LAX!

Yesterday, I got to see my missionary nephew, Bub!!

He was on his way to Hong Kong > Philippines.  

He looked so good and man, it was so WONDERFUL spending some time with him.

More on this later....

22 months! Wow!

Panda Love!

When I was in the 2nd grade, my class took a field trip to the San Diego Zoo.  During that time, China had "loaned" two pandas to the SD Zoo.  Upon seeing them, I IMMEDIATELY fell in love with them!! They were unlike anything I had ever seen in my life!!!  They were oh so cute and adorable!!!  I was captivated by their playfulness and cuteness!! Seriously, I was in love....and have been ever since.
I've always wanted to hug a panda, just because my panda love brings back such nostalgic memories.  Besides, they still are so cute and I can't help oooh and awww when I see them!  Seriously, I turn into a kid! No joke!
Well, about a week ago, Levi had a thought of what he could be for Halloween.  After prodding him for a bit, he told me that he wanted to be a panda, for me, so I could finally hug one.  Oh man, my heart melted and it made me love him even more!!! Something I've always wanted and he was willing to help me out with it! Oh, that made my panda heart melt!  Not only did he buy himself a costume, but he was kind enough to buy me one as well.  We were a cute lil panda couple!

Not only did I hug one, but I got to dance with one as well.  We ended up going to a Halloween ball last night and it was so much fun.  Apparently, we weren't the only ones who loved pandas, because there were a whole lot of other people that love them too!  A lot of people came up to us to comment on our costumes, as well several more who wanted to take photos with us.  It was such a FUN night!! At times, it was unbearably hot under our panda heads, so we'd cool off outside or in the theatre part of the Hall of Champions.  All in all, I had the most fun just being with Levi.  I love laughing with hiam, and just being with him in general.  I have the best of times with him and I couldn't be more grateful!

The next generation of panda lovin'.  My niece loves them just as much as I do and I'm glad we have this lil love in common! :)

Happy 32nd Liz!

Today is my best friend, Liz's birthday!  

She's truly one of my oldest friends! I have no idea when our friendship started, because we grew up across the street from each other....but I'm pretty sure it started right after birth.  I have so many cherished childhood memories, with Liz in almost every single one of them.  We were like partners in crime. We played together, every single day after school.  If my parents wouldn't let me out, I'd call her to come over to ask if I could come out to play.  My parents had a hard time turning her down.  It always worked like a charm! :)  

I remember always being invited to her house for birthday parties  There were always reasons to party at her house! I think her Mom loved to throw parties, or something, but I remember first encountering a pinata, at her house.  There was always cake, at each celebration, as well as Liz's Mom with a camera in hand, ready to take photos.  We celebrated almost every holiday together.  We always went trick-or-treating together, and then later decorated and passed out candy for Halloween when we were too old to trick-or-treat.  When we started to realize how fun New Years Eve could be, we started to celebrate that too.  Usually it was just us two with her next door neighbor, Eidde, but we had the best of times together! 

I'm not exactly sure how our friendship has endured all these years.  Maybe it's because she's so easy going and didn't mind when I had a crazy idea or two.  Once while we were walking home from Jr. high, the dog at the end of the block got loose and started to run up to us.  Since I'm terrified of [unfamiliar] dogs, I started to run. So did Liz...but she had a death grip on my shirt, which was slowing me down and the dog was quickly catching up!  In that moment, it became, "every man for himself" and I pushed Liz back and off of my shirt, then ran across the street.  The dog continued chasing her, as she screamed and ran for dear life.  (This was a HUGE dog and Liz is about 5'1!) Luckily, the owner came out and called his dog back! Liz wasn't all too pleased with me for ditching her, but dang, that dog was scary! Sorry Liz.

