Category Archives: Me

Just Stinkin’ Perfect!

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My friend of 23 years told me that her sister reads my blog often. I love it when I hear that people that I care about, and especially people I’m not always in contact with come to check up on my family, me, my life. But one thing that she did say was, “Wow, now that Amanda is in the Mormon church is she like this perfect mom?” I don’t know if those were her exact words, but the word perfect was mentioned. AND THEN! Her mom reads my blog and says, “Did Amanda turn into little Miss Perfect?”…… here we go.

I can classify myself with pretty much the most imperfectness out there. I am not in any way a bad mom, I am not a bad wife, but I am farfrom being the word perfect. I don’t always blog about my faults, because maybe I don’t want to face them. I don’t blog about my faults, because maybe I just don’t want to world to know about them. I do have faults though, and many of them.

It’s funny that miss Alicia (hi Alicia!!) said this, because I think this about others. When I do go to church (and let me tell you, lately it hasn’t been very often!) I envy almost all of the families there. They seem to have perfect lives. Their husbands are smiling and rubbing their backs, the wives are smiling and don’t seem at all frustrated as they drag their screaming toddler out of Sacrament. When I’m at church I’m trying my hardest to keep my kids quiet, my husband awake and wishing that we were at the point of being able to take everything in and love it. It’s hard for us. It seems absolutely easy for every member that has been going to church all their lives, but it’s a drastic change for the Garibay family and I anticipate it taking a while for us to be that family that the new comers look at and envy.

I am probably the most organized unorganized person you’ll ever meet. I could walk into somebody’s home, tear it apart and have everything organized and beautiful, because I know how to. I know where to start, and I know how to get to the ending prize. Have you been to my house? If you have you’ll know that I struggle with organization. Maybe it’s because I’d prefer to always be struggling in this department, because I most definitely know how to get there…. I just haven’t gotten there yet.

I love my children, but they drive me flipping crazy sometimes! I sometimes wish that they would walk away from me and give me some space so I can tweet, blog, surf the internet, read or just think BY MYSELF… whatever. I’m sure that doesn’t make me the best mom in the world, because I actually need a break from them to do the things that make me happy, otherwise why the heck am I living? I love them and breathe for them, but I’m not afraid to admit that I need breaks sometimes, I need a night out without them, and I know many moms who cannot admit to this. So, I guess I’m not so perfect in this department as well.

I often wonder why we sometimes hide our faults. Why we don’t let other people know that hey, I’m not the best wife, my house is a disaster most days, I definitely should not classify as the world’s best mom (even though at times you think you are).

I just want everyone to know me for me. I don’t always blog about my faults, but I have them. I need to remember when reading other people’s blogs that they may seem perfect, and have the perfect blog, the perfect husband and seem like life is just flipping perfect for them, but there’s no way, because none of us are perfect. They have faults just like I do, you do and we all do…. even our mother-in-law’s 🙂

The People Along Life’s Path

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We finally escaped from our house and got on the road late last night. By the time we arrived at our first hotel at 1am I thought I was going to die of exhaustion. Have you ever gotten to the point when driving late at night where you think, if I just close my eyes and wake up in a hospital bed, at least I’ll be sleeping…. I know, terrible but that’s how I felt. The kids and husband in the car with me are what kept my eyes pried open.

Today we arrived at our first destination. Miserable, loney Ely, Nevada. If you’ve ever been to Ely you know exactly what I’m talking about. Anytime that I come to this town I get this sick feeling in my gut and just want to turn the car around and not look back. It just has the icky feeling to it.

Today was different. Right when we pulled into town I pulled in front of a sports bar that my mom’s ex from when I was a little girl owns. Seeing him did something to me I think. He came out and got to meet my family and had a smile on his face that made my soul feel like it was smiling. I miss him. I miss him and my mom together. When they were together we were a family. I was happy.

I think on this trip this is going to happen a lot to me. I’m backtracking and going to places that are from my past and I’m going to see people and places from my past that will bring back memories and feelings… feelings I really didn’t realize I had in me.

How is it possible for people to come in and out of your life? There are so many moments that happen in our life, relationships that we form, and as we grow apart, move apart, lose contact we forget. We forget how much these people mean to us. I think it is dreadfully sad, and I want to make it a goal to stay in contact with the people that have meant something to me. Not just the current people in my life, but with everyone that has had an impact in my life.

