9/30/08

Back to School Blues

BRYAN WENT BACK TO SCHOOL!!! He's finally following his (luckily, quite lucrative) dream, and going to graphic design school, specializing in 3D Animation/video game design. I am so proud of him and really excited that he's going to have 18 hour days every Monday-Thursday (I must be crazy). We're still operating Phoenix Industries all week, he goes to the YMCA to paper push for a few hours in the afternoon, then it's off to fight traffic to make it to school in El Cajon until 10pm, phew! What a grueling schedule! Most days he leaves before I wake up (or I am groggy with sleep as he is saying goodbye), and I am in bed before he gets home around 10:45. Single motherhood, here we come!

After many MANY late nights of research, I found Platt College, an accredited art school (which means they offer federal student aid, very important!) that specializes in video game development/design. That's what he's always wanted to do! So in two LONG years, he will have completed his AA and BA in Graphic Design/3D Animation. It's only two years (a little less, actually) because he got to test out of some Photoshop classes 'cuz he's a stud, and all his generals from Palomar transferred over, yay! Each class is six weeks long, three classes is a semester; a short amount of time for a platform entry into his dream career!

I'm not going to lie and say having Bryan not around is easy... today was CERTAINLY not easy! Everything that could have gone wrong with the boys did. Meltdowns everywhere, and no backup. But I really feel strongly that this sacrifice will definitely pay off in the end. So if I start complaining, someone bring this post to my remembrance! :)

Fashionisto



Lincoln loves hats and shoes. He always has loved his shoes, but lately it's been all about the hats.

Anything can be a hat, according to him.
He even makes Orion play!
Check out his sweet thigh highs (they are Bryan's socks). He is so in to fashion, it can be a little scary!

Look what I did!

I am so proud of myself... I am in no way a seamstress or even an avid user of the sewing machine! But once I started making my silk/fleece baby silkies for showers and friends' babies, there was no stopping the creativity bug. And here's what she hit me with:
My version of the diaper clutch!
I made my first ever box pleat(in the pocket)!
These pictures are really crappy; it looks so much better in person.
So my question is, if you saw this in a baby boutique, would you buy it for yourself/as a gift? Let me know, thanks!

9/21/08

I'm Trying to be Like JESUS

I am going on a rant, but this is a serious one.

I am pro-life, like many other men and women. I believe in the sanctity of life, even if it may be a result of assault or rape. (The adult pregnancy rate associated with rape is estimated to be 4.7% of rape victims.) Children, even when they can be a handful, are an amazing reminder of the power and reverance of mankind.

Our precious, innocent babies are the main reason why I would never ever vote for Barack Obama. Putting other politic points aside (that is totally another post), what kind of person would vote AGAINST the Born Alive Infant Protection Act (Illinois)??? An act which has everything to do with giving aid to a living human life, and nothing to do with undermining 'Roe vs. Wade'.

I know this has been in the press for a while, but I want to post it {WARNING: these are links that will bring you to tears at the injustice of evil men. Do not follow the links if you aren't able to handle the sad reality of what happens to His precious little ones} here, here, and here, in case none of you know about it. Oh, and here, too! The mere fact that abortion in and of itself is a hot topic on both sides, methinks Obama talked himself into a hole that is quite difficult to talk himself out of.

And here is a clip of Gianna Jessen. What a remarkable life story!

All you women out there (since this is primarily a forum with women at its helm), VOTE! Do what you have to; register, get educated on the facts, and make your voice heard. Women didn't finally win the right to vote over 100 years later just so you could sit on your hands and do nothing with your vote! (-Little side note- Did you know slavery was abolished over 50 years before women had the right to vote nationwide? Take that, NAACP!)

So anyway, I'm trying to be like Jesus (who wouldn't vote for him). And I'll start by not giving my precious vote to Barack Obama.

Thank you, my rant is over!

9/11/08

Latest Craigslist find...

Evenflo Triumph Deluxe
Actual Retail Price: $159.99
Steal-of-a-Deal Price Paid: $40.00
Just another reason why I {HEART} Craigslist!

9/8/08

Man, I am long-winded! Don't worry, this one will be really short.
I was on the phone with my brother Jared a few days ago, and we were talking about all sorts of stuff. His wife Jenni, has had some major events recently with her health, which has been extremely frustrating for her, since she has always been able to rely on her strong body and healthful lifestyle.
We were catching up on things (they live in St. George), and then he says the most awesome, General Authority-ish thing I have heard on a while (that hasn't come from an actual Gen. Authority, mind you):

"You know that Heavenly Father loves you when He gives you significant trials when you are young...
[chuckle, chuckle]"

I just really liked that! To me, it means that Heavenly Father wants you to learn and grow and be strong in your faith and unwavering in your devotion to Him. So He stretches you to the point where you think you just can't endure any longer. He truly tests you in whatever area it is (be it money, family, whatever)He feels you have something to learn. Then not only do you actually endure, but you learn, you are humbled, and you thrive. And for Him to do this when you are still young... how much further are you in wisdom and how much more did you learn now by molding yourself to His will in your younger years? [Not to say that those of us who are more mature don't have these experiences either; that's why they are "older and wiser", right?]Ok, I'm getting off my spiritual soapbox now. Just thought I'd share!

