A very special gift was also given to us by my brother Pablo. He recorded the 3 songs he played at our wedding and gave them to us on a CD. My brother is one of the best guitarists I've ever heard. Not just because he's my favorite little brother and one of my best friends in the whole world, or because I love him dearly, or because he is the kind of person I want to be someday, but because he really is an AMAZING guitarist. This gift really meant a lot to us, because it reminds us of how special our wedding day really was. He wrote two of the songs just for us, and they are just beautiful. He learned and played the song "Romance" for us as well. I can't help but cry when I hear it. He's always been a hero to me not only because he has always been there for me, but also because of his good heart, how smart he is, and how much he just absolutely loves his family and would do anything for us. He's used his musical talent for such good. He taught guitar for a year and a half, and also donated hundreds of hours to putting together a charity concert in El Paso for the Invisible Children network, which benefits the children of Africa. He invited his band from Dallas, as well as other El Paso bands to perform for a large audience outside a coffee house, and got the manager of the coffee house to donate the money he made that night to the charity. He had to organize the entire thing, along with his friend Kyla, which involved contacting the charity leaders and having them send 100 shirts, DVD's, and bracelets. The benefits of the t-shirts, etc, sales also went straight to the charity. He showed a short clip about the cause in the middle of the show and gave a beautiful speech about why we were all there, bringing everybody to tears. He worked so hard, and was paid nothing. He was happy knowing he was doing his part to help the Invisible Children. He raised well over $1,000 dollars and sent it straight to the organization. There was a story about Pablo and the charity in the news paper, and he plans to do much more charity work in the future.
This is only one of the INFINITE reasons why my little brother is one of the most amazing people I have ever had the privilege to have in my life.
I love you Pooky. Miguel and I love you. Thank you for being you.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Back from EPT
We just back from El Paso last night. It was a fantastic trip. We got to see a good friend of mine named Danny, who is now in the Air Force, and was lucky enough to get a leave for the holidays. I don't know when he is getting deployed to Iraq/Iran or when I will see him again, so it was GREAT seeing him. He means a lot to me, so it makes me sad that I may not get to see him for a long, long time. We also got to see most of my family that lives in El Paso. Aadrian came over to the house the night Danny and a couple Pablo's friends came over for some drinking and relaxing. We had a blast. I don't think we stopped laughing the whole night.
Christmas Eve was awesome! We danced and sang a lot to some good classic rock like good Burrulls and Cantus do, and all was good. The family didn't leave my house until around 4am. As a family, we made a toast to my Yaya Margarita and my Yayo, who have both passed on, but are still in our hearts. Poor Santa had to stay awake after the children went to bed to have all of the presents under the tree by morning. In all the craziness, we forgot to give him cookies! Santa is on a low carb diet anyway! =) On Christmas day, my dad would not let down with the "Santa was here last night" and Christmas carols until he had successfully woken us all up. As tired as we all were, it was well worth it to wake up. Santa brought us lots of goodies! Miguel received a comedy CD, family guy boxers, and a learning angel from my parents, an Incubus dvd from Pablo, and I got him some really nice cuff links (because all MBA students need good cuff links!) as well as a ton of ASU gear. My parents gave Miguel and I a rockin' ipod speaker set. I got some beautiful angels from my parents, as well as monkey socks! For those of you who don't know, I call Miguel monkey, so that was really cool. Miguel gave me a BEAUTIFUL sapphire ring (because it is his birthstone) as well as a blue tooth and cd. All together, it was a great Christmas trip. We left El Paso around 2pm with the doggies.
Miguel and I also said a prayer for Miguel's Nino Fallo, who passed away a year ago. We also said a prayer for the family, who we know is still struggling with losing him every day. It is still very hard for Miguel, but knowing that his spirit is still here and he is touched by it each and every day helps him be ok. We had a long talk about him on the car ride here, reflecting on all that he was and what a great man, father, brother, uncle, son, husband and friend he was. We talked about how he continues to teach us how to be a better person, and will be with us every day, until we see him again. We laughed about the time we went bowling before our graduation, the first time my family and I met him, and how he almost bowled a perfect game. Even though he tried to teach my dad and I how to bowl, he beat all of us by like 1,000 points (probably not 1,000, but it was close!) .
We love you Tio Fallo, Tia Martha, Yaya Margarita, and Yayo, and you will be with us for now and for always.
I also got my hair cut and dyed. It's shorter, layered, and much darker. I really like it, and so does Miguel, so that's good.
