I always took for granted

Growing up in a very small town in Maine, there are sadly some things I took for granted. One of them is my American citizenship. My husband was born in El Salvador. He was born during a terrible civil war. Six months after his birth, his mother began the process of coming to America. She had to leave her son with her mother for two years. She worked and saved till she, one by one, was able to bring all of her children to the U.S. Julio was four when he came. They entered at an Arizona airport and then traveled to Maryland. He remembers little things.

Two things stand out for him. His first candy bar was one that one of the immigration ladies gave him. It was a Snickers bar and he said he remembers because the bottom looked like tire tracks.

The second was when they arrived in Maryland. There was snow on the ground and he had never seen it. He also didn't have a coat and was freezing. Another one of the ladies traveling with them went and got him a coat!

Julio grew up here. We always joke that the only thing Spanish about him is his name! What I never realized is how extensive the Naturalization process is. Shortly after arriving, Julio's mother hired a lawyer to help with all of the paper work. First you must become a legal alien allowed to work. Since they had amnesty due to the civil war, this was rather difficult. The next step was acquiring a green card, which means you become a permanent resident. This process takes the longest. After 5 years, you can then apply for naturalization. Sadly, their lawyer took off with thousands of dollars that were meant to go towards their paperwork, and they had to start all over again.

Just last year Julio has qualified to apply for naturalization. After scrimping and saving for the OUTLANDISH fees :), we finally were able to apply. Generally the whole process takes 6-9 months. We put in the first stage in April and now he is only one step away from Citizenship!!!!!!! What a blessing!!!!!

I took for granted what being born in this wonderful country means. I do not have to worry about being sent back to a country that live in filth and doesn't have clean water to drink. I don't have to worry about people accepting me based on my nationality. I don't have to deal with people assuming I can't speak English. What a trooper my husband is. He has been so patient and so understanding. I am so thankful he has shown me the glory of being born free.

So many people ask me why I am so crazy about penguins. I always had a hard time putting it into words without talking their ear off! Maybe putting it into written word will be less time consuming!

I love penguins because they remind me of unconditional love. When they mate, they mate for life. They go through so many struggles to bring a family into the world. The MALE is willing to do what he needs to do to help the female out. They can pick each other out in a sea of sameness. How much more romantic can you get than penguins? LOL

Besides, who can resist those cute little waddles!!!!!

Jenny~
I was cooking the chicken and I had the recipe written on a piece of notebook paper. Kitchen no-no number one. I then was reaching above the stove to get something out of the cabinets and had the recipe in my hand. Kitchen no-no number two. In slow motion, naturally, it fell into the pot of chicken and stock and was soaked by the time I could get it out. Totally ruined! Both the recipe and the chicken! I am still waiting for a replacement recipe of it!!

178 Days Until Christmas

Christmas is my favorite time of year. Winter itself is my favorite time of the year. I HATE summer. I know, I know, I am odd. But in all fairness to me, I am allergic to most things that you can enjoy during summer. I am allergic to grass. Just standing in it causes me to break out in hives and swell up. I didn't used to be THIS allergic. It started my first year of college. Maybe that Maine air really WAS good for me!

So during winter.....no grass. That equals pain, sneeze, and general ooze free!

I love the coziness of Christmas. I am so thankful for Christ's birth and I am even more thankful it is during a season that allows snuggling with out sweating LOL!

OH AND, winter has football! I can feel it this year. The Patriots are going to win the Superbowl. Mark it!

You know you feel old when....

...your "baby" sister graduates high school. I very unsuspectingly opened a card from my little sister and found an invitation to her graduation party. When did she grow up? I can only imagine how it will be like when we have children!

Well......

Considering I have managed to botch the last two blogs I have attempted, this ought to be a new adventure.

Our anniversary was such a pleasant day. Truly it has been the best so far. We love Baltimore and have a deep desire to move to the city. Finances just won't allow it right now :P I miss the ocean and Baltimore reminds me of home and so much more.

Hydrangeas are my most favorite flowers. Since I am sadly and terribly allergic, I cannot enjoy flowers on special occasions. So I am limited to admiring from afar. They truly make me happy because they look so light and fluffy!

Dory and Nemo were so cute!

This truly is a tragedy! The Baltimore Aquarium DOES NOT have penguins. They do however have an Australian Outback exhibit with lizards and frogs. Can someone please explain that one to me? Everyone should have penguins!!!! So sadly, the closest I got to penguins yesterday was this poster. *sniff* SO SAD!

We were able to board a ship that was docked in the harbor this week. It was called "The White Ship". It was a beautiful ship! It had been a long time since I have been on a boat!!!!

This was the beautiful sunset we were able to enjoy while eating dinner! What a treat!

It was such an amazing day. I am blessed above and beyond to have such an amazing husband who worked so hard to strip copper and saved every little piece to be able to take me out on a glorious date. I don't know who was more excited! The Orioles even won against the Nationals!!!