In case you didn't already know, John and I were supposed to get married today. Yep, I was supposed to have my big ol' Catholic wedding, but instead, I got pre-martially knocked up again.
All three of my sisters we set to get married in 2011 & 2012 which is why John and I decided to get married at the last minute. (Our culture believes that it's bad for siblings to get married in the same year.) We started planning in late May, but quickly cancelled in early July after we discovered that Noie was on her way. I decided that it would NOT be a good look to waddle down the aisle while 8 months preggers.
But, believe it or not, planning our would-be wedding was sooooo easy. We've been engaged since John proposed when Kevin was 8 months old. Needless to say, I've had tons of time fantasize about our wedding day. We both love the winter so December seemed like a natural choice. Aside from that, it was the 12th month of our 12th year which was perfect. John picked the date and venue, but I did everything else. We planned on using the same photographer, DJ, and videographer from Niki's party. I even found the perfect dress! (Thank goodness I didn't order it or I would have been screwed.)
I'm a little sad today. I wouldn't trade my "Snowy Noie" for THE WORLD, but damn it, I should be in a wedding dress today -- not sweats and a huge-ass sweater!!! Today I was supposed to officially become Mrs. John (okay, Rodolfo) de Leon! 12.11.10 was supposed to be the day that I stopped being a "sinner," and finally have my union with John recognized by God. It's very important to us to have His sacramental blessing. That's why we've held off on having a civil ceremony all these years.
Everything about our wedding had a meaning. Instead, there are a LOT of "Nos" happening today.
1. No vintage winter wonderland wedding at the Galleria. The room was going to be filled with Tiffany blue, crimson red (John's signature color in high school), crystal trees, twinkling lights, bling, and downy feathers.
2. No large wedding party - a groomsman & bridesmaid for each year we've been together.
3. No flocked Christmas tree for our guests to hang handmade ornaments on. (I was going to have an ornament making table so our guests could make an ornament to take home and one for us to keep -- to carry on our den's holiday tradition.)
4. No photobooth & scrapbook table.
5. No Japanese cuisine or sushi bar. (To pay homage to our first date.)
6. No yummy warm winter treats & drink bar.
7. No snowy honeymoon with my honey.
8. And most importantly of all, NO blessing from God, at St. Dominic's, by the Father who gave Ethan his final sacrament.
Today, we're making gingerbread houses, decorating ornaments, and going to the parol parade. It's not my wedding day, but I wouldn't trade today's memories for the world. :)
Showing posts with label About Us. Show all posts
Showing posts with label About Us. Show all posts
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Forget Mike Jones! Who IS John de Leon?
Tomorrow is my Lion King’s 28th birthday!
We met when we were 15-years-old so I’ll let you do the math on how many birthdays we’ve spent together. No one – and I mean no one – knows him as well as I do. We’re polar opposites, but there are so many logical and illogical reasons behind why we’ve been together for as long as we have been. So, for his birthday, I decided to put him at the mercy of my blog. Every year I try and do something a different to celebrate the love of my life. So -- you guessed it -- this blog post is dedicated to my illusive Scorpio.
“Back then they didn’t want me, now I’m hot and they all on me.”
Those lyrics remind me a lot of my hubby-to-be. Not that he has girls droppin' their panties for him celebrity-style (cause I’d kick his ass), but back when we were younger a lot of people didn’t think he was going to amount to shit. Now, he’s a dedicated family man and didn’t end up being a “jail bird loser” like everyone probably thought he would be.
John was what I lovingly call a “troubled youth.” He wasn’t violent or disrespectful, but he was every Filipino parent’s nightmare – young, reckless, and just didn’t give a damn what people thought about him. The guy was a black sheep! He had been in and out of handcuffs, and even landed himself a lovely vacation at juvenile hall for all of his shenanigans. My Dad unhappily declared “He looks like a gangster” the first time he laid eyes on John.
Oh, but my friends, that is what intrigued me about him!
John totally wasn’t my type when I got to know him more. John was a bad boy – fresh from Oakland/Alameda – and I thought he was as total asshole. He had a nasty habit of looking like he was angry all the time. He smoked, he had slicked back curly hair (I liked bald or close cut guys), and he always, always, ALWAYS used to wear khakis and his collection of red jackets from Structure. (Remember that men’s store!? Yes, I’m bringing it way back ya’ll!) And in case you’re wondering – NO, he DID NOT “claim” red -- he just liked the color.
