night set every week (thanks Loni!). No matter your schedule, set date night every week with your sig other and stick to it. We also do a Taco Tuesday. We look forward to these things every week. No matter how fast or crazy our lives have been.

So slow down and take a deep breath. You will always get to where you're going.

What me-time will you initiate this week for yourself and/or with your loved ones?

Hello, Seattle!

We are happy to announce that Chris is officially the new Associate Art Director of Seattle Met magazine! Chris will be joining a highly-talented team including Design Director André Mora & Editor in Chief Katherine Koberg and company this July. I’m really excited about this great opportunity and can’t wait to get up there and get to work! Get ready to hear much more about this award-winning publication in the weeks to come…

Some words, from Chris: But, as excited as we are about new beginnings—it’s a bittersweet feeling leaving such a great team behind. MauiTime has been an amazing place to work, and I can’t say enough about what a wonderfully talented group of people they are—and what an amazing product they produce each week. When you see what goes on behind the scenes you gain a new respect for the hard work and dedication that it takes to make such a great weekly happen. They haven’t been just co-workers, but a family here for both my wife and I. So to all my MauiTime peeps—I wish you guys (and gals) the best of luck going forward—although I know you won’t need it. Mahalo, and aloha to our friends.

A New Year, A New Us

Well, it's the 5th day of the new year and 2011 has started out pretty good.

We had an AMAZING 2010 - best of all I got to marry my best friend and got a great set of in-laws in two awesome sisters and a cool brother! Our wedding was the highlight of 2010 for us and we still can't thank everyone involved for making it truly the best moment in our lives.

We can only hope and pray that 2011 will be just as great, if not better. As everyone is making their New Years resolutions, here are the things we are looking forward to and will be working our butts off to do.

Exciting events lined up for 2011:
1. I am working on getting my Nutrition and Wellness Certification from AFPA (I am super excited!)
2. Chris gaining even more press and awards for the great work he is doing as MauiTime Art Director
3. Chris and I partnering together for lucky11studios.com to bring my PR background to Lucky 11
4. Great health for family (mom and dad!), friends and us
5. Starting the next phase of our life
6. Traveling to new places
7. Paying off Chris' car
8. Chris' brother, Cody, graduating from high school!
9. Learn how to surf
10. For me to get a full time job

We have been so blessed and lucky with everything and everyone in our life. So, thank you to everyone, especially our families, who have continued to support us in all our endeavors.

Instead of setting resolutions you probably wont keep - make a list of things you hope to accomplish this year. I promise, you will so much better.

2011 will be amazing!

What are your goals for 2011?

Dedicated to the Wonderful People in My Life

On Christmas Eve, I have so much to be thankful for!

1. Wonderful husband

2. Amazing family

3. Great friend

4. My strong faith

5. Being healthy

6. Having a job

7. A roof over our head

8. A car to take us to our jobs

9. Food and water

10. Living in paradise

These are just the many blessings in my life. Living away from our family has been hard but what has made it easier for Chris and I is the fact that we are in this together - always have been, always will be. God has blessed us with living in this beautiful place and we definitely make the most of it. We are both close to our families and talk to them every day. We thank God for the amazing family and connections we have with our family and friends back home.

2010 had it's ups and downs, like life does - but I am proud to say that we have stuck it through like the troopers we are. My mom has been doing great during her chemo treatments, my dad's health is great and he is still as active as ever; my sister got engaged to her long-time boyfriend; my brother and his wife moved into a new place - oh yea, Christopher and I got married!!! We are surrounded by the best families in the world!

Having a strong faith is also important to me. One of my 2010 resolutions was to have a stronger and deeper faith: continue to go to church on Sundays, and Holy Day's of obligation, read the bible more. I am proud to say that I have kept that resolution up and it feels great. Faith is a strong part of my life and drives my decisions and makes me the woman I am and the wife I want to be for Christopher.

