Happy New Year from Hong Kong

It was not planned but it worked out fine since we ended up spending New Years in a Hong Know Hotel rather than by ourselves at home. We missed the connection coming back from Dallas to Hong Kong. The airport had a hotel where a party had been organized for the night so we went over to join in the fun.

Star Wars

To end our adventures in Utah this Christmas we went to see the Star Wars movie after coming back from Las Vegas. A seven hour trip. Poor Daniel did all the driving and must have been tired but was able to watch it but not me, I couldn't and fell sleep toward  the end.

Merry Christmas!

This Christmas was extra special because we had the visit of my mom, Mari and Manu. We had dinner at Andres and Jami. Later that evening, we went to wish Maria Noakes happy birthday and then to Margie's home and last but not least at tia Silvia's for the Traditional midnight dinner.

Winter in Manila

We got to be at a Mission Presidents seminar and the visit of Elder Nelson, Elder Renlund and Elder Maynes in November. It was like always a very special and amazing visit by those men of God. This picture was taken at the Hotel where we were staying. While they were here, we had our office devotional on November 16th. We also came back the following week for a directors meeting from the office and the highlight was looking a the fake snow that looked almost real.

Halloween 2015

This year I got to spend Halloween with the grandkids! Nothing is more fun than to be dressing up for Halloween. This is the first time I get to enjoy this Holiday in the US with family and I love it! We went to the zoo!

Taking a nap

Bianca took this picture one morning when I was totally exhausted! I know why we have babies when we are young. Ruby wakes up every three hours and wants to eat. I had told Bianca I would take one feeding so she could rest but I ended up taking a nap instead. Today is Sariah's birthday and Daniel though she turned 15 which is a big deal in Latin America but later we found out we counted the years wrong and she is actually turning 14 today.

Ruby is out of the NICU

Today, Saturday October 17th Ruby came home and I left Orlando to be with them in Idaho. 

Mom before her surgery

While I was in Idaho on October 8th I got a call from Mari telling me that the doctors were going to keep my mom in the hospital because she needed to get her open heart surgery ASAP and that I probably should come back to Orlando. I changed my flights around so instead of going back to Idaho I ended up going to Orlando. This picture was taken while my mom was waiting for surgery on October 13th. I ended up staying for a week instead of two weeks since Vanessa came a week early.

Quick Ttip to Boise

Daniel had  not met baby Asher and Ruby so we went for one afternoon. We left on the 7th after we finished up the meetings around 4:00 p.m. and came back the next day. We knew that was the only window we had to make the trip and was well worth it.

We left Boise around 5:00 p.m. and got into Salt Lake late that night. We were hoping to stop at Maddox on the way back but didn't make it before they closed at 9:00 p.m. we were about an  hour behind.

October Conference 2015

Like every October here we are attending all sessions but this time it was extra special since we actually stayed at our place in City Creek. Vale has been staying there but found a place in Sugar House. I have been to many Conferences but this one was extra special as three new apostles were called. I also got to enjoy some remarkable meetings with the DTA wives. They took us to the set where those movies of Christ are made. It was all incredible. There was also a last meeting with Bishop Stevenson, now Elder Stevenson. I feel so privileged to have been here at this time and very grateful. I love to see my family also each time I come here.

Visit to Orlando

After much research of where would be the best place for my mom to reside for good, it ended up being Orlando. My mom's sister Norma and her son and husband live there and there are good medical clinics and doctors.

While I was able to visit her she was able to get in to see a good cardiologist today and found out she is going to have to get open heart surgery. It was not an easy thing for her to know. She was hoping she would be fine with what they had already done. I was with her and explained to her how important it is to follow what the doctors recommend.

Now that I live in the Philippines is even harder to make the trip to see her so I took a few days from September 24th to September 29th while I was in Salt Lake and made the trip South.

Daniel's skin surgery

Daniel's skin surgery was today for the removal of a wart that could potentially be cancerous. It all went well. He did great and kept his eye area with ice so he wouldn't get a black eye.

Asher is here

I remember Cristi telling me how she couldn't sleep at all the night before because she was feeling some contractions so by around noontime she checked into the hospital but this little man stayed inside mom for another 10 hours when finally very late at night, he decided to make his appearance. Asher Brooks Dame is what his name will be. This is the first time I am actually in town when a grand baby is born. In the past I have been thousands of miles away. I am only in Idaho because Bianca had her baby prematurely or I wouldn't even be here. Asher is so lucky to have parents like Cristi and Brooks.

Clark Base

Not much is left from what it used to be the United States Clark Air Base in the Philippines. This was a US Base from 1903 to 1991 but now is more like a ghost town. It was sad to see all the buildings in ruins but they still have duty free stores where you can buy items tax free. Sweet!