I on the other hand, was utterly virginal and innocent. I thought smokers were disgusting, and I was Miss “I’m-Waiting-Until-I’m-Married.” Back then I actually used to give a damn how I looked -- I wore make-up and I didn’t just finger-brush my hair like I do on most days. I thought he was cute because he was dark and mysterious, but he wasn’t really someone that I would consider dating, ya know? Cause I was a goody-goody.
Then, one drunken teenage night – and it was my first time drinking too -- he kissed me. He says I kissed him, but uh-uh, he kissed me. The rest is history.
John’s influence rubbed off on me quickly. Haha, amongst other things. ;-) He quickly changed my "I'm waiting until I'm married" policy about 1 ½ months after we started dating. And, I even started smoking so he would think I was "cool." (Sad, isn't it?) A lot of people didn't "get us." He was a mean boy and broke my heart on multiple occasions, but I still ferociously tried to work it out with him because he was my "de-flowerer."
On the flip side, when he wasn't being a jerk because suddenly he decided that he was "too hard" for a girlfriend, John was very sweet. He'll probably kill me for saying this but he used to sing to me. Okay, he used to sing the "love verse" from Master P's "I Got the Hook Up", but still...it was sweet. Eventually he did a little Drop-N-Harm too. Lol! Annnnd he even wrote an essay about me in summer school.
John was emo back then, people just didn't know it. He drew my portrait once. And, I still have it in our scrapbook. ;)
These were the lovely things that helped me deal with his "hardness" even though he would rarely hold my hand in public back in the day. He looks back on our tumultuous high school relationship and laughs about it now. He feels bad for being so young, dumb, and stupid. And now here we are -- 13 birthdays later -- and a lot has changed about our relationship. He still likes to have his hard outer shell, but to me, it's candy coated. And he's melted in my mouth over the years. (Seriously guys, no sexual pun intended.)
I've worn him down and he has allowed himself to be completely vulnerable to me. I've reached the chocolate center ya'll, and it's delicious! Our relationship isn't perfect, but I know that come hell and high water he's got my back. And for his birthday I just wanted to let him know just how special he is to me.
Happy Birthday, Honey! I love you. And your butu too. ;-)
We met when we were 15-years-old so I’ll let you do the math on how many birthdays we’ve spent together. No one – and I mean no one – knows him as well as I do. We’re polar opposites, but there are so many logical and illogical reasons behind why we’ve been together for as long as we have been. So, for his birthday, I decided to put him at the mercy of my blog. Every year I try and do something a different to celebrate the love of my life. So -- you guessed it -- this blog post is dedicated to my illusive Scorpio.
“Back then they didn’t want me, now I’m hot and they all on me.”
Those lyrics remind me a lot of my hubby-to-be. Not that he has girls droppin' their panties for him celebrity-style (cause I’d kick his ass), but back when we were younger a lot of people didn’t think he was going to amount to shit. Now, he’s a dedicated family man and didn’t end up being a “jail bird loser” like everyone probably thought he would be.
John was what I lovingly call a “troubled youth.” He wasn’t violent or disrespectful, but he was every Filipino parent’s nightmare – young, reckless, and just didn’t give a damn what people thought about him. The guy was a black sheep! He had been in and out of handcuffs, and even landed himself a lovely vacation at juvenile hall for all of his shenanigans. My Dad unhappily declared “He looks like a gangster” the first time he laid eyes on John.
Oh, but my friends, that is what intrigued me about him!
John totally wasn’t my type when I got to know him more. John was a bad boy – fresh from Oakland/Alameda – and I thought he was as total asshole. He had a nasty habit of looking like he was angry all the time. He smoked, he had slicked back curly hair (I liked bald or close cut guys), and he always, always, ALWAYS used to wear khakis and his collection of red jackets from Structure. (Remember that men’s store!? Yes, I’m bringing it way back ya’ll!) And in case you’re wondering – NO, he DID NOT “claim” red -- he just liked the color.
I on the other hand, was utterly virginal and innocent. I thought smokers were disgusting, and I was Miss “I’m-Waiting-Until-I’m-Married.” Back then I actually used to give a damn how I looked -- I wore make-up and I didn’t just finger-brush my hair like I do on most days. I thought he was cute because he was dark and mysterious, but he wasn’t really someone that I would consider dating, ya know? Cause I was a goody-goody.
Then, one drunken teenage night – and it was my first time drinking too -- he kissed me. He says I kissed him, but uh-uh, he kissed me. The rest is history.
