The purpose of the blog and the end of 2008

I started a blog really for one reason, I don't keep a journal and there are a lot of things that occur in our lives that truly are worth "documenting" for the sake of the future and posterity. Especially now that Keizer is in our lives, I feel like it's even more important to take some time and talk about what is occurring and going on in our lives. So I've made a new resolution to my old resolution (see how dedicated I am???)...which is to actually blog. So I figure I ought to catch up on the happenings of the last few months since I last blogged.

November 2008:
This was the month of Thanksgiving. That is about all I could actually remember about November. We spent it at the house of my mom and Prisca and her family joined us there. Jaren had to work, so their family was unable to attend. We missed them, but still had a good time. It was long day though, I do remember that. We went to Hernan's sister's house for dessert and just remember being very tired.

December 2008:
This was a BUSY month. We had lots of parties and events to attend as it was the time to celebrate Christmas.

We had my work party and that was rather enjoyable. Some of our best friends work at The Sleep Institute of Utah and so we had fun socializing there. I think our table had the most laughs, that's for sure, as Hernan has a tendency to make people laugh, he's a real comedian. Carline and Eddie Risser were at our table and so was Zach Andelin. We had dinner and then played BINGO. We used M&Ms to cover our numbers and our table cheated by having more than one card...didn't help us any though (go figure). We were some of the last to get BINGO.

Hernan's work Holiday Party consisted of a Movie. He knows one of the managers at a theater in Orem who let us in for free, so we go snacks and watched the movie The Day the Earth Stood Still. I actually really liked the movie.

The most important event that happened in December was that Hernan blessed Keizer. It was done on the first Sunday and he did it in Spanish, so half my family didn't understand a word. Dad, Jaren, Scott, Nino, Ruben, Eddy, and Nick Hanna all participated. We had lunch at our house afterwards and mom and I talked afterwards about how much of a "success" it was. Everything went smoothly and our families meshed very well. I will post the blessing translation and some pictures later.

Christmas seemed to come in a hurry in 2008. It was Keizer's first and frankly I think I hyped it up more than I had ought. Keizer just kinda sat there in his chair and stared at the things we bought him. But it was still fun. He was spoiled like no other. We got him some church cartoons and cloths, toys, and other little things that only a nearly 4 month old would like or want. It was fun. The best part of Christmas was probably the gift that came from my Dad. He spent hours and hours transferring our old home videos to DVD for us. Anyone that knew the Fowler's growing up knew that good old Vance always had his camera rolling. So it's been fun getting a recap on the Fowler kid's childhoods....and we only got the 80's worth of videos...so next year I bet we'll get most of the 90's. My favorite gift this year was the blanket Hernan got me. I saw it at Costco and went "oooooohhhhhh" when I touched it. I have used it pretty much everyday since. They must have been popular too because after I opened it, Hernan decided he wanted one too and we couldn't get one because they had sold out of them.

I did purchase a couple of things fun for myself this last Fall...I bought a gun and a bike. I have always found revolvers fun, so I bought myself an S&W 38 cal airweight. LOVE IT! I don't plan on using it much (but if you break into my house...plan on it), but it was just so nice I couldn't resist. The bike I got is a FUGI roadie. I fully planned on training through the winter, but so far Keizer has not allowed that. I can't wait until it warms up so I can get out in the fresh mountain air and get some miles under my belt. The great things is that Hernan bought me all sorts of things to match my bike for Christmas, like gloves and helmet. I have shirt and shoes that match too. It's white, light green aqua, and black. Sleek and sweet...

Then the year 2008 ended...we found ourselves at home with some friends (Carline and Eddie Risser and July and Eugene Santellan) came over to watch a movie and we didn't even watch the ball drop! But we did have cider! Of course, Hernan and I brought in the New Year with a kiss.

Slacker

Yes, that is me. I am officially a Slacker, since I have not updated my bolg in well over a month. This posting is just to post some pictures of Keizer, as nothing truly exciting is occurring in our life, other than him. I must say though, it is so much fun watching him grow and having him begin to smile, giggle, and interact. We never thought being a parent was so much fun...and exhausting at the same time. Anyway, here's to you kid...Keizer we love you!