Ruby's arrival

On September 3rd. 2015, this precious child decided to come quick to meet her wonderful parents. Bianca and Joseph. What a lucky baby Ruby will be. She is so loved by so many people who are praying for her to get strong.

Tagaytay

Today we decided to venture out from our home to a place called Tagaytay. This was a two hour drive but well worth it. This is an interesting lake with a volcano. We stopped at a restaurant had a nice buffet and right when we came in they started their entertainment. We had this view of the lake. For those who love horseback riding, this is the place!

Award Ceremony

We were invited to attend an award ceremony for the teams who won the championship at the office. They play basketball and volleyball. I love that they get along so well and know how to have a good time.

Visit of Bishop Davies to the Philippines

Bishop Davies made the announcement for the new DTA on August 3rd in the Area Office. We were staying in the same hotel he was staying and had dinner with him and another fellow from the temple department who came with him.

In the meeting he explain that when a DTA is considered it is taken to the First Presidency for approval. He said that it is a calling more than a job. He spoke as well as the Tapps, the Hanies who are also new and us. We bore our testimonies and the meeting came to a close.

 In the afternoon Pauline took me to see where she usually shops and I got a few beautiful sets of pearls. I came to find out pearls if a big industry here!

Moving to the Philippines

On july 30th 2015 we took our first flight to Dallas that took us to Tokyo that took us to Manila. In this area we would meet with bother and sister Tapp who is the current DTA and Bishop Davies who is coming to conduct the announcement. We left July 30th and got to the Philippines late Friday on July 31st. On Sunday we went to Church and met Bishop Davies who arrived at mid-day. 

Daniel with the Grandkids!

Daniel is such a cute grandpa! He loves kids!! Well, he should, he had eight! In Utah he was working super hard still managing things in the DR and starting his new job in the Philippines but somehow we always found time to be with Valentina, Andres and family, Many and Spencer and at this time also Analia, Spencer and Chris. Owen is even in this picture because Rachael is in town. The only brand new baby missing here is Tiago and the oldest grandkids not in this picture are: Charlotte, Graeme, Nixon and Beckett. Six plus five = 11 grandchildren and four on the way!! By the end of January of 2016 we would together share 15 grandchildren!!

Denver

People often asked why on earth do you want to drive nine hours to Denver just to come back in two days? The answer is found in that picture. It's the grandkids! We want them to know that we exist. So we went to Denver for the 24th of July Holiday in Utah and that way Valentina could come with us. It all worked out very well.

At this time we found out my mom had a heart attack and I had plans to go back to El Salvador for the weekend but she asked me to come visit her when she went back to Florida. This made it possible for me to go to Denver. Lucky for us, Ale, Lexi and Tiago were also visiting Denver. Lexi has a sister who lives there as well.

Idaho for the weekend

As soon as we got to Utah we were headed to see Critsi and Bianca and family in Idaho. This was a short trip. Just for the weekend but well worth it.

We had time to relax, and even attend a soccer game  of a team from Mexico and one from Spain. We also met Nicole and her husband. Nicole is probably now like my daughter as she had offered to carry one of Bianca's babies. This is what a sister in the gospel and a true friend is about. She couldn't be more perfect to do this and we are all thankful for her and her husband on offering to do this selfless act of charity. The next day we went Church and left to go back to Utah.

Houston visit

The purpose of this visit was to meet Owen. We had seen him on Skype and Facetime but nothing is like touching someone for real. He is that cute! Oh my and is he so big!! He weights more than some two year olds. He is so good too! The next day, Hernan took time off from work and went to NASA Houston Space Center. What a treat that was! Daniel's favorite phrase whenever he lands at an airport is " The Eagle has landed" and now I know where he got it from.

Tiago time

Now together again in Miami for a quick visit and perhaps the last one in many years. We had been so spoiled to have gone to Miami while we lived in the DR way too many times to even count but this was the last time we would be able to do that.

Daniel loved stopping in Miami as he needed to travel to the other Caribbean islands.  It was a quick flight from Santo Domingo for us so we got to see my mom Mari and Lexi and Ale and now this adorable bundle of joy. Our baby Tiago. The newest member to our family! He is so good, and so adorable!

Back in El Salvador

I had just been there but I felt the need to come back. There were so many things that were pending. ..Number one, my only document that is valid in El Salvador my DUI has the name wrong because of my birth certificate which has been altered.  I needed to make it known that it had to match the rest of my documents. My birthdate is wrong too.

Number two: I needed to talk to the lawyer trying to resolve the issue with the apartment I am trying to sell. I needed to know exactly what happened? It's so weird that this apartment is not even in my name and why is it showing two leans on this property. I also felt I needed to meet the woman who is renting it until all this issues are ironed out.

