Merry Christmas!

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Jose and I celebrated our first Christmas as a married couple, although we've spent the previous two Christmas' here in CA. Everyone asks, "What traditions are you going to make?". It's a great question. We have a few, but really it can't be a tradition unless we repeat it a couple years. I think that lots of traditions come when you have children. We put up a tree, some lights on the railing of our little porch, set out the Christmas cards and pictures we received, put stockings by the fire place, walked around "Christmas Card Lane" to see lights, and went to many Christmas parties. No matter what traditions we choose we must remember the reason why we have to celebrate.

Luke 2:8-14 (ESV)

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

Saturday night we had a game night at our home. We ate dinner together and then played mafia. It was a lot of fun to fill our apartment with about 25 people. Maybe we can carry this on and make it a tradition.



Christmas Eve we went to church in the morning and then in the afternoon went to a family's house (The Turbedsky's) from the church. We appreciated having a place to go and be with friends. After we came home, we opened one present from each other - Jose got me a big wooden picture frame with a Scripture on it and I gave Jose a journaling Bible. We ended the night by watching "It's a Wonderful Life"...well part of it because I fell asleep as usual.

On Christmas morning we drove up north to eat breakfast at IHOP with Jose's grandparents, dad, brother, and uncle. Some more family came over to the grandparent's home and we visited with them for a little bit. We stopped by to visit the Nair family on our way home. When we came home we opened our presents (you can see silly pictures we took of each other). Jose then continued to write a paper that he's been working on for a history class he's taking at a seminary, while I made a cheesecake. For dinner we went over the the Fierro's house (family from our church) and had a good time.

The year 2006 is coming to an end! We plan on celebrating the new year with friends in Yuma, Arizona. You ask "what's there?" The Buchina family, a lot of desert and a growing community.
Have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Surprises!

There has been much excitement going on in our lives! Thanks to everyone who has been praying for me to pass the NCLEX and get a nursing job! As you know, I took the test December 6th. Saturday while I was checking the California Board of Registered Nursing web site I typed in my name to check license verification and sure enough my name came up with an active license!! I pretty much screamed and jumped for joy with Jose and my mom right there to celebrate the moment. I passed with only taking 75 questions in about 2 hours. It was funny because I took a break when I was on question number 74 (due to my horrible experience last time) and came back and only had to do one more question. I can't thank those enough who have been encouraging and praying for me for months now. Then this past Thursday I had an interview at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla and was offered the job on the spot. There was one opening left for a new grad on the Telemetry floor (takes care of patients after heart surgery) and I gladly said I'd like the position! God has a reason for everything. In the summer I had an interview for the same exact position and was put on the waiting list and then a spot opened up, but I failed the exam and couldn't take the offer. If the Lord wills me to work there I will start February 12th.

So on with the story about surprises. My birthday was on December 7th and because I was taking the test the day before I asked Jose not to tell me anything regarding celebrating my birthday so that I could stay focused (my mind easily wanders). This gave him an opportunity to surprise me, which is not easy to do. I asked him if I needed to pack anything and he said to pack for us for one night. After coming home from the test I packed a bag. Wednesday afternoon we went to La Jolla to see the sunset and walk around. We picked out a place to eat dinner and then we went to go move our car (since it was only 3 hr parking) and he only moved it over 2 spaces. Logically this didn't make sense to me since we had to walk a bit and thought he'd drive closer to the restaurant. I was not too happy and so he told me to look over there as he pointed to the Bed and Breakfast sign. He surprised me with an overnight stay at a lovely Bed and Breakfast! The room was blue and decorated beautifully. They even gave us chocolate covered strawberries and champagne to celebrate. In the morning we relaxed and then enjoyed being served breakfast there.

The surprises were not over yet. In the afternoon we drove downtown San Diego to walk by the bay, which happens to be near the airport. I have to admit I was pretty suspicious and had a gut feeling about what was going to happen. We walked around by the water for an hour or so. We sat down on the grass by some trees and Jose got a phone call. He pretended it was the car place letting us know we could pick up our other car (which was in the shop). He said we'd be there soon to pick it up. As we got closer to the car I started looking around and I spotted who I was looking for - my mom! I started laughing because she had seen us and started to duck down by the cars. I kept looking for her and she popped up by our car. We gave each other a big hug. I was really happy to see her! They tried so hard to keep it a surprise from me and they did a pretty good job....I just pick up on little things and imagine what might happen. Thanks mom for coming for the weekend to be with me on my birthday! We went from there to have lunch at Sammy's Woodfire Pizza. We ended the day watching "The Nativity".

We had a lot of fun with my mom here. Friday, December 8th we went to the San Diego Zoo. Now I have a pass for myself and one other person until February 2008. So if anyone comes to visit we'll have to go to the Zoo or Wild Animal Park. It was another beautiful day to walk around. During my mom's visit we also went to a Christmas party, ate at the Chart House, went to Church and home group, and found a Christmas tree! My mom bought me a new bike as a graduation/birthday present. I've been wanting one for a while and she decided to bless me with one. We have really cool trails right by where we live that go to the beach and are looking forward to biking there together.

I definitely felt like a queen the whole time. I have been so blessed! Thanks mom and Jose for making this time so special! Thank the Lord for giving me a wonderful husband, mom and friends and allowing me to pass the NCLEX! What a joyous time. This birthday was one of the best if not the best I've ever had. For most of my life I've been in school during my birthday and more often than not have had a major project or exam on or close to my birthday. How wonderful to not have to study right now :) Now it's time to celebrate our Savior's birth!

Please Pray

Hello friends! It's been a while since we've updated this blog. We've been enjoying life together. Monday, November 20th Jose and I celebrated our 6th month-a-versary. Yes, we are dorks! It's fun to do something special each month. We were able to go to a lovely restaurant by the Ocean, called the Chart House. We enjoyed a beautiful sunset and nice seafood meal. They even brought us a piece of cake with a candle to celebrate our anniversary. It's been a wonderful 6 months being married to Jose. Thanks Jose for loving me so much and asking me to marry you! God has been blessing us and sanctifying us more in marriage.
We hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving! We had Thanksgiving in our home with Jose's dad, two brothers (Matt and David), and his dad's friend. All the guys played a round of golf at Miramar. While Matt was here they played golf 3 times. Meanwhile Carolyn and I cooked, made a trip to the store and waited for the turkey to bake. The turkey turned out pretty well for a first timer. We enjoyed each eating a lot of food and playing games together including an all time favorite - Monopoly.
Today we found out that our lease for the apartment was only for 6 months; all along we thought we signed for a year. Please pray that God would give us wisdom on whether we should buy a place, rent somewhere else, or stay where we are. We'd love it if God would provide a house or condo that is in our price range in the area we live in now.
Also, please pray for me as I retake the NCLEX this Wednesday, December 6th! I am desperate for God's help and ability to pass this! I did have an interview at Children's Hospital and I was not offered a job there. So, I am also going to be in the process of finding a job. There still is a shortage of nurses and plenty of opportunities. God continues to be faithful and will provide for all our needs.