In 2011, I want to continue living my life with a strong faith because it feels so good; I want to learn more about Catholicism; have Chris want to go to Church with me; get my AFPA Nutrition and Wellness Certification (more about this in a later blog); get a full-time job; become a National Psoriasis Foundation Mentor; freelance more. These are things on my to do list and part of my New Years Resolutions. But to me, I don't look at my resolutions as something I "have to do," I look it them as something "I want to do." It really makes a difference.

I know God has amazing things plan for us and I CAN NOT WAIT to see what he has planned for us in 2011.

Have you held up for your 2010 New Year's Resolutions? What are you thankful for? What are you most looking forward to in 2011?

Some special words I want to leave you with:

As Christmas draws near, it's time to clean up the house so everything will be in order for the celebration. Going to church on Christmas will mean each of us has to get cleaned up and ready too. Cleaning takes a little time and effort, but the result is well worth it.

God takes time, if we let him, to clean us from the inside out. Ask God to forgive you for your sins. As God to help you love those around you. As God, to heal any hurts or sorrows you have. God is ready to create a new and clean heart within you.

Lord Jesus, embrace s with your love so that we might accept your Word in our lives.

Study: Women are Unhealthier Than Ever

"Overall, the nation is still so far from the Healthy People and related goals that it receives a grade of 'Unsatisfactory'," the report said. "In none do women enjoy overall satisfactory health status."

Yep. that would catch my eye, too. But the question is what are we as women doing to keep being healthy? A lot of women, people, for that matter may think it takes a lot or "I just don't have the time" to be healthy. Which is completely false. All it takes is a little bit a knowledge and a want to continue to live a healthy lifestyle.

Click here to read the article more in depth.

Test: "Making the Grade on Women’s Health: A National and State-by-State Report Card"

Major points:
- More women are obese, diabetic, and suffering from hypertension than they were in 2007. - More women are testing positive for chlamydia (which can lead to infertility) - Fewer are being checked for ovarian cancer, and more are admitting that they've had five or more drinks in one go within the last month. - Part of the problem, the report points out, is that nearly 1 in 5 women between the ages of 18 and 64 are uninsured, and it's difficult to get adequate care without health insurance.
What have you done today to be healthy? When was the last time you went to the OBGYN or general doctor for a yearly exam? When was the last time your mother or sister or best friend went?

Your health comes first. If we're not healthy, then we can't take care of those around us who may need more help then we do. Continue to live your life and be healthy!

We Got Married!!!!!

Wow, with out realizing it, it has been about a month since I last wrote on my blog. I was a little busy getting.... MARRIED!!!!!

It has been an exhilarating, amazing, joyous, hectic, fun-filled, etc month!

Back to the married part: Christopher and I got married on October 9, 2010 with a beautiful ceremony at the gorgeous Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral Church followed by the most amazing and perfect reception at America's Reception Hall. Pictures on FB, but will post photos on here later. The same question I get asked a lot is "So was it everything y'all hoped it was?" Yes, it really was. We were so grateful to be able to fly back to Houston and have our wedding there. What made it even better was that my entire family from Argentina (cousins, aunts, uncles) were all able to come down and be apart of it. We truly are the luckiest two people and had the most amazing time celebrating our love in front of our friends and family.

Looking back, we loved everything about our wedding. What wasn't to love: flowers were gorgeous, BM and GM looked spectacular in their dresses and tuxedos, moms and dads looked even better, our readers were GREAT, ceremony and the Father were incredible(minus my dad's cell phone going off!), my dress was beautiful and Chris loved it, Chris looked SO HANDSOME!, reception hall was out of this world (Thanks to Christian Cabello! I definitely recommend him!), food was great, dancing and music- well let's just let the pictures explain that one, our cake and the Grooms cake(homemade MAC cake) was awesome, homemade dessert table even better! and the fact that we had all our family and friends, well, that's all we can ask for!

It hit me, when we were saying our vows to each other; when we put our rings on each other and walking down the aisle as Mrs. Christopher Skiles. I can't put it into words how amazing our time was there. We have so many amazing memories from the time we spent with everyone and look forward to the next time we are all able to get together! The times we spend with each other will forever be in our hearts and memories. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making our wedding day the most memorable and amazing time.

