MOMMY'S NIGHT OUT! August 29th...

I promised I'd update you on my special secret night out with my sisters, mom and Aunt. I met my sister (Lynelle) at her house and from there she guided me to "Complexions Day Spa" in Seal Beach. I have to admit my Mom a few days before slipped and told me she was booking a facial and pedicure for Saturday but I didn't believe her as it's a holiday weekend and figured she was covering up for her mistake. At that point I thought we were going to Burke Williams. The day of my birthday, my sister called and said " I scheduled my pedicure with you guys!" WHOOOOOPS... so, that clarified it for me. It's okay, it just goes to show my family is very verbal, excitable and not great at secrets. So, I was still surprised when we got to Complexions. I hadn't been there before. The service was great and I was treated to a Mothers Massage. I was in heaven and as usual my thought was why don't I do this more often. I've had a few massages in my life but never a Maternity Massage and it was just as relaxing. We all got our services done and then chatted in the Quiet Room. Yeah, you know my family, we broke the QUIET ROOM RULES :) Then afterwards, we went to Lyndsay's house to be with our husbands and kids and had my favorite OREO CAKE from Katella Deli. IT WAS A GREAT BIRTHDAY... very relaxing and fulfilling.

CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES!

Picture: Chris and I before going out to my Friday night dinner and Surprise!!!

Since last time I blogged, it's been crazy but fun!!! My birthday is today, August 29th.. THE BIG 25!!! And it just so happens that I'm pregnant. That doesn't surprise me, how about you?? LOL So, Chris took me out last Friday night to one of my fav restaurants " Black Angus" then surprised me and we went and stayed at the Woodfin Suites Hotel in Brea. The next day we went home and cleaned and stocked up at Costco for our LONG BEACH CHAMPIONS BARBECUE on Sunday. It was AWESOME. We had a great turn out with all the players and their families. We all piled in Chris and I's home and had some hot dogs, hamburgers and many wonderful side dishes and desserts. I love to get together and have parties like that, so It was enjoyable for me. Monday was mellow but FUN. Alexa and I went to Seal Beach along with the crew that met there every Monday in summer. It was their last time meeting and it was great to see The Johnsons, The Twals, The Boultons and Glonchaks. Funniest part was as I packed the car, my next door neighbor (who has 2 girls) was getting into the car to go to Seal Beach as well so Alexa got to play with them at the beach too! Tuesday rolled around and Chris' parents came down. They helped us paint Brielyn's room put up chair rail and we all had a wonderful dinner at The Cheesecake Factory (MY NEW FAV RESTAURANT) My dish was amazing.. try it next time it's CHICKEN COSTALETTA. Today I'm resting up for my SECRET night out with my sisters, mom and aunts!!!!! Except I kinda heard part of it.... I'll keep you posted and put up some pictures and updates. WHAT A WONDERFUL ONGOING 25TH.. THANKS EVERYONE....

Officially a STAY-AT-HOME MOM!!!

Today is my official first day being a stay at home mom. My company (Discus Dental Inc.) has blessed my family with allowing me to work from home the past 4 1/2 months and now they've put me on Maternity Leave.
My husband and I went back and forth when he started his job in July (should I just quit or work until I have the baby). It's so funny because it was very clear that God Is In Control especially in this situation. First I was going to quit cold turkey but his job was lagging on the benefits waiting for all of his licensing to go through.... so it forced us to send Alexa to Daycare for a few days... then once we sat down and talked I figured instead of quitting since I'm almost due to work part time for a few weeks and get the maternity leave. So I waited on my HR lady to get back to me on how it all would work. By that time, Alexa's Preschool is off August 27-Sept 5th so I needed to stay home and they decided to tell me a week and a half before that their Fall Session they only had one spot open (Thursdays) a week. Well, I'm not going to work just one day a week, it's not worth it. So, that led to me talking to HR about going on maternity leave soon instead of just quitting. IT ALL WORKED OUT, IT ALWAYS DOES.
I'm really feeling blessed and content as well as looking forward to spending more quality time with Alexa before the baby is born.

"WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS"

They did it!!! Chris and Charlie Garrison started a softball team with a group of talented softball players from church as well as friends and family. They practiced every Friday at a park in Long Beach. With much hard work and dedication... THEY WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP!!! Yes, they got Long Beach Champion shirts and they are PROUD!!

