Not Acceptable!!!

Ok I apologize for my months of not blogging. Facebook is so quick and convenient!!! I am now going to put into my phone calendar so I will blog once a week!!! There is so much going on and I want all to join in with us!!! Wednesday evenings will be my day to blog so be on the lookout!!

Campout

Right before Emi had her tonsils out the girls had wanted to have a campout (cooking outside over a fire). So we finally got around to doing after. The other night Jason built a fire and we cooked hot dogs over the fire and I cooked crinkle cut fries. For dessert we had the ultimate....S'MORES!!!! We had a blast!! If you're ever wanting a fun time stop by our place!

The spread. (not much!)


The girls roasting their hot dogs with dad!

Typical Asian Pose from Kaida and the smoke is blowing in Emi's eyes since she decided to stand right where the fan was blowing the smoke, Duh!

Emi enjoying the finished product!!

Kaida enjoying the finished product!!

What a delicious mess!!

Watch out for Chieko!!!

Chieko trying to make sense of it all!

Chieko just looking content and cute!

Ride 'em cowgirl! Oops I mean catgirl!

Designer Dinner

So this was our dinner tonight-hot dogs (the girls had cheese dogs, we had chili cheese dogs) and tater tots (and not shown butternut squash and green beans)!!! What do you think?

I think I'll be paying for this one later...darn it, what was I thinking?!!!

Auntie Darlene

Well my parents left on Thursday and the girls were/are quite disheartened. They have been having lots of fun with Maca and Paca. We got home and it was pity party time for the girls until a huge package arrived. One of my dear friends from elementary (we didn't go to the same elementary but met in the summer during elementary-a whole other post!) Darlene had sent the girls a package!!! In the box each girl had a bag filled with WAY COOL stuff. She always thinks of the girls and is most generous.

Opening the package!!!!


Kaida having fun in the box!!



Emi loving on her new penguin.



This cute little puppy barks and walks.



Emi is absolutely enthralled by her new waddling, honking penguin. Check out the look on her face. Way too cute!!!



Chieko displaying her finest wadrobe!!!


THANK YOU, THANK YOU
AUNTIE DARLENE!!!!!!

Black Beauty

Well we finally did it. We got a mini-van!!! WooHoo!!!!! Black Beauty is a 2008 Toyota Sienna. I found her on the net at a dealership about half hour away. I called and asked if the mini-vans they were showing online were still on the lot and for sale. There were 2-2008's one silver, one black and 2-2006's. For some reason the 2006's just weren't even an option for me. Anyways they said they were so Jason and I decided we better head down sooner rather than later as they were priced well. I called my sister in law to see if she could watch the kids and so couldn't so I called our cute little babysitter and she and her sister had Explorers so they couldn't so I then called my in-laws. My father in-law was a little hesitant but then said they would come. They got here and we cleaned the car up a tad and then left. Kaida really wanted to go with us and Jason explained to her that it was probably going to be a long time and really boring and not fun. (He is excellent about explaining things very thoroughly to the girls) She still wanted to come so we let her. We left about 6:45pm. We got down there and met the guy I spoke to on the phone. He went to grab the keys of the vans and came right back saying the silver one had JUST been sold. Darn it!! That was the color I was hoping for. Oh well, let's check out the black then. Chieko and I took her for a drive while Jason and Kaida stayed back. (we didn't want to deal with the carseat at this point) We came back and then the games began. They tried to give us a lower price for the Mazda and crazy high financing rate when we both had super good credit. We fought or shall I say challenged them on both and won!!! Hurray. Well the whole process took a while and by the time we got home it was 11:30 pm. Poor Kaida she was tired but ohhh was she a good girl (Chieko too!!). We got lots of compliments on both the girls and how well behaved they were. Anywhow we now have reliable comfortable transportation that holds EVERYONE!!! Hip Hip Hurray!!! I am so happy!!!!Black Beauty welcome to the family, I hope we have you around for a loooooong, looooooong time and that we have lots of fun with you!!!!

The Movies

Yesterday we decided to take the girls to see Alien vs. Monsters. They girls hadn't eaten lunch uet so I whipped up some shells and cheese to take. And since Emi is not allowed to eat things that are scratchy (no popcorn) I packed little snack bags for the girls. I put in a package of fruit snacks, a couple big marshmallows, a cookie a lollipop and a bag of m&ms. (Yes I know a tons of junk) They ended up only eating the shells and cheese (Emi ate almost her whole container) and m&ms. Chieko did fabulous. I was expecting her to wake up at some point during the movie so I had her unstrapped and had my little apron on so the whole movie theatre wouldn't see the milk jugs. She never really woke up, she stirred a bit and I got her out before she could make a peek (just to be on the safe side). The movie was cute and we had a good time. I think I will pack snack bags from now on. If they want popcorn I will either pop it at home and bring it in or use coupons we get from our MovieWatchers card. This will save us quite a bit probably enough to pay for 2 tickets for a movie on another day!!!!

