Life.....

I feel like time has been flying by so quickly. I feel bad because there's so much I want to blog about but by the time I get home from work, I just want to veg and chill and cuddle with the Hubs. Sometimes it still hits me that, dude, I'm married… I have a husband… I'm a wife! Although, a lot of the time, while at work, I don't feel married because I still have to go by my maiden name until I take care of everything that needs to happen with the name change. 

But right now it's 10:53 PM, I have to make some lunches for tomorrow, finish washing the dishes, and think about someday unpacking… Especially since we've been home for a week now.

Oh yeah, and it was my nephew's birthday yesterday… Still need toblog about that.

So until I find a little more time (aka: motivation) to blog I will end with a photo.

NINE DAYS!!

How is the time flying by so SOOOOOOOOOOOO quickly?!?!? I feel like there's a lot to do and the time is just flying by so FAST!!

There's so much to blog about that I don't even know where to start...especially when it's now 12:02am and I should have been asleep over an hour ago.  It's so damn hot right now, I can't sleep in this heat!

What's on my mind.....

*Levi and I had my sister over for dinner and to hang out.  It was pretty great.  I think this is the most I've seen my sister in a week, since January.  

*My 2 oldest nephews came to visit and it was oh so nice having all my nephews and nieces in one place.  I love them all so much!!

*It was especially nice having Bub's wife here as well.  Heaven knows I didn't make it easy on her, while she was dating Bub.  I'm glad she understands that I was just overprotective.  My nephews haven't really just been nephews to me, I see them as my younger brothers sometimes.  I'm so grateful for them.  I'm also grateful to have Bub's wife in our family, as well.  Even though I gave her a hell of a time, she's always been so kind to me & my family.  I couldn't be any happier for Bub to have someone as caring as she, for eternity.

*My oldest nephew Simi got engaged on Tuesday.  I missed the proposal by a few minutes, but the video captured it nicely.  I hope he's genuinely happy.  Even though he's been here and we've spent some time together, I don't think I had a conversation with him, longer than 2 minutes.  I think I spoke with her just as long, too.  She seems nice, but perhaps we'll get a chance to talk a little longer than next time I come across her.

*I hate this heat.  It's just so miserable.  I will take the cold ANYTIME!!!  

*Ok, I'm getting tired and my eyelids are getting heavy.

G'nite.

The Kids.

As my sister's been out of town this week, I've enjoyed the extra time I've been able to spend with my youngest nephew & niece.  We've had them over for dinner a few times this week, and afterwards we'd play Speed or Egyptian War.  I know it's a simple thing, but I've really enjoyed the little time we do get to spend together.  They're growing up so fast, so I know that they'd rather spend their free time with their own friends.  I get it.  I was 12 & 18 years old once.  It's hard to believe that my two older nephews are 23 & 21 and living out on their own in another state.  I miss seeing them. 

How in the world does time fly so quickly?  I wish I could just bottle up time and keep all my nephews & nieces so young. I feel so old when I feel like this.  Then I start to wonder how I'll be when I have my own children someday.  I think I'll be even more nostalgic & sentimental.  Yikes--not good!  I mean seriously, it hurts my heart just a lil when I think of how old all my nephews & nieces are.  They are such kind hearted, intelligent and funny individuals.  I see so much goodness in them that I count my lucky stars that I get to have a front row seat to their lives.  How lucky am I!

Belated Birthday for Bub!

It's hard to believe that 21 years have flown by!! Where does the time go?!? 

My 2nd oldest nephew, Bub, turned 21 this past Monday.  I still remember the days following his birth.  Falling in love with him, once he could come home from the hospital.  I remember how big and broad his chest was, for a newborn.  I remember how delicious he smelled as a baby,  then the cute lil toddler he grew up to be.  He was cute, but MAN was he determined to do things his way!  Seems to me, he's never grown out of that.

He was always my pal, in our family.  He was the one who was chill and just all around funny to be with.  Our senses of humor were pretty similar, so it was always easy to crack jokes together....and also gang up on his oldest brother (sorry, Sim).  However, because we got along so well, we also knew what it took to push each others' buttons.  But by morning, things would be resolved after I'd blindly find him and ask him to find my glasses that went missing in the middle of the night.  After a while, he knew that if I was squinting and looking for him, he knew exactly what needed to be done.  Out of my 3 nephews, I trusted him with this task because I knew he wouldn't accidentally break my glasses or give up after 2 seconds.  Even now, I miss living under the same roof, when I wake up and can't find my glasses...like this past Saturday morning,

In fact, I miss living under the same roof with him.  I miss having someone to joke with, someone tall to get things above my head and just all around someone chill to just sit in silence with.  Heck, I think I just miss living in the same city as him.  I wish with all my heart I could turn back time, even to 3 years ago, when we'd spend our summer days going to Institute classes and doing "Minute to Win it" challenges while laughing our heads off!  Time flies and babies grow up...then they get married.  I'm glad he's found someone to love and that loves him in return.  I think I like this photo best, from his wedding, because he looks exactly how I always wish him to be; happy, joyful, in love and with the love of his life by his side.  I wish him every bit of happiness. Heaven knows he deserves that, and more!