John’s influence rubbed off on me quickly. Haha, amongst other things. ;-) He quickly changed my "I'm waiting until I'm married" policy about 1 ½ months after we started dating. And, I even started smoking so he would think I was "cool." (Sad, isn't it?) A lot of people didn't "get us." He was a mean boy and broke my heart on multiple occasions, but I still ferociously tried to work it out with him because he was my "de-flowerer."
On the flip side, when he wasn't being a jerk because suddenly he decided that he was "too hard" for a girlfriend, John was very sweet. He'll probably kill me for saying this but he used to sing to me. Okay, he used to sing the "love verse" from Master P's "I Got the Hook Up", but still...it was sweet. Eventually he did a little Drop-N-Harm too. Lol! Annnnd he even wrote an essay about me in summer school.
John was emo back then, people just didn't know it. He drew my portrait once. And, I still have it in our scrapbook. ;)
These were the lovely things that helped me deal with his "hardness" even though he would rarely hold my hand in public back in the day. He looks back on our tumultuous high school relationship and laughs about it now. He feels bad for being so young, dumb, and stupid. And now here we are -- 13 birthdays later -- and a lot has changed about our relationship. He still likes to have his hard outer shell, but to me, it's candy coated. And he's melted in my mouth over the years. (Seriously guys, no sexual pun intended.)
I've worn him down and he has allowed himself to be completely vulnerable to me. I've reached the chocolate center ya'll, and it's delicious! Our relationship isn't perfect, but I know that come hell and high water he's got my back. And for his birthday I just wanted to let him know just how special he is to me.
Happy Birthday, Honey! I love you. And your butu too. ;-)
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
My Partner In Crime...
Here is the link to my latest post at HemAware.org. I've copied and pasted the post below, but I still strongly recommend that you visit the site to check out all of the cool things at HemAware Magazine. They offer a wealth of information for people with bleeding disorders and for people that want to learn more about the community. :)
http://hemaware.org/blogs/diary-hemomom/my-partner-crime
There is something amazing about ending up with your high school sweetheart. Twelve years doesn’t seem like much, but it’s a long time if you think about all the life stages I’ve gone through with John. Sometimes I look back and can’t believe how much time has passed! We’ve grown up so much over the years that I’m amazed we haven’t grown apart.
John and I started unofficially dating in May 1998, one month before my 16th birthday. Back then he had peach fuzz on his upper lip and smoked cigarettes, and although I’ve heard his voice practically every day for the past 12 years, I’m sure his voice was much higher then, too. John’s personality reminded me a lot of Dally, my favorite character from S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders. John wasn’t violent, but he was a “bad boy” nonetheless.
John transferred from a different high school because he got into a lot of trouble when he lived in the Oakland-Alameda area of the Bay. I never really noticed him around school because we were such polar opposites. I was goofy, innocent and hung out with a completely different crowd. And yuck—I didn’t like smokers! So, for almost all of sophomore year he didn’t exist in my world, and I didn’t really exist in his.
When mutual friends caused our worlds to collide, I didn’t gravitate toward his defiant personality. In fact, I didn’t even give him the time of day at first! John and I still playfully debate how it happened, but the very first night we went out with friends, he kissed me (although he claims I kissed him), and we’ve been together ever since. We had your typical whirlwind high-school romance, and with time, I stopped being such a goody-goody, while he softened up a bit.
If you had told me when I was 16 that I would eventually have children with the guy, I wouldn’t have believed you. If you’d told me the family we’d create would be a different kind of normal—that one of our children would die and another would be born with a rare bleeding disorder—I definitely wouldn’t have believed you. In fact, I probably would have thought you were crazy!
Although he shaves every day now, I can still visualize how his teenage face looked. And I can still remember the way it felt when he sweetly hugged me while we waited for the bus together. We were so young and immature when we welcomed our first son, Kevin, on my 21st birthday. Just when I thought we were veterans at this parenting thing, we matured drastically as we learned to cope with Niki’s diagnosis. I also remember the look in John’s weary eyes nearly three years ago as we watched our son die. The way he held me when Ethan died was different from all those times at the bus stop. So, to say we’ve aged a lot in the past 12 years is an understatement.
I’ve read the statistics about the death of a child correlating with a higher chance of divorce. I’ve also heard of couples breaking up over the stress of raising a child with special needs. I may sound arrogant or idealistic for saying this, but I don’t worry about those things with John. We’ve lost dreams together, lost a child together, and through hell and high water we’ve persevered.
