Fathers Day

I remember singing this song in church as a small child. I am planning on teaching the it to Malia for Fathers day.

As For Me And My House We Will Serve the Lord

Mothers day was quite eventful this year. On the eve of mother’s day, I had checked myself into the ER with appendicitis. After dealing with two days of what I thought was gas pains, I finally decided to give in  and seek medical attention. I’m certainly glad I did because my appendix was swollen and knotted up so severely, that prolonging the surgery would have put me in the ICU. I guess as a mother you learn to live with pain. Moms don’t get sick days, they deal with it. After all, it wasn’t like I haven’t dealt with cramps and gas pains before… I’m also a woman.

 As I sat on the hospital bed awaiting my test results of my ultra sound I quickly thought about my family. How is Brad going to take the news, and who would watch Malia during this time. Should I call my mother or wait till after mother’s day? I was thankful that It was me sitting in the hospital bed rather than Malia.

After the doctors administered pain medication that next few hours became a blur. I remember being wheeled into my hospital room and suddenly morning had come peeking through my window.  Suddenly, the anxiety set in, and my mind began to race with financial obligations, work status and the feeling of being so alone. It wasn’t like Brad or my family wouldn’t be there for me if I needed them. I didn’t want Malia to see her mommy like this. I didn’t want to traumatize  our baby with memories of mommy in a hospital bed half alert and prodded with IV’s and monitors.

I sat shaking in by bed exhausted, and hallow as they pushed me into the hospital room. I laid there staring at the lights and cold concrete walls. I wished now more than ever that Brad and my mom were with me holding my hand telling me they would be right here when I wake up. The last though I recall was laying on the bed thinking “ What if I never fall asleep?” The next thing I remember is waking up in the recovery room to unfamiliar voices speaking to one another. They sounded almost like they were yelling to one another and suddenly, the pain set in. I tried to call to someone but my voice was weak. It felt as though my body had been weighed down and a heavy stone laid on my chest. I tried to call again, HELP… finally echoed and someone walked in to greet me. “ Help me, I’m in pain’ I replied. My body had been sliced open and the pain was present.

They began to wheel me back into my room and in the distance I heard a voice say “Hi honey’ followed by “momma”. I  forced opened my eyes for a few seconds to see my world before me.  Later that night Brad returned without Malia. He was there by my side every single day and night. Brad was there when I needed him most. He gave me strength both emotionally and spiritually. He took care of me both awake and while I slept. The wise will say “Find a love that has the capacity to grow.” Every day I fall in love with Brad. Our love is always evolving into a deeper kind of love. It has become a love of trust, commitment, admiration and tenderness.

After the second day in the hospital, I called upon my grandpa to give our family a blessing. His words bring strength and wisdom. They give comfort and spiritual enlightenment. He has such strong faith that you can feel it by just being around him. As my grandfather spoke over the phone blessing me and my family during this time Brad and I felt the spirit so strong we wept with comfort and understanding.  In the days following my surgery, we began our spiritual journey together.My grandfather mentioned in his blessing and since then, the thought has resonated with me.  He said "sometimes things happen for our punishment". What did I do to deserve this I thought? But then it hit me.... God has a plan for all of us and he will do anything in his power to push us to where we need to be.  Sometimes bads things happen in our life to help us get back on track, to teach us lessons and remind us about what is most important in this life.  I think this experience has made me want the gospel in our home more than ever. That in times of trouble we will have a foundation to lean upon. That our love is also be one of spirituality and healing.

As For Me And My House We Will Serve the Lord

Joshua 24:15

Family Day April 22, 2013

This weekend called for a bike ride to the park. This was Malias first time on a bike, so Brad and I were a bit skeptical on her  initial reaction to wearing a helmet, let alone riding a bike.  We proceeded to show her  pictures of kids wearing helmets and told her she had her very own big girls helmet to wear. Malia quickly began to warm up to the helmet and had no problem getting on the bike. Daddy started to peddle faster and faster and a watermelon smile grew on her face. She love it!

 Our little dare devil delights in anything new and interesting and continues to amaze us with her understanding and ability to try new things.

                                           

Birds eye view of Brad and Malia

Mommy "Malia, Say Cheese"
Malia "Cheese!!!!"

  

"I never knew how much I loved your father,
 until I saw how much he loved you"

Malia loves watch daddy do his Yoga in the morning and tries to mimic his every move. I would say she's pretty good at downward facing dog. Our little ham bone.

16 months and is already walking up stairs, going down slides and following the big kids around on the play yard. This little girl is ready to get up and go. Needless to say, she keeps us very active.



 Daddy and Malia riding through the housing track. 16 months and she's our best friend. Life has more meaning with her in it. Add caption



Malia loves fruit, especially oranges, blueberries, bananas and strawberries.

Sweet kisses from my beautiful girl.

SAVE THE DATE

Brad and I took our engagment pictures this past weekend at the Huntington Beach Central Park. Our photograher and friend Mark tooks some great shots that we are patiently awaiting to get back. It was nice to have a few hours away from Malia to focus on each other. A sweet reminder on why were are together and the commitment to plan to make as a couple. I cant wait to marry this wonderful man. Yes, at times we drive each other a bit crazy but after everything is said and done, I cant imagine life with out him by my side.

The Santa Ana Zoo

Malia has shown interest in animals. She enjoys mimicking the different sounds animals make and loves to read books about animals. Daddy and I decided to take her to the Santa Ana Zoo to explore and visit the animals. The night before, we told Malia that we would be going to the Zoo. We watched video clips of different Zoo animals and told her we would be seeing them soon. The next day we dressed Malia and then asked her “ Malia, guess where we are going today?”  Then replied “ The Zoo!!!”  Her face light up with excitement  as she claps her hands and yells “ Yay, ewe”. Meaning Zoo to a 16 month.



The Bird Atrium



The Blue Macaws- Native to central and South America



Easter Sunday 2013





Its a perfect spring day in the back yard of our new home. Malia is discovering colorful Easter eggs scattered  over the grass. Inside are stickers, toys and and a special treat. She quickly learns that she can open these eggs and find unique little gifts in each egg. Her excitement shows with each egg she continues to find. The last egg found hides and carmel chocolate Hersey kiss. The look on her face is priceless. "what is this tastey treat?"                  

A special video of Malia and her first Easter egg hunt.

A weekend with the girls. 2013

Aunty Aureole came to visit. I thought sAureole was going to jump out of her own skin with the excitement of meeting Malia for the first time. Aureole came running up the drive way overcome with excitment for her little niece. It was a sweet moment to watch.

I know that Malia will have the kind of special bond with her Aunty that I have. I hope Malia will turn to her Aunty in times when she needs someone other than her mommy. I Love my sisters and consider Malia lucky to have such wonderful aunties who will love her no matter what.

There is nothing like coming to your moms home to feel safe and relaxed. My mom is amazing and has this way of making her children feel at home no matter what the age. She is a hard working mother that has given so much to her family. She has shown strength in times of adversity and love and compassion in times of need. After having a child of my own I realize just how much she loves us.

After a long weekend with the girls, Malia and I are out!