Friday, February 28, 2014

Yippee for New Freinds!!

Confession time, I am terrible at meeting new people.  I suffer from a condition called permanent b!tch face.  My condition is acute and almost always hits when I'm meeting new people.  I think because I get nervous and I don't know what to talk about.  All my life people have been telling me about my face.  Even when I'm happy the face can strike.  I've been told numerous times to smile.  But, I think when I smile it looks fake!  Anyways, Hecuase of this "condition" I have trouble with first impressions, but if you get past that hump I'm actually a pretty awesome person. Lol {Not to toot my own horn but *toot toot*} I'm thankful for the friends that make it past the first impression, because if they didn't I would be one lonely person.  

Back to the lecture at hand, new friends.   It's always been hard for me.  I grew up in the same neighborhood and I had most of the same friends from elementary on up.  It wasn't until Morgan and I got married and we started moving around the country , I had to make new friends.   Most of my friends I acquired through Morgan.  His co-workers wives or girlfriends.  But I wanted friends that I could call mine, not through any association.  So everywhere we moved I got a job and made friends.  Some till this day are lifelong friends, even considered family.  Other then Morgan and work I didn't make friends out of those circles because of my terrible first impressions.  Until now.  

Facebook and Instagram helped me find me new friends. Hahah We were in a foodies group on FB actually, and then we started following each other on IG.  We chatted and commented on each others pics for a few weeks then one of the gals brought up a suggestion to meet up.  I was a lil nervous cuz of my condition.  We have been chatting for a little bit and getting along, so it helped me to feel more comfortable wih them.  But really... who does this?  Haha I mean,meeting complete strangers and it's not a date. Well it felt like a blind date of sorts. We had stuff in common, and we were available so why not?  To be honest, I don't know if I would do this in the states.  Being in Okinawa and the military community I felt safe about it.   So, we set the date, a dimsum lunch and coffee before. 

I couldn't belive how well we got along. The whole time we were laughing and talking.  It was a good time.  It did kinda feel like a date since we were all getting to know each other, but it was fun.  I'm so glad I did it.  I think in the past I wouldn't have gone through with the meet up.  I'm happy I met two new friends and we can share our adventures in Oki.  Now we can't stop planning our future "dates".   You just never know where your going to meet new friends :)

                               

       

                                  

:: we actually didn't get dimsum.  We went to Laguna Hotel, but they don't offer dimsum on thr weekdays.  This day they had an Italian buffet, still yummy.  I'm still craving dimsum tho lol ::





Wednesday, February 19, 2014

5 Things I Do For ME

Now, before you go off thinking that I'm some selfish Mom who thinks of herself go ahead and back that truck up.  I'm writing about the top 5 things I do for me.  I know it's highly uncharacteristic for a mother and a wife to do stuff for herself.  Most of the time mothers and wives put their kids , husband and family before themselves.  I am guilty!  It's not a bad thing, I think that is great, mothers and wives should do that...it's in our nature.  I also think it's important to think of yourself .   You are a temple; mind , body, and soul.....nutrure that temple however it makes you happy.   I believe that doing these 5 things regularly makes me a better wife and mother.  It may not be the same 5 things for every other woman out there, but I do believe that every wife and mother should take some time for themselves and do things that make them feel good for themselves.  

1:: wake up an hour early or stay up an hour later for me time 

                                       

On the weekdays I wake up at 6:30 am to have some me time.  I use this time to wake up, drink coffee, read the news, catch up on social media, and get my day started.  I am not a morning person, but this helps me prepare for the day.  I like the quiet and calm of the early morning.  I need this time for myself.  I don't always get up or the kids don't always sleep till 7:30 or 8.  If that's the case I usually just stay up later at night.  Either way, morning or night quiet me time is needed regularly. 

2:: pampering

                    

Weather it's a pedicure, a manicure, a facial, or massage this is my favorite way to relax.  It's definitely not in our budget to get these done weekly or even monthly sometimes.  I do try to fit these in every so often to give myself some rest and relaxation and truly do something for myself.  I love being pampered , having cute nails or toes, makes me feel great. 

