Birthday Love . . .

Many people ask the famous questions- "Are you doing anything special for your birthday?"

I guess as the years pass, the special moments in life just become different than some fabulous party or outrageous plan. I'm not going to lie, I like good parties, but there is something special to me about hanging out with close friends and eating good food these days.

So...I feel quite celebrated this week! I was spoiled and loved by many...

1. Got to spend good quality time with Capital MOMS at petroglyphs painting some pottery. I guess, just getting away for night with girlfriends is always a special treat!

2. My good friend Aubrey made these amazing blocks for me! I'm so "blessed"...=)


3. My mom treated me to a shopping outing on Sunday. Gotta love shopping!

4. Went to great Chinese food with work friends...and they picked up the bill!

5. Got my first call from my grandpa on my birthday! (He's the first one to call every year)

6. Spoiled on facebook with several "happy birthdays"...I love how people come out of the woodworks to say happy birthday on Facebook. Always reminds me of memories shared with good friends (even if we don't hang out all the time these days)...

7. Having a game night with some close friends- playing the "Newlywed Game"...one of my favs...=)

8. Getting special cards in the mail. Always a treat!

9. Spending time with family (I'm sure we'll be going to dinner)!

10. We are having a photoshoot on Saturday with (Alyssa Ballisty Photography) out at Rancho Murieta golf course then hanging out w/ the inlaws for bday treats!

11. Joe is (and always does) spoiling me with a date night...(We kind of combine our Anniversary and Birthdays all into one trip- our San Fran trip we took at the beginning of the month. Joe's bday is 10 days after mine)

12. We went to a hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant that I was craving last night...then had a nice walk to Dairy Queen for some treats...

12. My mom is treating me to breakfast and pedi's on Friday (can't wait!)

13. The list could go on and on...from texts and extra special notes and recognition.

So, yes...I'm blessed and always spoiled on my birthday! Thanks for caring and loving me!

Killing Time with Treats . . .

I'm addicted to sweet treats. I guess it's a family addiction that my mother passed down to us kids, and I haven't had the heart to break it. There is something about the car and movies (not really TV for me) that really brings it out in me too. I'm not sure if it's a boredom thing or what, but it's hard for me to go on the road without having something to snack on.

So, it's a bad habit that naturally I'm starting early with Judah. It really started just to keep him quiet. My mom told me this old trick she did with me as a kid- when we would be out for family dinners, they would hand me a wrapped tootsie roll and I would eat through the paper to get to the chocolate, but it kept me quiet for the extent needed (funny thing is- chocolate really doesn't do much for me now). During cheer practice, to keep Judah occupied, we would give him suckers...it was the only thing that would keep him on my lap and quiet so I could watch the routine - again, a bad addiction that I'm willingly passing along.

Now, we are in the habit (partially because I'm pregnant and like to snack even more) of getting treats on the car ride home from daycare. It's about a 30 minute drive home (with traffic) 3 days a week, so I have to keep the kid entertained. I'm sure the dentist is going to kill me (but I actually have pretty good teeth and I ate lots of candy growing up). All of my siblings have had good teeth too- maybe a few cavities, but never braces or any expensive dental work...so I'm kind of banking on that...(cross my fingers).

I'm starting to sound like it's a daily habit of eating junk food (which isn't the case at all)...Judah's favorite thing to eat is chicken and fruit (and occasional french fries). If I put candy and a strawberry next to each other though, he would pick the strawberry over the candy in a heart beat. So, don't get me wrong...I'm not trying to raise my kid on junk food, but I believe in simple treats. Maybe I'll blame it on my lifestyle as well. I'm not a super "routine" person so little treats here and there on-the-go just make me feel happy.

Really, my weakness is candy! In college we always had Swedish Fish and Peppermint Patties (shout out to Kristi) in a bowl on our table. Now, if I were to walk in a gas station or dollar store (some of the best candy) I would lean towards: Hot Tamales, Good N Plenty's, Sour Patch Kids, Sweetarts & Mike N Ikes (for my husband), Sour Watermelons, Sour Patch Straws, Peachy O's, Big Spoon, Goobers (for my dad and me), Laffy Taffy and the list could go on and on, but I'll stop now cause I'm thinking about getting in my car in this massive storm to run to the store...haha!

