Welcome to the Church House

Why I love it here

2012-01-25T23:35:00.001-08:00

The sun is setting and Elsie and I are finishing up at the park when I took this pic. I love living near a park we can walk to! I also love that today was a flip flop and t-shirt kind of day. Its JANUARY! Yay for LA weather. I love you and appreciate you. I can always visit seasons elsewhere, so I am glad you stay quite nice and sunny most of the time. So thank you.

And someday Elsie's hair will appreciate the weather too because it looks like its going to be pretty curly!! Cute!!

Sleepy girl

2012-01-25T23:29:00.001-08:00

Elsie has been starting to get a little upset when its time to go to sleep...she thinks she has too much to do and too much too see. This is the first time I think she has fallen asleep like this! Hilarious! And I dared to take a pic...I know...But I felt like I had to lie her down on her back...wouldn't her legs fall asleep??

Time--Yeah, I know it flies, but how can you make it walk?!

2012-01-21T00:52:00.000-08:00

Oh happy day!! NO pain and pure JOY.

It's the kind of love you never knew existed until this very moment.
Sweet lil' girl 10 days old, you forget how tiny they start out!
Sleepy Elsie--How grateful I am for such an amazing sleeper, I know I am LUCKY!
3 months old and such a happy baby
Who knew such a big personality could fit in such a little baby:) Elsie 6 months
She got her little poses down! Hah! 7 months
9 months!
Halloween--BABY GAGA!!
Christmas 2011
Elsie turns 1!!
Life is good. Doesn't mean it doesn't have its challenges, but all in all I am truly, amazingly BLESSED.

New Year, room for plenty of new things to go down.

2012-01-19T13:05:00.000-08:00

Well it is a new year. Who thought 2011 would fly by so fast? I resolve to do a lot of things this year, one of which is to start up this whole blogging thing once again. So here we go. I'll update this past year gradually so that I don't overwhelm everyone within a single post. But who am I kidding? I don't think very many people read this blog, so I will just try to keep it up as a way of journaling.

Elsie turned one last month. I can't believe I have a one year old. She is the size of a two year old and I swear she just keeps getting cuter and smarter. She says mama and dada, buh bye, nana (banana), more, and nuh nuh for no no. She is a good litter signer too, always using her please and thank you signs, but more often 'more' and 'eat'--what can I say? She's my little piggy going on 28 pounds:) Love it.

Jordan is at UPenn-- Yay Ivy League schooling! Its hard and expensive but it'll be worth it--I mean hey, he'll have a Masters Degree in a little over a year plus he is still working full time, which makes for a hectic life, but monthly income is always a plus!

We moved out of our home for 6 months to rent it out to pay for school. We lived with our good friends in their home, renting out a room from them. Our tenants moved out a bit early and our friends moved away as well, so we decided to move back into our home. A lot of moving in under 6 months, but its good to be back, and it was nice being able to rent out our home for over 4,0oo buckeroos a month...I love my house but I must say I'll miss that monthly check! Plan is to work--soooo, that is what my fingers are crossed for. How about a commercial or two this year?! Pretty please? These past few months I have worked for MaryKay, Target, Oil of Olay, Silpada Jewelry and I did a segment on E news--not sure when or if it has aired yet though. So, it seems to be picking up! I also starred in my first feature length film in December--more to come on that! Elsie also starred in the film:) I may shoot another feature this summer--another lead role! It would be shot in Texas and will be incredibly different from this last film so that would be amazing and exciting to shoot two films in a year. So, things are looking up (I think) career wise for me. Its fun to work again, to be acting more--I may even try to do a play this spring...we'll see.

So there is a little update--I want to put up 12 pics of Elsie, one for each month of this past year and include some Birthday and Holiday pics as well in the next few posts. I'll get better at this blogging business...hopefully...

Here's to a Happy New year!!

You know you're pregnant when...

2010-10-27T22:50:00.000-07:00

You know you are pregnant when:

-Everyone looks at your belly instead of your face

-Things you used to pride yourself in you now suddenly suck at...for example the other day I was asked to bake a cake for a birthday (I normally just take cupcakes orders but here and there I will do a cake) and it took me three tries and a trip to the store to get more ingredients. The first one fell apart, the second one was just right and then I dropped it on the floor. I sat on the floor, amidst the chocolate mess and sobbed. It was 1am and I felt sick and tired and, well, obviously hormonal and pregnant. An awesome sight, really. Luckily I have an amazing husband and he practically made the whole 3rd cake for me. Then I got a great tip from the gal that ordered the cake, which I am not quite sure it made it worth it, but it helped:)

-You don't seem to talk as eloquently as you used to.

