I really enjoyed celebrating the New Year in the Dominican Republic. We didn’t make reservations at a fancy restaurant for dinner, so we ended up going to a local Italian spot right across from our building. It was simple, but nice. Later on, I was invited to a party next door, where we took some fun photos. The boys and Jared were feeling pretty tired, though, so we decided to head home early.
In Santo Domingo, we had the chance to visit a few interesting places around the city. We saw the monument dedicated to the first Japanese immigrants to the island, which was really fascinating. We also visited the monument to Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas, a key figure in the history of Santo Domingo. He was part of the original colonization of the island, but what made him stand out was his advocacy for human rights and his defense of the Indigenous peoples of Hispaniola (the original name of the island). It was a moving reminder of the struggles and history of the people who came before us.
We also went bowling and to the mall. I had a meeting with the HOA for my building. Did I tell that I am suing the old administration of my building? If you are not being sue or you are suing someone, you haven't made it in life.
The beautiful sky in Boca Chica.
We made sure to balance our time with both busy days and restful ones. On the rest days, we would take leisurely drives to explore different spots. One of the places we visited this time was Oceanna Beach Club in Juan Dolio. The atmosphere there felt more upscale, with people from an upper-middle-class background, and the beach itself was noticeably cleaner compared to some of the other places we had visited.
While the location was nice, there was one downside—the beach had rocks on the bottom, which made it harder to fully enjoy the water. It wasn’t quite the vibe I was hoping for, but it was still a pleasant experience overall. The setting itself was peaceful, and it was a nice change of pace, even if the rocky beach wasn’t my favorite.
As we headed back to the apartment, the kids were exhausted. They each have their own code to get in, which makes things easier when we’re all coming and going. After settling in, we went to church at San Andrés Boca Chica Ward. It was a wonderful experience, and I was so excited to introduce Jared and the boys to some of my new friends there. I’ve met some really kind people, and it was great to have them meet the family. One of the people we met was Grace, who is the Stake Young Women president. She’s a remarkable person, and I was happy to have Jared and the boys get to know her too.
Meanwhile, we were missing Chloe. She was being taken care of by Asher and Annette Harmon back home. Chloe is a special dog—she’s like a person in a dog’s body! She doesn’t get along with other dogs, but she absolutely loves being around people. We had to leave her behind, but I knew she was in good hands. Here’s a picture of Chloe and Walter, the cutest baby you’ll ever see. It’s heartwarming to see Chloe with someone who loves her like we do.
Playa Caribe
This beach is only five minutes away from the apartment, making it incredibly convenient for us to visit whenever we want. It’s the only beach in the area that has waves, which makes it perfect for some fun water activities. Jared and the boys were eager to try out the waves, so they all bought buggy boards to ride on the surf. However, it didn’t take long for them to break all of them, much to their disappointment.
Not only did the boards get destroyed, but they also paid the price physically. The waves were much stronger than they anticipated, and the boys and Jared found themselves getting smacked around by the water. Jared’s back, in particular, didn’t take kindly to the intense thrashing, and he bit of pain afterwards. There was one moment that really was funny—Jared got hit by a wave with such force that it twisted him around in the water, and he looked like a pretzel. It was both hilarious and luckily he wasn’t seriously hurt.
Despite the bruises and broken boards, it was all part of the fun, and it gave us some great memories of our time at the beach.
The last time I was in this beach, I was three months pregnant with Mario.
Paddle Boarding in Boca Chica
San Pedro de Macoris
We drove to San Pedro de Macorís a place that was once meaningful to Jared. We made a stop at Quisqueya, where we had the chance to show the boys one of Jared's last areas from his mission.. I started to feel how far the place was and, I couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous specially because we had a small car and the roads were bad.
It was an eye-opening experience, especially for the boys, who were able to see a different side of Jared’s mission and understand more of the history behind where he had served. It gave us all a deeper appreciation for the places that shaped him during those years.
Pasteles en hojas en San Pedro de Macorís. We also stopped at the new malecon de San Pedro de Macoris and had some coconut water.
Neptuno Restaurant
I avoid going to overprice places in Boca Chica but Jared wanted to have a special dinner before coming back to the USA. We had a great time and the food was excellent but very pricey. We almost spent $400 dollars for the 4 of us.
On our way back home, I always take extra precautions when flying. I wear a mask because I don’t fully trust the air filtration system on airplanes. I also make it a point to disinfect my seat and avoid using the bathrooms, as I’ve had too many experiences coming home sick. Over the last year, I’ve come to believe that I’ve picked up illnesses during flights, so now, I make sure to do everything I can to protect myself.
In other news, a wonderful lady from my ward just reached an incredible milestone—Norma Noffsing turned 100 years old on January 9th, 2025. Isn't that just remarkable? To live a century is such an inspiring achievement. It’s amazing to think of all the experiences and history she’s lived through. I admire her strength and resilience, and I’m sure her family and friends are so grateful for the wisdom she brings into their lives.
We also have a big moment to celebrate in our family: Milo was set apart as a teacher! He’s just 14 years old, and I couldn’t be prouder of him. It’s such a big step in his spiritual journey and growth, and I’m excited to see the young man he continues to become. It’s beautiful to watch him take on more responsibility in the church.
The men in the photo are some wonderful members of our ward who have been supportive in Milo’s journey. In the photo, you’ll see Garden Park Ward 1st Counselor Paul Werner, Bishop Brent Wilson, Second Counselor Jase, and Primary teacher Jared Hobbs. Each of these men has played a special role in Milo’s life, guiding him along the way and helping him grow into the person he is today.
Thank you, Heavenly Father
I am deeply grateful to my Heavenly Father for the countless blessings He has provided for me and my family. My life has been anything but easy—I’ve faced struggles that many will never know. I’ve walked through seasons of hardship without the support of a family to lean on, and I’ve had to navigate challenges on my own as I raised my children. Life has tested me in ways that pushed me to my limits, and yet, here I am, standing stronger because of His grace.
I don’t often write about my struggles, and there’s a reason for that. Many times, people don’t listen to your hardships to truly empathize or offer support. Instead, they compare your pain to their own lives, sometimes to feel better about themselves. But this isn’t about them—this is about my gratitude. Today, I want to publicly thank my Heavenly Father for never leaving my side.
He was there for me in my darkest moments—when I was battling the depths of depression, when I was hurt by others, when I felt like I wasn’t good enough, and when life seemed too overwhelming to bear. In those moments, when I felt broken and unworthy, He was my anchor. His love and comfort carried me through times I thought I wouldn’t survive.
Looking back, I realize I don’t deserve all the blessings I’ve received. Yet, His mercy is endless, and His love is unconditional. I am humbled by His kindness and by the strength He has given me to overcome each obstacle. My faith has been my refuge, my guiding light through every storm, and a source of hope even when the world felt dark.
So today, I want to take a moment to acknowledge His hand in my life. Every blessing, big or small, is a reminder of His presence and His unwavering love. I don’t share this to draw attention to myself but to testify of His goodness and faithfulness. My Heavenly Father has always been there for me, even when I felt unworthy, and for that, I will forever be grateful.
