Memory Lane

This is what I did tonight while Jay was working and Bri'elle stayed at my parents house....
Could a girl have any more pictures? I guess that's no seeing how I have some more in my closet. I do have to admit, it was fun going back down memory lane and saying out loud, "what was I thinking?". Hilarious! I actually messages a couple friends as I was going through them. We wasted so much film taking pictures of random things for inside jokes. Going through all those pictures made me a little paranoid to have two little girls, yikes! On another note though, I do have to say, I'm pretty darn happy they invented digital cameras with memory cards. And who knows, by the time they are able to create their own way of capturing the moment there will probably be something better. Sometimes you gotta love technology.
The night was successful going through the pictures... I was able to put most of them in their own little piles by event. Now all I have to do is albums or frames or something to get them put away :) that will be another night.

Blog Update

I'm still working on some stuff for the blog to have it all complete. There are a few things that I'm still needing to work out. 

If anyone knows how to do the following - please let me know:

• How to take the borders of off the sidebar? 

 It is driving me crazy the way it puts a gray little line between each of the different widgets on the side. I have searched a bit but wasn't able to find what I'm looking for and I'm scared to try anything too drastic for the fear of messing up the whole blog.

Recently I have been looking for maybe a new layout. Ooooo ahhh! Now wouldn't that be nice. Even though I like the one we have I need something that is easy on the eyes. :)

Also I might change the blog domain name. Currently it is hawaiinisland but I don't like how its missing an "A" in Hawaiian and I sometimes forget - so I'm hoping to come up with a better name. Any suggestions???

I will be also making this blog more fun.... how about a GIVEAWAY!!!! I'm up for it. I'm going to try to get a few more readers one the blog (just a couple) and then I will host a blog referral. The person who has the most referrals to the blog will win something special. I will make it worth it, especially for my two devoted readers at the moment ;P 

It should be fun and a way to get my blog out there. I have decided for the time being to keep the blog private. I'm searching other ways to keep the blog private without having a reader's list and have to enter the persons email. Again if anyone has any ways they know of please let me know. More details on the contest to come. Keep watching for my "followers" to go up. 

Notice the new "Series" of the Blog???? If not, go check it out:

Pretty & Pregnant: Introduction 

Pretty & Pregnant: When we found out 

This little series is about my current pregnancy :)

That's about it for a little blog update - I will keep you posted on any more new things. Also if you have any suggestions or information regarding how to set the blog up nicely or how to make it public without being too public let me know.

I appreciate all readers and comments! P.s. I would like to start replying to comments left on the blog so be on the look out for a response. 

 

 

Hubby Thursday - I have a Dream

Lately with moving Jay and I haven't had any time really for each other besides maybe 30 minutes when we eat dinner and if that. Sometimes our conversations merely go as much as "How are you or how is your day?" so thank God for texting... I'm able to send Jay updates on what's going on or vice versa he is able to check in with me if he isn't in his office. 


Last night Jay received a phone call from my cousin who works security in San Francisco for an event company asking if he wanted to pull a shift with him on Saturday. The shift would be about 8-10 hours, as of last night he wasn't sure the exact times. Jay said Yes since we could use some extra cash to help out. 

On our way over to make parent's house for dinner, I was telling Jay that I appreciate his willingness to work a little extra but that he really didn't have to, we would be able to manage. So we started talking about "Jay's future".  Jay was telling me that he really wanted to because it would help and make a difference and that an opportunity doesn't just happen on a whim or for no reason. He then proceeded to tell me how he would like to go back to school starting in January to finish out his schooling for a Bachelor's degree. His job offers salary increases for different areas of schooling and also will compensate for the cost of school. I thought this would be a great idea especially since he can utilize what his work offers. 


We continued to discuss his other plans to help benefit his position at the company and also benefit Jay which would of course benefit us, his family. 


Jay plans to get his realtor license. He has been talking about it on and off for a couple years now but since he didn't have a substantial job or any income he decided to put it on the back burner. I'm so happy he will be able to fulfill one of his dreams. His job has a couple departments that Jay could easily jump into. Jay said what helped him make this decision was because the company's focus is 'helping the community'. When Jay transferred over to the new department he is in, Mental Health and Wellness, it brought a lot of things in prospective for him. He said he would really like to give back in some way and help people, especially people who are having a hard time with trying to buy houses, keep their house, etc. 