Three: A meeting was going to take place with Meme, my half brother, and this was the only chance I would have to know exactly what he wants from us.

Four: I needed to find a piece of land in Los Planes I need to sell

Five: I felt compeled to help Liz in some way with the move.

Six: Talk to the people at TCS since there has been a problem with the checks being returned. Etc, etc, etc...

Beside all the endless list of things to do I also needed to find out how my mother was doing because I had a feeling she wasn't well. I noticed that whenever we walked even just a few steps she would be so tired. We went to Maricela's apartment and she couldn't climb any stairs. We went to Silvia Reyes party and also had a hard time climbing the stairs there. She told me, she had gone to see the doctor and he said it was acid reflux but I told her, she needed to see another heart specialist anyway so she made the appointment with another doctor.

There are a few things I couldn't possibly do so I might have to hire someone to help me but once again, I said good bye to El Salvador by attending a 37 year reunion of the class of 1978 in El Club Deportivo. I did my cameo and left when my mom and sisters came to pick me up. They had been attending a different party. I had some stomach issues and didn't want to eat anything anyway. I had to get ready for the next morning to fly to Miami and still needed to pack. I went home and was super tired but somehow I got all packed!

My last Sunday in the DR

This photo was posted on my Facebook page from the children in the Primary. I had worked with the Faith in God program there and loved those kids. I learned so much teaching them. On Sunday July 5th we were supposed to leave for good but Guillermo Antivilo, the new DTA, went on vacation and Daniel had to stay an extra week. This when I felt very strongly I need to go back to see my mom in El Salvador, I didn't know why but I felt very strong I needed to do that.

So we went to fast and testimony meeting, bore our testimonies and went home to get my suitcases and headed to the airport for a week. Daniel was to stay working one more week in the office and he would take care of the movers and all the final packing. I would meet him again the following Sunday.

Bishop Stevenson's visit

On Tuesday July 30th we had a great visit with Bishop Stevenson at Daniel' office when he came to Santo Domingo. That was his first time there and loved to meet the members and a little more of where we lived and the office. He came to our apartment the day before and saw how we had things designating for Utah or the Philippines.

The meeting was held at 8:30 a.m. during the normal weekly devotional to extend Daniel his released as the DTA and extend the call to Guillermo Antivilo. In that meeting Daniel and I were able to speak. According to Daniel I took a little too much time but I honesty understood we could each take 20 minutes not 20 minutes between the two of us. I was hoping to leave my mark and my testimony which is the most important thing I posses.

As the office said goodbye to us, we were given many gifts, including a bust of Joseph Smith made by our Bishop Rotellini and a letter and plaque and jewelry for me and a shirt and hat for Daniel.  We were truly humbled by all the demonstrations of love and affection of so many people Daniel worked with for over five and a half years. It was time for us now to say goodbye and that was hard. The choir sang beautifully and the spirit in that meeting was very strong. A day in my life I will always remember.

The Last Supper

This was to be the last time we would sit together as expats members of our ward in Santo Domingo. Those faces are some of the dearest people and so faithful to the teachings of Christ and for that reason this table is so special to me. Four of us would no longer reside in the DR The Kimballs, Rappleyes, Taylors and us.

These were some special friends! I will always remember Cindi Lee who called her mom every day. Nancy and Kent Rappleye, both come from pioneer heritage and would not be alive if it wasn't for polygamy back in the day. Tami Taylor always so caring and even had time to make me a book as busy as she was. The Villasenor family,The Kimballs, and Elder and sister Cornish who have children with special needs and are so patient and so loving. and Elder and sister Marinez who I also admired so much. Nuria is the one who came to help me with the move in spite of the fact that she suffers  from fibro- mialgia to name a few.

Some others where not there because they had already gone home. I have so many wonderful memories of dear Dominican people too.  Those are friends I will always treasure. This was an assignment I will keep dear to my heart!

Saying goodbye

We finally said goodbye to El Salvador. It was my place of birth and one I will keep in my heart forever. I will always be grateful for having been born there. I lived there from birth until I was 18 so my home away from El Salvador up to now has been Utah. It is the other place I feel welcome, where   I can be with family. I came to realize that home is where your family is and for now, home is the Dominican Republic but that is about to change but I can't say where.

El salvador is not the ideal place to live anymore on the news, they report is the highest violent country in the world but I hope when the Savior comes, this place will once again be heavenly. For now, after all my immediate family including my sisters and mother have moved away, I have no reason why I need to come back other than to a wedding or funeral.

This lake is for sure my all time favorite. It feels so peaceful and it is hands down the most beautiful lake because hardly anybody uses it unless you own a lake house at lago Cuatepeque.