I didn’t have the privilege of having a father growing up. My dad as I’ve talked about many time on this blog has never been my dad. But because of this I have had the privilege of having some wonderful father figures in my life. 1 of them met my children tonight. The other will be meeting them in Salt Lake next weekend. Dustin in Salt Lake was never a step-dad of mine, but he holds the place in my heart that a Dad holds in a girl. He is such a wonderful person and did so much to help me out through my teenage years, and I disappointed him. I just want him to know now and always that I appreciate him, and I am so happy that he has such a wonderful family ~ and I’m happy he continues to help troubled teens. I only hope that they realize what a wonderful guy they have there for them…. Dustin rocks and I CANNOT wait to see him next weekend and have him meet my husband, my children and to see that I didn’t turn out too bad.

I want to remember the people that have impacted my life. I want to make contact with them all and let them know how they helped to make me who I am today, because that’s what happens…. the people in our path of life help to make us who we are.

Just a Motivating Monday – Embracing my years

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Welcome to the 3rd edition of Just a Motivating Monday ~ If you are just joining us here’s the scoop:

-Write a blog post about ANYTHING at all that inspires you, or something you feel will inspire others.

-Please link back to Garibay Soup

-Please snag my Just a Motivating button on your post.

-I hope that we can all go and visit each other’s blogs and read what everyone has linked up ~ I hope that this carnival can bring more traffic for you 🙂 So, spread the comment love!

Embracing My Years~

I turned 27 on Friday. I cannot believe that I am 27 years old. I’m almost to the point where I’m not going to be in 20’s anymore and I just can’t believe that it’s gone by this fast.

I know a lot of people, especially women, dread each birthday. They’re getting older, and they don’t want to. I’m the opposite ~ I love growing older. Every year I discover a little more of who I am inside. I can think back 5 years ago and it’s shocking to see what a different person I was. I am pleased with the person that I have become.

I worry less about things that seemed to be of so much importance back then. I treasure things I didn’t care about before. I’ve become a much better mom, a much better wife and I think I am much better person inside.

I embrace each year, because I think with each year I grow; I mature. I learn a little bit more about life, when I thought I knew it all the year before. I learn a little bit more about my husband, when I thought I knew him inside and out. I get to see what beautiful people my kids are slowly turning into. I love each year, I love my Birthday and embrace it all ~ because this is life and instead of dreading we need to be grateful and live it up to its fullest.

Every day to me is a gift, and I treasure every year granted to me just the same. I hope to see 100 and I hope that it’s all documented right here on Garibay Soup.

Here’s to another fabulous year ~ and hopefully many more. I can’t wait to see what I learn and become along the way.

Here’s my sister and me celebrating another year of my life!
I’m the one on the right if you’re just joining me here @ Garibay Soup
OH and don’t mind the quality – it was w/a camera phone 🙂

I am Simply Blessed

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I love it when I find carnivals that has a purpose for something I like to write about. Today I stumbled upon a blog called {Simply Blessed}. The carnival that she hosts is something that I was going to write about today anyways, and this just gave me an idea to spin it off in another direction.

My husband and I have been married now for 5 years. We have lived together for going on 9. From the time I turned 18 my husband and I have been together. Choosing to spend your life with someone at such a young age can sometimes lead to unhappiness, divorce, trials….. or you could just be lucky and have truly found life’s bliss.

I didn’t find life’s bliss at such a young age. I found that love is nothing like the movies. I found that fighting can pierce your heart. I found that happiness doesn’t exist every, single day. I found that becoming parents at such a young age can put so much pressure on your relationship that you forgot how you even liked each other to begin with. I found that keeping house is downright impossible especially when it wasn’t just me to keep up after. I found that silence hurts, that screaming relieves, that breaking phones releases. I discovered what it was like to hate, I think he discovered this as well. I found that sins are easy to make, and take a long time to heal.

So how is this all a blessing? Because despite the above we stuck together. We made it work. After changes to ourselves and for each other we are happy. We love each other. It’s not like in the movies, but it’s our love. It works for both of us and I go to bed with a smile on my face almost every, single night.

My marriage is a blessing. I couldn’t be more thankful for my best friend and the heart of my soul. He has grown into a man that I am proud to say is my husband. A man that I am proud to say is the father of my children.

There is no bigger blessing to be able to say that this marriage has overcome some things that people get divorced over and we’re still growing strong. I truly am blessed, and madly in love.

On a different note:

Join me on Monday for my carnival Just a Motivating Monday it’s an inspirational carnival, where we as bloggers share things that have inspired us, or things we think will inspire others. And on Thursday 7/23/09-Saturday 7/25/09 for the {HAPPY BLOGNERD PARTY}!! It’s for us nerds not making it to BlogHer and to celebrate my BIRTHDAY ~ GIVEWAYS WILL BE HAPPENING!!!!