 I'm sad that we no longer live across the street from each other. I was so blessed to have a wonderful neighbor and a loyal best friend, found right across the street, for 30 years.   Liz has been the most truest and dedicated friend anyone could ever ask for! I don't know how I got this lucky to have her in my life since we were born.  Even though we don't see each other every day now, I miss her so, SO much!   I always thought we'd forever live across the street from each other, even after we grew up and had our own places.  I know that I'll never find a neighbor like Liz again in this lifetime, but that's okay, at least I still have her as my very best friend.

Happy 32nd Birthday Liz! 

Holidays!

Truth be told...

A huge reason why I haven't been the biggest fan of Christmas, or the holiday season was because it's not fun spending/enjoying it alone....

However, I highly doubt that I'll be feeling those feelings this year.  I couldn't be happier and my lil heart couldn't be more grateful!

Levi has a Halloween surprise for me and I REALLY, REALLY want to know what it is!!! It's eating away at me, because I'm not the most patient person with surprises, because I want to guess what it is, but at the same time, I LOOOOOOVE surprises--depending on who it's from.  Since it's from Levi, I trust that it's a good surprise!  
Aside from that,  I CANNOT wait for our costumes to get here!!  I've NEVER been this excited for Halloween before.  It's never been one of those holidays that I really looked forward to, it just wasn't my thing.  But this year, I CANNOT wait one more second to really celebrate it with Levi.  Spending time with him is AWESOME already, but getting to celebrate holidays with him is gonna be something spectacular! 

I. CANNOT. WAIT.!!!

Date night...with the fam!

I could watch this video a hundred times over! It's an amazing performance and her vocals (and lyrics) are just phenomenal! I love this song!

Last night, Levi and I planned on going out to play miniature golf, but at the last minute, I thought it would be fun to invite my sister and the kids.  Oh man, it was a fun night! I'm so glad that Levi had the chance to get to know my family a lil more.  Plus, it's mini-golf & go-karts, so it was just a fun atmosphere all around! 

 I didn't think the go-karts would be as fun as they were, but man, I couldn't stop laughing! I was trying to take photos, well, I was trying to drive as fast as I could and pull my camera out at the same time....then tried to take photos at the same time.  Oh man, it was all too funny!! I had a great time with Levi and I'm so glad we all had a good time together.  Fun times!!

Mamacita!

I seriously love this song! The lyrics are so pretty and it's how I feel about Levi.  He is so wonderful to me, I couldn't be more spoiled, blessed and lucky! This man is just so amazing and I love him so!

This morning, I had the opportunity of hangin' out with Mamacita {Sandra}, my ol' co-worker. 

As I was driving home,  I took the wrong exit, which landed me right by her house. I called her up and dropped in.  It was so good just gettin' to talk with her again! Oh I've missed her so!  We worked right next to each other for a few years and we got to know ALL about each other.  It was so lovely the way our friendship always picks up right where we last left it.  
We talked, like old friends do...catching up on each other's life....asking about family....love interests...ol' work gossip...just about everything!  It was so much fun! And it was great to see her family again, they are all so warm and welcoming to me still....as if it hasn't been 2 years since I last saw them all.  
I miss working with Mamacita, but I'm glad that we were more than just co-workers.  She's become a very close and dear friend and I'm grateful that I missed my exit and landed right in her neighborhood. Sometimes, it's not such a bad thing when you miss your exit, it can be a blessing in disguise.  

Missionary Mail!

I LOVE receiving emails from my nephew, Bub!

Especially when they contain photos!  

He's currently in the MTC {Missionary Training Center} in Provo, Utah for a couple more weeks.  I love hearing how much he loves it there and how well he's picking up the Tagalog language.  

I'm glad to know that he's having fun and gettin' along with all of the other missionaries in his district....but then again, it's Bub, it's hard not to like him!

And it's funny to see that missionaries still take "floating" photos. 

Oh my Bub, I sure do miss him so! 

I know that he's in the right place, at the right time, right now.  

I know that the experiences that are awaiting him, in the Philippines, will make him a better person and have him grow in ways that we cannot even imagine. 

HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!!