Happy Birthday Bub, it's been a pleasure watching you grow up into the handsome, daring & comical young man that you've become.  I love you more than you'll ever know.♥

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!

On the up and up...

Yesterday, I woke up thinking it was Friday.  I was immediately happy, giddy and excited that I would be seeing Levi, because we had made Friday night date plans!!  Till it dawned on me that it wasn't Friday, but in fact just Thursday.  Man, I was so bummed! Such a let down.  It felt like the day seemed even longer.  When I woke up this morning, I couldn't wait for the day to pass quickly and to get my optometrist appoint over with cause I would soon be seeing Levi.
However.... it wasn't smooth sailing today....
-Found out from my Facebook newsfeed, from a conversation between my nephew's fiancee and her friend, that he's getting married on June 21.  Yet again, just like his engagement, I had to find out about his life on Facebook. Well then again, her grandma didn't know about the upcoming wedding until that same Fb conversation.  It's so nice that they're old enough to get married, but not mature enough to inform family members--like his own Mom. Wow....
-Got in a huge argument with my parents.  Hurtful things were said and to be honest, it was emotionally draining. 
-Skipped out on my optometrist appointment, because my eyes were red from crying and rubbing them.  To be honest, the optometrist that I go to is a jerk and I didn't want to give him something else to ream me about. 
But in the end, just like the rainy, grey weather of today, the day/evening got better!
**My friend Tui, who's Tongan & Japanese, received her mission call today to the Japan Sendai mission.  She'll be entering the MTC on April 24.  She called me up to personally tell me and thank me for making her feel so welcomed in the CVYSA ward when she started attending right after high school.  That really touched my heart that amongst all the calls she made today, she felt prompted to call me and to thank me.  I teared up.  I'm so happy for her!  She's going to be a terrific missionary!
**Filippi's Pizza Grotto, is opening a location here in Imperial Beach! OH YEAAAAAH!!! Man, I LOOOOOVE their pizza! Seriously, it fills the Pie Pizzeria hole that I have in my heart. 
**I had a fabulous date night with my sweetheart.  Just being with him was more than I could have asked for today.  It was perfect.  We went to Aroma Thai and had yellow curry w/ chicken and broccoli and chicken in peanut sauce. DELICIOUS!!!! Oh man, I LOOOOOOVED it!!  Then we stopped in at Oasis Ice Cream Parlor where it has THE BEST ice cream in the world! Seriously, I LOVE this place! I had coconut & watermelon and it was DIVINE!! It's like eating a real frozen watermelon and coconut! I have no desire to go to Cold Stone, with Oasis around!! Levi had banana and rocky road and man, it was super yummy!!!!! Gosh, I love this place too much!  Afterwards we went to see Identity Thief and man, I totally LAUGHED OUT LOUD!!!!  I have always enjoyed Melissa McCarthy because she will forever be Sookie St. James, in my mind. It was just a spectacular evening with my sweetheart.  He's the best, he really is!  Oh my lucky stars, I'm so blessed.

Photo Booth App!

I LOVE PHOTO BOOTH TIME!!!!

I'd buy an iPhone just for that app! 

Bub @ LAX & Pandas at large!

As previously mentioned, my missionary had a 7 hour layover at LAX, so we drove up on Monday to hang out with him for a couple hours.  

It was so good to see him.  Man, I couldn't stop taking photos of him! I was just that excited to see him!

 He's changed, a bit, but for good.  He's a lil more mellow and quieter, which can come in handy as a missionary.  I missed hugging him so much!! Oh my Bub, I can't believe how fast time has surely flown by!! He's a grown man now!!!  22 more months til I get to see and hug him again.  I hope and pray that all will be well with him, in the Philippines!  Oh Bub ♥

This Halloween has been fantastically wonderful!! I couldn't have been more pleased to have spent it with Levi. He is so generous, kind and loving!!  Oh how I love this man dearly.  I ALWAYS have the best of times with him!

MY HALLOWEEN SURPRISE!! Loved it!!