No, we didn't take a Honeymoon. We both took time off of work and aren't able to take more time off and we're saving up as well. We also live on Maui, hello! So what we may end up doing is see if we can visit some of the other islands and make it an ongoing honeymoon. No rush. We have the rest of our lives to be together :)

Now we are back to the daily grind: working at the Grande Wailea and designing the wonderful and always artistic MauiTime.

Keep us in your prayers as we both venture off to try new things and await the next chapter of our lives!

Im Hoooommmmmmeee!

I have been home now for about a week and a half and I haven't stopped going since I got here. But I wouldn't have it any other way! Seeing as how I haven't updated since then, you can tell how busy I have been!! Thing's I have done:

1. Had my first dress fitting
2. Found white shoes and earrings
3. Mom found her beautiful dress!
4. Dad and bro got fitted for their tux/suit
5. Met with the venue coordinator to finalize floor plans, cake design and food
6. Met with DJ to finalize play list
7. Met with florist to finalize all flowers (I have the best florist ever! Flowers by Lois)
8. Bought my dresses for: bridal shower, rehearsal and bachelorette party
9. Attended my awesome bridal shower!!
10. Picked up gifts for flower girl and others

Wheeewwwww!!! That's a lot of stuff in a week and a half! And I'm still not done.
1. Started with the seating chart- that has to be one of the most stressful thing EVER!
2. Attend my final dress fitting next Sat
3. Hopefully get my bridal portraits taken
4. Do a trial run with my hair stylist and makeup artist
5. Find my sister and BM's their shoes!!
6. Attend bachelorette party!
7... and so much more.

It has been a little stressful but so great being back and seeing everyone, especially spending time with my family and staying with my sister! It's hard being away from friends and family especially since both Chris and I are big family people. I already knew I was lucky to have the family and friends that I do, but being here with everyone makes me feel even more lucky and blessed to have such amazing people in my life.

I have even had time to go to a UH football game with my sister, her boyfriend, my bro and sister in law; shopping with my mom and sister(what we do best!); have some lunch/coffee dates with my BM's; shoe shopping with my sister in law; hang out with friends at Sawyer Park (awesome place!); met and got marriage advice from Houston Rocket's Shane Battier! So it hasn't been bad!

My parents have made me into the woman that I am; my sister and brother take care of me even when I don't have to tell them; my amazing friends keep me grounded; my fiance keeps me wanting to be a better woman and wife :) for him. I couldn't ask for a better life!

Thank you to everyone who makes a difference in my life and keeps me sane :) Bear with me through this "emotional, stressful" and happy time of me and Chris' life before we start our life together as husband and wife. We couldn't do it without you!

My Mother

You have to be living under a rock if you don't know that my mother is one of the strongest people you will ever meet. Today, she starts another round of Chemo because they found a cancerous spot or a mestasis on her lower back. This round of Chemo wont be as bad as the other rounds (crossing our fingers), but still it's chemo and it sucks! So this blog is dedicated to how strong, amazing and loving my mother is. We all know she is going to make it through this because of how strong she is.

I always say, God doesn't give us anything we can't handle. I truly believe that. If my mother can get through the last round, she can get through this, and anything else - especially raising twins and an older brother! She has many great things to look forward to and be healthy for. God is just making sure she is in excellent condition :)

My parents are, of course, a big part of my life. They are the reason I would eventually like to go back to school to get a degree or nutrition certificate to be a certified nutritionist. It's really easy to adopt a healthy lifestyle and I want to be able to teach that to other people. My parents inspire me to do better things and I can only hope that I will make them proud in the process.

If you, a family member or someone you know is going through a hard trial in their life facing cancer, a tough pregnancy, a serious injury, loss of a close one etc, take a few moments out of your day to let them know that you are thinking about them and wish them well. Thoughts and prayers go a long way.

