As of late in late, late June.

*I haven't blogged for a while, I think I was recovering from all this engagement excitement!  I love being engaged to the bestest man in the entire universe.  

*Speaking of which, one of my nephews got married this past Friday.

They were married up in Logan, Utah.  I'm happy for his happiness.  I wish them the very best!  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make it up there for their wedding, but I'm grateful for all the pics I was able to see moments afterwards.  

*My whole family went up to Utah for the wedding and man, can I just say San Diego felt VERY lonely! I mean, I know I had Levi, but it's a whole different feeling when every single member of your family leaves.  I haven't really felt that since I lived up in Utah for school. I think I'm very much my father's daughter--I need family members surrounding me.  

*I had a wonderful time with Levi, this weekend.  I just love spending time with him!

*Church was good today.  I hung out with Hoddie today. Oh man, she makes me laugh!

*My very good friend Dixie came to town on Thursday.  Hermanita, Arbro, Dixie & I went to Lolita's in Bonita for some super delicious Mexican food!! Oh man, seriously, I LOOOOOOVE Mexican food

*As far as wedding plans go.... we're thinking of next spring.  I'm glad.  I'm not in a rush to start all this wedding planning craziness!!! No way, Jose!  No thanks!  This is a good thing, because it gives us a lot of time to spend at the gym.  Can I just say how much I like working out with Levi?!  Sometimes, it's a lil hard because we make each other laugh, but I'm glad we're doing this!  

*I'm looking forward to the 4th of July. I LOVE Independence Day! It's the best!  I love celebrating this great country......with bbq's....at the beach.....with fireworks!! Love it!

*Ok....I'm out! Peace!

Spring Flingin'!

*Today's the FIRST day of Spring! Oh yeah! I LOVE IT!!  

*I feel so "weather spoiled" living here in San Diego! One could have sworn that it was Spring since about December. 

*Tonight my friend Dixie flies into town.  I haven't seen him in over a year.  I've missed him living here in San Diego because he's such a chill friend.  We'll be going on a "midnight taco run" tonight with Hermanita....I can't wait!

*I'm really enjoying the office I work in.  Most especially since all the fountain drinks are free! HOLA AQUA FRESCAS!!! I love the ice chips too!!!

*I've had cramps pretty badly today.  Seriously, Aleeve has helped, but not entirely. Even my lower back hurts with it....arg! Speaking of "arg".... AntiBacterial gel splashed onto my eyelash/eye today.  I have no idea how it happened, but man, I had to squeeze my eye shut so it wouldn't seep in.  It made me chuckle a little, just cause that's never happened before.  

*Last weekend was absolutely WONDERFUL!!! Levi & I had a fun time using his new camera down at the Coronado Ferry Landing.  Saturday was my Dad's birthday and it was WAY fun playing Tripoly with Kalanster & Levi for the first time.  Levi ended up winning!  I have no idea how he ALWAYS wins!! Seriously, how did the competitive girl end up with the guy who wins almost everything?!?! Sunday was nice reconnecting with Ame and having a blast at ward potluck.  Everything about this past weekend was just all around GREAT!!

*I'm LOVING the Mexican food here at work.  Seriously, it's fantastic being able to have huevos con chorizo, arroz,frijoles y tortillas for breakfast! I LOVE IT!!! 

Bub's Bday, Tijuana Temple & Peej's Wedding!

Last Sunday, was my nephew Bub's 20th birthday!! 20!!! Where has 20 years gone?!?! I'm so truly grateful for my nephew Bub.  In the family, he's one of my best friends.  I just love hanging out with him, it's always such a good time!!  We laugh a lot and our sense of humor is quite similar.  He's always had a special place in my heart since he was born.  He wasn't able to come home, right away, from the hospital and that was the first time I experienced such sadness.  I just wanted this broad chested baby to come home with his family.  I remember crying and not understanding all that was happening.  He came home a day later and it's been such a blessing ever since.  He is truly his name! In English, it's translated to "Love Never Ending" and it couldn't be more true.  It's impossible to ever be mad at him, for long.  Even if such a thing happens, he knows how to crack a joke and suddenly you're the best of friends, again.  As someone who can hold a grudge, this frustrates me when I'm steaming mad at him, because it all disappears a minute later.

He's a gentle giant (6'3) and befriends all.  He will be a blessing to all those he'll come across while he serves his 2 year LDS mission in the Philippines (that begins in about a week & a half)  Too soon :(  I will miss him tremendously. I already do, since he's been living in Utah for the last year and a half. I miss him whenever I can't find my glasses in the morning.  I could always count on him to come find them for me, after I gave up stumbling around, blindly.  He puts up with my [occasionally lame] jokes, and lets me lightly scratch the side of his stomach past the point of annoyance.  He also doesn't get too mad when I call him, "Bubbie" and is always up for a game of "500"/Rummy with me.  My heart is so full of love for this wonderful nephew of mine.  HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY BUB!

This will be the Tijuana Mexico LDS temple!! 

