Bumpdate: Week 12

I'm not going to lie, when I was just a blogger (not a wife, or a mommy-to-be), I would get giddy about other's bumpdates. I always knew I wanted to post them, even though they really have little to do with my Warrior Queen blog. Well, actually, let me take that back. They have tons to do with it!

I'm a woman (hear me roar) and this is how my pregnancy is going. This is who I am. This is me embracing my womanhood and all aspects of me. Duh, that's what being a Warrior Queen is all about.

Alright, now that I cleared that up with myself, I am excited to post my first ever bumpdate. The baby ages a week every Thursday (does that mean I conceived on a Thursday??) so, Friday's are the perfect day. Plus I like to just mosey around on Fridays so less serious posts are wonderful.

In typical blogger fashion, I scoured the internet for some fun questions to answer and I found these at Always Katie (who is just a few weeks ahead of me!) Also, maybe I love bumpdates so much because I get to answer survey questions and anyone who was friends with me on MySpace and Facebook know I have a PROBLEM. Also, when my Xanga was up, that thing was covered in surveys..

Baby

How far along?

12 weeks!  It was a nice little Christmas present :)

Gender?

Our appointment is officially set for February 20.

How big are they?

According to my mom's phone (she has an app, how cute is that??) The baby is the size of a lime. All of my apps (obsessed, much?) say lime or "large" plum. Basically, 2.5 inches? 

Changing Momma

Have you started to show yet?

YES! Which actually sparked a lot of debate at all of my Christmas festivities on if there are two in there...I mean, twins run in BOTH of our families. Maybe that "yolk sac" in the ultrasound pic is a second baby? Which led Iman to panic that one baby is less developed than the other. I just laughed. One or two there's no changing what's going on in there! Also, maybe my belly is just big because I have no room for a growing uterus in my teeny body??

Weight gain?

So, this one always confuses me because I think I've gained 3 lbs since I found out I was pregnant, but I never used to weigh myself regularly. A few weeks ago I was 129, but last night I was back at 125 so I'm thinking the bloat was on? 

Maternity Clothes?

Yes! I got my first maternity bra and I love it (Iman says it looks like an old lady bra) and maternity work pants. I'm mostly living in maxis, yoga pants and leggings, but I did get a maternity Christmas dress that I wore yesterday that is BEAUTIFUL

Stretch Marks?

Nope!

Belly Button In or Out?

So this one makes me laugh. I have an outtie to begin with, though it has gotten much more inward as I've grown older. So it's in...or as in as it's ever been...but still kinda out.

Momma's Feeling

Cravings:

I crave random things, randomly. In N Out is a weekly staple. I eat spicier food now, too.

Anything making you queasy or sick?

Don't hate me, but I have felt nauseous a total of ONE day of my pregnancy. It was last week and I think it's because I waited to eat and took my prenatals on an empty stomach. Besides that, I just feel blah after eating, and gag whenever I cough too much...that's awkward.

Happy or Moody Most of the Time?

I would like the happy hormones please! I keep getting REALLY mad, which I never get mad so that is fun. Definitely irritable. 

Movement:

Not that I know of! Though I have been feeling weird feeling things but everyone says I shouldn't feel the baby yet.

Sleep:

I am starting to feel less tired (surviving without naps!) but sleep still sucks. I am learning that it is much easier to fall asleep on the couch than in our bed. And if Iman gets into bed after me, it always wakes me up and then I can't get comfortable. 

What I Miss:

I miss trying different cheeses and DRINKING! Not like heavily drinking, but we always do some slight drinking at the holidays - er, by slight I mean we do a trivia game that involves shots...this year they did RUMCHATA and I had to sit and watch. Also, why is everyone drinking cider near me. BAN the cider. Luckily, Jimi keeps buying me Martinelli's. Such a sweet roommate.

Other Symptoms:

None! Whenever people ask how the baby is I always end up saying something like "doing it's thing." It's still hard to believe I'm pregnant since I don't have any symptoms.

