First dinner guests

Last night was our first time inviting people over for dinner! Jose's aunt Josie and uncle Jorge, Lindsey, Andrew, Danica and Anastasia (our favorite little girls to spoil). A couple of weekends ago, Jose and I asked to borrow the girls for the day. We took them with us to some model homes, and let them have fun climbing the stairs. They did not forget their stair climbing lesson! That is all they wanted to do! Jose and I had a lot of fun entertaining for the first time!

We've moved in!

We just got our new home hooked up to internet and cable! Finally! It has been a very, very busy 6 days since we got the keys and I’ve been wanting to blog our progress. But since there is so much to say, I think I’ll recap in a few points and then let the pictures do the explaining.

Quick Recap:
1.Rain and moving do not mix (unless you want to stress about new beige carpet and mud on the floors).
2.My husband and Dad can do anything, and they are strong.
3. I am not a good judge of paint samples, and will be living in a bedroom that is not what I wanted. And have two extra cans of Behr Burnt Almond that I decided I didn’t’ want to use downstairs afterall.
4. My husband, dad and I should not quit our day jobs and become painters. However as point 2 suggests, by the 3rd room they proved they can do anything.
5. My mom and Bridgette can clean anything. Really anything. (Even the stove that was so disgustingly dirty that Jose and I decided to buy a new stove instead of trying to clean it. But after 6 hours of my mom cleaning the disgustingly dirty stove, it looked as good as new, and we returned the new stove we had bought. True story.)
6.My body is not in shape to climb stairs 100 times a day. I woke up Day two, three and four barely able to move.
7. I found enough pennies, nickels and dimes in the move that the total amount probably would have paid our down payment.
8. I understood what a goldfish feels like when we didn’t have blinds up for the first 5 days.
9. Target employees and I are on a first name basis, after going at least twice a day for the last 6 days. Which reminds me, I have a third bag of returns to do.
10. We will not have a guest bed for awhile. Mattresses are waaayyy more expensive than I thought. But will still welcome visitors—as long as you are happy with an air mattress!
11. We love our house! Every time I go down the stairs and look around I smile. We have both agreed that it still doesn’t seem real, that we own this home, but it feels more like we have been in a vacation rental with my family (they have been around everyday to help so much! We are so blessed!

Check out this album of pictures to see the before and after process
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2060938&l=ce675&id=68600295

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!

Funding has gone through for our house! Some time tomorrow, not sure when, it is going to be recorded through the county, we will get our keys and be home owners. It feels like we have been waiting for this day for so long. I am so grateful that God has blessed us with this great opportunity!

Couldn't sleep

My mom told me that my grandma asked her if I was having trouble sleeping because I was excited for moving day. I thought that was a little weird because I have slept just fine. Until last night. I don't know, blame in on the fact that my eczema prone skin decided to break out in a rash and itchiness as soon as I laid down. Or it possibly was because our new house is clean and germ free and ready to be lived in. Or maybe it was because we bought our paint last night, and the cans are all lined up waiting to be used. Or the boxes are just waiting to get transported and unpacked. Or that Stephanie was sleeping in our living room and was watching another episode of HGTV Moving Up and I wanted to watch it with her. I really don't know what caused me to be wide awake at 10:30-1:00am (actually a teenie tiny part may have been that Jose was snoring, and he never snores), but it gave me a chance to reminisce about my past birthdays. I started at age 10 and tried remember all my parties. Then I realized Stephanie celebrated three of my birthdays in a row with me, and I had to go tell her (at the same time I went searching for my eczema cream).
19th Birthday- Stephanie went to Santa Maria with me. We went to the drive in, SLO, and Madonna Inn with friends.
20th Birthday- the Ramirez's came to Santa Maria and we had a lobster bbq (SOOOO good)
21st Birthday- Stephanie and my roommates went to San Diego for the weekend.

Oh and in the middle of remembering all my past birthdays (which by the way I was able to do), I started planning my 25th Birthday/Housewarming party- side note: on HGTV First Home, a 39 year old woman was trying to buy her first home by the time she turned 40 so she could have her birthday/housewarming, but HGTV gave her a surprise moving in party and decorated her dining room, which I think is unfair that they will do it for her and not me. Anyway, back to my party. In my insomnia/excited hours I planned that my 25th party will include : appetizers (everyone bring one to share), ice cream sundaes (I have a million ice cream sundae cups in my parents attic that I bought in high school), and the signature drink the MARleneTINI. Yes that is right, while laying in bed I created my own drink. I would like to keep it a surprise until the unveiling at my party (most likely on Saturday, March 7th-mark your calendar), but I'm too excited. So here is the recipe- 7-up, vodka, and cherry and coconut flavored syrups. Shaken, not stirred. Add a cherry to the glass for a nice touch. I did wake Jose up to tell him about the MARleneTINI, but he just kind of grunted, so I went to the living room to tell Steph. She thought it was funny and laughed, but I think she liked the idea. I had to refresh Jose's mind this morning, and I think he liked the idea too.