This has been the most celebrated Halloween, ever in my life.  I owe it all to this man.  Oh I sure do love him dearly!!! Thank you Levi for being the BEST boyfriend ever! 

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!

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!!

MTC Map!

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

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!!!
♥

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!!!  

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!  

DAMN BUG!!!!!

Ever since I was a little kid, I have HATED, HAAAAAAAATED these:

Seriously, I would cringe and run the hell away.  I always felt like they were chasing me and I could never get away from them.  My family always called them, Japanese Beetles, but this is actually a Figeater Beetle. Whatever you wanna call them, I just can't stand them!!!!  

Yesterday, one of my worst fears came to life.....

I went to the Farmers Market in IB with two of my nephews and one of their girlfriends.  As we started to drive away, Bub's hands & arms started waving through the air.  I looked in the rearview mirror and saw Kalani scrunched up against his girlfriend, in the backseat, kicking and screaming.  

And then I heard it...

BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!

....that familiar, scary sound was back to haunt me! 

There we were, driving down Seacoast, screaming and waving our hands frantically trying to keep this dreaded beetle away from us.   I, however, had to keep my hands on the steering wheel, even though I wanted to close my eyes, scream and get the hell away from it  I was stuck behind the slowest cars in the entire universe and all I wanted to do was pull over and find this damn bug! At one point, it landed on the dashboard in front of me.  I was screaming and wincing in fear!  I was terrified that it was going to fly straight into my face and I'd lose control of the car.  I grabbed a magazine from my cup holder so Bub could hit it.  It started to fly around and headed towards my left ear.  I already pictured it flying in my hair and not being able to get it out.  Once I was able to safely pull over, we jumped out of that car like a bat outta hell!  No one could find it!  We were hoping that maybe it flew out of the sunroof.  We gave it a minute or two to rear its ugly head.....but nothing turned up.  Maybe in all of our commotion, it flew out. That what we could only hope! 

This morning, as I was driving to a funeral, I was about 5 minutes away from the church when I heard that all too familiar sound! I cringed in pure terror!  I was alone and had just put the magazine under the passenger seat.  I had nothing to defend myself!  [You may be laughing, but seriously, I HATE this insect with EVERY. FIBER. OF. MY. BEING.!!!] I turned around and saw it on the floor, in the backseat.  All I had was my purse so I put it on top of it. As I tried to turn the corner oh so slowly, my purse rolled off of it and I had no idea where it was!  I had chills down my spine and all the hairs on my arms were standing on edge!!!  My knuckles were white as I squeezed the steering wheel, paralyzed with fear!!  I was able to safely get to church, jump the hell out of my car and scoop it out with a piece of paper.  As soon as I threw it out, it started to fly back towards me!! Are you kidding me?!?!  Had it flown any closer, I would have killed it!  I didn't care anymore!!! STUPID BUG!

I was so shaken up and had to calm my nerves quickly, before walking into the church.  I had the willies and had to shake it out of my system. I'm glad I was late because I would have looked like I was on some sort of hallucinogens, to all those walking in.  Sick, sick I tell you!! I hate those damn bugs!!! I'm just so glad that it didn't rear its ugly head last night as I was driving around downtown!  I was probably driving for close to an hour last night and I know I would have surely crashed had it started flying around inside my car, last night.  Geeeez. I wish these damn things never made it on the ark!  

A July Quickie....

*Oh I love me some wedding blogs: http://ohdarlingwedding.blogspot.com/

*My Meniere's has been kicking my arse more than ever.  Seriously, it sucks.  My head feels like it's in a constant tailspin. I feel like I have to be constantly moving, to fight against the Vertigo that sets in.  I'm sure to those around me, it looks like I can't sit still.  If I try to sit still I feel like I'm gonna fall out of my seat.  Stupid Meniere's Disease!

*My nephew Bub has been here for the last week and it's been so wonderful having him around.  I've become so accustomed to him not living here, which is a good thing because I tend to hold on too tightly to my nephews & niece.  What can I say, I love them so much!  Bub leaves for his TWO YEAR mission in about a month.  Man, I'm not ready to not having him a phone call away.  

*My niece returned back to school this week.  Time flies by so quickly!  I like when kids are out for the summer because I feel like they're able to just be kids and carefree.  Sometimes I think the world asks them to grow up too quickly.  

*My calling at church has been getting better.  I'm the Family Home Evening Committee Chair (I think that's a stupid name since I'm obviously not the "Chairman".....can't I just be the "FHE Prez" or the "FHE Mama"?) and I've finally added to my committee.  I finally got smart and added some friends to the committee, which makes a difference.  Sometimes the call feels a lil daunting since I still don't know the ward as much as I'd like to.  I just want everyone to come out to FHE and have a great time.  

