Happy B-day Gorgeous!

To my dear loving Emily,

Happy birthday my sweetie! What a special day. I'm so blessed to be married to the person of my dreams, literally though.... the person of my dreams! You are everything I ever dreamed of and much more.

You are so patient, no only with the kids but also with me, there is much I need to learn from you.

You are a great example of motherhood. You are indeed an amazing mom that is teaching our children good values and basically everything  People ask me how do I do it through dental school with 2 kids, and I tell them, I don't know, but you should ask my wife how she does it with 2 kids and no husband! You are a great support for me and I love you even more for it. Thank you

Having you in my life dear Emily has truly brought me more stability, purpose and far more happiness to my life that I ever imagined. Very often just by looking at you and our kids and just get this feeling of excitement inside me (that's probably why I'm always kissing you). I love you, and I just want to make sure we celebrate your birthday like we're suppose to. You are the most important person in my life, and even though at times (most of the time) it seems I'm submerge in "dental school stuff" I know my priorities and my biggest blessing... YOU.

What a great cook we have at home, I even have friends at school asking to be on my "meal plan". Thank you Em, I know it is not easy but I for sure appreciate it. You are my better half, my everything.

I love  you

Francisco  (El guapo)

Our little project

I don't know if we have mentioned it before but Luke loves taking baths! He would stay in the water as long as he can, even if the water get cold. He likes to see his feet and hands get all wrinkly. Emily showed me this little project on pinterest of pvc pieces and suction cups that can go on the bathtub wall and the kids can play. I showed Luke what we were doing, and off we went to Walmart to get the suction cups and then we headed off to Homedepot. We got home started drilling and Luke was already naked; he just couldn't wait to play with his new bath toys! It was really hilarious; he played for about and hour or more and then he got dressed.

 

It wasn't too long when once again I found him in the bathtub like this.

What a cutie, I really like spending time with my precious Luke.

It's a new year

With the new year and everyone talking about their new year's resolutions, I started pondering mine. I remembered the goals I made last fall and thought I should go back to review and consider my progress. So here is my update on my goals and a few more that I have added.

1. Find time to read the scriptures! (This is a hard one or me. It's 11pm and I still haven't read them! yikes)
Okay, I have been better at this one, but definitely not where I'd like to be. I have started a tradition to read a verse or two with Luke and Sam at bed time and we have been doing really well at that. So, I do open the Book of Mormon at least once a day. I also will not read a book for pleasure until I read the scriptures, but I don't get a solid study in each day. I have renewed this goal for 2013. I have been trying to wake up earlier (before the boys) and read my scriptures first thing in the morning. I've been doing pretty good, but it is SO hard to get up!

2. Exercise every day. Go to the gym 3x/week.
Okay, I have actually slacked off worse than when I originally write this, I think! This fall/winter has been really bad for colds for me (I've had 4 colds this year) and I really got out of the habit of going to the gym. I am renewing this goal as well. I have tried to make everyday life more active. (Not complaining to have to go up and down the stairs one extra time, crawling and running with the boys and not being lazy about it, etc)

3. Go to the temple on ward temple night each month (Francisco and I are going to try a system where we trade off each month and every 3rd month, we find a babysitter and go together)
I don't think we made it to the temple for ward temple night any of the last few months. While it is a good idea and I still would like to try it, it just didn't work out. I think if I get Francisco in on it, it might work out better. Then we can remind each other, and make sure we are both free that night to make it happen. 

4. Decrease the amount of sugar in our diets. We eat too much sugar. I used to not think this was a very big deal because we eat a lot of healthy things too, but I think it  is too much and we need to figure out some alternative snacks that aren't so sugar-packed.
Despite Christmas, and Halloween treats, I think I have done okay with this goal. I have made an effort to buy "healthier" snacks. Luke now eats frozen go-gurts (called ice cream yogurt) instead of a scoop of ice cream. I rarely have fruit snacks and pop tarts now and when we do have them, the box lasts a lot longer! (They used to be staples in our kitchen). I buy less Nutella and oreos. So far, so good. I do think we can do better though! 

5. Increase the amount of beans/legumes that we eat. I've been working on this for a while and haven't had a lot of success. Just need to do it.
I have done better with this goal as well. I made a lentil gumbo that was so good and we eat quite a few black beans. I am trying to have one bean based meal a week. Beans are yummy!

6. Spend more quality time with my husband. Now that school is back in session for him, we need to make time for each other. I got really excited today about some of the silly dates I read about on thedatingdivas blog.
You know, we have done this, just not in the way I originally intended. We have not gone out on a lot of dates, but I do feel closer to him now than when I made this goal. So, goal completed I guess! Although, we should go on more dates too!

