I still do!

I do!  I still do!  :)

I said this with excitement one year ago, and I have not once regretted it.  Of course, I didn't quite know what marriage would be like, but I knew it was the right thing for both of us.  It has come with many challenges, more joys, and moments of thinking to ourselves, "Wow.  Guys and girls are SO different!"  Coming together to live as one, when we had both been single for a while, brought other challenges.  In an earlier blog, I mentioned some of the words that Alex and I would use to describe our first year of marriage. 

Mine:  learning, fun, laughter, prayer, and sleep 

His:  delight, understanding, closeness, study, and love

Learning and understanding are probably the two words that most accurately show what we have learned and worked really hard on this past year.  The more I can know my husband (what makes him happy, sad, anxious, mad), the more I can be a help to him.  He has learned so much about me too, and I am excited that no matter how long we'll live, we will always be learning one another and growing in understanding. 

Anniversary #1!

  

This weekend, we celebrated by having a "stay-cation" in Raleigh.  We pretended to be tourists, and had a lot of fun!  Saturday morning we started with a relaxing visit to my favorite spa (I'm pretty sure at this point, Alex would like me to say that he didn't have anything girly done).  Then we headed over to the B&B, Oakwood Inn. 

Bed and Breakfasts are fun to me, it's like your staying at somebody's house, only you don't know them, and you aren't required to sit around making small talk, which is nice.  We walked around the neighborhood (which we have both driven and walked through probably hundreds of times - but never as pretend tourists!)  :)  After exploring a little bit, we got ready for dinner.  Alex took me to Ruth's Chris.  I had never been there, and it was VERY good!  Plus, they gave us a free chocolate torte, which was so super! 

Sunday morning, we had breakfast at the B&B (hence the name) - yummy pumpkin pancakes.  Well, yummy to me.  Alex prefers meat and eggs at breakfast time, so he wasn't so excited.  They were very tasty though!  We had a nice conversation with a very nice couple that reminded me of my Uncle Allen and Aunt Shelley, and another lady who was traveling by herself.  After breakfast, we checked out of our room, and headed off to my husband's next plan, the Tour de Raleigh.  So sweet!

 

In front of Arthur Murray Dance Studio



At Fred Fletcher Park, where we had
our engagement pictures taken, and
where we went to spend time together
the night before we got married!



We went to places all around Raleigh that had some sentimental memory or significant moment in our relationship and took our picture at each place, and talked about the memories we had there.  Some of them felt like so long ago!  It was really fun, and a sweet plan made by my husband to celebrate our first year together.  We went first to a ballroom dance studio and Red, Hot, and Blue (our first date locations), then to Champps.

About 3 years before we ever started dating, when I didn't know him, except as "That guy Panama," Dan, Casey, Nicole Wilson, and I were eating at Champs and we saw him sitting at the bar.  I thought it would be really funny to ask the server to send him a water from us, because my friend Joy said her brother did that one time, and we all thought that was really funny.  He wouldn't even look at us, because he was worried some girl was really hitting on him, so he just ignored our general direction.  Eventually he saw us, and realized it was us, and we all laughed a lot.  Who knew I'd end up marrying him!  Now he likes to tell people that we met because I sent him a drink at a bar :)



I asked to drive at this point, because I had a place I wanted to go:  Fox Road Elementary.  We parked in the parking spot I sat in when I told him I love you for the first time.  On the phone.  At my elementary school.  The first time he said I love you to me was in an argument/very serious conversation we were having the night before, and I wasn't sure if I had heard him correctly, and I didn't want to say, "Did you just say you love me?" you know, in case he hadn't said that :)  So, the next day on the way to school we were talking on the phone, and he said it again, and I was finally able to say it back.  What a special day, even if I was in a parking lot.  I sure do love him! 



The bench where Alex
proposed to me last summer :)



Next stop:  Raleigh Rose Garden!  This is where Alex proposed last July.  It was such a sweet day, and going back was extra special.  We didn't realize that the roses would actually be blooming in November (neither of know a lot about gardening, clearly), and it was so gorgeous!

So beautiful! 