Another goal Jay would like to fulfill in the next year is acquire a Life insurance license. A coworker had gave Jay information about it since he has his license. The guy is one of the directors and does it on the side. I think the guy did it before he had a job there and just kept doing because he really liked it. Jay looked into it and actually has learned a lot about IRA's and 401K's and how to invest your money. I was amazed at how much stuff he read and learned in just a short amount of time. He isn't in too much of a rush to jump into it since it won't be work related but is something he is hoping to accomplish. 


With all to look forward to for Jay, I told him that I want him to be happy and able to fulfill some of his dreams outlined for the next year. I decided to only go back to school part-time starting in January. This way it will be a little easier on the home life with one of us at home. 


I will keep updating as he enrolls back into school and starts the process for his license. 


I'm so super duper proud at how far he has come within his company in just 5-6 months that he has been there with them. He received an award earlier this week for being an overachiever and very caring towards a client. The director received a 5 minute voicemail of how much they appreciated Jay's assistance. 

Go babe! You can do it!

Here's a pic of Jay and Bri'elle, I need to take a recent one of us

 

 

 

Check out - Hubby Thursdays with Olga

Pretty & Pregnant: When we found out

August 7th, 2011 

I remember this date quite well actually. We were in Monterey for the weekend and agreed we would take a test while we were down there. It would be just us and very intimate. As the weekend rolled around I remember feeling nervous. My period was expected to come between the 3rd-6th sometime. Usually my cycle is off by a couple days so it was normal for it not to have started by the time the weekend came. BUT I just had this feeling I was pregnant. 

It was like something inside me was telling me I was but I would still get nervous that I would take a negative test. We had some issues in June that scared me a little for it to make my cycle off. I chart my monthly cycles since I'm not on any type of birth control (because of my medical history I'm not able to take birth control and other forms I scared would make me infertile). 

The past week I had been feeling really different like pregnant different but couldn't tell if it was all in my head, my nerves, or if it was really happening. By the time the weekend got there I was so anxious to take a test but we decided we would end our trip with taking the test. As the weekend would go along I would remember thinking could time just hurry up so I can know already but I didn't want to waste the precious time with the family that was right in front of me so I had to hold tight. 

Sunday came and it was finally here. The moment that both Jay and I had been waiting for. Jay said he didn't need to have a test to prove I was pregnant because he already knew. I on the otherhand needed more proof than just a missed period and couldn't bare to wait another week to confirm Auntie Rose wasn't showing up anytime soon. 

On our way home we stopped at Target. We had plans to take the test in our room and celebrate with lunch but through our other plans it was better that it was saved for the last leg of our trip. I went in to Target and went to the aisle. I started panicking when I seen all the tests, which one is going to tell me I'm pregnant. I grabbed a less expensive on sale came with three tests kind of deal. I purchased and headed for the restroom. I unwrapped that little destiny of white and a mystery of pink lines and prayed. I asked the Lord that if it was his will and way to please show me a positive test. I thanked him for our daughter and how wonderful she is and that I would be truly blessed with another gift from him. I asked him to bless me and be with me when I discover the results. I would not be angry with him if the test isn't positive that I will be sad but will understand. As I said "Amen" I started the standard procedure. And then the waiting began, I tried not to sit and stare at it because that only seems to make the suspense worse. 

And then it happened.... I saw two pink lines. One was a little faded then the other but it was there. We are having a baby. I immediately took a picture and texted Jay Congrats - daddy!

However, Jay was letting Bri'elle watch a movie on his phone so he didn't get it and I was able to show him the test in person. We both were super excited and gleaming with joy. It was surreal that it seemed like when we gave each other a congratulatory kiss it felt like all eternity. Aw!

We then began on the way home discussing baby plans. :)

The beginning of known pregnancy..... in the car I had called for a referral to the perinatal department from my OBGYN doctor. I could expect a call within the next few days :)

Thanksgiving Day

**This posting contains a lot of pictures**


Thanksgiving day I woke up feeling extremely refreshed. I was hoping to get some extra rest in during the day so I felt the need to cook for my family in our new home. I made stuffed croissants. Some were stuffed with jelly others were stuffed with my favorite Pampered Chef sprinkles of Mocha, Hazelnut, and Cinnamon. They were so yummy! After I started to prepare our side dishes that we were making for the dinners. This year we limited ourselves to two houses since I'm not suppose to be up and around much. We spent Thanksgiving with Jay's side of the family going to his dad's house first and ending it with his grandma's house.

