story of my life.

I seriously have so many things on my plate right now its not even funny...really, not laughing here. There are so many things I want to post about, so many projects that keep getting pushed back, numerous endless photo shoots to prepare for AND edit...all on top of being a full time cook, maid, MOM - and all that joys that come with it.

But...

Despite it all, I feel pretty good, especially after hearing all the uplifting things during Conference. I feel like I can take on the world right about now....haha...well, its just a figure of speech, really...   I just have to remind myself :::: I don't have to be perfect, I just have to aspire and work towards it. I don't have to get 100% of my to-do list checked off. Not even 50%. there is always tomorrow....most of those things probably shouldn't have even made it on to the list anyway... Life is a journey and everyday is a learning experience. Try to learn something new everyday and work to improve something that I couldn't accomplish the day before. BREATHE. just stop. and take a deep breath, trust me, it works. And always, always put God and family first. Because at the end of the day, they matter most and will always be there for you, no matter what. I need a good reminder every now and then...I think everyone does. Today definitely was that...a good reminder.

 see.

 everything is OK.

 because. I Love you.

 and I will be there.

every step of the way.

laughing, smiling, and loving...

to the end of time.

Anniversary.

We got to get away. Kids-free, just the two of us. Even if it was just for a few hours, it was everything I could have ever asked for! We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family that made it possible for us to have this time together.  You know who you are, Thank you! ♡ The day was perfect in every way.
 

4 years ago...

I married my best friend,

the love of my life....

How did I get so lucky?

 

I am as much in love with him today as I was then...maybe even more...

Thank you for the best four years of my life.

It just keeps getting better and better everyday!

I love you so much.

♡

My New Obsession.

...or addiction...call it what you'd like. 

but I am seriously SO into Pinterest right now.

Thanks to all my friends pushing introducing/inviting me to it. [*ahem* Christal, Jess...love ya]

I can't really put my finger on what I like about it so much...but I just do!

all the lovely photos...such fabulous ideas....

It excites me just thinking about all the things I can and will do with my hobbies, home, and future. It also makes me sad reflecting on how much cuter, more creative, and fantastic everyone else is in the world. I will channel that negative energy to motivate me to be better, to aspire to something that I can really be proud of. and that is what is so great about it!

If you don't have or are thinking about getting a pinterest account, do it!

It's fabulous.

And if you are awesome and waaay ahead of me with joining, then add me as your friend ;) pleeease. and I will "follow" you back. I promise.

just click on the button below.

and check me out. ♥



[here's a little sneak of what goodness awaits you.]

 

One Sunday Afternoon.

Chad and I decided to go on a little bike ride while Chad's mother offered to watch the kids. They were both napping so we thought an hour long stroll wouldn't hurt. We got on our bikes and left for the new bike/running path off of the very scenic Kam Hwy. It had been a while since I had ridden a bike and it took me a minute to get used to the feel again, but once I had gotten the hang of it we were off!

It was so nice. I enjoyed not only getting out of the house and getting that fresh air, but also seeing the beautiful mountains and nature around us. It really was a very scenic ride.

BUT as much as I enjoyed being active and being able to connect with nature, it was HOT. The sun was beaming down on us, humidity felt like it was 250%, and there was no wind...despite being on a bike and it being 4 o'clock in the afternoon...

sweaty and sticky, we ended our ride at a hidden beach. We watched the waves get tossed in all directions by the wind and strong current. (where was this wind while we were bike riding, I have no idea.)

We decided that we had left the kids long enough, and headed home. Out of the BLUE (literally) it started to DOWN POUR. There was NO sign of rain, not even a rain cloud. Welcome to Hawaii....

We were soaked. (Chad doesn't look as wet as me but you'll see in the next picture that he really was soaked.) The rain brought the temperature and humidity down, so we were able to have a pleasant rest of the evening. It was a fun and adventurous day for us all.

(yes, Chad is sticking his bum out right here. haha)

Prego Update

can I just say that this pregnancy has FLOWN BY?!!

I can't believe that I am 35 weeks already.

It has been a relatively easy pregnancy. With almost NO morning sickness.

Hallelujah!

I have just been super tired ALL the time.

I feel like this baby has sucked all of my energy right out of me.

Some days are better than others. I can wake up, clean, run errands...but other days, I feel like doing nothing else but stay in bed all day. I mostly feel bad for Noa, because I don't get the chance to let him play outside very often. He is such a good boy. He has his moments...but most days he just plays really well by himself. He gives me hugs and kisses randomly all the time. :) And pokes/strokes my growing belly saying "baby!" I can't wait for him to have a playmate.

Now, for the long awaited "belly picture"...

At 35 weeks.

{excuse my crazy hair.}

Chad tells me I am carrying a lot higher this time. And I feel WIDER. eek!

....so maybe it's a girl...HAHA 

For comparison...this is me at 34/35 weeks with Noa.

What do you think???

I think I look about the same...I know its kinda hard to tell with the different angles of the pictures.

3.22.2011

 

3.22.2011

 

...marks the day...

 

that I was sealed to this stud-muffin for time and all eternity, 3 years ago.

AND

 

also the day that I have had this cutie in my life for 19 months + 1 day

I am so blessed to have both of them in my life. And I am beyond thankful that I get to spend the rest of my life and forever with them both. Especially thankful for my Hubby. My best friend. My everything.

Happy 3-year Anniversary!

Thanks for the best 3 years of my life!

I love you!

xoxo

Birthdays and Updates

Yesterday was my birthday....

I am now past my Quarter of a CENTURY mark!

...boy do I feel old....

but the day was perfect, spent with the two people I love and care about the most!

These two....

I just love 'em!!