 

The last part of our tour was to All Saints Chapel, where we got married November 13, 2011.  I absolutely love that little chapel, and it is so special to us now!  It wasn't open, but we took our picture in front of the doors.  Then, we ended our tour at the Stockroom, where we had our reception. 


All Saints Chapel <3

Our wedding day was so much fun, it was great to relive parts of it and talk about some of the memories.  I had so much fun getting ready with my bridesmaids.  Amber drove us to the church, and as she, Erin, Nicole, and I sat in the car, she said to me, "If you change your mind, I'll drive you anywhere you want."  :)  Of course, I didn't hesitate for a second when I said, "I want to get married," but it's so sweet to have friends that will truly do anything for you.  I love those all the girls who were with me that day!  (And the 2 that couldn't make it - Emily and Casey!)

We had a blast this weekend, recounting the memories of our wedding day, and dwelling on all that God has taught us this past year.  I am so excited for the many years to come, God willing! 

Here are some more pictures of the weekend:

The "sitting" portion of our room at the B&B.  Fancy :)



We took turns sitting thoughtfully.

 It seemed like the right thing to do.



 

Next, I decided to catch up on my correspondence. 
Nicole Judd would be proud.

Alex didn't think it was quite so fun.

I love this picture for 2 reasons.  The flower
is beautiful, and my husband is being a creeper.

Raleigh Rose Garden!  :)

Thirty (um.. actually only 12) Days of Thanks

If you know me, you probably know that I procastinate a lot and usually read books halfway... so it makes sense that I got to November 12 and stopped typing out what I was thankful for :)  I compiled all the posts into one.


It's November 3, so I have a few to catch up on.  I'm a little late on the trend, but it's a great way to remember all of God's blessings in my life, so I'm going to start on it a few days late.

Day One:  I'm thankful for Alex Batista.  There are so many reasons why, but for today I'll add a few excerpts from the book, "I Like You" by Sandol Stoddard Warburg. 

You know how to be silly
That's why I like you
Boy are you ever silly
I never met anybody sillier than me till I met you

I like you because I don't know why but
Everything that happens is nicer with you
I can't remember when I didn't like you
It must have been lonesome then

I would go on choosing you
And you would go on choosing me
Over and over again
That's how it would happen every time
:) 

Day Two:  I'm thankful that I was able to vote Friday without fear or feeling unsafe.  I'm grateful to live in a country that sees women as equal to men, and I am not kept from voicing my opinion. 

Day Three:  I'm thankful that I grew up with two parents who loved God and prayed for me every single day.  I can remember being really little, and they thought I was asleep, and I would hear them come into my room and pray over me.  I don't remember what they prayed, but it made me feel so safe, and I knew that God was taking care of me.  And I know He still is. 

Day 4:

I'm thankful for a new website:  www.ziplist.com

I can compile a list of items based on the sale prices at the stores where I shop.  I haven't used it yet, but I looked at the website, and it looks like it will be useful!

I'm also thankful that we got paid and can finally go buy some more groceries :)  And while I'm at it, I'm thankful we have TWO paychecks since we are both working.  Yay!

Day 5:

Today, I am thankful for the time change!  I woke up at 5:52 without an alarm and actually still felt rested and ready to get up.  I made time to read my Bible (which I haven't done in the morning in way too long!) and I made it to school early.  Even though it gets dark out too early (sad face), I'm thankful for the extra energy in the morning!

Day 6:  I am thankful for my O2 group from church.  Cary and Jeannette and I meet every 2 weeks, and we have been reading through the book of John together.  I am thankful that they encourage me to read and study the Bible, because they know how important it is to my faith.  Also, Jeannette always has Cokes at her house, and Cary sometimes feeds us pizza, which is all very exciting  :)

Day 7:  I am thankful that even though I started working at a different school, I'm still allowed to wear jeans and flip flops to school!


Day 8:  I'm thankful for my students.  Last year was so tough, and although my students this year each come with their own set of challenges, they are really such little sweethearts.  It's so nice that when I correct them, they simply say, "Ok" or "Yes Ma'am."  No eye rolling or talking back (well, there was one kid who did that a lot at the beginning, but I put a stop to that pretty quickly).