Decameron

My mom bought a time share at Decameron so we are forced to at least use  the place anytime we are in El Salvador. We have never been fond of Decameron but for tourists it's probably the only all inclusive Hotel so it's not so bad. We are used to the Dominican Republic that has over 100 Hotels chains and that is why we know there are better Hotels but not in El Salvador. This is it for an all inclusive.

 Ironically the only Decameron in the DR is closed and it looks like it's abandoned and in ruins.  We would pass by it and wished it was open to used up some of my mom's points. Instead, we spend thousands staying at other Hotels.

This was a good get away. I even got a massage there listening to the ocean waves that was amazing. I do recommend it for big families because you don't have to worry about food or what to do. On June 9th was also Crisit's birthday but they had to go back to Idaho. The only ones who came were Mari, my mom and Manu. Bianca and Joseph, Vane and Mateo and Daniel and me.

Piñata time and the beach house!

This took place on Monday. We thought we would get up, check out of our hotel and be on our way. That was the plan but Daniel had a bad fever and his ear was hurting so bad. He woke up with puss coming out of his ear so it was time to do something.

We called around to find a doctor ASAP but the sooner he could see someone was 2:00 p.m. so we decided to wait for that and then continued with our plans. In the meantime a very closed friend of Daniel serving as the mission President wanted to stop by the Hotel to say hello, so we invited him to lunch right there. The hotel we stayed also has a well known Italian Restaurant. However our heart was with the kids and grandkids.

We never made it to the piñata party which had been postponed twice. This was the last time to do it. When we came out of the doctor, knowing now that Daniel had an ear infection and the last thing he should be doing is going to the beach. It was already 4:00 p.m. and Daniel had volunteered to make dinner that night so we went ahead to fix dinner. One of those days, when no matter what you do, someone will get their feelings hurt.  Lesson learn. Sometimes we can't have it both ways. I was torned between going with my family or staying with Daniel. Either choice was wrong. You can't always please everybody. But the good thing is that the kids had a wonderful time and my mom was able to go. For this visit we never set foot on that beach house which is the point why we have it.

Family Reunion

 This historic photo was taken inside liz's living room in San Salvador on Sunday June 6th 2015 for the "Flores Family Reunion."

A minute before we were going to take this photo, Nixon got stung by a bee and the poor kid was hurting, for a moment it almost seemed like we were not going to be able to take this shot but eventually he got feeling better so we all got together again and went for it.

Only one shot! This is not a professional photo by any means but it is the only memory we have of all of us being together. Bottom Row from left to right: Alex, Manu, Mandy, Liz, Veronica, Gloria, Maricela, Vanessa, Cristi, Nixon, and Paola. Standing in the back from left to right: Eric, Spencer, Bianca, Joseph, Andres, Alejandro, Mateo, Daniel, Beckett and Brooks = 21 total and two on the way. Bianca and Cristi are both "with child" sweet!!

Party Time

If you live in El Salvador, this is the party of the year!!

People die to be invited to this grand event of the American School of El Salvador. This is a bilingual school for the elite in El Salvador. 

This is the culmination of your time as a student there and a tradition every year. That party goes all night to early hours in the morning. Over 1,300 people attended this event!

 The Behners Liz, Eric, Alex, Andres and Paola were able to invite 30 people. From my little family we had: Cristi and Brooks, Bianca and Joseph, Mandy and Spencer and Daniel and me. From the Flores side, My mom, my sister Maricela, Vanessa and Alejandro were also present including aunt Estella. From the Behners side: Rosy and John Behner, and his sister and Wendy and Eddy were there. 

The theme for Paola's table was an animal theme like safari since they were moving to Tanzania. 

Paola's graduation

The graduation ceremony, like the usual, super long but we didn't care because we were so excited for Paola.  Later we went to Club Campestre to celebrate. All our family and closed friends were there.

Going to see Jose Feliciano but...

Jose Feliciano never showed up. Daniel was so sweet to take me to this concert but what a joke! First of all, they started the concert two hours late, We were standing in line that whole time. The tickets were expensive because they had three signers: including Alvaro Torres so I expected better service. As we came in, there were no seats available for us to sit but we managed to find something. Next and probably the worst is that Jose Feliciano never showed up and no one apologized. No one said anything about why he hand not come to sing since he was the main singer for the night with Alvaro Torres and some other fellow. What they did is to have Danny Rivera come out and sing. Poor Daniel, it was my idea to go to this concert but what a disaster!!

Visit to Phoenix

On my way back to the DR I had to stop in Phoenix for a long layover. So was able to contact Becky. She picked me up at te airport and took me over to her home to have dinner. Matt was in his room ill at the time so I never saw him.  Tiffanie came over with her newborn baby named Daniel. Kimmy came afterwards and even took me back to the airport. It was great to see how they love living in the same city. They are all smiles!!

Trip to Idaho May 2015

 Life does not get better than that!!