I forgot to refresh his memory about waking him up another time last night. I had forgot to tell him that when Steph and I were cleaning the downstairs bathroom we noticed that it used to be painted hot pink/magenta. I had to scrub little hot magenta splatters of the mirror, and if you look closely at the screws and the edge of the mirror you see traces of magenta. Since I forgot to tell him, I woke him up at 12:00 to let him know. His response? "I'll pretend you didn't tell me that." But to be fair, he thought I said "I think we should paint the downstairs bathroom hot pink" not "The downstairs bathroom used to be painted hot pink." I'll have to remind him. On second thought, maybe I shouldn't. He may not be happy I woke him up so much, and I don't know if he finished his coffee yet!

All that to say that I had trouble sleeping last night because I am so excited and anxious to get our keys and MOVE IN! Our house is ready for us! My parents and Stephanie helped us sooo much this weekend to clean the place. It smells so good when you walk in now- in a garden fresh, bleachy sort of way. I totally recommend the Clorox disposable toilet bowl cleaner wand. Uh-mazing. I DO NOT recommend Tilex and a scrubbing sponge on base boards unless you want to strip paint. And 100% totally recommend Steph as a cleaning buddy if you want a hard worker and positive support!

Terrible, Horrible, No good, very bad day

Actually it isn't that bad, but I love exaggerating and wanted to use the line from a kids book I used to like.

Anyway, we aren't getting the keys to our new home tomorrow...there is a hold up with escrow (they are waiting on the HOA paperwork. You kidding me? Something that minor?!). The new projected closing date is next Thursday or Friday. If I didn't have a choice, I would say I can't wait another day. I mean there is no room in our tiny place, I cleaned the stove and oven 'til it shines, and we threw away all our food. That means eating out for a week!

You always know there is a possibility that escrow won't close on time, but everything was going perfect, and we were told repeatedly that it would close on time, so imagine our surprise two days before Moving Day! Ugh.

We still love you Chargers.

We just wanted to take a minute to thank all of you for your condolences over the lose of our Charger season. Your concern means a lot. We are hanging in there, and still proudly sport our Charger clothing (by we I mean Jose who recently acquired two new hats, a shirt, and a multitude of Charger signs to decorate the garage).

As for our previously announced Charger Superbowl party in the new home, the plans are being revised. The party may still happen pending the house being in presentable enough shape to show off (if the AFC west division winners were playing our Charger camping chairs would have sufficed as adequate living room furniture). Stay tuned for an official invite.

For now, lets just try to remember the positive aspects of the season. Lets focus on the little 5'6" lightening bug zig zagging down the field, and not criticize him for his lack of zigs and zags this past Sunday.

Moving in three days!

I am getting sooo tired of this

Until I think about this


And all this room!


This morning was more stressful than usual. After a year of living together, our bathroom seemed extra small. It was so hard sharing a little sink, and fighting for mirror space. You would think we would be used to it, but as of today we have had enough! Haha, only three more morning to deal with it!

As far as packing is concerned, we are doing well- though it seems never ending. I can't handle the maze of boxes that is consuming our 600 sq feet!

Happy Birthday Jose!

The best husband in the entire world turned 27 today! I have been blessed to now have shared 3 birthdays with him. It is crazy to think that celebrating his 2006 birthday, I had no idea I would be marrying him. Now only two years later we've already been married a year!

I am so grateful to have him in my life! I can't wait to move into our first home, start a family, and watch him be a dad!

I love you so much Jose! I can't wait to spend another 60 (or more!) birthdays with you!

Stealing from another blog

I read this quote on a blog I have recently discovered and it made me think:

"Sometimes I'd like to ask God why he allows poverty, famine, and injustice in the world when He could do something about it... but I am afraid God might ask me the same question." --Anonymous

The bloggers response to this quote was to make, along with her TEN KIDS, care packages for homeless that they will keep in the car and hand out when they get a chance. Pretty sweet idea.