Now we're getting super excited for Miguel's family to join us for New Year's! Last I heard, they are driving here today. We are super excited to see everybody, and so ready to party Chavez style! It's a bummer that Miguel and I don't have a day off, even New Year's Eve. I'm pretty sure Miguel has to work a full day, and I work 8 hours. Such is the real world! As much as it stinks to have to work when we don't want to, we are loving being on our own and taking care of business as far as working hard for the things we have. It feels so good to know that we're taking bigs steps for our careers and our family. It's going to be a tough 2 years while we're both in school, but so worth it in the end. The light at the end of the tunnel is that I will finally be an RN and Miguel will be a big business man with an MBA. I would like to go back to school after I get a couple of years of experience in the hospital to get my masters in nursing, and eventually get my PhD and be a nurse practitioner. That's pretty far in the future, but I'm getting excited. I feel like we are at the starting line, getting ready for some rough roads, but ready for the victory that is at the end.
That was a weird tangent. Anyway, we also found out that Miguel's parents will be joining us in Houston! We are so happy to have them come, and I know my family is as well. Yaya Josefina just loves them, so she is very excited to see them. We are leaving on the 4th and returning that Sunday. We are going to be nice and cozy at Tio Fernando and Tia Laura's house. My last day of work is the 4th, so it should be a great start to my 1 week break before I start school on the 14th. I'm excited, nervous, anxious, happy.....all of the above. I guess I just don't know what to expect. I will keep you posted! Also, Miguel found out he did not get the supervisor position. It was his lack of experience, but they let him know that once he gets some more experience under his belt, he should be good to go. He is bummed, but happy that his weaknesses are all ones that can be worked on.
That is all for now! As if it wasn't a novel of a post. I should probably get it copyrighted.
Christmas Eve was awesome! We danced and sang a lot to some good classic rock like good Burrulls and Cantus do, and all was good. The family didn't leave my house until around 4am. As a family, we made a toast to my Yaya Margarita and my Yayo, who have both passed on, but are still in our hearts. Poor Santa had to stay awake after the children went to bed to have all of the presents under the tree by morning. In all the craziness, we forgot to give him cookies! Santa is on a low carb diet anyway! =) On Christmas day, my dad would not let down with the "Santa was here last night" and Christmas carols until he had successfully woken us all up. As tired as we all were, it was well worth it to wake up. Santa brought us lots of goodies! Miguel received a comedy CD, family guy boxers, and a learning angel from my parents, an Incubus dvd from Pablo, and I got him some really nice cuff links (because all MBA students need good cuff links!) as well as a ton of ASU gear. My parents gave Miguel and I a rockin' ipod speaker set. I got some beautiful angels from my parents, as well as monkey socks! For those of you who don't know, I call Miguel monkey, so that was really cool. Miguel gave me a BEAUTIFUL sapphire ring (because it is his birthstone) as well as a blue tooth and cd. All together, it was a great Christmas trip. We left El Paso around 2pm with the doggies.
Miguel and I also said a prayer for Miguel's Nino Fallo, who passed away a year ago. We also said a prayer for the family, who we know is still struggling with losing him every day. It is still very hard for Miguel, but knowing that his spirit is still here and he is touched by it each and every day helps him be ok. We had a long talk about him on the car ride here, reflecting on all that he was and what a great man, father, brother, uncle, son, husband and friend he was. We talked about how he continues to teach us how to be a better person, and will be with us every day, until we see him again. We laughed about the time we went bowling before our graduation, the first time my family and I met him, and how he almost bowled a perfect game. Even though he tried to teach my dad and I how to bowl, he beat all of us by like 1,000 points (probably not 1,000, but it was close!) .
We love you Tio Fallo, Tia Martha, Yaya Margarita, and Yayo, and you will be with us for now and for always.
I also got my hair cut and dyed. It's shorter, layered, and much darker. I really like it, and so does Miguel, so that's good.
Now we're getting super excited for Miguel's family to join us for New Year's! Last I heard, they are driving here today. We are super excited to see everybody, and so ready to party Chavez style! It's a bummer that Miguel and I don't have a day off, even New Year's Eve. I'm pretty sure Miguel has to work a full day, and I work 8 hours. Such is the real world! As much as it stinks to have to work when we don't want to, we are loving being on our own and taking care of business as far as working hard for the things we have. It feels so good to know that we're taking bigs steps for our careers and our family. It's going to be a tough 2 years while we're both in school, but so worth it in the end. The light at the end of the tunnel is that I will finally be an RN and Miguel will be a big business man with an MBA. I would like to go back to school after I get a couple of years of experience in the hospital to get my masters in nursing, and eventually get my PhD and be a nurse practitioner. That's pretty far in the future, but I'm getting excited. I feel like we are at the starting line, getting ready for some rough roads, but ready for the victory that is at the end.
