Chalkboard

Friday, June 14, 2013

Big Step

Between HGTV, Pinterest and library books, I've been educating myself on how to DIY renovate a house. Wondering why?

That right people! 
We just bought our first house!!!

It is quite a fixer upper because its literally 100 years old. But Mav and I fell in love with it BECAUSE of its oldness. We love the feeling of it, we love the character and we especially love that the price is sooo right!!!

It's all pretty exciting, yet very VERY nerve wracking! 
It has 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a beautiful dining and living room, fenced in backyard and a long awaited laundry room. The kitchen and bathroom needs some serious work and the carpet has seen better days so we will start the renovations with those three first. 
Living room. Doors on the side leading to the dining area.
Dining room with bay window leading into the kitchen
It's all going so fast coz we just randomly decided to see if we can get approved for a home loan one day then next minute WAHHBAMMM! we're singing papers!!! 

So maybe this time we will be able to stay in one place for longer than 6 months. 

Since leaving Hawaii in April 2011 we will have moved 4 times! That's crazy! 2 of those moves the kids and I were in New Zealand and Mav moved everything by himself and the other one I was 8 months pregnant. This next one will be the only 'normal' move that we will be doing. 

Not that anything we do is particularly normal...

So new adventures up ahead for us. I feel so adult!!!



Saturday, February 23, 2013

Terrible Two No More

Well where do I start...

I want to remember sooo many things about my Hyrum right now. Every moment is an adventure with this little big boy. 
He is a sweetheart and a little terror all bundled up into one crazy non-stop cuddly child of God

I know down the road I will be looking back at this stage and I will miss it a lot! 

He always amazes me with things that he learns from his surroundings. He is super smart! He can spell his name, count to 20, distinguish left and right, has 5 books completely memorized, knows a lot of songs including 3 Tagalog and 1 Japanese among other things.

He can be quite rough with other kids (esp Halia) but he can also be pretty sweet. I love watching him interact with other kids and listening in on their little conversations.

Toddler Lab is great! In fact, it is amazing!!! He has made some friends that's he constantly talks about. Especially his girlfriend Ila. Her mom talked to me and she said that Ila got Legos for Christmas and it had a boy Lego with black hair and she named that Lego Hyrum. Owww! Young love!!! At the end of each class they have to hug and kiss each other goodbye.

This is his girlfriend, Ila
Besides a girlfriend, he has loved his two hours every Tuesdays and Thursdays being able to play with kids his age. The teachers used to need to pry him out of from clinging on to me but now he goes freely all by himself. And he enjoys it! They play, sing song, play, dance, play, eat snacks, play, get messy, play, go outside, play and play and play.

I also don't mind my two hours twice a week of only having one child. I used to go back home and try and do things there but now I do errands instead.

He is fully (even night time) potty trained and has been for a few months now. We still find that he has climbed into our bed most mornings. He is still very much obsessed with airplane, helicopters and rockets. Still in love with being outdoors and still as energetic as ever, jumping off anything that he can jump off of and does flips and somersault on the couch or bed.

For his birthday, we woke him up with a bunch of balloon which he LOVED! Then I had to babysit my nieces so we couldn't really do much. 
We went out to Chili's for dinner when Maverick got home from work. Hyrum got a (free) yummy chocolate volcano dessert which he happily shared with everyone. After dinner we went to ShopKo so he can buy something with the money that grandma and grandpa gave him. I was directing him to get something useful like shoes or clothes BUT I failed. He chose a PlayDoh dentist toy which I am actually ok with. Then we ended the day by opening (and playing with) all of his presents.

The next day, we drop Halia off at my sis n bro in-laws house so that Hyrum, Maverick and I can go to the movie theater. It was Hyrums first time in a movie theatre and he was super super excited. 
We watched Wreck-it-Ralph which is a highly recommended movie and Hyrum was LOLing, making statements and asking questions all throughout. I think it's safe to say that he LOVED it!!!

