And We're Back!

But we had so so so much fun!

The Beloved flew with The Baby

and my flight crew is pictured below -

Upon Arrival -

The Bowling/Arcade Experience:

My little parentals drove down to be part of the action -

Loooovvvve IT!

Such a serious bowler -too bad she got beat by almost everyone, including Gadashio.

Eating Mexican (YUM YUM):

In Illinois there are no, I repeat no good Mexican Restaurants. So The Beloved and I were so very excited to engorge ourselves.

Any of you delightful Mexican chefs out there should move this direction - we need you.... PLEASE!

At my sister-in-law's house:

The Beloved's two delightful sisters -

who feel more like my own.

We traveled to Utah for such a special event. The Beloved's youngest brother is leaving on his mission the end of April and we were able to attend his farewell and also accompany him to the temple.

I am not quite sure why he hasn't been translated yet... he's a remarkable young man and will be such an incredible missionary.

You'd think that with all of the celebration, and so many different photo taking opportunities, that I'd have some super beautiful pictures -

but this is what you're stuck with ladies and gentleman -

Head measurements! :)

The family thought they'd finally find out for themselves how truly big their heads are -

turns out... they're pretty comparable.

Doctors - get off our backs! :) We know the truth!

Then of course we had to measure the bellies.

All of these little grandchildren flock after their grandpa.

Maybe two year olds shouldn't sleep in the playroom.

These toys were put away before he went to bed. Hmmm...

Swimming with Papa and Buckabu:

Isn't she beautiful?!

Watch out for the Papa!

Little C and his cousin from the big CA-

Watch guard -

Afterward a trip to McDonalds:

Wheeler Farm:

Now, is this a wonder-mom or what?

Our travels went well - the boys did amazing on the plane.

Although next time we may opt to travel like this:

I Love Me Some -

Basketball!

I love everything about it.

The sounds of the squeaky sneakers scratching the floor - that smooth selfless assist to score the extra point - the swish of the net- add Dwayne Wade to the mix

and I am a goner.

From the NBA to a high school gym I am a captivated fan.

Ex - after Little C's wrestling practices we would walk by the gym and sometimes the high school team would be in the middle of a game.

Little C and I would look at one another and know that we would be a little late getting home, as we headed for a seat in the bleachers.

This season I received my own little piece of heaven when I was called to be the YW coach.

These ladies did so well - improved a ton - and earned the 3rd place spot in the tournament.

And of course after a great season - you have to have a PARTY!

We went on a video scavenger hunt - super hilarious.

The girls had to rap to a stranger, order something at the drive thru that wasn't on the menu (ex: whopper at McDonalds), convince a safe looking stranger to propose to you... and so many more.

This is my friend Terisha who was the other "responsible adult" at the party.
She is moving to Utah next week though - how rude is that? :)

Team 1 - who did really well, and probably won...

... but Team 2 was really close... plus we are doing a pyramid-
which kind of hurt my back...
and it's my blog -
so we'll call it a tie. :)

I wrote a Thank You

So, I have been overly spoiled by The Beloved once again. On Tuesday he purchased a spa package for me. Oh WHAT WHAT!!! (say what what with a happy yet tough gangster voice, got it? :)) Wednesday I got a massage - next week I get a facial and my hair done - the following week I get a pedicure.

Okay, say it with me -

WHAT WHAT!!!

Now, didn't that feel great?

But, I have my own way of expressing my love for him as well :)

The Beloved -

TOTALLY OUT:

Can you believe he can sleep through a full declaration of my love?
Here's a close up:

and honey, in case you didn't read your side -

I love you love you love you!

Thanks for my wonderful gift....

and for never writing on my body :)!

An update on my 3 Amigos

Little C is trying valiantly to follow in his mother's footsteps -

Our Pepsi conversations go something like this:

"Mom can I have a Pepsi?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"They aren't good for people. Especially kids. Too much caffeine."

"Please? "
"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Mom.."

"No."

But once in awhile I do give in - and I turn into one huge contradiction.

