Lizzy's Recital

This evening was Lizzy's (Monica's granddaughter) debut dance recital. It was a two hour affair and her group "Twinkle Toes" did five dances (3 ballet, 2 tap). She was great! Seriously, for a 3 year old she was awesome. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for the whole production. The choreography was dull. They had the older kids in front while the little ones in the back, which is backwards to me. No backdrop or some sort of prop or color on the stage. For the most part the children looked great in there costumes and I think they enjoyed the attention which they certainly deserved for their valiant efforts.

Great job Lizzy!

Check out her concentration. A wave for her fans!
How precious is she?

The star with her brother and David.

What an odd feeling ...

I got to see Dave's ex-girlfriend today ... Caught me by surprise. I found myself curious, self-conscious, and feeling ... I don't know exactly. My first impression was that she looked mature. She's probably around Dave's age which is only 3 years older than me but she carried herself womanly (this is a compliment). I thought to myself, why don't I carry myself that womanly? Is forty the magic number and perhaps I'll be womanly then? Oh, it's hard to explain. I think it's a bit of my insecurities creeping in ... questioning ... Oddly enough, I wasn't as insecure as I was thinking myself to be because I was also thinking that Dave made a good choice by marrying me; over, let say her. I don't know anything about her but I do know me and we are good together, so what is this crazy-hazy feeling I'm feeling? I suppose it shook me inside to be around someone that was close to Dave. A quick comparison calculating in my head. That's it! How do I measure up? I suppose high since he married me ... just odd ... I don't like this feeling at all! I'm not sure if I'll bring it up to Dave tonight when he gets home or any time soon. Just odd. I said that already, huh?

By the way, the woman and I didn't speak to each other. I was just pointed to the fact that she was Dave's ex and by the end of the event she gathered that I'm Dave's wife. How do I know that? Woman's intuition. Hey, I'm a woman afterall!

OK, it's still sinking in so that's all for now. ---Peb ... Arlyn ... someone, I'll be calling you pretty soon!

P.S. I didn't share this blog, not just this post, with Dave so he wouldn't "hear" this from here.

What's up with dishes and laundry?

I just want to vent ... There's only four of us and I can't believe how quickly dishes and laundry pile up! I know I probably let it but really, one minute I'm caught up and the next ... they're there again! We even use paper plates often and still ... a fork here, a pot there, then boom! another pile. I use the dishwasher but often I wash by hand. As far as laundry, Dave's a big help. He doesn't wait for me to do it. He'll wash what he needs and will even fold clothes I've left in the dryer; never saying anything or looking upset doing it. When that happens I feel awful. He must think I'm a terrible housekeeper and wonder what I do all day with the kids. I really can't use Sophia as an excuse because I can try creative ways to do my house chores around her clinginess (that's not a word, but you know what I mean). I need a schedule. A well planned schedule that will allow flexibility but get the job done. Any suggestions? ... I am proud to say though that I keep clean toilets. It's a pet peeve of mine. I like clean toilets! Now I just have to learn to like to keep a clean house! ... and use proper grammer ... that was too many prepositions! Bottom line, allow no clutter and problem solved!

How I Met My Husband

A friend and I recently got to talking about how Dave proposed to me and it was nice recalling that. Later at home I got to reminiscing about how Dave and I met and our dating years. I thought I’d record what I can remember while I still remember some, so I’ll start with how I met him and perhaps continue our story in future posts. So here goes …

Ate Mila and I met at my first nursing job back in ‘96. She was cute, energetic and always had a big smile! She was our mother hen during our shift. A veteran at nursing she looked out for me, the rookie. Months later she found another job. Guess where? Yeap! Where Dave worked. Of course, she was in the hospital section of the correctional facility. At that time, Dave made rounds there and got to know Ate Mila. Anyway, Ate Mila and I still kept in touch over the months that followed. Knowing that I needed a good man in my life, she felt impressed to call me up and proceeded to tell me about Dave. I was very hesitant but I trusted her in the end (she was LDS also). About a week later, Dave called me. Of course, I didn’t recognize him and had forgotten that I had agreed to this blind meeting. We made introductions and small talks. I remember being intimidated by him. He would talk about his start of law school and up coming competitions that he was training for; while all I did at that time was lie in bed watching chick flick videos! No athletic bone in my body! He was smart and fit, my opposite. Well, we continued to talk over the phone for a couple of weeks until we finally set our first date, October 21, 1998 at Olive Gardens in Chino.

