This is LOVE

Date night! So a week and a half ago on Thursday the hubs and I were able to go for a date night. As we try to make sure we have a routine schedule of dates, we took full advantage of this night.

We had to be in walnut creek for an appointment and since I already had a hair appointment scheduled in Castro Valley we decided to just make a night of it. Our appointment finished early so we headed to this sushi spot in Danville that is unbelievably yummy. I think it has become one of my favorite sushi spots. 

Spicy edamame, Prawn Lettuce Wraps, Garlic Rice, Miso Soup, Spicy Crunchy Yellowtail, Hawaiian Roll, and Green Tea Creme Brûlée filled our tummies.

After, we took a quick stroll through the shopping mall area and then quickly headed to my hair appointment.

I absolutely love my hair dresser! We've been friends since the young days. And she's been doing my hair for probably like 7 years or so. This year we've been trying new stuff out and I have to say, I'm loving this "do"! 

We ended the night with a quiet ride home enjoying each others company driving the longest route home just like the good ole days. 

I have to give major props to the hubby. This was his 2nd hair sitting and said we should plan date nights every time I get my hair done. 

Always my Valentine

February 14th marks a very special day for Jason and I. Not only is it thee LOVE day but it is our love day. We celebrated our 3rd Wedding Anniversary this year. 

I'm a really big planner and love to extend celebrations for longer than their usual DAY. I tend to celebrate for weeks, probably even months if time allowed, haha. So this year I did a week countdown until valentine's day. I turned it into something Bri'elle and I could do through the day and surprise daddy when he got home. Things like making him cards, to little Valentine's crafts, jello hearts, conversation cut outs, dinners, making him lunch, cleaning the house, etc..etc.. I think you get the picture. It was nice to do these things for him. He was surprised to or would say, "Whats this for?" and it was a great time with Bri'elle. Everyday, I would tell her about Valentines day. More about the meaning of love. I would show her a heart and tell her it means love. She knows where your heart it and the sound it makes, thmp, thmp, thmp. I would then ask her to tell me the things she loves. One day she started by saying mommy, daddy, and continued as she went through all her grandparents, all her aunts and uncles, her friends, and then mentioned different pets she loved. It was so cute. Another day (this was my favorite) she started by saying she loved herself. I was pleased to know she included herself. So I told her yes, it's important to love yourself because Jesus loves you and everyone loves you. Then she continued and said Jesus along with the remaining people and pets from the day before. She also added different items like her blankie, some of her favorite movies, etc. 

On Valentine's day these are the things we did:

Gave Bri'elle her Valentines - A card from mom/dad, the movie Lady and the Tramp, and heart shaped peeps

Bacon for Breakfast

Mommy got ready and Jalilah wanted to say hi to daddy, so I took a pic and sent it to him at work :)

Yum! Jay bought this for me a day before so I decided to get it out and make him a snack for when he got home

The chocolate cheddar cheese is in the middle!!!

Yes, that is In N Out

Grubbin'

This is exactly what I wanted, double cheddar cheese burger extra well done with fries a rootbeer and a choc shake

After eating in the car before heading into the movies

All these were taken on our phones, haha. I had my camera with me but it was so much easier at the time to snap a quick shot with my phone or Jay's phone. I need to get out of this habit. 

Jay worked and Bri'elle went to preschool so I got some good quality ME time until about 4:00 when Jay got home. We spent about a half hour talking and cleaning the house before we left to pick Bri'elle up from his parents. Once we picked Bri'elle up we brought her to my parents to spend the evening while Jay and I went on a date. We couldn't make up our minds where we wanted to eat so both of us said heck with it and decided on In N Out. I'm so happy we did. the food was extra good. After ordering it from the drive-thru we drove to the nearest movie theater which was only two minutes from In N Out and sat in the parking lot eating our dinner. We played R&B love songs while we ate and talked about our timeline of friendship to marriage (from highschool to now). It was so romantic!!! I loved every minute of it. I felt like just sitting in the car and making out for old time sake, haha but realized my belly would be really uncomfortable in Jay's stick shift Mustang coupe. Not fit for someone preggo for sure. Once we finished with dinner we went into the movie and watch Man on a Ledge. I highly recommend this movie! It was so good!!!! we were going to see a chick flick/romantic movie but I was in need of some action and have been watching to see the movie plus it was something we both wanted to watch. Better to please both of us :) After the movie we stopped at Mel's diner before picking up our little valentine. I ordered a hot chocolate and Jay got coffee. We sat there for a long time just gazing at each other, gushy I know! Right before we left a song came on from the jukebox and it was MY song literally. Not sure if any of you will know it, it's called Brandy by Looking Glass. It was perfect timing and couldn't have been picked on a better night. When we were leaving a group of girls between the age of 30's-40's about 3 of them. I noticed them looking at my belly then I heard one girl say awhh and when I looked at them they smiled with sincere admiration. I was completely glowing by this point. My night was definitely getting better and better. Next we headed home and picked up our little girl. 