Music

The night before last I had gotten up to feed Chieko and came into the living room (as usual). Next thing I know music starts playing from the computer. Jason has a remote on his iPhone that he can use to control the iTunes on our computer. Well cutie patootie Jason put on 4 or 5 of my favorite songs for me to listen to. How cute is that?!!!

Now that's SEXY!!!

I don't post enough about the great things my husband does for me (and he does a whole heck of a lot!!) and I need to so I am going to start!!! This morning Jason started cleaning which got me going. Jason unloaded and loaded the dishwasher and did a few other things. I mentioned the entry floor was pretty nasty. Next thing I know I see him on his hands and knees cleaning it and then part of the dining room floor. All I can say is I'm not sure if there is anything much SEXIER than your man down on his hands and knees cleaning the floor!!!

A Dream

A few weeks back on Pink Friday (as they call it) I was "Pink Slipped." Of course I was expecting one as I am one of 5 teachers who were hired this year so of course they had to, I am super low man on the totem pole. It came certified mail and I had to sign for it. I have been in contact with the union and went to a meeting with a lawyer regarding the whole process. Tomorrow all those who received a pink slip and went through some the process of asking for a hearing have a date to appear before a judge and plead our case. Last night I dreamt I got a letter in the mail stating my name was taken off the list and that I was safe. Late this morning the phone rang and since I was feeding Chieko and being lazy, I didn't get up to get it. I asked Kaida to bring me my cell but by the time she did they had hung up. While Kaida was bringing me the phone I was telling Jason about the dream. When I looked at the caller ID it said Mt View School District. I called back but since it was the general line they didn't know who had called. I then waited to see if they would leave a message and they did. It was the HR department calling me to tell me I was safe and that my name had been removed from the RIF (reduction in force) list that I didn't need to attend the hearing tomorrow and that I should get my official letter stating that tomorrow and that my principal will have it as well. WOWZERS!!!! What a blessing!! Not only that I will have a job but also that I won't have to go sit all day waiting for my turn to appear! I'm telling ya the Lord watches out for us. If we do our part he does His.

Sold

When we got home yesterday Jason did more research and looked over the papers they gave us yesterday real thorough. Things weren't adding up the way he liked. Also we felt they could give us a better deal on either the trade-in of the Mazda, the price of the van or both so we left. Well the van we were looking at yesterday and were mostly likely going back to get is now SOLD. I know things happen for a reason so I just have to have faith we will come upon a better deal altogether.

Almost

Since we don't all fit in one car it becomes difficult to go anywhere. I am one who likes to just get up and go. This has caused me lots of stress as I can't!! Jason has been doing lots of research on the net on minivans and we have narrowed it down to the...(drumroll please) Toyota Sienna. We went and looked and test drove today (even though I didn't need to). We came very close to buying a year old one but decided to wait. The price was pretty good but we felt it could go down even more and we didn't like what they were going to give us for the Mazda. So we opted to wait and check a few other places out. They gave us paperwork and said the price would stay put for everything so if we decided to come back we wouldn't have to mess around again. Luckily Jason knows his stuff and cuts through all the crap and tells them like it is and so didn't have any long waiting periods!! We will be looking for the best deal and probably be getting something this week, at least I hope so!!

Dead Dryer

In September our dryer died and so we went to Costco and got a new one. Yesterday I switched the laundry from the washer to dryer and then went to start it and tried to turn over but nothing. So I fidgeted with the dial but still nothing. CRAP!! I called for Jason to see if he had any magic tricks he could try but he couldn't either. I ended up calling Whirpool and they scheduled for a technician to come out on Monday between 1-5. In the meantime we hung up the towels in the garage and when they are dry we will have to hang up the girls clothes that are in the washer. UGHHHH. Oh well such is life. I am thankful that it is still under warranty and won't have to pay for the technician to come out nor any parts or labor to have it fixed!! So that far outweighs the inconvenience!!!!

Progress

It has been a busy few days since Emi's surgery. Between helping her and taking car or the baby I haven't had the "umph" to post. And to top it all of I started classes at CSU LA on Thursday.

