Oh Hello.

I don't want to get too wordy on this post, so I'll highlight the last few weeks (or few months...has it been that long?) in bullet points, with a smattering of photos to break up the monotony of text:

life as a wife, mother, friend, designer:

• playing constantly with Clarke, who is now 11 months old and has no shortage of energy. God bless you mothers with more than one child.
• cleaning. Every day. It never ends.
• teaching Clarke sign language--his favorite sign is "more," no surprise there.
• planning two-week meal calendars and buying groceries every two weeks. Life. Changing.
• keeping up with a birthday calendar, for once--this year I designed and printed birthday postcards and when I see a family member's or friend's birthday coming up on the calendar, I write a short message and pop the postcard in the mail. Easy, simple, effective, personalized, and inexpensive.
• jogging. That's right, three times a week!
• dating my husband regularly.
• designing logos, labels, invitations, business cards, t-shirts, book covers, posters, certificates, you name it.
• serving at an ever-growing capacity in the primary, and learning more than I ever thought possible.
• weekly piano teaching, a new job I started last year. I have two wonderful, dedicated students!

life as a family:

• waiting until Franco gets home from school every day so we can all play and laugh together.
• traveling to and from Camarillo and/or Santa Barbara as much as we can swing it.
• looking forward to pizza Fridays.
• attending the LA temple as often as we can.
• taking walks around our beautiful neighborhood.
• going to Disneyland in the rain or shine. Literally.
•  spring-breaking at museums in L.A. (and seeing the space-shuttle Endeavor up close--magnificent!) Soaking up the sun in Camarillo and Santa Barbara.
• contemplating where Franco's fourth year of externships will take us...do we want to stay local or travel around the country (and world) every three months? Definitely calls for many pro-cons lists.
• encouraging Mosiah, Franco's youngest brother, who will serve a two-year mission to Montreal, Canada starting May 1st. (!!!)

 So that's what we've been up to lately. I totally neglected to take any pictures on Easter, mostly because we were having such a good time that I forgot to pull out the camera. But we had a great day, well, great week, actually, for Franco's Spring Break. That's what I love about working from home, I can vacation whenever I want!

Happy April!

* Instead of waiting for the rare post on here, you can follow us on instagram and vine. We'd love to connect with you through those awesome apps!

Christmas Advent Calendar: Day 2

Watch the inspiring LDS First Presidency Christmas Devotional

instagram @anniecastrejon

God Will Lift Us Up

It's never easy for me to see someone in pain.

This past weekend I was able to visit a very special young woman from my church who was hospitalized for four days because of horrible stomach pain she's dealt with since last summer. I don't know her or her family very well, I just knew I wanted to show her love and support because she really doesn't like being in the hospital. Who does?? As I sat and chatted, made small talk, and joked with her about her bubblegum-smelling nail polish, it struck me just how much she didn't deserve to be there. I was also struck with the overwhelming feeling of wishing I could do something to help alleviate her pain. But who am I? I'm not a doctor, specialist, or healer. I have never taken a medical class. I can't even tell you why hair turns gray. Not in medical terms, anyway.

I may not be able to help alleviate physical pain in anyone, even myself, without a qualified person's help, but I know who can. I believe God lives, knows us and loves us personally. I know his son, Jesus Christ, bore all of our pains and sorrows. I know belief in God and Jesus Christ can lift us up, out of our physical and spiritual trials.

I watched this video a few minutes ago about this sweet girl who will probably never eat solid food again, but her trust in the Lord and willingness to serve others who are suffering is very moving. I thought about the young woman I visited. I will never know what she's going through, but I can hopefully show my love for her through the spirit which comforts and teaches--that she's not alone.

What A Weekend!

Sorry I've been MIA the last couple of weeks! Honestly, though, I haven't really missed blogging..? But anyway, I could list everything that's been going on {which is a LOT} but I think I'll let the pictures speak for themselves! I will break them up into a few posts, because there are so many pictures.

Happy late Independence Day!

p.s. one of the crazy things that's happening is we're moving in two days. i don't expect to blog after that for another week or more, so ta ta for now!