So on birthdays starting from age 3, we decided that we will do a birthday interview. So here is Hyrums 3rd birthday interview:

We love you Hyrum bud! 
To infinity and BEYOND!!!

And with that, the terrible twos have ceased and on to tantrum threes we go!

Friday, January 25, 2013

SHE is ONE!

And alas, my once tiny timid little angel has been in this world now for a whole year!










Time sure flies! 

And I am so grateful that I got to witnessing yet another one of Gods amazing miracle grow before my very eyes. Even if my once timid (and I was very hopeful that she stayed that way) turn into a rambunctious very energetic little rascal full of attitude.
She now weighs 21.8lbs and is 30" tall. Slightly smaller measurements than Hyrum was but it's ok coz she is growing healthy and doing well in all aspects.
Look at that cheeky smirk.
It's crazy how personality shows at such an early age. We know for sure that this one is going to be trouble. So young and already so stubborn. 
My mum would probly say that she just got it from me.

She is a force to be reckoned with. If there is something that she wants and can't or we won't give it to her, she will shrill and wail and ohmy heck she will let it be known that she is NOT happy!

We have to be extra alert now coz she is literally everywhere! She is a climber baby and climbs on anything and everything that is climbable. 

She started walking mid November but didn't prefer it until beginning of December, then there was no turning back. She loves her new found freedom and utilizes it especially while trying to keep up with Hyrum.

She can sign milk, food, more, please, all done and bath but only do it when the words are mentioned, not on her own accord yet.

She says 'didiii' for daddy and a loud stern 'MA!' to call me. Or if I say "say mama" she says "papa". Really not fair! We don't know if there's a specific call for Hyrum yet but she usually gets his attention by slapping him.

She is quite the chatterbox. We don't understand a lot anything of what she says but it still very cute sounds and we like to make up words based on her sounds. But she 'talks' a lot and right to our faces too like we really understand. I'm sure she will be talking our ear off sooner or later. She also likes to sing and makes the funniest facials while belting it out.

So it's been a year...

Rushing out the door to go to the emergency room in the dead of the night. Then have her born 26 minutes after getting admitted.

Being handed a precious tiny 5lbs 15oz little miracle was just as breathtaking the second time around. 

Just as unbelievable that I (and I guess Maverick too) can make something so perfect.

It's been a tough year, yet a great year! My 'Heeya Mia' has definitely made it a lot more exciting, a lot more stressful, a lot more harder yet a lot more worth it!


To my beautiful bebe girl,

Happy happy FIRST birthday!

Only one year in our lives and you have already given us so much happiness, so much excitement, and so much blessings.

I love you. And will always love you to the moon and back times infinity.



Thursday, January 3, 2013

Summarizing 2012

2012 brought me a lot of blessings, a lot of hardships, a lot of trials, a lot of joy and a lot of of discovery.

Firstly, I was given a beautiful baby girl. She keeps me on my toes everyday but her presence is truly precious.

I accomplished traveling a total of 45 hours with just me and the two kids to spend a wonderful 5 weeks with my friends and family in New Zealand.

Mav moved to a new apartment while we were in NZ for the second time.

This year I also gained more freedom by finally getting my drivers license.

And we bought a minivan.

I leaned how to balance two kids and cook and (not so much) clean for four.

I trained a child how to use the potty (and I hated it!)

I watched an infant grow into a toddler...
Top left January till December bottom right
And a toddler grow into a boy.
Top left January till December bottom right 
I coexisted with a hardworking opinionated loving handsome mr. right who I love eternally. And we celebrated our 4th year wedding anniversary this year.

I took thousands of pictures to remember thousands of wonderful memories, had many sleepless nights, kissed hundreds of owwies, changed lots of diapers, wasted lots of time on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram, did the 60-day Insanity workout, learned how to sew on a sewing machine, tried to be crafty to maintain my sanity, cooked more, cleaned more, enjoyed the outdoors more and prayed more.

