January Anniversary – #2

Today is our one year wedding anniversary!!! Rafael Soriano married Sarah Jo Soriano last year on January 31, 2010. I can’t believe we’ve been married for one whole year. The whole thing has gone by so fast. We have had quite an eventful year. Rafael graduated from school and we bought a house. We managed our full house, I found out I was going to be an auntie again, he became.. Read More

January Anniversary – #1

Today is a big anniversary for me. Today, I mark five years of working for Target. It’s pretty crazy to think that five years ago, I walked into a distribution center (DC) in the middle of Illinois, just hoping for something a little more stable than newspaper work. Little did I know what it would turn out to be… I didn’t really know what to expect when I walked into the distribution.. Read More

Laundry prayer time

I found myself with a rare quiet morning today. Rafael had a commitment with the Hispanic Business Council today, so after breakfast, he donned his Bullseye t-shirt and headed out. What’s a girl to do? Easy – laundry. Piles and piles of laundry. I don’t hate laundry (but I certainly wouldn’t say I love it either). I have to admit, it was pretty peaceful folding boxers and hanging shirts in the.. Read More

My American husband

Rafael became a United States citizen today! He moved away from home a little more than 10 years ago. He had a student visa, then a work permit. Then, he became a permanent resident. After five years, he was able to file for citizenship. He went through a background check, multiple interviews and lots of forms. He prepared for the test by studying U.S. history. Do you know all the.. Read More

At the MIA

I had my quiet time at the MIA today – Minneapolis Institute of Arts. I sat in a room of 17th century art commissioned for European churches, royalty and home temples. The detailed art wonderful scenes with Biblical themes as the artists imagined them. I comanderred a wooden bench and opened my Bible to Psalms. My dear hubby sent a verse to me earlier in the day so it was fresh.. Read More

No list needed

I love when Rafa works so hard to complete errands and tasks that I ask him to do…but I really, really love it when he takes care of things before I can even ask. When I got home today from visiting Grandma, I found Rafa wearing work clothes and paint up to his elbows. “What have you been painting?” I had no idea! He tackled room we dubbed the “red.. Read More

Happy 68th Anniversary!

It’s a special day for Grandpa and Grandma Crabtree. They’re celebrating 68 years of marital bliss today. 68 years. Wow. 68 years of marriage, five children, 22 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren (with two more on the way). Their marriage reminds me of Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up… Read More

Please, validate me

We were riding in the car the other day and my iPhone was being so. antagonizingly. slow. I would hit a button and nothing would happen for minutes (probably seconds, but it seems like forever when you expect your phone to move as fast as you think). “Rafa!” I cried. “Look at this! I tried to open this app like five minutes ago.” He dutifully looked and nodded. “Really, Rafa!.. Read More