Giselle's Love Life Exposed

The Sunday before Thanksgiving, Josh and I awaited patiently for my sister to arrive from her 20 some odd hour drive down from Provo, Utah. She had 3 others in the car with her.

Luke-An energetic, Spanish/Korean speaking Kiwi with a passion for Fantasty novels.

Georgia- Luke's sister, sweet like sugar (enough said).

Hayden-The "Boyfriend"

The drive, speaking from experience, was long and arduous. Giselle being the host forgot her duties and didn't bring water or healthy snacks to munch on. These kids were hopped up on sugar, mountain dew, and were quite dehydrated and delirious when they got to my house. Luckily we had some homecooked Chili with lots of water (they even slipped in some vitamins). After lunch we watched a movie as we all relaxed before they drove down 4 more hours down to Houston.

We met them in Conroe (where my dad's ranch is located) on Wednesday night to start the holiday weekend. It was rowdy and loud with all 20 somthing people (mostly family) at the house but loads of fun. Thanksgiving was delicious and believe it or not we DID NOT nap! (Tragic... I know). However, it was hard to think of sleep when we had a four wheeler, Go Kart, a chopped up Pathfinder ripping through the forest and a bit of mud. We even snuck in a few hours at Wal-Mart on Black Friday (an event I will NEVER take Josh to again). ADVICE: Anyone with a temper or lack of patience should not be allowed to leave the house during Black Friday!! We were in a red neck town and by the looks of all the camo it wasn't a good idea to piss anyone off. We made it through safe and sound. Luke and Georgia enjoyed the experience and got great deals on candy and socks. My cousin, Prissy, and I were a little more ambitious we went for the lap top and cam corder devices.

So during our short vacation we finally got to meet and experience Giselle's boyfriend (one we actually liked) and here is what we gathered:

Rugby player so yes he's a Kiwi (she loves the accent), a bit quiet or reserved (must of been nerves), EATS a lot thus always hungry, quick learner (now knows more complete sentences in Spanish), loves to wear same type of round neck t-shirts (sticks to black and white colors) but has one with a pocket too, nice guy, served a mission in New Zealand, according to Giselle he majors in interior design(lol she forgets it's actually Industrial Design), pretty good at pool....well as you can see the list can go on and on. Basically Giselle likes him a lot and so do we (could take my dad a little while longer though...TIP to Hayden: Find common ground other than Giselle)

Although we missed our Jo-Mama this year we are thankful Hayden was with us to fill a spot in our family and maybe someday a permanent spot as well. Luke and Georgia were so much fun as well. We have so much to be thankful for this year all in all it has been an amazing year for our family.

Favorite quote of the week.Luke is trying to teach Hayden spanish....Luke says "Quien es tu papi?" Hayden's face looks confused "Huh?" We all just bust out laughing....*ahhh good times*

Thank you, Gracias, Danke, Merci, Grazie etc

In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday I decided to write a few of the things I'm most grateful for past, present, and future. I like how people are using social media to let everyone know each day how thankful they are for the people in their lives, the things they have, etc. However, my new goal is to not use social media as often and instead grab a book, write, or call a friend (it would be better use of my time).

These are in no particular order just what popped into my head.

I am thankful for family. Not just my husband or siblings and parents but every single member of my family dating back to Adam and Eve, were it not for the decisions of each of them ,good and bad, I would not be where I am today.

I am grateful for my friends: they support me, cry with me, love me unconditionally, don't judge me, make me laugh, and are there for me when I need them most.

Extremely thankful for language because without it I wouldn't be able to express myself.

I'm in complete debt to my Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ for all of the blessings he bestows upon me. Words cannot fully express how thankful I am for his sacrifice and all he gives to me.

One day I will have a slew of fans all around the world which I am thankful for but for now I am grateful for the few who support my writing.

A specific shout out to my Hubby, my partner for the eternities, I am appreciative of his loving and tender ways, his determination, his character and personality which balances me out.

On a quick side note: I am thankful for pilgrims who years later make it possible for me to get 2 paid days off of work to stuff my face and watch football *ahhh the life*

I could go on and on and on when it comes to the things that I am thankful for because the list is endless from the electrons in my body's atoms to the stars billions of miles away that shine down on me, filling my soul with hope and wonder for the future.

Life is so precious, thus very fragile. Praying helps me remember this simple fact and reminds me to always a spirit of thanksgiving in my heart.

A Quarter of a Century

It's been 8 days 4 hours 8 minutes and 15 seconds since I turned 25.

Josh woke up at 4 am to get ready for work and as he shuffled, my eyes began to adjust to the faint light coming from the kitchen. The first thought was "Why didn't he wake me up with a kiss?" He was way ahead of me already getting my present all fixed up and setting it in the room so it'd be the first thing I saw when I woke up. Sure enough I sat up and saw this huge birthday bag with blue tissue paper sticking out of it. As I quickly fixed my hair and rubbed the tiredness out of my eyes, I looked up and there he was standing in the door way just staring at me. He came in and said "Happy Birthday my love" and hugged me tight.

