Wordless Wednesday

Our Wedding Invitations!

To My Non Potty-Trained Child...

Dear Briana,


You will be turning into a big three year old this upcoming July.  You are my heart and joy!  My life.  My everything!  But we need to have a serious talk about your lack of potty training.  When you turned 2 you went poppie all by your self.  Then it's like you never wanted to try again for MONTHS!  You've gone to the bathroom maybe once or twice more since then.  I may have partaken in a couple of parenting failures of training... but you haven't been little Ms. Perfect either!


You understand the concept of this whole potty training ordeal.  I mean come on! You are always following me into the bathroom saying, "Mommy pee pee on the potty!"  (Which by the way, that is supposed to be my private time... you'll understand when you're older I suppose.)  You even go with me to the bathroom and sit on your potty.  You also understand that your Pull-Ups are your *Big Girl Princess Pants.*


Why must you refuse to do it and confuse Mommy?  Are you trying to show that you have control?  You obviously don't know the power of control that Mommy & Daddy will have on your future.  You must be confused because I know you're not being mean and spiteful!  Or are you? Uh.  It's more like I'm being trained than you.  I think this whole potty training is crap!


Briana PLEASE!  I bought you Dora underware.  If and when my patience leaves me, I'm thinking of just putting you in them and letting you pee or poop yourself.  Is that mean?  Will you listen to me if I tell you that you cannot pee pee or poopie in your undies?  I think I will go ahead and do just that.


Sweetie pie, mommy loves you so so much!  Please be an angel and start using the potty!  It's time to stop rebelling on your parents and move forward.






PLEASE change your ways for me.
Love you forever,


Mommy

Sickly Little Me

...I thought I was in the clear!

Steve came home sick from his Snowshoe trip a couple weeks back.  He then passed it to Briana who then passed it on to her Abuelita (Grandma.)  Then it sneaks up on me.  ((I shouldn't have let that snotty nose toddler love on me!)) I've been not myself since Monday afternoon BOO.  I told myself I would keep up with my blog but I've been so unmotivated and pooped out.  Today is such a BEAUTIFUL day out but I'm stuck inside.. no fair!  My little 2 1/2 year old must know I'm not well because she's been super sweet and letting me rest.  Love her!

via The Glam Lamb

Don't get me wrong... I love my cocktails & wine but I will pass until I'm more up to par!

Tuesday was my Honey's birthday.  He turned 29 years young!  Steve obviously likes younger women (Te-he!)

I sure do love this guy!  I feel terrible that I couldn't have been more loving and exciting on his special day. :(  We went to a new Bolivian place for lunch called Betty's Grill in Sterling.  Pretty good I must say!  The Saltenas & Pique Macho were quite delish.  I did shower him with some new Under Armour and Ecko gear (his fav!)  I also set up a dude date for him for this Saturday with his buddies to go watch fight night at Primetime Sport Bar. 

Things I Love About My Fiance 

*He loves me more than I could imagine anyone ever loving me.

*He. Is. Hilarious!

*The best Daddy to our little girl.  I couldn't have asked for better!

*He's a very hard worker.

*He is very intelligent.

*Quite the handy man (Thank God I don't know squat!)

*He is very family oriented. 

*How he falls asleep in 2 seconds.

*The way he does his hair forward with the little bangs.

*He's open-minded (another thing I learn through him.)

*His smell.

*He has the most beautiful LARGE eyes and long eyelashes (A trait that I'm proud Briana inherited.)

*He's great with technology.

*If somethings wrong, he senses it and wont leave me alone until I share my thoughts.

*He tells me I'm pretty/beautiful.

*He has nice toned calves.

*... and butt.

*He cares about my family.

*He reads my blog (was I not supposed to share that?)

*He wont put up with me taking sh*t out on him when I'm mad.

*He's a better communicator than I.

*He has a big heart.

*He wants to have more babies with me!  

*He can't wait to call me his Wife. Right back atcha!

*He likes it when I buy myself things because it makes me happy.

*He can't wait for me to be a full-time stay at home mommy (and one day for him not to work as much either.)

*He listens to me when I have ideas about our business or things I want to start or change.

*He's still with me after all we've been through with our relationship, having a child, etc!  I see us having a great non-perfect marriage!

  

Wordless Wednesday!

On our Valentine's Date Night this past weekend!

