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| The cool Indoor market I found |
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Vancover Work Trip
I was asked to go back up to our warehouse in Vancouver to audit their physical count. It was another quick trip, but this time I was pretty much alone. I was meeting a coworker there who picked me up for the warehouse visit, but had his wife with him so that was the only time I saw him. The visit didn't quite take as long as anticipated so I found myself with a bit of spare time that afternoon. However, I was alone and it wasn't great weather so I pretty much stuck to where I could walk around my hotel. I visited the mall, saw a visitor center and tried to eat at about 5 chinese food restaurants until I finally found one that would take a Credit Card.
Fruit picking
Chelsie's Granduates from College
The drive was long, so we brought lots of snacks and movies for Paige and she did pretty good. We got into San Diego about the same time as my parents, Mikaila & Great Nana, but it was a little too early to check into our rental. So we stopped at this beautiful park to let Paige run around a little bit.
I believe this picture is Tony walking in!
She graduated!
The next day consisted of most of us helping Chelsie pack-up her dorm room and move to her apartment. Since she was busy with her final RA duties and had to check everyone out, that was quite the task, but after a lot of work- we did it! It was fun helping her set-up her new place a little and it was nice seeing her dorm room (And her ocean view). Kind of made me sad that I never got to experience that!
We brought back some dinner from their favorite BBQ place and spent some more family time. Plus I got to have some "Spa" time with my two sisters. We always manage to find some time alone to catch up which was fun.
While we were working, Justin & Paige went off to explore San Diego. They went to a Military Cemetery, A beach, Drove by Junior Seao (RIP)'s house, at some sushi and went to a store near the beach. They went into that store to get me a T-shirt and came out with a pet hermit crab named Aeva! They also bought a fake mustache which Paige wore around and had a lot of people laughing.
Sometimes it's hard for me to accept how grown up my little sister is becoming. It is hard to let go of the 2 year old "Chelsie in a box" kid I love so much. But she is growing up and it won't be long now until she has a full time teaching job, and gets ready to start down the next step in her future!
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Memories
My mom gave me a box full of my old pictures a few months ago. As I was going through them, I had a variety of emotions run through my head. Below are some of the pictures, but for now- My thoughts.
I was born on an air force base in the middle of some corn fields in Indiana. We moved around quite a bit when I was little. By the time we settled in here in California, I had already lived in 3 other states and been to 3 different Elementary schools (I started my 4th & 5th in California during 5th grade). Because of these facts, I was not able to make real close long term bonds with my classmates. I remember my closest friends for the most part, but there are a lot of people I don't recognize at all. And I have no idea where any of them are.
We did not have a TON of money growing up, but I never really noticed that. Sure, when I wanted a real cabbage patch doll, I first got a homemade replica! But those are not the things that are important in my memories. We did a lot of fun stuff. We went camping and sightseeing wherever we were. We went to bluegrass festivals. We went to the beach, A Lot. When living in Virginia, we even went on an actual vacation to the beach. We went to amusement parks and did fun things like crabbing. I even went to England when I was 8 for my uncles wedding. And I had the best birthday parties! There are some great memories in these pictures.
My mom commented how the hardest thing going through the pictures was watching me change from the happy little girl that she remembered to the sad teenager that ended up loosing my way for a little while. She said the change happened when my sisters were born- but I don't see that in these pictures. Sure, I remember (After being an only child for 11 years) how hard the adjustment was. I had wanted a sister so badly, but once Chelsie was born- the attention I was used to was no longer there. Maybe that's why every time Paige tells me she wants a little sister, I think that she doesn't really know what she is getting into. But on the other side, my sisters have been a source of great joy for me. Now that we are all getting older (Chelsie graduated from college this year and Mikaila got her license. ) I can't imagine my life without them. The laughter we have shared will not be forgotten. In a way having sisters that are so much younger than me has kept me young. They allowed me to be a child at the moments that I needed to the most.
The hardest thing about going through the pictures was watching the progression of my relationship with my dad. He adopted me officially when I was 8 and he married my mom, but I have known him since I was 1. He has always been a part of my life as far as I am concerned. And we were really close when I was little. Watching our story unfold in pictures, I wonder when that bond started getting less strong. I used to think it was when Chelsie was born and he held his child in his arms for the first time, but I don't think so now.
