1. Sweet Husband.
My handsome and sweet hubby. Two weekends ago I wanted to go vineyard hopping as a birthday treat and he agreed. We visited 3 wineries and came home with 8 bottles of wine. All paid by the hubby as my birthday gift. Or so I thought. This past weekend he surprised me with a morning at the spa which was much needed and greatly appreciated. I'm lucky to have this man as my husband. Bless be his heart and our marriage. Love you babe!
2. Independent Firstborn.
He was such a trooper earlier this week when we all got hit with the stomach bug. Monday night he kept saying he wasn't feeling good and I felt like a cold was coming on on myself. The next day we both woke up feeling under the weather. We took showers and started getting ready for the day when suddenly it hweit us and a sick day it was. The only one without the big was the little one and he made sure to give us a run for our sleep. All while my firstborn was the one who was hit the worse and he pretty much took care of himself like it was nothing. He had no accidents at all by making to the bathroom right on time. And he didn't come to me for help with anything besides "mom can I have soup". Other then that he was bed bound either sleeping or watching saved by the bell. By the way, can you believe that show still attracts this generation! Whoa.
3. Sick Days.
No one likes to be sick. Especially when you have started a new job and a month into it had to take a sick day due to strep throat. Then a month and a half later you take 2 sick days because of a stomach virus. I've learned to save my sick days for when absolutely necessary. Except that sometimes you have no other choice and that's when you have to go with the flow and make the best out of it. In my case, making the best out of days like this equals catching up on sleep and enjoying the days with my kiddos. Even if it means cuddling sick in bed all day.
4. Vacation.
With about one month to go for our coming vacation I cannot stop thinking of all the things I want to do while there. In the past seven years, we've visited the Dominican Republic twice. This would be the third time and I want to make sure that we checkout out places we haven't seen yet. Must see on our list, or rather my list although I'm sure everyone will agree, are Samana and La Bahia de las Aguilas. I've heard about these places so much since I was a little girl and I am so very excited to finally be able to visit these places myself. By my research this far, it doesn't look like we'll be disappointed.
5. Devotionals.
I've been feeling a bit under the weather spiritually lately and I just cannot seem to get over it. When I feel this way a simple prayer or bible verse seem to do the trick. This morning however, I woke up at 3:30am unable to fall back at sleep. After turning and tossing for two hours I decided to look through my bible app to simply be lead to a devotional I had started and not finished. "The Confident Woman" by Joyce Meyer. I love that lady! I went back to day 1 and I have to admit I was touched. Just what my soul needed. Don't you just love when that happens? :)
Oh how sweet it is to be 27.
Just like the last couple of years, as my birthday got closer and wonder how I wanted to celebrate it. It's funny how with each passing year you become more content with the less you do, no? Well this is how it is in my case. For even more special reasons that I haven't talked about as of yet, I wanted to spend another low-key birthday.
A few weeks ago my dearest friend texted and and asked "your birthday is the 16 right?" I replied "Yes. Please no clubs". The last several years I've visited dancing clubs way to many times. And although it never really brought me any trouble I feel like I'm over the club stage. I want to do meaningful things with my life. I want to spend more time with my kids, husband, and family. I guess it's ok to visit a lounge from time to time but Latin clubs will be out of the picture for me. Just my own personal choice.
For this birthday I just said to myself that I would go with the flow. I didn't want to make a big deal about it and if I was to stay home it wouldn't bother me the least. As long as I was home with those I loved. So when the hubby said that his friend got him a ticket to go watch a boxing fight on my birthday weekend I got a bit upset. When he mentioned that there was a UFC fight that night too fumes were coming out of my ears. I'm not going to lie. I was Mad.
Then one night this past week I woke up because AJ was crying. I headed to his room and when I returned I looked at the clock and it was only 3am and my bed was empty. Hubby had left to work already. All I could think about was how blessed I was to be married to a man whose first priority was to provide for his family regardless of what he had to sacrifice. In this case, sleep. I had a hard time going back to bed that night but one thing I knew was that I was not going to complain about him going out on my birthday weekend. He deserves to go out and relax and it wasn't his fault both events landed on my birthday weekend.
Came that weekend and I was calm. That Friday we had a delicious dinner at MIL's that hubby had picked up from a Peruvian Restaurant. We stood there pretty late and around 9pm I told the hubby that I was going to head home because I was tired. Since we had both of our cars there he had the option to stay longer if he wanted but he decided to leave too. Except that MIL had gotten me a small ice cream cake for my birthday. Tasty! I had no idea. Even when all the kids kept screaming "it's your birthday Pamela. Happy Birthday Pamela. How old are you now Pamela." It was pretty funny. Then I realized that they wanted cake and wanted me to come to the dining table. We didn't even sing, we went right to the cake.