That was a weird tangent. Anyway, we also found out that Miguel's parents will be joining us in Houston! We are so happy to have them come, and I know my family is as well. Yaya Josefina just loves them, so she is very excited to see them. We are leaving on the 4th and returning that Sunday. We are going to be nice and cozy at Tio Fernando and Tia Laura's house. My last day of work is the 4th, so it should be a great start to my 1 week break before I start school on the 14th. I'm excited, nervous, anxious, happy.....all of the above. I guess I just don't know what to expect. I will keep you posted! Also, Miguel found out he did not get the supervisor position. It was his lack of experience, but they let him know that once he gets some more experience under his belt, he should be good to go. He is bummed, but happy that his weaknesses are all ones that can be worked on.
That is all for now! As if it wasn't a novel of a post. I should probably get it copyrighted.
Monday, December 17, 2007
WHAT A LOAD OFF!!
So we just found out today that we were FINALLY granted IN STATE TUITION!! We are officially covered with the financial aid I received for nursing school this semester! The cost of tuition went from almost 9000 to 2600!!! WOW!!!!
When it rains, it pours......but when thing work out, man, it's just AWESOME!!
When it rains, it pours......but when thing work out, man, it's just AWESOME!!
Sunday, December 16, 2007
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO US!
We got a NEW CAR!!! We traded in our highlander for a 2008 Toyota Corolla!!! It's dark blue with dark interior. It is SO PRETTY! This will get us better gas/liter when I'm driving to BFE for school. So much is changing and new! Also, Miguel got a call back for a second interview for a supervisor position. WOW! We're leaving for El Paso on Friday night in our new car!
Sweet!
Sweet!
Friday, December 14, 2007
GOOD NEWS!!!
We found out today that MIGUEL GOT INTO THE ASU MBA PROGRAM!!! We couldn't be happier! I am just so proud of him. I knew he'd get in. He's just amazing like that. He also interviewed for a supervisor position at work, and got called back for his second interview!!
We all knew you could do it babe!! I love you!
We all knew you could do it babe!! I love you!
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
An update on one of my best friends and her family
An update on my friend's baby. Turns out he stopped breathing on Sunday night around 1:30 am. My amazing nurse friend gave him CPR and saved his life. The ambulance took him to the hospital, and he's been there since. My friend called me today to let me know that he's going to be ok. They didn't know how long he had been deprived of oxygen, so they were very, very relieved to know that his brain function was normal. He might be there for awhile longer, but we are all very grateful that he's going to be ok.
This family means a lot to Miguel and I. This friend is the reason I decided to go into nursing, and definitely the kind of nurse I want to be someday. She had the presence of mind to give her own 6 day son CPR to save his life. She is a wonderful mom, and her husband is a wonderful father. Their first son is just fantastic. We couldn't be happier that their family is going to be ok. They are still in our thoughts and prayers, and will be until we know they are all safe at home.
I also got fitted for my nursing uniforms today. We get to wear maroon scrubs with the ASU emblem on the left side. I also received my stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, pen light, nursing clip board, and bandage scissors. I couldn't be more excited!! I put on a fashion show for Miguel, and he said I looked like a real nurse! I found out that my drug screen was received by the nursing school today, and everything is clear. The only thing I have left to do is show up for class on January 14th! Some administrative stuff we have to take care of deals with financial aid and in-state tuition. We're basically fighting for both. Hopefully all goes well, and we receive a Perkin's loan (which can be forgiven after 1 year of working as an RN) as well as in-state tuition for both Miguel and I. Miguel hasn't heard yet about school, but he should soon! He is also applying for a supervisor position at work. He's doing so well! I always knew he would. =)
This family means a lot to Miguel and I. This friend is the reason I decided to go into nursing, and definitely the kind of nurse I want to be someday. She had the presence of mind to give her own 6 day son CPR to save his life. She is a wonderful mom, and her husband is a wonderful father. Their first son is just fantastic. We couldn't be happier that their family is going to be ok. They are still in our thoughts and prayers, and will be until we know they are all safe at home.
I also got fitted for my nursing uniforms today. We get to wear maroon scrubs with the ASU emblem on the left side. I also received my stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, pen light, nursing clip board, and bandage scissors. I couldn't be more excited!! I put on a fashion show for Miguel, and he said I looked like a real nurse! I found out that my drug screen was received by the nursing school today, and everything is clear. The only thing I have left to do is show up for class on January 14th! Some administrative stuff we have to take care of deals with financial aid and in-state tuition. We're basically fighting for both. Hopefully all goes well, and we receive a Perkin's loan (which can be forgiven after 1 year of working as an RN) as well as in-state tuition for both Miguel and I. Miguel hasn't heard yet about school, but he should soon! He is also applying for a supervisor position at work. He's doing so well! I always knew he would. =)
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
The Holidays and New Years!!