First up, we were able to participate in a Pioneer Youth Conference Trek for our church two weeks ago. It was a total of three days, and about 13 miles of hills pulling two handcarts laden with hundreds of pounds each. The main purpose of this trek was to gain a better appreciation for what our ancestors and leaders sacrificed over a hundred and fifty years ago to escape persecution and bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the west.

Franco and I were a Pa and Ma, "parents" to ten wonderful young men and women. I could go on and on about this trek, which was one of the most difficult yet amazingly spiritual experiences I have ever had, but I won't in the interest of time, since I have already written in my personal journal about it and don't need to necessarily share it with the world. Let's just say it was fun! I have so many pictures, but I whittled it down to these.

What Is The Moral Of This Story?

I don't believe in coincidences.

Friend #1's status about an hour ago: no one knows the exact time of His coming.With a link to: Preparing for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. A comment under it said: isn't the second coming tomorrow? {jokingly}

and right below it, there was this update from another friend about an hour ago:

Friend #2: The boss had chinese today and got the best fortune cookie message ever

What would you say the moral of this story is?
I can't help but picture the Siamese cat from Aristocats playing chopsticks on the piano and singing, "Shanghai, Hong Kong, egg foo young/ Fortune cookie always wrong!" This time, however, I know it's right.

First Weekend In April

We had a busy first April weekend! 

{Can you believe it's April already??}

First, it was my lovely mom's birthday last Friday.

 April Fool's! 

No, really, it was. 

She had a jolly jump and everything! And great food, as always. I love you, mama.

 Franco was getting a little sick, so we were grateful that we could spend the weekend in our apartment watching General Conference, a semi-annual conference held by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have to say the entire name, now, don't I? :) Specific prayers were answered and we were spiritually and physically uplifted by the words of our prophets and leaders. Isn't President Monson the best?

Between and after sessions, we packed up most of our little studio.

It's looking pretty bare now and I can't help feeling sad.

 

 We'll be living out of these for two and a half months while we live with my family.
Yay!

 While Franco and the boys watched the priesthood session on Saturday night, I got together with my sisters in law and we had a little photoshoot. My nieces apparently love eating those lemons! I love that last picture. It's very "frolicking in the country"-ish!

That was our weekend! This week will be a blur, I know, but I'm excited to get on with the next big step in our lives! Have a great week!

Simply Grateful.

Something miraculous and testimony-building happened today. Hopefully I'll share soon, when husband Franco and I reunite and hug and celebrate all weekend long, after we get down on our knees and thank our Heavenly Father together for His incredible love and guidance.

Thank you, dear friends! Have a wonderful weekend.

Temple Lights

Have you missed me? Whether you did or not, I hope you enjoy these beautiful pictures of the Los Angeles LDS temple lit up with Christmas lights. My family and Franco and I went the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and though it was raining a little we still enjoyed it immensely. I've been back a few times since then and I just can't believe how beautiful it is. How can anyone drive by it and not wonder what the temple is? It's glorious, that's what it is.

Of course, a temple trip wouldn't be complete without a trip to the famous Diddy Riese's. It was probably 50  degrees and the line extended out the door and around the corner, but who can beat $1.50 ice cream sandwiches?

L.A. Traffic + Peppermint Hot Cocoa

L.A. traffic stinks. 

Last Thursday, it took Franco and I two hours

to drive 45 miles to get to the Santa Monica temple for our church. 

It usually only takes us 50 minutes to an hour, tops.

We got there at 7:32, two minutes late for the gathering we wanted to attend. 

We don't like be late for things, so instead of tip-toeing and disturbing the meeting, 

we spent some time at the Family History and Visitor's Centers next to it. 

I found an 80-year old census document with my great-grandparent's names on them, 

when they were 24 and 25 years old! 

We also got to watch a short video about Christ's birth 

{only a month and 3 days til you know what!}.

We had to wait for Iris, Franco's sister to come out of the temple 

as we were her ride home, 

so we killed the rest of the time at a nearby Coffee Bean. 

We shared a chocolate-filled croissant and I had their peppermint hot cocoa. 

Sooooo yum.

Definitely recommend it if you want to get into the holiday mood.

We were sad to miss the special church event, but that taught us to 

never rely on L.A. traffic! 

Tip: Always leave an hour earlier than you need to, just in case.