-You think you crave something so you make your husband go out and get it and when he returns and you take one whiff you want nothing to do with it anymore.

-You wake up constantly in the night because your baby thinks that night time is party time.

-You make sure you know where all the public bathrooms are if you are running errands all day.

-You throw back tums and milk like your life depends on it (freakin' heartburn)

-You have the most bizarre dreams....I had one the other night where I dreamt that my baby's foot busted right out of my abdomen and it was all bloody and skeleton like....creepy.

-You watch those birthing videos and want to cry, scream and laugh all at the same time.

-You wonder if your back pain will ever go away.

-It grosses you out when you are finally big enough that your boobs can just rest on top of your expanding belly...super hot.

- You think your girls can't get any bigger and then the next thing you know you are a double D...also super hot...but only according to your husband ;)

-You hate all the uncomfortable stuff that comes along with being pregnant, but you can't help but love the little one you are growing with all you have.

I just want her OUT so that I can hold her and tell her that in person. 9 more weeks...why does that seem like such a long time??

Longing for Africa

2010-09-27T12:17:00.000-07:00

A couple summers back I spent the summer living and working in an orphanage in Kenya. I miss those kids everyday. I have since been supporting them and working with a non profit to help raise money. But its hard to send money there to help because of their poor money management skills etc. My friend Janet who started the non profit www.right2thrive.org is in Kenya right now visiting Neemaland Kings and Queens Orphanage where she also volunteered the year before I did. I am so jealous that she gets to be there and has the opportunity to hug all those children and show them love that they don't really ever receive. Unfortunately when she arrived she found the orphanage in a really awful state. Since I had been there they had been evicted from their home because it was too expensive and they had to move into something they could afford...which meant smaller and in an even more dangerous part of town. Janet found that all the kids were sleeping in what can only be described as tin huts (often what all the homes in the slums are made out of) and the adults were in the 3 bedroom house. It is winter there now so its usually damp and cold. The mattresses were spread across the cold wet ground, everything was dirty, the septic system was overflowing and most of the kids were sick. When I read this report from her I sobbed for a good two hours trying to hold my heart together, thinking if I pressed my hand hard enough to it it would stay in one piece. I then got my breathing back to normal and wrote Janet back with all the ideas and encouragement I could come up with to help her deal with the situation at hand. And then I cried some more. One can't quite understand how precious these kids are, how resilient and beautiful, until you meet them and see and and feel it for yourself. I could listen to them sing all day long and the hugs are always endless and heartfelt. I try not to get upset at myself for feeling like I am not doing enough, because I know that doesn't help anything. I try to do what I can, separating my life and culture from theirs, because if you don't you can beat yourself up over everything you are blessed with knowing so many do without. The one thing I wish I could do was give people a taste of what I experienced with these orphans. I made a video, I have expressed my concern and love for them through letters trying to fundraise and the response is so little. If everyone gave up what it would cost for a single meal and donated it, it could change their world over there. But I know not everyone can see it the way I do because I have this immense love for them, I have read and heard their stories of hardship, I have see their very few tears shed because they are taught to be strong and so many of their 'brothers and sisters' have been through similar situations that there is a common understanding amongst them that, sure, maybe life has dealt them an awful hand but it doesn't do any good to be depressed about it. And so these children who have been through hell and back, beaten, raped, abandoned, parents dead, and so on, smile and thank God for all that they have. They play and laugh and love learning and not one complaint escapes their lips. They are a tremendous example to me. And so I can't help but think that they truly deserve more. They are forever a part of my life and I can't wait to see them all again. I will continue to love and support them, hoping I can someday get them all sponsored and into good schools so that they can have the bright future they deserve. For now the focus is keeping them healthy, providing a warmer, safer place for them to lie their heads down at night and then we will move on from there. I hope that even if people can't help them monetarily that they will keep the Kings and Queens of Neemaland in their prayers. For prayer can do wonders. Some might say I am wasting my time and energy, that these kids will always be in this situation once they run out of funds because they don't know how to provide for themselves. I say its not the children's fault, they haven't been taught. And one wouldn't withhold food and healthcare from their own children because they don't know how to take care of themselves yet, so why would I think it would be any different for these kids and those who are in charge of them? They haven't been taught correctly. There are 60 plus kids and they do what they can to feed and clothe them, but its not enough. It takes time and training and yes, money to get them educated and set up in a situation where they can succeed. So where is my million dollars already?? :)

Lovin' it? Mostly, maybe, I mean 'it' as in her, yes but pregnancy, well...nevermind...