So with that, well wishes to everyone! 
Hoping that your 2013 is full of blessings, happiness, good health and
more precious memories.

January 2012
December 2012

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

So behind!

Holy heck I need to get a move on updating!

I have a bunch saved on my drafts but I can't seem to finish any...

So maybe, maybe not, I will get to actually publish them. Like my traveling with two kids story... MAYBE!

Monday, September 17, 2012

EN ZED Here We Come!!!

The kids and I are leaving in a few hours and heading to the Land of the Long White Cloud!

20+ hours of travel time ahead of us.

Did I mention it's just me against the 2 kids...

A little nervous...

But my eye is on the prize at the end. A nice vacation with my family.

WISH ME LUCK! or rather pray that the kids behave themselves.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Big News!

It's been a long time coming...

TOO LONG!!!

Way way way past overdue!

But here it is...

This is just the temporary license.
I get my real one in the mail within 10 days.
I am now officially licensed to DRIVE!!!

It's taken 10 years after I got my learners permit in New Zealand. 
Kinda lame but BOOOYAAAHHH!!!

So to all those who thought I would never leave the passenger seat... 

Miracles do happen!!!

Insanity Part 2

Man the second half of Insanity is more insaner than the first.

Initially, I was terrified to start it coz the first half killed me but lo and behold, I finished (with a few missed days here and there from kids sicknesses or travelling to Utah). 

I lost a total of 20 lbs. I still have 20 more lbs to go till pre preggo weight but I fit into my pre preggo clothes already so I'm not too fussed about the rest now. It is just a number after all right?

I might repeat the whole 60 days again since it is the most practical way for me to get some exercise in with my two crazy munchkins. But I probly wont be as strict as I was the first time round.

All in all, I think that Insanity is a great workout program for anyone that cant or dont want to go to a  gym. It's convenient and it is a fairly quick workout which fits in perfectly when there are little demanding kids occupying every waking moment. Plus it works! If you DIG DEEPER!!!

I actually finished it a couple of weeks ago but has been pretty busy to blog about it. So here is my picture at the end of my 60 day Insanity program.


Sunday, August 19, 2012

LIFE

Life is precious.

Life is short.

Life is unfair.

Life is unpredictable.

Just a few descriptions that came at the top of my head when I thought about LIFE.

Life is a very complex concept. I can't think of how I would answer the 'what does life mean' question if ever Hyrum asks it.

This past week has got me thinking about LIFE...

A LOT...

And how I take it for granted...

While I was living my life here in Idaho stressing over what to cook for dinner, how messy my house is all the time and feeling sorry for myself for not being supermom...

My Tita (auntie) Hansen is in Australia was battling cancer...

Which got me thinking, I am in NO position to complain about my life.

I am dedicating this post to my dear Tita Hansen. To me she was a great teacher, an example, a strong woman, a DAUGHTER OF GOD.

Who lost her battle this morning...

We are in this world, in what we call LIFE, temporarily. Here we are tried and tested to see if we are faithful enough, humble enough, worthy enough and basically good enough to live with our Heavenly Father once again.

I am very grateful that I have this knowledge that I attained through my church. I know that there is 'life' after life. I know that there is a plan for us to be in eternal happiness if we choose to live righteously now. I believe that families can be together forever and anyone who has passed on will be waiting on the other side.

My Mommy (grandma) will be there. My Dada Puti and Dada Bingi will be there too. I will also see my sister there and now my Tita Hansen will be there, happily living with our Heavenly Father.

I take comfort in this knowledge. And so very grateful that I have it to rely upon when trials like this occur.

Regardless, I am sad...

I wish more than anything right now to be in Australia. To hug Arnn, my 'first baby', who has grown into an amazing young woman. To comfort Arianne, a clever little lady who has always had a lot to say. To play with Aireen, who's full of surprises literally ever since she was born and smart little Izaac with his irresistible smile and big personality.

