We're Coming Home

After six long years in Tucson, we're finally going home, that's right you read the first sentence correctly.

Chris and I moved to Tucson six years ago where I took a job working as a tv news reporter and he accepted a job with the University of Arizona and KUAT Television.

We initially planned to stay for just two years, then we found ourselves enjoying life in the southwest and coping with triple digit temperatures in the summer. Then after being married a little over a year we decided to try and conceive a child. It took a few months and eventually we were pregnant but shortly after 8 weeks I miscarried our first child. Then a few months later another miscarriage and then another. Chris and I were devastated. I quickly wanted to solve the problem and went in for testing and saw a fertility specialist. After several surgeries and lots of tests. Doctors concluded I had endometriosis and conceiving a child would be unsuccessful without the help of fertility drugs. So, in the meantime Chris and I went on with our lives all the while wondering if we should or should not look for jobs back in Texas. Perhaps, heading back home would help heal our pain after the loss of several pregnancies.

Of course God always has a plan.

And, the good Lord allowed us to build a home, and keep us successful in our careers. Throughout this time Chris mastered his editing and shooting video skills. Enough to get him several Emmy nominations. Also, enough for him to run a sustainable side business shooting weddings, and other major events in the Old Pueblo.

If that wasn't enough success already, I chose to leave Live news reporting and mid-night ambulance runs for a career change in television and internet sales advertising with KOLD. Sure, I still do some on-air promotions, spots and LIVE shots. But, I was off on weekends and early mornings. It was a chance for me to have a 8-5 job with benefits of finally having a family.

Then in 2007 Chris and I still hoped to move home and be closer to family. But, we opted to see our RE once more and dig into our hearts and pocketbooks to pursue fertility tests in hopes we would one day have a child.

Undergoing fertility testing wasn't easy. Chris and I both had to administer injections into my hips and abdomen for months each morning and evening. If that wasn't enough we had doctor appointments at all hours of the day and my body had turned into a human pincushion from all the daily shots.

Finally, after months of needles, drugs, and sharp abdominal pains. We received some life changing news, on our way home from a Mt. Lemmon trip with my parents the news said to me, "Are you ready to be a mommy because you're pregnant!"

From that point on Texas was on the backburner and we would put ourselves second and our child first.

Fast-forwarding a bit and a year later it was time for a career change. I had reached a peak at KOLD and Texas was on my mind. The rest is history and the details are big but all you need to know now is that we're finally coming back to the Lonestar state and once again God has answered our prayers and set us up for yet another amazing journey.

Our Ya' Ready for Some Football?

Bella and Chris had some father-daughter time together opening weekend of Football season. Even though Chris isn't a Cowboys fan we figured we better show our "Texas" team spirit.

The Great Outdoors

Bella loves her Shi Shi and Popi. We just returned from Texas this past weekend and spent the week with my parents on the ranch in Uvalde. Bella really loves the outdoors and it was fantastic to see Bella spend some quality time with each of them. In the morning, she would spend time with my mom in the kitchen and in the afternoons once my dad returned from work she would go with him to feed the cattle and take care of the ranch outside. Bella also enjoyed listening Oma tell stories while playing with flowers. In all, I would say our little Bella loves the great outdoors!

Our Cupcake's Party

On Saturday, September 5th Bella celebrated her First Birthday at Rancho Sahuarita Safari Park. All of Bella's friends and family were present for the afternoon and mom and Oma made hotdogs with all the trimmings and homemade cupcakes for all to enjoy.

Bella also had her very own "smash" cake. Yum! Yum!

We also had fun with a very, very, large pinata Shi Shi brought from Texas. We thank everyone who came out to celebrate our little cupcakes birthday party and enjoyed the visit.

Happy Birthday Isabella Marie

Isabella Marie Martinez turned the big ONE today.

This morning she woke up with the biggest smile on her face. Chris and I sang Happy Birthday to her and then she and Chris watched Martha Speaks on PBS (She loves that show)

I've said it before on this blog and I'll say it again. "I can't believe how fast this year has gone." Each day brings us new adventures and new laughs.

Already at one she is walking--I mean running all over the place. She says about 10 words and points at everything. She loves when you sing to her and she loves when Shi Shi reads to her. Tomorrow my mom and Oma come in from Texas to spend the weekend with us and on Saturday all of Chris' family arrives.

On Saturday were holding Bella's big bash at the Rancho Sahuarita Safari Park!

The photos I'm posting are the portraits we took last weekend, along with her daycare buddies sharing some cupcakes today in celebration of her big day.