2010-08-29T21:50:00.000-07:00

I love this baby girl. I really do. Even when she is shoved up against my bladder just chillin' with her hand over her forehead like in this picture. I tend to whine about the way she makes me feel physically but amidst all the fatigue and sickness I can't help but imagine her tiny face looking up at me. I see her in my dreams all the time (she's really really cute) and I can almost sense her cheek against mine, holding her close with my arm under her little bum. I think the love will be overwhelming. She is already teaching me a lot of patience...reminding me I can't do it all and still feel like myself. She better be a good eater cause I am really only eating to sustain her these days as food has become a major turnoff for me. I have gotten pretty used to just feeling sick most of the time and having a never ending headache. And I don't know what it is, but most mornings I practically pass out...as in faint. Its kind of inconvenient if I am somewhere public, like at the grocery store, where there really isn't anywhere to just sit down and put your head between your legs. So I end up just having to sit on the ground momentarily or if I am lucky I will find a little step stool or something used my employees for stocking shelves. Its fantastic. I have met women who absolutely love being pregnant and I just kind of look at them with a confused slash intrigued sort of look, which combined on my face probably just makes me look crazy (or makes them think I think they are crazy, which they are probably right on with that), but I really do wish that were me. I think I will just stick to the dream of having her outside the womb and loving that instead:)

The Belly

2010-08-17T09:57:00.000-07:00

People keep asking to see "the belly" so here it is, nothin' hidin' it! Why am I so shameless? I have to take these photos every week and send them to my modeling agency to they can tell how big I am getting so I can start booking maternity print jobs. I actually just worked for Nordstrom last week! That stuff should come out online sometime in the fall. So its a great reason to eat healthy and stay in shape when you have to get photographed baring all every week...(plus these jobs pay pretty dang well) :) Baby is good, I need to scan in and post her new ultrasound pics from her 2nd trimester screening. She's pretty cute, and more importantly the Dr. said she has a very beautiful heart:) Music to my ears. I had my first baby shower on Saturday in Seattle which was so fun. I found myself talking baby talk in response to the clothes I was getting. Funny;) I still need to go through those pics and upload em. For now I am enjoying feeling the lil one move around all the time. I still don't have an appetite and get headaches most days, but I will take that over all that morning sickness felt those first few months. We are 5 months along! Over halfway there and part of me is a little afraid yet excited that these next few months are going to fly by. Lots to do!

Babygirl

2010-07-19T23:23:00.000-07:00

After a couple appointments we finally found out we are having a lil' girl! She has been quite lady like...always crossing her legs at each appointment, but my sister-in-law (a neonatal nurse) told me to drink an ice cold beverage right before hand and it will make the baby more active. Well at that second appointment she was dancing around and sucking on her fingers. It still blows my mind that all that moving and growing is going on and it can't be felt yet! I am learning that this baby girl is a picky eater. I am not super nauseous all the time anymore but after eating certain things they come right back up...ew. She is following after her Aunt Jaimie and seems to be refusing most meat products. I hope to get my appetite back soon. I am supposed to have gained some weight by now, but I don't think I am eating enough...but I sure am trying! Cause' the sooner this baby gets bigger the better! My agency is having me take pics every week of me and my belly because I am already on hold for some upcoming jobs! But I have to be big enough to be able to book em'. It so weird pushing my belly out as much as possible for pics to send in to my agency when I have spent the last 10 years suckin' it in as much a possible. Lets hope this baby will start makin' money from the womb!! :) Whoop Whoop!! I am crossing my fingers for a job I am on hold for in Montreal in August. These jobs pay more cause' there are two at work:) Lets get after it baby girl.

