Our Christmas Letter 2008

Dearest Friends and Family,

We too are going to claim the going "green" for this years Christmas letter theme. Although, I actually think it has a lot more to do with saving money and time. All rare commodities any time of year. I must let you know that the original Christmas letter finds itself somewhere in cyberspace. Danny decided to play around with it before we had posted it, and needless to say doesn't know what he did, but "poof," it was gone. Of course the hour and a half that I spent writing it is cannot be "poofed" back. So, I will try to redo, what was already done. If I lack in luster you will know why.

We wanted to focus on our blessings, as we reflect upon the past year. Thanks to blogging, many of you already know the major events of our last year. Those that haven't been reading feel free to look back and check us out. If you don't already have a Google account, you can create on (it's free and pretty easy). And No, you don't have to blog or have a blog either. We would love to hear from you.

That leads me to Blessing One: the end in sight
The coming year should bring us to the end of Danny's long journey through grad school. If all goes well, August will bring the end to his internship and with that next December should offer a well deserved graduation date. He has been working very hard to make it all work. Managing a full time job, full time schooling, being a husband, dad, and working with the young men in our ward takes many talents. I guess we can't count out a lot of perseverance and dedication.

Blessing Two: Jobs
We have always appreciated our jobs, but this year more than ever we are indeed grateful. Our family has been so blessed since Danny has been working at the University of Colorado at Denver. He loves his job. He is successful and has an opportunity to use his strengths and talents. The University has also provided terrific benefits for our family (remember Isaac's teeth).

My move to fifth grade has been a good one. I don't know what it is about working with ten and eleven year olds, but it definitely suits me well. (I don't want any feed back as to what that says about me.) I still put in too many hours, but the stress is lower. I have had many of these students before, and I am enjoying them more the second time around. I'm sure by spring I'll be more than ready to send them to middle school, but the first half of the year has been good.

As a working mother, I am always thankful for the fact that I can be close to my kids and a part of their everyday lives. I don't know if Marina and I would have made it through the first part of her kindergarten year, if I hadn't been close in proximity. She has been very attached to say the least. Isaac and I have always been in partnership in regards to our adventure at Arrowhead Elementary. I will never forget that when I told him I got the job, he said, "Yeah, now I have a school."

Blessing Three: Isaac
Just the other day we were discussing the Chinese Zodiac per Marina's studies. I can't remember word for word what it said about Isaac, but a few things rung out strong: warm-hearted, strong, charismatic, leader. What a great way to describe our eldest son. He is so positive and kind. On Sunday, he brought a $2 bill that he received from his great-grandparents for the holidays, and asked if he could pay tithing. I questioned him in regards to did he need to pay tithing, and he replied, "No, I just want to help." We explained how fast offerings help people in need, and again asked if he really wanted to spend his money. He didn't hesitate. Absolutely, and proudly he paid his fast offering to the Bishop on Sunday. What a great example. His teacher described him as a "sponge." She said he "gets" things before anyone else, and she can always count on him to be enthusiastic about whatever she is teaching. He did say at Thanksgiving (without prompting/coaching) that he was thankful for education. I know with parents like us, he was destined to think that way. Well, at least it works for him.

Blessing Four: Marina
How do you explain the blessing of Marina? She is such a unique individual. She is full of life and energy. She fills our home with every emotion imaginable. Everything she feels we feel with her. Her laugh is one of my fondest sounds. I get dizzy watching her do cartwheels in our living room over and over. She is very talented and her passion is gymnastics. I am also thankful for a house big enough for Marina. The music teacher at school raves about her singing abilities, especially for a five year old. Although, she adamantly tells us she does not want to be in choir with Isaac. We will see she is always slow to warm up. She is finally liking kindergarten, and surprisingly has loved learning about Native Americans, Japan, Canada, Mexico, China, etc. She brings home the facts. Of course she always likes to add her own personal touch to each story. You often have to check in with her about the truthfulness of some events.

Blessings More: We are thankful for...
For our dogs, big and small
For a home with a large backyard with air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winters
Food in our bellies
Vehicles that start, run and have heat and air
Christmas decorations to fill our home and yard
Family nearby
Long distant friends who are always there, no matter the time and distance
Ward friends who enrich our lives
Church callings that strengthen are testimonies
Each other
The knowledge that our Savior was born, lived, and lives today!
And many more!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! May you be blessed!

Love,
The Sandoval's
(Okay, so I know I'm not in the picture, but it's still a good one.)

Whew! Have we made it yet?

I have to apologize to all my fellow blogging friends and family. We have been in that time of year, where we are so consumed with what's going on in our day to day lives, we almost disappear completely. Up until last Thursday, what little of my free time I have, was spent working on my Endorsement CAP for Regis. For those who don't know what that means. Basically, it was a grueling two hour process to prove my knowledge and learning; of which I had to present for 1 hour, answer questions for another 20 min., then wait for my professors, mentor, and Regis admin. to decide whether or not they would grant me my ELA (English Language Aquisition) Endorsement. I am still about 5 classes shy of my Master's, but this was a milestone in that process. I also am taking a break from school, so as to let Danny finish his Internship this Spring and Summer.
Many of you know he has been working on his Practicum this semester. He just wrapped up his last part of that on Wed. night. He was actually home a couple of evenings this week. Which was fabulous, but I kept feeling like it was the weekend since he was home, and it made for a very long week at school. We have a nice break for about a month before we resume the crazy schedule for him to complete his Master's. The reminder that it is temporary is what keeps me going. Actually, I think he needs the break more than me. I don't blame him!
Last weekend we promised the kids we would put up the Christmas tree and decorations. We usually knock it all out in one day. I think it drug on until Wed. and technically their are still a few finishing touches we have to put together, before our Black Tie Party next week. I think we are still trying to rebel and let go of all the responsibilites and deadlines we have been facing for the last several weeks. That's why I ask, "Have we made it yet?" Well, the answer is yes and no. But at least that's "normal" for us! So, since we can answer yes we have made it to some things, we might be able to become visible again to our friends and family. We are very much looking forward to our party and sometime off to spend with family!!! Love you all. And as always thanks for all your love, prayers, and support on our behalf. Take time to enjoy the holidays.

And we can't forget our Isaac. He has begun his first phase of orthodontics. Since the middle of November he has had an appt. every week. He has had 5 baby teeth pulled, of which he has gleaned $10.50 from the Tooth Fairy. He has had spacers, an expander, and a bite plate put in his mouth. The expander will be permanent for about a year, to fix his cross bite. We have to turn the expander with a key every five days at home. Isaac, to be expected, has done amazingly well. He doesn't cry and hardly complains. He was really excited about starting all of it, but I think that wore off quickly. He really is a super positive kid. I can't complain. He's already done more than I would want to handle. Gotta love those kids that make you look like a wimp! Marina has the same cross bite, but after her watching Isaac go through this, I don't know if we will ever convince her to do the same later. As you can see he has an holey, cavernous smile. And that's still without the braces yet! We sure hopes this is worth it in the end. Talk about faith! :)