Honestly, despite the fact that we do not share the same DNA- we are alike in so many ways. I remember as a teenager, we just fought- ALL THE TIME. We both had an opinion and we were both so stubborn that neither one of us was going to give in. So maybe the series of huge disputes we had during those years changed our relationship. Don't get me wrong, we get along a lot better now- but the days of me climbing up on his shoulders or climbing into the "Garbage can" are just moments held in our memories. But I guess that is the way things progress over time. I mean can you imaging a 33 year old climbing on her dads shoulders? Really?
I was born on an air force base in the middle of some corn fields in Indiana. We moved around quite a bit when I was little. By the time we settled in here in California, I had already lived in 3 other states and been to 3 different Elementary schools (I started my 4th & 5th in California during 5th grade). Because of these facts, I was not able to make real close long term bonds with my classmates. I remember my closest friends for the most part, but there are a lot of people I don't recognize at all. And I have no idea where any of them are.
We did not have a TON of money growing up, but I never really noticed that. Sure, when I wanted a real cabbage patch doll, I first got a homemade replica! But those are not the things that are important in my memories. We did a lot of fun stuff. We went camping and sightseeing wherever we were. We went to bluegrass festivals. We went to the beach, A Lot. When living in Virginia, we even went on an actual vacation to the beach. We went to amusement parks and did fun things like crabbing. I even went to England when I was 8 for my uncles wedding. And I had the best birthday parties! There are some great memories in these pictures.
My mom commented how the hardest thing going through the pictures was watching me change from the happy little girl that she remembered to the sad teenager that ended up loosing my way for a little while. She said the change happened when my sisters were born- but I don't see that in these pictures. Sure, I remember (After being an only child for 11 years) how hard the adjustment was. I had wanted a sister so badly, but once Chelsie was born- the attention I was used to was no longer there. Maybe that's why every time Paige tells me she wants a little sister, I think that she doesn't really know what she is getting into. But on the other side, my sisters have been a source of great joy for me. Now that we are all getting older (Chelsie graduated from college this year and Mikaila got her license. ) I can't imagine my life without them. The laughter we have shared will not be forgotten. In a way having sisters that are so much younger than me has kept me young. They allowed me to be a child at the moments that I needed to the most.
The hardest thing about going through the pictures was watching the progression of my relationship with my dad. He adopted me officially when I was 8 and he married my mom, but I have known him since I was 1. He has always been a part of my life as far as I am concerned. And we were really close when I was little. Watching our story unfold in pictures, I wonder when that bond started getting less strong. I used to think it was when Chelsie was born and he held his child in his arms for the first time, but I don't think so now.
Honestly, despite the fact that we do not share the same DNA- we are alike in so many ways. I remember as a teenager, we just fought- ALL THE TIME. We both had an opinion and we were both so stubborn that neither one of us was going to give in. So maybe the series of huge disputes we had during those years changed our relationship. Don't get me wrong, we get along a lot better now- but the days of me climbing up on his shoulders or climbing into the "Garbage can" are just moments held in our memories. But I guess that is the way things progress over time. I mean can you imaging a 33 year old climbing on her dads shoulders? Really?
My 16th Birthday Party
Me & My 1st boyfriend Willy- How I wish I knew where he was and what he was doing now!
I think I was around 3 years old hear.
Big Wheel
Me & Grandma at the wedding in England
Me & My cousin Alicyn picking fruit
Me & Alicyn
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Paigisms April 2012
Things Paige has said or done recently!
Paige "Dear Jesus- Please give me a Boy Baby Sister.. Amen"
Me Justin- Text that to me so I can write it down!"
Paige "Text it to Jesus!"
After opening her Easter basket and doing a little egg hunt in the living room, Paige says to us "This Easter was a success! Thats fancy for fun"!
Paige announced when I got home that today she "Tried to pee like daddy". And it "got all over her" but most of it made it into the potty. Still trying to figure out exactly what that means.
I walked in on Paige biting her toenails. I stopped her right away and trimmed them for her. I was disgusted but at the same time I was amazed that she was flexible enough to get her toes in her mouth.