Friday: 5 Faves!

It's been a while since I've done a Friday 5 Faves...or was it Friday Fave 5?
Well, whatever it was called...here are FIVE of my FAVES on FRIDAY!

Let It Be Me - Ray LaMontagne

I seriously love this song. It's the type of song I want to cuddle to.  A song you listen to after a long and trying day.  Exactly the type of song I want to rest my head on Levi's chest to.  

The Friday Night Knitting Club 

I started this book last year, but have recently picked it back up .  I just love it!  Although I should be finishing the last 1,400 pages of Les Miserables before Dec. 10 and currently reading Ender's Game for my Nov. 4 book club, I just love this book!!  

Filippi's - Garlic Cheese Bread

I don't know if it was because we were starving after church, on Sunday....but man,that garlic cheese bread was like manna from heaven! I LOVE mozzarella cheese! And man oh man, it was totally delish on garlic bread! I think I blame my starvin' hunger to me loving this bread so much! 

I LOVE this picture!

I just love how happy we both look. I love the vibrant colors and this man is just so dang cute! It was such a fun date!!

Kristen Bell's Sloth Meltdown

I don't care how many times I watch this, I can't help but laugh and tear up just a little.  I know that I would act EXACTLY the same way if I were able to hug a panda!  And I love the fact that Kristen Bell is just as emotional as I am... I cry whether I'm happy, I cry when I'm sad or mad...and if I'm talking with a friend who's crying, then I start crying too.  Seriously, I cry all the time. {Poor Levi} 

Pretty. Dang. Lucky.!!!

I can't hide the fact that I've been pretty dang happy.  Seriously, it's unlike any happiness that I've experienced for a very, VERY long time...probably ever. I'm having a lot of fun with Levi and my heart couldn't be any more grateful for him.  I think he is so stinkin' adorably CUTE!!  He's totally amazing and sometimes wonder how I got so lucky?!!?  At times I worry that I could be a better girlfriend, but so far, I think I'm doing a pretty good job. I just need to relax and enjoy the ride.  I worry too much, but with Levi, I don't need to.  

Have I mentioned how much I love this guy? Yep, I do!

Parenting.

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about parenting....

This past Saturday, I watched the 4 Buzz kids. Oh I love those kids to pieces! I've known each of them since they were born and I love them so much because I love their parents dearly.  It's been a wonderful blessing watching Reed & JJ develop into the parents that they are today.  I take a lot of mental notes of what type of parent I hope to be, someday.  I learn a lot from my sister, as well.  She's amazing and I hope to be a mother just like her.
Earlier this year, as I was sitting in Stake Conference (church) I watched my friend Jude deal with her [youngest] toddler son who couldn't sit still.  Jude stood up multiple times, to retrieve her son from the doorway of the cultural hall.  He obviously didn't want to sit down, but there she was, standing up, yet again, to pull him back to his seat.  This went on for close to an hour.  Her husband and 4 older kids, sat contently, listening to the speakers.  I watched in amazement of how she never lost her cool.  How do parents do it?  I was amazed because I'm pretty sure that this is what she goes through every Sunday, just so her young kids can attend church.  How do parents do it? How do they have the patience to train their kids to sit still [and quiet] for church?  It made me think of a blog post, from a few years back, when I was bothered by the noisy children of a [family] ward/congregation.  I was VERY short sighted and quick to judge.  I have a greater admiration and respect for those parents who do their very best to train their young children to sit for an hour, in Sacrament meeting.  I can never pass judgement, again.  To my friend Christin, I apologize for not truly understanding the challenges of hands-on parenting.  It really isn't as easy as it looks, I know this, but I forgot when I passed judgement on the noisy kids in church.  That is not an easy job....but I am sure it is well worth it.  Someday, I'll come to know the blessings (and challenges) of being a parent.
On Monday, I attended the funeral of my friends' infant son, Noah.  He was six months old and passed away due to serious heart complications.  I've never attended the funeral of a baby or child.  It was unlike anything I had ever witnessed.  Just before the funeral started,  Noah's parents walked in.  I was expecting Noah's casket to be carried in by pall bearers, just like any other funeral I've attended. However, what I witnessed was something unlike anything I've ever seen in my life.  Patrick, Noah's father, dutifully and very carefully, carried in his son's casket.  Dani, Noah's mother & Patrick's wife, walked behind him.  There was a reverent silence in the chapel.  It's was a beautiful and heart wrenching scene that had unfolded in front of all of our eyes.  My heart hurt for Patrick and Dani, at their young tender age they were already burying their first baby.  They were no longer the young adults I had once known, because they grew up immensely during these last six months.  I marveled at their strength and the unity they shared during this most difficult time.  Watching Patrick carry his baby son's casket, with a good woman behind him, has made a deep impression upon my heart.  
I don't know when I'll become a parent, but I look forward to it, with all of my heart. I admire my friends who are such great parents to their children.  I know it won't be easy and there will probably be challenging times, but I cannot wait.  It's something I've wanted for such a long, long time.