Unfortunately our air conditioner/heat went out about 2 weeks ago. It's been pretty cold, even here in Phoenix, but we've hung in there. Miguel's parents have been really helping us find a new unit, as well as finding somebody to install it for us. Thank you so much!
After speaking with Fernando tonight, we found out that Miguel's family will definitely be here the day after Christmas and through New Year's! We're super excited to have family here for New Year's again! Both Miguel and I have to work on New Year's Eve, but we'll both get off early, and will definitely be ready to party! Miguel and I are SO EXCITED!
We just found out that my parents are giving us an early Christmas present! We'll be heading to Houston to visit my grandmother, as well as to see Tio Fernando and fam, Tio Javier and fam, Christina and fam, and hopefully others as well. We're really looking forward to it. The week after I start school, so it will be a nice break before the craziness begins.
On a sad note, a good friend of mine called me today to let me know that her 7 day old son is in the ICU because he stopped breathing on Sunday night. He isn't intubated, but is on oxygen. They don't know what is wrong with him. Please keep my good friend and her family in your prayers.
After speaking with Fernando tonight, we found out that Miguel's family will definitely be here the day after Christmas and through New Year's! We're super excited to have family here for New Year's again! Both Miguel and I have to work on New Year's Eve, but we'll both get off early, and will definitely be ready to party! Miguel and I are SO EXCITED!
We just found out that my parents are giving us an early Christmas present! We'll be heading to Houston to visit my grandmother, as well as to see Tio Fernando and fam, Tio Javier and fam, Christina and fam, and hopefully others as well. We're really looking forward to it. The week after I start school, so it will be a nice break before the craziness begins.
On a sad note, a good friend of mine called me today to let me know that her 7 day old son is in the ICU because he stopped breathing on Sunday night. He isn't intubated, but is on oxygen. They don't know what is wrong with him. Please keep my good friend and her family in your prayers.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Good times with family and friends!
Last weekend, Richie and Cassie came from El Paso for the Cardinals vs. 49ers game in Glendale. We had a blast! The 49ers ended up winning in a horrible fumble in the end zone. Richie was happy. It all ended with a FANTASTIC hot dog story. Ask and we'll definitely let you! It was great seeing them. The weekend before that, Miguel's mom and dad, as well as his brother Fernando came to Phoenix to celebrate an early Thanksgiving. Friday night was his mom's birthday celebration, which was very nice. Our Thanksgiving dinner consisted of lobster and fantastic steak. The food was FANTASTIC, and as always, we had a great time. We ate, had drinks, and were merry!
We will be heading to El Paso for Christmas this year. Miguel and I can't wait! We leave the Friday before Christmas, and return on Christmas day. We are taking our doggies, which is always fun. We love hanging out with family and friends in El Paso, so we are very, VERY excited!
On another exciting note, Miguel turned in his application for the W.P.Carey MBA program at ASU this last Friday. They told him we would find out before Christmas. It is just so exciting to know that we could both be done with school in the next two years. After that, we'll see.
We will be heading to El Paso for Christmas this year. Miguel and I can't wait! We leave the Friday before Christmas, and return on Christmas day. We are taking our doggies, which is always fun. We love hanging out with family and friends in El Paso, so we are very, VERY excited!
On another exciting note, Miguel turned in his application for the W.P.Carey MBA program at ASU this last Friday. They told him we would find out before Christmas. It is just so exciting to know that we could both be done with school in the next two years. After that, we'll see.
Friday, November 23, 2007
We hope you all had a Fantastic Thanksgiving!
We hope everybody had a very happy Thanksgiving! Although we weren't able to spend this holiday with our family, we were blessed with a wonderful dinner with Debora and her family at her sister's house. We had a WONDERFUL meal prepared by her mom and sister, followed by fun and games with her brother Felipe's daughter Neveah (heaven backwards!). We honestly had a great time. Unfortunately, Miguel had to get up to work today, but we're getting excited for a great weekend! A friend from El Paso, Richard, is in town for the 49ers vs Cardinal's game on Sunday. Because Miguel and I, as well as Stephanie and Tyler, will also be going, we decided to put together a great tailgate party. We're going to meet at our house at 11 and then party until the game starts at 2!