Update 5/1/12:
My mom & Nana were out with Paige today and found a wishing fountain. They gave her a coin and she made a wish in a wisper voice. Both my mom & Nana heard "Ice Cream" so they took her to get some after they picked up Kayla. They asked her if this is what she wished for and she said "No this is great but I wished that Papa would be King"
Paige "Dear Jesus- Please give me a Boy Baby Sister.. Amen"
Me Justin- Text that to me so I can write it down!"
Paige "Text it to Jesus!"
After opening her Easter basket and doing a little egg hunt in the living room, Paige says to us "This Easter was a success! Thats fancy for fun"!
Paige announced when I got home that today she "Tried to pee like daddy". And it "got all over her" but most of it made it into the potty. Still trying to figure out exactly what that means.
I walked in on Paige biting her toenails. I stopped her right away and trimmed them for her. I was disgusted but at the same time I was amazed that she was flexible enough to get her toes in her mouth.
Update 5/1/12:
My mom & Nana were out with Paige today and found a wishing fountain. They gave her a coin and she made a wish in a wisper voice. Both my mom & Nana heard "Ice Cream" so they took her to get some after they picked up Kayla. They asked her if this is what she wished for and she said "No this is great but I wished that Papa would be King"
Friday, January 6, 2012
2012 GOAL
I will admit it. I am a pessimist. I am a worrier. I have a problem enjoying things because of these things. While most people look forward to tomorrow, I sometimes find myself wondering what could go wrong. I am working on it, but the last couple of years have not been helpful. They have actually fed this habit.
I often find myself comparing myself to everyone around me (I know this is not healthy- TRUST ME). I know people have done this forever, but I have to say that technology has made it way too easy to do. Before, you ran into your friends at parties and were able to compare how well you are doing as a parent/employee/homemaker in person. But now, all you have to do is sign into facebook or twitter and you are flooded by information about how that person's kids crawled/walked/talked/read before your kid. Or how that 6 week old is already sleeping through the night when your 8 month old is still only sleeping in 2-3 hour stretches. Or that high school buddy who makes hundreds of thousands more than you is buying a new car or going on their 4th vacation this year while your car made it to work today-barely.
Being a pessimist, this is something I really struggle with. I never learned how to believe in myself. (Let me set the record straight here- I have amazingly supportive parents who always believed in me and told me so all the time. I just didn't always hear them) I always thought that someone else had it better than me. And I was never happy with the things that I had in my life. Don't get me wrong, my life has not been easy. You could probably join me in my pity party and we could have a good cry about how hard we had it growing up. How I had to go to a new school every 2 years and I don't have a lot of long term close friends because of it. How I have struggled with feeling wanted and accepted because of things that are out of my control.
Control! That is the point that God has really driven home recently. I am not in control, and the more I struggle to be- the more pessimistic I become because the outcomes never turn out the way they should in my head.
So let me tell you what I know about myself now.
I am awesome. I have a full time job that I LOVE. And I am good at it. I learn quickly and I remember almost everything. One of my co-workers nicknamed me "Sponge Brain". Sometimes I get down on myself because as a teenager I lost direction and did not live up to my full potential. If only I had known how smart I am! The things I could have been- But I am right where I need to be.
On top of my full time job, I also handle the books for my husbands contracting company. His work has been on the slower side so it is only a couple of hours a week most weeks, but it can be challenging. If you are a very organized person who is trying to manage the money of a very artistic person- you might understand these challenges!
I am a full time Mom. My daughter is a smart, funny, but often challenging little girl. After a long day at work, it is sometimes hard for me to give her the attention she needs (Especially with some health issues I have been having), but I try my best. This is one area in my life I really struggle with. I see all of the fun activities that my stay at home mom friends do with their kids, or I see the fun things she does with my mom (Who has blessed us tremendously by watching her 3 days a week). And I feel like I am missing out on her life. Worse than that I feel like I have failed at being a Mom because I don't fit into the vision of a "Mom" in my head. But I have accepted that I was build to be a working mom. I look at my friends and am amazed at how they stay sane, and they probably look at me and wonder how I balance it all.
I am a wife. I have known my husband almost longer than any of my other friends. Meeting at camp back in Junior high and becoming friends in High School. We have been Dating for over 10 years and married for 7 1/2 years. I often find myself thinking I am a failure as a wife also (Especially because of those health issues), but God blessed me with a best friend who has been supportive of me.