Noah's two aunts sang this song and their version (not this video) was so beautiful. 

 I just wanted to share this beautiful song. 

Calling.

I have no idea what to do for Family Home Evening, this Monday!  I'm out of ideas!  I need to figure out a way to better plan and carry out all FHE's...and share the responsibility more amongst my committee.  I'm a lil tired of so many ward members continually telling me that I've got "one of the hardest callings." I didn't see it that way, until recently. I feel like I'm gettin' burnt out.  I think I need to reassess and reorganize certain aspects of the committee and maybe even have some committee members released.  It's definitely something I need to think over...  

to end on a lighter note....

happy saturday! 

p.s.

I've had the greatest morning and it's not even 9:30am! :)

Food, friends & family.

Man, I have a lot of stuff to blog about...

We'll start with the happy stuff first....

*Yesterday, my friend Geena hooked me up for tickets to "Taste of Downtown".  It's where 40-50 restaurants open up to let you taste a sample of their foods.   Several months ago, Geena hooked me up with tix to "Taste of Hillcrest" and we were able to go to 28 out of the 50.  We were SO stuffed! Last night, we went to about 15 out of the 45 restaurants.  It was all so delicious! I enjoyed some of the ethnic food, the best.  From last night, Indian & Mexican were my faves!! Such a FUN night!
Plus, I was SO SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good to see Levi! I had been missing him all week!!  I just feel like half of my heart is missing when he's not with me.  I'm excited to see him tonight and tomorrow! :)

*I've been missing my friend Mr. Red and I'm glad to know he's alive.  He's been on my mind lately, because I've been thinking about how I need to worry less about EVERYTHING.  It's something Mr. Red and I have talked about A LOT.  I tend to over-worry and over-think about so much sometimes...ok, a lot of the times.  I've done a lot better after a talk I had with Mr. Red earlier this year, and I think I just went back to my ol' habits.  It's hard to just let go and relax, sometimes.  But it's something I definitely need to work on and will do...  I think it's because I worry about something turning out less than stellar.  Or I worry how I'll be judged by it.  I should haven't to worry so much, especially around those that love me.  It's something I plan on working on, starting now.

Uncle Topui Otuafi

*On Monday, my Uncle Topui passed away.  I haven't seen him since I got back from my mission about 8.5 years ago, at Uncle Eddie's funeral.  Thinking about him made me miss my Uncle Eddie and Auntie Moana.  I miss them so much.  Then it made me remember my Uncle Walter who passed away 4 years ago.  I miss all of them so much.  They weren't from my Dad's immediate family, but they were all cousins from his homeland of Tonga. Some of the closest Tongan relatives I knew, on my Dad's side.

