Happy Days at the San Diego Zoo

To celebrate Hyrum's 3rd birthday, we decided to take him to the San Diego Zoo. Layne had bought us tickets for my birthday in September, but it didn't go well. Layne hurt his back lifting Hyrum out of the hotel tub and we never made it to the Zoo. I'm glad we were finally able to use the tickets! 

Our happy family (with my new leg brace)

We rented a scooter for me and I had a great time zipping around. I'm walking better but my stamina, especially in traversing this enormous zoo, wasn't up to the task.

Hyrum loves his Daddy!

They were having so much fun together.

The gorillas were so fun to watch. I think Hyrum liked them best.

If there's anything I love, it's a good cuddle with my boy.

There is no end to his cuteness.

If the characters aren't Disney, Hyrum fears them apparently. He hid as soon as we got close to these adorable creatures.

The most popular exhibit was the Pandas. Word of advice, visit them first thing or wait in a crazy long line. We visited them early and were glad we did. They are beautiful.

 A visit to San Diego isn't complete without a stop at Extraordinary Desserts. We found it on one of our first trips there thanks to some great advice from a concierge at the Grand Hyatt. Their menu changes every time, so it can be hit or miss, but they always have amazing choices. Layne's absolute favorite is the Pavlova. It really is amazing. They didn't have it this time, so Layne passed, but Hyrum and I indulged.

Can't go wrong with Creme Brulee

Hyrum loved his hot fudge sundae

Happy Thought: San Diego is definitely one of our happy places, especially cause we get to do it together. Going on Saturday, May 27th, was a great start to Happy Hyrum Day (occuring yearly on May 31st!).

Father's Day ala Layne

I'm a planner. I plan. And when it comes to loving the people in my life, I plan WAY ahead of time. Such was the case with Father's Day. Mid May I snagged Les Miserable tickets for Layne at the Sergerstrom Center in OC. It's his fav and it was only there for two weeks. And after how Layne spoiled me on Mother's Day, I had to step up. Layne's Mom and sister, Lovey, were to go with him. Last minute Layne decided he didn't want to go without me (I had tried to save money by only buying him a ticket), so he called the box office and secured another ticket. Awwww. What a sweet husband. 

Me and Layne at Les Mis.

Lovey, Mom, Layne and me (l - r). 

Of course it didn't end there. When we got back we took Layne, his Mom and Dad to Casa Gamino, Layne's favorite restaurant. We got a babysitter for Hyrum, Layne's sweet niece, Madison. Then Layne and I ran a couple errands and went to Golf n' Stuff on a Groupon I got. $15 bought us two rounds of golf, 8 tokens and 2 ride tickets (we did the go karts). It's a pretty cool place and much nicer than I thought it would be. We had a great time. It's also where they filmed the first Karate Kid movie, course the water slide is gone now. We also stopped for frozen yogurt.

On Sunday, Layne got some tasty meals and I gave him The Continuous Atonement by Brad Wilcox and a solar charger for nearly any electrical device including cell phones and cameras - another Groupon steal (only $30, originally $60). Hyrum drew him a picture and made a picture frame for him in nursery - and of course gave him lots of kisses.

Hyrum and Daddy. How cute are they!

Happy Thought - Layne felt loved and I, like every day of my life, thoroughly enjoyed loving him! Marriage and being a parent is so great. This really is my new happy.

Best Husband EVER

I'm spoiled. I admit it. And I LOVE that I have my husband to blame. This Mother's Day was another fine example. Saturday our church spoiled us with a Mother's Day Brunch. They brought in the most wonderful ladies to give us facials, massages and manicures, plus lunch. Then my husband took me to dinner at the Guppy Tea House (sooo yummy) and to see the Avengers (great movie). 

After church on Sunday my sweet Hyrum ran up to me with a bag full of his drawings, a card and a lovely picture frame. My favorite part was the sweet kisses and Hyrum saying, "Happy Mother's Day!" He's never done that before.

Then Layne gave me a gift certificate for Color Me Mine, a personal favorite of mine where you get to paint pottery. I was thrilled with that. THEN he gave me a gift certificate for an hour facial with a hand and foot massage. THEN he gave me a 2-lb box of my favorite See's chocolates. THEN he gave me this wonderful, heartfelt poem he wrote himself!

This is also the same man who took tender care of me this last year, even helping me to shower and get dressed in the first few months. Feed me, help get me to and from work in Irvine while he worked full time in Carson (45 minutes apart) and attended classes at CSULB where he is pursuing his administrative certificate. He's a Dean of Students (Vice Principal) now at a charter school and hopes to be a principal. AND took care of Hyrum, all the housework and all the meals. AND even flew in my mother when I cried and told him I needed her.

