Alive... I think

December has proven itself to be super busy!! In fact, I'm laying in bed not doing my math test so I can catch up with my blog readers! ;)

Christmas came and went too fast! The kids were in Utah so Bry and I were able to "date" a bit while they were gone. It was fun playing newlyweds but I missed my babies too much! Christmas Eve I think was the hardest on us. We didn't have any where to go so we went to dinner but there was like NOTHING open! It was horrible! We ended up going to Monte's on Mill in Tempe, it was super yum!

Last night we enjoyed "Christmas" with the kids when they got home. It was fun seeing their reactions! It just stinks that all that time and energy goes into less than an hour of unwrapping! Andy loved getting a cell phone and hasn't stopped texting yet! Natali loved getting an electric keyboard and has played non-stop for us! Giovanni loved getting a portable DVD player {he's a movie junkie} and hasn't stopped asking for more movies! We loved getting our kids back and spending time together.

We hope you had a Merry Christmas and were able to spend it with the ones you loved.

November

What in the world happened to November?! Oh, that's right... I was working! Which, btw, I love my new job! I have been working long hours Monday through Thursday so I can leave early on Fridays, it works out nice but I miss my lover buggers and wish there were more hours in the day to spend with them.

So, here is a quick run down of November's main happenings-- first up-- my 28Th birthday! The week before I went to a super fun girls night dinner with my favorite girls! {I have a pic but it's on my camera and I can't find that at the moment} We enjoyed yummy food and great conversation! Thanks, ladies! The next day I celebrated with my parents and then Friday I celebrated with my family. The kids spent the night at my cousin's house on Thanksgiving night and so Bry and I got up super early to do some black Friday shopping and then he surprised me by taking me to Avante to get my hair done! I was in desperate need of change, and let me tell you change was had!! I'm in LOVE with my short "Mormon" hair as my family and I lovingly call it! Friday night we went out with our good friends the Bradshaws to dinner and play pool... way too much fun!! As sad as I thought I'd be to turn another year older I actually am enjoying it! Thank you to all for my birthday wishes and the sweet gifts! I was so touched by everyone being so thoughtful!

My new haircut!! I totally am loving it sooo much!!

My love and I on my birthday!





Thanksgiving is up next! Thanksgiving morning I went and did the Cheshire 5k! I hope next year to be with all of you I saw who ran the whole way! I had fun and was loving the nice brisk air! I had Thanksgiving at my house again this year, but we did it a little different than in the past-- we skipped turkey and decided to do a Mexican theme! Enchiladas, floutas, taco bake... yum!! We had traditional desserts of pumpkin pie and cobbler, but besides that it was all a fiesta! We even had a pinata! It was a total blast! I am so blessed to be surrounded with amazing friends and an amazing family. I don't know what I did to get so lucky!
Hope you all had an awesome holiday and were able to spend it with those you love.

Last- I finished my first semester of college!! I managed to pass my English class with a B and my Art History class with a C-- 79% you'd think I could have gotten that pity 1% for a B lol. I'm still taking my Math class until the middle of January but so far I have an A in there! I'm pretty dang amazed at myself!

And that was November in a nut shell!! We're doing great, the kids are growing like weeds, and getting funnier by the minute! We're just busy and trying to enjoy the time we do get together.

Now can you believe 24 days until Christmas?! Let's see if I can blog again before then! :)

Spooky!!!

The crew Andy, Giovanni, Ma, Nate, and Nati

Wonder Woman Natali

Giovanni the Vampire

Andy the 1920's gangsta

These guys have so much fun together, I love it!

This Halloween was a fun one for us! We were lucky to spend it with great friends and family... It's become tradition that we go trick or treating with the cousins so we had fun with 5 little ones tonight and 7 adults walking the neighborhood while Bamba {Bry's Mom} passed out candy at our house.