In other big news, I decided that I'm my last day at work is going to be January 4th. I hope to relax for a week before nursing school! I already let my company know, so for now, I just get to countdown! Miguel just took the gmat last Saturday, and found out that he got a great score, so we're looking forward to him started business school soon! If all goes well, he'll be starting in February.
We'll keep you posted on our lives!!
In other big news, I decided that I'm my last day at work is going to be January 4th. I hope to relax for a week before nursing school! I already let my company know, so for now, I just get to countdown! Miguel just took the gmat last Saturday, and found out that he got a great score, so we're looking forward to him started business school soon! If all goes well, he'll be starting in February.
We'll keep you posted on our lives!!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Pictures!
Here is link to our engagement pictures, taken by our wonderful cousin Dyanna, as well as a link to our wedding pictures, taken by another wonderful cousin Patrick. Thank you both for giving us these memories!
http://www.shutterfly.com/progal/album.jsp?aid=768a5498cf47d2693072
http://www.shutterfly.com/progal/album.jsp?aid=768a5498cf47d2693072
Our First Blog
With all of the changes in our lives, we thought it was the perfect time to create a blog to share with our family and friends.
For our first post, we wanted to start from the beginning. We met as seniors at Stanford University. Miguel, a psychology major, was busy managing Stanford's first juggling club, Down with Gravity, and I, a biology major, was working in a microbiology research lab and working as a teaching assistant for "The Biological Basis of the Biological Clock."
I had seen Miguel out and thought he was one of the most handsome men I had ever seen. And I hid every time. I'm definitely not one to be shy, so this was very out of the ordinary. I happened to see him in my dorm, got the courage to give him my number, and waited a couple of days for his call. We met at a Stanford senior class outing, and have been together ever since.
At our graduation party that was being held at his parent's house in Santa Clara, on June 12, 2006, and in front of all of our family and friends, he proposed to me while giving his graduation speech. For the first time in my life, I was speechless and crying. Of course I said yes. We got married on February 10, 2007, in El Paso, Texas, and had a fabulous honeymoon in Fiji!!
Since summer of 2005, we've lived in the Phoenix area. We were first living in an apartment in central Phoenix. After both of us made major career changes, and with the help of Miguel's parents, we made the move to a house in southern Scottsdale, which is where we live today, with our two wonderful dogs, Austin and Ava, and our cute kitties, Danny and Angel. Austin is a rescued chocolate lab, and Ava is a golden retriever. Miguel is currently working at Vanguard as an Education Savings Associate, and Renee is working as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Clinical Research Advantage.
Many exciting changes have recently come about. I was recently accepted to the ASU College of Nursing program. It is a year around program, so as long as everything goes as planned, I will be graduating with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing and RN in May 2009. Miguel also decided he wanted to go back to school. Miguel just took his gmat on Saturday, November 17, and will be applying to the ASU MBA program to begin in February 2008.
Married life is just AMAZING!!!
~Mrs. Chavez
For our first post, we wanted to start from the beginning. We met as seniors at Stanford University. Miguel, a psychology major, was busy managing Stanford's first juggling club, Down with Gravity, and I, a biology major, was working in a microbiology research lab and working as a teaching assistant for "The Biological Basis of the Biological Clock."
I had seen Miguel out and thought he was one of the most handsome men I had ever seen. And I hid every time. I'm definitely not one to be shy, so this was very out of the ordinary. I happened to see him in my dorm, got the courage to give him my number, and waited a couple of days for his call. We met at a Stanford senior class outing, and have been together ever since.
At our graduation party that was being held at his parent's house in Santa Clara, on June 12, 2006, and in front of all of our family and friends, he proposed to me while giving his graduation speech. For the first time in my life, I was speechless and crying. Of course I said yes. We got married on February 10, 2007, in El Paso, Texas, and had a fabulous honeymoon in Fiji!!
Since summer of 2005, we've lived in the Phoenix area. We were first living in an apartment in central Phoenix. After both of us made major career changes, and with the help of Miguel's parents, we made the move to a house in southern Scottsdale, which is where we live today, with our two wonderful dogs, Austin and Ava, and our cute kitties, Danny and Angel. Austin is a rescued chocolate lab, and Ava is a golden retriever. Miguel is currently working at Vanguard as an Education Savings Associate, and Renee is working as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Clinical Research Advantage.
Many exciting changes have recently come about. I was recently accepted to the ASU College of Nursing program. It is a year around program, so as long as everything goes as planned, I will be graduating with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing and RN in May 2009. Miguel also decided he wanted to go back to school. Miguel just took his gmat on Saturday, November 17, and will be applying to the ASU MBA program to begin in February 2008.
Married life is just AMAZING!!!
~Mrs. Chavez
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