46 Days To Till I Am a Married Woman

Oh-my-goodness! We are down to 46 days now. Not months, days!!!! I can't believe it's getting here already. We are so ready to come home and celebrate our love with this wonderful wedding and be able to spend time with our families.

Instead of a list of what I needs to be done (because pretty much everything is done!), here is a list of what is left to do:

1. Fly home (Sept 8)
2. Dress fitting (Sept 11)
3. Bridal shower (Sept 18)
4. Bachelorette party (all my sisters doing, she wont tell me anything!)
5. Buy shoes: white for the ceremony, and red for the reception
6. Schedule an appt with my stylist and MUA to go over hairstyles and makeup
7. Meet with florist
8. Meet with venue coordinator to go over final floor plan and details
9. Show the future-in-laws the ceremony and reception venue
10. Finalized music details

I'm sure I will come up with more, but for now this is a good list. And I am super excited to get everything done - and of course spend time with my family!

Words can not express how excited I am for this amazing chapter of my life to begin with the most amazing man in the world.

47 days and counting!!!

Are You a Good Neighbor?

Yesterday was a great Sunday, and I am so glad I went to church, as I am every Sunday.

I worked all day and I wasn't sure if I wasn't going to be able to go to church because of how late it was. Come 4:45, I'm rushing out already annoyed that I may be late to Church. But I get home change really quickly and get to church in time! And I even have time to pray before which I always love doing. It gives me a sense of calmness and serenity. Not think about anything but be present in that moment and connect with God. It's my time and no one can take that away from me.

I was also able to speak to my sister after Church - which always gives me a sense of calmness too. I'll be honest, I got kind of teary-eyed talking to her because we used to go to church every Sunday: teaching Sunday school then sitting right next to each other. It's sad I'm not able to go to Church with her on Sundays, but I know she's only a phone call away! Chris does go with me every now and then and I appreciate it when he does, because he knows how much it means to me.

But the homily really spoke to me.

It was in regards to The Parable of the God Samaritan Luke 10:25-37

In the parable, a Jewish traveler is beaten, robbed, and left half dead along the road. First a priest and then a Levite come by, but both avoid the man. Finally, a Samaritan comes by. Samaritans and Jews generally despised each other, but the Samaritan helps the injured Jew. Jesus is described as telling the parable in response to a question regarding the identity of the "neighbor" which Leviticus says should be loved.

Are we good neighbors? Do we act neighborly? This was the father's questions to us. It got me thinking to us living here and how relevant this scripture was to our lives. We try to act neighborly every where we are and I think we're pretty good at it. Being here, it's a little hard I have to admit. Because all we have is here each other, not our friends or family. Yes, we have made friends here but it's really not the same. We do know our neighbors, which is a good thing. It just made me smile. I try to live by God's word and this was only another little way of God making sure we all are living this way.

You don't even have to be Catholic to be a good neighbor. It takes love, willingness, patience and comfort. God asks us to love him as well as love our neighbors. If we can't show love to our neighbors then how can we show love to God? It doesn't take a lot to go to your next door neighbor, the person who lives across the street or behind you and just introduce yourself and say hi. A little kindness goes a long way. The Good Samaritan didn't have to stop, but he did it out of the kindness of his heart. There should be more people like that in this world. Don't hesitate, don't wait, go and be neighborly. Even if you have lost touch with someone; if you know someone who is going through a divorce; who has an illness; who has lost someone close to them; let them know you are there if they need anything. They will appreciate it a lot more than you know, and you will feel better doing it :)

I leave you with these thoughts.....

"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"

The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."

Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

We Left Our Hearts in......

Everyone knows how much we love living here, but we have been here almost a year, so I thought it would be appropriate to write about the things that we think about (miss) back home:

* Family

* Friends

* Buster

* Our old apartment

* Myriad of Restaurants and food: TEX MEX food; BW3's; Chi-fil-a; What-a-burger

* Dressing up

* Night life (concerts, restaurant and bar openings)

* My car!