Our Side Dishes:

Butternut and Apple Stuffing (all from scratch)

Green Bean Supreme Casserole (also made from scratch)

Both were extremely good - I'll have them up on Recipenut sometime next week if you would like the recipes

The families:

A video of them in Vegas

The first stop was Jay's dad and stepmom's house. It was fun as always. They even had some entertainment for us. We were all on the edge of our seats waiting to see what this was going to be (the pictures on below). We stayed for a couple hours then headed over to Jay's grandmas house.

Jay's Dad & DeAnna

Bri'elle and Auntie Shelly

Briana, Bri'elle, Shelly, and me

Chris, DeAnna, me, lil baby bump (Jay is so proud), Bri'elle, Jay, Marty, and Shelly

Added Briana (Marty's niece)

Next stop was Jays grandma's house. This year his mom joined us for Thanksgiving. It will be a first in many years. Jay had mixed emotions about it but was simply glad and thankful God was able to work through her and bring her with her family. This is also Bri'elles second time seeing her grandma. I don't think Bri'elle really could tell the difference but I do think she was confused when Jay's grandma (who Bri'elle calls grandma) was telling her to go see her grandma (meaning Jay's mom). Eventually I know she'll catch on (as long as Jay's mom decides to come around the family). Later after dinner Jay's brother Len who had just gotten off a 16 hour shift stopped by with his family. One of his sons is 3, Bri'elle and him are the bestest of cousins.

The table

Some of the food

Bri'elle loved the pumpkins

Uncle Bud and Bri'elle

Daddy and Bri'elle

My Loves

Bri'elle and great grandma

She was cracking up

Little lenny and Bri'elle - they were so excited to see each other

 We didn't get a chance to see my parents or my mom's side of the family for thanksgiving this year which made me a little sad but at least we had dinner over there a couple days later. :) I was still recovering from the festivities the next few days afterwards.

Thank you Lord for all that you have provided me within my life. I thank you for continuing to provide to me when I may not be obedient. You somehow are always able to show your love. I pray that you will always show me the light in the darkest of hours and through the darkest of times. That I will always seek you first when times get rough. Lord I pray to you, I will always remember the glorious things you do and will always be thankful for the sacrifice you made. Lord thank you for blessing my family. These gifts wouldn't be mine without you. Lord thank you! In your precious name, Amen!!!!!

Early Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was a little different this year. We had to limit our many of "rounds" to the different families. 

It made it easier that one of my Aunts on my dad's side of the family had dinner the Saturday before Thanksgiving. I went with my mom and sisters to this dinner. 

There was still some family missing (my dad being one of them since he was really sick) but it was still good company and nice to be around that side of the family. This year is a lot of firsts without my grandma so we are still trying to get together as much with her not here just because we know that is what she would want. 

At this dinner I found out that two of my cousins are also pregnant. They are both about 12 weeks along due in June. I'm super excited. For one of my cousin's its his first baby. Him and his wife were married the previous year and bought a house later that year. My other cousin will be expecting her fourth child. 

By the time we were getting ready to leave my mom couldn't help herself and had to spill my beans. lol. One of my cousins actually asked me when we would be trying for baby #2 and I responded with she'll be here in April, haha. The look on her face was priceless. 

Our Thanksgiving meal with the Edmunds family was spectacular! And Bri'elle loved playing with all her little cousins. Bri'elle is one of the youngest great grandchildren so all the other kids just adore her being the "little cousin". One of my little cousins (he is about 5, maybe 6) responded to his mom when she told him to help Bri'elle up, "I know mom, I will always help her because she is my little baby cousin". It was the cutest thing. He literally was upset that his mom was telling him to do something that he already knew to do and was going to do it. And the way he said it was even cuter. She said that he got the "most caring/friendly" award in his class. I'm so glad Bri'elle will be growing up with friendly, caring, loving, and protective cousins. 

**Lots of Photos**

Playing a board game

Me and my sister Haley

Bri'elle thought it was so hilarious Bonnie (the dog) was chasing the frisbee

Aunt Theresa with Bri'elle

Bri'elle and Mommy :)

Grammie and Brillo with her Cheese face

Aunt Theresa reading a passage from her support group for the loss of loved ones

Bri'elles face is priceless - she thought she could hang with the big kids

She absolutely adored these two

Aunt Mag, Cousin Keisha, and my mom

My Grandma's candle votive

Aunt Mag and my mom

The Camara family - my Aunt Theresa's kids and their spouses (the boy on the end is one of her grandsons)