I Have to Say I am a Lucky Man

This past weekend was wonderful in some respects and difficult in others. Brooke and I went to Santa Cruz with Olive. We visited Brandy Rose Sanders. We stayed at the Wilson, visited with Mikey and Alena. We got to even see mom Chidester.

Despite the recent hardship we now must face I needed to say how lucky I am. I am so blessed with an amazing wife and a breath takingly beautiful daughter. We face so much uncertainty right now. Seeing Brooke and Olive I have so much hope.

We had a long drive home on Monday. From Santa Cruz to Lake Havasu it's about nine hours. We drove almost the entire way without music or other distractions. When was the last time you spent one, two or even nine hours in a car with someone and not feel the need to fill the time with outside sounds?

We laughed, we talked a bit about how we're going to make it each month while having to send $2,000 of our income away. (Another story for another time) We spent sometime just talking about our life, how far we've come and what our plans are.

I loved it. Reflecting on it now I'm in awe of how perfect Brooke has been for me.

I got hosed

As part of my new job I drive to Henderson, NV each week. Today was no exception. I drove two plus hours, visited doctors, and then checked into the Hilton Garden Inn.

As I was settling into the evening (watching American Idol) I got a call from the front desk.

"Mr. Barragan do you have a black Chevy Impala?" I told him that I did. "We need you to come out and identify it. Its been hit by another car."

Crap. Really? Really my car just got hit?

I left my room and walked to the front desk

Chris: "My car was hit by another car?"

Steve: "I'm sorry I don't know what your talking about"

Chris: "You just called me down here to identify my car"

Steve: "I think someone is playing April fools joke on you."

And he was right.

Brooke you did it.

I fell for it, hook, line, and sinker.

Tomorrow, I swear

Tomorrow I swear I'm starting my goals. The biggest thing is getting started. My plan is to get my chubby butt out of bed at 6:02 am. I need to start these goals and get moving forward. I'm so tired of being a lazy biscuit. So here's to tomorrow, I swear.

Time to Plan

Well today, and many days leading up to today, I've been facing myself. Please excuse me as this may end up being more ramble than content. What I'm trying to get at is I'm at a major crossroad in my life.

I am so happy with my new life. I have a loving supportive wife. She has been a relief from a long time of pain and hurt. She has been inspiring in my progression and I am so in love with her. I have a new daughter. I am so in love with her. She truly makes me want to be a better man every day. Ultimately these two are bringing me to this point in my life.

I've been listening a lot more lately. I've been hearing so much unhappiness and worry in the world. I myself have been worrying a great deal. Where are we going to be as a society if we keep going the way we are? Our financial, social, spiritual well being. Who's hands are we in?

I really don't want to put hollow words on a blog and be inspiring for a fleeting moment. I really want to do something good. I look around and I think to myself "What am I doing and what more can I do?"

I've decided that over the next several months I want to put in place goals that will reflect my desire to do something more. I want to put them into categories and work at each in an attainable manner.

First: Spiritual, I want to present myself to my Bishop, he being my spiritual leader, to let him know that I am living my religion to the best of my abilities. That means I am doing proactive and noticeable things, not because I am seeking praise or an outward recognition, but because I want to show that I am ready to exercise the priesthood again, hold a calling, and be worthy to attend the temple. I plan to pray daily, with more sincere intent. I plan to read daily, if just one verse of scripture personally and one as a family. I intend to attend and participate in all of my Sunday meetings.

Second: Family, I want to spend time with my wife in a quality way each day. I want us to be able to talk with each other without the distractions of job or tv or dog. I want us to set goals for our family and most importantly for Olive. I want to be able devote an ample amount of time to her and be willing to abandon all else when Brooke and Olive need me. I want to be able to sing to Olive at least once a day.

Third: Career, I want to complete the tasks assigned by my manager, mainly, complete my business routing and action plan. I want to work on engaging questions for my offices and develop relationships with all the staff in each office I call on. My goal is to have a comfortable working dynamic with my offices by May. I want to set goals to really determine the needs of all of my clients.

Fourth: Socially, I want to get to know new people in Lake Havasu. The dog park has been a great place to meet people. I want Brooke and I to ask a young couple to something social.

Fifth: Governmentally, This is a lofty one. Initially I want to contribute to my political party in Lake Havasu. I want to attend my City Council meeting and see how I can help in my new home. Greater still I am concerned with the state of health care in our country. I want to see what I can do to team with others to provide possible solutions. I have already spoken with old acquaintances about this and hope to move forward.

Sixth: Educationally, I want to set a goal to learn a new skill. I need to come up with a list of ideas in the next month and plan how to approach them.

Seventh: Health, I plan on seeing the doctor this April and I plan to improve my health based on his suggestions. I intend to exercise and eat more appropriately.

So that's a bit. Its a start a something bigger. I want to think long term. Hopefully I won't lose my steam.

I've never been this tired and this happy

This is just a short post to let you know that my daughter is here. Olive Michelle Barragan was born at 9:01 pm February 4th 2009 in Sandy Utah. She was 7 lbs 13 oz and 20.5 inches long. (She's already in the top 5% in Awesomeness)



We love her so very much and I can't wait to share more pictures and stories about her.

I am so eternally thankful that she has come into my life.




Let me know if you'd like to meet her.