Category Archives: Gino

A Strengthening of my faith

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In less than 2 weeks my husband is going to be baptized!!!! I’m getting so excited for him. I think the most exciting part is that we’re 1 step closer to an eternal family…. I LOVE THAT!

My MIL called last night and had some questions, and they were a little hard. They were questions about the church that I understand, but I’m not good at explaining. My biggest fear is that they’re going to have a negative attitude and ruin it for Gino. It’s hard to understand when you don’t know, and I’m hoping to have the missionaries come over and answer any questions they might have before the baptism. This is a huge decision for Gino, and probably the best decision he’s ever made for himself. I did suggest to his step-mom that they get the discussions if they’re interested in knowing what their son is getting into. The main thing they should be happy about is that we have a strong family and the church makes us stronger. Hopefully they take my suggestion and get the discussions…. what’s it gonna hurt?

Last night when I got off the phone I thought it was amazing how much stronger my testimony felt. Whenever I’m faced with someone who doesn’t believe that this church is true I have this burning feeling in my soul, and my testimony just gets stronger and stronger. It’s sad to me. It’s sad that there are so many people out there that I love that have no idea how this could be the most important thing in their lives, but I can’t force it on them. All I can do is continue to do what I’m doing and be thankful that I have the gospel in my life. That my children are being given the opportunity to have the gospel in their lives, and that my children will be a forever family. That in itself is one of the best blessings I could ever ask for.

General Conference is this weekend!!!! I’m so excited to watch it.

Surprise Baptism!

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Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now? This is a question that I think we’ve all heard in our lives. I look at my life 5 years ago and it’s nowhere where it’s at right now. We’ve taken a roller coaster ride with more ups and downs than I ever imagined.

I didn’t expect to be where I’m at right now. I didn’t expect to be in such a “family” mode. I didn’t expect to be staying home with my babies. I didn’t even expect to have another child.

You know what I really didn’t expect….. even a year ago? For my husband to have a baptism date. October 11, 2008 my husband is planning on getting baptized. I’m still in shock, but I’m so excited. I finally have a chance at going to the temple and getting my family sealed to each other, and I have gotta say that it is by far the most amazing feeling I’ve ever felt.

This all came on kindof sudden. Ever since Gino started going to church he liked it, but he was holding back. Really holding back. Then as we started the discussions it seemed like everything was going against us. Things would come up where we had to cancel our discussions, or Gino wouldn’t feel like it. I was starting to lose hope. Then, a week ago, my Grandma invited the missionaries and us over for Gino’s second discussion. He loved it. He loved learning about the priesthood, and when the missionaries asked if he would make a goal to be baptized by 10/18/08 Gino said Yes!

The missionaries came over last night and we made a plan to get the rest of the discussions done by next week so Gino can get baptized on the 11th.

I asked Gino last night while laying in bed if he was sure that this is what he wants. He might feel guilty if he drinks wine after he gets baptized, and he really should go into this with wanting to uphold all of the rules of the church, and he said that he’s ready for it. He says he doesn’t care about wine all that much, and he cares more about his health. Alcohol isn’t good for high blood pressure.

5 years ago I never would have expected this. A year ago, I still wouldn’t expect this.

Inspiration from the Bishop

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On Monday night we went to a Fireside at the Bishop’s house. He was putting it on for the missionaries, and our missionaries invited Gino and I. So, we dragged my Grandma along with me. I know she didn’t want to go, and honestly, Gino didn’t want to go either, but they’re both happier than you could imagine that they did go.

The Fireside was on his trip that he takes to Israel. The trip that my Grandma and Gino were supposed to go on, but this year they won’t be going. Hopefully next year they’ll get to go. The presentation was amazing. Our Bishop is the most spiritual, inspiring person I have met yet. His passion floors you.

I think it was kinda cool how he showed some scenarios that prove the Book of Mormon to be true. I guess I could write about the main one that was so amazing. They discovered a cave in the town of Lehi. Inside the cave there were ancient writing on the wall and they had an archeologist come in and analyze the writings. He determined them to be from 600 B.C. and that they talked of predictions of Jerusalem being destroyed and it had a sail boat and 4 men w/strong legs. The archeologist was confused as there was no large body of water near enough for a boat and he had a hard time putting it all together.

The archeologist went to the University of Utah where he got wind of the the story Nephi talks about in 1 Nephi. He was shocked and said, “Hey! How do you know that? Where does that story come from?” They handed him a Book of Mormon and he read the story and said, “Oh my gosh! This is it!!! This is the story in the cave!”