He takes a few sips then says,

"Mom, I don't want anymore of my Pepsi."

All of a sudden "Trying to be Healthy Mom" rushes out the door and "Pepsi Nazi Mom" steps forward.

"Little C, I better not see you waste an inch of that Pepsi young man. You sit there until that can is finished."

Poor confused kid -

Shoot.... :) What's a Pepsi-lover to do?

Gadashio has discovered the amazingness of dress-up. Is it legal to even call it dress-up? I don't know boy terminology. I just found out a little while ago that you don't use the words - slumber party - for boys. It's a sleep over. Sheesh... Anyway -

This little two year old now likes to be addressed as Spiderman and even insists on sleeping in this costume. And I should say no... but every fiber in my being says yes because he's simply too adorable.

Check out the video at the end to see my two super heroes flying down the stairs.

Such a safe responsible practice.

And here's our sweet little baby.
Who secretly has a dangerous weapon.

Check out that melon.

Good thing our kids are so cute - because that head is a hereditary guarantee.

At his 9 month check-up the pediatrician looked at his head measurements, glanced at my head, then asked, "Does father have big head?" (in Asian accent)

"Yes." Then of course I have to continue forward with, "That's how we recognize our relatives. By their heads."

He looked at me quizzically then replied, "... good."

Sometimes this doctor and I have a hard time connecting -

Another example:

A few months ago after a check-up the doctor asked if I had any concerns or questions re: the baby. (I know this is horrible to blog about and I am sure my son will kill me one day - but I must...)

My concern:

Alright, we have some big boys - that's just not a surprise to anyone. But this one is especially chunky in his thighs, bum and surrounding areas. So chubby that sometimes his really important boy part just hides away. So, I asked the doctor about it.

He says, "Oh, no need worry," pulls the skin back, " see, actually your son have very large penis."

I didn't even know how to respond to that.

Do I give my baby a high five? Say, - oh I am sure his father will be very proud to hear that?

With big eyes I slowly say, "Thanks. Have a nice day." I am sure the baby will.

Here's a better picture -

of my favorite.Photo shoot is happening soon my friends.

Preparing -

The sad news is:

We lost a little baby.

Yesterday The Beloved and I traveled to the hospital so a D&C could be performed.

How do you write about a miscarriage? This is how it works for me :) -

My sister-in-law and I have come to the conclusion that all that really needs to be said is - that sucks. (Sorry I said Sucks Mom) :)

We know there will be more children in our future. I know it's not my fault. Things happen for a reason. Got it.

But that doesn't make it easy and it is okay to be sad.

So - we were sad -

still are a little bit - but legal narcotics are awesome :)

and here are a few things that make me ever so happy:

When stressful things occur, like prepping for a D&C, I like to do things that I know will make me happy once I get home.

So, I cleaned my fridge. There's something about a clean fridge that just brings a smile to my face and makes me feel like the best homemaker alive. (Happens twice a year :))

My husband always makes homemade Valentines cards for us.

Doesn't that just pull at your heart strings?

The Beloved has to wake up super early on Sundays to be at his church meetings so he is always up and out the door before I set a foot out of bed.

This is what I found in the kitchen once I arose:

Valentines and gifts set out for all.

Here's my Valentine.
Have I ever mentioned that The Beloved calls me Dogglet? I am sure I have tried my hardest not to. But against my will, it has definitely become a term of endearment... and has grown on me... but just a tiny bit :)

and he freakin' loves me. And boy do I love him.

Other tender mercies from the Lord:

three adorable troublesome little blessings that I couldn't live without.

Notice the teeth - or lack thereof.

I know I tease and being married to me is a guarantee to get made fun of - and any embarrassing little slip will most likely appear on this blog -

But also my favorite things are mentioned once in awhile as well -

and he's my favorite ladies and gentlemen.

So, here's to the sad and to the good!

And to having a clean refrigerator!