I realize I talk about reading other people's blogs a lot. I am fascinated and drawn into a few families lives right now-- people I don't even know! Some of them I've included on the side bar on my blog. You should check them out.

CF Husband will celebrate his daughters 1st birthday tomorrow (like Jose!). A year ago his wife was in a coma about to die from CF, and his daughter was born at only 24 weeks gestation! It is a miracle to see how far they've come in this past year.

The mother of 10, adopted her 5th child knowing he had severe facial abnormalities. It is amazing to read her real, honest approach to parenting and adoption. http://smilesandtrials.blogspot.com/

Another couple has suffered six miscarriages and were finally able to adopt a precious little boy from Russia. I read over the last 4 months as they were about to adopt a newborn baby girl. I got so wrapped up in her yearning for a baby, that when she posted that the baby was born and she was going to meet her at the hospital, I felt like a friend of mine was getting the baby she dreamed of. Two days later when the birth mother changed her mind, I really felt like crying. Ask Jose, it is all I talked about for 2 days. http://our-journey-to-parenthood.blogspot.com/ (For other cool adoption blogs, check out her links on her sidebar).

My new favorite blog is Stretch Marks (check out my sidebar). She is a HILARIOUS woman, with a very creative writing style. You can download her e-book on her page and read the story of her 3 miscarriages, death of a newborn, and her adoption blessings that only could have happened by the work of the Lord. She does public speaking engagements, and someday I am going to make sure she comes to a church nearby.

All of those blogs that I am reading faithfully have one thing in common- well I guess two-- their love for God and their love for their family and children (Coincidentally my two favorite things!).

Those are just my favorite blogs of people I don't know! There isn't a day that goes by that I don't check to see how my good friend Chrissie is, and watch her progress in her pregnancy. Even though she is so far away, I feel like I still get to be a part of her life. Not to mention her sister's blog I stalk, just to see the most beautiful baby ever.

And then my friend Becca's blog is an amazing testimony of how God is using her to touch so many! Check out how God called her to raise money for people of Swaziland, and bless the poor and elderly.

And if you want to read the words of an amazing writer, my classmate from FFI Denise is the wittiest writer as she describes her everyday experiences. If I could afford it, I'd be hiring her to freelance my blog. No seriously, someone please give her a job. She was affected by the 100s of layoffs Focus on the Family was forced to do, but maintains a positive and funny outlook. http://denisemorris.wordpress.com/2009/01/07/80/

You would think that with all this reading I don't get much done, but don't worry I manage. ;-) I usually fit them all in on my breaks at work. Check them out if you can. I think they will inspire you- at least way more than my moving updates will!

Packing has begun

The move is feeling more real! Last night Jose and I rotated packing and playing Wii Fit. Almost all of our kitchen is packed! We only left out two of everything. There is still much to do, but it is a start. 9 days and counting!

Happy New Year!

I can't believe it is 2009 already! We are so excited to see what this year has in store. If 09 is as great as 08, it is going to be an awesome year!

New Years Eve we joined some church friends at the Payne's house. We had a blast playing Apples to Apples with 17 people (Jose won!) and eating amazing appetizers. It was hilarious that one by one all the families and couples left before midnight. We must be getting old because we were pretty tired by 12 too!

The first 4 days of the year have been great! Our spirits are high after watching the Chargers beat the Colts in the first week of playoffs! I think a Superbowl party will be a great way to break in our new home!

Speaking of the new home... we only have 11 days until we will get the keys (maybe sooner if everything continues to work out well). We have gone furniture shopping every day this year, and will finally be ordering our couches tonight! Yeah! Jose and I have narrowed down our paint colors and are pretty confident that Windsor Haze will grace our living and dining room. Not a single box has been packed (unless you count the pile of boxes containing all our Christmas gifts for the new home).

Speaking of gifts...Jose got his early birthday present- Wii Fit! We had no idea it was hard to find, and were surprised when the worker at Costco, Target, and Best But looked at us as if we were crazy for asking if they had any in stock. We were told to come back in the morning on Sunday. Since we had church we showed up at Best Buy 30 minutes before it opened. We were first in line. Yes a line! We have never (and hopefully never will again) waited in line for a video game before. By the time the store opened there were 20 others behind us. After church we play ALL DAY. I can't believe that you actually get a work out! We were sweating and everything. This morning, I'm embarrassed to say, I woke up sore. Really sore. Hopefully we will "play" everyday and get back in shape.