Rumble in the Rio

On Saturday several of our football team went to the Rumble in the Rio, a charity event were law enforcement from all of New Mexico box Fire fighters from all New Mexico to raise money to buy bikes for children in need. One of the parents is an APD officer and boxed. We made shirts for the boys that went and had a great time.

The Boys

real men wear PINK

Jesse went to the PINK volleyball game last night at Sandia high school. The PINK game is used to support various breast cancer awareness and research groups. The student who wore the most pink got to win $50.00 to Chilies. Jesse did not win but had a lot fun supporting a good cause. Breast cancer runs close to hart in our family as my mother Jesse’s grandma is a survivor, Jesse said he did it for grandma.

Happy Birthday Mark

Yesterday was Mark’s birthday and we had some good friends and family over for a wonderful salmon dinner. It was nice to able to celebrate a birthday in the company of wonderful friends. Mark is an amazing person and I am so very blessed to have in my life, my birthday wish for him would be to have a great year which he so deserves.

Anrew helping Mark openhis gifts

Dave, Dana, Mark, Jennifer, and Andrew

Jeff, Jennifer, and Mark

The whole group

Andrew helping

The difference between one and nine months

My really good friend Jennifer is nine months pregnant and has her bag packed and is ready to go at any moment to hospital and welcome into the world her little boy. My sister in-law Dana is one month pregnant and is thrilled to be expecting for the first time after years of trying. I am excited for both of them and can’t wait to be part of two new little lives. I hope that they both have easy and uncomplicated experiences as they welcome there new family members to the world.

Jennifer and Dana

The difference between one and nine months

To Life

In the last few weeks I have been privileged to be able to witness life at its most in lighting and fulfilling moments. I was able to partake in the Balloon Aloft program at Sombra again this year even though I do not have a student attending the school, when asked why still volunteer I say without hesitation “look at the smiles on the kids faces” to me that is thanks enough. My sister and her boys got to come to Albuquerque to see us for the weekend, even though I do not see them nearly enough they know who I am and feel at home in my home and with me and that is family. My 95 year old grandmother, my Nana still feels well enough to travel and spent a week with us in Albuquerque it is amazing to me that life has handed her so many road block and she still has love and life to give. I at times want to scream because parting a teenager is really hard, but I know he still needs my guidance and is listing to what I have to say even if he doesn’t want to admit it, I am making a difference in his life and who he is becoming. Together with friends and family we watched to balloons lift off the ground and soar high into the air at the Albuquerque international balloon fiesta a truly breath taking experience. Today we ended our 2009 regular football season with a 6-8 loss. The 18 boys that finished the season played hard and were guided by the best coaches ever. AS a team they overcame numerous hurdles and turmoil to become a strong team of young men, they have learned that playing for each other is better than playing for yourself. In my everyday life I am surrounded by choices that will affect me, my family, my friends, and the people that are just coming and going, am going to continue to look for the beauty in life and the good that is evident in every moment of every day if you look hard enough.

A balloon with our last name
2009 balloon Feista

Matthew Jessa and Saundra

Matthew Nana and Matthew

Jesse Canyon Trek Matthew and Nana

Jesse and Canyon

Mark Matthew and Trek

Trek

Canyon

Skye and Trek

Matthew(52) and the Matadors

Noah Matthew and Brehnden

Sombra del Monte Balloon Aloft

Skye and Tracy

Matthew and Brehnden