I am also the budget making/party planning/grocery shopping/coupon crazy person who holds this family together. I keep our families budget tight, and it is hard work to make ends meet, but I am learning that while it is important to plan for the future- It is really important to live for today. Don't get me wrong- I literally budget for spontaneity- but it is important to feel like I am enjoying today instead of worrying about tomorrow.
As you can see, I wear many hats. Some days I don't know which way is up. But God has really shown me what is important in my life recently. So when I come home on Friday night after what feels like an 80 hour work week, and my house looks like a tornado hit it (We will name that tornado Paige), I know it is OK to put the cleaning off one more day to spend time watching a movie or playing with my daughter.
I have one MAIN goal I am setting for myself in 2012. I am going to try to stop looking at what everyone around me has- And start really appreciating everything I have!
I often find myself comparing myself to everyone around me (I know this is not healthy- TRUST ME). I know people have done this forever, but I have to say that technology has made it way too easy to do. Before, you ran into your friends at parties and were able to compare how well you are doing as a parent/employee/homemaker in person. But now, all you have to do is sign into facebook or twitter and you are flooded by information about how that person's kids crawled/walked/talked/read before your kid. Or how that 6 week old is already sleeping through the night when your 8 month old is still only sleeping in 2-3 hour stretches. Or that high school buddy who makes hundreds of thousands more than you is buying a new car or going on their 4th vacation this year while your car made it to work today-barely.
Being a pessimist, this is something I really struggle with. I never learned how to believe in myself. (Let me set the record straight here- I have amazingly supportive parents who always believed in me and told me so all the time. I just didn't always hear them) I always thought that someone else had it better than me. And I was never happy with the things that I had in my life. Don't get me wrong, my life has not been easy. You could probably join me in my pity party and we could have a good cry about how hard we had it growing up. How I had to go to a new school every 2 years and I don't have a lot of long term close friends because of it. How I have struggled with feeling wanted and accepted because of things that are out of my control.
Control! That is the point that God has really driven home recently. I am not in control, and the more I struggle to be- the more pessimistic I become because the outcomes never turn out the way they should in my head.
So let me tell you what I know about myself now.
I am awesome. I have a full time job that I LOVE. And I am good at it. I learn quickly and I remember almost everything. One of my co-workers nicknamed me "Sponge Brain". Sometimes I get down on myself because as a teenager I lost direction and did not live up to my full potential. If only I had known how smart I am! The things I could have been- But I am right where I need to be.
On top of my full time job, I also handle the books for my husbands contracting company. His work has been on the slower side so it is only a couple of hours a week most weeks, but it can be challenging. If you are a very organized person who is trying to manage the money of a very artistic person- you might understand these challenges!
I am a full time Mom. My daughter is a smart, funny, but often challenging little girl. After a long day at work, it is sometimes hard for me to give her the attention she needs (Especially with some health issues I have been having), but I try my best. This is one area in my life I really struggle with. I see all of the fun activities that my stay at home mom friends do with their kids, or I see the fun things she does with my mom (Who has blessed us tremendously by watching her 3 days a week). And I feel like I am missing out on her life. Worse than that I feel like I have failed at being a Mom because I don't fit into the vision of a "Mom" in my head. But I have accepted that I was build to be a working mom. I look at my friends and am amazed at how they stay sane, and they probably look at me and wonder how I balance it all.
I am a wife. I have known my husband almost longer than any of my other friends. Meeting at camp back in Junior high and becoming friends in High School. We have been Dating for over 10 years and married for 7 1/2 years. I often find myself thinking I am a failure as a wife also (Especially because of those health issues), but God blessed me with a best friend who has been supportive of me.
I am also the budget making/party planning/grocery shopping/coupon crazy person who holds this family together. I keep our families budget tight, and it is hard work to make ends meet, but I am learning that while it is important to plan for the future- It is really important to live for today. Don't get me wrong- I literally budget for spontaneity- but it is important to feel like I am enjoying today instead of worrying about tomorrow.
As you can see, I wear many hats. Some days I don't know which way is up. But God has really shown me what is important in my life recently. So when I come home on Friday night after what feels like an 80 hour work week, and my house looks like a tornado hit it (We will name that tornado Paige), I know it is OK to put the cleaning off one more day to spend time watching a movie or playing with my daughter.