We also started a new tradition this year of having the "great pumpkin" come to our house and if the kids choose they take 10 pieces of candy and the rest is given to the great pumpkin who then leaves them money but takes their candy. Natali and Giovanni were all over it, but Andy was overly conflicted and opted out at the last minute.... we'll see how it goes in the morning when the other kids have money and he doesn't. lol.

So here are my cutie pies! Happy Halloween, guys! I can't believe it's already November!! Yikes!!

Oh... and did you notice we died our kids hair? lol. Yep, it's permanent, but we're sure it will wash out eventually... and for now they think we are the coolest parents EVER! lol

Sneak Peak

Last weekend we got family pictures taken with Bry's family. Chalice Leaman {click on her name for her site} did the pics and I'm in love with what I've seen so far!
Here's a few for your viewing pleasure! ;)

Bittersweet Faith Leaps

About a month ago I posted on my facebook status "Autumn is taking a leap of faith" and today that leap is officially happening. After long hours of prayer, what our family needed to do was made extra clear to both of us, so that day Bry put in his notice at work. His company asked him to stay an extra 2 weeks to help train his replacements, and being my sweet hubs he said yes. Well, today is his last day of work. Starting Monday Bry will be going back to school full time and being Mr. Mom while I go back to work full time. {don't worry- I'm still going to be going to school, too!}

This is obviously a huge change for our family, but also one that we have sought guidance from the Lord with and we know what we are doing {while be it scary at times} is the right one. When Bry put in his notice we didn't really know how exactly the whole money thing would pan out but we had a feeling it would work out, and it did. The next day at my fat dr {I need to stop calling it that, I know} I was talking to my friend who is the office manager and she was telling me they needed someone and asked if I would be interested in working there. Up until that point the thought of me going back to work hadn't even crossed my mind. I will be starting the job next week. It's truly amazing how the Lord paves the way when you finally decide to listen.

I know this isn't going to be the easiest of changes for any of us. I enjoy my time during the day to do what I want, and am still trying to figure out how in the world I'll ever catch up with my TV shows {wink, wink}. The kids are trying to get used to the thought that they might not do another craft project after school for a while {though I have book marked a bunch of craft blogs in the event Bry decides to get crafty on us!}, and Bry is trying to remember what it's like to be a full time student and cook, clean, do laundry, and get the kids on time.

We are excited for this new unexpected chapter in our life. We are both sad to be saying good bye to some amazing co-workers Bry has had over the past year. That being said, we are also excited to say good bye to long hours and never having our daddy and hubby around.

So... ready or not... leap of faith starts NOW! :)

Lucky Ducky!

I must start by saying I NEVER win ANYTHING! I can remember being in a pumpkin carving contest at our bank in our small town when we were growing up and my sister won and my parents hid $5 under my pumpkin because they felt bad.... sad, sad.

Anyways, I think my luck is changing! I'm an avid reader of Seriously So Blessed {one of the funniest blogs around!} and I entered one of her giveaways, well yesterday I noticed she posted the winners- I couldn't click fast enough and I see MY name next to this super cute hoodie!


Isn't that so fun?!

My Journey...

I haven't blogged in a while about my weight loss... Perhaps I feel you all are getting tired of it. My motivation needs a tune up, school is kicking my booty, but I realized today that I should be good and proud of my progress.

I've been contemplating telling everyone just how fat I used to be-- but I've decided against that. lol. Maybe once I reach my goal I will post it... that's to be determined though. lol

About my goal... a lot of people have asked me what my goal is. To answer that, my goal has never been a number. My goal is to feel good about myself when I look in the mirror. To be able to shop in a store and not have to buy plus size clothing {which I no longer have to do! YAAY!}. My goal is to be happy with my appearance, which is loaded right there. I know that I will never be a size 2- I'm 5'9" for cryin' out loud, that won't happen. lol. So... my goal, my dear friends, is to be the best me I can be. If that means I stop losing weight next week, perfect, if that means I stop in 20lbs- great! But this whole journey is so emotional that I just need to love me for me.