We went into "town" [AKA Honolulu].

We ate....

Went shopping.......

{Koi fish at the mall}

got lost in the city...

(not so fun)

Ate some more....

and had a Blast!

It was a fabulous day :D

＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

On another birthday note, my little boy turned 18 months on Monday!

Officially, a year and a half.

Nursery-going age.

And definitely not a baby anymore.

Noa's latest developments and new tricks:

His weight - still small - 22.5 lbs

＊He runs super fast!

＊He can say "buh-bye" instead of just waving [AND says "see ya!" - didn't ever teach him that...]

＊He can go get a diaper when you ask him to, and throws it away in the trash when you are done

＊He says "done!" when finished doing/eating something

＊He is getting pickier and more demanding, and he knows exactly what he wants

＊He can throw a ball and "shoot" a basketball

＊He can say surfboard - sounds more like "Po-bord" - and can "paddle" on Daddy's board

＊When he sees pictures of things he knows, he calls it out: example - fish, cars, surfboard, beach...

＊He "tickles" you

＊いたいのいたいの飛んでけ！ [when he gets hurt, he does this thing where he throws the ouchy away...so cute! It also lets him forget the pain :D]

＊He says "mine" but I'm not sure if he knows what it means...

 ＊He can fake cry -  usually when he doesn't get something he wants

It's so fun to see him grow and develop new skills!

He will always be a little baby to me tho!!

Love you baby!! xoxo Mommy

＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

＊PS a little shout out to ALL the February birthdays out there＊

especially to.....

My sister - Yoko, my dad, and my mom!!!!

Love you and miss you tons!

♥ Happy Valentine's Day ♥

This morning I woke up to this.....

My sneaky boys woke up extra early to make sure that this was a complete surprise!

...and it totally was :D

A handmade card....made with love and filled with sweet messages....

and the best gift of all...

sweet kisses from my little boy ♥

 In return, Chad came home to this yummy goodness....

OK, ready for this??....They are White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Magic Bars from Baking Bites!

YUM-O

Hubby's favorite treats include anything with white chocolate, condensed milk, and/or coconut....so this was THE PERFECT dessert! - really, it's so good!

Here is the recipe:

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup quick-cooking oatmeal
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup roasted, salted macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped
1 cup shredded coconut, sweetened or unsweetened
1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk

 Preheat oven to 350F.

• Mix together graham cracker crumbs, oatmeal, and melted butter; Press into even layer in a lightly greased 8x8 baking pan.
• Layer evenly in the following order: first the white chocolate chips, then macadamia nuts, followed by coconut, and topped off with condensed milk (pour evenly over everything).
• Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until coconut is golden brown.
• Cool completely before cutting.
  
  *Makes 16-20 bars*

 

 

I hope that everyone had a fabulous Valentine's Day!!!

♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

Sweet Tooth doesn't have to = Sugar High

Since getting an oven (yipee!) I've been in the mood to BAKE!
Which is of course a good thing...right?

When I bake, it makes me happy and I feel like a good housewife, doing what housewives should be doing....BUT it also allows for a lot of temptation in the kitchen and a husband that ends up eating 50+% of the finished goods. 

MODERATION is key.

I have a huge list of yummy recipes I've been dying to try, but I am resisting the urge to try them all in one day, or even one week...and spread them out throughout the monthS to come, and maybe even share the goodies with others - in turn making me a good neighbor too :D

The next treat on my list is a secret {to be revealed later, like Valentine's Day...}

but here are the other recipes that I plan on making in the near future...
feel free to try them and share how they turn out for you!!

• Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie - um yes, please!
• Clone of a Cinnabon - I have been CRAVING these for-EVER
• Samoas Cupcakes
• Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies (super easy!)
• Or the more complicated Red Velvet Cake from scratch - still trying to decide which one I want to make more...
• Chocolate Crackles - a re-try...because I failed so miserably last time I tried to make these....
• Chocolate Truffles - minus the Grand marnier and coffee

....and the list goes on.....No really, it does!

Here's one that I checked off my list last week:

Lemon Bars

Lemon Bars
(family recipe)

Crust:
1 cup butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups flour

Filling:
4 eggs, slightly beaten
1 2/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup lemon juice

Preheat oven 350F

1. Cream butter and powdered sugar together. Add salt and flour, mix well.
2. Pat crust into 9x13 greased baking dish and Bake for 15-20 minutes.
3. Mix eggs and sugar until pale yellow. Slowly add dry ingredients. Add lemon juice.
4. Pour mixture over hot crust. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until top is golden brown.
   *Cool before serving. Sprinkle with powdered sugar* 

ENJOY! :D

Crazy??

...Some people may say that I am, after hearing about my adventure from yesterday.

I went on a hike with my good friends Christal and Daniel....yes, 6 months pregnant...

It wasn't a long hike...in fact, we had to cut it short because of the killer mosquitoes that were eating Christal and I alive! Thank goodness for the girls that gave us bug spray, so it was a lot more pleasant on our way back....but by that time we had a TON of horrible bites already...

A HUGE THANKS to both Daniel and Christal for taking turns carrying Noa on their backs!!!

I really don't think I could have gone on this hike carrying him the whole way...

We were surrounded by beautiful wooded scenery, a side of Hawaii I hadn't yet experienced.

...some interesting vegetation....

We went through some farms located behind the campus to get to the trail head...

I got much needed exercise and fresh air!....it felt so good to get out and be so close to nature.
so do I think I'm crazy for doing this?? ....Not at all!!
Overall, it was a fabulous day and an amazing hike! (minus the killer mosquitoes)

Plus, I got some amazing twigs/sticks out of it for my next project! ;)