Do Mormons really....?

In light of some of the most recent inquiries at work, I thought I'd make a list of some of the things that folks wonder if mormons really believe or do and include a simple explanation/answer.

Keep in mind, we aren't perfect so despite the counsel sometimes we slip up....

DO MORMONS REALLY....

- not drink caffeine?
We don't consume coffee, tea, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, or illegal drugs. It's a pretty simple health code that was revealed in the 1800's that helps us keep our bodies healthy. We are promised in exchange to receive blessings.

Some members of the church choose to exclude other items from their diet based on an individual basis if they feel that it's harmful to their bodies.

-only marry other mormons?
No. Typically people marry people who share their same goals, beliefs, interests, etc. LDS people aren't exempt of this desire. We are urged to find a companion who shares the same goals and standards so that we can work together towards those goals.

-wait until marriage to have sex?
We are counseled to have high morality standards. One of those is to save this intimate act for the person we are married to. We exercise self discipline and control in order to accomplish this and in exchange there are many blessings receive.

-go on a 2 year volunteer mission in which they can't talk to their family?
Yes, but not everyone. At age 19 young men and at age 21 young women are given the opportunity to do this. It's optional. We don't receive any pay for this, in fact we pay in order to cover expenses. We volunteer 100% of our time to sharing the gospel, we don't have contact with our family and friends in order to stay focused. It is one of the most rewarding experiences!
-not watch rated R movies?
We are counseled to keep our thoughts clean.  In order to do this we try to keep from watching or listening to innapropriate movies and music. What goes in is what comes out. My 11 yar old niece once asked me "Tia, would you feel okay watching this if Jesus was here too?". You'd be surprised at how easy it is to make movie choices based on this question. Because of how much what we watch can effect us, we are counseled to chose appropriate movies by not watching rated R movies.

-go to church for three hours every sunday?
Yes. We have three seperate classes. First "Sacrament Meeting" where the families are all together, there are usually some speakers, songs, and this is the meeting in which the "sacrament" (bread & water) is passed out. Second, "Sunday School" based on age we attend seperate classes where we are taught a specific lesson. Third "Young Women/Men" or "Priesthood" or "Releif Society". The youth attend their own classes divided by gender and age. The adults attend their own class, Priesthood is for the men, and Relief Society is for the women.

-have super short engagements?
Not always. However, because getting married is the official start of our lives together we don't really see any sense in delaying it. If we've found "the one" and we are sure about, why wait!?

-have to be white, rich, and/or from UT?
Nope. Those of you who don't know me... my family is from El Salvador, far from rich, and far from being from UT. I've often heard "I didn't know hispanics could be Mormon?". The LDS church is a worldwide church, missionaries are sent all across the world, membership is not denied to anyone because of their ethnicity/race, financial situation, or the state they live in.

All in all, we aren't all that weird. I'll be the first to admit, mormons do have a specific lifestyle "mormon culture, if you will. But we are just a group of Christians who are trying to be better....we aren't perfect...don't judge us with out getting to know us. You might find we aren't all that different from you!

I am sleep deprived.

Lina started sleeping through the night consistently a few weeks ago. I was thrilled!

All of a sudden this week she is waking up every three hours at night. She eats for just a bit and then goes back to sleep.

Every three hours!! I am dying here! She didn't even do this as a newborn.....and she's 3 1/2 months now for crying out loud!

Any ideas??

Charlie's Here!

Last week Charlie Eve Henriquez was born. She is going to be Lina's BFF, once they meet. We went to see them but Lina wasn't allowed to go into the hospital. Dang flu precautions!

Charlie looks just like Megan, she's got a round little face, blonde hair, and a couple of dimples. She's a strong baby and came out weighing almost 9 lbs. She is so tiny compared to Lina but I have a feeling that if she takes after Jonathan she won't have too hard of a time catching up.

OOHH!! I just love my new little niece! She is so precious, I wish they lived closer so I could smother her with kisses!

Good job guys.....she's perfect!

Spoiled by Grampa Alan

Grampa Alan is wrapped around this little girl's pinkie to say the least. He is her biggest fan, and she knows she gets spoiled when she's with him.

Leave me alone, I'm strolling around with my grandaughter.

Lina, come on. I'll hold you just the way you want and spoil you rotten. Come on.

Now I think I've died and gone to heaven. Beer in one hand, grandbaby in the other, sitting at the beach on a Friday afternoon.

Good Morning. I came to get you bright and early. No sense in putting off the spoiling.

You can say no to her. It won't hurt my feelings.

Rocky Point Family Reunion

Us plus family equals a good time, throw into that formula a lot of crazy mexican cousins, the beach, and three days in Mexico.......now that equals a whole new level of FUN!!

Here are the family pics with everyone in their bright purple matching shirts!

Grateful for...

• Good friends (near and far)
• Good jobs
• An eternal family
• A home we can afford
• Family members who love me unconditionally
• Good health
• The gospel
• Living in the USA
• My education
• My MILs, mom, and Candi for being Lina's babysitters
• Shoes
• Clothes
• Food
• Unalienable rights
• Opportunity

My friend who has a blog but doesn't blog...

I have this friend, Jackwa Kneel (name has been changed to protect her identity) who has a blog that she promises she is going to update pretty much every time I talk to her.......but never does! There was a time in our friendship when I actually believed her so I would obsessively check her blog but to much dissapointment it was always the same posting (which is almost a year old now).

I've decided to blog for her. Since I don't have her password and hacking is not one of my strengths this will just have to do. =)
Plus, I know that she will find this freaking hilarious so maybe that will just do the trick to get her back in the blogging world!

Hi Everyone! I know, it's been forever! I have been such a bad blogger and I am really trying to be better. Here is a very valiant effort to getting everyone caught up on whats been going on in my life....


1. Houston (city has been changed to protect her identity) has been a blast! I totally miss all my friends in AZ seriously ALLLL the time and don't know how I manage with out them.


2. Dave (name has been changed to protect identity) has been doing so well in his classes. He is pretty much the smartest kid and aces all his tests. He is at the top of his class so I am really proud of him. He works hard and it is really paying off.


3. Sadie (name has been changed) is loving it out here too. We've discovered that she doesn't like it when we pull on her ears and she'll even kinda snip at us when we do it.


I've been subbing so that's been taking up my time. I've tried out different grade levels and subjects. I even took the liberty to teach a 5th grade class some Italian!! I am so the best!

There was a Chick-Fil-A that opened up here so I toted myself down there super early in the morning and set up camp for 24 hours and won myself one years worth of Chick-Fil-A!!

I had all this time to kill so I started on some over due crafts.

Here I am boiling in my tent.

Pizza Night,a little different.

Dave and I went to Padre Island. Here's our beautiful view.

I went to AZ to visit a couple of times but I don't have those pics. So much more has happened and I PROMISE I will be better about blogging from now on.

Lastly, here's a pic of my hot friend who is totally awesome and her baby Lina (I'm her zia). We met at Mimi's for breakfast. SO YUMMY!

I miss everyone and I PROMISE I am going to keep up on my blog now! Ciao!!