Oh, and how cute is that baby shower invite design I found! I am going to start making some next week:)

Impatient me

2010-06-29T23:34:00.001-07:00

I can't help it. I am and have always been pretty darn impatient. I work on it daily, but sometimes I give in to my impatientness (yeah, I know that is not a word, but I couldn't think of a better real word) So when I read that you can technically find out the sex of your baby at 14 weeks with 99.9% accuracy in a 4D ultrasound that was enough for me to schedule the appointment asap. Otherwise I don't see my Dr. until 3 weeks from now. Jordan thinks its silly that I can't wait and that I should save the 50 bucks that is costs to get the ultrasound and buy something for the baby with it...3 weeks from now....BUT I told him I have my reasons, that it is not just my impatient nature taking over... We have a trip to New York coming up and in case I run into any great shopping opportunities (I mean its NYC, its bound to happen) I'll need to know what to shop for, or at least be able to get a thing or two for the little one that contains either blue or pink. I know, its not a great reason to find out early, but I do have one more. My mom is going to throw me a shower in August since thats the last time I will be back home in Seattle for a while. My sister will be coming home from her mission after being gone a year and half so I will have family in town too! YAY! And in order for her to get invitations ready and mailed etc she needs to know if its going to be a boy or a girl! And my mom is much like myself in that she is quite the procrastinator so I am helping her out by giving her a few weeks notice:) Isn't that nice of me? Hah. Well, either way, it will be nice to call the baby a 'he' or 'she' instead of 'it', or you know some sort of food like peanut or kumquat...yeah, in some book I read they compared your 12th week old fetus to the size of a kumquat and when I told Jordan that its a little kumquat, he said, ew, that sounds dirty. Haha, I guess he doesn't like the word or rather the fruit kumquat. And now, I don't either...thanks Jordan. Funny.

SOOOO, on Monday the 5th I have a noon appointment at the 4D ultrasound clinic to receive a gender determination package (that's what they call it). Here goes! And thanks J for playin' along and getting excited for Monday:) Cause' I sure am!!! I even have the energy to get excited now! No more throwing up! Thank goodness.

Meet Baby Church

2010-06-20T18:25:00.001-07:00

Look at me! I am only two inches long but I am growing everyday! My heartbeat is a strong 150bpm! I am going to concentrate on growing and I hope to join the world at the end of December! Below you will see I am already taking after my mom! I love sucking on my thumb! Although, I don't plan on sucking my thumb through age 6 like she did, that is just embarrassing! :) Feel free to check back in on me as I grow! And I'll let my mom and dad know soon if I am a boy or girl!

Birthdays and the gift I've always dreampt of...

2010-06-16T18:58:00.001-07:00

I turned 27 this past week and I was quite content to skip my birthday this year. I always love a good excuse to party, but I figured I didn't really want to be a year older and as long as things keep going well I already have the most amazing gift I can think of. I haven't announced it to the world yet, but no one really reads my blog anyway and most of my friends don't seem to update theirs so I figure it would just be a nice outlet to start writing about the little being I am growing inside of me. Yup! I am pregnant. I still have to say those three words on a daily basis because its still pretty amazing to me. I have lost two babies and so I have been rather reserved and anxiety ridden about the whole thing. I concentrated on staying as calm as I could after hearing my hormone levels were low (which is the news I received during my last two pregnancies) but I was put on progesterone right away to help thicken the lining of my uterus in hopes it would help the little pea stick around. Well it seemed to work! I went off the drugs last week and have been sick and barfy and all that fun stuff that comes along with being pregnant, but if all this sickness means things are going well then I'll take it and happily (k, maybe not happily) deal:) I will be 12 weeks come Friday. I have seen my doctor about every other week because of my history and hearing that lil' heartbeat for the first time about 4 weeks ago is probably one of the most beautiful sounds I have ever heard. I can't tell you what relief that brought me hearing the quick little beat of that miniature heart. Miscarriage rates drop to below 5% after you hear the heart beat and I couldn't help but let tears stream down my face as I stared at that little peanut with its flashing heart on the monitor. It started to feel real, even more so for Jordan. That whole day he kept saying, "We're pregnant babe! That's so crazy!" I was like, yeah, I have been pregnant for weeks now;) A couple weeks later I went in again and things were progressing as they should and hearing my doctor tell me she couldn't be happier with what she sees left me feeling calm and excited as I left the office grasping my little ultra sound pictures trying not to drip tears on them. Tomorrow I go in for my first trimester screening which they say could be like a 2.5 hour appointment! What do they need to do for that long?!? I'll be more at ease if all those test results come back to me in the form of good news. But to take my mind off it my mom is coming into town on Tuesday and we are going to be pool bums out in Palm Springs for a few days then on my way to drop her back off on Monday she is going to go to my Dr's appointment with me! I think it will be fun for her to see her lil' grandbaby for the first time. So here we go! It should be quite the adventure! I really want a baby girl, but I know I'll be happy with either...I feel like it might be a girl, but maybe because that is really all I ever envisioned. I have dreams about it being a boy, but those dreams (along with all the others I've been having) are really quite weird and well, rather disturbing. So I am not so certain anymore! I have made one purchase so far from Craigslist and it will suit a boy or a girl. It's a cute cradle/bassinet. It looks brand new and is mostly a cream color. I like that it has wheels so it can be rolled from room to room and it rocks or locks in place. I know it seems premature to be buying stuff already but I had my eye on this when I saw one last year and when it came up on Craigslist for 150 dollars LESS than what it sells for new, I thought, why not? Plus the nice couple threw in a couple other free things for the baby that I put underneath the bassinet for now.