I have one MAIN goal I am setting for myself in 2012. I am going to try to stop looking at what everyone around me has- And start really appreciating everything I have!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Re-Defining Blessings
I grew up with a pre-existing idea of how life was going to go. I knew that in order to succeed in life, you had to work hard. I knew that nothing is just handed to you. I was raised well. So, after I settled into a great job in my early 20s (One that I have now been at for 12 years), and got married- I thought my life was going according to plan. We had put in our time and were able to do everything we wanted! Life was good.
But, even though we are hard working and honest people- life became difficult. Right before our daughter was born 4 years ago, Justin was laid off from his full time and well paying job as a tile setter. We already had our own business on the side, so we decided it was time to take that business full time. And life has never been the same! We love the flexibility, but with the economy tanking so has the money in the bank.
After a few years of struggling to make ends meet, we started 2011 off with a new mindset. It was going to be our year. Life was going to return back to "Normal". Little did we know- God had a lot of lessons in store for us.
Just a couple of weeks into the year, Justin was falsely accused of shoplifting at Home Depot. To make matters worse, we thought he was being accused of stealing materials he had returned on behalf of the homeowner (Who happened to be my boss) to exchange for the additional materials he needed to complete the job. I am not going to go into all of the details because I am trying not to focus on the negative. But I will tell you, I didn't know that something so outrageous could happen to a contractor who provides a lot of business for a company. I had no idea that your rights are non-existent when being detained by a store.
This experience took its toll on my family. On one side, we became a united front with a common enemy. But it was not without it's costs. The stress alone was tremendous. And, of course, there were moments of doubt. We were on our knees a lot over the next few months. We thought the claim was outrageous and once receipts were provided it would all go away. But the DA pressed charges anyways so we hired a fairly expensive lawyer. In May, the charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence. It was the best birthday present I could have asked for.
But it took a while for us to really find the "Blessing" in this situation. We didn't understand why his innocence was never actually proven (He still isn't sure if he can actually go into the local Home Depot so he drives to the stores a few towns over when he absolutely has to go there). We didn't understand how the security guard could actually make up a story that made no sense and get away with it. And we didn't understand why we had no recourse to collect the money we had to pay for the lawyer. To be honest, I am still not sure what God plans on using this for in the future. But I think one of the best things that came out of it, was that Justin really understood that I have his back. I believe in him and know what a kind and honest person he is. And I realized how much I trust in him too (Which is a big step for me. I have some trust issues).
One of the other "Blessings" that had to be re-defined last year was vacations. I don't know why, but I was bit by the travel bug at a young age. We didn't have a lot of money growing up, but I saw a lot of things and I never really felt as if I went without. I lived in 4 states, and even went to England for a wedding when I was 8. I love to travel. And every year we have been on a great vacation or more. We went to Jamaica for our honeymoon. We traveled to Boston a few times and we have even been to Hawaii twice in the last 5 years. But the vacation budget was tighter this year. The only time I even put my feet on a plane was for a work trip to Las Vegas.
Despite having less of a budget and missing a wedding in Boston, we were able to take my frugalness and do some other things. Justin took his nephews, Paige & his Grandma camping to Hume lake where his mom used to take him. We also rented a cabin and took them to Lake Tahoe for 4th of July to spend time with his "Cousins". His cousin Katie was even able to join us from Kansas. We had a mini staycation with all of them and took them to the fair, Santa Cruz, Go-Karting and San Fransisco. And I had a girls weekend with my friends to Hermosa beach. And then we were able to take Paige to Disneyland for her 4th birthday.
Now, these vacations were not as fancy as I dream about, but it was time spent with family. And we were only able to afford a 1 day pass to Disneyland, but she got to meet the princesses and we had a great time getting to know Chelsie's new boyfriend.
I have started watching our budget even closer, and Justin is starting to get work again (Even taking a part time job at Kohls to help). I also got a promotion at work. Add that to all of the great websites that help me find deals to save money and we have had a pretty amazing year. Sure, I could dwell on all of the things that could have gone differently, but that would just make me depressed. It has been a tough year for me physically & emotionally, but we made it through. And I think we have more faith that God is here, right beside us.