I call it stupidity… who would’ve thought

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I come from a snobby family, well not all of them, but a couple of us are. I’ve picked up their traits and probably created a bunch of my own.I’ve changed into things I never was before, for the better, since I moved to Oregon. One thing I have yet to let go is where I grocery shop. In Sacramento if you go into a cheap food store it’s so ghetto you want to disinfect your food before you bring it into your home.

So, I was always a Safeway shopper. In my eyes we were getting amazing deals! I didn’t have to deal with the grimy feeling I felt when going to the less expensive stores. Then we moved to Oregon, where we remained a Safeway shopper, later discovered Fred Meyers, which was like 10x better than Safeway, because it was like having Target and Safeway combined! Yes, it was a dangerous thing, since we always ventured in to the fun part of the store and bought things…. things that are still sitting in my garage waiting to be used. Basically, Fred Meyers was sucking my bank account and I thought I was making out, because I didn’t have to drive all over town for the different things I needed.

I never understood why people would shop at places like Winco, Food 4 Less and other ghetto looking places. Haha, I know what you’re thinking…. what a snobby little biotch ~ just stick with me here…. a rare occasion is about to happen!

Last night my friend Brittany (she’s my new nephew’s mom) needed to go grocery shopping. Being that her baby is so new and the entire thing is just new to her she needed a helping hand to make sure it all went smoothly. I had no intention on buying a thing, because we were going to Food 4 Less. I walked in and it was like a light shone in my eyes and I heard angelic music. THIS STORE WAS AMAZING! The prices were completely unreal ~ it wasn’t dirty, sure there were some trashy people there, but I was more in awe over the store than being concerned with them! How could the bread I buy for over $3.00 a loaf only be $1.89??????? What in the fricking world was I doing shopping at Fred Meyers?

I spent less than $50.00 and got quite a bit of stuff! They even have organic and natural sections… you can buy brown rice by the pound! The milk is a whopping dollar less than Fred Meyers……. the mayo ~ don’t get me started I can’t believe I ever paid more than what I did last night on the stuff.

I think my husband is a bit relieved that his wife who thought she was too good for a good deal is over herself. I’m relieved that I’m over myself, because I’d rather not spend what I spend on groceries. It’s ridiculous! I’m anxious to sit down, menu plan for next week and head to my new found, glorious store to discover what’s down those aisles, and have the prices sing to my heart!

I AM NOW A


GIRL

We are a RAIDERS family!

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I know, I know, we have a terrible team, but IMO it’s just that we have a terrible owner. I just found this picture while looking through my memory card and I had to put it on here. I love this picture of us! We went on Superbowl Sunday to a house FULL of Steelers fans, so we showed up all decked out in our Raiders gear and rooted for the opposite team…. unfortunately we all know how that ended.

It’s for us… and in our own way we’ll get there

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Normally on Sundays we awake early and get dressed up to attend church. It’s become a regular thing and something we feel is extremely important for our children.

Today is week 3 of no church for us. Week #1 was Mother’s Day and I was enjoying a very relaxing weekend on the Oregon Coast, Week #2 my sister was up visiting and we spent the day taking pictures at Lithia Park (still being edited) and this week I think my daughter has bronchitis… and my throat hurts.

The problem here is every Sunday you spend away from church you fall more and more away from it. Truthfully, a part of me really wasn’t in the mood to attend church this morning, and that makes me feel bad. I don’t know what I should be doing to ensure that my family stays strong is something I believe to be true. Yet, I don’t want to feel guilty for not always doing everything perfect… and that’s a problem that I have. I walk into church and look at all the “perfect” forever families and almost feel intimidated. I shouldn’t, because I bet they have problems too, I bet they struggle with insecurities, I bet they’re not as perfect as they seem. But this has been their life for all of their lives… and if not all of their lives, a good part of them. This is new to us. Some Sundays I’d rather go shopping and enjoy the beautiful day that my husband has off together and not spend 3 hours in a church…. yet, that feeling right there makes me feel guilty.

I’m coming to a realization that this is for us. We have to take this at a pace that feels right for us and if that means we’re going to skip a Sunday to lay around and catch up on Desperate Housewives, I guess that’s what we have to do. I’m always too worried about what other people are thinking…’OMG the Garibays are inactive’. We’re not. Our faith is just as strong now as it ever was. We’re not out partying and drinking, we’re still following the commandments, it’s just a life changing thing for us. Sometimes we actually feel uncomfortable and I wish it wasn’t that way, but it is. I feel like the members of our ward are on one level and we’re on another. This is something I’ll have to work out on my own, but in the meantime I’m coming to the realization that this is for us. It’s not about the Bishop, it’s not about the people, it’s not even about the socialization part of it all, it’s about and for us.

