Tri-Tip

I wanted to try out the new blogger app so I thought I'd share something yummy really quick. --- (update: I don’t like how it posts pictures. I had to get on my computer and fix it.)
Ralph's was having a great sale on tri-tip so I figured, "why not give it a shot?" I went to my favorite recipe website and found one that seemed yummy. Well it turned out so delicious! The meat was tender and juicy and so flavorful. Michael was in heaven. Soin was also here and she loved it too.
If you're like me and are afraid of cooking meat, give this one a shot. I cooked it on the grill for 3 mins on each side uncovered. It was a little red inside, but I went with my gut and took it off.
Here's the link to the recipe:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/easy-grilled-tri-tip/detail.aspx

Our New Home

Back in the Spring of this year, we made an offer on a beautiful house in Escondido. We really wanted this house. It had a perfect layout and had the perfect backyard. It was also 30 years old and at the very top of our price range. It contained asbestos in the ceilings, needed to be tented, needed new carpet, paint, and some appliances. We were willing to sacrifice. We prayed and asked Heavenly Father to help us make the big decision. We didn’t feel very good about it at first, but still really loved the idea of owning our own home.

After getting the final inspections and working with a not-so-friendly bank, our offer was accepted and we very close to signing the final papers. Mike went to visit the house with our realtor on his lunch break and found an unhappy surprise. The foundation of the house was completely split in half. Papers were cancelled and we were back to square one.

We discovered that house hunting is a very emotional roller coaster ride. We took a month or two off. We resorted to Mike going with our realtor to preview the houses first and if he found something he thought we both would like, the boys and I would drive out to take a look.

One day Michael called me and said, “Babe, you have to come look at this house.” I loved it. It was much newer than the last, had new carpet, all appliances (in great condition), paint and no popcorn ceilings, and not to mention was $30,000 less. It seemed to good to be true. We made an offer and it was accepted.

Again, we prayed. We felt good. The process went smoothly and we’re here. Yes. We bought it and we’re here, enjoying our life together in our very own home.

Here are some pictures from before we moved in (sorry about the quality). It’s 1,140 square feet. 3 bedrooms. 2 bathrooms. 2 car garage. Perfect.

 

Here’s the cherry on top… it was appraised for $10,000 less than what we offered, which means we ended up saving $10,000 more.

Happy Birthday, My Sweet Maximilian!

My baby, three whole years have flown by. Your little brother is walking now and I often remember these same sweet moments I had with you as I watch him. My emotions get the best of me when I think of how quickly you’ve grown and continue to grow. What an amazing big boy you are becoming. You are so incredibly sweet, loving, and happy. Daddy and I love your sweet little prayers, high energy, negotiation skills, and photographic memory! I love how you will out of the blue, give me besitos and huggies and say, “I love you.” We love how much you love your little brother. Thank you for being you and for another year of fun, laughter, and happiness.

Here are a few awesome things you said during your third year of life:

“I wanna go in a big, big, huge airplane, Mommy. And I wanna live in the sky!” 4/11

“Mommy, are we going to Taco Bell? Or are we going to Burrito Bell?” 6/11

Max: "Mommy, I want a scooter like the boy at the park."

Mommy: "Okay baby, maybe Santa will bring you one if you're a good boy."

Max: "For Christmas Mommy?"

Mommy: "Yes, for Christmas."

Max: "Candy canes are spicy, Mommy."

Mommy: "Yes, they are kinda spicy aren't they?"

Max: "Heavenly Father doesn't like them."

Mommy: "Heavenly Father doesn't like what?"

Max: "Candy canes."

Mommy: "Why not?"

Max: "Because they have too much sugar." 6/11

"You're the best girl in the whole wide world." 8/11

“Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this day. Thank you for this food. Thank you for this fork. Thank you for daddy’s knee getting all better. Thank you for our new house. This I pray, Amen.” 8/11

Happy Birthday, Little Leviticus

Levi, today you are 1 year old and I just want you to know that you have brought Mommy, Daddy, and Max so much joy and happiness. I have to admit that when I was pregnant, sometimes I would wonder how I could ever possibly love another child like I love your brother. After you were born, and when I first held you in my arms, I felt that love all over again. I feel like my heart has grown to make room for all of the love that I have for you. You are my little angel, Levi and I love you.

We all love everything about you, including your sweet smile, your button nose, your big appetite, your chunky thighs and double chin, your contagious laugh and your admiration for your big brother. Thank you for all the joy you bring to us each day. Happy first birthday, My Son.

Mike’s 10 Year High School Reunion

It makes me feel like I’m getting old to think that we are at this stage in our lives already. It’s been ten years since Mike has graduated high school and he has accomplished so much. A few days ago I asked him if he was nervous. His response was, “No, I think I’ve had some pretty good accomplishments in the past ten years so I won’t feel like a loser.”

Let’s see, right after high school Michael served a two year mission in Argentina. He came back and got married and two years later, became a father. He then received his Bachelor’s of Science in Business Management as well as put his wife through school to receive her degree. Shortly after that, he became a father to a second son and then was able to land a job in back to California. Now, seven months later, he will be buying a beautiful home for his family.

All I can say is, wow. You are amazing, Michael. Thank you for all that you have done for our family. You really have accomplished so much the first ten years of your adult life. I’m proud to say that you are my husband. I love you.