* The Galleria

* Shiner Beer

* Thunderstorms

The time has gone by so fast, I still cant believe that's it's been almost year of living here. In less then a year we have accomplished a lot of what we planned; experienced things we would've never been able to do; seen things we would've never been able to see; met new people; learn about a new culture. We have honestly grown so much and this was the best thing we could've done before our marriage; yet we know there is a lot more growing to do. It's been a little hard but God doesn't ever give us things we can't handle. We thank him everyday for giving us the patience and love we have for each other.

I've also learned that people here take where they live for granted. It made me realize I definitely didn't take living in Houston for granted and we don't take living here for granted.

Take time to appreciate where you are, who you're with and what God has planned for you.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

Today I am wishing all the fathers, grandfathers, great grandfathers, uncles and soon-to-be fathers a very HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!! But especially my father, the best dad in the world, Bill Dreyer!!

It was weird going to Church today and not be with my dad. All the dad's received blessings. But I did talk to my dad before I went into Church so that counts for something :)

Today the Father's homily was very inspirational. "Are you in it for you or are you in it for others?" Such a great question to ponder, especially on this day. Are you in this world for yourself - are you selfish and self centered? Or are you in this world for others - do you think about others and want to live your life to better others? It's not hard to know where I belong. That is definitely in the second category. And I owe that to my father (and mother!).

My father is one of the most unselfish man I know. He lives his life making sure me, Marina, Nick and our mom are all taken care of. Overcoming prostate cancer, triple by-pass surgery and hormone shots right now, he is the epitome of the strongest man and wonderful father. He lives his life for others. That's how I am living my life. Not for me, but for my wonderful family, friends and Christopher. To live your life this way is to be helpful, not hurtful. That's how God lived his life. He lived it for us.

Thinking of another aspect of my life coming up: my future nuptials. Most marriages end in divorce because one or the other is living for themselves, and not for their significant others. That is not how I want to live my marriage and I am going to work my butt of to have the kind of marriage my parents have. They are living for each other first and then for their kids. Same with Chris' parents. They are still married and are living for themselves and the kids. It is truly why a happy, healthy marriage is important to Chris and I. We have these amazing examples that a strong, happy, health marriage is possible.

Three 1/2 months from now, Chris and I will begin our journey as husband and wife. Living our lives for each other and not for ourselves.

On this special Father's Day, take time out to show love for the father figure in your life. Let him know how much he shapes you, the way you live your life and how much you love him. I know I already have and will continue to do so for the rest of my life.

I love you Bill Dreyer.

Mothers Give You....

HAPPY (LATE) MOTHER'S DAY!

Yesterday was the first Mother's Day we were not with our mothers, and to tell you the truth it was kind of weird. Thanks to Skype, we each got to talk to our mothers and families. My sister was cooking a wonderful meal at home and my brother and sister-in-law, my sister's boyfriend (who is like my big brother), and Steph (a bridesmaid) and her two handsome twin boys, and of course my daddy. It definitely wasn't the same. My sister even sent me a text "Cooking Mother's day dinner definitely isn't the same without you." I couldn't help but smile. But I did give flowers to a co-worker who has four kids and a grandchild; she is also a friend to me: Mrs. Roberta Beeson. She always gives me rides to and from work, lends a listening ear and is just a sweet person. Chris and I also bought some beautiful, potted mums for our neighbor who lives above us. She is a divorced lady who always fixes us food and keeps an eye on our cat. So we paid it forward to the "Mothers" in our life.

We also went to a wonderful Church service where the father recited a great homily about mothers. He said mothers give us roots and wings. They give us roots to keep us ground and wings to let us fly. This is so true and my mom fits right under that category. I am the grounded, self-confident person because I know my roots, where I come from and have a strong family background. She and my father also gave us our wings to explore what we wanted to in life. Without them we wouldn't be where we are and the people who we have become. Chris and I have wonderful mothers (and fathers) and we thank God everyday for them.

I hope you celebrated the Mothers in your life. Not just yesterday but everyday.