If there’s a Sunday I want to go and Gino doesn’t, there’s not going to be anymore guilt trips and disappointment, because when I get home from church he’s still there, he still believes in it, he still loves me and that’s good enough for me… plus, I’m sure the next week he’ll be sitting right next to me.

I love Garibay Soup

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I started this blog back in November of 2007 for the sole purpose of updating family members on our life away from them. I was reflecting back on how much bigger it has become. What new purposes it serves, and how I’ve grown from it.

I have had the most amazing privilege of getting to know other bloggers out there, and learning things I never thought I’d learn in bloggity world.

I am making my family’s history. I consider this my version of my family’s life, and one day my kids, their kids and possibly even their kids’ kids will get read about the things I feel, the things I love, the things that anger me, but the main thing is they’ll get to know me.

Sometimes I post meaningful things to me that I know my readers don’t care about, but when it comes down to it, this blog is for me. It’s for my family, and it doesn’t matter if I have a million readers or none…. this blog will always remain, and I will always try and keep in perspective the purpose of this blog.

I don’t always have joyous things to write about. I’m not hesitant to write about the trials in my life. I like to focus more on positive things, but let’s face it…. life isn’t always rosy and cheery. I’m happy that I have this blog to turn to and record the things I have failed to write in baby books, that I can talk about the things that frustrate me, the things I’ve discovered that work for me, and a place to just ramble about whatever my crazy mind has on it.

I’m extremely grateful for so many things in my life, and I find it kindof funny that Garibay Soup is definitely one thing I am grateful for. I love that my life is right here, that I have a record of the things that I have accomplished, the things my children and accomplished and the monuments in our life.

I love Garibay Soup.

Peace – It has to start with me

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I had a wonderful day at church today. It’s been a couple of weeks since we’ve gone thanks to our trip and the flu. Even before all that, we were going off and on due to illnesses and another trip to Sacramento, and I’m so relieved that I have nothing planned and will be attending as far as I know every Sunday.

Ella went to nursery. She still isn’t doing very well in there, but she was in there for most of the time. I got a good 20 minutes of sitting in Relief Society and I am so thankful for the 20 minutes that I did get in there. I have no idea what the lesson was on, but I got a message that touched me. It’s a song, I believe, and it goes like this…..

Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be
As God is our father
Children all are we.
Let us walk with each other
In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow.
To take each moment
And live each moment
With peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth,
And let it begin with me.

I’m not at peace. I have anxiety, at times I feel my temper is short, and this is something I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to work on. Having peace in my life, and having it start with me. This is a very difficult thing for me, because I don’t think I’m in any way a peaceful person, but I want to be.

I want to be that person that people look at and say… wow, what makes her so peaceful and graceful. It can’t happen over night, but I definitely want to work on having peace within myself.

Here is how I think I can accomplish having peace:

Get my home in perfect order. Perfect is a very strong word, but I need it to be darn close to it. I worked a lot on this today and am very pleased with what I accomplished. I have a goal of having the entire house in perfect order by Friday… excluding the garage. This is a very easy goal to accomplish… it might not be PERFECT, but it will be in order and I need that.

Reading my scriptures every single day. I am TERRIBLE at this. I want to start my day out by reading a message through scripture reading and I want to end my day by reading a message through scripture reading.

I need to get routines and schedules going in my home. Sometimes it’s chaotic and stressful, and it shouldn’t be. We need set bedtimes, set homework times, set bath times… I think it would bring peace in our home.

For me, I’m going to start doing Yoga once a week and make it a point to set aside time every evening to take a relaxing bath with a good book. Ever mom needs time away.

So, this all starts with me.

If you have ideas of things that could bring peace within yourself, please let me know.

Pictures

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We had the icky stomach flu hit our home again. It had the domino effect… hit us all. Started Sunday @ 1am w/Ella, Monday with me, Tuesday with Jayden & Tuesday into Wednesday with Gino.

I’m just happy it’s all over with, we’re all feeling better and we can get on with life.

I thought I’d share some of our family pictures that we took in California. They’re with me and the girls in my family.

My mom, my sister Jess, my Grandma & Me 🙂

My mom & my Grandma

My Favorite Pic of my sister with my nephew Vani

Me, My Aunt Ksee, My Grandma, My Mom & Jess

My & My Sister…. I love her!