So, I seriously love the career that I've chosen. 

I am a Spanish Interpreter & Translator. 

The work that I do may seem simple and honestly, most of the time it is pretty routine. That's not what I love about it though. I love it when it gets complicated, when there is a sense of urgency, when life really matters & you are the one who can make a difference. The other perk of my job is that the medical providers have learned to trust me & my professionalism. They know that I respect what they do & am fascinated by all sorts of medical procedures. They know that I want to see what their job entails & that what they do is amazing.

I have had the privilege, honor to witness some amazing things in my work.

I have seen the attempts to resuscitate a life. The medical staff never quit, they tried to do chest compression so much that I literally saw & heard the ribs break. I have seen a patient bleed out & the floor being splattered with blood. Seen a C-Section. That one was kind of intense. At the time, I was 4 months pregnant & nobody knew but they let me watch. I thought, that I was gonna pass out as they opened the lady up, not because of the sight but because of the smell... but when the baby came out, everything was ok. I also realized, that I never wanna have one of those done, unless it's an emergency! 

I saw a CT guided liver biopsy & realized how precise everything needs to be. Today, I saw a pacemaker be inserted. I used to work as a Unit Clerk on a Cardiac Unit & throughout my time there, I saw plenty of patients go get that done & come back but never witnessed one until today. I also don't want one put in haha.

Hmm...I'm noticing a pattern...I don't want anything done to me but I want to watch everything done to others haha...sorry, laughter may be inappropriate.

I'm not listing everything but those are the ones that right now are making an impact in my mind & that I can comfortably post about without worrying about posting it.

I don't know how many people can have that much variety in their daily work lives but I am glad that I can enjoy it. It sometimes, makes me think that I should change my career. I would love to be a surgeon. My specialty would be neuro or plastic surgery. I like cutting into stuff & making it better. 

Although, then there are days that I think that I'd be great Private Investigator, Criminal Analyst, CEO to some big private company, or get back to competitive dancing....oh there are so many things that I want to do! I blame my desire to be SO many things on this one show I saw as a kid. The Pretender.

Who else saw this show? Seriously, the guy could do anything at any given time. A new career every single day! He was who I wanted to be. Freaking show, making me think that I could do that in the real world. Maybe I should go into acting so that I could pretend to be something new everyday.

Although, at the end of the day, you know what I'm happiest for? Being a mom! That is by far the most challenging job ever! The love & patience required is astounding. At my job, I could technically walk away from an uncomfortable situation. At home, the easiest way to solve a conflict is to tell that person, I love you & keep going strong.

I'm thankful for my chosen career but earnestly, I can't wait until the day that I can be a stay at home mom. My children are by far, more interesting & amazing than anything out there. 

my birthday!!!

It's my birthday!!!

I woke up to my alarm trying to wake me up for work at 6:30 am...ugh! What the 1st thought that ran through my head? "Who is the freaking genius that decided that working today on their birthday was a good idea?!?! Oh yea...ME!" I scheduled myself to work today. Why would I do that? It sounded like a great idea at the time but as I lay in bed, I totally realized how much of a sucker for pain, I am. :(

Yet my moaning & groaning didn't last long. Soon the hubbs brought Brody in. He's such an energetic little being! He greets me in bed all bouncing & laughing. So excited to see me. Gosh, his laughter is contagious! I finally drag myself out of bed into the bathroom. I'm trying to put my contacts in because for some reason, putting them in helps wake me up. Bryce, comes running in excited as ever!

He keeps asking the hubbs if he can bring "it". The hubbs concedes & Bryce runs out & back in with a pink bag. The funny thing about Bryce, is that he gets SO excited just opening gifts. It doesn't matter that they're not his. He just loves opening gifts.

So out of the bag came two hilarious cards! The 1st one from the hubbs. 

On the outside it reads:

Just for you -- a birthday car that says those three little words we all long to hear...

On the inside it reads & along with the song Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah (hahaha):

Chocolate isn't fattening!!!!

Oh he really knows how to melt my heart <3

Then Bryce's card came next:

Outside:

Birthday Girl on the LOOSE!!!!

Inside:

Happy Birthday and be good!

(for the most part...)

 Along with the following "song" that sounded more of a police report over their walkie system:

Calling all cars. we have a birthday girl on the loose. Reports of some possible fun & partay (yeah it says partay) action in progress. Numerous perpetrators may be involved. Be advised subject is to be considered charming & fabulous. Over.

haha Bryce is hilarious!

I also got the movie The Vow

Gosh, I'm such a sucker for Romance movies. I wasn't always like this but I can't help myself now :D

So, I dropped off the kiddos at the sitters ( they love going there & you have no idea how happy that makes me!) & off to work I went. It actually wasn't as bad as I thought. I survived!

Got the kiddos & then got Jet's Pizza for dinner. Easy & fuss. Then I was off to give away my money to the Secretary of State. Isn't it a bummer that they get way more money on my birthday than I do?! 