Both parents must carry the factor VII deficiency gene for it to be passed down to a child. Out of all the people I could have possibly had children with, I ended up with someone just like me—a carrier of a severe form of this disorder. Some people may perceive that as a curse, but to us it’s a blessing in disguise. We are far from perfect—we still bicker and fight when stress runs high—but there is something oddly reassuring about our “curse.” To us, it’s a sign that the life we’ve created together was meant to be.
The boy who was rough around the edges has turned into the man who is strong when I am not. It’s his eyes that meet mine during those sleepless, stressful nights when all we can do is worry. The boy who wouldn’t dare shed a tear in front of me for fear of “losing face” has transformed into the man I’ve held while sobs racked his body. So, though our life together has been difficult, I appreciate it for all its glory.
My high school sweetheart turned soulmate makes this journey run smoother, bumps and all.
http://hemaware.org/blogs/diary-hemomom/my-partner-crime
There is something amazing about ending up with your high school sweetheart. Twelve years doesn’t seem like much, but it’s a long time if you think about all the life stages I’ve gone through with John. Sometimes I look back and can’t believe how much time has passed! We’ve grown up so much over the years that I’m amazed we haven’t grown apart.
John and I started unofficially dating in May 1998, one month before my 16th birthday. Back then he had peach fuzz on his upper lip and smoked cigarettes, and although I’ve heard his voice practically every day for the past 12 years, I’m sure his voice was much higher then, too. John’s personality reminded me a lot of Dally, my favorite character from S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders. John wasn’t violent, but he was a “bad boy” nonetheless.
John transferred from a different high school because he got into a lot of trouble when he lived in the Oakland-Alameda area of the Bay. I never really noticed him around school because we were such polar opposites. I was goofy, innocent and hung out with a completely different crowd. And yuck—I didn’t like smokers! So, for almost all of sophomore year he didn’t exist in my world, and I didn’t really exist in his.
When mutual friends caused our worlds to collide, I didn’t gravitate toward his defiant personality. In fact, I didn’t even give him the time of day at first! John and I still playfully debate how it happened, but the very first night we went out with friends, he kissed me (although he claims I kissed him), and we’ve been together ever since. We had your typical whirlwind high-school romance, and with time, I stopped being such a goody-goody, while he softened up a bit.
Becoming Parents Together
If you had told me when I was 16 that I would eventually have children with the guy, I wouldn’t have believed you. If you’d told me the family we’d create would be a different kind of normal—that one of our children would die and another would be born with a rare bleeding disorder—I definitely wouldn’t have believed you. In fact, I probably would have thought you were crazy!
Although he shaves every day now, I can still visualize how his teenage face looked. And I can still remember the way it felt when he sweetly hugged me while we waited for the bus together. We were so young and immature when we welcomed our first son, Kevin, on my 21st birthday. Just when I thought we were veterans at this parenting thing, we matured drastically as we learned to cope with Niki’s diagnosis. I also remember the look in John’s weary eyes nearly three years ago as we watched our son die. The way he held me when Ethan died was different from all those times at the bus stop. So, to say we’ve aged a lot in the past 12 years is an understatement.
Persevered Together
I’ve read the statistics about the death of a child correlating with a higher chance of divorce. I’ve also heard of couples breaking up over the stress of raising a child with special needs. I may sound arrogant or idealistic for saying this, but I don’t worry about those things with John. We’ve lost dreams together, lost a child together, and through hell and high water we’ve persevered.
Both parents must carry the factor VII deficiency gene for it to be passed down to a child. Out of all the people I could have possibly had children with, I ended up with someone just like me—a carrier of a severe form of this disorder. Some people may perceive that as a curse, but to us it’s a blessing in disguise. We are far from perfect—we still bicker and fight when stress runs high—but there is something oddly reassuring about our “curse.” To us, it’s a sign that the life we’ve created together was meant to be.
The boy who was rough around the edges has turned into the man who is strong when I am not. It’s his eyes that meet mine during those sleepless, stressful nights when all we can do is worry. The boy who wouldn’t dare shed a tear in front of me for fear of “losing face” has transformed into the man I’ve held while sobs racked his body. So, though our life together has been difficult, I appreciate it for all its glory.