I wish I could wear heels everyday without wanting to kill myself... but I do wear them for my Honey on date nights!

Briana's a fricken' natural.  I want to hate her!  ;)

My Pinteresting Life!

Wahoo for Monday's!  

Oh and Happy President's Day which ='s a nice 3-day weekend for most people.  I had a very nice weekend.  Instead of working the whole time I took Saturday off.. stayed in my pajamas til Noon, went out to lunch with my Mom, and had a fabulous date night with Steve!  We went to Coastal Flats (I've never been.) AMAZING!  After dinner we went to see Safe House (Denzel Washington & Ryan Reynolds) at Fairfax Corner.  Besides the movie being outstanding, I found a full bar in the theatre.  We didn't grab a drink this time but we'll be bringing them some business in the future that's for sure.

Link up with IBLOG4ME

Now on to showing my favorite Pins of the past week...

For The Hunger Games fans:

via The Hunger Games Trilogy Fansite

SO EXCITED!  I can wait for the movie :)

via someecards.com

What I'm reading now... Just in case you were looking for a good read:

google.com

Some healthy eats I bumped in to...

via Eating Well

via Iowa Girl Eats

Smoothies & Wraps are right up my alley!  Both are easy to prep.  Haven't tried these yet but will soon!

I always love looking into the Humor section of Pinterest:

via http://pinterest.com/nicolekassinger/

via The Redneck Mommy

via http://pinterest.com/whitneyenglish/

Vodka Gummy Bears.  So pumped to try this out! My next mixologist project ;)

via The Daily Hack

DIY Projects That are Simple Enough For Me! :

Wedding Invitation Ornament

via From Glitter To Gumdrops

Scarf Organizer

via burritos + champagne

Easter DIY!

Plastic Egg Wreath

via Keeping It Simple

Garland

via I Should Be Mopping The Floor

What I Imagine My Dream Home Looking Like...

via madera y zinc

(maybe minus the colorful deer on the wall!)

Phrases That Stuck Out...

via tumblr.com

via Diapers & Daisies

DUN DUN DUN DUNNN!

Ahh yes.  Not many people have asked me who will be giving me away to my soon to be Husband.  Probably because no one really wants to talk about my father… totally understandable!

LONG story short:  

Mom and Dad were married for 24 years.  My father decided to leave the week of my 15^th birthday.  Come to find out, he loved someone else and you can imagine how the story goes.  Him and I’s relationship was pretty rocky through my high school years probably because I was thrown in the middle of the constant fighting.  I became quite the rebellious teenager (to stuff away my heartbreak & emotions) and my mother just couldn’t handle me by herself any longer.  She sent me to live with him my senior year… He didn’t know how to treat me, I couldn’t stand him of course  because I was a 17 year old “know it all!”  I graduated from high school and moved back home with my mother for a little while and started working. 

My grandfather died shortly after I turned 18.  Once that happened, my father told one of his sister's that he would never speak to his children again because we just wanted him for his money and whatever other crazy shit he was thinking. Started fights with his brother, took too much money from what his father left him and the rest of his family to split… and took off running to Sunny Florida with his prize and trophy wife!  (BAHAHA! I'm funny)

There’s a lot more to that story but I chose to give the short whacked-out side of it.

I honestly don’t know if I’ve fully FORGIVEN him (which means probably NOT!)  I have stuffed him away into my forgotten file which has helped me to not feel or think about him.  Every now and then it sneaks up on me but for the most part, I’m numb to those hateful, sad years.  

Source

I suppose people would think I have *Daddy Issues.*  I wouldn’t necessarily take it that far (anymore, anyway.)  There was an 8 year phase I went through where I swore up and down that I wouldn’t have  kids and never EVER marry.  I’ve made terrible mistakes that have stalled on plans or completely got taken away.  

Source

My fault, lessons learned!  I don’t blame my father for screwing up my life (that's all my doing,) though he is a big excuse.  Let me just say that the divorce was the start to my long list of regrets.

Source

I am living proof that time heals.  I am living proof that someone can turn their life around for the better.  

I have a beautiful child and am about to marry my BFF.  They both have saved my life.  I don’t want to even imagine where I’d be right now without them.  