I was telling my friend the other day I still look in the mirror and see the "old" me. I still think my stomach is huge, my butt is giant, and my thighs are disgusting. It's all so mental. I know I've lost weight, I see the scale. But as a woman that's been overweight for so long I think there's a little voice inside me saying "it's just not good enough". Day by day I'm trying to get better, to love myself, to appreciate my body the way it is. Today I noticed I walked 4 flights of stairs and then about 8 city blocks downtown Phoenix and never once lost my breath. It was amazing. Small victories like those remind me of how far I really have come. This past weekend my hubs text me a quote from Preisthood session. Elder Uchdorf, "The Lord doesn't, nor should we, compare our efforts to others" I'm sure he was meaning this pertaining to the Gospel, but I am guilty of doing this in all aspects. So that's another thing I'm trying to do is not compare myself to others.

So, to date I've lost 110lbs in my 8 months since having my band. I've gone down about 12 dress sizes and 3 bra sizes {sorry if that is tmi- but I think it's so funny how small they are now! lol}. My wrists have shrunk so much that I had 3 links taken out of my watch and I no longer need chain extenders for my necklaces. I also cross my legs ALL the time now! I can paint my own toenails, too!




This picture was me at my sis-in-laws bachelorette party late last November. This is for sure a "before" picture.
This pic is me Saturday night... It's amazing to look at the difference... Crazy!

Thank you, my sweet friends, for all your support, encouragement, and love throughout this wild and crazy journey!

Super Saturday Turned Fabulous Friday

This year I'm doing our wards "Super Saturday" but all of the Saturdays were a no go for our building so my friend suggested doing it on a Friday night... hence the "Fabulous Friday!"
I'm way excited! I have a new found friend who has a vinyl business who did my super Saturday when I lived in Verrado, Sage. She is AMAZING! As is my bff Britty who has been my right hand craft woman in helping me do this! She has been such an awesome sport with this!


So here are the crafts we are doing! Tell me what you think... I"m so excited, but the hubs isn't so excited for how much I'm going to spend! ;)
We are also doing picture blocks and flower hair clips but I don't have pics of those! {Thanks Tera for doing the bows!}

The Stockings Were Hung Board is going to have a few little jewels on it and is only $21 {it comes in red, white, or green}

This cute little believe block also comes in red, white, or green and has cute sparkles for $5
k, I'm most excited for the Give Thanks... it will be out in my house year round and is only $17!







The Fun Money bank also comes in "Mission Fund", "Savings" and is only $7 and come is a variety of different dot colors






This Believe tile is $5 and can also say "Noel", "Joy", or "Peace"






This "Have yourself a merry little Christmas" also comes in white and the "C" comes in a variety of different colors, too and is $17






I'm loving these "Harvest" blocks... $12!!





So I put the prices for because I'm putting my blog address on the order form so the Sisters in my ward can come look before they put their orders in and then they won't have to wait to see the table on Sunday! :)

Melting

Last night was Bry's night to pick for our date, and let me tell you, he didn't disappoint! I knew the night would be good when he came home with roses... I {heart} roses! Though I made the mistake of telling Bry early on that I didn't like flowers because they just die, he still surprises me every now and again with them! He's the best!

Anyways, we got all dolled up and headed over to Ahwatukee to the Melting Pot... can we say oh my YUM?! We'd never been, so it was a super fun experience. We were there nearly 2 hours and enjoyed every minute of the romance, the food, and the company. This salad was the Caprese salad and OH MY GOODNESS! I wanted more, and more, and more... and I'm still craving it tonight! Everything was so perfect! Well, until this super drunk guy in a table near by started to speak loudly about "Mormons" and the kind of people we are, but I'm trying to forget about that. Thankfully, this guy being annoying was somewhat entertaining seeing as even the servers were getting annoyed with him! But, back to the awesome date... lol


I love spending time with the hubs, and there's just something about sitting shoulder to shoulder sharing yummy chocolate and feeding each other that just screams romance!