I didn't really have anything profound to talk about today- but I have a super cute video of Judah enjoying his car ride treats. Don't think of me as a bad mom (busy mom maybe)...but if you hung out with us for a week, you would understand that it's not as much of a bad habit as I'm making it sound, more of a guilty pleasure. Maybe I'll change my mindset after I'm done having kids and need my pre-prego body back- but for now, I'm indulging in the goodness of candy...=) {for those of you dieting out there- to discourage you for breaking into a bad habit- I've heard it said before- "Is eating that one M&M really worth a lump of cellulite on your booty cheek?" so stop with the bad thoughts now!}

What's your guilty pleasure?

Also, let me know if you think I'm starting a bad habit too early in Judah's life and need to kick it now! I like interesting conversations! Tell me if you completely disagree!

PS- Come over to my house tomorrow! It's S'mores Night with Capital MOMS!

Enjoy my cute {everyday laine} video of Judah and his sweet treats!

Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth...

So...this is a blog really for my husband...but I'll let those of you in my life read it as well...cause it's a good reminder to myself (and those wives out there...)

We were hanging out with some friends the other night for dinner and enjoying the conversation...Joe began discussing the amazing plans for the upcoming special needs prom, "Evening of Dreams" {www.eveningofdreams.com} and started taking some credit for his input...I jokingly said remember that verse in Proverbs- paraphrasing "don't let praise yourself, let others do it"...and he jokingly (but not so jokingly said) "well, if you did it for me, I wouldn't have to do it for myself..."

We really were laughing and joking, nothing was putting each other down (I guess you kind of had to be there)...but I walked away from that night thinking to myself...I really could do better...it's not that I don't think good things about my husband...I actually feel like I think pretty positively about him...but I don't really talk that openly in front of other people (especially when he is present) about how amazing I think he is...I think it's sometimes easier to talk highly about him when he's not around...weird I know (I think I've even heard my dad say something similar to this regarding thoughts about my mom...maybe it's a weird trait I inherited from him)...

So...I know we are all not sitting down together in a room, but here's a start...

Praise for my husband:

1. He's always been the provider for our household (even when times got really lean, he found a way to make life continue)
2. He has always made me feel secure in our relationship (I've never doubted his love for me)
3. He's got is own unique authentic relationship with God (different than the typical raised Christian)
4. He keeps our home immaculate (yep, he's the cleaner in our relationship...the dishes, the floors)
5. He does the laundry (yep, weekly laundry, and folds my clothes too)
6. He washes our sheets once a week (if you were ever a roommate of mine in college- you would understand why I appreciate this one so much)
7. He takes care of any problems I have right away (he's a "get it done" kind of person)
8. He's actually a pretty good communicator (he likes to talk)
9. He picks up after Judah and I (when we have play time together, Joe likes to clean up the aftermath- maybe "like" is an overstatement- but he always follows up and picks up)
10. He gets home after work and still will take Judah for a drive up the street in his car (even though he's probably pretty tired)
11. He let's me get away with take out or "to-go" food even when he's trying to eat healthy, because it's less work for me...
12. He watches the little man so I can go do kickboxing at 24
13. He helps me serve at church (simply worship, moms group outings...probably not his number one thing to do- but he helps me out regardless)
14. He cares about my happiness (he wants to see my happy)
15. He plans get aways and date nights to help give me breaks from the madness
16. He encourages me not to get overcommitted to things
17. He excuses my late requests for parties or obligations (when I should have confirmed weeks prior)
18. He helps keep me accountable
19. He cares about giving back (helping with Equal Start at Oakridge, Evening of Dreams, etc)
20. He worked hard to get this new job (which has hopefully taken away a big stress load in the financial stability department)
21. He's confident (confident in who he is, what he believes, what he stands for- not in a cocky way which can be pre-conceived before you get to know him)
22. He shows up at my work unexpected to take me to lunch
23. He's a great sounding board when I'm frustrated (and always willing to give good advice)
24. He loves meeting and talking to new people (I love how we are constantly building new friendships!)
25. He loves family (both mine and his)
26. He's a negotiator and compromiser on the important things
27. He's always wanting to learn and grow (taking new tests for work and expanding his education and knowledge)
28. He loves to read (even though I pull him from that good habit- he still loves it)
29. He's my protector (I always feel safe and secure in his arms)
30. He's honest (almost brutely honest sometimes...but I guess I like that)
31. He's an amazing dad! (Judah loves him and looks up to him, and he always finds the time to play with him- even when he's a lot of work...)
32. He's a great friend (I just like hanging out with him, going shopping- which he's great at too- and eating good food, movies, friends, game nights)