Why I Plan on Developing an Accent -

Foreshadowing:

Gave The Beloved a smaller version of a rag quilt to hang on his wall at work for Christmas. He said he wanted pictures of his boys - so that's what he got. When he received it - loved it - but wanted more pictures of yours truly. I said - but I am not "your boy". I take things literally people.

So he proceeded to buy frames for his office so he could add some pictures of his awesome wife.

This is the conversation that proceeded:

Me: "What pictures of me are you going to put in?"

He named a few.

"Really? I don't truly love any of those pictures."

"Why not?"

"Because, I feel that as I get older, I look more and more like a bug. It's like my features are just stretching further and further across my face."

"Well you're a cute bug."

OKAY STOP THE CLOCK RIGHT THERE!

NOBODY WANTS TO BE A CUTE BUG.

Me: "Did you really just say that to me? That I am a cute bug?"

"Dear, your features aren't really spreading. Do you know why they look bigger to you?"

OH MY GOODNESS - HE'S KIDDING RIGHT -

Unbelievable....

Me: "I am quite aware that as people get older their skin gets thinner and their faces begin to sag. Therefore, features look bigger. I believe that is why they invented botox. "

"Exactly."

EXACTLY?!

Him: "But dear, you're beautiful. You don't need to worry about stuff like that."

OH MY DEAR SWEET BELOVED - THAT IS WHAT YOU SAY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CONVERSATION!

I love you. Never call me a cute bug again.

So - this leads me to my theory.

Although it has been verified to me that I am on a bug like path - I have no fear.

Because I have a plan -

Have you ever noticed that an enjoyable sounding accent makes a person seem that much more attractive? I believe it is comparable to an ugly person with an amazing singing voice. All of a sudden they are ten times cuter and you don't quite understand why.

I have told my family on numerous occasions that if I become obese or fairly unattractive in my older years not to be surprised if I suddenly sound of Irish descent.

Fool proof eh?

Stay tuned... my mom says I am too self effacing and that I need to post cuter pictures of myself and my spouse. She says we are beautiful people - she wants to see beautiful pictures.

I think we'll have a photo shoot.

A. To make her happy

B. To show exactly how un-bug-like I can be :)

I am trying to blog but American Idol is on and it's the first night with Ellen! Must say - love love love American Idol and Ellen! Something will be posted sooner than later... probably.

I Apologize In Advance to The Beloved but...

I have to share!

My poor spouse is becoming more and more like me - which typically would sound marvelous :) - but I think I may be having more of a negative affect on him than positive.

Alright, here we go -

In the month of January:

The Beloved left his lights on in his car - killing his battery - at least once every week. No joke.

Due to the lack of jumper cables in his vehicle - I was included twice in the restarting of his automobile.

Being the Queen of all vehicle retardation's - I understood perfectly the first time and it even made me feel good the second - Like - ohhh we're becoming one :)

But - it's the third time phone call you'll love the best. It goes something like this:

"Domestic Goddess in Training, I left my lights on in my car again."

"Really?"

"Yes, but I think there is someone in the office who can help me - so I'll get back to you."

So - he gets back to me -

and this is how The Beloved starts out almost all of his conversations with me:

"Domestic Goddess in Training, I have good new and bad news - which do you want first?"

And - I always say the bad.

But I don't usually get my own way.

"Well," he continues, "the good news is I found someone to help with the jump start. The bad news is, I need somebody to help me get my keys out of my locked car."

Is this story so Domestic Goddess in Training worthy?

So - we are currently working on solutions to help us with this little problem - but amidst all of this - something else worrisome was brought to my attention this morning.

I notice The Beloved prepping to iron his shirt before work.

I walk into the room to chat with him for a bit before he has to leave -

and what do I see?

"Beloved! Do you know you are ironing your shirt with hairspray? - and not starch?"

I thought maybe he had read about this idea in a magazine or something but the look on his face told me this was not a premeditated decision.

And the memory of that look is what has kept me laughing most of the day.

Gosh - I love him.

And I'll have you know I am the only one qualified to write about this -due to the fact that I sold a dryer - that became a washer - then magically turned back into a dryer all in one day.