I'm so blessed to have such an amazing hubby! But now I need some ideas on how to one up him next weekend! ;) Thanks babe for being so amazing and putting so much thought into our date, and thanks even more for stopping at Filiberto's on the way home and getting me a horchata-- now THAT's love!

Spoiled

My parents have been staying with us and we are all getting a little spoiled. My kids especially. They love Papa getting up and cooking them breakfast every morning, and love even more that Papa listens to their requests! I love that my Dad likes to keep a clean kitchen so I can be lazy and the kitchen still gets done! ;)

Tonight at 10:04pm Papa was setting up for breakfast in the morning. I told him the kids were getting too spoiled and he needed to make them cereal for breakfast so that when they leave my kids don't go into total shock when they realize Mommy doesn't cook breakfast on school days. :)
Papa did say cereal wasn't an acceptable breakfast {he wanted to make chorizo and eggs or french toast} so he is making toast and sausage to accompany their cereal.

I'm glad my kids are getting time to be spoiled by Grammy and Papa. Natali gets her hair and jewelery done by Grammy every morning. I am loving getting to shower and get dressed while my kids are getting the finishing touches done to them! It's nice to have my parents around and spend time with them also! Thanks, Mom and Dad!

Birthday Boys!!!!

Today is such a special day! Two of my favorite boys in the universe have their birthdays today!
I'm sure it's not easy to share a birthday with your brother, but Andy and Giovanni do a good job at it!

We woke up at 6:30 to open birthday gifts, eat birthday breakfast {an all meat omelet for Andy and homemade pancakes drenched in syrup for Giovanni! Yum!!}, and get ready for school! The boys brought cupcakes to school with them {60 cupcakes!! YIKES!} then we brought them lunch to school... Giovanni wanted a McDonald's happy meal and Andy wanted Asian beef with rice and sushi {yumm-o!!}.

Tonight we are making Hawaiian haystacks for dinner and then having a family over for cake. Then I'll be staying up all night baking-- Giovanni's party is at 10 tomorrow morning and Andy's is at 2 tomorrow afternoon {I don't know what I was thinking lol}

I'm so happy to celebrate these boys today... they are my little lover buggers! I couldn't imagine my life without them!
{we went to Fry's today-- the boys climbed into the freezer-- I had to take a pic!!}


10 Reasons I Love My 10 Year Old {"Andy Pandy Pants"}
1. He can ALWAYS make me laugh {unless he's making me cry-kidding!}
2. He keeps me on my toes
3. He asks every day {without fail} if he can drive
4. He is one of the best helpers when he knows I'm stressed
5. He loves to read and when he's really into a book you can't even talk to him
6. He is a mans man, loves meat, guns, and pretty girls {I'm in trouble! lol}
7. He is developing a testimony of the Gospel and will make a great missionary
8. He is truly smart
9. When he puts his mind to something there's no stopping him
10. He is constantly seeking after knowledge


5 Reasons I Love My 5 Year Old {"Barky Von Shnowzer"}
1. He is my boy {just ask him, he loves me the most}
2. As much as he struggled with speaking, he tried so hard and his hard work payed off
3. He has developed the cutest little personality
4. He gives the best foot rubs EVER {and loves giving them!!}
5. He takes after his Daddy- could sit and watch movie after movie and popcorn for every meal!


Boys, I love you so much! I'm so blessed to be your Mommy! You two are my favorite boys EVER! I love you both the most-- I WIND!!! ;)

Advancing

Tuesday night Andy was advanced from a Bear to a Weblo in Cub Scouts. He also received his Religious Knot, one of the only 3 awards you can take with you in scouting. I am so proud of Andy, of all our hard work {it was as much me climbing on him as it was him lol} and of the confidence this has given him!

