Christ-Centered Christmas

It's Christmas Eve!!!

With all the moving craziness the week before Christmas, I havent had the chance to update the MANY happenings that has occurred recently.

But, of coarse, the most important event right now is CHRISTMAS.

Since Halloween ended, we started getting into the Christmas spirit coz it is Mavericks favorite holiday. So weve been listening to Christmas songs, watching Christmas movies and such for quite a while now.

This year though I have been paying more attention on Christmas traditions and how I can make it more meaningful. Especially with my growing family, I want to start now on what I want Hyrum and future children to know about Christmas. 

I have noticed that it seems Christmas is now more centered towards spending money on presents, decorations and Santa. Which is all well and good to make the holiday season feel special from any other days BUTTTT what is the real meaning of Christmas?

So Merry CHRISTmas everyone!


Always remember the reason for season.

New Developments

Maverick got a new job. YAY!

He is now a Rehabilitation Aide at a big fancy new hospital in Twin Falls. DOUBLE YAY!

But he gets paid less than his personal trainer job. BOO!

But we figured it's better in the long run since he is pretty much doing what a Physical Therapist Assistant does, without the certification (hence the lower pay grade). YAY!?

But it's about 45mins away (more during snowy days) from wer we live now. BOO!

So we gotta move. DOUBLE BOO!

We have been searching for another place with hopes to move by Christmas but it's been harder than anticipated. BOO!

So wish us luck that we can get the ball rolling sooner rather than later and be settled into a new place n environment before our lives gets turned upside down again with a newborn.

Thanksgiving

I know this is a late post but im behind on this blog anyways so I thought id still publish it.

Thanksgiving is an American holiday that I am trully grateful for. 

I didnt have Thanksgiving holiday growing up both in the Philippines and New Zealand and I really wish I did.

Besides the 4-day-weekend, ginormous turkey, scrumptious pies and other yummy food, we get major family time and fun.

And I just like the idea of dedicating a day to giving thanks. 

Before Thanksgiving, I came across this video

And it is such a great reminder to be thankful for everything that we are given

ALWAYS.

Which made me realize how greatful I am to be a photographer.

To find the beauty in little things around me.

To capture little miracles of life.

To freeze time to be remembered in the future.

I am very thankful for the knowledge that I have that all of what we have here on Earth is given to us by our loving Heavenly Father.

And that despite all the negativity that goes on,

we are surrounded by GREATNESS

and MIRACLES

and BEAUTY

and JOY

and we should LOVE every minute of it

EVERY SINGLE DAY that we are here on Earth.

WEEK 33

So the title of this post was originally WEEK 30. Soooo its been in my draft for 3 weeks now...

So I thought id finish it today while the little rascal is napping and Grey's Anatomy is on.

SOOOO.  33 WEEKS PREGNANT!

Well it flew by quick...

but from now on, im sure it is going to get slower. Since I remember the last months of my first pregnancy was sooooo dang sslllloooowwww!

Its crazy how different my 2 pregnancies has been.

31 weeks with baby girl

32 weeks with Hyrum. I guess I didnt take a 31 weeks photo.

At my last doctors appointment (last week) I was told I was measuring 2 weeks late. Everything else is going great with her development and such but she is just measuring on the small side. So on my next appointment they are going to check further but it could just mean that she is a small baby.

But, she could also still catch up in the next couple of weeks.

Because I was measuring small, I got another ultrasound which was great since the last time I saw the baby was at 18 weeks. And we found out that the babys head is way down with little or no chance of flipping over to a breech position.

GREAT NEWS! 
Seeing as I was very worried because I had a dream that she was breech and had to get a c-section.

As for other updates, I have terrible terrible round ligament pain and pretty constant heartburn (esp at night). My lower back is also a killer which makes standing, sitting, sleeping, walking and pretty much moving kinda uncomfortable. Although, im not complaining too much (besides to Maverick) because ive had a relatively easy pregnancy which I am very greatful for.

Most people (including me with my first) want to have the baby out as soon as it is full term which is 37 weeks. But, this time around, I want to keep this baby in as long as possible.

My reasons are:

- I already have a crazy life with a crazy toddler who needs my constant attention. A baby would need more attention which will result in a CRAZIER life.

- Maverick just got a new job (more about this on another post), and it is in a different town about 45mins away from where we live now so we would probably need to move sometime soon.