It all started when Charlie Garrison was playing on a team with his friends in Newport Beach. Well, they weren't good and Charlie was tired of losing. He asked Chris to come on board so Chris finished off the season with them. Charlie and Chris wanted to be WINNERS, so they decided to start a local team of their own. They thoroughly enjoy it and it's great for us wives and children to socialize at the games...

Chris did sacrifice his leg for the last 2 games in the championships ,but he said " IT WAS ALL WORTH IT" with a smile on his face and trophy in hand!

FRIDAY FUN... August 17th

I have Friday's off of work and my Mom was watching Lynelle's 2 boys so we decided to get the kids together for some fun. What better way than to take them to Downtown Disney! We started off having some lunch at RAINFOREST CAFE. I love that place and our waitress was amazing with the kids (very interactive and sweet) Elijah and Noah got Shirley Temples and I think I drank all of Noah's.... it was super sweet! When Alexa got a taste, she pushed her lemonade aside :)










Noah's trying to figure out what everyone is looking at...
I loved our table with Manatees on it.






Next Stop= THE LEGO STORE it was awesome. I hadn't been there before and if you haven't seen it yet, check out the Giraffe....it's AMAZING!


After that... the long awaited.... BUILD A BEAR! I had never gone to Build A Bear and really wanted to take Alexa. As mentioned she's extremely into baby dolls but I figured she'd love to pick out a stuffed animal. I was wrong. She looked at them and then threw them back in the bins. So..... I made a bear for the new baby. Now atleast Chris doesn't feel like he missed out on anything ( he was at work) We'll definitely take her back in a few months and I'm sure she'll enjoy it. She did like the baby doll in the Anne Gedde's Store but it was $215.00 (don't think daddy would approve of that)! LOL




Alexa did enjoy the washing station she loved to push the pedal to make the air shoot out!

































Then.. on to THE CANDY STORE!! Thank you MIMI (Grandma) for all the goodies. That kept them quiet and happy for a while.
















You can't go to any part of Disney and not take a picture with Mickey Mouse. And that completed our day. We all enjoyed ourselves, were nice and sugared up and sweaty and ready for a good nap! WHAT A FUN FRIDAY AFTERNOON!!!!

GOT KANKLES?

1. KANKLES 2. SLIGHT ANKLES

The reason I ask is because I do! Allow me to educate you on kankles...KANKLES: THIS IS THE STATE OF THE AREA FROM KNEE TO ANKLE RESEMBLING NO WIDTH DIFFERENTIATION- OR -LACK OF ANKLE. Please refer to pictures above for clarification

Well, sometimes I do, it just depends on what time or day you ask me. So, it's about that time. This is when it all goes down hill. (I mean that in a playful way). The pregnancy and swelling of the feet are beginning to get REAL! And the heat is not helpin' a sista out..... Let me give you a bit of background.

I don't think people from church know this, but I TAKE HUGE PRIDE IN MY FEET. I am not joking, there was a point in my life when I called searching for places to get started as a foot model. Well, I just didn't know the right places to call, I guess???? I know the job is out there but even HSN didn't have any answers for me. So, this is hard.. the whole foot swelling thing. MY TOES LOOK LIKE SAUSAGES, THE TOPS OF THEM LOOK LIKE SOMEONE STUFFED A GOOSE DOWN PILLOW IN THEM. I like to call them " CABBAGE PATCH FEET" But, I will tell you, it actually humors me.

But, I can't say my feet are very pretty or modeling material at this time. It's okay, the new baby is well worth a few weeks of swollen feet.

The Little Mommy

Alexa has always been such a girly -girl and I LOVE IT. I'm so thrilled that recently she's been extra interested in taking care of her baby dolls. She was real quiet yesterday so I went to see what kind of damage she was doing. SURPRISE! There she was up in her rocking chair with her baby. She even shares her very own NIGHT NIGHT (blanket) with her babies. It's the most precious thing.... I see her using the same voice and lines I do with her babies telling them " It's okay, don't cry" or " SHHHHH" She always makes sure they have their baba and night night. I could not be more pleased with her increasing interest with babies as the day is drawing near. I'm sure we'll have our days, but overall SHE'S GONNA MAKE A GREAT BIG SISTER! Hope you enjoy the pictures :)