And my uncle, a man with many talents. Strong, faithful, hardworking, fun and a great father.
I LOVE THEM!

We don't say it out loud in my family, but let it be known...I love them all!

It is ssssooooo hard to be thousands of miles (and dollars) away from family.

Yet, I am extremely grateful to be together with Maverick and our kids. We don't, by any means, have a perfect life. But together, our lives are perfect.

Cherish every moment. Count your many blessings. Enjoy the little things. Play often. Hold hands. Love life.

Life is precious.

Life is short.

Life is unfair.

Life is unpredictable.

Don't take it for granted.

Thanks for all the good times Tita Hansen. Lots of cherished memories will forever live in my heart. We will truly miss you but I am glad that your hardship is over and you are now in the presence of Greatness. 
Till we meet again. Aloha o`e!

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Half-a-Birthday!

NOTE: This was written 3 weeks ago. And a lot has changed in 3 weeks.

This little tootie patoots is now half a year old!

Shes measuring 25" in length and weighs 17.3lbs Growing nicely and developing to speed.
It's fun to see her new antics everyday as she plays her part in our little family and shows her personality.


She is now starting to get the courage to go up on her knees to crawl. But she can army crawl pretty fast and can get into anything that she can reach (esp the bottom bookshelf, under the couch, bottom drawers). We have to be really careful now coz she's in the stage where she can find and pick up the littlest tiniest thing on the ground, which of course, goes straight in her mouth.
She can sit up pretty well which makes me happy coz somehow things get easier when babies can sit up already. She is also starting to pull up on things like the couch, laundry baskets and her crib. So we had to lower her crib already before she has a chance to jump off of it like Hyrum once did.
No teeth has showed up yet but I feel that they are close coz EVERYTHING that she gets her hand on gets eaten. And she eats them savagely! Like really eager and she makes a gggrrrrr kinda face in the process. It's pretty funny. Then, once you take whatever she has away she bawls like there's no tomorrow.
I started feeding her 'solid' baby food a little after 4 months so she is quite a pro at eating now. I havent fed her anything that I didnt make so far which I am quite proud of. I have made green peas, broccoli, sweet potatoes, lentils with gravy, carrots, cucumber, zucchini, squash, spinach, cantaloupe, watermelon, pears, banana, papaya, peaches, and apples. 
Cantaloupe
Asparagus
Then when we are eating something, she begs! And it usually works. So shes had a taste of big people food and LOVES it! 

She sleeps through the night most nights but still has to be held to sleep. I know I'm setting myself up for another bad sleeper but I've tried other methods and none seems to work.
Like Hyrum, she has stamina. And can cry for hours on end. We experienced this during a recent trip to Utah while on the freeway. She absolutely HATES her carseat and with no rest stop for miles, she cried and cried and cried and cried. Until we took her out and she fell asleep within a minute. Then as soon as she woke up, she cried and cried and cried again. So crying it out sleep training method is, yet again, not an option.

She is very sensitive about her face and is very good at swatting things that comes close it. Wash cloths, mommys fingers, spoon, binky, bottles, nose sucker, Hyrum. If she doesn't want it, you have to really fight to get on there. I think she learned it coz I had to suck her nose a lot and she absolutely hated it! Plus, she has to protect herself somehow from the crazy brother.

She's a little sweetheart who has a special infatuation for daddy. Sometimes I catch her just staring at him. So I tell Maverick then she gives the biggest warmest smile when he acknowledges her. Daddy spends a lot of time at work so when he's home, she (and Hyrum) loves it! And I love it too coz I get a nice little break.

Although, when she is upset, sometimes she only wants mommy. Which makes me feel kinda good coz even though I had to stop breastfeeding, we still have that special bond that only I can give her.
So happy half-a-birthday to my bebe girly! Please stay sweet and cuddly and loving and perfect as you are.

To make her half-a-birthday somewhat special, I made banana bread muffins and delivered it to my RS VT people in her honor...

and got her some bling!!!

And here's some more pictures...