Highlights and Coming Soon

Best Moment of the Week:

Getting to see all of the family I hadn't seen yet so they could love on the baby bump! 

Looking Forward To: 

Ultrasound on Tuesday, doc appointment on Wednesday  and picking a date f or my maternity boudoir photoshoot!! I met with my photographer friend today :) 

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I'd also like to introduce you to another sponsor of mine!! Sara owns and runs a beautiful shop called Maidens of the Pacific. 

She begin by learning screenprinting and was inspired by folk designs and mermaids. Her designs are her interpretation of Pacific folk art. For now, she sells online, but Sara dreams of turning Maidens of the Pacific into a commercial shop and local cooperative.

Of course, I'm always interested in what motivates people to create, so I asked Sara where she gets it all from. She says that the ocean inspires her everyday. 

While she mostly screenprints shirts, Sara also loves to paint and work with fibers and wood. 

I can't get over her gorgeous designs (which you may have seen me sharing on FB and Twitter this past month!) Here are some amazing pictures: 

Check out Sara's website // instagram // pinterest

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Bumpies, Life, Giveaways and Sponsors

Somehow two weeks has slipped away from me, again. They seem to be spent in a blur of work, sleeping, and nagging things that happen just to attempt to stress me out during the holidays / my pregnancy. I hope I'm learning how to deal with it well!! 

I am officially on winter break, so the posts are going to pick up, and I have plans to launch the Wordpress switch at the beginning of the new year!! #Icandothis. Not only is it about to be the holidays and I have teaching off (and just the restaurant job) but I'm almost into my second trimester and I have been told my energy will return. OH YEAH! 

Just in case though, I plan on blogging a ton during the holidays and build up some backup posts, something I've always been bad at...ah well. 

So here's a little life update:

1. I'm almost done with holiday shopping, but not holiday baking!
2. Our apartment is actually clean, and I got an awesome discount on a cleaning service.
3. We went to a wedding last week and Iman got me the most scandalous dress...that was 3 sizes larger than I've worn in the past. #bodylove
4. Bella's been going to training classes and is making tons of progress. 
5. and the biggest news of all...my mom's tests all came back clear of cancer!! She had her last chemo session and starts radiation in January (as a precaution). But as of now, she is clear, clear, clear!!!!

Thank you for all of the support for my mom during  this hard time! Your warm wishes, cards, and gifts have really helped us to stay positive during this rough time!! 

I'm planning to do bumpdates on Fridays, now that I'm about 3 months in. So, here's the first one! 

I'm sort of jam-packing this post with things that are all over the place, but....sometimes it has to happen. 
I agreed to another giveaway with Elora from Transcendence Designs before I knew I would be exhausted and pregnant. :P She has been an awesome partner throughout the months, so be sure to check out my review of her gorgeous jewelry.

 Like a ton of people, I'm a big lover of Starbucks and we thought it'd be a wonderful gift to give away a $25 Starbucks Christmas Giftcard. And you can do plenty with $25. ;)

  The giveaway is hosted by The Grand Adventures of Me, Be a Warrior Queen, Cassandra M's Place, Jen's Blog of Random Thoughts, A Gayle Force, My So-Called Chaos, and Sky Envy! They're great blogs to follow, covering a variety of things like other giveaways, product reviews, fashion, and travel. Great fun! 

  The giveaway is very simple. Just follow through the simple entries, and you get more chances in the drawing! It is appreciated if you comment and let us know you're following, etc.! We're thrilled to see you here! 

  So without more ado, let jump into the party! Everyone enjoy! The giveaway ends December 24th, at 12:00 a.m.

  Enjoy yourselves!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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I'd like to introduce you guys to one of my awesome sponsors this month!

Tiffany is from The Mommy Glow, and I must admit, her sponsorship couldn't come at a better time for me! I love reading all about her mom posts - when in the past I was not as into mommy blogs because I didn't have a kid!

Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Bloglovin' // Google+ // Pinterest

Tiffany began blogging like a lot of mom bloggers - to document her daughter's life. Of course, like all of us she was immediately addicted as she watched her blog grow. The Mommy Glow is filled with life moments, tips and tricks, and things that they love. Not only does Tiffany have her blog with tips and tricks, but she also has an amazing app called A Mommy App!

"I am absolutely passionate about providing content that is useful and helpful to other moms. Because, let's be honest, motherhood can be hard. Sometimes you just need to know the easiest way to get something done or you need inspiration to know that someone has been there and done it before you. Whatever that may be (pregnancy, potty training, breast feeding, party planning , gift ideas ,meal inspiration etc.)"

In addition to blogging, Tiffany likes to craft and read in her spare time. Which led me to my next question...how in the world does she balance it all?

"It isn't easy. My husband and kids are my main priority so I try to do my extra stuff when they are napping (or working for my husband) or after they go to bed. I sometimes have to lose sleep to get it all done but I don't mind. I like to take some days and weekends from everything media related when I get to feeling overwhelmed or close to burnout."

And of course, to get to know her a little more, here are some random facts. 

"3 random facts about me that make people go "huh"?" .
1.) My sister and I married brothers and had babies weeks apart...twice. Our kids are double first cousins.
2.) I graduated from nursing school with both my husband and my Dad (he was 57!)
3.) I have 2 sets of twin nephews! 8 nephews in all!!"

So if you sound like Tiffany would be a great friend (and a great read) like I do, here are my favorite recent posts:

Essentials for Breastfeeding

Positive Body Image or Lack Thereof

Why Not Giving Your Kids Everything Is a Good Idea

And her totally awesome holiday posts, in case you're in a crunch!

The Ultimate Gift Guide Resource

5 Christmas Items Kids Can Interact With And Mommy Won't Stress Over

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Love, Marriage and then the...BABY CARRIAGE?

So, this makes for the official, official announcement post. I've been alluding to it in the past few posts but here you go...

Please ignore my bad posture, this was before going to bed last night and I was tired and yeah...who am I kidding, I suck at holding my neck where it's supposed to be. My chiro hates it. Anyway, I'm 8.5 weeks and I'm pretty sure my belly is pretty big...after eating all day and stuff.

The week before Halloween I had an inkling that something was different, but I thought maybe it was because Aunt Flo was coming to visit. But she was late...by a week. We were planning on drinking and I've always been paranoid about having a baby with fetal alcohol syndrome so I took a test. Well, more specifically, I peed at work, bought a test and attempted to pee when I got home but was all peed out. (I've decided that's a real term). So then I chugged a ton of water.

Peed on a stick aaaand...it said YES! I actually got the ones that said yes because I wasn't messing around (as opposed to my many, many dollar store prego tests in the past when I was on birth control and being paranoid). So I took another! And there we were with two +Yes tests in front of us...right as our friend came over!

That night we attempted to hide it but it didn't go over all that well. Our roommate had recently bought me a full pack of cider and kept asking why I was only drinking orange juice. Iman was bursting and I just knew he was going to spill the beans so we texted our parents at 2am.

We aren't the people who really wait to tell secrets. We're really big blabbermouths, so people slowly began to find out. Our roommate and our part-time roommate (aka my best friend who stays over every week) found out with cards. Our best man and his wife found out when Iman's dad was on the phone with her and said "I'll probably come down to see you when the baby comes!"

Most people we tried to wait until we knew how far along I actually was. Let me tell you... I wasn't sure if I should go by my last period or if it was longer because I'm crazy! So they did a bunch of blood tests and I waited a week and a half to find out that they could do an ultrasound. Which was another week later! #thesuspensewaskillingme

Seriously, I knew nothing about getting pregnant before I got pregnant, including any terminology and what my hormones levels meant. So much research!

In the picture she printed, our baby looks like a venus fly trap, so I much prefer this one. Though I think that is the yolk sac and the baby.

As soon as we saw that little baby at the ultrasound...oh my gatos!! What a crazy little thing! It's just chillin in there all tiny with a huge uterus all around it!! Then the tech played the heartbeat and I'm pretty sure Iman and I cried. I know I teared up...he probably won't admit it but he wouldn't stop talking about it after.

