As of late, in late September....

First and foremost....

Mama McK came to visit this past week. Oh I sure do love her so much!  She has been the "mother heart" that I've been yearning for these last few years.  She couldn't have come into my life at a most perfect time, when I needed a mother figure the most.  It was delightfully wonderful sitting next to her in church, and just having her here in San Diego.   I cannot wait til she visits again during the winter time.  Most especially when Papa McK comes with her.  It was a most wonderful reunion.  I'm so blessed!

This is Ely....

I usually don't put a picture of someone I like, but I just couldn't help it.... I think he's pretty cute!  There's a possibility that he might be moving back to Nevada.  It was a most exquisite evening.  We grabbed some ice cream, and then ended up eating it in front of Vons. (no available tables in Coldstone) It was rather funny because this isn't the first time we've eaten ice cream, on a bench in front of Vons.... it's becoming a recurrence, but at different Vons locations.  Random, but funny.  So this is Ely...

I've been attending the Book of Mormon class at Institute, on Thursday evenings.  It's been so fantastic hanging out with all my ol' friends from my ol' YSA ward.  Oh, they are all so great! I love them and miss them all! 

I miss them all, but I know I'm in a good place right now.  I hope, someday, to love my new ward as much as my ol' YSA ward.  I couldn't have been more blessed with the dear friends from CVYSA.  

MTC Map!

Man, I love this kid!...er, I mean, MISSIONARY!!

A Birthday Rendezvous

I've had the most lovely birthday week, EVER.!!!
It was just fantastically enjoyable!  I loved every single bit of it!!  
After my birthday dinner with Mr. Red & Hermanita, I had a little rendezvous at the beach, with Ely.  We hung out at the beach, walked the pier and talked til about 3:30am.  Yeah, I know that's late, but we had SO much to talk about.  I enjoyed EVERY single second of it.  He was FUNNY!! Oh man, it hurt my stomach to laugh!  I wanted to know him better, and felt the same about me too.  He was VERY reciprocal on all levels--something that had been lacking with TheBaker.  If I rubbed his hand, he'd curl his fingers around my hand.  As a very physically affectionate person, I greatly appreciate his reciprocation on that matter.  In fact, it was Ely that made the first move and was ever so sweet about it!  
We walked the beach the next 3 nights and talked to no end.  On Thursday, I had received some terrible news of a friend's baby and was so sad over it....as well as other stressful news about school.  I just wanted a really good guy hug....and he was there to provide it.  He just held me as a wave of emotion washed over me.  Have I mentioned that he's 6'1 and a pretty big guy, so I loved the way I felt small in his arms.  He didn't know what to say to console me,  but he didn't feel awkward around my tears.  
We went out Friday night and it was blissful wonderful!  He was the perfect gentleman! It's been a long time since a man opened ALL my doors.   He knows his role as a man and DOES IT!! After dinner down at the Coronado Ferry Landing, we walked on the boardwalk, then watched the fireworks from the Padres game.  So spectacular!  I have NEVER enjoyed the ferry landing as much as I did, that night. 
I really like him and he's SOOOOO cute!! Seriously, probably the cutest, most adorable guy I've ever been out with.  It's hard now, because I've got school I need to focus on and he's trying to find a job {he recently moved down from Nevada}, so our schedules are a lil packed.  Today, he asked if I'd like to go grocery shopping with him about 30 minutes away....so I went.  SO. MUCH. FUN.!!!  We had lunch first and then roamed the aisles of Target.  I just enjoy being with him because he's just so dang funny.  

My favorite missionary!

I can't believe he's a missionary!!

He looks so good! 

Oh I miss him so much!!

I know he's in the right place, right now....but man, I wish I could talk with him, annoy the heck out of him by lightly scratching his side and just joke around with him.

Man, these two years are gonna be LOOOOOOOOOONG!!!
♥

Charity & Angels.

Man, what a roller coaster day of emotions!
I seriously have some angels on my side. Heavenly Father has blessed me with the kindest and most giving people I know.  It brings me to tears when I think of all the good that's come my way, through all the kind hearted people that I have as friends and dear loved ones.
Today, I have been humbled to no end and blessed so abundantly.  Going through all the obstacles of school have been nerve racking! Tears have been flooding my eyes for a good portion of the day, knowing all the help and phone calls that have been made on my behalf to get back into school.