- My mum doesnt get here till the 22 January and im due 14 January. It would be nice to have my mum here for when the baby comes or at least as close to the delivery as possible to help with the crazy toddler.

- As much as I want to deny it, having 2 kids with birthdays close together will be easier and cheaper in the long run.

- Its a lot easier to keep a baby warm in utero than outside, especially in January (or in a couple weeks time) when it is going to be FREEZZINGGG!!!

So there yah go!
Stay inside now little girl. Ill put up with all the crazy things that you are putting my body through for 'convenience' purposes.

True Hawaiian Born

It snowed for the first time this season last Saturday.

Maverick is so excited for Hyrum's first snow.  Unfortunately, he had work early that morning so he called me up at an indecent hour (9am) to wake up and take Hyrum out to play in the snow.

Being the obedient wife that I am, I got all dressed up to go outside and by the time I was done, Hyrum was awake so I got him all bundled up in his first snow outfit.

THEN, we went outside and this happened...

 He stepped into the snow...

Wondered what it was...

THEN CRIED...

AND CRIED... 

and asked demanded to be picked up... 

 and didnt want to touch it...

 and cried...

 AND CRIED...

 AND CRIED...

 It was so pretty though...

 Poor little Hawaiian baby...

"Where's my sand and ocean???"

11-11-11

YOU WERE GOOD TO ME!

First of all, it was Veterans Day, so we had Maverick home until work time which was 3pm.

So my day started with a 9am sleep in.

After breakfast we headed out so that we can do this,

11:11am on 11-11-11 on 11th Street.

The park was right across 11th Street so we let Hyrum play for a bit.

 

Then we headed off to feed the ducks.

Hyrum was sooo excited that he had a bounce on his stride and this cheeky grin.

Too bad the ducks didnt quite like us (I dont think they are used to having people feed them).

 

So we went to the shops instead and finally found baby girl her going home outfit.

Hyrum had a football going home outfit so I was in search for a ballet one that wasnt pink.

Then, we headed home to take a nap while Mav goes off to work.

We Skyped with my parents after nap time which was great.

After dinner we had some good wholesome family fun and put up our Christmas tree.

I know some people think that its a little early to be all Christmassy, but its Mavericks favourite holiday and he gets all giddy and cant wait to decorate.

It was lots of fun! Hyrum had a blast helping out.

He would hand us the tree branches with a "heeya go mommy/daddy".

and go around and around the tree saying "cush me kishkish (Christmas) twee".

Then we helped him put ornaments on then sat back to say "oooo, pwitty".

Then we sat down for a movie and called it a night.

MUCH MAHALO for being GREAT 11-11-11.

BLESSINGS

Every single day is a mystery.

New problems, new challenges, new accomplishments.

And the past few months for us have been just that,

A MYSTERY.

My pregnancy...purpose in life...sanity...

Maverick's schooling...job search...GRE preparations....

Hyrum's mood...appetite...developing mind...

and so on...

But mostly, our livelihood has been a mystery.

and it has been TOUGH!

BUT

I FEEL BLESSED!!!

"Across the world, this is a time of economic instability and financial uncertainty. In April general conference, President Thomas S. Monson said: "If you are concerned about providing financially for a family, may I assure you that there is no shame in a couple having to scrimp and save. It is generally during these challenging times that you will grow closer together as you learn to sacrifice and to make difficult decisions." -Elder Neil L. Anderson

Despite all our 'problems', we are surviving.

we are happy. we are BLESSED.

Blessed by our Heavenly Father,

to have both sides of our families supporting us,

to be surrounded with wonderful members of the church who genuinely cares,

to be given things that is just what we needed,

to have enough for the necessities.

I AM BLESSED.

and I can never say it enough.

TO BE LIVING THE LIFE THAT I AM LIVING.

BACK IN BUSINESS!

Sometime in January my DSLR Rebel camera took its last breathe and gave up on me with an "error 99".

Given to me as a payment for doing my internship with an advertising company, it served me well with numerous photo sessions and random shoots of the little monkey.

Funnily enough, this is the last picture that it took.

Being very low on funds, I didnt know the next time that I would own a DSLR camera.

In comes my wonderful parents.  Who got me a brand new Canon 600D! 

(Although, I think they put it in my tab of 'to pay back when we get out of our student financial status')

WOOOHOOO!!!