Hearing that story from the Bishop alone had chills all over me. My Grandma wants to meet with him once a week, and so does Gino. I’m sure he doesn’t have the time for something like that, but it sure would be nice.

It was inspiring. I left wanting to be a better person. I left wanting to try harder to read the scriptures. I left happy with my decision to be right where I’m at in my life right now. I’m not perfect, and I’ll never be perfect. However, I’m trying really hard, and I’m happy with that. I feel blessed that I’m a part of a ward with humble people. People that have not judged me and people who have loved to see how much the church is slowly changing my family’s life.

I have put my BOM reading on hold, and it’s going to stay on hold for a little bit longer. I’m going to start reading with Gino from the beginning. Then once I get to where I left off on my BOM blog I’ll continue writing.

Our First Discussion

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Last night we had the missionaries and some friends over from church to start Gino with discussions. The initial plan was they were going to do a mini lesson (cut it in half) so that Gino wasn’t overwhelmed. The night didn’t start out too great ~ right when they got here our toilet overflowed upstairs and Jayden slipped in the thick water on the floor ~ luckily 10 minutes later Gino had it all taken care of. 1 hour and 45 minutes later they left. We had the whole discussion and then some. I was amazed at involved Gino was with it all. He asked the questions that he had and told them that there’s no doubt in his mind that it’s all true.

They of course asked if he would give them a baptism date and we told them let’s just get through the lessons. I know it’s a scary thing to take such a huge step and just getting the discussions alone were huge.

I know this might sound strange, but every time Gino is faced with someone who thinks that the Mormon religion is a joke he gets defensive. Yes, Mr. Garibay who used to talk smack about Mormons defends them now. Before my brother got here he was a little like, Ugh I’m not in the mood for this… isn’t going to church enough…. blah blah blah ~ well, when my brother says a couple things about how he heard from someone that it’s not true and it’s all crap Gino defended the church and was REALLY involved in the lesson.

I’m so satisfied!! So, next week there will be no lesson, but every Thursday after that we will be having lessons. I really enjoyed it ~ I don’t even remember the lessons…. in fact, I don’t remember a lot so I’m learning right along with him.

One thing that was pretty amazing was the missionaries asked Gino if he has any goals and Gino said, “My goal is to go to the temple.”

HORRIBLE Friday the 13th

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If things over here weren’t crazy enough, Gino has not been able to drive. Which means I have to tote his butt around everywhere. I honestly don’t mind, but that added with the kids added with work added with Grandparents = no time AT ALL.

It started Friday the 13th. Gino got up for work at his usual time and left the house at 3:45am. As he was coming out of the driveway a cop flipped around and followed him. He finally pulled him over for signaling to turn at 75 feet instead of 100 feet (CAN WE SAY RACIAL PROFILING?) Ridiculous. So, Gino’s wallet of course is in my purse. The cop ran Gino’s name and come to find out Gino has an expired CA license. It expired on his birthday (lovely). So, Gino calls me at 4am to come and pick him up and take him to work. The cop luckily let Gino park his car and didn’t tow it or give him any kind of ticket.

4am and I’m dragging my kids out of bed and not happy AT ALL. Later that day Gino takes my car and immediately gets pulled over for *hesitating*. He actually was at an intersection that makes no complete sense and where everyone hesitates. Once again *RACIAL PROFILING* Unfortunately, the news had just launched a segment on Mexican gangs in our area and we’re in a REALLY small town.

So, I grab the kids and go to where Gino got pulled over and threw the race card right in their piggy faces. I’m not liking these cops very much. They weren’t very happy about their accusation, but frankly, I DON’T CARE.

Proceed on to the following day….. I was driving down the driveway a cop (THE STUPID GIRL COP THAT GOT HIM THE DAY BEFORE) looked down the driveway (it’s a long one) saw the car and actually pulled over so that she could see if I or Gino were driving. She then got behind me and followed me ~ I’m honestly considering harassment charges here….. again, NOT HAPPY.

Going to the holy land

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I think that we’ve made a decision after much thought and consideration. Our bishop goes to Israel 2x/year. It is supposed to be the most amazing tour of the country ever and it looks like my husband is going to join him.

Gino has shown so much interest in the church and something has been holding him back from baptism. When I casually mentioned to him that the Bishop was going to Israel later this year he looked at me and said, “I want to go.” To be honest I kinda laughed at first. I can’t picture Gino going on a trip with the Bishop, but he was dead serious.