At least we got to see the beautiful temple grounds lit up at night.

Craft Night

I almost forgot to blog about last Friday's fabulous craft night until I hooked up my camera to download pictures. It was a pretty successful night. Before the crafting began we had a dinner of Asian chicken salad and homemade California sushi rolls, of which I had seconds...and maybe thirds.

While we ate, we were taught how to decorate and set a table for the Autumn season with things we already have in or around our homes. When I walked in and saw these tables set up, the first thing that popped in my mind was, "Wow, that looks expensive!"
Well, doesn't it??

This beautiful tablescape is made up of fruits like lemons, oranges, apples, and pomegranates; vegetables such as pumpkins and gourds; leaves, branches, pine cones, cloves, wheat, paper, candles and string. Um, I have all those things at home, or can borrow them from my parent's house--or from csuci {they've got crazy trees and lots of pine cones}. So guess what I'll be attempting to do after I take my Halloween decor down next weekend?

Back to the craft night. I taught how to make paper pinwheels and had a fun time talking with the other girls all night. There were some beautiful and colorful pinwheels created! One gal kept coming back to make more and more. They really are addicting to make once you get the hang of it.

  

Couldn't resist making one of my own. It's going for sale at a Craft Fair on November 6 a friend of mine is putting together. More details to come!

Yesterday Was A Good Day...

...but when is General Conference Sunday never a good day?
{what is general conference, you ask? click here to learn more.}

this is what the Castrejon's GC Sunday consisted of:

• listening to church music before conference
• making & eating conference crêpes {my new tradition}
• watching the first session of conference with mosiah & franco in our pj's
• listening closely to this talk because we work with the youth:

Example of the Believers

• between conferences, franco went home teaching, while i stayed home and made fluff pies to take to iris' house
• watching the last session conference with franco's family
• listening closely to these great speakers because we needed it:

Gain your own testimony

Gaming & Texting Addctions
{I should add blogging to the list!}

and of course, our prophet, President Monson:

Missionary Service

• eating homemade pozole & dessert, and sitting around talking and watching the babies have fun
• napping--franco & i went home and took a long nap--so refreshing!
• watching when in rome {better than i expected} & how to marry a millionaire
• reading the scriptures & going to sleep

How was your Sunday?

Los Angeles Temple Visitor's Center

Last Saturday, after my volunteering shift, Franco and I ventured into the newly remodeled visitor's center at the Los Angeles LDS temple. We were blown away by how cool it is! We especially loved the sliding TV which plays a short video when you slide it over one of the pictures on the wall. We saw a video of a member who used to be in our ward, Devin Gales. Find out more about the updates and see some clearer pictures here, or better yet, go see it for yourself.

Happy Easter!

I love my savior and I know He lives!
Have a great day with family & remember why we celebrate today.

Pink Blossom Decorations For Church Event

I was once again able to work alongside the wonderfully talented lady, Lindann, with decorating for an event. This time we worked on decorations for a Relief Society fireside which was held last Sunday, March 14th. Hours of work paid off: we got many, many compliments as the night went on. I kept saying, "I didn't come up with any of it. Lindann envisioned it and I just did what she told me to do."

I love the blossoms~ tissue flowers glued onto driftwood branches. All the other decor stemmed from their delicate, feminine look. We added pink and white tablecloths, flowers, and candles to accentuate the pictures of Christ, to remind us that we are daughters of God and our Savior will always stand beside us.

It was a long day, but it ended on a beautiful, spiritual note. I'm so grateful I got to be a part of it.

MUM: 11 couples + 4 3/4 Babes= An Unforgettable Picture

Married Under Malan

group picture by Ryan Skelton

{a better explanation here.}

11 couples, 4 babies + one Joey on the way, all together to take some fabulous pictures at the church building in Camarillo where it all started!

I love how Franco & I are the shortest of the bunch. Our kids have no chance of ever being tall.

*We've printed the pics and put them in an album for Bishop Malan, and for those couples who weren't able to be there, we printed engagement/wedding pictures of you and put you in there, too! We'll present the album to Malan soon. Let me know if anyone would like to be a part of it. Thanks for your cooperation!

Oh, the good ol' Camarillo 4th Ward days...how I will miss you!