*I don't know if much has improved since laaaaaaast Saturday.  Sometimes, I want to go out of my way to help my Dad with a particular task, but then I don't want to become a doormat later.  I was talking with my Mom today, but I made sure not to say too much.  I've always wished I had the type of Mother/Daughter relationship that I could openly talk and share my thoughts & feelings with.  Sadly, I don't and I need to be on guard of the things I share with my parents because it'd be like giving them ammo for later.  When I was dating & later broke it off with Morgan, I thought I could share lil things with my Mom....you know, how most Mom & daughters talk.  It didn't matter because she ended up using it against me in an argument.  I've learned a lot from my parents, both good and bad.  My heart will forever long to have a ideal relationship with my parents. I don't think this will ever happen. If ever I'm blessed with the opportunity to be a parent, I hope my kids will trust me enough to talk and share their lives with me.  I hope they'll know how much I'll love them, by word and deed.  

*I started to talk to Logan again, thinking we could try to be friends....  He's TOO hung up on the fact that I'm Mormon.  He continually compares me to the Mormons he knew up in Utah.  It's like I have to prove to him that I'm not like that, nor am I your typical Mormon.  He thinks I know nothing about the Catholic religion, that ALL my time is spent on church stuff, that ALL my friends are Mormons and basically I have no life outside of church.  I just couldn't do it anymore. I hate when I have to prove myself on anything, it means that someone's not believing me....as if I'm lying.  Grrr!!  So yet again, I've said good bye to Logan. This time it's for good.  GRRR MEN!

*Oh speaking of which... I didn't go to Pride.  My Meniere's was a huge factor in it.  I just couldn't handle the dizzy head and didn't want the lack of sleep and extreme sun to add to it.  I'm kinda bummed, but there's always next year.  

Facebook Friday, I guess?

I'm pretty stoked today, not gonna lie.....

*Today is my very dearest best friend, StephyPooh's birthday!! She's amazing, she really is!  Anyone would be so lucky to know her and have her as a friend! I feel so blessed.

*I started a group on Facebook, "Mormon Battalion Photos!". I've always wanted to see a collection of these photos:

I think they're just so funny and all around fun to see. I'd also like to think of it as a small way of doing missionary work.  Heaven knows I need to step up my game, in that arena!  Check it out! Join! Contribute!

*Then I saw on FB that my friend Nadia's husband, Shawn, just gradu,ated with his Masters degree! This guy is pretty phenomenal and together, they're pretty awesome! Some of my most favorite people! I'm stoked for him!

*Tomorrow evening, my friend Ang is celebrating her 25th birthday! She's a fun girl that just so happens to make some VERY delicious Mexican food! I'm excited for a very fun time!

*I'm also suppose to go on a date tomorrow night............   So there's this guy that I happened to go to Jr.High with [he was two years ahead of me].   I never knew him in school, but always remembered his freshmen photo, because I thought he was pretty dang cute.  Even back then, I was a sucker for cute white boys with blonde hair! Plus, look at those dimples! Adorable, right?!  It's like we've been in the same circles, just never knew it.  When I worked for an attorney service here in town, the law office he works for was one of our biggest clients.  I may have even spoken on the phone with him and never even knew it.   A friend on Facebook invited me to our alma mater's Spring musical. So random, but thought it'd be cool to support the local arts.  I asked Freshman15 if he'd possibly like to go on a date to a play at our ol' high school.  I thought it was a cute idea and he was pretty open to the idea.  Now......if only I could swing both the play & the party!  

*Speakin of dates... two friends (more like acquaintances) want to set me up on a blind date.  A friend of theirs is in his mid-30's, an ER (maybe ICU) nurse, return missionary who has put off dating and marriage to focus on his career until just recently.  Apparently he's tired of being single and wants to change that.  Somehow I came to their minds and they want to set me up on a date with him.  I happened to see what he looks like on one of their Facebook's and he's not really my type.  He's basically like a Peter Priesthood and that's not necessarily my type.  I want someone who's open minded and will be okay with two of my closest friends who are gay.  Also, he's brown.  This brown girl isn't really attracted to brown guys.  {Brown guys either look like a cousin or end up being a cousin----so, no thanks.}  Should I even entertain my friends and go out on a date with this guy?  Clearly what I've been going for hasn't worked....maybe I should try something different? 