So...it's a good start... 32 reasons since he's 32 years old (turning 33 on April 10)
I could go on and on...but some of you have probably already stopped reading...

Love you babe- I'll work on praising you more often so you don't have too!

Proverbs 27:2

life lessons ...

Since the last time I wrote a lot has happened:

1. We won the cheer competition! YEAH! First place in the co-ed division. Super fun trip to round out the year. Makes it all kind of worth it...


2. MOMS group had a playdate with Good Day Sacramento (even though the tsunami took our live camera away from the event, it was a huge success! Can't say thank you enough to Master's Commission, Caitlin, & Aubrey for getting up super early to help set up!)

3. Judah has decided he likes to throw tantrums. Seriously, it happened over night. I'm needing any and all advice in the discipline department. This kid could careless about the word "no" and he enjoys watching me get mad at him. It's ridiculous. I'm learning a few tips from my mom, but any extra advice on tantrums and discipline would be great! Comment away! (Praying our second kid is a little more like cousin Ella- she's the sweetest most mild and meek child!)

4. Work, work, work- trying to keep up with all the campaigns we are about to launch and the daily stuff...not to mention I'm just now entering the second trimester so I've been a little tired these past few weeks.

5. Conquered the Bed Time Blues with Judah. Finally agreed to put him in his crib at 8 every night with a strict bedtime routine. We got in a bad habit of letting him fall asleep on the couch with us. But with baby 2 on the way, we had to fix this...So, Judah now crashes on his own (after the first night of screaming for 45 minutes, the second night for 10, then the 3rd night was so peaceful...he caught on quick) Thank you to all my friends (especially Aubrey for the encouraging words and will power to do this)...We love our evening so much more now!

6. A quick looks a baby #2- no names yet...we think it's a boy (i do have a girl name picked out)...Joe and I just know too many people, we can't come up with anything we like that somebody doesn't already have or that we put a face too...got our first ultrasound at 11 weeks (i'm a little slower the second time around)


I think that sums up most of what I've been doing. Oh, and watching the Bachelor (which I'm super excited that he picked Emily- yes, I do like the Bachelor) I guess that has been taking me away from blogging too...between falling asleep early on the couch and watching lame tv- I've been away from the blogging world...

I titled this post "Life Lessons" because I've been asked to speak on that topic to our Master's Commission students tomorrow. I left all my notes up at the office, but I always like stopping to think about what I've experienced in my life that would be interesting to share. I did this 2 times before on separate topics, and realized that I have to put myself back in the shoes of a college student and what i liked to talk about at that age (yep, I'm old- turning 28 this month, on my way to 30 shortly...)

So, I'm going to talk about my Twentysomethings (the good and the not so great times). I came across this awesome book when I was in college- Perspectives: A Spiritual Life Guide For Twentysomethings by Colin Creel- I really enjoyed it- and it had a lot of talking to do about "waiting." I think I felt like I was in limbo during that early stage of my 20's. Studying for what I was going to become (a high school theater teacher- which I'm completely NOT doing right now), dating people that were not right for me- really just waiting to get out of that stage of life and enter what I was really going to do in the future. I had no clue what that was going to be at the time...but it was all part of the waiting stage- waiting on God to lead/guide me and point me in the direction for my future...so...the rest is to be explored as I talk tomorrow to these young twentysomethings. (I'm old, married, almost have 2 kids)...blah blah blah

Pray that what I need to say comes out just right! Or more importantly, that what God wants to speak through me actually impacts one of these students.

This is a catch up...not really all that interesting...but a catch up so I can keep blogging from here!