Weddings

Two weeks ago a close friend of mine got married. She also happens to be my cousin. We are only a couple months apart in age and for as long as I can remember we were as close as sisters. Granted that with time things change, but it is a blessing to have her in my life all these years later. I remember talks we used to have about when we would get married and how the wedding would be and who we would marry. Of course neither of us knew at the time who we would be calling husband, but it seems to fit perfectly even if we never dreamed it. I was thrilled to be able to have her at my wedding last August and it was even more special to be able to see her so elated as she made this big step with her now husband Mike. It is kind of peculiar but we both married Michael's as the two are completely different men, as Jennifer and I are our own person as well. Jennifer and I have been through a lot in our lives and it has been truly beautiful to watch her mature and grow. She is such a caring and thoughtful person and it was even apparent on the one day that many bride's want to be perfect and completely about themselves. Jennifer was still thinking of others and wanted make sure that all were having a good time. She is a beautiful woman and I know that she will be happy with her Mike. I wish them all the best in their long life together and pray that our paths will always cross as we grow and change.

Happy Birthday

This year was the first time we have been together (physically) for special ocassions one of those being birthdays. It is so exciting because Michael and I have had some great celebrations this year. The 23rd of May Michael turned 24 and we were actually in Omaha, Nebraska for one of my cousin's weddings. The week before we left for Omaha Michael and I finally tried one of the few Cuban restaurants in Denver. After an hour wait we were seated and while it was much too trendy for our taste the food was pretty authentic. Well of course this cannot compare to having his mom cook vaca frita or lechon asado, but it was a nice reminder of home for Michi. Then in Omaha we were able to go out with my parents and enjoy some good old midwest beef. The people at Outback messed up the order so many times that Michael was given 3 different steaks, though not eating them all. And yet another fun present for Michi was the delightful Cuban place we found in Omaha of all places. It was much more like home and I was as pleased to have found it as Michi. Overall turning 24 was good one for Michael.

New Things

New things are always fun and can also be a challenge, but whichever way you look at it they are a blessing. About 2 months ago Michael got his first full time job here in the US. He is working with a HVAC company that deals with refrigeration, heating and air conditioning. While he still is mainly a driver for another guy he works with in the small amount of time working there Michael has learned a lot and is often trying to explain to me why certain things are not working. This job has been great because he has been able to use the company van to get to and from work and also is currently taking classes to become a certified HVAC operator. And roughly a week or two after Michael started his job I moved into a new position at the same place. I am working different hours 10am-6pm, Monday - Friday, which is a huge blessing having a similar schedule to Michael's. I am also able to learn a different side to how things work at the Family Crisis Center as well as get a taste for the inner workings of Denver social services. Then most recently we are finally in our own apartment and have been for about a month now. Funny thing is we also got two kittens the same day we moved in... might as well just change a bunch of thing on the same day. They are growing fast and add a lot to our daily lives. It has been fun adjusting to the new things in our lives and continually growing closer as a married couple (of course work is required). God has blessed us and we are truly grateful.

A Few Milemarkers for the Campa Family

There have been a lot of exciting things happening recently, or at least I like to think so. We have now been married a little over 6 months, celebrated our first ever Valentine's Day together (in the same location), and are loving life. Michael has been in the US for over 8 months now and is in the infamous job search process, which he is finding is much more complicated here than in Cuba. None-the-less he is hanging in there and trying whatever he can to get work. Oh... he is an official US permanent resident. We had his interview for the green card on the 4th of February and he was immediately approved and a week later received his green card (which is not really green at all). He also got his driver's permit and is working on getting ready for the driving test. I am in the same job and liking it more than ever before. I would like to find something with "normal" hours (M-F and daytime), but not just wanting to switch to something I don't really like just for the schedule. Oh and I finally and officially changed my last name with social security... so there is no going back. I had thought I should wait until Michael's residency process was over to not complicate things and now that it is I am now in the complicated process of changing my name, but so excited to finally get to do so. God has been good and blessed by just being together and giving us so many new experiences. His love is new every morning and praise be to Him. Until next time...

Our First Christmas Holiday Season

I have really enjoyed being able to "introduce" him to some of things I did growing up and let him experience those things as well, especially this time of year that I can always recall quite fondly. One thing we were able to do was pick out a live Christmas tree and then go through the entire process of putting it up, getting the lights strung and of course the best part of decorating it. As we are living in Colorado it tends to snow during the winter months, which only officially began about a week ago (so sad and COLD). While I am still not used to the cold and snow, I think Michael is actually doing better than me, though he likes it much better from inside and I would have to agree. Our house is right by a perfect little sledding hill, so we just had to take advantage of that. Michael got to experience his first ever sled ride and I think he liked it. We were also able to make snow angels at the end of our adventure. Another thing I got to show him was the sugar cookie making extravaganza. Granted they did not turn out as cute as last years when my sister was in charge, but they tasted the same none the less. It is truly a blessing to be together for our first holiday season and looking forward to starting 2008 together.

Nicaragua

Since is has been entirely too long since we updated, let me just skip a few (3 and a half to be exact) months to November. For about two years I have been planning a trip to Nicaragua... well the plans didn't really amount to much until about 3 weeks before I actually left on November 19th. I was able to return to Nicaragua after not having been there for almost 2 years for a very special occasion. Not only was I able to see Sarah and Seth again, I was also able to see the numerous kids I had left in Nicaragua. The whole motivation behind the trip was to be at this year's graduation because some of my most special kids were graduating high school and come to find out even a few were able to make it out of 6th grade and into high school. It really was such a special occasion to see them accomplish something as big as this and for some they are the first in their families to do so... like one boy who graduated from 6th grade. Of course I also spent time just hanging out and had to take at least one more swim in Lago Nicaragua. I will be posting my pictures on a web site for all to see, but until then here are some of my favorites.

Luna de miel

17 Mile Drive

Red Wood State Park

Red Wood State Park

San Francisco

Being as we have not posted much lately, figured it was about time to put something "new" here. I say "new" because I am about to write about something that happened over three months ago, our honeymoon. We spent a week in the San Francisco area and had a lovely time. We started in San Jose, made our way to Pacific Grove, back to San Jose and then in San Francisco. I am putting a few pictures up so all can get a taste of what it was like, enjoy!