Since I do not have the traditional *Dad walking daughter down the aisle* scenario, I wanted someone that is a Father figure in my life.  A list of folks I had in mind:

-Uncle Jun

-Uncle Paul

-Efrain (Steve’s father)

-Petey (my boss)

-Domingo (co-worker, friend)

That there is an awesome list!  But…

I just cannot pick between my two uncles.  *Crosses both off list*

I love my soon to be father in law so much!  But I need a man that will give me away to his family.  *Slowly crosses off list*

Pete and Domingo have tied up the list.  It was a hard choice.  Both I have known through the roughest times of my life and have been there supporting and helping me in any way possible.  But, Domingo and I have spent more time together and have a closer connection.  D has a  sweet wife and two girls that he’s put through college and they’re now both married off and starting their own families.  He is my dear friend and what I call “my old man.”

I have asked him recently and he sounds very happy to step up and be there for me on my big day.  I am so blessed to have met some of the most amazing people.  I am so very thankful!  ♥

Here is a poem I found and fell in love with.  Unfortunately the author is unknown:

Reason, Season, or Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON,
it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty;
to provide you with guidance and support;
to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON,
because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

— Unknown

Wordless Wednesday

My Favorite TV Shows! (Whenever I get to watch TV...) 

via Google.com & Bing.com

Princess Briana has been a little sickly this week...

But as you can see, she is quite the trooper!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Since it's V-Day I am linking up with from Mrs to Mama to share our *love* story...  

Yes, a lotta folks think it's a stupid Holiday.  I thought so for YEARS.  But it's a good excuse to love on (and possibly spoil) the one you love most!

1. How long have you and your significant other been together?   Since September 13, 2008.

2. How did you meet? {What's your "love" story?}

I met Steve on Labor Day weekend while him and his roomies were having a party!  I went there with a group of girlfriends not knowing anyone that would be at the house.  I absolutely loved hanging out with all of them!  Drinking beer, playing beer pong... ya know, the usual house party "Things To Do."  I kicked Steve's butt in beer pong... he has claimed that he was too wasted blah, blah, blah.  If he was wasted then he wouldn't have been so nice, good in conversation and good company.  After I left that night, err early morning I kept thinking, "Wow those guys are pretty fun and amazing."   It didn't really hit me that he had a thing for me until the very next week when I got texts to go out with him... I was used to guys trying to get in my pants on the first try.  We went to watch a UFC fight at a bar the next weekend and then he took me out on our first date the weekend after at La Bergerie. THAT is when I really fell for him! :)

3. If married, how long have you been married? If not, is this the guy you hope to marry? {do tell} 

Steve and I are tying the knot on March 31, 2012!!

4. If you are married, where did you get married at? Big or small wedding?  If not, where would you like to get married? And will it be big or small?

We are getting married at Woodlawn-Faith and the reception will be at Mount Vernon Country Club with a total of 80 people.

5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another? Do share!

Now that I think about it.. not really!  The usual babe, baby, honey, my love.  

Damn, I wish I were more clever!

6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey.

-Awesome father to Briana.  I couldn't have asked for better!

-Funny & Sweet

-Kind & Loving

I do know that's more than three. I can't help it!

7. Tell us how he proposed? Or your ideal proposal?

Steve proposed to me on December 25, 2010 in front of all our closest family!  I actually consider him proposing on Christmas Eve because we spend that night with his side of the family with dinner and the opening of presents at midnight (LOVE my Bolivian Christmas!) He asked me to help Briana open a gift.  So I pulled out this baby (quite a large baby) with a onesie on it that said, "Daddy has a question for you."  Please tell me why I'm sucha IDIOT.  I was confused of course and then he dropped to one knee...... :D

8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals?

Umm, I'd say a little bit of both?!  Minus the strawberries and rose petals.

9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch?

I'm torn...  I imagine myself loving to do both. 

10. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant one day. If you could do anything? Go anywhere?

Just one thing??  Ok fine.

I dream of becoming a stay-at-home mom (in our own home, not a rented one) so we can have 1-2 more children and I can help him out with our moon bounce business... and possibly starting something of my own.

11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine's Day.

I have to work tonight BOO!  But I have Saturday off.  I'm hoping Nana can babysit Briana so we can do a kinda early dinner and movie.  Sounds perfect to me!

12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine's day?

Nope.  We're kinda broke at the moment!

13. Give us one piece of advice of keeping a relationship strong and full of love.

Be that persons BFF!  There's no room for disrespect. Protect the one you love with all you've got and don't let them go!

14.  Show us a picture of what love means to you.