My high school sweetheart turned soulmate makes this journey run smoother, bumps and all.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Cookies & Blue Angels
We were originally supposed to take the kids to see the Blue Angels on Saturday 10/9/10, but John unexpectedly had to work on the car (the PT Cruiser). So, instead of having an impromptu chill session with my friends J&M to fill my day, I ended up staying home to tend to the cubs. I spent all of Saturday lounging in my house clothes and baking.
I learned very quickly that promising the kids that they could lick the bowl (after) does wonders to keep them well-behaved while I bake. The boys really enjoy measuring and mixing things together. Meanwhile, I use the opportunity to teach them about fractions. Niki simply enjoys snacking on whatever morsels of sweetness I give her. So, it's a win-win situation.
I was still in the mood to bake once the oatmeal raisin cookies were done. So, I decided to try a heirloom coconut-chocolate chip cookie recipe. John must have really enjoyed the oatmeal cookies because he decided to hang out with me while I baked. Let me just say that I love it when he keeps me company in the kitchen. I feel so...grown up. (Lol, if that makes any sense.) John snapped some pictures, helped me measure/mix when my arms got tired, and polished off a few of the cookies with Niki as they came out of the oven. Baking has become my therapy again. And I feel a little more Mommy-like too.
In case you missed it, it was Fleet Week here in the Bay Area! I've always loved the way the City transforms during Fleet Week. (Especially the during the weekend.) All the beautiful people are out and about, love/lust is in the air, and it's tons-o-fun to kick back to see the ladies going ga-ga over cute sailors. (It's good luck to kiss a sailor, you know.) In our younger, pre-cub days, John and I would go out every year with our friends to cruise the City. We would take the Mustang, drive with the top down, and "people watch" on Broadway.
Good times!
It has been years since John and I experienced Fleet Week's "nightlife", but we've made it a family tradition to take the cubs to see the Blue Angels every year. The boys really enjoy the sound of the planes zooming overhead. I like spending time with my kiddos and explaining the world to them. There was nothing like a gorgeous Sunday in the City to make me feel refreshed for the work week! We attended the air show on Sunday, October 10th. Here a few pictures from the day...Enjoy!
I learned very quickly that promising the kids that they could lick the bowl (after) does wonders to keep them well-behaved while I bake. The boys really enjoy measuring and mixing things together. Meanwhile, I use the opportunity to teach them about fractions. Niki simply enjoys snacking on whatever morsels of sweetness I give her. So, it's a win-win situation.
Let the picture parade commence...
Oatmeal & Raisins...
All mixed-up...
Fresh Out of the Oven...
The Finished Product...
Getting Devoured by John...
My first batch of cookies were a special request from my MIL. She loves oatmeal raisin cookies which is why I whipped some up for her. John just so happened to come home when they were fresh out of the oven. He doesn't really have a sweet tooth, but he loves oatmeal raisin cookies. He devoured some too. Again, it was a win-win situation. :)
I was still in the mood to bake once the oatmeal raisin cookies were done. So, I decided to try a heirloom coconut-chocolate chip cookie recipe. John must have really enjoyed the oatmeal cookies because he decided to hang out with me while I baked. Let me just say that I love it when he keeps me company in the kitchen. I feel so...grown up. (Lol, if that makes any sense.) John snapped some pictures, helped me measure/mix when my arms got tired, and polished off a few of the cookies with Niki as they came out of the oven. Baking has become my therapy again. And I feel a little more Mommy-like too.
My Semi-Sweet Guy Measuring Some Semi-Sweet Chocolate
Coconut & Chocolate
Me and Noie
Rounded Spoonfuls...sort of.
Before...
After...
My Cookie Monster...
In case you missed it, it was Fleet Week here in the Bay Area! I've always loved the way the City transforms during Fleet Week. (Especially the during the weekend.) All the beautiful people are out and about, love/lust is in the air, and it's tons-o-fun to kick back to see the ladies going ga-ga over cute sailors. (It's good luck to kiss a sailor, you know.) In our younger, pre-cub days, John and I would go out every year with our friends to cruise the City. We would take the Mustang, drive with the top down, and "people watch" on Broadway.
Good times!
It has been years since John and I experienced Fleet Week's "nightlife", but we've made it a family tradition to take the cubs to see the Blue Angels every year. The boys really enjoy the sound of the planes zooming overhead. I like spending time with my kiddos and explaining the world to them. There was nothing like a gorgeous Sunday in the City to make me feel refreshed for the work week! We attended the air show on Sunday, October 10th. Here a few pictures from the day...Enjoy!
He did.