Well Emi's surgery was a success. The doctor said her adenoids were the size of another tonsil! The place was amazing. The whole process/experience was one I wish everyone could have. Everyone there was great and things ran VERY smoothly.

We had to be there by 7:15 am. I scooped Emi out of bed and took her in her pjs as they said to bring her in something comfortable. They immediately checked us in and within 10 minutes a nurse was out to ask me a few questions. I went back out and the anesthesiologist came out and spoke to us in a very kid friendly manner. When he said his name I almost started laughing. His name is Dr. Polk but the way he said it sounded like Poke. Then a few minutes later we went back in. The nurse was a cute lady from England and was so sweet with Emi. The ENT doctor came by and said hi and then the anesthesiologist came by and it was time for me to say good bye. She started to cry and he pick her up and carried her one direction and I went the other. The surgery lasted about 45 minutes and then the ENT doctor came out and reported to us how it went. Only a couple minutes after he left the anesthesiologist came out and invited us back to the recovery area. Jason waited with Chieko in the waiting room and I went back. She was still out of it at this point but was stirring/trying to wake up and it was not a pretty sight. She would thrash and cry and then go back to sleep and this kept happening. Before we could leave she had to take a little something by mouth. I texted Jason and let him know her status and he had to go to the bathroom so I went out to relieve him (you know what I mean!!!). Then I had him go baack with her. I stayed out with Chieko but then the nurse came out and said it would be ok if I came back with Chieko so I did. Jason has roused her and had gotten her to eat some of an Otter Pop! That then meant she got to go home!!! We left and poor thing the rest of the day and the next boy was she miserable. (all which is normal for this kind of surgery) She wouldn't swallow and so the saliva would pool in her mouth. We had to force her to take her medicine and drink/take anything by mouth. Poor Jason had to get real stern with her so it would be less of a fight!! Well yesterday she was feeling a little better and would ask to eat things and then did!!! She ate banana, popsicles, jell-o, yogurt, sherbet and go figure, peanut butter!! She also drink quite a bit which was great. Today she has been eating real well. She currently is eating mac and cheese. So some good progress is being made!

This morning Emi was up first and while I was feeding Chieko she was rustling in the kitchen. Next thing I know she calls for me. I go and find this!!!!



She had made me breakfast!! A peanut butter sandwich with fruit snacks and Nilla wafers with a glass of water!! How cute is that?!!


Later I had put Chieko on this mat on the floor so I could go to the bathroom and when I came out Emi and Chieko were sharing some sweet moments. This is Emi's nasty old holey penguin blanket that you see they are both covered with!! Poor Chieko!! (My camera battery was dead so these were taken on my iPhone hence the quality isn't so great but you get the idea!)










Chieko was ready to be picked up but Emi thought she needed her own blanket to feel better so she went and got the blanket my mom made for her! Cute and sweet girls!!

Friends

I am so thankful for good friends. Whether they be family or otherwise. I had only told one person down here that Emi was having surgery due to the quickness of it all. So on Wednesday a friend called our house and then my cell saying she heard Emi was having surgery. (I didn't pick up due to all the craziness!) She wanted to let us know she was thinking about us and to call if she could do anything. Now mind you she has 4 kids of her own the youngest is 3 months older than Chieko. I didn't call back and next then I know I get a text from her and then she calls. I was a little crazy trying to get Emi to take her meds, listening to her whine, listening to poor Kaida and thinking she is not getting enough attention, thinking about school, feeding the baby, etc, etc. She then tells me she wants to bring dinner tomorrow night. Here I am in my mini-pity party and a friend steps right in! Then one of my friends from up north sends me a text checking in on Emi. She always thinks of my girls and is so thoughtful and generous. It is the little things like this that make aware that God does watch over us and use other people to help us. It things like this that make life so sweet. It is acts of kindness like this that make one get through any kind of hard time and renew one's faith in humanity. It is things like this that make you count your blessings and make sure in there you have counted in your friends.

Thank you friends for all you do/have done for me!!

I love you!!!

Poor Emi and Kaida

The other day Emi was outside with the chickens and ended up stepping on a nail that went through her shoe and punctured her foot. She was fine for awhile and then the pain set in. She was limping at first and then couldn't put any pressure on it at all after. Boy did she milk it. Daddy got her all propped up in the recliner with her foot wrapped up with a towel that had ice in it. There she sat eating her dinner and calling for this and that. She was a little upset that she couldn't walk I helped her think of a solution. We talked about people who can't walk and what they do. She came up with I could put her in the wagon and the stroller!! I said those were great ideas and would work for outside but what about inside the house? Then she put her index finger in the air and said I know, I know I can crawl!!! So crawling it was! But whenever we went anywhere she had to be carried. It didn't slow her down for long. She is now on the mend and is just slightly limping.

