Not often enough

I often tend to wonder if I say 'it' enough. 'It' can stand for so many things, 'I love you', 'good job', 'I miss you' and the list continues. This thought crosses my mind a lot because of how often I travel. I never want to leave my family with final words that were not 'it'. It is something frightening to think of your children growing up without a parent, but more troublesome to think of them without you and never realizing how proud you are of who they are. It all came full circle today, when we listened to our neighbors relate a story of friends of their's that lost their daughter last week. So often I think of what would they do without me; but the real question that you have to ask yourself is what would you do without them? Their child didn't die of a disease or some auto accident, it was simply choking on an apple that took their baby away! So again, do you say 'it' enough?
This concept could easily be followed up with thoughts like, did I tell them enough stories about my childhood, did I take enough photos (I think we're good on that one, I just noticed we have almost 10,000), did we write down the day-to-day antics of our children? With so many things that take time in our lives, I guess we have to learn to prioritize. Do we take the 2 minutes to brush our teeth, or listen to our child pray? Do we wash the dishes before they go to bed or forget the dishes and make an Oreo shake with their help? Do you arrive on time at work or late so that you can eat breakfast with your son? Do you take time to ponder these questions, or dream of the men they will become?

Good night,

Marco

More family photo

Mom and Teago

Trouble

Just another day at the park

Making good on a promise

As I mentioned in a post a few days ago I want to give back to the community that has done so much for our family. Well, Saturday I tested to become a Volunteer Fire Fighter for Sandy City. I don't know why I couldn't volunteer at a soup kitchen, like Ams suggested, but I cannot wait to hear the results! It doesn't sound like a walk in the park at all, I will have to get back into shape and be willing to provide the city with 24 hours of service a month. 24 hours doesn't sound like much at first, but when you think about it, it means 3 8 hours shifts, 2 12 hours shift or 1 full 24 hour shift. And this has to be done each month! Either way, I'm quite excited. My boys will have something to be proud of!

Keep you posted,
Marco

Thanksgiving Point Fun

What a beautiful place Thanksgiving Point is! As many people know, Amber and I were married there almost two years ago. Thanksgiving Point provided the most amazing backdrop for a very special occasion, and we've continued to love the place as we go back. Amber recently purchased a annual pass, much to my chagrin, but now I am coming around to her way of thinking. This place is one of the most beautiful and fun places for our family. Not only does it have an amazing amount of greenery to feast your eyes on, but also quite a bit of fun stuff for children.
This weekend we were able to go to see the "Baby Birthday Party" for all of the baby animals. Their grounds were beautiful and there were hoards of people wanting to see the cute new babies. Unfortunately, it was quite windy so we were not able to spend too much time outside taking in the sun. But we did, because of the annual pass, get to go in for free, and then once we realized it was too windy, go to the Dinosaur Museum for free as well! Tony has a delightful time and didn't want to leave the dino museum, but the fun in it all is that he gets to visit again, and again, and again for the next 365 days. Yay Teagan was just happy as a clam (for the most part) just riding around in his stoller. Not saying too much, except when there was sun in his eyes or he was hungry. And we topped off the day with a quick stop at the Iceburg (local burger joint).

Marco

Those who inspire me

As a young man that grew up in a lower-middle income household, inspiration came quite easily. My father, a father of four children, worked his entire life to provide for his family. Most days leaving before dawn and coming home well into the night, turning around and doing it all over again the next day. Working twelve hours each day, and into the weekend, to make certain anything I asked for, was available, regardless of the utility of stupidity. To this day he is someone that I admire wildly and would love to be as strong of a person as he once was, and is today. Also,teachers in school that went above and beyond to make certain that I succeeded; Mrs. Robinson, Mr. Barrett, and countless other made certain I knew I was worth more than just the label and stigma that came with being a Hispanic kid on the west side of the Salt Lake Valley.
But today, we spend some much of our time sitting in front of the television, and I cannot tell you I have not been inspired by much of the world that is displayed through that window. As a father now, I've had a hard time finding anything or anyone that I can stand by my boys and say "That is a hero" or even just say "That is someone that you and I can admire".
However, there are some things/people that can and will inspire me as a person. Now, in a capitalist nation everyone is out to "make a buck" so-to-speak, but a television program has caught my attention week after week. Extreme Makeover - Home Edition has been a wonderful and wholesome show to watch as a father and as a person. Their goal is simply to help those in need, but also to help those who help others. In essence to give a new home to those who "Pay if forward". As I watched portions of it tonight, I cannot describe how little I feel that I don't give more back to my community, and that I'm somewhat lazy and selfish in not giving more. So as a very late new-years resolution, it's my turn. I hope I can keep this resolution at least this one time, and for years to come.
Another inspiration that people in my neighborhood, city, state, and family my not agree with, is a presidential candidate.
Now, I don't tout myself as a political pundit, but I've read enough to really like Obama. To read his work in The Audacity of Hope, to read through some of his literature, and to listen to the man speak, it is truly inspirational. I cannot say it enough, that is inspiration is something that has been acquired through a lot of reading, listening and simply working on understanding the true nature of this gentleman. So to anyone, learn for yourself, the facts after that make up your mind, not with simply listening to a bunch of rhetoric being spouted in the media, but with diligence and an open mind.
Personally speaking, I think I can easily be man of my faith, and still look at this candidate with great pride and admiration. Though our views may differ, our HOPE is still the same.

Thank you for letting me speak, Marco