"...Prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." {Malachi 3:10}

I have felt the windows of heaven open upon me today.  I have been blessed in ways that I don't really understand, but that I appreciate wholeheartedly.  It has come in the form of a couple that I love with all my heart, as well as from another couple that I didn't take the time to get to know--but love me more than I can truly imagine. I unfortunately compared the two couples and came out with a VERY shortsighted opinion.  My opinion couldn't have been further from the truth.  I've only known them for a lil over a year, but they have been nothing short of kind and considerate to me.  I don't deserve their generosity, in the least bit.  These couples' Christ-like charity will forever touch my heart.  I'm trying to wrap my head around ALL of this generosity that's been showered upon me today.  I just don't understand it, but my heart couldn't be more grateful for it.

My cup runneth abundantly over....

Birthday recap quickie!



So this is the dress I made late into the night and finished 1.5 hours before I needed to wear it. 

(Never again!!)

There wasn't any Viking, so I had the Chocolate Bread Pudding!

DELISH!!

All the ladies who came!

And this is WiseGuy....it was like a Polygamous Mormon date.

On my actual birthday, I wanted to have Bronx Pizza!

Love this guy!

Hermanita!



It was a pretty great birthday. I also went out to lunch with my parents.  We went to Meijo Sushi and the Kamakaze sushi was THE BEST!!!  My sister and I went to get pedicures before she flew up north to SacTown. It was soooooooo relaxing!! I had a wonderful day full of love from so many dear friends.  I also ended the night on a pretty high note....oh yeah, I got my birthday wish! ;)

Crazy ideas! Midnight sewing!

Late last night, after talking with a friend, I decided it would be nice after all to have a lil shindig at Extraordinary Desserts for my birthday tomorrow night.  I need something to wear because you just need to feel and look special when celebrating your birthday.  Somehow, I figure that means making a dress for the occasion.  I'm kinda excited for this dress I'll be making tonight. {Some of my best creations come with sewing at midnight}  I bought the fabric to make a skirt, but it's actually wide enough to make a dress.  There's just something about sewing that I love.  I don't know if it's the sense of accomplishment, knowing the dress I'm making is quality made, the fact that I MADE it with my own two hands, or that it is totally couture!  Maybe it's all of those reasons.  Alrighty....I better get started on my Friday night plans.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY WEEKEND TO ME! 

Overcoming fears....little by little.

Last night, Hermanita and I went out to eat at Big Kahuna's.  It's a lil hot spot here in Imperial Beach that serves up some very juicy burgers! So good!! It definitely tastes as good as Island's Burgers, even a lil better!  While we were eating, she mentioned how much she missed Mr. Red and his laugh.  So being the kind friend that I am, I texted him to see if we could drop by.  He had some friends in town, but was more than happy to have us drop by.  This past weekend, his younger brother, Steele moved down from SLC, with his Great Dane, Duke.  Mr. Red prepared me weeks ago for another dog in his home.  I get very nervous & anxious around dogs.  I don't fear them anymore than not wanting to get dirty from them.  I didn't really grow up around dogs, but my teenage brothers had dogs that use to nip and jump on me as a toddler.  On my mission, I did my very best to get along with dogs, but they get me nervous...and I know that dogs can sense that, so I had to warm up to them rather quickly.
Well, Mr. Red got a dog about 2 months ago, and every time I go over to his place, he tries his best to help me get over my nervousness around his dog, Odysseus.  I'm trying, but maybe I don't progress as fast as others.  It doesn't help when a dog is excited, but luckily Odysseus is still a puppy and Mr. Red is teaching him not to jump on people.
Well, when Hermanita and I walked in, Mr. Red was on the floor playing with Ody and behind him was the BIGGEST dog I had EVER seen in my entire life!!!!!  HUGE!!!! I couldn't believe that someone would have this dog as a pet!! IT WAS LIKE A MINI-HORSE!!!! Oh man, my heart started racing!!! My breathing was shallow and faster, I was terrified....but I had to fake it since there were strangers around.   Oh, not to mention, there was a Boxer there too! Seriously, SO many dogs in one place!! I'm sure my face reflected exactly what I was feeling, as well as looking flushed with pure nervousness.  Mr. Red quickly reassured me that Duke was a gentle giant and wouldn't even bother with me.  I couldn't take my eyes off of him, he was GINORMOUS!!!!  Mr. Red was by my side as I stared at the dog, while he and Hermanita were catching up with each other.  Duke eventually made his way towards me and Mr. Red said that I should try to feed him.  He showed me how it was done, and then I took a turn at it.  Duke graciously ate the chicken from the palm of my hand and licked my hand a bit.  It tickled and my heartbeat slowed a bit.  I sat off to the side and continued watching this mini-horse/Great Dane, with eyes as big as saucers!  Steele, came and sat by me and also reassured me that Duke was a very lovable dog.  That was my first time meeting Steele and he was super nice to sit with me and convince me as to how nice Duke was.  I was slowly warming up to the idea and continued watching this giant dog that didn't bark once, and wasn't the slightest bit of annoyed by Steele's antics---messing with his face and roughhousing with him, to prove that Duke temperament would not change.  And it didn't.  Meanwhile, Mr Red kept hugging Duke and telling me that I should do likewise.  He was like a broken record and I tried to tell him that I would do it the next time I was there.  I don't know if he didn't believe it, (I was honestly telling the truth!) or wanted to help me get over my anxiety faster.  I don't like  the sound of broken records......and just wanted him to shut his trap! So I did it.....3 times.  And Duke didn't mind in the least bit.  He even rested his large head on my shoulder....and I started to melt :)