I love reading about the developing fetus and the changes it goes through everyday. Its really quite fascinating and its no wonder they call babies little miracles! It helps me realize and come to terms with what is going on inside of me because I haven't really popped yet, I just feel sick all day every day and it looks like I got a boob job. Which, by the way, the husband is thrilled about...boys are funny. I have been trying my best to eat (something that really is a chore) and I walk around the park every day but I can't wait to start feeling better. I hear I have about another week or so and I'll get my energy back and hopefully the nausea will disperse and I will have an appetite once again! Below is what the little one should be looking like.

So, teeny. I can't help but think about those that choose to have abortions and that this is what they are killing. It breaks my heart. Life is so precious, but some have a hard time viewing it that way I think. I am grateful for my life. I am grateful for the life inside of me and pray everyday I can be a good mom and that this little one will be healthy, strong and happy. I have already learned to appreciate this baby so much and I know I can't take this opportunity for granted. Although neither of my previous pregnancies lasted very long I grew to love those babies that couldn't stick around and they will never be forgotten. But there is a time and place for everything. I have truly learned that. It wasn't the right time and I wasn't in a good place. It took me over a year to figure some important things out and to create a home and things finally feel right again. I am stronger because of the trials I went through and also more sensitive to others' situations. One never knows what kinds of things people are facing in their lives.

I know this little one will be loved and spoiled and what better gift to receive at Christmas than the gift of a new little life coming into the world... :)

Grumpiness, Twinkle Stars, and Cupcakes

2010-03-26T10:49:00.000-07:00

Sooo... I am kind of tired of things being out of my control...okay really tired, like fed up. I have been quite grumpy and not super pleasant to be around as of late. So I decided to take some steps towards doing things that give me back a bit of control in my life; to help me feel a sense of accomplishment and success. I really wanted this year to be different. And I know the year is still pretty new but I had such high expectations for even the first couple months. It is frustrating when not even the little things pan out. I can't tell you how many times this year I have practically booked a job and then they tell me,"Oh, sorry we decided to go with another girl. Or, "Uh sorry, we decided to go younger for this role." Or, "Sorry, we love you, but you are just so much taller than our lead guy, but we think you're great...." Freakin' tiny actors....