3:: girls nights out

        

Who doesn't need a night out with the ladies?  A good GNO is a must.  It's fun to let loose, have a couple drinks, and hang with your girlfriends.  One of my fave things about GNO is getting dressed up. Usually I don't put on a full face of make up, bust out some killer heels, or even wear cute outfits.  However, going out with the girls it's all coming out.  Those shoes I don't wear because there is no way I could chase a toddler in them, that lipstick that would give me stares if I wore it to the commissary, that dress that is just a tad bit short and makes my legs look long.....it's all coming out lol.  A girls night out never hurt anyone :)


4:: date night

      

Unfortunately we don't get a lot of these.  Being far from family doesn't give us the luxury of grandparents or aunts and uncles.  We should really work on these this year.  I think it's super important to date your spouse.  We are the foundation of the family and need to keep our bond strong.  Weather it be a night out on the town with dinner and drinks or even a day date for coffee or ice cream, these times alone are important.  It's important to take a break and focus on each other for a little bit.  We don't always get dates but we try to take time with each other when the kids are napping or asleep.  All you need is love :)

5:: lazy daze

                             

Most days, I get up, get dressed, feed the kids, get the kids ready for the day and start my normal every day routine.  BUT, there are some days where we take the day off.  Call is a personal day. Lol. Sometimes it's during the week while Morgan is gone or sometimes he partakes if it's on a weekend.  These days consist of staung in PJs all day, eating fun foods, watching movies, family naps, eating ice cream sundaes.  No chores are really done that day, only the essentials to not make it look like a bomb blew up. Lol. These days I really enjoy.  My kids and I play on the floor, snuggle during nap time,eat popcorn and watch Toy Story, all without a care in the world.


Whatever 5 things you need to be good to yourself do them.  At the end of the day My family always comes first but it's nice to do something for myself every once in awhile.  :)

Friday, February 14, 2014

He loves me, he loves me not, he loves me, he loves me not, HE LOVES ME ...

Ahh love day... A total Hallmark holiday. LOL. Come on people, we don't need a day to show the people we love how much they mean to us by giving them chocolate and flowers!!!  Ok, maybe we do! LOL.  I know a lot of people are not down with this holiday, but for me, if you gotta special someone in your life then why not??  Morgan and I celebrate V-day but not in a huge grand gesture.  A small gift and a special dinner.  Since having kids we've included them on Valentine's day festivities, since we are so in love with them and we even give them gifts.  Morgan makes fun of me because I even give Nolan gifts.  But hey why not??  It is love day!!  When growing up my dad would get my sister and I flowers and chocolate for Valentine's .  I think it's important to show your kids love.  Valentine's day isn't just about husbands, wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, you can also include your family.  {end of rant } 

Well to each his own.  However you want to celebrate or not celebrate this day is all on you.  Being in Japan, I've learned their customs to celebrate Valentine's day.  It's sorta opposite of the way we celebrate.  I think most people would agree that Valentine's is mostly geared for the special woman in your life.  I even have a friend who considers it "her" holiday.  She compares it to the scale of her birthday.  {to each his own}.  But, here in Japan the custom is that the women give chocolates to their special someone.  The custom has since evolved into showing "gratitude ", so now women give chocolates to the men in their lives to express gratitude.  Not just their significant others, their family, friends, and even coworkers .  However, you don't have to feel bad for the Japanese women, they aren't going to be gift less for long. LOL In Japan they have White day.  On this day, the men who received chocolate from someone returns the favor.  The kicker is the gift they give to the woman shoul be two or 3 times the cost of the Valentine's gift!  I always thought that Valentine's day was an American tradition, I wonder what other countries celebrate it and what their customs are???

As for my Valentine's day it was pretty mellow.  Unfortunately Morgan is on duty so I haven't seen him at all.  I did wake up to flowers chocolate and a gift.  The kids got gifts and cards too.  Amelia had school.  She made her class cards and lil gifts last night.  I made the staff and teachers at her school some coconut macaroons.  Nolan had Alligator Steps class in the morning.  The rest of the day was spent eating candy and watching love movies. LOL.    Tomorrow we are going to spend our family valentine's day out shopping and eating! I can't wait.  Hope everyone enjoyed their love day!

                                  

                                            :: Who doesn't love waking up to gifts??  ::

                                   

                                                       :: coconut macaroons ::

                                    

                                                                :: my gift ::




Monday, February 10, 2014

Sunday Snaps


:: new month more planning ::


::  Mills took up my whole dining table to play with her My Little Ponies ::


:: went to a new bakery by my house Epi-Ciel ::


:: close but no cigar ::


:: Filipino spaghetti ::










Tuesday, February 4, 2014

What I Wore Wednesdays




                       


                                 


:: jacket ::
Old Navy

:: sweater ::
Forever 21

:: leggings ::
Gap

:: boots ::
Steve Madden


Sunday, February 2, 2014

Sunday Snaps

Snaps from the week 


:: shameless selfie ::


:: park time ::


 :: Nolan taking a few snaps ::


:: pancakes for breakfast ::


:: alligator steps ::