They do super cute things every day.  One student told me that his dad gave him $5 to buy candy at Food Lion, and he told me he bought gum and saved me a piece.  I'm thankful for my sweet class :)

Day 9:  Continuing from day 8... yes, my class is sweet.  But today I'm also thankful for year round school,because Mrs. Batista needs a BREAK!  I tracked out today, and I don't start back with my students until December 3.  Yesssssssssssssssssssss.


Day 10:  I'm thankful for free dessert on our anniversary.  Our waiter at Ruth's Chris (best steak ever, in my opinion!) gave us a chocolate torte, which just happens to be my favorite dessert in the world, even more than ice cream (gasp).  Yum!

Day 11:  Today I'm thankful for 70 degree weather.  Even though I LOVE cold weather, we had a super nice weekend to celebrate our first anniversary.  It was a lot like the weather last year on our wedding day.  Beautiful!

Day 12:  I'm thankful for the beauty of God's creation.  Growing up, I had a TON of beauty all around me (the beach along the panhandle is one of the best beaches, in my opinion), but I took it for granted and rarely noticed... I suppose because I saw it all the time.  As I've grown older, I've learned to appreciate and take in the beauty in creation that is around me.  Particularly today, I see the beauty in the leaves changing colors and falling to the ground. 

Death is an ugly thing to us, because we were originally created to live forever in fellowship with God.  We miss our loved ones, and we see death as an unnatural thing (which is true).  I am reminded today that even when death comes, the Lord is faithful, and He is able to bring about many beautiful things through death and situations that seem hopeless. 

Nichole Nordeman wrote a song on one of those WOW cd's (remember those? ha!), and I've always loved these particular lyrics:

And even when the trees have just surrendered 
To the harvest time
Forfeiting their leaves in late September
And sending us inside
Still I notice You when change begins
And I am braced for colder winds
I will offer thanks for what has been and was to come

And everything in time and under heaven
Finally falls asleep
Wrapped in blankets white, all creation
Shivers underneath
And still I notice you
When branches crack
And in my breath on frosted glass
Even now in death, You open doors for life to enter

4 months later... Life Update :)

I've been meaning to blog for the last 4 months... but life got really busy.  So here's a quick update! 

Alex (Panama to most of you) is enjoying his new job, and still really thankful to be working!  He has also been teaching in the Spanish service of our church (Iglesia Atesorando a Cristo) along with another friend of ours, Marco.  He enjoys teaching very much, and we are waiting to see how God works in the community, and in our new church service.  I enjoy seeing him teach, but it makes me sad not to be able to understand him, since I don't speak Spanish.  He is sweet to often tell me the night before what he is going to teach about, so I can at least be a part of it.  God has really been helping me to be thankful for this new season of our lives.  I'm trusting in God that I can play a role in this ministry that my husband and I are involved in, even though I don't speak Spanish. 



This is the coffee mug
I have sitting on my desk at
school.  I mean it!  :)



 I'm enjoying my new job as a 3rd grade teacher.  My students are pretty cute.  And apparently the transition from 2nd to 3rd grade is tough!  My new students kind of make my class from last year seem like high schoolers.  It took me a few weeks to put an end to their incessant whining, but they figured out pretty quickly that Mrs. Batista doesn't have a soft spot for whiners.  Quite the opposite, in fact.  They are growing up and maturing quite nicely though, in my opinion.  Cutie pies :) 

As Alex works and teaches, I've been thinking a lot about my job, and whether or not I want to do it longterm.  I've thought about teaching ESL, going back to school to be a counselor, or to train to just teach one subject, like math.  I love math.  I also love to write.  I don't think I could write a book though.  At least not a book with a plot.  It takes so much imagination and time to develop the details that would support a novel.  I wish I could just suddenly become about the same level of famous as Donald Miller, because I'd love to write a book and already have a group of people that would want to read it.  I'm not really up for the hard work of trying to get people to read a book I wrote :)  I imagine if I ever wrote a book it would be filled with random stories, many about teaching, and some just about how ridiculous people can be (but in a funny way, not in a mean way).  I absolutely love to watch people.  If I'm not careful, it can quickly spiral into judging them, but on a good day it's just amusing to observe people. 

