Our favorite things/moments from summer 2023!

The balancing game with school aged kiddos is year round but summers tend to bring an extra layer of crazy to the game. It starts with planning months ahead to jumping from camp to camp all while trying to juggle work and other activities.

For us, this summer for was busier than the norm due to travel which made it a bit more exhausting. I think I’ll be fine if I don’t get on a plane in a while!

I was hoping to post this earlier but I’ve been procrastinating in a few areas of my life lately. It’s almost fall and here I am still writing about summer!!

Despite this summer presenting some personal challenges for me, I do have to feel grateful for all the moments, memories and growth we made.

Here are just a few…

Gael’s favorite moments/things!

1. Going places- I like that we went to different places this summer

He visited Mexico for the first time. He was excited to see where his dad was born😊 He also got to see some of the most iconic monuments in DC

2. Minecraft Camp

This was a virtual camp and he enjoyed doing this with his friend!

3. Swimming- I like that we spent time in the water with Adonis

As it should be specially during what has become the hottest summer!

4. Pay for my own food- when I went to eat with your team

He spent a week at work with me and got to see a lot of what I do. The one thing he enjoyed the most was going to lunch with my team (without me) and paying for his own food!

5. Getting and building new lego sets

Well this is always a highlight for him regardless of time of the year!

6. Discovering new show

He loves discovering new shows on netflix! We had a few arguments about his love for TV but I am learning I have to accept his form of entertainment is very different than mine.

7. Spent more time with my friend Emerson

This was one of his summer goals and he was excited he was able to see more of his dear friend! I love that he will always chose spending time with his friend over anything else.

8. Doing boxing twice a week

For Mama and Dad this wasn’t always easy to manage but we were able to bring him to the boxing gym at least twice a week for most of the summer!

9. Launched my youtube channel

It has been wonderful to see a new side of him – he has been recording his own lego videos and explaining with amazing detail how he builds. I decided to give in as a learning opportunity. He has been learning a bit about video editing and also creating his own graphics for the channel.

10. Visited the library and read 16 books.

I tried my best to take him to the library every Tuesday where he discovered new books. He earned points for each book he read which became a great motivation!

My favorite moments

Traveling and exploring places with G

We have been in DC many times but this was the first time we walked the National mall and visited several monuments. He really enjoyed it and I enjoyed being outside in pleasant weather.

Family time

Family time felt different and transformative this summer. We had some very difficult conversations and shared feelings we had never shared before. I believe it has opened the door to healing and understanding.

3.Visiting with friends

I always try to make time for dinners with friends but this summer my college friend Marlo visited and she was able to get our college group together for the first time in many years! It was beautiful to have them in my little casita and being able to pick up right where we left off. Reminded me of my time in college and how important it was for me to have them in my life.

4. Watching my team’s work come alive

I love doing this year round but this summer my team kicked some major ass. One of my greatest joys is to watch them come up with amazing ideas and seeing them come alive. One event in particular did it for me and it was one of my proudest moments of the year.

5. Dinners with Gael in NY

There are two moments during our NY trip that I remember feeling so happy. The first was dinner outside at a local restaurant in Goshen NY. It was a perfect setting with live music in the background and perfect weather. The second was early dinner on what felt like a secret garden on our way to the Brooklyn bridge. I remember feeling a deep sense of joy being outside enjoying the scenery.

6. Admiring Gael’s evolution and growth

Gael is growing and maturing tremendously. This summer I was able to admire him in different spaces and amazed by how his creativity and leadership skills showed up. I brought him to work a few times during the summer and he absorbed so much from the experience! I love to listen to him speak up and be confident in his own voice because that’s something I didn’t have at his age. I always struggled as a kid with my-self confidence, I still do as an adult. I hope he continues to nurture these feelings and learns how to believe in himself in the way I always wish I did.

7. Running in new places

I always enjoy exploring new cities/places while running! It helps me see corners I may not get to see while riding a car or walking with others. When I run on my own, I’m able to notice and take time to really enjoy my surroundings. It is truly one of my favorite things to do when I travel.

8. Finding myself in this painting

I fell in love with this painting by Lupita Peralez-Garcia during a visit to a local art studio. It was around the same time I was learning about a new discovery about myself that is helping me understand some of my lifelong struggles. I have been in therapy for more than 14 years and for the first time, I finally feel I am making progress.

I have been looking to get a few paintings by local latino artists but hadn’t been able to find one that spoke to me the way this one did. When I first saw it, I saw myself- my mind, my environment, my past, present and future.

One day I will write about why…

9. Moments of silence/solitude

Moments when I was able to sit still, quietly, enjoying the scenery

I have learned how important these are for me, and my peace of mind. I love being able to be still and take in what’s in front and around of me. I love these moments because they remind me to be grateful even when darkness surrounds me.

10. Pride Parade

This was a truly happy, best energy moment of the summer. There was a moment I closed my eyes and just danced- and it was one of the best feelings. For that moment, I felt beautiful. I felt free. I felt like nothing else matters but that joy I felt deep in my heart. The following photos by my colleague Alonzo captured that moment perfectly.