And that was pretty much our Valentine's/Anniversary <3

 

Quarter of a Century

Yes, I turned the big TWO-FIVE on August 16th.
WOW, has time really flew by or what. My birthday this year was laid back which I think was good considering all that has been going on this month between other birthdays, the relay, and a friends baby shower and much more stuff in between. I usually celebrate my birthday for a week, haha! I'm living it up next year for sure.
On my actual birthday, Jay and I went to dinner and the movies. We ate at Claim Jumpers in Concord. I was craving a steak and wanted to go somewhere I hadn't been in awhile. We oredered so much food and we almost finished it all. The bonus was that my steak was amazing! There was a little bit left which made a perfect leftover for lunch the next day. After dinner we headed over to Pleasant Hill to watch Friends with Benefits. It was so nice to have a date with my babe for my special day.
The next night since we got home late my parents had pie for me (by my request, I was sick of cake at this point). What made my birthday this year was without anyone telling her to Bri'elle sang me Happy Birthday. She kept repeating "Happy to you Momma" "Happy to you Momma". It was the cutest thing ever!!!!
My birthday didn't stop there. Every year in August my all of my highschool friends get together because there is 3 of us whp have birthdays all within about 2 weeks apart. We figure its easier to get together once. We usually go to our signature place The Melting Pot but this year decided to switch it up and try somewhere new. We went to this Italian Piano Bar place in Danville, I'm forgetting the name since it was a two months ago. It was a cute little place, the reviews warned that it was a much older crowd but I didn't mind. the food was delicious.
I would have to say I had a great birthday! To many more years.
P.s. Sorry no pictures they were on the memory card I lost.

If this works.....Bri'elle singing me Happy Birthday

Vegas with the Girls

Wonder why our blog has been lagged the past week.... I was in Vegas. The trip consisted of three of us girls. We went for my friend Laura's bachelorette party. Since Jay and I own timeshare we stayed at the Hilton Grand Vacation Club located at the Flamingo hotel. The three of us did a road trip to Vegas instead of flying and let me tell you, I wouldn't have had it any other way. Even though it took about 9 hrs there and roughly about 10 hrs back our conversation and scenery couldn't be bought by how expensive airfare is right now. Plus, we enjoyed having a great time together like we always do.

It was so tough being away from my family. I missed my hubby so much. All the things he does for me I was reminded of him throughout the day with different things. I missed my little girl tremendously. I kept thinking she was going to forget about me or think that I abandoned her. When I returned both were so excited to see me as I was for them. I even cried as Bri'elle was waiting outside for me and when she saw me she started running for me with my arms wide open. When I swooped her up, I just starting crying. It was so emotional for me.

The girls and I had tons of fun needless to say. We explored different areas of Vegas going to a breakfast place that serves red velvet pancakes to getting comped dinner at the Palms. We also saw Holly Madison in Peep Show (Sherin and mine's second time seeing it). Oh and I can't forget our 3 hours at the Buffet in the Wynn Hotel. Our trip was so amazing and one of the last celebrations until Laura's Big Day.

Now since what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, I'll share a few:

Super Saturday

You got to love weekends! I know I do! Not only because you can relax and do nothing if you feel like it, but also because you can jam pack it will tons to do. Weekends (or your days off) you are allowed to make up your own schedule and do what you please.

Here was our schedule:

Saturday Morning we woke up and went to breakfast. My little sister came with us since she was the only one left at home. I'd rather her come with us than be all alone. We went to one of mine favorite breakfast places, Fat Apple. This place holds a special place in my heart. It was the place my late grams would take us to when we were little. I remember going there when I was maybe in the second grade and ordering apple fritters. She always knew how to make us happy and I will continue to treasure the memories she left behind. I want to continue to go there and when Bri'elle gets older, I'll be able to share the good of things like my grams shared with us.

Next Daddy left for the gym, mommy left for a trip to Treasure Island with the girls, & Bri'elle stayed home with her Auntie. I left for Treasure Island, Sf. with Laura, Sherin, and Laura's dad Jeff about 20 mins before Jay got home from the gym. We were heading out there to help Laura make a few final decisions on linens and for her to tie up any loose ends before the big day. There was a wedding going on at the same time so we went over and got a peek at the reception area. The venue was so beautiful all decked out in "wedding". I know Laura's day will be fabulous. Of course since we were standing there "crashing" the wedding I had to snap a quick pic of us :)

When I returned home Jay was in the process of making dinner. I finished up some last minute homework and spent some time with Bri'elle before Jay and I headed over to a friends (Marissa & Justin) house to go out. Tonight would be a first in awhile where Jay and I both got to go out. It was so much fun. We went to Saddlerack for Marissa's mom, Traci's birthday and  also her and Dave's anniversary. Marissa and Justin invited a few of their friends to help celebrate. I'm so glad we went since that is a once in awhile type of night.

(pictures to come)


Sunday was a church and relax day. We went to brunch with Jays mom, sister, and brother at the dead fish then came home took a 3 hour nap and then I finished up the rest of my homework before Spring Break.

I love weekends like this. A little bit of everything was done and we had fun!

<3