Now on to her next "wo is me." Emi has always had HUGE tonsils (in my opinion) and been a little bit of a snorer and jerker when she sleeps. As she has gotten older/bigger it has become more pronounced and she has been walking up more much than when she was little. I starting thinking about her genes and that it could be something genetic as Jason and his dad have diagnosed Sleep Apnea and CPAP machines. So when she had her 4 year check up I had that on my list of things to ask about. The doctor said he thought they were a little large but that he would send us to an ENT who is more versed in that area. I made an appt (man this is when I love being off-when you get to say to the receptionist any day and any time is fine!!) and she was seen. He sent her for X-Rays to get the whole pic which we did as soon as we left his office. I called for a follow-up appt and we went and saw him this past Monday. He looked at the Radiologist's report and said her tonsils and adenoids were signifcantly enlarged which was consistent with the snoring, waking up, etc. He suggested getting them removed. I said "okay, let's do it. How long before it could done?" (I wanted to get it done before I go back to work so Jason doesn't have to deal with it, plus we still don't have a car to fit us all.) He said he does surgeries on Wednesdays and that as soon as the insurance approved it they would schedule us in. On Thursday I called the insurance and they said it was "in review." I called on Friday and they said it was approved. I immediatelt called the ENT to let them know. Well long story story she will have her adenoids and tonsils removed this coming Wednesday!!! Monday we go for a pre-op appt and lab work and then Wednesday morning will be the big day!!

Now little Kaida had dental work done in November and I noticed a few weeks ago that it looked like it hadn't been done so I called the pediatric dentist. They informed me I needed to get a new referral whch first meant I had to go to the regular dentist. We went and he wanted to do it. Luckily the receiptionist said that I wanted to go to a pediatric dentist. (He was a little rough when he worked on me.) So we went and it ends up the fillings came out so they have to be re-done. Lovely. Poor child. Lucky for her she got another stuffed animal dog (last time they gave her a dalmation dog-very nice quality one) and a balloon. She didn't mind and associates the dentist with good stuff!! So on Tuesday morning she has to go in to get those taken care of. They also happen to be the 2 front teeth. I can just see her with some gold bling caps on those 2 teeth and her loving every minute of it!!!

So this will be one busy week but I am glad I can schedule all these appointments while I am off so I can be with them.

An AWESOME surprise!!!!

I went out to check the mail and balancing on our fence was a package. I figured it was from my parents but boy was I WRONG!!!! I looked at the writing and quickly noted it wasn't either of my parents. I picked up the package and looked at the return label and it was from (are you ready for this??????? CHIEKO OKAZAKI!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am still in shock and teary eyed. (For those of you who don't know who Chieko is I will post about her later tonight-she needs her OWn posting to even try to do her a little justice!!!.) Before I had the 2 bigger girls open the package I HAD to take a picture of it with its labels and such! So the 2 older girls opened it and much to their surprise she had thought of them as well. She sent them each a book. They are already enjoying them!! For baby Chieko she sent 2 DARLING outfits in 2 different sizes (that's a smart woman if you ask me!!) also enclosed there was a very very sweet note. I have made copies of it and then am putting it in the fire/waterproof safe to keep it in good condition for Chieko until she can appreciate and treasure it. What a sweet woman! She has always been high on my list and now she has just outdone herself!!! What a blessing to have good women in our lives. At this point I am speechless, I don't know what I can say to actually have one understand how I feel about this
woman. What a wonderful surprise, it has made my day...no week....no month!! I am in HEAVEN!!! What a blessed woman I am, truly blessed.

The girls opening the package.....

and revealing the marvelous contents!!!!!

Super cute outfits for baby Chieko (does she have good taste or what?!!)

and totally awesome book picks for the other girls!!
How thoughtful!!


Emi thoroughly enjoying the new book!!!


Thank you, thank you Chieko!!!!
We love you!!!!!!

Eat Hearty & Give the House a Good Name

My cute Grandpa Burke used to say this all the time and was one of the quotes that struck with me. Maybe because the 2 of us had/have a love for eating and the bellies to show for it!! And it was also one thing he was always proud about-that I would try anything and eat hearty and allowed me to do so!!