We paid $40 for parking at Pier 23!!!
I see this guy everywhere! (Remember my pictures from Folsom?)
Hello, sailor!
Gotta LOVE SF.
We finally made it.
They were flying loooooowwwww...
And high...
Loooooowwwwww...
And high....
I love the looks on their faces. :)
We spent the rest of the day enjoying the hot weather at Pier 39...
Boo and Niki are lefty's. This store is total crap though.
John and Uncle J carrying the Queen in her chariot. ;-)
The Little Lions
I wish every weekend was like this one. :)
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Hot August Highlights...
**Typo/Grammatical Error Disclaimer: I started to write this post at 4am. Bare with me.**
August has been a very busy month. This month started with my Dad's (??th) birthday get-together and ended with a dinner date with our very good friends. This post is about everything else that happened in between. It's been crazy, but I LOVE that August went by so fast. It brings us all the more closer to my favorite time of the year -- winter!
Friday 8/13/10: A Night at the AT&T Park
Niki's Ninong "P" invited John and I to attend his birthday celebration at the ballpark. My MIL and FIL graciously offered to watch all of the cubs while John and I had a much needed night of relaxation. We couldn't stay long, but John and I had a lot of fun just hanging out with family and watching some ball. John and I used to go to baseball games all the time before we had kids. I used to get free tickets for 3rd baseline seats on the AAA Club Level back in the day. The owners of the company I used to work for "owned" seats. Whenever they didn't take a client, I'd get my pick of games to attend and that my friends, was pretty awesome! Smelling garlic fries brought back some good memories. I had forgotten how much fun it is! It's a shame that a loud-mouth behind us ruined my game concentration. He kept spouting off about himself and I had to resist every urge to shove a baseball down his throat. Nevertheless, I had great time! Thanks P & T, for the invite. :)
Saturday 8/14/10: More Lion's Den Fun
We attended a birthday celebration for John's Uncle D in Alameda. I LOVE going to Alameda. I love everything about that house and that family. And, it was so nice kicking back in nice weather and filling my tummy with grub. It was VERY NICE to have another consecutive Saturday of chill time with the extended Lion's Den.
After Uncle D's celebration, John and I were supposed to enjoy a night out with the extended Lion's Den. Unfortunately, John was exhausted after we left Alameda. I was also feeling feeling super icky, but what's new, right? The following day, Sunday 8/15/10, I was completely out of commission. My asthma started acting up in the middle of the night and I woke up feeling like I ran a marathon. John attended his nephew JJ's Christening with the boy cubs on his own. They spent another fun-filled day in Alameda while Niki and I laid in bed and watched movies all day. :)
Friday, August 20th : Date night with the Lion King!
I finally got my crab and fudge fix !!! Well, not together, of course! I had been craving hardcore for crab for the past 2 weeks. It took some coercing, but somehow I convinced John to agree to take me to Fisherman's Wharf to satisfy my craving. That man refuses to drive anywhere that's "too far or too tourist-y" for dinner. Aside from that, he's been on a diet since his liver test results so he's been keeping a watchful eye on his girlish figure. (He's been running every day since the not-so-good results came in. Thank goodness his CT scan is unchanged.)
It had been months since we had a date so I really enjoyed our evening together. We had dinner at Franciscan Crab Restaurant. I annihilated some delicious crab while he indulged on a clam and shrimp skillet. Had it been bright out, we could have used the binoculars at our booth to look at Alcatraz. Yelp reviews do this place no justice.
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John and I spent the rest of the evening strolling the wharf. It was a beautiful night! We went to my favorite candy store so I could grab some fudge and pistachio ice cream. I know crab, fudge, and pistachio sound like a terrible combination, but I was super satisfied. It was the perfect end to a perfect night.
Saturday, August 21st : Lions All Over the Bay - Walnut Creek/Vallejo/Hayward
John took the cubs to their very first slumber party at their godparents house in Hayward. It was their first slumber party (John insists on calling it a sleepover) and I'll admit I was a bit nervous. I know my cubs and how bad and good they can be. I was worried that someone would wet the bed or throw a tantrum, or innocently talk about family secrets and parental nether regions. John went golfing with his best friend V in Alameda while the kids hung out with their buddies in Hayward.