Duke, thank you for being very calm so that I could get use to you! 

I think I like you.

Birthdays: The Good, The Bad & Everything in Between!

Today was a rather enjoyable Labor Day!  I went to the beach with my sister, Sim & niece.  We hung out with our family friends and it was just a great day!  The weather was pleasant and it was nice to get a tan.  I haven't been to the beach in a while, so it just lovely all around! 

So I'm gearing up for my birthday weekend!! I'm really really stoked!! I'm still hoping to go out with theBaker on Saturday, but we'll have to see since he has some sort of family reunion that weekend.  I'm kinda bummed.  I think I'm not gonna get my hopes up for going out with him.  I just can't, I don't want to be disappointed, especially when my birthday's involved.  

I've mentioned before that I've had not-so-great birthdays in the past...  Lemme elaborate.

*6th or 7th bday?: drew up invites, invited half of my first grade class, no one came :(

*8th bday: I was sick, sick like a dog and getting baptized a few days later.  Where I still had a cold.

*9th bday: Woke up the next morning with TONS of mosquito bites.  

*10th bday: Wanted to have a slumber party, invited all my friends and only two came over.  Bummer.

*13th bday: I was left at home with my grandfather, all day, where I got scolded pretty badly.  I was in tears til Liz came over and gave me the game of "Life", which we ended up playing for the rest of the night.

*15th bday: Got in an argument with my oldest brother, the night before my birthday, because he wanted me to go to sleep early for seminary.  The next morning on my way [on time!] to early morning seminary, the first thing my Mom said to me was, "I think you should apologize to your brother.  You shouldn't have talked back to him like that." She didn't wish my a happy birthday, and luckily, I went to Los Angeles that day for a field trip  When I got home, no one mentioned my birthday.  However, my older brother's birthday's the next day and that was well celebrated....

*16th bday: I was horribly sick and my saliva gland was infected, thus swelling up enormously.  I went to YW mutual that evening, and was well received by friends.  I didn't have to over up the huge bump I had on my face.

*18th bday: Went out with 3 close friends, two of them got in a huge fight and ruined the evening. 

*21st bday: 9/11/2001---Need I say more?

*22nd bday: My missionary trainer was in a horrible accident (she fell from an attic onto a garage floor--SCARY!!), I was emergency transfered to another area where I was the peace keeper amongst the two sisters I was with.  You could cut the tension with a knife!!  However, we had a member dinner where she fed us salmon (MY FAVORITE!!!), rice pilaf and grilled pine nuts!! YUM!!! But I had to put up with her huge, scary dogs :(

*26th bday: Had a blind date....it sucked.  

However, my birthdays have gotten a million times better!!!  

20th bday: Went to Santa Monica & LA for Price is Right, with a group of friends.  One guy from our group ended up winning the showcase showdown! We all rushed the stage and were jumping all over the place, around Bob Barker! FUN!!

23rd.

23rd bday: I was on my mission, with Ash, serving in Bordentown, NJ.  Somehow, that WHOLE day was about food!!!  It was like cramming 10 Thanksgiving dinners into one day! Since we weren't getting along all too well, my brother told me that I should "kill her with kindness" and take her out to lunch.  I woke up early, made a huge breakfast (my favorite meal!); pancakes, eggs & sausage, with orange juice.  We tracted for a while, then I took her to lunch to one of my favorite restaurants in the area, Mastoris.  Oh man, we were stuffed.  Then later in the afternoon, we had some Italian Gelatis.  Sister Lillie Nelson had us over for lasagna, where she served us HUGE portions.  Oh man, I was still stuffed from breakfast!  Since I loved her dearly, I ate my whole piece....and I think I even had a 2nd piece because she cut it before I could stop her! I'm glad I was wearing an elastic band skirt!  One of our investigators, Meredith, had us over for cake and ice cream.  And afterwards, we had a dessert appointment with Sister Donna Parke.  Oh man, we were in a FOOD COMA when we got back to the apartment.  Seriously, we were in pain.....that night....and the next day! But it definitely helped change the spirit of our companionship.  I couldn't have been more grateful.