I turned my attention to the present and teared up as I read the card (he always puts so much thought and attention to the cards he gets me, all of which I have saved up in our special "box"). Luckily Josh knows me well enough even through our short 10 months of being together. He got me a purse that's all me and just a splash of him. He noticed I was fumbling around with some Sponge Bob Square Pants slippers at Wal-Mart just a few days before and those appeared in the big bag as well (he didn't exactly get the size right but his intentions were good because I love how cozy my feet feel in them). And last but not least some sugar to keep my fruity satisfactions throughout the week since I don't like chocolate.

We shared a special moment as we blew out the candles on a slice of cheese cake and made a wish (we hope will come true by next year). And then out of no where appeared a small box tied with a ribbon. Josh said he was thinking of giving it to me later in the day but he thought She's going to think that's it?! I opened the box and inside neatly wrapped was a pearl necklace with earrings. He knew I had been wanting a pearl necklace for some time. It was such a great birthday and being able to finally share it with my one true love is even better. Through the ups and downs, the tears and joy, the laughter and anger there isn't another person on this planet I would rather share those moments with.

This is how we spent my birthday.

Dallas Aquarium 

Jelly fish glowing in the dark

Feeding time for the Jaguar 

Stinky + beautiful coloring=Flamingo's 

Couldn't believe this fit this giant in the tank!

Guns or Roses?

So yes, a gun did this to my eye....ok well the scope on a 30/30 rifle did it. Let me start at the beginning....Josh was supposed to be looking out for me but I guess he thought Daddy's Little Princess could manage especially since Daddy is AKA Rambo with all the guns he has. So a fun weekend turned into a trip to Urgent Care with my eye bleeding out. Josh wanted to shoot the rifle a few times before the rest of our crew met us out in Conroe for the weekend. He had bought a few target sheets (of which they were miniscule which in turn shattered my focus as well as my eye). The first time I shot it hit the tree above the target sheet and so I was determined to hit it. I crouched down got into position (FYI I can't wink so I had both eyes open to view the scope...WARNING: DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME it is very hard to look through a scope with both eyes and focus) it took a good 3 minutes before I got the shot and when the gun kicked back it hit me in the eye. So because my concentration was focused else where I completely forgot to hold the gun correctly against my shoulder. It felt like a ton of bricks...I literally mean a ton of bricks hit my eye. I didn't feel the blood oozing out of my eye until Josh came over to me and his face held horror in his eyes.

I didn't feel pain and I didn't cry (Daddy's Little Princess is a trooper!) I held my forehead as I tried to put pressure on the wound while I walked inside and washed up. My cousins Jackie and Marty seemed to be freaking out a bit trying to figure out what to do. I saw the cut in the mirror and said, "Let's go...I need stitches" Josh called a few places and we headed out. He felt really bad and the whole way there he couldn't help but blame himself. It was an accident and I got lucky it wasn't as bad as it could have been, thankfully.

So 2 hours later I've got 6 stitches, a whoozy husband (oh my how will he handle child birth), and a rumbling stomach and I was ready to get back to it. I didn't experience too much pain through out (must be my high threshold for pain) I did however try to hustle some pain med's from Doctor D (the cool, Haitian country man) but he just laughed said I wouldn't need them. I guess most folk out in the country are pretty laid back like him, he cussed a few times and blasted his Creole Jams during the procedure.

Now I have an awesome scar to look forward to, good thing it's below my eyebrow. I have a purple, black, and greenish tint to my eye which showed up the next day and has been subsiding so there's been a lot of concerned looks at work (it isn't the first time either they still remember my paintball gun wounds) What can I say I bruise easily! Next time I'll be extra careful when handling my guns but some roses would have been nice too

Hyperhidrosis or just nerves?

A few weeks ago Josh and I were ambushed after leaving the bishop's office from our initial interview with him and we were asked to give talks. Josh was terrified as he tentatively said yes and gave me a look of panic. I assured him all would be okay and gave him a sweet smile. He tried to make a deal..."One talk should last me for at least a few years, right?" lol I think we are safe for at least a year.

Nothing stopped him from freaking out during the weeks leading up to the talks. I kept reminding him often to work on his talk and his usual response was, "I'll think about it" (it's actually what he says each time he doesn't want to say yes but will eventually do what I say). He's a stubborn man but he knows what's good for him :)

Josh is also a procrastinator and in the final hours of Saturday night Josh finally sat down and tried to put into words what he had been thinking for the past weeks. That Sunday morning he awoke and the first thing he asked me was for his talk, pen and paper. He practiced all morning very loudly and in front of the mirror. At first I thought it was some crazy man outside talking and laughing all loud but nope it was my hubby.

If you all remember my earlier posts about his sweaty condition well it only worsened Sunday morning. His hands were sweaty and cold while his knee shook uncontrollably as we waited for our turn to speak. As long as he kept his eyes on the ground his heart would slow down but when he would look up at the audience his heart pounded harder and faster.

He did an amazing job, even with the little time I left him with to speak. (I always forget to watch the clock). It was his very first talk and even with sweaty palms, quivering hands, and a racing heart he did a great job. I am so proud of him and thankful for him.