Meanwhile, Niki and I went to Walnut Creek to do some shopping. I also met with my sisters and stepmama for an impromptu lunch at a random crepe place. Niki really liked my apricot and ricotta cheese crepe. :)
The day was completely unplanned (thanks for letting me impose, guys!) , but I had a lot of fun. Niki and I even hung out for a bit in Vallejo while I waited for the traffic to die down. It's always nice to let it all hang out with my stepmama and sisters. I feel so refreshed after I see them.
The following day (8/22), John and I went back to Hayward to pick up the cubs. We hung out for a bit with our very good friends. We arrived just in time for a good ol' fashioned water fight and the boys had a blast! Once everyone was dried off and changed, John and V went to buy food while P & D graciously filled my belly with sweets. They also helped me free my mind of "wifely stress." I only have a handful of "married w/ kids friends" so it was really nice to vent. I think making the move to the Hayward might be in our future.
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August has been a very busy month. This month started with my Dad's (??th) birthday get-together and ended with a dinner date with our very good friends. This post is about everything else that happened in between. It's been crazy, but I LOVE that August went by so fast. It brings us all the more closer to my favorite time of the year -- winter!
Friday 8/13/10: A Night at the AT&T Park
Niki's Ninong "P" invited John and I to attend his birthday celebration at the ballpark. My MIL and FIL graciously offered to watch all of the cubs while John and I had a much needed night of relaxation. We couldn't stay long, but John and I had a lot of fun just hanging out with family and watching some ball. John and I used to go to baseball games all the time before we had kids. I used to get free tickets for 3rd baseline seats on the AAA Club Level back in the day. The owners of the company I used to work for "owned" seats. Whenever they didn't take a client, I'd get my pick of games to attend and that my friends, was pretty awesome! Smelling garlic fries brought back some good memories. I had forgotten how much fun it is! It's a shame that a loud-mouth behind us ruined my game concentration. He kept spouting off about himself and I had to resist every urge to shove a baseball down his throat. Nevertheless, I had great time! Thanks P & T, for the invite. :)
Here are some pictures from that night. I really have to start getting permission to post pictures of people's faces. I'm sure you're all absolutely sick of just staring at ours. ;-)
Saturday 8/14/10: More Lion's Den Fun
We attended a birthday celebration for John's Uncle D in Alameda. I LOVE going to Alameda. I love everything about that house and that family. And, it was so nice kicking back in nice weather and filling my tummy with grub. It was VERY NICE to have another consecutive Saturday of chill time with the extended Lion's Den.
This house is so old that the nails are handmade. How cool is that?
I broke this doorknob the first time I met John's Dad's side on Christmas Eve 1999...
Soooo....Embarrassing!
This is the chair that the elected "Santa Claus" sits in every Christmas Eve. Uncle D reads "T'was the Night Before Christmas" in this chair every year. I LOVE family traditions. :)
I'm in love with his clock.
Everything in this house has a cool story behind it...
Uncle D& Auntie "BB" -- They are seriously the most selfless people I know.
Later on that afternoon, John took the kids to the marina...
Friday, August 20th : Date night with the Lion King!
I finally got my crab and fudge fix !!! Well, not together, of course! I had been craving hardcore for crab for the past 2 weeks. It took some coercing, but somehow I convinced John to agree to take me to Fisherman's Wharf to satisfy my craving. That man refuses to drive anywhere that's "too far or too tourist-y" for dinner. Aside from that, he's been on a diet since his liver test results so he's been keeping a watchful eye on his girlish figure. (He's been running every day since the not-so-good results came in. Thank goodness his CT scan is unchanged.)
It had been months since we had a date so I really enjoyed our evening together. We had dinner at Franciscan Crab Restaurant. I annihilated some delicious crab while he indulged on a clam and shrimp skillet. Had it been bright out, we could have used the binoculars at our booth to look at Alcatraz. Yelp reviews do this place no justice.
Pictures taken by my iPhone...
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So...YUM!
Not the most appetizing looking creatures, but ooooooh so tasty on the inside!
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John and I spent the rest of the evening strolling the wharf. It was a beautiful night! We went to my favorite candy store so I could grab some fudge and pistachio ice cream. I know crab, fudge, and pistachio sound like a terrible combination, but I was super satisfied. It was the perfect end to a perfect night.
Saturday, August 21st : Lions All Over the Bay - Walnut Creek/Vallejo/Hayward
John took the cubs to their very first slumber party at their godparents house in Hayward. It was their first slumber party (John insists on calling it a sleepover) and I'll admit I was a bit nervous. I know my cubs and how bad and good they can be. I was worried that someone would wet the bed or throw a tantrum, or innocently talk about family secrets and parental nether regions. John went golfing with his best friend V in Alameda while the kids hung out with their buddies in Hayward.
