Our Future in Pinetop

Juan was invited to go away with one of his best friends for the weekend on a birthday trip so we decided to take advantage of the opportunity and get away ourselves. We are not comfortable leaving him home alone so unless he has someplace to go or stay, we don't let him stay home alone. 

A few years ago, we purchased some land in a gated community in Pinetop and plan to build a house as a retirement home. Unfortunately, building expenses are high right now and we want to make sure that is the right choice before we start. So, we decided to look into a mobile home in Pinetop as step one. We found one that was very reasonably priced and the perfect setup for us. It is in perfect condition and a one-bedroom, one-bathroom home. It has a small fence for the dogs and a ramp for me. We can now go and visit without the expense or restraint of a time share reservation, get to know the area better and make a decision before building. If we do decide to build, we will have a place to stay during the process. We are very excited and look forward to the future!

Every time we visit our lot looks a little different, depending on the season. Right now, the grass is green and the cottontails are in full bloom.

Ingrid Graduates

 We all have in our minds how things will be and honestly, things rarely turn out how we envision they will. I have learned over time to roll with the punches and make the best out of our circumstances. Being parents didn't turn out like I planned. Helping Angie with her high school online experience did not turn out like I planned and she never really had a graduation with Covid. Ingrid left home in March so although we tried, her graduation was also not the huge celebration we would have wanted. She went to graduation and left again with a friend. She came to my parents for a short time to see us, open presents, and take pictures, then she was off again. The most important thing is she graduated from both Desert Edge and West-MEC. Coming from Colombia at age 8, knowing no English, and having the challenges she has both mentally and academically, we are very proud of her!

Barnes and Noble Book Signing

 I was so blessed to be able to do another book signing a Barnes and Noble. This one was at their Goodyear location and I sold 6 books during my time there. It is such a great opportunity to pass out my postcard, share my story with complete strangers, and connect with new people. One of the managers on duty was wonderful at announcing my attendance during my time there. I am very thankful for the opportunity. I hope to go back to both Barnes and Noble locations this fall for another signing. They offered a display section for local authors and allowed me to sign a few books for them to keep and hopefully sell.

Ingrid and West-MEC Hair Salon

 One part of the hairstyling program Ingrid was enrolled in at West-MEC that was a wonderful benefit was a real hair salon. As second-year students, the salon was open at the school most afternoons like a real salon to accept customers. I had always told Ingrid I would come and get my hair trimmed by her. It was difficult to find a time with driving Juan around and then my surgery and recovery. I went to see her on the last day the salon was open. She did a great job and it was wonderful to see where she spent her days and what the salon looked like inside. I am very excited for her!

Desert Edge High School Award Ceremony

The end of the school year is always a busy and crazy time but when your child is graduating, there is extra excitement. Because Ingrid attended West-MEC Technical School in conjunction with high school, she received an award at the awards night ceremony for her extra efforts. It was a lot of extra work to manage two schools for two years and we are proud of her for graduating from both.

Juan and West-MEC

 Juan is enjoying his first year at West-MEC in their Coding program and learning a lot. He is at a different campus than Ingrid was at and just passed his Microsoft Certification test. We are very proud of him for his hard work and all his accomplishments. He was chosen to be part of a team earlier this year to help re-design the campus's website, which was a wonderful hands-on experience.

Juan struggles with mental challenges, anger management, and communication which makes our relationship and parenting him quite difficult at times. However, we want to support, love, and give him all we can so that he can be a successful adult. Our kids started out with so little and went through so much transition before joining our family. Their lives were not easy, and we recognize that. We just want to help them but getting them to accept our help has been one of the most difficult tasks. One day at a time.

Mother's Day 2022

Dainis did a wonderful job this year celebrating me as a wife and a mom. He knows me well and knows that presentation and gift-giving are part of my love language to others. I received a text from the girls and a greeting from Juan. We can't make others respond the way we would so I am grateful for Dainis and all he does, as well as my parents. The kids all have cars, jobs, and the ability to do more and choose not to. I will continue to make their days special because that is who I am and one day they will mature and realize all that they have been given and what their lives could have looked like if it weren't for us adopting them.

Book Signing Events and Party

 I am so thankful for all the opportunities I have already had in the past few months since my book was published to share my story at book signing events and my own book launch party at my house. So far I have had the opportunity to host a book signing event at The Boyer Bakery, Ribbon Tea House, Desert Springs Church, and Barnes and Noble in Surprise. I will look forward to another book signing at Barnes and Noble in Goodyear on May 14th from 11am-2pm and several at area fitness centers to promote stroke awareness during the month of May. I am excited about the current journey I am on and look forward to seeing what other doors God opens for me to share my story in the future.