As I've been typing this post, I've been watching the streaming of the groundbreaking.  I cannot even begin to describe the feelings in my heart.  Tears have been streaming down my face and clouding my eyes over and my t-shirt is wet from repeatedly wiping my face.  My heart is so full of love and gratitude that Heavenly Father has finally saw fit to bless the members in Tijuana, Mexico with their very own temple.  When I worked as an ordinance worker at the San Diego temple, the saints from Mexico would flood the temple on Saturday mornings.  They would come with joy in their hearts and a smile on their face.  Of course, most members are like that when they attend the temple, but I know the hardship of crossing the US/Mexico border....it is not fun and it is NOT short.  Sometimes, you can easily be in line for 2+ hours!   Yet they come, faithful and happy!  I think of all those saints that don't have the proper documentation to cross over, how blessed they will be to go to the temple in their own city and country.  

Right now, I live about 30 minutes away from the San Diego temple.  After mapping out this new temple, I am 18 minutes away!!  I will definitely be attending the temple a lot more in Tijuana!  Of course, I'll have to brush up on my Spanish, but I'm thankful for translation devices the temple offers.  I'm also excited for the food that will be served in their cafeteria.  Temple food is DELICIOUS, so I can only imagine what MEXICAN TEMPLE FOOD will be like!! ORALE! :) 

My very dear friend, PajamaPants will be marrying his fiance.  I'm excited for my friend to start his new life with his partner.  PajamaPants means the world to me and I am elated that he wants me to be a part of his celebration of love.  I will be there to support my friend and his happiness. However, I will not be there alone.....   I asked Mr. Red to be my date and I'm friggin ECSTATIC!!! Oh yes baby, I am!! I told PajamaPants that I don't know who's more excited for his wedding, him or me.  Just kiddin'....  Anyways, I'm stoked because I just LOVE LOVE LOVE hanging out with Mr. Red and PajamaPants.  They both came to church, last year on my birthday, because I asked them to.  Anyways, I'm stoked because I'll get to see Mr. Red dressed up, and smelling OH SO DAMN DELICIOUS!! Oh I LOOOOOOOOOOVE his cologne!! It'll be a "brown wedding" so there will be GOOD FOOD and GREAT MUSIC for dancing!! Oh yeah baby, this will be an AMAAAAAAAAAAZING night!!  Oh yes indeed!!

My Mom's in Hawaii right now, for a family reunion and to visit her sister who's recently had two strokes.  I've stayed back to take care of my Dad.  Man, is it a humbling experience, especially after my last post.  It's hard for me to hold feelings of resentment and bitterness towards him as I serve him.  He's blind and a diabetic, so I've got to cook all of his meals and makes sure they're nutritionally good for him.  It's not a burden, because I love to cook for others.  This is a good blessing for me to learn to serve him.  I cook for my parents often, but it's a lil different since my Dad & I haven't been getting along lately.  He's been really grateful for everything I've done for him since my Mom left. I just hope it helps our relationship.

Ok, with that said, I've gotta get breakfast started....

What a wonderful day it's been so far! How often does one get to watch a temple groundbreaking?  Spectacular!  

March 12 = My Sister's birthday!

*Yesterday, was my sister's birthday! I took her to lunch, in Old Town.  Unfortunately, the Chilean/Latin restaurant was closed, so we went to Old Town Mexican Cafe. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good!!! I had a VERY enjoyable afternoon with her! I love her so much! She's one of my most favorite people, in the entire world.  I couldn't be more blessed to have a sister as awesome, amazing, kind, loving, intelligent, warm, beautiful, funny and genuine as her!

*I LOVE Mariachis! Seriously, I think they're just so delightfully beautiful. I remember my friend, Ana's wedding reception and how wonderful it was to have a mariachi go around to each table and take requests! Growing up in south San Diego, it wasn't uncommon to have a Mariachi serenade someone at their home. My best friend, Liz taught me that it's a big deal when that happens. I hope I'm serenaded by a mariachi, someday. While at lunch, I had the mariachi sing, "Cielito Lindo", one of my favorite mariachi songs.
*Last night, we played "Newspaper Hockey" at FHE. Ok, I should have done more research on that before I threw it out there as an activity (I'm the FHE Committee Chairman/Chairperson/Whatevers).  Some people showed up with their hockey sticks made and some we had to make on the spot. Some of the hockeysticks were falling apart and hitting people in the face. It was all TOO funny!

I couldn't stop laughing!! Probably one of the best laughs I've had all year!! LOVED IT!! 

Free Friday!

Today I woke up and wanted to wear a skirt.  Particularly a green pencil skirt.  I don't own one.  I would need to make it.  I want to make one this weekend. I've had the sewing bug lately!

I think handwritten letters are so wonderful.  Especially when they're received in the mail.  I got the coolest mail yesterday.  Alllllllll the way from Egypt from a dear ol' friend.  She read my blog post about my birthday party idea and sent me a pattern for papel picado, as well as a store to check out for folk Mexican art & Dia de los Muertos materials.  I can't wait to check out that store! I'm grateful for my friend Ana.  We met in the oddest of ways.  I will post that story for her birthday in a couple months.  But I'm thankful to have a friend like her.  

Oh, and I want one of EVERYTHING from here....  LOVE IT!!

p.s. It's about 5:55pm on a Friday evening.  I've got about 6 homework assignments that I need to complete before tomorrow night 11:pm.  My whole family is out on the town...and I'm home.  Working on homework. On a Friday night.  I feel a lil laaaaame.  I need to finish my homework quickly and call up a friend or something SOON!