We went out and bought a baby Eagles jersey because #duh and paid extra to make sure we'd get it by Thanksgiving, which luckily we did! Last Wednesday, I took it to my dad's side of the family and told all of them. Then on Thanksgiving we told the rest of Iman's family - which was really entertaining.

We sort of suck at being the centers of attention - unless we're being crazy - so we were awkward and people didn't get it at first.

Then his aunt asked to take our picture...

Which she promptly posted on Facebook, not realizing we hadn't announced it yet. About five minutes later she came up to us and said "Oops, I posted it on Facebook..."

I think it's absolutely adorable that she was so excited and we couldn't be mad. We're still planning on taking some jersey pix with our little venus fly trap's jersey in a few weeks.

But there you have it. I'm due July 9, so we'll have a nice middle of summer baby which works out with my work schedule and maternity leave.

Ahhhh!!



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Organic Date Night with Fresh and Easy

Thank you to Fresh and Easy for sponsoring this post! All opinions are my own. 

You probably don't know this, but I could probably be one of those bloggers who blogs about how she is a horrible housewife. Seriously, I'm so bad at cooking. Not the actual act, but the foresight part. By the time I'm hungry, I'm HUNGRY. Luckily, I have a Fresh and Easy obsession.

 Fresh and Easy is my constant life saver - whether it's my regular groceries or groceries for an event. Did I happen to mention Fresh and Easy is the reason I occasionally eat healthy? I don't remember when I discovered Fresh and Easy, but for the past year it's been my go-to place. I stock up on their already prepared, easy to cook meals and we're set. Seriously, when I don't shop at Fresh and Easy we're eating out. #sobad.

I am absolutely delighted to tell you that Fresh and Easy makes it EASY to get FRESH organic vegetable steamers at a totally affordable price. (See what I did there??) I always think that I should eat organic, but the price tag is always staring at me, eating all of my money.

The new organic veggie steamers are to die for, but don't break the bank. On Friday, I purchased 2 for $6, completing my date night at home meal.

On Tuesday, I bought Chilean Bass for our Friday dinner date. I wasn't sure what sides I wanted with it yet, but I spent about $100 stocking our fridge and pantry. At checkout, I got a $5 off card for shopping on a Monday or Tuesday that was good for shopping Wednesday through Sunday.

So, I came back Friday night to decide on my sides, when these organic veggie steamers caught my eye. I love the way that they aren't all veggie-veggies but they had starch sides, like potatoes and sweet potatoes, too.

When I got home, I popped them in the microwave, and stuck the bass in a pan, and dinner was ready within 10 minutes. WITHIN 10 MINUTES, YOU GUYS!!

Please try your very best not to drool over these pictures.

Aren't the flowers my husband got me gorgeous? Just because it was Friday :)

I'm also super lucky because my Fresh and Easy is open 24 hours and is closer to me than the freeway. So, so convenient.

Do you shop at Fresh and Easy? What's your favorite find?



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Check out one of our featured Warrior Queens:

Weekly Wishes #11 & Habit Talk

Another week, another list of goals! What is super exciting about this week is that I am joining Lauren in her Make a Habit, Break a Habit link up. If you've been around for awhile, you know that I am horrible at habits. I think it has to do with my Gemini astrology sign. I seriously feel like I can get 12 days into a habit and then abandon it. This month's habit is going to be hygiene related. 

That sounds like I don't take showers, but I swear I do. I have just decided to attempt the No Poo method of hair wash. In addition, I am trying to get into the habit of washing my face daily, as opposed to only when I wear makeup. 

On that note, I am starting to wear lipstick more, and I think I want to make it a habit to always wear lipstick when I go out. That seems fun!! 

Did you have goals for last week? Here are mine!

1// Catch up on some work. I got sort of caught up, I'm still working on this! 

2// Make muchos progress on WordPress.  I made lots of planning progress, not so much time on the computer progress.

