Bare!

So we have been in this house officially for one year! While we have done a lot to it in that one year there is one thing that has been (literally) hanging over our heads since we first began unpacking a year ago.

Hanging pictures.

There is not a single picture hung in our house. Our walls are bare. Aaron said he hasn't done it because he just hates hanging pictures. I haven't pushed him or myself to do it because I am tired of the same wall art we have had since we lived in our townhouse some seven years ago. I really want to get new art, but it's so expensive! Well it is to me anyway. I was at Cost Plus and I found this picture I loved, but it was $100! I didn't want to spend that much on one picture. I have a ton of family photos I need to hang too, but it's hard putting those up if you don't know where the rest of your wall decor is going to go. See, just one excuse after the other. Maybe I'll start setting aside money each month so we can have those new pictures on our wall by this time next year!

Family time

The past couple of weeks we have had the pleasure of having a few of our family members come for a visit. While a weekend never seems long enough, we really appreciate them coming to see us for any time they can give us.
First Whitney and Adam came up on Labor Day weekend. We spent the day in San Francisco, hanging out at Alamo Square Park, then driving down to Fisherman's Wharf for lunch at the Rainforest Cafe. Mia was SO happy, Noah was SO unhappy (he didn't like the "scary" animals and thunder and lightening atmosphere). Auntie Whitney stayed with us an extra day before heading back to Adam's parent's house in Santa Cruz. We love that girl so much and just think she's amazing.




Then last weekend my parents drove up to see Mia and Kai in our church's Primary program. Primary is the children's Sunday school and they lead the entire meeting with songs and talks from all the kids. Mia told me in their practices Kai would never say his line, so I was doubtful as his turn came up during the actual program, but he did it! I think he wanted to make his grandparent proud. Mia also did a great job, she's a little performer so she was in her element. My parents also got to see Mia play soccer for the first time. Last week she scored a goal and thought it would be cool if she could score again when they were here, she came close, but no cigar or goal I should say. We had a busy day and ended it by going out to dinner with GG Edith to Elephant Bar (hmm, all these jungle themed restaurants when family is in town, does that mean anything?)



So all in all, good times with the family!

9 years ago today

That's right! Aaron & Julie were married September 15, 2000. What a beautiful day.




Looking forward to the next 9!

Kanye West SUCKS!

I've always thought he was a pompous, arrogant ass, but after his outburst last night on the VMA's I have to put it out there how much I dislike this guy. I know MTV is always happy to incite a controversy which is why no security stopped him before he hijacked the stage. Someone needs to tell him to blog about it or write a letter to MTV not interrupt a winners acceptance speech, poor Taylor. I was actually rooting for Taylor Swift, but after what Kanye did I wished Pink had won because she probably would have knocked him out or pushed him off the stage if he tried to take the mic from her and that would have been AWESOME!



I guess he didn't understand the simple message they were trying to promote in Michael Jackson's memory...love. Beyonce did a great thing though and really showed love to Taylor Swift by giving her, her moment back. I felt bad for both those ladies for having to be embarrassed by an idiot like Kanye West.

8 years ago

I can't believe the day that changed our country in so many ways was eight years ago. Whitney (who was living with us) came running into my room and told me to turn on the TV. As we sat there and watched the news we couldn't comprehend it at first. Was it a hoax, was it an accident, had the pilot lost control causing the plane to fly into the building? Then we saw the second plane hit. Then we saw one of the twin towers tumbling down. We didn't know then how deeply the effects would hit our nation and others all over the world.
I just want to acknowledge our servicemen and women that are feeling the effects of that one day more than any others except of course for families and friends who lost loved ones in the planes and in the buildings that 11th day of September. I hope time is healing the wounds and that they are remembered. Thank you, thank you, thank you to those who protect us and keep us free...Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force, Firefighters, Police Officers and all the others who risk their lives for strangers.

Look at what I can do!

Noah is diaper free! He has been using the potty for almost a month now. It took him about 2 weeks to figure it out, but we've done outings and church for the past couple weeks in regular underwear and he's done great! Only pull ups at night. We are one happy family :)

Love or Hate (my forgotten post)

So this is the post I was going to do a couple of weeks back, but drew a blank when I sat down to blog. These are some new products to me that I've used recently and wanted to review.

Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Cleaning Gel:

I really like this stuff. You stamp it from a tube into your toilet bowl and it washes away in 5-7 days keeping the bowl fresh. I really like how clean it kept the bathroom smelling. If your toilet bowl is clean BEFORE you put it in, it keeps the bowl clean. If your bowl is a little dingy when you put it in, the gel will still help keep the toilet smelling fresh, but it won't take the dinginess away.

L'oreal Double Extend Mascara:

TA DA! Nothing makes my lashes look better except fake eyelashes. This is my ultimate mascara. Of course make up is different for everyone, but I love it. It's called beauty tubes technology and that's really what it's like. Tiny tubes encasing your natural lashes. The first time you wash it off it's not like any mascara you've ever seen, it doesn't disintegrate into black ink, it stays in lash form. It does wash off easily and as a bonus it doesn't go running down your face if you get wet.

Oil of Olay Regenerist line:

Mmmm! This facial cleanser and cream smell so good. And they make my skin feel dewy soft. The cream can be pricey which is the only problem. If I've got a tight budget for the month, I have to skip the cream. The cheapest place I've seen it is Costco. You get two for $34. Everywhere else it's about $21 on sale. The facial cleanser is the same price as most drug store cleansers. This is great if you're looking for a new facial regimen.

Crest Pro Health Toothpaste:

Yuck! I saved the worst for last. This toothpaste is gross. I got a sample tube and I used it on vacation. It leaves a weird dry mouth feeling and I feel like my breath is sour. The next morning I thought it might have just been something I ate to cause it to act like that, but it wasn't, it was just as bad the next day. Basically even if you get it free you should just throw it away. I did.