I miss my Uncle Eddie's sweet, melodious voice.  He use to be in a Polynesian band with my Uncle Topui and Uncle Nani, who also recently passed, a month ago. I miss his hearty laugh and his big smile.  I even miss the scent of his aftershave that use to linger on my face, after he hugged and kissed me.  He loved Auntiy Moana and it was obvious in the way he treated her with such love and tenderness.

Uncle Eddie & Koti

I miss my Auntie Moana, because she passed away so suddenly and without warning.  I miss her cheery countenance and warm smile.  I loved the way she use to dote on me because she only had sons, so I felt like the daughter she never had.  She was so loving and kind, so beautiful--inside and out.  A great match for Uncle Eddie.  I always loved having them over for Sunday dinners, with the boys.  I can't believe it's been 11 years since she passed away. I remember the way she was so excited for my mission.  I miss her dearly.

Auntie Moana

I miss my Uncle Walter, and I know that out of all his cousins, my Dad misses him the most.  Uncle Walter was probably my Dad's best friend.  He was at EVERY luau and family party we ever had.  He was by my Dad's side whenever they would bury food in the umu (pit).  I miss Uncle Walter's to'okutu (coconut bread)!  I always looked forward to seeing him at church, because he was always so happy to see me and ask about Dad.  I think when Uncle Walter passed away, a lil bit of Dad's spirit died with him.   I know he misses his cousin so much. We all do.  

Uncle Walter & Dad

I know that as much as I miss my uncles & aunt, I will see them again. I know that there's a gospel plan set forth by our Heavenly Father that allows families to be together forever.  I know that to be true, with all of my heart.

On my mind.....

*I LOVE LOVE LOVE this song! It's the song that Peej sang to his Habibi.  I love the lyrics, they're so sweet and endearing.

*Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays are the LONGEST days... :(

*I can't wait til Friday when I get to see Levi again!! Oh man, he makes me smile and I miss him so much when I'm not near him.  

*I love my sister and grateful to have her to talk with.  I'm so blessed. 

*Have I mentioned how much I really, REALLY miss him when I don't get to see him.... sigh.... Friday....so close, but so far away.....

2 for Tuesday....

Two of my favorite photos from Peej's wedding...

My friend looks so happy, which makes it all the more easier to be happy for him.  I loved how beautiful the evening sky looks amongst the party lights.  Such a lovely evening....one of my favorites.....

Last night, Levi came with me to FHE.  Man, oh man....he was my hero for the night.  He came in and helped even more than I had already asked him to.  He just goes above and beyond and I couldn't be more grateful.  He's just wonderful to me.

Some of my friends had questions about him, and I wasn't too forthcoming with details about him.  I'm sure I left them hanging, but it's because he's special to me.  I respect our privacy and don't feel like divulging every detail of our relationship.  Something I learned years ago, in a general conference talk (my FAVORITE talk of all time!!), 

"If you want something to last forever, you treat it differently... It becomes special because you have made it so." 

I don't want to cheapen this relationship by sharing every little bit about it.  He's special to me and so is everything we share together, and I want to keep it just that way. 

Happy Monday!

Yes, it is!

Gosh, I really like this man! 

Stake choir was last night. Oh man, it was FUN singing in it again!! I was glad to be back in that ol' familiar, comfortable chapel again!  I surely love singing in CV Stake choir! It's been such a blessing! The songs we practiced last night were HARD!! And my voice was outta wack!  But I had so much fun! Even when the director asked me to do a solo (which turned into a duet, because my voice was spent and I was a lil emotional over, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas").  I can't wait for our Christmas concert on December 8th!! And to be honest with ya, I can't wait for the holiday season.  Yep, you read that right, I'm actually excited for all the joy and good that come with the holidays. 

Dear Peej.