So with the financial problems that we are in right now, I am hoping to put this baby to work and book a few photo sessions so I can help pay for rent and not have to move out.

 Soooo help us out a little here. 

If you or anyone you know has photography or design needs and lives fairly close to where we are, please direct them over my way.

Or just simply spread the word for me.

My Facebook page is:

www.facebook.com/AissaMittonphotodesign

THANK YOU!

Potty Training Preparation

ALRIGHT!

Im taking on the challenge of potty training in one week.

I figured Hyrum is ready since he gets ANNOYED of his soiled diapers and he FREQUENTLY takes it off himself.

We bought him a seat that goes on top of our toilet seat a few months ago and he has gone pee-pee in it a few times.  But I/we havent been consistent about it to stick. 

I've been reading about it recently and I am definetly motivated. (Lets see how motivated I will be during it though).

So for the rest of this week I will be gathering my weapons. 

Potty charts, stickers, treats, rewards, bribes...

Potty Chart from here.

I know one week is quite a fantasy. If that doesnt happen then I will keep going in hopes to have only one child in diapers. 

Wish me all the luck in the world! Come Monday, ITS ON!!!

Food Glorious FOOD!

I WAS NOT A COOK!

(key word: WAS)

So much that when Maverick asked my dad if he could marry me, my dads first response was, 

"You know she can't cook right?" HA!

The kitchen and I didnt have a relationship seeing as I burned everything that I attempted to make.

I always had the mindset of 'my poor kids will not know what a genuine home cooked meal taste like'.

BOOOYAAHHHH!!!

Enter my new HOMEMAKER title. 

(Im sooo sorry! Blog post about being a stay-at-home mom will be a frequent topic for a while.)

I am now proud to say that my family has a home cooked meal for the majority of the time. 

I do have my 'lazy' moments where I would go back to my old ways and succumbed to serving $5 Papa Johns Pizzas instead. But I honestly dont feel good after it.

It could be the whole pregnancy thing, but I just feel icky after eating fast food.

But, I guess thats a good thing. Since I now demand that we have a frequent stock of fruits, veggies, meat and other ingredients in our fridge and pantry.

Oh, my mother would be sooooo proud!

Here are some of the big hits that ive cooked recently. Not my pictures since I was so hungry to stop and take a pic. hehe! But they all tasted pretty good. And I know I've done a good job when the toddler and the picky eater husband goes back for seconds. 

Potato and corn chowder with bacon.

Cabbage beef casserole

Shepard's pie

Eggplant parmesan

Chicken pasta bake

Lemon and rosemary chicken bake

Kumara (sweet potato) soup

Cream of broccoli soup

Chicken adobo

Peppered Steak 

Spinach pasta with asparagus

Stir fry with my own teriyaki sauce

Although, I am not IN LOVE with cooking, its not such a chore to do anymore. 

And it makes me feel good inside and accomplished knowing what was exactly in the food that we are eating. We even had organic ingredients since my mother-in-law has a huge garden with all sort of fruits and veggies.

Crochet Creations

I cant remember the last time that I had spent this little time on Blogspot and Facebook. 

(Hence, the lack of blog updates).

A new 'time-waster' has taken over my life.

PINTEREST.

But I say this 'time-waster' is a little bit more productive than all the others in ways that I actually do something productive because of it.

Couldn't have come at a more perfect time since I was in search of something to keep me sane.

and not feel like a lazy bum watching life go by in front of the computer screen and TV.

This whole 'I am a HOMEMAKER' card is new to me and was very hard to swallow in the beginning.

But I am starting to get the hang of it now and finding a lot of joy at it.

So with that, here are some examples of what's been keeping my sanity in check.

Slippers

Beanie and bootie for baby girl

Baby earflap beanie

Headband with interchangeable flowers

First attempt on an adult size beanie. Sorry for the blurry photo

Butterfly baby beanie for my cousins baby

Earflap beanie for baby (I forgot to finish it off)

Baby booties and earflap beanie for Auna baby boy (i ran out of the multi colored yarn so I had to improvise)

Hair clips - Ok this isnt crochet but I made it during a Relief Society activity

It really is quite exciting seeing a ball of yarn turn into a wonderful creation.

Its very addictive.

Also, what's GREAT is that one of my best friend is in this journey with me of finding the homemaker within us. So its been fun to compare and share our creations with each other. See her blog here.


Watch this space for future creations.