Starting Over

For a long time, I've been meaning to start blogging back up again. It helps me clear my head, get out all the yuckiness I've been feeling, and focus on gratitude. But then I don't do it. Why? Because I'm the type of person that wants everything to be perfect before starting something. I admire people who just jump into the deep end or build the plane as it's flying -- that's not me, but I wish I could be more that way.

I cannot begin to tell you how many blog entry drafts I started and never finished or posted. So I'm just going to start again -- small and when I can.

What prompted me to start over? This whole year and a half has been rough. There are so many things that I am grateful for and so many gems that have come out of this time of dealing with a pandemic, working from home, and balancing being a wife and mother who had to get her kids to learn remotely. But the fact of the matter is, it was hard... and it continues to be hard. I have a great support system of family and friends, but even finding the time to vent or just get these feelings out has been somewhat non-existent. So I'm hoping that taking a few minutes a day to reflect or be grateful will help. Hopefully I continue this and forgive myself when I don't.

So to kick things off on starting over, here are my three reasons for being grateful. They are the most kind, smart, and loving kids I could ask for.

Pretend City

I got into a bad car accident on March 15th.  A lady ran a red light and smashed into the driver side of my car. I ended up going to the ER and had an injured rotator cuff and whiplash. The insurance company totaled my car since my car was 11 years old, the air bags deployed, and there was frame damage. I was really sad about it because we took care of that car, but it did it's job and protected me.  It was so surreal to be hit like that. I remember everything happening in slow motion and the impact felt like someone was pushing me hard with a mattress.  Better that feeling than to feel a 2 ton car pushing on me!  I'm so grateful that my car protected me because it could've been much worse!

This accident happened at the busiest time of the year for me at work. It has also taken so much time to deal with both insurance companies.  I also had to go and buy a new car which I had not planned on doing.  So just when I thought the worse was behind me, I find out that the other person hired a lawyer, is not accepting fault, and was also claiming injuries! I'm really upset about that because I'm a million percent sure that she ran a red light, but unfortunately because there were no witnesses, it's just my word against hers. It's really unfortunate that people try to take advantage of these situations. Her car barely had damage so to hear that she's claiming injuries is really insulting!

Here are some pictures from the accident:

Her car and the damage that was done to it

I really hope that things work out the way it is supposed to and that the truth comes out.

On a happier note, we took the kinds to Pretend City in Irvine. It has been years since we've been here so it was nice to come back.  It was pretty crowded because it is spring break for a lot of kids, but not too terrible.

Lexi driving one of the many vehicles

Derrick hanging out in the infant area

Cooking some BBQ!

Ahoy matey!

Gassing up the car

We then met up with Tammy and Tony at Irvine Spectrum and finally met Baby Joey! We haven't seen them in such a long time so it was nice to catch up with them.  We have known Tammy and Tony since before we were married so it was weird to go from a table of 4 to asking for a table of 9!

Tammy with most of the kids

Back at it again!

It has taken every ounce of me to not start up a new blog again. It pains me to have an 8 month gap between this blog entry and the last one, but when I first started this blog, I promised that I would cut myself some slack and just keep going even if I stop! So here I am, back at it!

So many things have happened in the last 8 months -- I can't even begin to name them all! It's a shame because I really had some cool things to say and so many stories to share. I guess I'll just have to reference them in future blog posts.

What got me back to blogging? For starters, my workload decreased significantly -- I just finished managing one of the hardest events I've ever been in charge of. I also got a fancy new laptop which I hope to use to edit photos and videos.  Lastly, I've lately felt the urge to share what I have to say. For some reason, I've had more than a few people tell me that I should start a blog or a podcast and that has inspired me to write again and look into podcasting.

Today I took the girls to work because it is Spring Break and Olivia put it on her list.  My girls think it's so fun to take the work bus and hang out at work all day!

Excited to be on the work bus!

Fascinated by L.A. traffic - if only I found my commutes this exciting!

Lexi waiting for our drinks and food at Starbucks

Ice cream sandwiches in mommy's office!

It was exhausting to have them in the office because I was constantly reminding them to be quiet or asking them not to run around the office.  They were actually pretty good, but it was still so tiring! I had co-workers comment that they have fond memories of going to their parents' work.  I'm glad that my kids will be able to look back and remember how fun this was!

First Day Back

Back at it again!

Prepping for Work

Today I'm prepping for work tomorrow. Now that the day to go back is finally here, I'm pretty sad about it. I'll really miss my munchkins!

First time eating rice cereal

Lexi hanging out with Derrick

Livee loves to sleep with her baby brother

I'm hoping this transition will be easy for me. I need to get used to a new routine.

36 Years of Blessings

Happy Birthday to me! I am grateful for 36 years of blessings. I feel so happy and my heart is full. I have an awesome husband, 3 beautiful kids, an awesome house, a job I love, and a loving support system of friends and family -- what more could I ask for? I feel so fulfilled.

Every year I complain about how much I hate my birthday. Not because I'm getting older, but because there are so many obligations and expectations for it. I always feel like I'm doing things for other people and not for me.  Even though I still think this is true, I decided that this is the year that I stop saying it and just roll with it. I always end up spending my birthday with people who love me and want to be with me so I should just feel blessed.

We had an impromptu party for my birthday at our house. I'm surprised that everyone could make it at the last minute.

Mmm.. lobster!

The boys

:)

Family!

Friends!

Delicious Chocolate-Haupia cake from King's Hawaiian!

Yummy strawberry cake from SunMerry Bakery!

The obligatory "cut the cake" pic

With my bro-in-law and soon-to-be sister-in-law

More friends

Cousins

More smiles

Iris, me, Malou

The women

With the cousin, John

Cousin Denver

Poker!

The one who birthed me!

My boys

I really had a nice birthday and was glad that I spent it with a small group of friends and family. 36 is a pretty good year!

Natural History Museum

Olivia has been asking us to go to the butterfly pavilion. I have no idea where she heard of this idea, but we decided to see if there was one nearby.  Luckily, we found one at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles.

The front entrance of the Natural History Museum

It was so hot today! We were all sweating profusely.  Luckily, we were able to cool down inside the museum.

So excited!

Dinosaurs!

I've always been obsessed with "What Does the Fox Say"

On our way back to the car, we saw some of my old co-workers. They were having a going-away party for one of them so I was happy to see her before she left.

Nathan and Krysten took Olivia and Alexis to the Orange County Fair.