7. Make time for me. Whether it's to read a book, make some crafts, or try something new, I want to have hobbies that are for me, so that I don't lose myself in motherhood.
This goal I have done well at! I got to make a few crafts/decorations for the holidays (just finished a wreath for my door that is for the rest of the year), read a few books (or at least started to read a few books) and have really gotten into cooking. I got a new cookbook for Christmas (Our Best Bites) which has some really good recipes in it! and I have found it to be really satisfying to create a beautiful healthy meal for my family. (I haven't made Hamburger Helper in a really long time!)

8. Open up and let people get to know me better. I want to share my thoughts and opinions, my likes and dislikes. I tend to put up a wall and don't get to close to people, but I think that the more I open up, the deeper and more meaningful my relationships with others will become.
I have made a conscious effort with this goal. I have decided to tell more stories, show more emotion, try not to act so perfect. I do think this has made a difference in my relationships. I didn't do this all the time. Actually a lot of the time I forgot. but sometimes, I would remember and I would start talking. My sister in law actually mentioned that my voice didn't seem as "high-pitched" as it used to. I just realized I think it was because I was trying to be more "real" with my family. I don't know if that was the case or if she really had just gotten used to my voice, but maybe. I will continue practicing being "real".

As for my new goals:

9. I will dedicate at least 1 hour a week (on Tuesday) to reading a Continuing Education Unit eligible article for Dietetics. I am pretty far behind on my CEUs so I've got to start doing them if I want to keep my license. I've already read most of an article.

10. As previously mentioned, wake up everyday before the boys. I have my alarm set for 7:30 am which used to be about 30-45 minutes before the boys got up. Well, I have also made an effort to put the boys to bed earlier. Therefore, Sammy has been getting up earlier (but Luke has thankfully been getting more sleep). So now, Sam is waking me up at about 7 each morning, but I have been trying to read the scriptures while cuddling with him each morning. It isn't perfect, but it works.

Good luck to all of you who have made new and hopefully lasting goals for 2013!

-Emily

Epitome of Motherhood

I wanted to share the last 30 minutes of my life so that people who are not mothers might understand what a mother does and those of you who are mothers will relate, I'm sure.

--3:40pm: Luke helps me put a load of laundry into the washer. He makes sure to add the soap next to the water so that it washes better.

--3:45pm: Sam wakes up from his very short afternoon nap. He wakes up grumpy. He wants to be held. I give him his medicines (both for reflux). I tell him he is not allowed to eat until 4:15.

--I set Sam down and go get my shoes from my closet. I HAVE to get the garbage out of the apartment. He slowly and dramatically cries and crawls toward me. I pick him up again and cuddle him for a minute. Set him down next to ALL the toys in the middle of the hallway.

--I tell Luke I am going to take the trash out. I say "You should go look out the window and I will wave to you! I need to stay in the house because someone needs to watch Sammy." (I know that if I don't say this, he will either want to come with me or lock me out of the house!)

-- I go out. Sam starts bawling. Screaming like he is being tortured. I race as fast as I can to the dumpster and almost forget to wave to Luke! I wave and make a goofy face before racing up the stairs to comfort the poor hysterical baby.

-- I pick him up. I calm him down by dancing and bouncing him to the music playing (Taylor Swift Pandora)

-- Set him down again so that I can get out some chicken from the freezer to defrost.

-- Done with that. Pick him up again.

--Eat some of Luke's "food" he made. which is actually toys in a rubbermaid container. I gobble it up! Share some with Sammy. Then give it back to Luke and tell him it is so yummy, but it's frio! and needs to be warmed up! He's happy.

--Chicken needs to be turned over. Still holding Sam. Flip the chicken breasts with a fork and only one hand. Let Sammy push the start button.

--Dance with Sammy some more.

***

--Wipe up the food left over from lunch on Sam's high chair. (Still holding Sam) Needs  two trips to the sink for rinsing before all the food is gone.

--Put Sam in the highchair. Give him a cracker. It is 4:10pm.

--Sit down for approximately 1 minute to write this blog post before I forget it all when Sam decides he needs something else. Get Sam a cheese stick.

--Write this blog post. You could say I was listening to lovely music while writing. This is true, but not the truth. I was really listening to Sam scream for the majority of it. Finally decide that Sam really needs my help so I take him to the couch with a sippy of milk. We cuddle. I brush some crumbs from his feet and pants. His tear stained face breaks my heart. I wonder why he is so upset and hope he will feel better after drinking milk (since he didn't really eat any of his previous snack).

Currently the boys are playing together in the living room. Sam is squealing. Happily? maybe. At least he's not screaming!