25th.

25th bday: Made breakfast for my two roommates, Kelly & BA, after having a great day at church.  And we danced around the house to 50Cent's "In Da Club".  Later that evening, BA's parents had us over for a wonderful dinner and dessert.  We hung out downstairs playing pool, til we took home "BrighamTheBear" and then the fun started! Brigham's a GINORMOUS bear, that we put into my backseat, and had him "wave" to people as we drove home.  People actually waved back and even tried running after my car! Crazy fun!

29th.

29th bday: It was the year that people could get in free to Disneyland on their birthday.  I took advantage of it since I hadn't been there since I was about 11 yrs old.  Oh man, BEST way to spend a birthday.  I celebrated all weekend!  The day before my awesome co-worker totally decorated our office.  The next day, I worked at the temple and then went clubbing that night.  Yeah, pretty great.

30th.

30th bday: I LOVED the dress I made the night before!! It's one of my most favorite dresses, ever.  I felt so beautiful! I was surrounded by great friends eating the most delectable dessert known to man: The Viking!  

31st. 

31st bday: This has got to be my MOST celebrated birthday!! I had a dessert date with Ras, then walked around Balboa Park.  Showered with such great love from so many AWESOME friends!! This one birthday alone made up for all the sucky birthdays growing up.  Seriously,  it was just perfect!! My dear friends, the Drapers, threw me a party and I just felt so loved.  I LOVED IT!!  PajamaPants & Mr. Red even came to church to support me as I sang a duet with Joz.  It was such a beautiful duet.  Seriously, BEST birthday to date. 

I LOOOOOOOOOOVE birthdays!! Not just my own, but others, too! I like making their day as special as possible.  Since I've had a bad string of birthdays, I try to make the day as GREAT as possible.  So let's see how this year turns out!  There is really only one thing I hope to get for my birthday, but like I already mentioned, I don't want to get my hopes up..

   

HELLO SEPTEMBER!! So glad to have you here!

My nephew Bub, entered the MTC on Wednesday! He'll be there for about 2 months while he learns Tagalog for his mission to Naga, Philippines.  Luckily, he's been living in Utah for the past year and a half, so it won't sting as much to not have him here or get to talk to him as often.  I'll still miss him a lot because he's just such a GREAT guy!!  He has a very infectious personality and EVERYONE just loves him!  Maybe that's my biased opinion, but it's true, I promise.  
One of my mission companions had the coolest laundry bag! All of Ash's friends had signed it with cool & uplifting thoughts, which was cool to reflect on while out in the mission field.  I remember how awesome I thought Ash's bag was because it was so full of fun and loving memories for her to enjoy every week, while we dreadfully did laundry.  She totally loved her bag and since then, I've tried to do that for my friends/family who have also left on missions.  I did that for Simi and Hermanita, but doing it for Bub was a lil tricky.  I started it down here, with the help of Sim and then he took it up to Utah to have Bub's girlfriend have all of his friends sign it, as well.  I'm glad he enjoyed this gift. Oh Bub, I miss him so!

IT'S  SEPTEMBER!!!! You know what that means!!! IT'S MY BIRTHDAY MONTH!!! Oh I surely love birthdays!! I had a long string of terrible birthdays, but now, they're A LOT better!! First off, my birthday's September 11, and everyone who hears this usually tells me that "that's a bad day for a birthday! Gosh, I feel sorry for you!"  Seriously, if I hear that one more time, I'm gonna scream! I wish they'd realize how stupid they sound.  As if I had any way of picking my birthday AND what day a national tragedy would hit?!?  Ugh, so annoying! 
Anyways, back to GOOD birthday vibes!!  My birthday will be on a Tuesday this year, not the coolest of days, but hey, it could be worse. I always like having the Viking cake (from Extraordinary Desserts) on my birthday! So we'll see.  My parents want to take me out for lunch, to eat sushi! YUM! So now I've gotta figure out what I'd like to do for my evening.... I think I have an idea.  I'm HOPING that the Baker and I get to spend my birthday weekend together (Darn school!).  I TRY not to get my hopes up for my birthday, because of my birthday past, but I just can't help it! I love my birthday! Hmm....we'll see.  I need to start thinking of my birthday dress.  I just feel like wearing a dress on your birthday makes it so much more special!  My last several birthdays have been big hits! So I've gotta do something spectacular!! Man, I'm so giddy for my birthday weekend/week!!  YEAAAAAAAH!  CANNOT WAIT!!!