Its hard to rely on others to find you work and auditions, and as much as I have inquired and "bugged" my agency they seem to think I just need to give it some time...(if you know me, you know that is not what I like to hear, what with my impatient nature and all). Its hard when I want to do so much good with my money--I want to provide for my family, I want to go back to Africa and help feed children, I want to do things that will make a difference in this world and everyday I see aaaaalll this money wasted on such worldly things. I like clothes, sure, I like having a reliable car etc...but I can't see the justification in spending millions of dollars on either of these things if I had that kind of money to spend...sigh, okay that was my lil' venting blurb.... So, if I want to act and if I want to be seen doing just that I am going to go out there and make my own movies and get into see casting directors myself. I have joined a group of fellow actors and writers and directors and we are filming our first short film in a couple weeks. I have started networking and have a couple meetings set up with different casting directors. Its not much, but its a start....I mean Julia Roberts met the director of Pretty Women at a bar...so ya never know!!!
And since one of my cakes sold for 200 bucks at a youth auction last week I decided I should look into making this a sort of business on the side. Drum roll please......introducing for the first time to the public world.... "Carly Kay's Cupcakes"!! It is all just ideas and spreadsheets right now. But I have my list of ingredients and prices semi worked out and I am starting off with 7 cupcake recipes from "Better Than Sex Cupcakes" to "Red Velvet Cupcakes" to Chocolate PB Cupcakes. I figure, I love to bake, people keep telling me I could sell the things I do bake but I never really thought about it seriously until now. I can work out of my home (yay for my double oven!) and start out small and see where it goes. Jordan hired some lady to make and bring them cupcakes for some school conference and she made 100 cupcakes and he paid her like 350 bucks, and they were just simple cupcakes! I thought, I could do that...and they would taste better ;) So, off I go continuing on the same sort of adventure I have been on and starting some new ones. It gives me something to look forward to, which is always a plus for me. Spring break is coming up for Jordan and we wanted to get out of here to somewhere tropical, but Carly isn't bringin' in the cash like she used to ehem, sorry J, so we may just head out to Palm Springs for a couple days, visit some friends in Arizona and maybe even drive up to Utah to see friends and family. I did get to talk to my nephew the other day on the phone while I was waiting at an audition and he almost made me cry when he sung his incredible version of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"...he is two going on four...and I just love him and how he says my name "Carlay" and how when he tells you he loves you, you know he means it. The best was when he wrapped his little arms around my mom and I's necks while we were visiting UT, and he put his head in between our heads and rested it on our shoulders, sighed and said,"I just love you guys." Yeah, he's that cute. He'll be three in August, around the same time that my lil sis will be getting home from her mission! How time really does fly! I miss her like crazy and can't wait to see her again. She is serving her little booty off in Slovenia and I am so proud of all the great work she is doing. Okay, well it is almost noon...maybe I should change out of my sweats and get some things done. I have been on an organizing binge--thinking that if I put all my stuff in order then maybe things in my life might fall into some sort of order as well. And if not, then at least I will have a super organized house---for a couple months anyway...;)

2010-02-07T01:31:00.000-08:00

do i have somethin' on my face?

silly shoots are the best

2010-02-07T00:50:00.000-08:00

I shot with my friend Aida on Friday and it was so much fun! Goofing around and acting like a dork is way more exciting than the cheesy shoots I am used to;). I played with a real snake, did a lot of jumping and our last shot I got to stuff cupcakes in my face. Classic.

2010-01-21T14:42:00.000-08:00

Well, it has been about a month since I posted anything. I kept thinking I was going to turn into this regular blogger, but that hasn't quite happened yet. We are finally getting back into the routine of things, no more snow filled days, making gingerbread houses, and being a lazy butt....its back to working, exercising, paying bills....all that exciting stuff. It is really amazing how much money a house sucks up! So, since we have to be all grown up now and are responsible for a house and all, we decided we needed to be a lot better about our finances, especially cause all my commercials seem to have stopped airing and I am not bringing in the dough like I used to. Boo. But, along with other New Years goals, I am going to strive to think and act more positively and practice being more assertive. I have been networking a bit and hope to have two new agencies by the close of this month. I quit my modeling agency a while back and haven't gotten out there to find another one. Honestly, I wasn't ready to get in a swim suit, have them whip out their measuring tape then take photos of me(front AND back, mind you). But, I need to get over that, get my butt in shape (literally) and start working again. That industry is how it is and its not going to change, so there is no use in me being bitter about it...even though it is quite possible it has jaded my self esteem for life...haha, no not entirely, but its tough when you have done it for 10 years and suddenly at age 26 you become an old model who finds it a lot harder to stay as thin as you were at 15 years old. BAH! I don't want to be old! I would love to completely switch gears into the acting world,which has been my focus these last 6 months, but why not continue doing something I know I can do and make money at....until all the acting picks up:) I am in acting class about 3 times a week and I love the new teacher I have. My acting and comfort level has changed drastically in the past few months...if only I had found him sooner! I love it. I hope to nail down an agent next week, both for acting and modeling....keeping my fingers crossed!!! I set out to lose a few pounds before these up and coming meetings so J and I have been really good about doing 2 miles a day, mainly running, but sometimes I do other cardio machines and if I miss a day, I have to do 4 miles. That and a strict diet has helped a lot. It is nice when the husband is on board. Of course for every two pounds I lose, he loses about 7...not fair.
Christmas break we didn't do too much damage, which is nice:) I think I didn't pig out as much as I normally do and I was always cold...and doesn't being cold bump up your metabolism? You know, cuz your body is trying to keep warm...I heard that somewhere. Anyway, it was fun to spend a week in Seattle with J's fam and a week in UT with mine. My baby niece was born on Dec. 18th, so it was fun to meet her and hang out with her big brother Ryder, who in my opinion is the brightest two year old I have met and I am quite proud to call him my nephew:) People keep inquiring when we are going to have kids and I find the best answer is maybe in the next year or so. Physically my body is fine now. I had the surgery I needed and everything healed up just fine, but mentally I am not quite there yet. I am not thinking the worse, but I am not ready to worry just yet....not when at this time last year I was going through it all for the first time and not when I still think how old he or she would be every progressing month. So, instead I am focusing on my career. I have plenty of time to have kids, I am only 26. I want to accomplish some things work wise and pass off some personal goals before I bring children into this world. I know I will be better for it if I do wait and get some things in order and I know for sure my children will be better for it as well. I know there is no perfect time to have kids, but I have also discovered there is a right time. That right time will have to be in my 27th year and it will be here before I know it, so I best get crackin'. Off I go, to better myself the best I know how;)