Oh! Here comes my whining baby! and the process continues. Motherhood.

***This was the point at which I was interrupted by Sam's screaming!

-Emily

Sam is walking

I love how cuddlely my little Sam is. He truly enjoys giving hugs and kisses. I say "besito" which means little kiss and he will smack his cheek against my lips. I've read there are all these different kinds of ways to show love (verbal, touch, actions). Sam is definitely the touch type and I love it. Luke on the other side loves being held, but if you rub him or something he will say: "I don't like that".

My kids are the best : )

Sam

Luke 3yr old video.

Dallas Traffic Laws

I love Dallas for many many reasons. It is beautiful and hip and busy. People are friendly and polite (in person). I feel pretty cool when I tell people that I live in Dallas. It's a cool place to live. There are a lot of activities and things to do.

One thing I don't love, however, is driving. I've never been one to enjoy driving. If someone else wants or is able to drive, I typically let them. I like to relax while in the car and I am unable to do that when I'm driving. Especially in Dallas.

I've put together a small list of rules that Dallas drivers seem to follow pretty religiously. These rules, while unspoken and unwritten until today, are quickly learned it seems by any regular driver on Dallas highways.

1. Go as fast as you possibly can while on the freeway. Most of the time, the fastest possible speed is less than 60mph (the current speed limit) because there are just too many cars on the road, so no one is really breaking the state laws. However, if there is ever a break in traffic, cars will speed around you at unsightly speeds. Literally as fast as they can go until they have to slow back down for the next traffic jam a few miles ahead. It's ridiculous.

2. If another car puts their blinker on to switch over into your lane, speed up and get ahead of them. Always. It doesn't matter how much room there is or was when they put their blinker on. You must speed up.

3. Because people speed up when you put your blinker on, don't use your blinker. This is the only way you can change lanes without getting people worked up about getting in front of you.

4. Don't stress about traffic laws because the cops are too busy dealing with accidents and don't have time to pull anyone over.

5. Use your phone, talk, text, whatever. Doesn't matter how much traffic you're navigating through; phone usage is perfectly acceptable.

6. Traffic lights. The colors mean different things here! Yellow means the same as green. A newly red light means you can still go through because you know there is that 2 second lag between your red light and the opposing street's green light.

7. Never let anyone in, ever. Merging is just ridiculous here.


Rush hour is ALL day and all night. Literally. There is never a time when the streets are even close to deserted. Real rush hour is probably between 7 and 10 am and 3 and 7 pm. During these times, you might as well not go to wherever you need to be because you won't get there.

I apologize for complaining. Like I said, Dallas is awesome, but along with every place there are some things are are left to be desired. My advice, just drive as little as possible. Do not follow these rules, listen to some happy uplifting music while in the car and pray that Heavenly Father will protect you while on the road.

Happy driving! (I thank God that people don't drive in the snow here! Oh it would be horrific!)

-Emily

October Sillys

Just wanted to post some fun pictures that you may or may not have seen yet! 

 Sam got away from us and we thought he was just so cute naked! 

 Love his crazy hair! We've already cut it a few times but I will be sad when he grows up and loses the baby fluff.

HALLOWEEN:

We did a fairy-tale theme and had a lot of fun with it!  

 Our best family shot. I guess the boys were a little distracted!

Luke even won "cutest costume" at our ward trunk or treat! I was very proud of him and I think he totally deserved it! I just wish he would have liked to hold his fire stick that I made for him. It  was pretty cool but he thought it got in the way. 

Our Halloween started on Friday the 26th with our ward trunk or treat. It was great. Lots of friends and food. Luke got a pretty good candy stash too. The next day we got to have a dental school activity at the park where we ate hot dogs and carved a pumpkin. It's funny because the only people who came were either dog owners or families with kids! There are a lot of dental students with dogs! I guess it's the cool thing. Saturday night we hosted a small costume poker night. Everyone brought a bag of candy which we used as bets. It was fun to play and goof-off. I (Em) totally won and had a HUGE bowl of candy at the end, so I generously shared my winnings with everyone. (I kept the good candies for myself though!!!) I made caramel apples for the party and they were so yummy! Halloween was on a Wednesday and I had a pretty  bad cold so we missed playgroup. Sam had a doctor's appointment in the afternoon. Then, we went to another ward's trunk or treat for a chili dinner. We didn't stay long, but it was good to go do something on Halloween.

Overall it has been a pretty great fall! I did most of the things on my bucket list. We were only missing the corn maze, pumpkin patch stuff because I couldn't find one close to us! They were all like an hour away! Oh well. Maybe we will find a good one next year.