Dear Peej (or more commonly known as PajamaPants),
I LOVE YOU.  Yesterday was a beautiful celebration of love, commitment and happiness.  Thank you for allowing me & Levi to be a part of your very special day.  It was the cutest and most loveliest outdoor wedding I had ever been to.  Hearing your vows to each other was simply beautiful.  I hope to someday find someone that makes me as happy as you and your Habibi.
I've learned a lot from you, in the last 10 years that I've known you.  I still remember the first time I met you, almost exactly 10 years ago, Oct. 25, 2002 in Philadelphia. I remember seeing you in the parking garage of the Philadelphia Convention Center.  When I first saw you, I immediately thought, "This guy looks Samoan...but also Mexican. He's kinda cute, very put together! Wow."  Later, when I met you with Coxy, we got to talking and I was kinda nervous.  I was stoked that you were from Oceanside, it made me think that you and I could possibly hangout together after our missions.  And we surely have.

 I've always had the best of times with you.  You are the funniest friend I've ever had! Everyone I introduce you to, comes to know and admit what I already know about you; that you are funny and so genuinely kind.  I'm glad you get along with everyone I introduce you to, it's always been a pleasure to take you everywhere.
It's always been easy being open and honest with you. I've appreciated all of our conversations, and trust you immensely.  Although it seems like we go weeks without talking or texting, that's ok, because our friendship always picks up right where it left off. I'm pretty sure that that will be the case for the rest of our lives, and that's ok....because I know that we will be friends for the rest of our lives.
One of the greatest gifts you've given to me, as a friend and human being, is to be more sensitive to the homosexual community.  As a Christian, it can be very easy to be desensitized to homosexuality, unless you know one, personally.  I'm grateful that our friendship hasn't changed, since you 'came out'.  If anything, I think we've become more sensitive, tolerant and understanding to each other.   I am happy that you're happy.  I'm ecstatic that you've found someone to love and share your life with .  I look forward to getting to know Habibi more.  In my brief meeting with him, I could tell that he was genuine.  He was sincerely kind and courteous.....all things that you are.  What a match! I am incredibly happy for you!!
Well, I love you my dear friend, and I couldn't have been more pleased to celebrate your big day! Thank you and thank you for everything you've brought to our friendship.

Love you,
Ehu.

4 days of "excitedness"

*Yesterday was a very, VERY physically and emotionally exhausting day.  After an emotionally draining morning dealing with family, my niece and I watched the (4) Buzz kids. Oh I LOVE those kids so much!! It's been so wonderful watching them grow up and they've just got such wonderful parents.  It was a nice afternoon with them, and then I came home to get ready to go out with Levi.  
I was so excited to see Levi! He's just so wonderful!  He has this way of putting me at ease, and after the morning I had, I was ready to be relaxed.  We went shopping for his outfit, for PajamaPants wedding.  I can't wait to see him in his new clothes! It was so much fun shopping with him and even though I was so exhausted, just being with him was perking me up.  
After we went shopping,we had dinner at T.G.I.Fridays.  A couple days ago, Levi told me that he had a surprise for me. Oh it was killing me inside because I REALLY, REALLY wanted to know what it was. While we were shopping, I totally forgot about it.  As we were waiting for our appetizer, he started to slip something out of his front pocket.  He pulled out a beautiful crimson & silver necklace and earrings! Seriously, it's so beautiful and I LOVE it!! It's just perfect, for me!! It's my favorite colors and TOTALLY my style!! I was so touched by his thoughtfulness!!! It was such a fantastic night!!
**Tonight, we're going to PajamaPants wedding.  I'm so excited to spend more time with Levi!
***Then tomorrow evening, we're going out for Pho (since he's never had it) and then he totally offered to come with me to my stake choir practice.  Seriously, how can I not like this guy?! He's willing to sit through my choir practice, just because he wants to be with me.  WOW, WOW!!!! I REALLY like this guy! I just love the way we communicate and connect on so many levels! 
****Since I'm in charge of FHE, I explained what that was and how it's planned to watch an outdoor movie on Monday.  He wants to come, with me, to FHE!!! I can't wait!!

Levi's just so wonderful to me! I have no idea how I got so lucky to have this man in my life....and I'm so dang happy!!