The prep for the first date was quite a task as many of you can imagine. My sister was there to help me. She suggested a shirt that would show some cleavage. I compromised on a black shirt that went down as far as my temple garment would allow and I just hoped “they” were not too important to him. Anyway, I was a bit late to our date, not a good first impression (in my defense, traffic got me) but I think the firm handshake made up for it. It told him, I’m sorry and I’m now ready for you! Of course, inside I was a complete wreck!! I had to keep my clammy hands hidden under the table in order to wipe them dry. He was hot! Apparently our waitress thought so too, that hussy! Well, I don’t remember a word said in that date! I do remember calling my sister at a pay phone (didn’t have cell phones then, or at least I didn't) after the date and cried to her. My way of letting the nerves out. I only remember telling her that I really liked him and hoped we’d go out again. We did and the rest is to be continued.

Meet Ate Mila. Told you she's cute.

Here Dave received the baton and off he goes. This was the first Laughlin to Vegas relay. We've only been going out 3-4 wks and already I'm in Laughlin/Vegas with him cheering for his team. The whole relay thing was quite an awesome experience for me to see first hand. He even let me drive his Explorer to follow him during his runs.

One of his teammates got injured during her run so Dave finished her leg for her. --Side note: Dave also did the more famous Baker to Vegas relay before I met him and he told me they placed 26th or something like that. --Hey! I'm his lucky charm!! --He also did the Toughest Cop Alive competition.

Their hard efforts paid off because they ended up in first place in their division. Hooray!

Here's one of the Camp Pendleton Mud Runs that Dave competed in. Notice them taped up? You'll see why in a second.

This is why! They actually crawl in the mud towards the end of the 10K run.

Here's Dave up close. Go Hon go!

The finish line! They didn't do so well in this run but the following year, they placed first in their division. --Dave went to 3 or 4 of these mud runs.

Happy Birthday Brian!

Today is Brian's birthday. He is David's best friend at church. He is 5 years old today so here are 5 things David says he loves about Brian:

1. He's my best friend!
2. We get to have oreo cookies for his birthday (their primary teacher gave their class oreo cookies, Brian's favorite cookies, in honor of his birthday)
3. We have fun together
4. We play together
5. He's nice to me

David wanted to give Brian a special gift and was sooooo excited about giving his Power Ranger (as he calls it) action figure to him. He figured Brian would enjoy it as much as he did.

Brian's birthday party was yesterday but I had prior commitments so David and I baked a giant cookie for him. He was at his grandma's so we dropped his gift and the cookie to him there. David got a surprise and got a bag of treats. He was so happy! Thanks Brian. ---We love you and Carson.

Hip Cooks

A couple of my dear high school friends, Arlyn and Jeannie, and I took a "Tarts for Tarts" cooking class today out in LA through Hip Cooks. It was fun! We met nice people and enjoyed learning about savory and sweet tarts. I thought it would be more hands on but I suppose we would probably only get through one dish if that was the case. Many from the class received the cooking class as a birthday gift, including Arlyn. Pretty neat and different gift so if you're interested, check them out at http://www.hipcooks.com/. The class was originally a 3 hour class but we were having fun and took an extra hour. Afterwards, Jeannie had a photo shoot gig so Arlyn and I hung out for awhile. Arlyn googled a nearby restaurant for tamales in banana leaves that she wanted to try. She took two to go. We were too full to eat anything more! Then we headed homeward bound. It was a pleasant traffic drive home. Pleasant because the extra long drive gave Arlyn and I time to chat some more. Oh yeah, we carpooled. I went to her house and from there she drove. Anyway, we then hung out at her house for a little while with her doggies. Then I met up with my parents and kids and went asian market shopping before the kids and I headed home. It was a long but interesting day.