The next morning the hubby wakes up and says he was going to get started on breakfast. Ummm okayyy. I stood watching TV with AJ but then the house smelled delicious and I just had to go checkout what he was making. When I got to the kitchen he had breakfast on a serving tray and was fixing my coffee. He said he was getting ready to bring me breakfast in bed. How sweet is he? We ate breakfast then he says I have one hour to shower and get ready because he had the morning planned out for me. Oohh really! I asked where I was going and he said just go get ready. You'll find out.
I've been dying for new couches so I thought we were taking a little trip to the furniture store but I was wrong. When I got dressed I got a message from the hubby with an address to my destination. He sent me on my way and to my surprise I ended up at a spa. I walked in, they were expecting me. They told me that my hubby had stopped by and paid for a package which included a manicure, pedicure, massage, facial, wash and dry. And tips. Let's not forget lunch. What?! I was definitely surprised. I was expecting a massage because I've been having really bad back pain and felt very stiff but he outdid himself with all the extras.
Four hours later I left the spa feeling amazing! I decline the wash and dry because of my no heat challenge so they upgraded my facial. I wish I would have known earlier, I would have upgraded my massage instead.
Later that day one of my coworker had invited us over for dinner and that's what we did. We headed over, meet the family, engaged in some fun conversation, ate a delicious meal, and talked some more. The hubby left early because of the fight he had to attend. Notice how I wasn't mad anymore. I had no right after the morning I had. I got home a few hours later and got the kids and myself to bed.
Sunday came and it felt like any other Sunday, expect that I woke up to all three of my boys in bed with me. Heaven! After much loving we got up and had breakfast. Hubby went to run errands and I finished laundry and cleaning up. We had guests coming over for dinner.
Remember that dearest friend of mine? Well for the 4th year in a row she surprised me with a tres leche cake. I kind of was expecting it and by her bringing it she set herself up for life. Now every birthday I'm going to expect a cake from her. Hahaha. She made her famous Ecuadorean rice and hubby grilled some BBQ Ribs. It was delicious! as always. We talked. Juiced. Drank wine. And finished my moms wedding invites. It was the perfect day. The perfect weekend.
I couldn't have asked for more. Lots of birthday wishes from lots of people. Being in the comfort of my own home. Surrounded by my husband and children, my mother and two of my siblings, my best friend and her family, and my brother-in-law. I seriously couldn't have asked for more.
Here's to an amazing year. To learning more and making less mistakes. To living healthier physically, mentally, and spiritually. To health, love, family, and friends. To me being the best that I can be.
Happy 27th Birthday to me!
1. Skyping with SIL. I love how close we've gotten the last couple of years. I don't know if it's the distance or what but our relationship has evolved A LOT. She's like the big sister I always wanted and never had. Someone to look up to and get motivation from. Someone that I have no problem going to when I'm in a funk without feeling like I'll be judge. She gives me advice like that of a mother or grandma. She's the peanut to my butter. I cannot wait to see her this summer!
2. Wing Night. I've never been a chicken wing lover, I think it's because of how messy your face and fingers gets. I feel the same about BBQ ribs. I will not eat them in public. But lately, I just can't seem to get enough. The hubby used to go out a lot on Tuesdays for wing night and he'd bring back some. I never ate them, little Steven did though. Then one day I was so hungry and decided to get one and OMG I've been hooked. We've been on a hunt to find the best wing place in town. So far we've been out to only two place and well let's just say whoa! Amazing! Last week we went to Buffalo Wild Wing which recently opened in our area and they have such a variety of flavors. And their service is just fabulous. Whoever, I felt like their wings were a little on the salty side. At first I thought it was the flavor Chicken Parmesan. But the honey mustard (my all time favorite) and the other flavor I tried were pretty salty themselves. Maybe it was just that day so I'll definitely have to try it again then I'll make a decision on them. Keystone Pub keeps the 1st place award. For now.