God has spoken Jeremiah 29:11 over our lives in 2011 and I have to tell you- I am excited about what 2012 holds! I am not entering it with unrealistic dreams as I did with 2011. But I know that if the plans include spending more time with my family, then I am in- 100%!
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
But, even though we are hard working and honest people- life became difficult. Right before our daughter was born 4 years ago, Justin was laid off from his full time and well paying job as a tile setter. We already had our own business on the side, so we decided it was time to take that business full time. And life has never been the same! We love the flexibility, but with the economy tanking so has the money in the bank.
After a few years of struggling to make ends meet, we started 2011 off with a new mindset. It was going to be our year. Life was going to return back to "Normal". Little did we know- God had a lot of lessons in store for us.
Just a couple of weeks into the year, Justin was falsely accused of shoplifting at Home Depot. To make matters worse, we thought he was being accused of stealing materials he had returned on behalf of the homeowner (Who happened to be my boss) to exchange for the additional materials he needed to complete the job. I am not going to go into all of the details because I am trying not to focus on the negative. But I will tell you, I didn't know that something so outrageous could happen to a contractor who provides a lot of business for a company. I had no idea that your rights are non-existent when being detained by a store.
This experience took its toll on my family. On one side, we became a united front with a common enemy. But it was not without it's costs. The stress alone was tremendous. And, of course, there were moments of doubt. We were on our knees a lot over the next few months. We thought the claim was outrageous and once receipts were provided it would all go away. But the DA pressed charges anyways so we hired a fairly expensive lawyer. In May, the charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence. It was the best birthday present I could have asked for.
But it took a while for us to really find the "Blessing" in this situation. We didn't understand why his innocence was never actually proven (He still isn't sure if he can actually go into the local Home Depot so he drives to the stores a few towns over when he absolutely has to go there). We didn't understand how the security guard could actually make up a story that made no sense and get away with it. And we didn't understand why we had no recourse to collect the money we had to pay for the lawyer. To be honest, I am still not sure what God plans on using this for in the future. But I think one of the best things that came out of it, was that Justin really understood that I have his back. I believe in him and know what a kind and honest person he is. And I realized how much I trust in him too (Which is a big step for me. I have some trust issues).
One of the other "Blessings" that had to be re-defined last year was vacations. I don't know why, but I was bit by the travel bug at a young age. We didn't have a lot of money growing up, but I saw a lot of things and I never really felt as if I went without. I lived in 4 states, and even went to England for a wedding when I was 8. I love to travel. And every year we have been on a great vacation or more. We went to Jamaica for our honeymoon. We traveled to Boston a few times and we have even been to Hawaii twice in the last 5 years. But the vacation budget was tighter this year. The only time I even put my feet on a plane was for a work trip to Las Vegas.
Despite having less of a budget and missing a wedding in Boston, we were able to take my frugalness and do some other things. Justin took his nephews, Paige & his Grandma camping to Hume lake where his mom used to take him. We also rented a cabin and took them to Lake Tahoe for 4th of July to spend time with his "Cousins". His cousin Katie was even able to join us from Kansas. We had a mini staycation with all of them and took them to the fair, Santa Cruz, Go-Karting and San Fransisco. And I had a girls weekend with my friends to Hermosa beach. And then we were able to take Paige to Disneyland for her 4th birthday.
Now, these vacations were not as fancy as I dream about, but it was time spent with family. And we were only able to afford a 1 day pass to Disneyland, but she got to meet the princesses and we had a great time getting to know Chelsie's new boyfriend.
I have started watching our budget even closer, and Justin is starting to get work again (Even taking a part time job at Kohls to help). I also got a promotion at work. Add that to all of the great websites that help me find deals to save money and we have had a pretty amazing year. Sure, I could dwell on all of the things that could have gone differently, but that would just make me depressed. It has been a tough year for me physically & emotionally, but we made it through. And I think we have more faith that God is here, right beside us.
God has spoken Jeremiah 29:11 over our lives in 2011 and I have to tell you- I am excited about what 2012 holds! I am not entering it with unrealistic dreams as I did with 2011. But I know that if the plans include spending more time with my family, then I am in- 100%!
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
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