The reunion was a ton of fun! It was a blast getting all dressing up like high school days. I was able to go shopping in my mom’s closet for my outfit. She actually picked it out for me. I fell in love with the shoes and that is why there are pictures of them posted below. I spent the past six months getting ready for this night… in other words, I’ve been working hard to lose ten pounds. Maybe it was just an excuse or a reason for me to get that last bit of baby weight off. So, I set a goal and made it! I attribute it to using the myfitnesspal app. If you’re wanting to drop a few, check it out. I definitely recommend it.

Anyway, Mike had to roll into the reunion sporting his cane which was pretty funny. Some people weren’t sure if he was really using it or if it was a part of his outfit. He looked hot! The reunion was held at the House of Blues in San Diego. Mike had a blast catching up with old friends and reminiscing. It was a great night. Three more years until my reunion!

         

Max the Musician & Levi the Inchworm

My Maximilian loves to watch Naomi, Jimmy, and Maxine play the piano. As you can see, he has learned how to read music and even sing along.

 

Levi is officially mobile. Even though he looks like an “inchworm” as Michael says, he can always get where he wants to go.

Pobrecito

Mike might have a torn ACL. My tough guy took an extremely painful (fluke) hit in the knee playing flag football and has been home for the past four days trying to recover. It seems to be getting better a teeny-tiny bit each day, but is still nowhere near back to normal.

As of right now Michael and I only have preventative care insurance so, needless to say, a fifteen thousand dollar surgery for a torn ACL would have to come out of pocket. We are praying that it’s not that serious. Perhaps a severe sprain? We would like to hold onto the down payment for our future home that we have been saving for the past 6 months.

However, I want more for my wonderful husband not to be in so much pain anymore and to have his leg back to normal. So, we will keep praying as well as figure out a way to get full medical coverage for us to prevent this from happening again.

One-on-One

I think it’s really important that Mike and I have our time together alone. With him working full time, and me taking care of the boys, we hardly get to focus on each other. Sometimes I forget how we got where we are now. It all started with us…

Michael and Bianca. We fell in love with each other and with that love, brought our two beautiful boys into this world. We need time together to fall in love over and over again. So, we have date nights. It works and I love it.

Looking at baby pictures of Max hurts my heart. I can not believe how quickly he’s growing up and it makes me sad. Even though I am with him 97 percent of his daily life, I feel like I’m unable to give him the undivided attention that I would like him to have. Today, just he and I walked to the park and played and then he joined me on a 3 mile run. It was perfect.

Sometimes I worry that I don’t give Levi the attention that I gave Max when he was a baby. I know that I haven’t been taking as many pictures of Levi as I did Max and I feel like I don’t have much time to just sit on the floor and play, sing, or talk to him either. Last week I was able to do a little shopping with just Levi and it was wonderful. It’s crazy how much easier it is running around with just one baby rather than two. It was nice to be able to observe, adore, interact with, and focus on my sweet little baby.

Perhaps I overanalyzing, but I really enjoy and appreciate my one-on-one time with each of my boys!

Stop Growing!

My boys are growing so fast! It’s amazing to me when I look at pictures of them 6 months ago and then look at these from today. I can’t describe how much I love these boys. They are my angels.

A couple weeks ago, Max said to me,

“I wanna go in a big, big, huge airplane Mommy. And I want to live in the sky!”

and

“Levi’s Brown, Mommy. And I’m white.”

and

“I’m being a good boy listener Mommy. Now I can have a treat!”

I love the precious and innocent things that he says. I love to think about the creative and exciting things that go on in his little mind.

Levi is such a happy boy. He absolutely adores his brother and could sit and watch him all day. I love his little laugh and I love how he bounces when he gets excited.

I’m so happy and blessed to be able to be home with my boys. We love to go to story time at the library, and music time at the park. We love to go grocery shopping together and to read books before nap time. We really like to have picnics and to play at the park. Max loves to practice writing and learning about the letters of the alphabet (especially when there’s M&Ms involved). 

We have been living with the Marshall family for 6 months now. I’m just going to take a few lines and brag about them a bit. I think I have the best in-laws in the world. I’m serious. Jim and Brenda are the most caring and giving people I know. I love them so much. I mean come on, what kind of people are willing to let their son and his wife and two kids live with them until they find a house? Very loving, patient, and kind people. That’s what! Then there’s Emminome (Naomi) who Max adores and follows around everywhere. She plays with him and babysits him sometimes while I go on a run or take a shower. Maxine is an amazing Aunt too. She sings and plays the piano with Max and has dance parties with him in her room. Max learns a lot when Uncle Jimmy gives him little quizzes like, “what color do blue and green make?” Uncle Jimmy also lets Max hang out with him when his friends are over. When Aunt Lizzy comes over, a lot of times she brings the boys presents, “plays toys” with Max, and changes Levi’s diaper. It’s so nice to get a break from changing a diaper ever once in a while! I just love this family and I’m so blessed to have them. They are all such wonderful examples to me in many ways.

Along with the house hunting roller coaster ride, we’ve just been trying to stay positive and keep our options open. It’s a little tough sharing one room with the boys, but we are very grateful.

We are just really excited/anxious to find a good home to call our own. We know it will happen at the right time.