Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Our 1st Anniversary

A couple weeks ago we had our first anniversary :) I can't believe it has already been one year since we got married!! (and I still haven't changed my name, eek!!!) We had a small get together at my parents' house. Lina helped out a lot with the party. She's such a wonderful friend :) Almost all these pictures are from her too!

via


floral arrangement from my mom
ice cream sundae table

veggie kabobs

lots of fresh fruit

my dad made wooden coasters

flowers floating in a giant margarita glass

food deck
Many things (plates, napkins, curtains) were reused from our wedding. My parents' backyard has some nautical decor, so we included that element into the party here and there. For example, those jars of lights are hanging from ship's wheels. There were tons of lights everywhere! I wish I took more pictures :( It was really pretty. We had meat & veggie dogs & burgers. Almost all the fruit and veggies were from the local farmer's market. We got a bag of peaches for $2! Plums were free from the yard. Lina made her super delicious peanut butter cookies. They were such a big hit! Everyone couldn't stop eating them :)

The morning after the party, we quickly cleaned up and took off for our lil getaway. Dale had fun surprises planned for the next two days! We stayed at a really cute B&B, ate at a yummy restaurant, went to a baseball game, and more!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Our Apartment

Waiting unknowingly for the job I preferred has worked out quite well so far. First, I got the job. They called me right after the interview to offer me the position. I've been working since Valentine's Day :) Second, the hours, pay, and benefits are more than what I expected. Third, they offered us an apartment at a very affordable price (especially for the area). Furnished with whatever we needed, includes washer/dryer, all utilities paid, no commute. My commute was 40 miles, 1 hr, $5 toll everyday. Now my commute is a 1-2 minute walk across a parking lot!! My husband and I are extremely grateful for this opportunity.

Anyway this post is about the apartment. It's cute and cozy, but also pretty awkward due to the layout. We are still in the process of moving; we started about 3 weeks ago. We're really excited to make it feel like home :) Here are pictures of the place before we started putting our stuff in.

This is our little yard area and our RV neighbors.

We're planning to start gardening here.

Our front door.

Opening it for the first time.

Living room/kitchen as soon as you walk in. That hallway is the shower area and entrance to laundry room/storage.

Our challenge area; the bar/table and sleeper couch.

Laundry.

Bedroom.

Other challenge: the ledge that goes around the whole room.

3 doors, 1 wall.

Before we moved in, they painted all the wood paneling white, cleaned the carpets, and replaced the windows. The church (who the apartment belongs to) did a lot of work to make the place nicer for us. We love the white walls, plenty of windows/natural light, and built-ins.

Hopefully, we'll be able to post about our progress with turning it into a home and the creative solutions we'll need for some of the awkwardness.

Btw:

Happy Mother's Day!!

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Monterey

It has been quite a long time since I last posted! There are many things I'm going to post about, but today will be focused on Monterey.

A couple weeks ago my husband, Lina, and I went to visit our dear friend, Tamara in Monterey. She'll be leaving this wonderful city soon. We wanted to visit her before she graduates and gets married :)

Here's some of what we did on our little trip:

On the Wharf

Very Delicious!
Funnest Stairs
Silly Hubby
Lina & her camera :)
"Our Sea Squirrels"
We kind of crashed a wedding, with a bunch of other beach goers.

the girls
Taking a break at the fair.
cuties
Tamara making some of her yummy drinks.
We caught the ending of the Giants game. GO GIANTS!!
Most expensive candy we've ever bought... haha, tourist trap.
More delicious food!
At the Cooper Museum/Store
Even the bathroom area was pretty.
Crazy flowers!?!
Can you find us?
All the book stores were closed :(
Our amazing hostess :)

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

2011 Calendar

Today I was searching for some awesome free calendars for this year, and I must say this one was the best so far!!

Thanks My Owl Barn :)

Friday, January 28, 2011

Day 4

I have had sooo much on my mind today. I have a big decision to make concerning my future, particularly my employment... I received a job offer today. A great offer at that. Full health benefits, good wages, full time... but not at my top choice school. I must make a decision by the end of Monday. My interview for my top choice school isn't until Feb. 7. I think I have a good chance of getting hired there, but they haven't told me what the schedule or wages would be. I am really stressin over this. My heart is telling me to wait for the 7th, but my mind is telling me to take the security filled position. There is a lot to consider...

