Ending of 2023

 In 2023, many wonderful things happened, along with some growth and few setbacks. Despite challenges, we grew closer and loved each other more deeply. I began this blog since 2019 with the intention of capturing the happy moments shared by my family - our homeschooling experiences, outings, and everything in between. However, amidst the demand of family life, I struggled to maintain consistency. 

Here are few photos I managed to retrieve from my phone, although I lost many due to a broken device. Nevertheless, 2023 was a significant year for me. I set two major goals: to complete my first half-marathon (13 miles) and full marathon (26.2), and to attend the temple for the 5:30am session on Tuesday at least once a month. Remarkably, I achieved both goals.

 Just to clarify: I've never been much of a runner. My only experience with running has been chasing my kids around the parks. LoL!! (the best kind of running) Venturing into the world of running was entirely new to me, but it was something I had always imagined doing. Unfortunately, like many other dreams, it had been placed on the back burner until now. 

I threw myself into training for my first half marathon, which took place in Livermore, CA. I dedicated almost every Saturday to preparing for the event. However, when it came to the full marathon, I was only four months away and had only managed to run 8 miles during that time. So, it's fair to say I wasn't training seriously. Still, I was filled with pride and amazement when I completed the Full Marathon within 6 hours and 35 minutes. Running the marathon were an incredibly fulfilling experience. I relished the entire journey, enjoying the scenic views and thankfully avoiding any injuries, although I did feel pretty sore the next day. When I saw my husband and our kids at the finish line, tears welled up in my eyes. I can't quite describe the overwhelming feeling of gratitude and blessing I felt in that moment. Throughout the run, I felt a sense of divine presence, as if my guardian angels were guiding and lifting me every step off the way. <3 

 Finally, I'm grateful that my journey to the temple led me to reconnect with my sisters in Zion. It all started with Eleni, who was working at the temple that morning, and then I attended with Deysi. Since then, I've cherished the blessing of having such wonderful people in my life and calling them good friends and good people to be around with. 

Additionally, my family and I aimed to spend more quality time together and engage in various activities and outings. I'm pleased to say that we succeeded, and as a result, we were healthy, happy, and filled with love throughout 2023. 

With love from my tribe, I eagerly anticipate the new opportunities and deeper connections that 2024 will bring. I'm determined to hold myself accountable this time by consistently journaling these memories. I already sense that I'll miss these precious years of being young parents to our beloved kids, who will soon transition from childhood to adolescence and adulthood. The thought of it overwhelms me, even though there are moments when the challenges of motherhood kicks in, nonetheless, I'll embrace it ALL because I love my little turds dearly. Haha! :) <3 oxo