*The more I think about church, the more I feel like I should go back to my family ward.  I feel like I can't be as active as I'd like to be.  We'll see how I feel after this Sunday & Monday's FHE. .

 

 

*Bub & his fiancee, Sissy drove back to Utah last night. It was so much fun having both of them here! My heart misses Bub, but I've learned a lot in the last several months.  I haven't always thought the nicest thoughts about his fiancee.  She didn't really give me any reason to, but my overbearing mind and overprotective heart consumed the best of me.  She is a very warm, kind, generous and loving young woman.  She makes my Bub happy beyond a doubt and fills his heart & life with love.  They treat each other with tenderness and respect.  I've learned a lot while watching them and I've been humbled. I couldn't have ever dreamed of someone as (dare I say...) perfect for him, like she is.  I wish them the very best of love & happiness.....Heaven knows they deserve it. 

Weekend Recap: April 14 - April 16

*This is my nephew, Bub. He's going on a mission to......

*Can't believe how fast time flies! I can't believe he's already old enough to go on a mission! WOW!
*This has been such a crazy great weekend! I'm so glad to have Bub in town!
*We went to Bronx Pizza on Monday, to celebrate Bronx's anniversary. We scored free teachers and SUPER delicious pizza! YUMMY! We had an hour to kill in line, so we took photos....

*And then we ended up at the Mormon Battalion Center. FUN TIMES!!

I don't know what more to say other than, it's been a blast! Well I gotta get showered and head over to hang out with Bub! Man, I love my nephews & niece! I'm so blessed!

Thursday, I can't wait to meet you!

I'm looking forward to today!

1. My nephew Bubba's in town!! Oh I've missed him so!

2. I get to see "Houston" again tonight!

3. I'll be "juicin' my carrots" at Houston's.  I'm stoked to have fresh juice!

4. Then I'll be going to dinner with Mr. Red. I enjoy spending time talking with him.

5. I'm stoked to be havin' my favorite Gyro from Beach Club Grille in IB--SO GOOOOD!!

Now, if only I didn't have to go to work...

 

Just the Sunday I needed!

Today was a pretty splendid day!  I was able to attend church with one of my favorite people. He always makes any situation a thousand times better. I LOVE just talking with him, he’s so intellectually stimulating. I was SO HAPPY at church! I haven’t felt that way since I was attending my YSA ward. I felt real again! I wasn't just going through the motions of church. I actually laughed in church--more than a nice little “church chuckle” to be courteous.  I had a comfortable friend by my side, again. I couldn’t have been more grateful. I just couldn’t go through another Sunday like last week. Today was a million times better!!     God knows how thankful I am for Mr. Red!  I hope to be a better friend to others because of his selfless and giving heart. 

I was blessed to spend time with my sister and the kids. I miss having noise in the house. I miss hearing their voices and all their musical noises. I miss hugging them every time I’d see them around the house. I also got to take a nap on our old comfy couch. I forgot how much I loved that couch. It felt like home again. I’ve tried not to think much about my old house and how much I’ve missed it. In all honesty, I’ve tried to forget it because it hurts too much to think about it. I nodded off while my nephew Sim was saving the world through some Xbox game. When I woke up, I felt like I was back in my old childhood home again. I felt that comfort of home and family once more.

Since Mr. Red picked me up for church and dropped me off at my sister’s, I had my nephew Sim take me home. On the way, we picked up his youngest brother, “Kalanster" [sidenote: on the radio, I heard Christina Perri’s song, A Thousand Years--LOVE this song!! It's my new favorite song!!] I was telling them both about a new and VERY delicious taco stand that was way better than our usual taco shop that we go to. We just happened to be driving down the very street that the taco stand was on, and I asked that we stop. I’m so glad we did and even more excited that they both enjoyed it a lot! But more than that, I had a blast just spending time with them. I seriously think I’m beyond blessed with the AWESOME nephews and niece that I have. The boys were making me laugh soooooooooooooooo much!!! As we walked up, I told Sim to place our order. I don’t know why he did it, but he started to order in Spanish. I was going to dare him to do it, but he totally did it anyways. Which was hilarious to hear anyways!! Oh man, TOO DANG FUNNY!!! And Kalanster, he’s just a funny kid anyways!! It was so hard to eat and laugh at the same time!! Makes me wish Bubba was around. Seriously, I don’t know how I lucked out to be so spoiled with such great nephews!! 
Today was just the type of day that I needed!  I couldn’t be anymore grateful to a loving Heavenly Father that knows exactly what we need and blesses us accordingly. Was today a "tender mercy" type of day? Indeed, it was!  My heart is so full and my cup runneth over.