Here are my friends with Tim filling the puff pastries with leek, egg mixture, and goatcheese. This was my favorite savory tart.


Here's a group picture of our class, excluding me (I was taking the picture). Counterclockwise from top left: Tim with his wife --don't remember, Arlyn, Jeannie, Barbara, don't remember, Stephanie, Cora, and don't remember.
My savory tart plate. Clockwise starting from the right: roasted redpepper polento tart with pesto swirl , leek and goatcheese puff pastry tart, and mixed salad with olive oil, lemon and pinch of salt. We also made smoked salmon and dill tart (too much dill for me!), not pictured. Our instructor's trainee made quiche Lorraine for us, that too not pictured.
My sweet tart plate. Counterclockwise starting from top left: orange tart, chocolate tart, lemon tart, and whip cream drizzled with rasberries; all topped with sprinkles of powered sugar --super yum!

The Best Pap I've Ever Had!

OK, did that catch your attention? That actually happened! My OB/GYN doctor transferred out of town so I called my primary doctor's office last week to make an appointment to get my annual pap test done. I just wasn't comfortable at the idea of my family doctor checking me out so I asked the receptionist if there was someone else that can do it. She referred me to a female RNP (registered nurse practitioner) so I ended up seeing her this past Monday for a woman health exam. It's amazing how I was naturally nervous to be exposed and vulnerable like that for the physical. "Arm up" she stated, for the breast exam and I'm thinking --"Oh cr_p! Did I shave my armpits?" OK, they were decent. But still sweatin' because she'll be DOWN there pretty soon! In the mean time, she's making conversation to try to distract me; using good bedside manner tactics. She seemed sincere so I bought it. She really was gentle and professional. It was an overall good experience. About the only disturbing statement she made was towards the end when she said that at 40 she would have to add a rectal exam. Sure looking forward to that!! NOT!

My friend, Jill, e-mailed the following to me and thought it went along this post. You gals out there, get ready to crack-up!

The Washcloth

I was due for an appointment with the gynecologist later in the week. Early one morning, I received a call from the doctor's office to tell me that I had been rescheduled for that morning at 9:30 am.I had only just packed everyone off to work and school, and it was already around 8:45 am.The trip to his office took about 35 minutes, so I didn't have any time to spare.As most women do, I like to take a little extra effort over hygiene when making such visits, but this time I wasn't going to be able to make the full effort.So, I rushed upstairs, threw off my pajamas, wet the washcloth that was sitting next to the sink, and gave myself a quick wash in that area to make sure I was at least presentable.I threw the washcloth in the clothes basket, donned some clothes, hopped in the car and raced to my appointment.I was in the waiting room for only a few minutes when I was called in.Knowing the procedure, as I'm sure you do, I hopped up on the table, looked over at the other side of the room and pretended that I was in Paris or some other place a million miles away. I was a little surprised when the doctor said, "My, we have made an extra effort this morning, haven't we?"I didn't respond.After the appointment, I heaved a sigh of relief and went home. The rest of the day was normal Some shopping, cleaning, cooking.After school when my 6 year old daughter was playing, she called out from the bathroom, "Mommy, where's my washcloth?" I told her to get another one from the cupboard.She replied, "No, I need the one that was here by the sink, it had all my glitter and sparkles saved inside it." NEVER going back to that doctor ever!!

Ama, We Miss You!

I must have said time flies by so quickly a million times, but truly I think time flew by so quickly for this. It has been a year today since my grandfather (known as Ama to family) passed away. So today there was a mass for him and family gathering at his grave site. The kids and I (Dave was at work) didn't make it to the mass but did join the family at the cemetary. There were moments of somberness but mostly we enjoyed each other's company and had time to say hello to our beloved Ama. We stayed with him for at least 6 hours. We ate, we prayed, we played, and delighted in seeing each other. My Aunt Lydia from San Francisco was able to join us later in the afternoon. My Uncle Pedy and Aunt Lulu from Canada will be in town next week for another gathering scheduled on the 22nd for Ama's honor.