3// Clean our bedroom. Ugh, that is my goal for today. We got a bookshelf, so I spent time doing that instead.

4// Start October off with a bang. I think this happened!! 

1// Finish cleaning and organizing. I feel like it is SO close to happening! 

2// Bake something. I have the itch, since this week is cooler and running the oven isn't miserable.

3// Hang Pictures. We have so many things that we've wanted to hang up, but weren't sure where because of our bookshelf...which we now have so PICTURE TIME! Gotta convince the hubby to go to Ace to get some essentials. 

4// Build my Darby Smart DIY. Jeez, I've had this box for quite a while, and I have finally decided where I want the project. With the entire weekend off, I am planning on doing this!

5// Raise money for my CHOC Walk on Sunday! Every year, I try to do the CHOC walk. You can read more about it here and here. 

What goals do you have for this week? What habits are you wanting to make or break? Link up here!



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Puppy Love: Meet Bella!!

At the risk of being that blogger, I wanted to dedicate today's post to my puppy, Bella. We've had her for about a month and I can't believe how crazy it all has been.

As you may have read, our family dog passed away on August 31. On September 1, we rescued 3 puppies from my mom's school. The principal was going to call animal control if we weren't able to get them in our car, and we are so happy that we were able to take them...especially with how much they have done to comfort us during the craziness of last month.

Of course they come with their share of rescue pet troubles - and expenses - but we're managing it all and these puppies are just so cute and loving to pass up...

I mean, I started an Instagram for Bella. You should probably go follow her cuteness. Here's a sneak peek!


Spending time with her brothers before we brought her home!


Bella even helps me with my blog pictures!


The day she went to the vet and got her cone of shame off!


Here she is in all of her football gear!!


Bella has even been featured on another Instagram!! Isn't she just the cutest??

Alsooo, here's the winner for mine and Ruffled Paper's Mug giveaway! Congrats Emily!

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Why do we let fear rule us?

Why do I let the fear of what could happen rule my day-to-day actions and emotions?

Why do we, as a society, let fear rule us?

I always talk about facing my fears and being brave and working on myself but I've been neglecting that. I've been too scared.

What have I been scared of, you may ask?

• I've been too scared that one day Iman will pack up and leave because I've driven him over the edge.
• I've been too scared to let go of the way I've been treated in the past - too scared and dependent on the way boyfriends previously loved me - always trying to prove to me their love when it may not have been there
• I've been too scared to let myself relax
• I've been too scared to face financial fears
• I've been too scared to plan the deep parts of the wedding. 
• I've been too scared to face the people who hurt me - perhaps even unknowingly
• I've been too scared to make, and keep, new best friends
• I've been too scared to re-evaluate some relationships in my life
• I've been too scared to give in to Tut and the universe and be love.
• I've been too scared to take a deep breath and let go. 
• I've been too scared to be alone. 
• I've been too scared to be me. 

I'm working on fixing all of this right now - recognizing my actions and my coping methods and forcing myself to face things. I'm working on remembering the things that make me happy when I'm by myself. I'm working on journaling, taking yoga, relaxing. I'm working on looking at the things online that broaden my intelligence, instead of finding things that make me laugh as a means to relieve stress. I'm working on laughing deeper. [Most people who know me very well know that I "quack" when I laugh really hard. Lately, I've noticed that I rarely laugh that hard anymore]. I'm working on reading more and giving back more. 

What are you too scared to face? What are you working on to improve yourself? 

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Outrageous

I used to be outrageous.

I'm talking the girl with the pink hair and nose ring who said the most ridiculous thing. I'm talking about the girl who used to openly put on her Myspace that she was cocky [because who says only boys can be cocky?] I'm talking about the girl who said if you've got it flaunt it...the girl who had rumors about her at school, but laughed in their faces...the girl who would go camping every weekend she could and ride a quad without a care in the world...the girl who had her running shoes on because she definitely did not want a man to tie her down...the girl who had a boyfriend because she was bored, not because she needed love because she loved herself more than she thought any boy ever could...

Seriously, I used to be outrageous.