Now enough about the name of the post and on to why I am posting!!

Last week there were some super good deals on meat at the local store so I stocked up. I bought meat for carne asada (which I marinated and then bbq'ed and came out fabulous) and the I bought ground beef and 2 cross rib roasts. This was kinda brave and daring for me as I have never cooked up any of those meats except of course ground beef. And although they were on sale for a great price they weren't free so I could have easily messed them up!!!

Well I got on the internet and search for quite awhile looking for recipes. I finally settled on a few. The carne asada was a success so I proceeded on to the rib roast. I used this fabulous pan my parents got for me that is large and has a long handle (I have been using it ALL the time since I got it, Thanks mom and dad!!). The recipe called for you to cook it for one hour leave it in the oven sealed (don't open the oven AT ALL) for 3 hours then turn the oven back on for anohter 30-40 minutes. Well roast number one came out pretty darn good. Today I made roast number 2 with a few minor alternations and it was WAY better!!! I am very excited!! Not only did the roast come out great but at the request of my husband I used the drippings to make gravy. I have only attempted to make gravy one other time and it was a huge flop so I was VERY nervous. Well, lo and behold I did it and it wasn't too shabby for a novice!!! I have to say I am quite proud of myself, so proud I had to post about it. I started and finished late and should be sleeping but had to boast for a few minutes!!!

The super yummy meat!!!! Yes mom I put whole cloves of garlic in it!!!

Is your mouth watering yet?

(Please notice the beautiful counters my parents helped me to clean and that I am now maintaining on my own, WOO HOO!!!)


So everyone...............

Eat Hearty & Give the House a Good Name!!!!!

A garden!!!!!

Jason suggested we have a garden. We planted some things last summer but then moved so we didn't get to reap any of the rewards. We had some reconfiguring to do with the chicken area so Jason took that on. The chickens now have less room but it will actually work in their benefit as we will be keeping them in more of the shade (down here is HOT during the summer). At night (and other times) the chickens go in the other part of their area which is......a covered hot tub!! My in-laws have a hot tub that they haven't used in years and it is covered by this beautiful gazebo kind of thing Jason's grandpa made, very Japanese looking and with Shoji. He does beautiful work. So we put it to use for the chickens. The hot tub has a cover so they have a roaming area there along with their nesting boxes. Well Jason has it all fixed up and it looks great!! The girls and I spent an afternoon of mixing in some dirt to augment what we had and then we planted our seeds that they helped me pick out. So we should have onions, carrots, lots of lettuce, cantaloupe, watermelon, crookneck squash, scallop looking squash and tons of tomatoes. I will take some pictures today and post. Of course nothing has come up yet but you will get the idea!!!

PS We have also ordered some baby chicks that will come in May. We are very excited!!!

Chow Hound and more!!

I knew Chieko was having a little growth spurt as she no longer can wear her preemie clothes but I wasn't expecting this much!!!

Chieko had a check up on Thursday and has packed on some serious height and weight. We went in 2 weeks ago and since then she has gained 1 pound 6 ounces and grew 1 3/4 inches!! WooHoo!!! Grow baby grow!!!So her new stats as of Thursday 3/19 are:

19 3/4 inches long
7 pounds 4 ounces

Enjoying the swing!!! (Most recent pic taken this morning)

First bath..drying off in the towel Mari (my fabulous aide at work gave her)

Big sis Kaida holding her. Kaida is fantastic holding Chieko and can hold her for long periods of time and is to comfort her by giving her her pacifier or patting her and singing to her if she ever starts to fuss (which is rare-only when she is hungry or gassy)

Emi loves to smother Chieko with loves-hugs and kisses abound in our home-sometimes a little too much and I need to remind her to give her some space!!

I am grateful for a beautiful family who loves each other and for everyone being so helpful and understanding. We don't have a car that fits everyone so many times one or two girls have to be left behind. The big girls have been very sweet about saying things such as "that's ok mommy I'll wait here for you." My husband is a great guy who helps out a lot and will willingly stay home with them and make things fun for them while at home. Thanks everyone for being so helpful, understanding and cooperative!!

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!

Whatever It Is

I am on a Zac Brown Band "Whatever It Is" kick. I not only love his voice and love the words of the song but also the music just makes me feel happy (in other words you could take away the words and the music would do it for me as well). If you haven't heard it yet, I hope you enjoy it as well.


**So the video was working and then they did something with it on Youtube so I took it off. But please find somewhere to listen to it. Sweet jam!!!