FRIGGIN' HAPPY!!!

I can't stop thinking about how incredibly lucky I am!! Seriously, did I just find someone who's so wonderful, kind, considerate, FUNNY, calm, patient, SWEET, smart, quick and just all around NICE!!!  Just someone who thinks about me and my well-being! I just can't believe it! Someone who wants to make ME happy and see that I'm content.  Levi's unlike ALL the men I've ever dated or gone out with.  He's so good to me and I hope, HOPE that I am making him happy in the process.  :)

The OCTOBER 3rd BLOG: Good, Bad, Ugly....

October 3, 2012.... a pretty GREAT day, I think. (for the most part....read below)

The Good: Levi likes me....like A WHOLE LOT!!! ♥ And I feel the same way :)

The Bad: I have to buy a new tire, possible "tireS" tomorrow. Ugh!  I was gettin' ready to go out to dinner with a friend, til I heard my front tire making a funny flapping noise.  Have I ever mentioned how much I TOTALLY LOATHE dealing with car stuff!?

The Ugly: All I've had to eat today was a cup of Cranberry Sierra Mist.  That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it isn't good when the only other thing in my stomach is the piece of gum I swallowed.

________________________________________________________________

**update: I had my cousin check out my tire and it's kinda ok.  I still need to get a tire sometime soon, because the treads are low.  Treads? Threads? Whatevers, it's getting bald.  

So now I can be pretty ecstatic about Levi!  Which I am, I have been all afternoon. I just can't wrap my head around the fact that someone likes me as much as he does...and he shows it through all the big things and all the small things.  He shows it and I just want to reciprocate it.  As I was telling my sister, it's like when you've wanted something for so long, that when you finally get it, it's like you have to step back out of astonishment, and wrap you head around it because it's finally yours.  You no longer have to wish and hope for it, because you've got what you've wanted.  He's so kind and tender to me.  It melts my heart. He's unlike ANY guy I've ever dated.  I'm able to be 'the girl' in the relationship....  I don't have to plan every aspect of a date. I don't have to drive. I don't have to scrutinize over all the details because he takes all the worry out of it.  It's so much fun being 'the girl' in all of this.  I've never quite experienced this before and I love it. ♥  

Wow, it's been a while since I've been in a relationship and had a boyfriend......but I am surely enjoying it already. :) I can't wait for this weekend! I get to see him ALL weekend! Wow, I'm someone's girlfriend....WOW. I like it. :)

Levi.

Our first date was on Sunday night, at Buca di Beppo.  There's a complementary photographer that comes around to take photos, but I couldn't see ourselves shelling out $10 for a 5x7 that I could have just taken with my camera.  Luckily, they give you a tiny postcard of your photo:

(Sorry for the graininess of this picture of a picture)

We had the Veal Parmigiana and meatball.  SO sooo goooooood!!!  We also had a cannoli and it reminded me of New Jersey. Afterwards, we had an extra veal parm and cannoli that he was going to send home with me.  A few months ago, I made it a point to never take home a 'doggie-bag', I would rather find a homeless person who could benefit from it.  I tried to get him to take it home because, after all, he did pay for the meal.  He insisted that he would rather I take it.... so I had to tell him about my true desire for our leftovers.  He was totally kosher with it and we were able to find a gracious man to give it to.  Levi was so sweet, hugged me and kissed my forehead because he had never thought about ever doing that with his leftovers.  Giving a lil service, while on a date, made the date so much sweeter!

Originally, our first date was going to be on Monday (yesterday) but we both couldn't wait that long.  He wanted to take me to Hodad's in Ocean Beach, since I had never been there before.  A couple years ago, I tried, but the line was too long. Luckily, last night, we only had to wait for about 5 minutes til the hostess asked us if we wanted to sit in "The Bus"---HECK YES!!!