Maybe one day we will find a cure for his excessive sweat glands (we've tried a few) but for now it's cute and I don't mind his wet hands!        

On Cheap Mode by Force

My husband is a wonderful man. Among his many great qualities lies a middle-of-the-road attribute which drives our little family towards greater things it's called: Cheap Ace (excuse my language).

Yes, being a girl I did spend waaaay to much money on clothes, shoes, purses, mani's and pedi's, make-up etc. In Dolly Parton's famous words "It takes effort to look like this!" So when we started dating I toned it down and started saving or rather putting that money towards the wedding. Now however I am putting that money towards debt and bills. Luckily with his "Snowball Plan" we will be completely out of debt (student loans, cars paid off) and in a lovely home by August of next year.

The light at the end of the tunnel seems ominously dim for me and I cry thinking about all the things I could have right now while forgetting the amazing things I could have later if I just sacrifice now. So when my parents made a joke about me not having my nails done (I did however get a pedi) for my cousins wedding on Friday it got Josh thinking....It's never good when either one of us is thinking!

We went grocery shopping later that weekend and as a treat Josh told me he would splurge on me a bit and buy me some pretty nail polish and that HE would paint my nails as an FHE activity. I thought he was being super sweet so I indulged. We bought this beautiful coral color that would look great against my tan skin. It wasn't until a few days later that we realized we had left the polish at the store. Sadly, I thought well maybe a hot pink will do (the only color in my cupboard anyways I hardly ever buy nail polish nor do I store it. I mean why would I? Elite Nail Salon keeps great colors and they do a way better job than me lol).

Josh agreed to use the pink. He did horribly great! There was nail polish all around the corners and on my cuticles. Men think it's like painting a wall or something. They're called brush strokes my dear. As I'm giggling about his work he asks, "Do the Asian woman use these same brushes?" He then added, "Well now you can just give me the 30 bucks you spend on getting your nails done!"

AH-HA!!! There it was! The catch...Cheap Mode on Blast. Besides being semi-nice he had alterior motives for painting my nails. Needless to say I require my girl-time, the massage, trimming, filing, and perfect brush strokes when it comes to my nails. I will continue to visit the nail salon even though I am on a budget of $30 bucks a month, next month I will definitely do a mani rather than pedi.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching X-Factor while Hubby did my nails. Great quality time together. :) He did try and clean up the surrounding areas. Not bad for a first-timer. (It's like a Mona Lisa...far away it's a beautiful masterpiece but up close it's a horrible disaster)

Return Policy

What a God given gift the national chains of America bring to each of us! A return policy can be found on any receipt, some employees will give you a 15 second explanation if you've never heard it before, and sometimes it looks like small print hidden in mischievious places in a contract.

Have you ever tried to return something? Wal-Mart could care less if you bring back the object half broken they know you will come back and spend more money later. One time Hubby and I spent 2 hours at Wal-Mart returning a microwave with no receipt, no box, and no recollection of when we bought it. XXI will only take back clothing with a receipt within 30 days or you get a gift card when all you really wanted was CASH. Who made up these stupid rules anyways?

Last night, Hubby and I figured out that we are more than lucky to have a 14-day return on our guinea pigs. As we sat in bed watching a recorded X Factor while playing with Minx and Cheeky we realized Hubby's efforts to ease me into pet ownership was a total EPIC FAIL! Or maybe Cheeky is depressed because we chose the wrong buddy for her as so demonstrated by her lack of enthusiasm in EVERYTHING! Hubby asked me if I wanted to exchange her for maybe a more lively playmate and my first thought was Oh no...now's my chance to escape. Do I take it and run or just suck it up?

I'm totally running, like the wind during a hurricane in the Carribean! Hubby was saddened by my missed love connection with the small animals. I may not have that gene and he may just have to deal with that his whole life. Heck! He has enough of that gene for the both of us! To soften the blow Hubby added, "Well I guess it's a good thing since we won't have anyone to take care of them and feed them during the holidays when we are gone". My response in a soft monotone voice trying to hide my joy, "Yeah, that's right". We are impulse buyers by nature and Minx and Cheeky were impulsive decisions.

This got me thinking...what if Hubby and I bring children into this world and it's not what I imagine? There is NO RETURN POLICY and what you get instead are sleepless nights, cranky mornings, poopy diapers, vomit on your favorite shirt, loud obnoxious crying, a husband that seems to go deaf at night, and so much more. It is a 24/7/365/∞ <--- That's not very comforting although I'm sure the "Mommys" will tell me that the good outweighs the bad it hovers gloomily over my head. I really shouldn't be tossing this anxiety around in my head anyways, it won't be for another two years that Hubby and I have children. I guess I feel like to fit in with all the other married couples at church we need the one accessory they all possess: child(ren). Maybe it's the fact that I am turning 25 in a month which brings on a whole new level of emotions.

Or maybe I'm just not a pet lover/enthusiast and even though I tried for a split second for Hubby's sake it's just not gonna happen.