Ama's epitaph.

Picture of Ama and Ina, as she is known to family (my grandmother Consolacion).
There's nobody under our tent! That would be creepy and not nice if there was!!David had this brilliant idea to play bowling by propping up a few empty water bottles and using a watermelon as a bowling ball rolled it to strike the bottles, but he didn't realize that we were in an incline so down the watermelon goes. I couldn't get my camera fast enough to capture this closer! Anyway, David takes off running after the melon and my Uncle Ferdie (who by the way is only 7 months older than me! Ama's youngest) went to help him. Everyone else in the meantime was laughing hysterically.
Sophia with Grandpa and Lola.

Thanks Grandpa!

My Dad called me Friday morning and said that he was taking the boys (Leno & Blake) to the LA County Fair and asked if we wanted to join them. We did, so we met them there. The kids' Grandpa treated them to lunch, carnival rides, souvenir gifts, and of course special memories. We all had a fun afternoon. Thanks Dad.Posing with Grandpa in Kuya's Batman cap.
Snow in the summer? Yeap, AT&T, I think, sponsored this indoor winter wonderland; complete with ice skating, tobagonning, and snow. David had fun playing in the snow and bravely road on the tobagon but suffered snow burn on the way down which made him cry. Aahhh.
Leno and Blake cheering for their pig!

Oh, Auntie! Do I have to?


The first 3 turns David was hysterical but thereafter he was good thanks to Kuya Leno's comforting arms. Kuya Blake on the otherhand was laughing his gutts out!

Leno said he got a little dizzy in the beginning of the ride. All that swaying, I can understand.

How precious is he? Blake's countenance explains the joy!

Cheese with Grandpa!

David's First Day Back at Preschool

Of course I didn't realize that I didn't have the SD card in my camera this morning when I dropped David off to school! I did take some pictures, but they're in the internal memory --of which I don't have a clue how to transfer it out of there! So, the following pictures were taken when I picked him up from school, bright and sunny! This year, he is in Mrs. Gaston's class. Next year, kindergarten!

David posing with Daniel, one of his friends. Here he is in his classroom. He thought it would be fun to stick his name tag on his mouth.

Proscrastinated

I'm embarrass to admit that I just mailed my hair to Locks of Love this afternoon. I didn't have the bubble envelope they asked to put it in at the time and I kept forgetting to pick one up at the store (perhaps the loss of hair took some of my memory cells ... hee hee hee...), until this morning when I saw it at the aisle in the supermarket. It was a deal to send it; just $0.60 for envelope & $1.30 for stamp. I have very fine hair so it was light. --Interested in donating or learning more? Check them out at http://www.locksoflove.com/.


Here's a couple bonus pictures I wanted to squeeze in. Every Friday several mothers with their children meet for playgroup. A different mother leads the group each week and decides the place to meet and activity to do. Here's a few of us that made it to last week's playgroup. We met at one of the mother's parent's mansion for swimming. Seriously, it's a gorgeous home! --I pointed to some of the mansions up in the hills to Dave awhile back and he just said, "I don't want to work that hard!". But he did buy a little mansion for us up in a different hill that we're remodeling. Isn't he sweet? That's why I married him, he IS a hardworker! Love you Babe and appreciate all you do for me and the kids.

Thanks Uncle Lino!

Yesterday the family went to Anaheim to watch the Angels play the Rangers (Texas) thanks to the kids' Uncle Lino. It was shortly after high noon and quite hot! Our seats were literally so hot you could fry an egg (though the picture below was taken when it was shady as we left)! We had extra seats higher up so we decided to bake up there in the shade than broil closer to the players. ---The kids' Kuya Leno & Kuya Blake were so sweet to lend their Angels hats to the kids. As you can see below, thoughtful David was blowing on Sophia to try to cool her down. The frozen lemonade and chocolate ice cream surely was a big help (of course the cold waters too). But, by top of the 8th inning the high humidity was not letting up and taking its toll on Sophia, so we left early. It was a good family time spent so again, we appreciate the tickets Lin! You're awesome!!