Look at this stuff:

Those pants. OH THOSE PANTS. They are mentioned in my wedding website actually

Just fixing quads by myself NBD

Who is a dark angel? Apparently I was

Dirty. And ripped jeans...

The girl who made her going away dinner a lingerie party at 18...

The girl who did sexy photoshoots alone in her room

This [more or less] was my Myspace about me...and still is my FB one, actually. oooops. 

I'm not going to lie, I'm completely insane.

☮ ♥ :)

California owns my heart but i will always bleed Scarlet and Gray ♥

I’m mainstream (but i like it).

A cocky bitch. (and you love it.)

Kid at heart. (Let's Play!)

Procrastinator. (but I get my shit done)

Journalist. (Life calling)

Ambitious. (You can't stop me)

Pin Up Girl. (Drop Dead Gorgeous)

Crazy Girl. (I wouldn't have it any other way)

Dream Girl. (You want me)

Warrior Queen. (Lifestyles)

I like boy things. (But i'm such a girl)

OCD. ADD. GAD. Panic Disorder. 

You Know You Love Me

I don't understand why people like me...but I'm okay with that =] 

I like to say really morbid things in happy tones. I'm weird.

I was outrageous. I like to think I still am secretly. On the inside. With a deep dark secret. I portray myself as all sweet and innocent, like I always have, and then I drop an f bomb...or five. Then I say things like "You can't get pregnant by taking off your shirt!!" and everyone just takes it as normal.

I'm still sometimes outrageous. Like the fact that I take pole dancing classes and it makes me feel outrageous all over again. I don't want to be an old lady grandma that's conservative! I want to be the crazy, cool one with blue hair.

I need to get my outrageousness back.

But being a grown up sucks that away from me. I have to do things like pay for bills and sleep at a reasonable hour. I have to have normal hair colors, no facial piercings and sometimes hide my tattoos. I have to wear clothes that don't look like a little kid put them together...even though sometimes I still really like to play dress up.

I mean, I'm writing Christmas cards this holiday season. That has to be the complete opposite of outrageous!

I think this post rambles but, that's the more outrageous Raewyn coming out to play...

Any advice to make my day-to-day life a little outrageous all over again?





p.s. I used to be so outspoken and political, too. Now I'm all about peace. Maybe that's why my outrageousness went away. I can't be a firecracker every day.

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Just Another Excited Word Vomit

There's so much I want to tell you all about, but it is going to have to wait because, once again, I am on my lunch break at work - trying to blog and shove food in my face at the same time. Once again, I'm on public internet which runs so, so slow! So instead of a real post, I'll give you a post about what's to come!

I promised you I'd tell you why Monday was so fantastic. So here we go!

I'm not a Monday person. I told you guys about that in this guest post. And this Monday was no different. I had a training meeting at 8 am about 20 miles from me, in my old home town. I  decided to get lost and barely make it there. I also was having a complete freak out about our wedding over the weekend (Hint to a future post #1).

The training went fantastically - and I got a free delicious breakfast from Mimi's Cafe. Seriously, I love that place. But I am so sad they didn't give me a muffin - my fave!

Then I found out I won a free T-Shirt from one of our distributors. It's an autobody shirt but still! WAY COOL. I'm wearing it tomorrow, so keep an eye out on Instagram!

Shortly, thereafter I managed to get free lunch from my boss and free Starbucks from our mechanic. WINNING. I don't know how this all ended up being so awesome! lol.

Monday was also the day that I co-hosted The Collective with Peacoats and Plaid. I got a lot of blog love that day, and I am ecstatic!! I still need to finish visiting all of my new friends and comment / follow. Plus I got nominated for my first Liebster Award by Absolutely Arkansas!

In addition to that, I won By The Porchlight's Bloggers Give Back Giveaway. OH EM GEE. I decided to donate to To Write Love On Her Arms because they're one of my favorite organizations [I still want to intern for them] and last week was National Suicide Prevention Week and they spent the whole week doing awesome things for people!