R.I.P.

2009-12-15T02:58:00.000-08:00

R.I.P. James. You were a great man. I will miss you. Your wife and baby are in my prayers as well as all those orphans whom you were like a father to. I am still in shock that you are gone. It doesn't seem fair. You were so needed here. You were doing such amazing and important things in your country. Thank you for being my friend and such a great example for me. I hope to help continue all the work you started. I won't ever forget you.

creating bug

2009-11-15T01:46:00.000-08:00

Lately all I have wanted to do is craft away....decorating cakes, or my house, or making cards. Its fun for me:) And so I threw a baby shower and used that as an excuse to do all three! Jordan doesn't need to know how much money I spent....hehe

2009-10-21T23:05:00.000-07:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Cake deco class #3 :) New hobbies are fun.

Ten Women Twenty Experiences

2009-10-20T23:29:00.000-07:00

I am in a show that runs through the 1st of November! :) Its a fun show! Info below!

What happens when one actress visualizes herself as 9 other characters as she tries to write the ultimate monologue? She types away and in her fantasy takes the audience with her on a journey to write the nirvana of all monologues. We watch as she painfully types, sometimes with humor, sometimes with anger but always with love and devotion to her cause of writing something meaningful.

Fridays 8pm, Saturdays 3pm, Sundays 7pm
Tickets $20
To reserve your seat call (323) 465-0800

Our attempt at cake decorating

2009-10-08T01:06:00.000-07:00

So my girlfriend Frances and I signed up for a cake decorating class and it started out a little rough. It took me forever to get over the hill to Culver City so I was like 30 minutes late..hehe woops! Frances had to buy all my materials and tools etc. for me cause' they were closing the register down. Thanks for the help man:) I think they turned out okay, our cute lil' sunflower cakes, mine is the yellow one...for some reason I thought if I added more petals it would look better...hmm, didn't work out too well for me....BUT its probably not something I would choose to put on top of a cake anyway, but its fine, right? Jordan said I got the leaves right...thanks J. Please don't look too closely as you might be offended by my petals. Many of them look more like penises than petals. Its true! Frances can second that. I pointed it out and she busted up laughing. Then the old ladies teachin' the class got mad at us, said there was too much laughing and not enough frosting goin' on. HEHE....awesome. Next week we learn roses, I will try to not make them resemble any sort of body part. Wish me luck!

Flowers and Fish

2009-09-30T21:31:00.000-07:00

Yes, one smells better than the other, but I enjoy them both. My friend brought me flowers after my surgery and when they started wilting a bit I cut off most of the stem and stick them all in a small center piece bowl with water. They magically come back to life and last a few days longer. K, so not magically....I think it has something to do with the fact that water can get to the flower faster and easier if it doesn't have to travel up a long drying out stem. Trader Joe's and Costco usually have some really great quality fresh flowers and good prices. K, so onto fish... I made some Halibut tonight topped with cilantro lime shrimp and cheese with sides of wild mushroom risotto and roasted cucumber with garlic herb crumbs seared with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. It was pretty good. I told Jordan I would start cooking again, so I am trying. It is a lot easier in my awesome kitchen. Plus Jordan got me Cutco knives as a sort of house warming slash why don't you gear up to cook again gift:) I love them, its an awesome investment. They have a lifetime warranty and when you want them sharpened they will send someone out to do it for you, for free. I have never cut with such amazing knives, so thanks J, may the cooking continue to last more than just a few days.... I love new fun easy recipes, so if anyone has any for anything send them my way!!