Pic stolen from our good friend P -- "The boys in the hood...." ;-)
Meanwhile, Niki and I went to Walnut Creek to do some shopping. I also met with my sisters and stepmama for an impromptu lunch at a random crepe place. Niki really liked my apricot and ricotta cheese crepe. :)
Pic stolen from my sister S's Facebook...
The day was completely unplanned (thanks for letting me impose, guys!) , but I had a lot of fun. Niki and I even hung out for a bit in Vallejo while I waited for the traffic to die down. It's always nice to let it all hang out with my stepmama and sisters. I feel so refreshed after I see them.
The following day (8/22), John and I went back to Hayward to pick up the cubs. We hung out for a bit with our very good friends. We arrived just in time for a good ol' fashioned water fight and the boys had a blast! Once everyone was dried off and changed, John and V went to buy food while P & D graciously filled my belly with sweets. They also helped me free my mind of "wifely stress." I only have a handful of "married w/ kids friends" so it was really nice to vent. I think making the move to the Hayward might be in our future.
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This past Thursday (8/26) John and I had dinner at the Hard Knox Cafe with our good friends T, her son Z, and our other friend GZ. (Side note: Hard Knox fried chicken is delish!) The last time I saw GZ was when Niki was 2 days old! T and I barely get to see each other so it was equally nice to see her as well. Dinner was a bit hectic. John and I were regularly interrupted by the cubs (we brought all three) throughout dinner. Nevertheless, we had oh-so-much fun juggling children in between bites of good food and good conversation. I have a lot of admiration for GZ and T.
We spent Friday evening at the airport with John's family so we could greet his grandparents after their long flight from the Philippines. BTW -- you can all thank Ate N2 for giving me another kick to get of my lazy, blogging ass. ;-) I know I've been horrible about updating this month. In fact, I'm bit behind on my HemAware posts too. Perhaps the redirection of blood flow from brain to uterus is the culprit? Diamond Tiara is sucking the life out of me, but I'm really taking the time to enjoy my pregnancy. My genetics counselor called me on Friday to let me know that the preliminary genetic tests all came back normal. Diamond is definitely a girl and she has no chromosomal abnormalities. We're hoping London will get back to us by next week with information on Diamond's FVII status.
Taken at SFO...
I spent my Saturday morning at Church for a little over 3 hours to register Kevin for CCD. It felt like he was just Baptized yesterday --January 31, 2004 happened ages ago -- and now he's going to get his 1st Communion in a few short years. Time flies by quickly people. Enjoy your babies!!! I actually felt a little bad because I should have registered him for CCD last year. However, I had no idea that you could register children as early as 1st grade. Kevin probably could have started in Kinder because he could read back then! Nevertheless, I'm chalking this up as a learning experience. At least I know better now. Besides, Kev has always been my "test subject" anyway. He's the KID that made me a pro. :)
My Church trip didn't necessarily have to be so long, but I had to step out of line for a telephone interview with an author by the name of Jolene Philo. A few months ago, NHF put out the word about an author looking to interview families for a companion book to "A Different Dream for My Child." The book (set to be released in 2011) would provide guidance and resources for parents raising children with special needs and/or critically ill children. It's not a book specific to bleeding disorders so I didn't think I stood a chance, but nevertheless, I sent a very brief message to the author anyway. I gave very minimal information (I didn't even include my real name at first) so imagine my surprise when she contacted me for an interview!
Ethan and Niki's story is going to be published in a book ya'll!
Don't be confused though --- this book is NOT about Ethan and Niki. It will have stories and advice from other families raising children with special needs and/or families who have had to make end of life decisions for their children. However, there is something comforting about knowing that even when I die and can't share Ethan's story any longer, he'll live on in this book. Ethan's story -- along with the stories of other families and their children -- will help families facing difficult situations of their own.
I sat in my car for close to 1 1/2 hours, chatting with a woman I never met, about Ethan, Niki, and our family as a whole. We talked about religion, technology, relationships, and everything else under the sun. It was the most therapeutic 1 1/2 hours I've had in a very long time! Jolene is amazingly spiritual and insightful -- I was in absolute awe as I listened to her tell me her son's story. I felt like I was at my own private book reading. I'm really looking forward to reading snippets of the manuscript this Winter, and I'll be sure to let you all know when the book is out for purchase. :)
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