Tuesday and Wednesday were pretty hectic (like usual) so today I opted to come into work an hour early to hopefully finally maybe make some headway in all of the files I have backed up on my desk. Seriously, I'm about 30 deep in my "should have closed a week or more ago" pile. YIKES!

We've got some major changes at all three of my works right now, so I am floating along.

Yesterday I participated in the Influenster Twitter Party. That was fun! Now to finish up my post and share with you all of the fun stuff I got!

I am beyond ecstatic for this weekend because it is the Sand Sports Super Show. What in the world is that, you may ask? Only my favorite weekend of the year. We go to the sand dunes and ride quads and drive sand buggies and this marks the beginning of the riding season (aka it will finally be cool enough to go) and one of the only times I get to see a bunch of friends each year. I'm volunteering, like usual, and we plan on going to the super trucks show as well!!

Sunday we're going to go visit a wedding venue. But wait - you thought I had that booked. Well, I did. Like I said - WEDDING FREAKOUT. It will alll work out though, I know it.

Then I'm having some girl time Monday night because Iman's taking off for a 1 day no-gambling boys trip to Vegas. I'm totally jealous over here. :)

There's also a little baby making her way into the world sometime today or tomorrow that I am super excited to meet!!! Why does Ohio have to be so far away?

What are you guys up to the rest of the week?



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The Words That Don't Stick

The Gratitude List

I'm going to try this blogging from my phone thing. Please excuse any typos from this grammar nazi! It isn't even that this technology is so advanced. It is just that I hate touch screens. My mind moves at a very fast pace (seeing as I have an incredibly high wpm and my brain is still thinking faster than that). Which means my fingers son't always hit the touch screen letters or I move too fast for my phone to put them in or something.

Anyway, I have felt a lot better emotionally since I decided to make this more personal and excited to write but still faced with the dilemma of when. Lol. I always do my best blogging at 2am and as an adult (ew I can't believe I have finally embraced a normal sleep cycle) I am asleep at 2am.

I think everyone at work views me as a grandma. When did I become the old one? I guess it is the curse of working at a restaurant after graduating college. But I am still on the hunt for a full time job, and convinced it will happen soon.

Making this more personal means for awhile this might be a dump of random things. That is how my mind works (read my beginning posts in the archives! Hahaha) so today I wanted to make a list. (DUH)

My Gratitude List (in no particular order)

1. Iman treats me so right. That kid. He is seriously just fantastic for me. Like every part that I'm missing and then everything in between.

2. Southern California drives. NOT my commute time or freeway time but my drives through the canyon or by the beach or even down the toll road. SERENE. I love when Iman and I carpool home and take the canyon over the traffic.

3. My momma! This lady. She always knows exactly what to say when I am having a breakdown. Even if it's her bday and we don't even see each other.

4. Daddy! Even when he's being a butthead and trying to push my buttons, he always has my interest at heart and love love loves me!! Oh and he and Iman hang out and love each other  sooo what more could a daughter want?

5. All of the comfort things that I have. I.e. anything beyond food, shelter and water. I need to appreciate my comforts MORE. Aka, take care of my things ans living space. And donate those that I am not using!

6. Health insurance, a place to live, all of my jobs, the choice of food available to me...all of my 1st world privileges!! Oh thank you for this.

7. Postive reinforcement and love. I. Can. Not. Live. Without. It. Seriously. To this I owe my friends and family.

8. My freedom from any addictions or true ailments.

9. My empathy. I am forever and ever grateful for this.

10. My new blog family. Thanks to Kaitlyn at Wifessionals, I have made two new blogging friends that I hope to keep (Amanda at Pixies and Periwinkles and Laura at Simply Me, As I See It). They inspire me to write! I am so excited to be getting to know Shannon at The Life of Poole for Bigs and Littles as well. I can't wait to truly connect with more people.

I thought some gratitude was in order after everything going on last week and this week (in the US, world, and just my family life.)

What are you thankful for?

P.s. I'm also thankful for my little bother, we can fight about the stupidest things but when I'm sick or sad he always knows how to take care of me