So of course...I had to give myself another treat ...a mani/pedi!!!

Woo I love getting those! It's just sooo relaxing. Although, the pink that I got on my hands reminds me of cotton candy bahaha :D

So anyhoo...it was a successful day!

Oh wait, Brody decided that the best way to end my super duper special day was to pooper in the tub during his bath. Yea...I loved that the best! Well, at least the toilet was right there for me to puke lol :D

Woo! Another year! I'm so blessed & thankful to my Heavenly Father for this wonderful opportunity!!!

The madness has begun!

I cannot tell you how freaking ecstatic I am about this!

So as I was saying yesterday, I am going to attempt to sew. I've only used a sewing machine once & it was under very careful supervision from a friend of mine. I think it's because she's that kind that she wanted to make sure that I was learning ORRRR it could very well be that it was because she didn't want me to break her sewing machine. I think it's a pretty close tie on either one.

This was my creation at that time back in August: a car seat cover/canopy!

close up

It's definitely legit since it's baby approved!

Ok, that day was seriously, such a superb day! I have never felt more accomplished. I mean, maybe I have but, to see a piece of fabric be transformed into such a useful (& if I may add, beautiful) thing...it's AMAZING!

Nope, I didn't come up with that grandiose idea by myself. My friend found it here.

Well... that was then & this is now. I had some leftover fabric from that project. At the time, I didn't want to throw it away since it was just so pretty. I didn't know what I would do with it but, I figured that something would come up.

Which leads me to a site that has the potential of becoming incredibly addictive! PINTEREST! It's seriously, so awesome! Please, please go there & find out for yourself.

Ok, so as soon as I saw this, I knew that I would use the extra fabric I had to make one for myself.

Well...using my own sewing machine definitely did not go as smooth as when I went over to my friend's house but nonetheless here begins my 1st adventure into what I know will be an awesome year!

Last night when I finally took out the sewing machine from its box, I was way too excited to begin. So here is the little practice run.

Yet, the machine wasn't running as smoothly as I'd like & it kept messing up. I kinda gave up on that & put it aside. I mean, I was happy. I was able to iron & cut all the fabric in preparation to my project, so at least the night had not been a complete failure.

Today, I tried giving it another try. I checked & realized that the bobbin (is that what that is called, ugh I don't even know the right names!) was soooo not pretty. I tried it again. Hmm...left is last night & the right one is my 2nd attempt done today. I'd say that is a HUGE improvement. Yay me for figuring it out. Lesson learned: keep a steady rhythm on the pedal & don't stop & go all the time. Otherwise, your bobbin will look like the one on the left.

So, I got to the part where I sew the ribbon. I decided I was going to use this shiny one that I had bought last year for another project. As I have told you, I really don't know what I'm doing. So, I didn't realize that the sewing machine has these tiny jagged thingies & I'm assuming they're there to help feed the material thru. Anyhoo, they messed up my pretty ribbon. :(

So, I changed it & made a ribbon sized thingy with the material I had used for the inside of the keychain. Great idea, until something messed up. (FYI: I blame the machine often but I know that it probably messes up because I have no idea what I'm doing.)

Here is the final product! Yay! It only took me two nights to do. No, it's not difficult. In all sincerity, it's incredibly easy. Although, I have two excuses. 1.) It's my 1st sewing machine & I'm literally reading the manual trying to figure it out. 2.) I have a tiny baby that refuses to sleep so this project kept being interrupted by him.

I'm seriously, super duper excited about this! I can't wait to see what I decide to sew next! 

Oh, I nearly forgot! My goal is to sew something once a month & to try to cook something new once a month. I figured, I'd share what I baked on the night of January 5th with all of you (whoever "you" may be :))

I made a Rosca de Reyes following this recipe. It didn't turn out horrible but either I didn't follow the recipe for the bread right or this bread is completely different than what I'm used to. I'd say it's probably a little bit of both. 

I had to substitute all the decorations on the outside of the Rosca since I couldn't find them in the town that I live in. Although, that is really not as noticeable as the minor substitution that I made on the inside. Heehee, yuppers, that's a little alien from Toy Story. I looked at the store for a tiny baby Jesus but could find none. So what could I do? I did the next best thing. I went into my son's room & looked for a small toy that could be hidden inside the bread. I'm so creative sometimes, I just crack me up!

I'm seriously done writing this time. Yay for it being only the 11th of the month & I've already completed my goals for this month. Now to start planning my adventure for next month! Can't hardly wait!!!

It's 2012!

What I want to know is...when did time fly by and how the heck is it 2012 already?!?!?!
I clearly remember being a kid in school & thinking about how every single hour seemed to drag on FOREVERRRRRRR & ever. The school year just could never end fast enough. I could never grow up fast enough. I was always racing, it seemed, towards the next big goal in my little young life.