It's really weird because yesterday I finished reading What Should I Do With My Life? by Po Bronson. I was completely inspired and ready to face my future with all the unknowns and everything. Ya know, go on the path that is based on happiness and dreams. But when faced with the choice... it is so hard!! (I recommend the book btw. Lots of stories and experiences that made me reflect on my own life and my questions and answers to life). It is rather easy to say go for what I feel is "right", but honestly my husband and I can really use the security. Oh, I really have a lot to think about this weekend!! :(

So, for Day 4 it is pretty simple... a bunch of quotes I found inspiring and am trying to use as guidance as I face my decision.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Day 3

Day 2

2nd day of 365 and I almost forgot already!! :(
Although I am 5 min late with posting, here it is...


I got 2 new photo editing softwares this past week and I've been playing around with them a little. As the year progresses I hope to develop some skills, lol :)

Also, today was filled with some positivity that I will be sharing soon!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

365: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life

I've been trying to decide on what to do for this new project I found: 365: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life.

My ideas were floating around these:
  • create a gift
  • create a print
  • draw
  • journal
  • document a "dream"
  • list 10 positive thoughts/quotes
I've decided to combine them all and just do something every day!!

Although my goal was to decide before my birthday... I decided today :)

1. Inspired by a birthday card from my older sister!


Friday, January 21, 2011

yeeeeeeeeey!!

I'm excited, but don't wanna be!! Ahhh!

So, I've been kinda down because our plans to go to Korea aren't working out. (We still haven't heard anything from the General Conference!! Almost 2 months now!) Instead of just sitting here hoping, wishing, waiting to hear something, anything, I applied to a preschool job nearby. As I was writing an email to inquiry about another preschool job, the first one called to set up a tour of the school and meet all the teachers!! They were really interested in continuing the application process with me and wanted to make sure I like the school :) After I got off the phone with the director, I finished my email for the second job. That evening, I randomly checked my email and the second place wants me to call them on Monday to schedule an interview!! I'm really excited, but don't want to be because I don't want to jinx anything, lol. Also, I don't want to get extra hurt if both jobs don't work out.... I think it's a step in the right direction though.

Anyways, it was a great way to end a tiring/depressing week!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Holidays

This past Christmas it was just me, my husband, and little sister :) First time our family wasn't all together. We didn't really celebrate or go all out. Christmas is my favorite time of year because everyone is usually happy and everything is all decorated and festive. Honestly, we weren't really feeling it this year... all the commercialism and greed... it all casts a heavy shadow on the true spirit of the season. Being around friends and staying positive all help the season stay bright :) Anyways, here are the holiday cards my husband and I sent out. We used pictures from our wedding and got the graphics free off the internet. Summertime Designs and Kevin & Amanda both offer very awesome freebies. I used stuff from both of them to create our cards. Then, printed from home. We "greened" them up a bit by using leftover cardstock from our wedding and envelopes we found in my mom's stash of leftover stationary. We also made the card postcard style to use less paper! We couldn't decide on one style so we just used them all :)

Card Option 1:
Front, frame from Kevin & Amanda
Back, frame edited from Kevin & Amanda, bows & background from Summertime Design
Card Option 2:
Front, frame edited from Kevin & Amanda, bows & background from Summertime Design
Back Option 1,  frame edited from Kevin & Amanda, bows & background from Summertime Design

Back Option 2,  frame edited from Kevin & Amanda, bows & background from Summertime Design
 Card Option 3:
Front, frame edited from Kevin & Amanda, bows & background from Summertime Design
Back Option 1,  frame edited from Kevin & Amanda, bows & background from Summertime Design
Back Option 2,  frame edited from Kevin & Amanda, bows & background from Summertime Design

That was a lot! I love making cards and am so grateful for wonderful people who post amazing freebies to use!! :)