Part of the advancement they have a parent go up with the scout and have a contest, like eat three crackers and then try to howl like a wolf... well, Bry and Andy got a tin of whipped cream each and had to find the candy kisses hidden inside... only my hubby would end up putting the tin in our son's face when they were done and the whipped cream would fly all over one of my besties in the ward... Good thing Tera loves me and is a good sport! ;)I'm so proud of Andy. He has grown so much in the past few years. I love seeing his little testimony develop and I love seeing the example he is setting for the other kids. This does make me sad because this means it's Andy's last year in Cub Scouts , next year {when he turns 11} he will be in Boy Scouts... it's crazy to think of! But I am happy we won't have to buy a new book each year! ;)

Way to go, Andy! You're my favorite {almost} 10 year old!!

Surprise!!

This is my favorite family pic we've EVER taken-- I seriously want to use it for our Christmas cards!
Luis, Bry, Me, and GI Jen {his co-workers and buds}
Lu-E and Bry {everyone has a nickname}
So, I said I didn't want to take a pic w Jen cause I'd look too fat w her so she puffed out her cheeks-- LOVE it! lol
Alicia, Jen, Me, Jess, and Britt-- THE best friends a girl can ask for!
Me and Britty! So fun having my best friend so close!! yay!

Last Saturday I had a surprise party for Bry for his birthday! I wanted to make his 30th birthday extra special for him. It was so hard for me to keep this from him because I tell him EVERYTHING! But, I did it! I didn't even brake when we were laying in bed one night after Natali's party and he was telling me he was so happy he and I were going to spend a quiet date night together for his birthday! {Let me tell ya, I was tempted to tell him at that moment, but I didn't!}

Saturday morning I got into my "cleaning mode" now, everyone thought this would send red flags, but if you really know me I have a tendency to get in these moods where I want the house scrubbed, so I'm sure Bry thought I was just having one of "those" days. lol. We then went to Wal Mart to pick up some things and Bry diddle dawdled the whole time. He isn't a shopper, but that day he was lol. I was rather annoyed when he stopped by the booth they had set up in the front of the store and let the kids get bracelets for a donation for breast cancer and took like 10 min. lol. But finally we got home and my friend Alicia came over. I told Bry that Alicia needed some girl time so asked if he could take the kids out for a while. It worked!! :)

We were supposed to have fondue and a chocolate fountain... it turned out more like fondon't... but, I tried. So veggies, dip, and a chocolate fountain. YUM! :)

Thank you so much to our friends who helped keep this a surprise and helped me keep my sanity!

And once again, Happy Birthday to my love-- I'm so blessed to have such an amazing hubby, even though you are old... good thing I think older men are sexy ;)


Just 2 more birthday's to go this month and we're done! Let me tell you-- NO MORE KIDS BORN IN AUGUST!! {as long as that's what His plan is, too, of course lol}

30

Yesterday Bry celebrated his 30th birthday! It was a fun day, but kinda sucked because he had to work. We woke up and he got his presents-- a few weeks back he got the new Palm Pre so that was his big gift, but the kids made him a shirt, a key chain that says "We {heart} u daddy", and a plaque that says "Fathers who are kids at heart make the best daddies". Bry then left for work and I rushed to get the kids to school.

I then did something I've never done before in attempt to make the hub's bday special... I made him homemade Carmel corn! Bry is a total pop corn connoisseur, and he's always talked about his mom making Carmel corn so I got the recipe and gave it a try! It was sooo easy! After I was done {and tested the finished product} I drove and met Bry and some of his co-workers for lunch. It was fun!

We made carne asada tacos for dinner {Bry's request} and I made Bry some brownies {he had cake at work so I thought I'd mix it up a bit!}. The best thing was when we were getting the candles Andy told me how when he was little Bry put those trick candles on his cake so he wanted to get him back! So we totally did! It was awesome!!

Babe, I love you so much! I'm so glad we were able to spend some time together for your birthday. You are the best thing that's ever happened to me and I love that we have become so close. You are my best friend, my world, my lover, my everything. Happy Birthday babe!