3. Front Facing. This week we officially changed AJ from rear facing to front facing in the car. He got a new big boy car seat, which was much needed by the way. Last time I saw his doctor I asked when should the change be made and she said to delay the change as long as possible. She said that we could change the car seat whenever we wanted but that the new recommendations is to keep children 2 years old and under rear facing as long as possible. I get that it's safer and all but how uncomfortable is that! I mean my little dude is tiny but he's pretty long. Having him facing backward was so uncomfortable for his little legs. He definitely needed the car seat change as well as the front facing part. He feels more connected to the world now. Or so I like to think. I didn't make the change earlier due to the cold weather. I would have hated to take him outside on my arms with just a coat n possibly a blanket over him. It was easier and warmer to have him bundled up and his infant car seat. But he's not an infant anymore and that car seat needed to go! I love looking back now and watch him look around from side to side and out the windows. I wonder what goes on in his head as he takes in so much more of the world this way. :)
4. New Friends. I'm not one that can say that I have many friends. I can count with one hand the friends I have that I trust from here to the moon. However, this new job have brought me two new friendships. Two of my coworker have been super sweet to me. Well they all have been. That's like my favorite part of my job. My coworkers. Anywho, back to these two girls. I got to go vineyard hopping this past weekend with them and we had such a great time. I don't know what the future has in store for us three but I sure hope its all good things. So cheers to new friends!
5. YouTube. YouTube has been a big part of my life the past several weeks but more so this week. I'm on the road of transitioning my hair from being relaxed to my natural texture. Curls! So finding ways to style my hair and physically seeing others who have transition and are transitioning themselves is vital. I look for products and styles that have worked for others and decide whether or not I want to try it. The "keyword" this week was Bantu Knots. I must have watched over 20 videos on this type of heatless curls. So yes, YouTube makes my top five best moments of the week. :)
Being home with my now toddler.
3months into my new job and I still can't get over how much I miss being home with my boys. I can't stop thinking how much I took for granted the year I was given to make the best out of being a SAHM.
You see. Since I was a little girl I never saw it any other way. I never saw myself being a SAHM. Maybe because no one around me was? My dad passed away when I was young and my mom never married after that so she always worked. There came a point in my life when she was home and was able to have dinner done by the time we were home from school and that too I took for granted. Never did I imagine that many years later I would be so thankful for her being home to greet us when we arrived. Never did I imagine that one day I would find myself working a 8-5 job that would make me realize how much I wish I could be home instead.
There's always up and down to both scenario. And we all must find what works for ourselves and our families. And the more I think about it the more I wish I was home.
I feel this empty space. Like I'm missing out on so much with my kids. That I'm not playing enough with them. That I'm not teaching them like I should. 3 months later I have yet to find a system where I get to do all that I want. Is that ever even possible? I doubt it. But I hope that there's one that comes close to it. I guess with it being winter and all it doesn't really help the situation much. It gets darker earlier, it's cold outside, and school is at play which means homework and very early bedtimes.
I'm looking forward summer so much. Although I'll still have my job the days will seem longer and I'll have more things to do with the boys. Or so I hope. The recent temperature changes and the time change have made a difference already, or so I like to think.
I honestly don't know how I'm going to be able to start with school again next fall working full time if I miss my kids so much just now. I feel conflicted with the decision to put my education/career on hold to raise my kids or to sacrifice these few years to fulfill my career goals. Sooner or later I'm going to have to sacrifice times with my kids to complete school, now is just a matter of deciding if to sacrifice it now or later?
When I weight out the pros and cons I think of the fact that at least now I only have two kids. One that is "old enough" to understand why mommy gets some really late sometimes and the other is small enough to probably not even notice the difference. If I was to wait a few more years to finish school I will probably find myself with another child which will most likely be the last child and I will definitely not want to sacrifice my years with him and what will be my last years of caring for a newborn and raising a toddler. Also if I was to wait another 3-4 years to finish school I will have to retake some of my science courses and I definitely do not want to take chemistry or microbiology again.
It seems that I pretty much know what I should do. Yet it's so hard to go ahead with that decision.
I keep thinking that everything happens for a reason. I am in the situation that I am in today because this is where I am meant to be at this point in my life. I have faith that it will all work out. Yet I can't help but to wonder and worry on how it will all work out, I guess that's the human part of me…
When I weight out the pros and cons I think of the fact that at least now I only have two kids. One that is "old enough" to understand why mommy gets some really late sometimes and the other is small enough to probably not even notice the difference. If I was to wait a few more years to finish school I will probably find myself with another child which will most likely be the last child and I will definitely not want to sacrifice my years with him and what will be my last years of caring for a newborn and raising a toddler. Also if I was to wait another 3-4 years to finish school I will have to retake some of my science courses and I definitely do not want to take chemistry or microbiology again.
It seems that I pretty much know what I should do. Yet it's so hard to go ahead with that decision.
I keep thinking that everything happens for a reason. I am in the situation that I am in today because this is where I am meant to be at this point in my life. I have faith that it will all work out. Yet I can't help but to wonder and worry on how it will all work out, I guess that's the human part of me…
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