New Hope Family Church

Walk-A-Thon
I participated in a 13 mile walk-a-thon for my church.
We are raising money to finish paying for the kitchen we remodeled.

6:30 A.M. Meet at Church
7:20 - 9:20 A. M. Walk from NHFC to Starbucks in Kingsburg
9:20 - 9:40 Snacks and rest
9:40 - 11:40 Walk back to NHFC

I am not sure how much money we made.
The count is not yet official.

My shins hurt, my rear and my sides hurt too.
(Weird...my sides?...it's from pumping my arms for 4 hours...I guess.)
Patti you are awesome to complete a full marathon.
I could barely walk half the distance.

Happy Birthday Dad!

1970 Engagement Photo
Ramon Alvarado and Maria Magdalena de Leon

A couple of Sundays ago Pastor was talking about his parents and how they taught him about Jesus. He encouraged all the parents, especially those not raised in a Christian home, to break the cycle of ungodly living. To bring up their children to know the Love of Jesus and experience His peace and true joy. So in the middle of service I just started thinking of all the things mom and dad has done for us so that we could have more than what they had when they were growing up. I thought of how they made a choice to bring us up to know God. I thought of how different our lives would have been if they didn't bring us up to know God.


I thought of how stubborn Mom was with making sure we went to Church every Sunday, how she kept us from having boyfriends as long as she could to protect our hearts from being broken and how she would threaten us within an inch of our lives about having sex before marriage.

I also thought of dad always working so very hard in the fields and at PG&E to provide us with everything we needed and wanted....clothes, food, $ to motivate us to get good grades, class rings, year books, $ for going to the movies with church friends, college...and even as adults helping us with purchasing vehicles and homes.

Wow! I do not know any other parents like them. None. They have never stopped giving. They have never stopped protecting us. They have never stopped wanting the best for us. They never stop. They are so generous....so full of LOVE. So in the middle of church I started weeping like a little baby. I put my head on mom's shoulders and kissed her and thanked her . Then I looked at Dad and when he looked at me his eyes were filled with tears and I thanked him too.
Elisa...Patti... Ana
We are so blessed.

This morning while driving to school I started thinking of Dad and Mom again since it is Dad's birthday and how much they love us. Then it made me think of God. Wow! If we think our parents love us a lot...HOW MUCH MORE DOES OUR HEAVENLY FATHER LOVE US?

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"Happy Birthday Vito!"
From Kati and Tori

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Me in Daddy's arms.

FELIZ CUMPLEANOS PAPA!
TE AMO MUCHO!

Happy Birthday Tio Serjio!

Fernando and I with the Birthday boy.

New Parents Juan and Becky with Baby Levi...que chulo!

Las Primas
Claudia y Mari

On Saturday Fernando, Mom and I went to Tio Sergio's Surprise 50th Birthday Party. The food was delicious and the company was awesome, of course. Come on...a back yard full of crazy de Leon tios, tias and cousins.

Spring Break 2008!

The weather is nice...
...the sky is gorgeous...
...everything seems to be blooming...
...AND!.....

Woo Hoo! 10 days without having to go into work!
Sorry handsome.
I wish you can take 10 days off with me.
Here is a list of things I will be doing at the house while you are at work:

Sweep and Mop
Vacuum
Clean all bathrooms thoroughly
Clean out closets in the office and front room
Clean out and Organize Garage
Start Geometry Lesson Plans for Summer School
Organize class room

Now aren't you glad you don't have vacation.

Class Of 94 Rules!

Mari and Mari

Tracie and Sara

Sara and Mari
I can't believe I have known you since the 3rd grade. My how time flies!

There is a picture of us girls posing like this in our senior yearbook.
Ahhh...good times

To Lupe, Sara, Tracie and Marisol:
Thank you so much for coming over. It was so fun looking at photos, reminiscing about old times and catching up on our lives. I do not remember the last time I laughed so hard. It was a blast! We must do this again really soon. You all are ALWAYS welcome.
Until then ladies....I miss you and love you!


Sara...you left a certain beverage at my house. I will keep it for next time.

PICTURES FROM OUR
PHOTO BOOTH
PHOTO SHOOT

Don't we all look gorgeous!.....Hee Hee


Gotta love cleavage

This is our "Fresno Fair" Picture

This is called "Sweet and Innocent"

This is by far my favorite picture....we are all "crossing our eyes"....right?

The Newlywed Game

Anointed Marriages with a Purpose
The AMP Ministry
put together a game show for the married couples at New Hope.

The Hostess:
Joe McCrackin

The Contestants:
Pastor Charles and Sarah

Jesse and Bonnie

Dad and Mom

Question #1
How many rooms in your house have you had whoopie in?

Question #2
What time of day was the last time you had whoopie?

There were other questions asked. But these two were the funniest ones.

A Shower for Baby MaPas

The Proud Family

Claudia arrived at the shower in a "tribute to New Kids on The Block" outfit.
Are they really making a come back???

I use to love the pinch and roll!

Happy Faces

Funny Faces

Decorating Part II

Thank you Ana and Chris for the gift certificates that helped us purchase the clock I have been wanting for a really long time.

Good job Handsome!

How does it look?

Decorating Part I

I have decided to start decorating little by little every month....
when I have the time....
and the money.

Here is what I have going so far in the master bathroom.

I am very proud of this fake plant because I made it all by myself!
I bought the pot at Vivo.
AND it was half off!
AND I used a gift certificate that Ana gave me in 2002.
Thank you Ana! I FINALLY used it!
I bought the flowers and leaves at World Market.
The styrofoam and moss from Michaels.
And Boughta Bing Boughta Boo
I made this masterpiece.
Okay so it's not a masterpiece but it's pretty good for an amateur.

I also bought this Cross from Vivo.
Thank you again Ana.
The plant is from Home Goods
If you can't tell they are on top of our cabinets in the kitchen.

This is the wall in our guest bathroom.
I like to call it the Geisha bathroom.
I had been looking for geisha pictures and
didn't have much luck finding something I really liked.
THEN Allison to the rescue!
When Allison, her hubby and baby Aiden came to visit
she brought us this awesome piece of art.
It's not a picture.
If you look closely you can see the geisha is made of fabric.
Very nice!

Thank you Allison! It looks great!

First Dinner Guest to Eat on Our New Table

Last night the McCrackins came over for dinner. I was so excited to finally use my new table. Thank you Joe and Danielle for coming over. Thank you Handsome for helping me with everything. I hope everyone liked my Chile Colorado. It came out better then the last time I tried to make it.

Christmas 2006 to Christmas 2007

Kati excited about a present in 2006

Kati excited about a present in 2007

Me in front of the tree in 2006

Me in front of the tree in 2007

The Alvarado sisters in 2006

Alvarado Sisters in 2007

The Grand Kids in 2006

The Grand Kids in 2007

Just a funny picture from Christmas 2006

I miss my sisters! The holidays came and went by way too fast this year. Thank you hermanas for coming over to the Chen's for Christmas. The next time we will all be together again will be Christmas 2008. I love you!!! Oh and next year we will have a bigger tree.