9/7/08

Our 3 year tribute...


Our anniversary was... chaotic!

I was planning to have Bryan to myself and the kids for the whole day but work as always got in the way... blah! The original plan was to take the kids to Balboa Park and play at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center during mid-morning (our Anniversary happened to fall on their free Tuesday, so it was perfect!) However...
Bryan had a 'quick' job that morning that turned into a 3.5 hour endeavor! So, it was business as usual at home for me! Once he got home around 1pm, I needed to run a few quick surprise errands before we were to head off to dinner.
I was in a hurry and Lincoln was super whiny in the car (Orion was at home with daddy, taking their naps) and being a total distraction to me, so I cut the corner too close while parking in our complex, and... yeah. I hit the pole and gave the truck a big boo-boo. I was so mad! And sad. And hoping that it didn't look as bad as it sounded!


{I will post pictures here soon but for now my uploader is not doing what I want it to!}


Well, I didn't get a picture of how it looked with the pole paint on there (Bryan buffed it off), but it seriously looks a zillion times better without that rusty colored orange all over the side. (what is it with us and car issues lately? Man, when it rains it pours!) Bryan of course wasn't really that upset. I think it was my tears, and the fact that it was our anniversary that saved me!
After all that craziness, we had to quickly pack up the kids, take them to Lisa (thank you!) for babysitting and cousin time, then race down to San Diego for his surprise dinner. Well, because of the car debacle, we didn't make it to dinner for lack of time. We were going to go to Cafe Sevilla. Yummy! They serve Tapas, which are, in a nutshell, appetizers, so you can order pleny of them and share with your table. Don't worry if you aren't a seafood lover (Bryan hates it, I love it), there is quite a bit of variety on the menu. If you have not been there, make a special date to go! The ambience is so amazing, and on most weekends there are Flamenco dancers doing their thing. We have been once before and I was dying to go again, so what better opportunity? Well, we will go another time, when we aren't watching the clock so much!
(PS: DON'T forget money for parking in the Gaslamp!)
Anyway, the main reason we didn't make it to Cafe Sevilla is because I had booked a sunset ride on a Gondola in Coronado. Wow, that was so cool! I was surprised at how large the Gondola was! When you book, you are given the choice of dessert or an appetizer plate. I chose dessert (chocolate dipped strawberries) because we were supposed to be full from all those tapas! You are also provided with a bucket & ice, and two wine glasses; you provide your own drink. (I think they do it this way so they don't have to deal with an alcohol license? Smart business move!) Blankets are on the boat in case you get cold from the weather.

You have a gondolier (the boat driver) on your boat to maneuver you through the Coronado Cays (which, incidentally, I never knew existed in Coronado), and it is so amazingly relaxing and pretty darn romantic. This company offers rides every half hour, so you pass a gondola going out, and another coming in. Bryan liked it a lot!
Of course, I didn't take any pictures of the event. I think I took maybe one, but it turned out badly. So I only have the memories in my head... :(

Funny little side story:
I already have a friend who stole my idea. I seriously don't care if people do or not, I simply revel in the fact that I thought of it first! Shallow, I know. :) Anyway, it is her hubby's birthday the same day as our anniversary, and WE SAW THEM!!! They passed us by on their boat as we were entering the dock on ours. I thought that was hilarious. Bryan was like "What are you guys doing here?" LOL!

After the ride, we were starving! So we were planning to go back to the Gaslamp to eat, and what did I forget? I have no cash for parking! D'oh! And of course I am too cheap to go to a non-wamu ATM because I don't want to be charged exorbitant amounts of fees, so we wander around a bit until we decide it probably isn't worth it to wrestle with other restaraunteers to find a spot. So we decide on Carinos instead. Very convenient, and really good food, too! THEN, Lisa calls and says Lincoln is really whiny and keeps asking for me. Geeze! Okay, fine. We will pick up the kids, then order Carino's takeout, pick it up on our way home, and have a nice dinner with the kids in bed. Then Bryan says the whole point of going to Carinos is for the dining experience, so why dont we just skip it. BOOOOOOOOOO!
At this point I didn't care where we ate, I was almost sick from not eating since noon (it was after 9pm). So at about 10pm, we ended up going through drive through at Albertaco's mexican food in Vista!

Well, it may not have been the super romantic mini getaway that I was dreaming about, but I was happy to be with Bryan, even if it was greasy late night mexican food.

Happy Anniversary my love!