Another exciting event in our lives:  I bought my first pair of Toms.  They are really comfortable when I'm teaching.  I feel pretty cool, you know, being about 2 years behind the trend.  That's how I always have been though.  I joined late on the following trends:  capri pants, big sunglasses, skinny jeans, owning an iPod, boat shoes... I enjoy observing the trend for a few years to see if I think it looks dumb.  Then, I sometimes join in.  Here are a few that I have chosen not to join:  Twilight, colored jeans, nerd glasses, and eating organically. 



 

Alex and I with some of his family at our wedding reception :)



We are going to be traveling (travelling? no.  traveling) to Panama in November!  I'm so excited to meet Alex's dad and see his family again!  I will finally get to see where my husband grew up, and many things that make him who he is.  It will also be good for me to be surrounded by Spanish pretty much the whole time.  This will help in my quest to eventually be able to say more than, "¿Hola, como esta?"  His family is so excited to see him too.  It's been too long singe they've been able to spend time together.  We can't wait!


Poucha was ignoring us and pouting. 
She has quite the little personality, for a dog.



Alex and I will be celebrating our 1 year anniversary in just a few weeks.  We are going to enjoy a "Staycation" in Raleigh.  We have really enjoyed our first year of marriage.  I thought of five words that could sum up year #1, and I asked Alex the same thing.  Mine are:  learning, fun, laughter, prayer, and sleep.  Alex's are:  delight, understanding, closeness, study, and love.  More on those 10 words in a later post.  

Poucha has probably endured the biggest hardships of our first year of marriage.  She and Alex are the best of frenemies.  She was (and still is) a bit traumatized by Alex moving in once we got married.  The first week we were back from our honeymoon, she was super confused about why he wasn't going home.  Confused, and not very happy about it!  She has been acting out so much, I think that we may need a surprise visit from The Dog Whisperer.  I'm hoping we are rounding a corner and she will realize that Alex isn't going anywhere.  They are stuck together for a good long while :)   



Changes...

The last time I had a blog, it was called "Life on Seawell Avenue."  A lot has changed since I moved from there!  The last post I wrote was about buying my house.  Since then, many more things have changed!  I started dating Alex Batista, I got engaged to Alex Batista, and on November 13, 2011, I became Mrs. Alicia Batista!  Married life is good.  We can see God's hand in bringing us together, not only because it makes us very happy, but also because we can see the ways that God is sharpening us and teaching us both about Him through living life together. 

The past seven months of marriage can be classified into two words for us:  endurance and trust.  When we got married, Alex was unable to work as we waited for him to receive his work permit and green card.  For months, being in the midst of the most difficult year of teaching I'd ever had, I wanted so badly to quit my job, and Alex wanted so badly to work and provide for us as a family.  Looking back, I can see God's hand in the fact that neither one of us could have what we desperately wanted.  Clearly, we were supposed to learn how to be content in every circumstance (which I completely failed at, by the way).  Some major sanctification was going on in each of us, and we didn't like it one bit! 

"Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O Lord, and whom you teach out of your law."  Psalm 94:12
"For the moment, all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."  Hebrews 12:11

Through all the months of not getting what we wanted though, we both learned to just keep moving along and doing what had to be done.  I suppose that's the definition of endurance, and it has been a good (hard) lesson to learn in the beginning of our marriage! 

As a reminder of all God has done in the last seven months, here are some of the things we were worried about:

~not having any income this summer when I'm not teaching
~wanting our green card interview to go well
~a job for Alex
~a job at a year-round school for me (after much thought, I had decided that was a key part in me not burning out as a teacher)

And this is how God answered each of those "worries" that should have been prayers much more often than they were:

~Alex received his work permit in April and started looking for work.  He had to find a job before our green card interview, or he wouldn't be able to get a job until the green card arrived.  Alex got a job less than a week before our green card interview!
~Alex started work at the end of May, and his first pay check will come just a few weeks after my last one!
~I went to the transfer fair in April, and a week later I got a job teaching 3rd grade at a year round school!
~We were approved right away during our green card interview, and his green card came 2 weeks later!

All of these things happened within just a few short weeks.  We had months of waiting and enduring and being frustrated with our situation, and then when He saw fit, God answered our prayers.  I'm so thankful!

Alex and I have so much to be thankful for, and I'm looking forward to see what the rest of our first year of marriage will hold for us!