Happy Thoughts: I was worried my illness might cause him to resent me. It's done the opposite. He's told me that he loves me more deeply BECAUSE he's had to care for me. And I feel the same. I know I can trust him to be there for me. This man stands a very good chance of making all my dreams come true, and I'm the lucky girl who's married to him. Somebody pinch me! But gently. I bruise.

Job Perks

I am having the best time at my new job. Yesterday I got to drive a fully-loaded 2013 Infiniti M. And I mean FULLY loaded. Leather, cooled/heated seats, four different modes on the transmission (snow, eco, standard and sport) and so much more. I had it on sport most of the time cause that's how you treat a V8 engine with this much horsepower. I can't remember the last time I've yelled WAHOOOO getting on the freeway. Beyond automatic climate control, there's this button with little trees on it. You push that and it adjusts the AC to a gentle forest breeze - just because it can.

I picked up Layne from work with it and took him to lunch. He works in Carson and I work in Long Beach just a block from the beach - very close, maybe 15 minutes. We went to Shakey's because I was only borrowing a $67-thousand-dollar car. We don't actually own one. It was wonderful to see him in the middle of the day like that. I am so in love with my husband. And this car was SOOO much fun to drive.

It gets better. Today we presented the Subaru XV Crosstrek print brochure to the client. It went really well and both the art director and I got lots of compliments from our creative directors. It was my first full vehicle launch here, my first real chance to show my writing chops. AND it is going REALLY well. High fives all around man - seriously. The art director and I exchanged high fives after. Cause we're that cool.

Happy Thought - I'm so happy! Things are going so well for me here. I couldn't be more surprised or more pleased. It's really rewarding to love what you do and be appreciated for it. I'm really trying to enjoy this and savor this sweet moment. It may not come around again and I want to remember this.

Shoes From Heaven

I came home from work Thursday to find a box from DSW. I hadn't ordered anything, so I was surprised and very curious. Thinking someone had made a mistake, I opened it to find a shoe box that read,  "Surprise! You've been SHOE STRUCK." DSW hit me with a random act of shoes!

Inside I found a $50 gift card, a t-shirt and two totes with $20 off $50 to be used in store, which I've already given to two good friends. How did I do it? I honestly don't know. I frequent the store and especially their Facebook page. I know they occasionally give out shoes to fans and I guess I was one of the lucky ones.

Here's the one's I picked out (Sadly, heels are still out of the question because I can't walk in them.):

These are Bobs from Skechers. You buy a  pair and  then they give a pair to  needy kids - kinda like Toms. And Yes, pink glitter was completely necessary.

These are super cute too. Not sure they'll stay on my feet though as I'm still having trouble walking, but here's hoping!

Happy Thought: I seem to be on a role lately with lovely things happening to me. Here's to enjoying what you have and the happy surprises along the way.

Proof that when Mama's happy, everyone's happy.

I came. I saw. And it WASN'T double!!!!

Happy Easter!

I'm happy to report that my double vision has cleared up. I had another 5-day IVIG treatment, which helped, but it had gotten better even before that. I was afraid it would stay longer since last time it took six months to totally clear up. This time it was only two and a half weeks!

I celebrated by driving myself to work today. Very liberating. AND when I got home I took Hyrum to the Dollar Tree to shop for Easter candy. We had so much fun. He let me put these ears on him and called it his bunny costume. Now if I could just get him to hop.

HAPPY THOUGHT: It's improving! I'm walking better and now I can drive again. Maybe I really am going to be ok.

If I were a car, I'd be a lemon

Started my new job and I LOVE it! Great people, good environment, phenomenal commute (15 - 20 minutes tops) and the work is interesting (Subaru). Monday evening (my second week on the job) I noticed my vision going to double at long distances. Great! Tuesday it was worse, although I still managed to get myself to and from work. SO scary BTW. Today I carpooled with Layne, my DH and will continue that until my vision returns.

Last week, when I started my right hand went weak and numb. That's better now, so I'm hoping the vision will be better in a week too. Since I work in automotive, I decided that if I were a car, I'd be a lemon. I'm basically a sweet little hotrod, but things just break down on me from time to time.

Happy Thought: I've got another treatment coming up, so that should help and I should have expected some setbacks with the stress of starting a new job. So maybe I'm a lemon with a really bright future. Yeah that's it. Look out world, this lemon is going places! (just very slowly - with a cane - so I don't fall. Double vision messes with your balance.)