I thought it was even sweeter when Levi said, "You should start bringing a camera so we can have pictures of all our dates".  Seriously, that melted my heart!  Isnt he the cutest?!  I loved it!! (If you've ever seen, "I Hate Valentine's Day", it's like when the scrapbooking girl meets the guy who LOVES that she scrapbooks, and doesn't see it as a form of stalking.) 

The food at Hodad's was delicious and I LOVED the onion rings! DELISH!! 

I seriously loved eating in this VW bus!! It was so wicked cool! Well, actually not "cool" temp wise because it was almost like an oven, but it was such a cool experience! 

Since you couldn't really see us in The Bus, we had to take some ourselves.  Levi doesn't really like his 'photo smile' since he thinks its fake. So I had to get him to laugh, and then his cute lil smile finally came out.

While I wrapped up eating my burger, he asked if I wanted anymore of our onion rings and fries. I declined and then he asked the server for a 'doggie bag'.  Then he said, "We'll finish up here, stop by the car to grab a bottle of water and then we'll find someone to give the water and food to." He remembered!! (yes, given, it was just the night before) How could I not fall more into "like" with this man after that?!  It seriously meant a lot to me and touched my heart that he made it a priority to have charity for another.  We walked around OB for a bit because it's a lil difficult to tell who's homeless and who's just kickin' it at the beach.  This time, he was the one to extend the offer to a gentleman and he did it with such kindness and tenderness.  MELT. MY. HEART. FOR. SURE.!!! 

We walked the pier in OB, since that was another place I had never been to. It was a lovely walk, although I felt about 10 months prego cause I was SO full!  We later hung out in Harbor Island, sat on a bench and talked, in depth.  It was so enjoyable!

I love getting to know him.  Seriously, he's so accommodating and goes the extra mile in doing all the lil things.  It's easy being totally open and honest with him.  We've been pretty open about certain aspects in our lives, and I'm glad.  He's not LDS, but surprisingly he's familiar with some of the chapels and the temple in Las Vegas.  With PajamaPants' wedding (commitment ceremony) coming up this Saturday, I have NO idea what the heck is up with Mr. Red.  He's been incognito for a couple weeks now, so I can't gamble going to this wedding by myself.  Levi totally offered to go with me and I couldn't be more grateful. I mean, who just does that--what man volunteers to go to a wedding, not to mention, a gay wedding?!?  See! He's just that nice!

Well, I'm going to enjoy this man, because who can't help but like a man who thinks I'm beautiful, kind and gracious? Yep, I'm going to soak it all in.... ♥

OCTOBER!!!

Dude, I'm pretty stoked for October! Seriously, I've never been so happy to see October before! 

I LOOOOOVE the cooler weather!! Sweater weather, baby!

I'm stoked for all the fall flavors that come out around this time! 

I miss seeing red & gold trees, on the east coast.
I love Dia de los Muertos and going to Old Town to celebrate it!

There's just something wonderful about this time of year! 

I'm pretty dang excited!

But maybe most of that excitement comes from the fact that I'm going on a date tonight.  I met someone last week, and last night was our first date.  We went to Buca di Beppo for dinner and it was scrumptious!  Levi is so dang cute! Seriously, it was what a date should be like: "planned for, paid for and paired off" (Elder Oaks' talk).  It's something my friends have been trying to engrain in me for the last several weeks.  And with Levi, it totally was!  I like this guy... yes, even more so than Ely.  Levi has all his ducks in a row; he has a job, he understands and makes the time for a relationship (and actually WANTS one!), he's very family oriented, he's physically affectionate and reciprocates my physical gestures, and wants to communicate on all levels! I love it!  He's unlike TheBaker and Ely and I'm hap-hap-happy!! 

*Just to clarify about the "physical affectionate" part....  I'm a touchy feely person; I love to give and receive hugs, I like to rub someone's back (no, not in church, that's just weird), or I hold someone's hand when they're emotional.... I can connect better with someone when I'm touching them. So in case anyone things that it's all rated-R type of touching...you've got A LOT to learn about the power of touch!