Hum-Ba-Ba

Growing up there was nothing more soothing than the sound of Mom holding us, patting our back and rocking, saying "Hum-Ba-Ba-Hum-Ba-Ba-Hum-Ba...Ba" or Dad tucking the covers in around every inch of our bodies and bounced the bed iterating the same "Hum-Ba-Ba-Hum-Ba-Ba-Hum-Ba...Ba." Now that I am a mom I have found myself holding Keizer and quietly patting his back saying "Hum-Ba-Ba-Hum-Ba-Ba-Hum-Ba...Ba."



As a result the Fowler Family can say that "Hum-Ba-Ba" has been in the family for what we can now say generations, as I believe it spawned from my Great Grandmother. It is a gentle way that seems to hypnotize the cry, calm the soul, and communicate the warmth of a parent.



Now the reason I share this is the comedy that my mom told me the other day, in that while she was up at the school (she has recently started working as an aid in a kindergarten class), a youngster came up to her and patted her back and said "Hum-Ba-Ba-Hum-Ba-Ba-Hum-Ba...Ba." To my mothers awe she asked the young girl, "Where did you hear that?" The girl could not remember, but any Fowler would be able to tell you where...



I like to think that now it's been past on to someone who's family in generations to come will know and reflect on the love of "Hum-Ba-Ba-Hum-Ba-Ba-Hum-Ba...Ba."

Family Blessings

So last weekend we had LDS General Conference where we sit at the feet of God's Prophets here on earth and get guidance and inspiration from them. There was one announcement that came as a special surprise for the Rocha Family, but it is best told in the following manner:

Saturday Hernan and I planned to visit his parents, show off Keizer, and eat a good old Argentine Asado. Raquel (Hernan's Mom) needed to pick up a few things and so she exited the home for the grocery store shortly before the morning session of Conference began. She was nearly done with her shopping when she received a phone call from Nino (Hernan's Dad). At this point in the story we must remember that cell phones, although a blessing, can be a pain. When Raquel answered the phone all she could hear was the crackle of Nino's sobbing voice...I can only imagine it went something like this..."Raquel **Crackle** van* crackle - sob**constru## crackle - sob**un**crackle*AR**TINA**sob sob sob!!!"

Now Raquel, realizing she can't understand nor communicate with Nino and being the loving wife that she is immediately leaves her cart and rushes to the car and aims for home...not thinking that Nino was injured or in pain, but remembering she had let her beloved dog out when she left and had visions of Nino backing the car over the dog and it lying on the pavement sucking in its last breath. Fearing the worse...Raquel finally gets a clear call with Nino half way home and finds out: the church is going to build a TEMPLE in CORDOBA, ARGENTINA!

With this news Raquel's comment to Nino in regards to the poor quality call was "That's WHY you're SOBBING! I left the grocery store!" and she turns the car around to finish her shopping.

Nino's comment to Raquel was ....wait for it..."Why didn't you pray about why I called???"

I love my family...they are a source of never-ending humor!

But with all jokes aside, we are so happy to know a temple will be built in Cordoba. Hernan's family has to travel by bus roughly 10 hours there and back to partake in the blessings of the Lord's Holy House in Buenos Aires and as a result trips are few and far between. With the perspective of a new temple close by, as demonstrated by Nino, it will be a blessing not fit for words. Family in Argentina said that when President Monson announced it people sprung to their feet, cried out in joy, hugged each other, cried and stood staring at the satellite broadcast with arms in the air. We are so happy for our family there and are grateful they know what the significance of the building means for them and future generations.

Baptism

On Sunday 9-21-08, our niece Emily (Hernan's Brother's Daughter) was baptized! We are so proud of her and her decision to become an official member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It's a decision that will bless her life forever. It was a special service with talks given by her Grandma and Grandpa Rocha and a special song sang by Silvina and Gaby, her mom. I am sure she felt loved and supported as there were pushing 30 people there to support her and shower her with love. We were glad we could share the moment with her.

It was also fun to watch the kids interact (as best they could) with Keizer. Emily's sister Kaylee couldn't stop rocking his carseat and checking in on him to make sure he was doing well. He is definently a loved little guy in our family.

Cousins

We finally got out to see Eli and think he just cute as ever. We took advantage of the opportunity to snap some photos of the boys...We thought this one was cute.

2 Weeks

Keizer went in for his 2 week check up on September 18th and we found out that he had gained just shy of a pound and grown 2.5 inches! WOW, that puts him at 7.13 Lbs and 22.5 Inches! We love our little guy and are so glad he is growing...especially as new parents who have no clue what to do or how things should go.