2009-09-28T19:13:00.000-07:00

I love to bake. I don't do a whole lot from scratch, so I like to add my own special surprises. Like in these cupcakes I made yesterday I mixed in baby peanut butter cups to the german chocolate cake mix. Plain cake mix is great, but when you add a surprise inside like chocolate chips or fudge or something it makes it that much better. Homemade frosting always beats store bought though and when you sprinkle them with Skor bar pieces or chocolate shavings it makes the cupcakes look, I dunno, almost gourmet maybe? :) Easy stuff but awesome results. Yum...now I need to get rid of the rest of them before I have my third one of the day. It's cool, they took the place of my breakfast and lunch!

2009-09-27T23:18:00.000-07:00

I look like crap, but after surgery I felt quite alright. It's after the good stuff that runs through that IV wears out when you actually start feelin' it. There was this 70 year old black nurse that was helping me out after surgery...she was an awesome nutter (that's the word my sister uses for a crazy person). She had so much energy and delighted in informing Jordan not once but twice that he had to wait over 2 weeks to have sex with me. But then she proceeded to tell us that there are plenty of other things we could do as she nudged me twice and winked. HAH! Funny lady. I did my best to rest the next couple of days, but our roof was being re-done at the time...its awfully hard to sleep, even while heavily medicated, when it sounds like you got tap dancers (chubby ones) in your attic. I am sure there will come a day in the future when we will be done with house stuff, but I hear that with owning a house there is always something. But I will take what I got because this house is truly a blessing! It sure has come along way throughout its total makeover. I just need to start working again so I can afford to decorate it. Thanks to all those who let me have their Bed Bath and Beyond coupons! I saved hundreds of dollars on our two new bed sets. Right on. Guest room is set up, come visit me. :)

2009-09-22T17:05:00.000-07:00

So bright and early Thursday morning I get to have surgery:( Although its a good thing, it doesn't mean I have to look forward to it. Its just a simple laparoscopy where they make 3 small incisions and go in there and pop the thing and scrape it out of my ovary. It will be nice not to have that evil mass causing me pain everyday! I watched a couple videos of the surgery because those kinds of things are intriguing to me and it is nice to be able to see what will be going down when I am cut into:) If all goes well I will be back to normal in just a few days. Yay for cyst killing!! I feel like I should throw a party! It has been a pretty intense year so far and this little guy has had a hand in causing multiple heartbreak, not to mention awful periods and out of whack hormones. I am definitely looking forward to feeling normal again, well as normal as possible in my case ;)

2009-09-10T10:43:00.000-07:00

After a nice day at the beach an awesome stop on your way home is Frances's place. You get to play with two freakin' adorable kids that will laugh with you for a good two hours and then if you stick around long enough Frances will let you stay for dinner--her cooking is awesome by the way. Thanks little ones for making my day;) And thanks Frances for taking care of me during my kitchenless state!

2009-08-31T23:13:00.000-07:00

The one area of our house that is closest to being complete;) Today the granite countertops were installed! Hopefully I will have a functional kitchen by then end of the week...then I can start working off the 5 pounds I put on from all the eating out we have been doing!!

the house

2009-07-26T22:20:00.000-07:00

Our house is coming along! We hope to move in in about 2 weeks! It is starting to look more like a home and we are thrilled to be almost done making decisions about every little things throughout the whole house. The floors and kitchen will be installed this week followed by a new roof! It has been such a process but it will be so worth it!!!

2009-05-19T00:24:00.000-07:00

We are now officially home owners!! YAY! It doesn't look like much now, but it will soon enough! Currently the whole house is gutted! It is a 4 bedroom 2 bath and we are remodeling the whole thing inside and out and its so exciting! I will post pictures of the whole process. I picked out all of my appliances the other day which include a red washer and dryer and a double oven, woohoo!=) They just finished the add on to our master bedroom and my closet is almost as big as my room, I am in LOVE! We will soon call Studio City our home for a good amount of years. No more moving every year for us!!!

2009-04-15T17:19:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my blog! I am still trying to get a hang of this whole blogging thing and after a lot of frustration restarted the whole process and hope that this time around turns out better than the first! I hope to fill this blog with our past, present and future adventures and endeavors. I also hope the creation of this blog results in keeping connected to my friends who are spread throughout the world. Wish me luck as I delve into the world of blogging! Any and all advice is surely welcome!