Embrace What Comes Naturally!

It's always said you always prefer what you don't have and I have to say the same for me with my hair. I love straight hair but I have learned that I really do love my curls especially when I lost them for 2 years! When living in Hawaii, the humidity took my curls and turned it to afro and puff ball, it was uncontrollable!  So I decide to chemically straighten my hair twice but the consequences was that I could not get my hair curly any more which drove me nuts!!!! I love the fact I could before either go straight or natural but with that straighter treatment, it was completely GONE!!!! The only way to get my curly hair back was to cut the straighten part but the problem was as many of you know that my hair was long to my waist and I didn't want to lose the length. Not only that, I would had to cut my hair really really short and there was no way I was going to do that. So I had to wait patiently for almost 2 years and getting haircuts from my sister who a stylist. Finally after Christmas of last year I told my sister to just cut my hair and bring my curls back and she did! It was so funny when my kids saw my hair curly that their response was, "Mom, you hair is just like Mya's" and I told them." No Mya's hair is just like mine."It made me realize, one that it has been so long that my boys has seen my hair curly and two,Mya never seen it in my natural state. So I decided to embrace what my Heavenly Father given me and to be content that I have been blessed. Also, I have a daughter who has be blessed with the same hair too and she doesn't need to hear mom complain about curly hair because curly hair is BEAUTIFUL. So my message to all my fellow bloggers, EMBRACE WHAT COMES NATURALLY!

Beauty of Me!

I never felt beautiful or pretty(unless I put the right makeup and then okay!)until I met my hubby! He made me feel truly beautiful, so I wanted to give him a really nice photo of me, that he can have it on his desk at work. I was very fortunate to have friend that's a photographer that would do a photo shoot of me and we headed to Manito Park, which is a truly beautiful place. I have to admit that it felt a little weird posing and in the background watching our kids run around but we  had success in getting what we wanted and more. I also wanted some photos that documented what I looked at 34 because normally I'm the one behind the camera, especially for my kids. So they can see what their mom looked like at that age. I want to thank my friend Ashlee for the great job she did and making me feel comfortable. Here are some of my favorites but the one above was the one that got to honor my hubby's desk.

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

So all my female friends, go gets some portraits photos of yourself and celebrating the Beauty of YOU!

Newest Church Member In Our Family!!!!

Nate decided to enter the water of baptism and we were all excited for him. Before the service, we had to take photos of Blake and Nate in front of the font. Originally we wanted to do it in Hawaii and have the baptism in the ocean but the Church doesn't allow that anymore, so if I couldn't have the ocean, then I wanted a photo of the font. 

 

And a course we had to take some photos of the family and the kids...Both of his grandparents flew in to share this wonderful experience with us.

 

  

  

 

 

It was a sweet service that the Stake provided and they also asked Nathan what musical number he wanted. He chose the "The Rainbow Song" that his Brother and Sister participate in. Here is the group practicing before the service and Nana helped by playing the piano.

 

We were truly grateful for family and friends who came and participate in this wonderful time in our lives.
 

We had to finish with giving of the leis we made. We are so proud of his decision and when life throw you a curve ball, continue the straight path. (side note: Blake came down with strep on Tuesday and Mya on that Saturday...it definitely wasn't on the plans but the day was still wonderful!)

Hooray! Hooray! She's finally 5!

Our sweet baby is finally 5, where did the time go! She was so EXCITED to be the princess for the day! The first thing was opening presents and wearing her favorite nightgown that her Nana made for her.

 Her birthday landed on a Sunday, so she got a new church outfit and we had to take some photos.

She was a good sport, letting her mama take so many photos even though towards the end she was tried of smiling...but I got some great shots!

She was the star in Primary and loved all the attention. As custom in our family the birthday person gets anything they want...so for breakfast/lunch she wanted strawberry waffles, and for dinner, pepperoni pizza and cherry cheese cake for her birthday cake. We played the games she wanted , Sleeping Queen and Hang Four and watched the shows she wanted like "Lady and the Tramp" with popcorn!

So we had a Royal Birthday Party for her, she hasn't had a party since she was one and was long over due. She got to invite 5 friends and she decided she wanted a princess party.  But one of her very close friend is a boy, so the party was call a Royal Celebration plus one Knight. All our guests was encouraged to wear Royal clothes and it was GREAT!!! Except for some minor Hiccups(like the cake I was making and it falling apart. Running to Albertson's at the last minute to find a cake...which turned out so cute and yummy...but my crown cake would have rocked!)the party was a SUCCESS!

We had craft time, each princess decorated royal mirrors and the knight made a shield,  pinned the tail on the dragon disguised as a donkey, had a treasure hunt and played musical chairs.

 

Then we had cake and ice cream and then open presents.

She got to pick out the colors and the decorations for her party.The kids had a great time and Mya had a celebration that she'll always remember!

Celebrating Great 8!

Nate turned 8 this month and I can't believe my baby boy is so old!!! It feels like yesterday that I held him in my arms.

He was such a sweet baby and toddler that kept me on my toes.

Even though it makes me a little sad that he's growing up so quick, I'm so happy to be able to celebrate each of his birthdays especially this year which is also a milestone.

As tradition in our family, you get to open up your presents as soon as you wake up. Also every meal is planned by you and you are able to get your favorites. For breakfast/lunch Nate wanted hash brown, scrambled eggs and sausage. Since his birthday fell on a Sunday, I was able to take some great photos for his invitation for his Baptism in nice clothes...here are a few.

After he came back from church, he put on his new "Perry the Platypus" shirt and his favorite pants. I was able again to take some more portraits photos of him.

For dinner Nate requested Salmon, couscous, corn and root beer...very Yummy!

As for his cake, he want cherry cheese cake.

He also went into Scouts...Wolf! He was so excited to join Isaac in the Scouting Program.

So Nate finally was a able to have a Birthday Party...we haven't had one with friends since we left Utah in 2006. He wanted a Detective Party and invited 6 of his friends. So I decided that the kids were going into training to become Detectives. I had 4 stations and in the end they earned their badges. We sang Happy Birthday and had cake and afterward lunch...corn dogs and chips. Then we opened presents. Nate had a blast and so did the rest of the kids.

 

Well stay turn and see who else is celebrating their birthday in January.