That's a Wrap! (A look back at 2016)

Well, this year is almost gone, and it's been a busy one! (Makes me tired just thinking about all we have done!) Here's how we ended the year...

Freedom Center Kids - Light of Christmas (Jonathan and Lily)

A Christmas Carol - Jamaican Style (Jonathan is one of the bullies)

This year, I changed jobs within the state, Luis left his state job (and then came back again!), the kids changed soccer clubs (and are loving it!) Josh started High School and Jonathan started middle school, and are both doing very well. 

Lily joined a tumbling, jazz and pom class too.

I have gone on a couple field trips with Lily and Jonathan (and lived to tell about them!)

The Children's Museum of the Upstate in Greenville

 Josh's soccer team won two tournaments (one being a state cup!) 

and Jonathan's team won the Charleston Shoot Out tournament in Mount Pleasant, SC. 

Jonathan also began playing the oboe in band, and is doing well for his first year! 

Tomorrow Luis and I will celebrate our 20th anniversary. 

How can that even be possible that we have been married for 20 years?! 

(And haven't killed each other yet! HAHA) 

All in all, it's been a good year! God is good! 

Looking forward to 2017 and all that it has in store.

A Day in the Mountains

This past week, the kids had Monday and Tuesday off from school, so I took those days off from work too. Luis was able to take Monday off as well. So, I told everyone that we would go on a road trip, but it would be a surprise. My family is always up for a road trip (especially when the word "surprise" is involved). So we were on the road at 9:30am. They had lots of guesses where we were heading..."NY to see Nani?" Nope. "To the beach"? Nope. And the driving continued. My oldest was watching the GPS so I could see his wheels turning, trying to figure out what could be 1 1/2 hours from our house? Finally we pulled into our first destination and this is what we saw:

This is Symmes Chapel, nestled on the side of Caesar's Head Mountain in Cleveland, South Carolina. I first visited here by myself when I was inspecting the nearby YMCA Camp Greenville, who owns the little chapel, Luis and the kids walked through the front door, not knowing what they were about to experience. Everyone inside was silent, captivated by the beauty and handiwork of God. The pictures do not do it justice!

\

People often rent this for weddings. The camp uses it for chapel services during the summer. It is easy to feel the presence of the Lord when you are in a place like this. And the scripture on the beam above the cross was right up my "Sound of Music" alley!

Beyond the cross is North Carolina, for a far as the eye can see. We were there at the peak of the autumn leaves, which was equally breathtaking!

Of course, the photographer in me had to snap a few shots while we were there. Lily was being silly!

After awhile, we left this oh so pretty place and headed for our next surprise. We headed to Caesar's Head State Park for an afternoon of hiking and exploring. Luis and the boys did most of the hiking...Lily and I stuck to exploring!

Lily found the biggest leaves we have ever seen! She was planning to mail one to Nani, but the next day it was dried out and all in pieces (sorry Nani!).

Such a beautiful day-can't wait for our next adventure!

Soccer life

Nice follow up shot and goal by Jonathan!

Josh's last regular season game. Had one goal this game, one assist and several more attempts.

Summer 2016

Well the summer is almost over. It was a pretty boring summer for the kids with both Luis and I working, but we managed to sneak in a few fun family times. Before we know it, school will be in session, soccer will be in full gear, and the dog days of summer will be only a faint memory. Here's some pics from our adventures.

Jon dancing on the beach at Hunting Island at our annual 4th of July beach trip

Josh was MVP and Daniel received the coaches award. Josh played JV as a 7th grader and an 8th grader.

Upstate Soccer Classic Champs

Belton-Honea Path (BHP) had a great season!!

Josh and Luis are playing together on an Adult Soccer League this summer.

Extraordinary!

New Seasons

There have been lots of changes since my last post. I started a new job in Greenville (loving it!), Luis is contemplating a job switch, and the boys have started a new soccer season. Lily has decided she "hates" soccer and wants to try tumbling...we are buying time with that one as soccer has us racing full steam ahead. Jon made a position in CESA (Carolina Elite Soccer Academy), and Josh made cuts for JV at the high school again this year as an 8th grader. All 3 kids made A honor roll (not really A honor roll for Lily, but as high as she could get for 5K). Josh is already taking 3 high school level classes: Honors Spanish, Algebra 1 and English 1 and has maintained an A grade in all of them. Jonathan competed in his school-wide spelling bee for the 3rd year in a row, and was selected for Music Ideals, which will start next year in middle school. We have started to attend a small church in Anderson, which we enjoy as well. Lots of changes for this little family. Some days I feel like my head is spinning with all that I need to remember, and other days, I just sit back and smile and enjoy watching my kids growing up, while I grow older with my love, Luis. Here are a few picture from the last few months. Hope your New Year is off to a great start too!!

Josh turns 14 and gets snow for his birthday.

Josh makes JV soccer for second year in a row

Christmas 2015

Lily goes to her Valentine's Dance at school with her Daddy

Jonathan is accepted into the Carolina Elite Soccer Academy, where he is the youngest player on his team, but the top scorer!

Lily and Star go sledding

Played great in his tournament!

Skating with friends

Jonathan played Spiderman in our church play, "Jesus, the real superhero".

Christmas 2015

Christmas 2015