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. 

Life with Two Princesses

Life with my little girls has been absolutely fabulous. Even better than what I expected it to.

Before Jalilah was born I thought, how will I be able to take care of two kids. Will I do okay? Etc etc. I'm not sure if everyone thinks this but I did. You see people do it all the time but you have no idea what it's like.

And then Jalilah came and it blew me away how quickly you just transition into caring for both kids and still manage to do everything else. Juggling different things here and there, it call came natural.. Being a mom is awesome!!!!

In our house we have more love, more joy, more laughter, and more fun. It's crazy to imagine how much more we have and it grows everyday. My girls are my world and its crazy how you automatically adapt to give, nourish, and cherish another being.

Now around the house we have our ups and downs. What house doesn't? Especially when you and everyone else in the household are still adapting to the new ways and walks of life with a brand new baby. But I will have to say, you learn to do things you never knew you could do. One example, take a shower with a 2 year old and a baby. Yes, ladies and gentlemen I successfully did this when I needed to. Mind you both girls were in the bathroom with me but I was at least able to shower. Or how about talk on the phone, make Bri'elles lunch all the while feeding Jalilah. Things can be done.

Homeowners, Possibly?!?!

Last week, Jay got a phone call from the property management company we rent our condo from. The realtor who showed us the property told him that the owner would like to sell the property. The owner lives out of state to take care of his parents and recently decided that he will be permanently staying where he is. 


When Jay told me the news of the guy selling the property I was immediately bummed out. For one, we love this place and have made it our home. For two, I don't want to keep moving our family around. For three, moving sucks! He said we have until our lease is up, which would be November to find another place. I just couldn't believe it. We really like this area, I'm so close to work and our families aren't but a 5-10 minute drive away. And then, Jay tells me that they would like to give us an opportunity to purchase it as our home before putting it on the market.


Yes! Yes! Yes! We would. Well this is what I was thinking in my head. Later that night Jay and I discussed this and decided it would be an investment for us if we are able to. The next day Jay phoned the realtor and told him we would. Just yesterday Jay sent in the loan papers and last night the lady from the lending company contacted Jay by email. We are only putting Jay's name on the condo because of my recent bankruptcy (I will do a separate post about this). She explained to Jay that everything looked good but there are some areas she would like to help him with and give him some professional guidance to help build his credit. Credit isn't a dis-qualifier for this loan since they look at everything and combine it. You get a certain amount of points in each category and as long as you reach the minimum points needed you can be approved. Now we are going to be following directions from the lending lady to help earn us extra points to be in the clear and then we will have our answer. 


We are super excited!!! Finally we will own a property. Later we plan on renting it out when we move into a HOUSE. But first things first. 


So for now we will be penny pinching... not literally but really cutting back and making smart decisions. We have already changed a lot about our spending habits, so making them even better will help us out. 


Stay tuned for an update!


P.s. We really think God has something to do with this.... When we first started renting this back in December Jay and I asked the property management if the owner would consider selling the condo. They said he told them he would not because he uses this as an investment since he is back East and for tax purposes. Also if he would ever move back. We left it at that and said we would just continue renting the property until we needed to move on (hoping we would stay here until we are ready to buy something). I kept thinking the timing must not have been right and when everything is in place and its meant to be the opportunity will arise. And look where we are now. God is so good and places things in the right moment.

A Little Bit of Everything

Our life in pictures from the beginning of the year til now............

I think that pretty much sums a little bit up for now......

That about SUMS things up

Okay, if you noticed I have been frantically catching the blog up so I can get back on track. And well, I did it! Yay, now let's continue on to the rest of whats going on in our life since I haven't posted anything about us, our life, or all the other good stuff. 


Everything has been going great for us lately. Bri'elle goes to preschool two days a week. Currently I'm not back at work yet. I start in a little over a week. The first week I will be part time to kind of get the swing of things and then after that I will be full time. I'm a little nervous because it will be 10 months since I have worked. Part of me is excited to get back and do some work, work my mind, visit with my coworkers and the work life. The other part of me is really scared and nervous since I have been out of work so long. What if I don't remember some of the things, how will I feel leaving both of the girls at home to be cared for. Oh the joys of a rambling mind. On the upside, we will be having family members and friends watch Jalilah so we won't have to put her in daycare. I want to wait about a year or year and a half before introducing her into that world. We are hoping to add another day to Bri'elles school schedule starting in September. She is doing really well compared to about 3 months ago. All of a sudden she went through a phase where she was being mean to some of the kids from the school and only at the school. It was totally weird. It lasted for about 4 days and now she is their STAR student. She did a complete turn around, which I'm so glad. I was starting to think I had a bully on my hands or something, God help  me.

Recently Jay is taking over for two people who are out of the office at work. One being his manager who is now on maternity leave. And the other is one of the money manager's who is on vacation. We are excited because he was told he will have a pay increase for the new position. His manager doesn't return from leave until November so this pay increase will really help get us on our feet and ahead even. His job has him taking classes to become a notary public, so this will also be beneficial for us to allow him to do something on the side. On top of that Jay is setting everything up to become a licensed realtor. Wooo weee, let me tell you I can hardly keep up with is man. But I am very happy with his decisions and will support him all the way. 


Our days are filling up with tons of things to do especially since I'll be going back to work. I have been trying to do all I can with Bri'elle and get as much time with Jalilah. When we aren't busy we are catching up on the latest movies and the leisurely things we love. Our pool is open at our complex now so we have been trying to soak up the sun. I need a tan majorly. Right now my left arm is way tanner then my right arm from driving, ugh! I don't remember it ever doing this. So looks like I'll be wearing a sleeveless right arm and a covered left arm to help even them out. Ha! 


Another thing we (Jay) have been doing is buying and selling. Jay furnished our home with craigslist and goodwill items. Pretty much everything came from the two places besides what we already had. So he has decided to take on buying, fixing the things up, and selling it. I swear storage wars and the bargain show have gone to his head. I do have to admit its pretty fun. I even found me a few steals. This is the kind of shopping our family will be doing from now on. One person's trash is another person's treasure. 


Our church has moved locations. The new locations is much bigger and has a lot to offer. They have redone the building and it looks amazing. The kids and nursery area is just amazing. We have jumpies, sandbox, and even a little stage for the kids. In the nursery there is a moms room with rocking chairs and pack in play. I'm extremely happy with everything they have done and can't wait to spread the word. Bri'elle asks for church all the time. Yay!


We bought a car about 3 months ago. Before Jalilah arrived we knew we needed another vehicle. Jay has a mustang which is not keen to the carseat. Bri'elles carseat barely fits in there, so to be able to get around as a family we needed another car. I'm super happy with our buy and we got a really good deal. Now it's time to get an SUV. Another excited note, this was our first purchase together since we have been married... a big purchase that is (besides our timeshare). Woo hoo, for our first time!


That about sums up whats going on.... Glad to have this blog at least somewhat up to date. Watch for current postings. I'm on a streak again. No more lapsing in the blog world.

February All Wrapped Up

I'm trying to catch the blog up the best that I can before Ms. Jalilah arrives!

Here is February all summed up....

Our Mornings

Jay was excited his new Pampered Chef Sauce came in and immediately cooked up some steaks

Yum!!!

Cheers

Loving her daddy

Tahoe

Arts n Crafts with grandma in Tahoe

Kids Craft/Bible study Day hosted at Marissa's

Each kid had to find a heart with a different word. If one kid found more than one they had to share.

Lunch with the girls at powder keg

Oh so yummy

Some of my besties - Laura & Sherin: meeting to discuss babyshower details

Yay for February - it was a busy month!!!!