I prayed about it and I’ve never once received one bad feeling. Something inside of me keeps telling me that this is “it”. This is going to be the maker or the breaker in Gino’s decision to join this church. From what I’ve heard the tour is supposed to be so amazing that he’ll come home begging to be baptized.

This is the website that the Bishop has set up where you can kinda go and see what’s in store for my husband. I’m so excited for him. This is an opportunity of a lifetime no matter what religion you are. The trip is for 10 days and I’m happy that I’ll be able to rely on the members of my church for help while he’s gone, because I have one of the best wards in the world!

He’s a keeper

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There are so many times where I’m frustrated with my husband. Sometimes he really can make me madder than I’ve ever been, and lately with my hormonal problem I’ve said some pretty horrible things to him. There’s so many little things that he does that sometimes just really get under my skin. Marriage can be so darn difficult.

My car’s battery went dead yesterday and he’s been doing so much to get this car going again. Unfortunately it’s not just a simple jump. It’s frustrating the crap out of me too, because my car’s not that old.

As I was watching him out there my heart was filled with love. I love him. He does so many things for me, and not many husbands do things for their wives. I have a lot of people I talk to that complain about their husbands and how lazy they are. I do the same sometimes. I complain about Gino, but usually to Gino. I try to not complain about my husband to other people. I try to keep our problems within ourselves. I used to bring other people into our problems and that doesn’t work. It only made matter extremely worse.

I feel bad when I nag. I feel bad that I’ve been such a mean, wretched wife. I love him. He can make me madder than anyone in this world, but he also can make me happier than anyone (besides our babies of course).

I feel very blessed to have this man as my husband.

My UFO Experience

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Great! I’m never showing my face at my husband’s work EVER again! He’s told one of his friend’s at work a story about me that’s kinda embarrassing and his friend told another person and that person told another person and when Gino was leaving for work yesterday his boss said, “Make sure your wife doesn’t get abducted by an alien tonight.” and laughed.

It was in 2005 and it was night. My backyard had a big tree and the night sky was BLACK. I was out back with the dog and I looked up into the sky and there was a UFO hovering over my house. I panicked. I didn’t know what to do. I wanted to grab the dog and Jayden and get in the car and leave, but I didn’t see the point since the UFO could easily follow us. If it was going to abduct us it was going abduct us no matter where we were.

Gino was at his friend Justin’s house playing Madden. I called in a panic explaining to my husband that there’s a UFO over our house and I don’t know what to do. I’m crying at this point. Gino sat on the phone speechless, because this is really kinda out there. I mean come on, how would you react if your other called you freaking out over something so random and weird So, they are just in shock and I hear Justin say in the background, “Dude, wtf is wrong with her?” After I convince Gino that there really is a UFO above our house he’s about ready to come home until I say. “Oh, wait a minute. Nevermind! It’s just one of those blimp things.”

I will probably be made fun of for the rest of my life.

My husband thinks I have claws…

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Yesterday we went to Jayden’s TBall game and as I was driving the sun was beating into my car. (Mental note – MUST GET WINDOWS TINTED THIS YEAR!) Anyways… the sun made me think about how I forgot the sunscreen. So, I make the comment of “Great! I’m going to look like a tomato by the end of the game.” My ever so loving husband actually had the nerve to say, “Um, I like to use the term lobster. You’ll look like a lobster. You know, because the lobsters have claws.” He looked at me and actually put his fingers up and clamped them together.

Lovely.

I thought this sign was hilarious.

Our Friday Family Project

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Yesterday was an In-service day at Jayden’s school so that means NO SCHOOL! I wanted to do something special with him so we out to lunch together and talked about what fun project we could do together. We decided to surprise Daddy at work and went to go and buy some planting stuff. Jayden had given me some flowers for Mother’s Day and I thought it would be fun to repot them. So off to Home Depot we went. The store that I think almost everyone can get lost in and leave with an empty bank account. Target’s a little like that as well – might even be a little worse for me.

So, we ended up buying a new hose w/a sprayer on it, some cute little Terracotta pots with turtles on them. We planted tomatoes & strawberries in those. I kill plants. I’ve never had a green thumb, but I really want to try here. I want to have a garden and be like all the other Mormons out there! One of the plants that I killed, which is also one my husband tried so hard to keep alive, was planted in a pretty little pot. So we ripped the plant out and planted the flowers that Jayden gave me for Mother’s Day. He loved it! Gino got home in time to help us with our project, so it became a family project…. nothing’s better than that!