Yet now...I would just like time to slow down a teeny, tiny bit! I'm seriously enjoying life way too much & constantly feel as though the end of the day arrives far too quickly. Although, currently, that may have something to do with the fact that it's winter & the day is incredibly short.

So anyhoo...as an update...we're all alive & pretty darn healthy. I'm blessed beyond measure. No, I'm not bragging but I do feel the need to frequently realize & acknowledge that I'm very blessed even despite my challenges.

Ok, so this past Christmas (2011, in case you all forgot what last year was lol) I received two, that's right TWO gifts that I sooooo desperately wanted.
Numero 1.) Sewing machine!
and
Numero 2.) Our Best Bites Mormon Moms in the kitchen cookbook!
Woooooo! I can't tell you how freaking excited I am about these most amazing gifts! 

Why? Probably, because I'm a dork. Although, mostly because I feel that these will allow me to be a better person. How so?
1.) I really need to learn how to sew. I'm so sick and tired of struggling to find modest clothing. I have already been thru my not so conservative sense of fashion & well, I'm not there anymore. I want pretty things that don't make me look like I belong in Little House on the Prairie. Also, I think that the possibilities are endless when it comes to the beautiful & creative things that can be done with assistance of a sewing machine.

2.) Now, the cookbook...oh if you know me, you know that I'm not very talented cook. I'll admit, I've had probably one too many mishaps in the kitchen. But, I'm a stubborn woman & quite determined. Just like with anything else in life, when I get knocked down, I just dust myself off & go right back at it.

So, where am I going with all this? I want to share my most amazing & interesting adventures as I attempt to learn to sew & cook! Yes, this has become one of my MANY resolutions! Ok, so this journey will probably only be interesting for me & possibly boring for you (Who am I talking to? I don't know that anybody really reads this lol) but I do think that it will provide some material to help when you (whoever "you" is) have insomnia. :)

Very well...let's get this adventure started shall we????

Wow...I have a blog?

Ok so it's been AGES since I updated this thing. I think I kinda forgot about because....well too many reasons to actually list but know that I'm going to try to actually use to bloggy blog for something.

So it's November! YAY!

Soooooo many good things! Listed in no particular order:

• Thanksgiving. Yes, I know it's just an American holiday but I do love me some yummyness! I like all the family bonding & all the contributing towards a greater goal ( yummy food, although, I do think there's a conspiracy to make all of us fat...but that's for another blog). 

• USMC Ball. Ummm...can I say that it's my fave?!?! It's SO much fun. I get to see the hubbs in his awesome blues & well, I get to get all prettied up! What girl doesn't like to feel like a princess? Oh yay!

• The bebe is gonna be 6 months! where did time fly?!

Oh & of course, once November is over December is here! YAY!

the things I do for my son...

I always knew that the day that I finally became a mother, it would be incredibly life changing. I just don't think I realized all the wonderful things that B-Man would teach me. 

He's the most amazing young man that I know. Yes, I know...every mother says this, but it's true. I love everything about him! From the top of his spiky hair to the bottom of his stinky feet...he's just amazing. That's barely the tip of the iceberg. He has this soft kind spirit, this energy that radiates to all those around him, an incredible sense of curiosity...I mean the list could go on & on & on ...but I'll stop bragging.

Well, the point of this is that my son is making me step out of my comfort zone. 

I wasn't always shy but ever since leaving my sweet home state of Texas, that's exactly whom I've become. I really don't like it all.  

How you ask has my B-Man made me do this? Simple really. The kid wants to be friends with everybody! He genuinely likes people. So how do I come into this scenario? He is always asking me to ask other moms for playdates. Ugh, it's actually incredibly stressful for me haha. I'm just not good at the whole talking with moms thing & I hate feeling like I'm bothering people. I'm working on it. I promise that I will become better. 

Some of the ladies at church started setting up some playdates at local playgrounds & at people's homes for this summer. This has been great for me & him. He gets to hang out with new kids & I don't have to call anybody to set it up. Yay! 

Hmm...but "summer" is almost over & then I'll have to do all the setting up. I promise I'll do it, for my B-Man!

 Making necklaces/ bracelets made out of Froot Loops, color twizzlers & some other candies.

 His final creation.

Playing in the Wizard of Oz's area at the museum.

the eternal optimist...

A looooooooooooooooooooooong time ago, I attended this youth conference. I can't remember much but what I do recall was a very important and valuable lesson that I have cherished ever since.

The message was basically:

 when faced with adversity, instead of asking God why? Change your question and ask, "what can I/or am I supposed to learn from this?" 

I have found that since I learned this lesson at a pretty young age ( I must have been 14 or so) life has been pretty pleasant. No, it's not because I have an incredibly easy life but rather, it's all about perspective. I know that everything that I face, has a purpose. I know that there is a greater meaning behind it all. It has allowed me to go with the flow. It kind of reminds me of a stream. There are rocks & other stuff in the way but the water just ebbs & flows around it. 

I have been called an optimist & I think that's a pretty accurate. I mean, life can only get better right?