Memorial Day

Memorial Day and Park BBQs go hand in hand. We were blessed with an amazing day at the park with our family. 

Memorial Day isn't just a long weekend, it's a remembrance. So as you enjoyed your day I hope you stopped and thanked our vets for their amazing sacrifice. The men and women who laid down their lives and made the ultimate sacrifice not even knowing if that sacrifice would result in our freedoms. Our freedom was earned from the lives of many. Thank a vet.  God bless the USA. 

Our usual

Here's a big part of our routine. Routine as it is it always makes me smile. One day I will miss these simple routine moments. 

 

Moving like Molassas

Brenner is officially 15 months old and marked the occasion with his fourth tooth. Yes, fourth (number 4). Yesterday his top tooth finally cut through.  He now has 2 bottom teeth and 2 top teeth. I feel so bad for my li'l man, there is a reason teeth come in the early months. He is aware of his pain now and spends his nights crying out in pain and his days chewing his thumb. I wish I could take his pain away, but I am helpless. I blame the Filippino genes that have a slow teething history. 

Yesterday, I texted Jay to let him know that Brenner's tooth had finally joined his awaiting other top front tooth. This was Jay's reply. "So he no longer looks like this??"

Mean Daddy! Lol. We adore our little BooBoo and feel so blessed to be his parents. Happy 15 months to the sweetest, snuggliest, easiest little dude. You are just so freakin cool! I love being your mommy. 

My Career

Today rain is falling. I'm home with my kids, cuddling on the couch, building forts, eating biscuits and Clam Chowder and baking cookies. How lucky am I? An entire day to love on my little loves and embrace the cold wet day. I have the ultimate career and am breathing in the abundant blessings in my life.

Bed bound

Being on lock down for so many days can truly make a person crazy. I'm Type A, not meant to sit still. I was blessed with a Sex and the City marathon my first day of recovery but TV quickly became boring and painful.
I wasted my days away with bad TV and my iPad. It is not healthy to be on the iPad for that many hours a day. I have searched every last inch of Pinterest and my "Project List" is now out of control. From making first aid kits to cheap decor ideas to cute clothes, you name it I pinned it.
Holding still for so long gave me a major finish the house itch. Fortunately my hubby has been feeling the same way. We are project driven. Hopefully our energy and wallet can keep up.
I'm not supposed to multi task for 4 more weeks. Is it possible to turn off Type A??? Is it possible to not multi task when you're a mom???
My first of many crafts. And believe me, if I'm crafting it is super easy and idiot proof. Simple painted jars with flowers. It's too cute!

Day 7

It has officially been 1 week since surgery. 167 hours to be exact. This means 7 days without make up. 7 days in PJs. 7days in bed. 7 days pretty much without bathing. (TMI??)
167 hours later, I am bathed, dressed (still no makeup) and now exhausted. I did some chores. It felt so good to do chores and cook my family breakfast this morning. I enjoyed doing the dishes and pulling the sheets off of the bed.
Now I lay, in my sheet less bed, too tired to do anything else.
I clearly need to be outside getting a suntan on these white legs!!

Metamorphosis

meta·mor·pho·sis noun

\ˌme-tə-ˈmȯr-fə-səs\

a : change of physical form, structure, or substance especially by supernatural means

b : a striking alteration in appearance, character, or circumstances

c : a typically marked and more or less abrupt developmental change in the form or structure of an animal (as a butterfly or a frog) occurring subsequent to birth or hatching

Today a change took place. I turned a corner. Recovery has turned down the path to recovered. I am aware of the road ahead and can't help but smile as I start down it. I am breathing. This last year and a half has truly challenged me. I have learned things about myself that were often flat out ugly. Stephanie has a side to her. Many days I fought a losing battle. I would do my best to put a smile on my face, slap on some lipstick and feign energy. Many days were great and many weren't.
I was surprised when I was diagnosed with severe sinus disease. Surprised enough to seek a second opinion. Then slightly terrified when the second opinion told me it was so severe she believed only one surgeon in SoCal was capable of the procedure. I waited a month to see this now third opinion. I was immediately grateful I waited and thankful to my husband who challenged me to see new doctors.
The week of the surgery I broke. My suffering was peeking. I don't mean to sound dramatic, but I had truly hit my breaking point. I fought tooth and nail to prepare myself and my family for my recovery period, but my body, my head, my spirit were done.
Surgery day was transformational. A transformation to health. I'm ecstatic. I want to grab life and run. The weight that has held me back has been stripped away, I want to spread my wings and fly.
Jay asked what I want to do to celebrate. My answer, "I think I'll get a new lipstick."

Meet Bettie

Life is better with a dog.

Our house was empty without the sounds of 4 little legs scurrying on the floor. We were hesitant after losing Lucy to allergies. I worked with a rescue, Lovebugs CA, the same one that found my parents' pooch. Told them hypo allergenic was a priority and good with young kids. I met a few pooches but none were matching up. The rescue called me and said there was a potential match. Jay hesitated. Giving away Lucy was so hard on him, he wasn't ready for that again.
We trekked out anyway and I was immediately in love. I knew we had a match.
Jay congratulated me with finding the ugliest dog ever and named her, Ugly Bett-ie.
We love her! She is fantastic with the kids and sweet as can be. So lucky to have found a new, ugly little mutt to run our halls and greet us with pure joy.
Come by and meet our Ugly Bettie.

Maybe I'll cut bangs. Or maybe I'll chop it all off again and go blonde.
Ashley Simpson has had some cute hair. And I've been told I look like her, maybe that's why her hair is inspiring me.
Blame Pinterest and boredom.

I.am.bored

I've pinned Pinterest. I've filled shopping carts at all my favorite websites. I've Instagrammed. I've Facebooked. I've watched too much TV. My head isn't ready to read, my body isn't ready to leave the bed but I.am.bored.
Avery and Brenner have been away for too long. It's not just missing them, I feel like they are missing from me.
3 days down and out. I'll be back.