Find Your Happiness

For Today (June 12, 2012) Outside my window... A little sunny and muggy 73 degrees. It's supposed to rain all week so this little peek of sunshine is very much appreciated. I am thinking... that today is my birth land's independence day. In 1898, the Philippines gained their independence from the 300+ years of colonial ruling from Spain. (The United States ruled us after that till after WWII.) I am thankful... for our health. In the kitchen... leftover homemade pizza. I am wearing... shorts and a t-shirt from Colorado (spring break 2006) I am going... to fold laundry after this. I am wondering... if this is the  month? I completely understand that we were lucky to conceive Nathaniel on the first try/month but I still can't help but hope that we will have the same luck with baby #2. I am reading... Extremely Loud and Incredible Close by Jonathan Safran Foer I am hoping... my Georgia nursing license gets approved soon. They received it a week ago and hopefu...

For Today (January 17, 2012) Outside my window... Cloudy and 56 degrees I am thinking... and debating whether I should apply for my Georgia nursing license. I am thankful for... marrying my high school sweetheart. It's great growing up and old with my best friend. From the kitchen... Blueberry-Peach Frozen Yogurt in the making. I am wearing... my high school Academic Giants t-shirt and pajamas; it's a lounging-type of day. I am going... to take photos of the household goods that were damaged during the move. I am reading... Graceling by Kristin Cashore. I am hoping... to purchase my dream big girl camera soon. I am hearing... Nathaniel playing with his drum. Around the house In the garage... Our brand new vehicle! Over the weekend, we purchased a 2012 Hyundai Tucson Limited in black. One of my favorite things... Nutella. Yum. Inspired by the church song... I Know Who Holds Tomorrow "I don't know about tomorrow, I just live from day to d...

For Today (November 15, 2011) Outside my window... Sunny and 70 degrees I am thinking... our life is about to change again. Move #3 since Enlistment #1! I am thankful for... a 23-month old toddler (today) and three and a half year marriage (tomorrow). From the kitchen... an organized disorganized mess. I'm separating the liquids and opened items that I know for sure the movers will not pack tomorrow. I am wearing... blouse and capris I am going... to uproot my tomato plant today :( I'm sad the tomatoes never ripened in time before our move but it's good to know I can grow a plant. I am reading... nothing at the moment. I am hoping... to get better sleep tonight. Since Sunday evening, I've had restless sleep where my brain just won't shut down. I think I'm just a liiiiiitle bit stressed out about the move. I am hearing... Nathaniel playing with a ball. Around the house... packed suitcases. Operation Live Out of a Suitcase started yesterd...

For Today (November 8, 2011) Outside my window... Dark and 54 degrees I am thinking... about how everyone in the house has been going to bed early due to the daylight savings time. I am thankful for... a four-ish day weekend. And thank you to our Veterans! From the kitchen... half-eaten Haunted Gingerbread House that we decorated last weekend---yes, almost a week after Halloween! I am wearing... pajamas I am going... to look for more Christmas gift ideas online; mainly on Pinterest . I am just finished reading... The Girl who Played with Fire by Steig Larsson I am was hoping... to borrow the last book of the "The Girl Who" series at the library but they were all checked out. There were a couple this morning when I checked but apparently all gone by the time we went this evening :( They have an audio book but I'm definitely not an audio person. I must see it for me to understand it. I am hearing... my husband's soft snore/breathing. Around...

For Today (November 1, 2011) Outside my window... Warm and sunny 81 degrees I am thinking... about our house being packed again in two weeks!!! I am thankful for... the seller accepting our house offer in Georgia! From the kitchen... leftover homemade baked Chicken wings from lunch I am wearing... flowery top and jeans I am going... to dinner with a girlfriend this evening. Yay, for Girls Night Out! I am reading... The Girl who Played with Fire by Steig Larsson I am hoping... Nathaniel continues to nap while the TMO looks at our household goods and writes an inventory. He's supposed to arrive in less than 15 minutes. I am hearing... the dryer. Last load of laundry! Around the house... candies from Nathaniel's first Trick-or-Treating yesterday. One of my favorite things... mini-chocolate chips. They are surprisingly very yummy for how little they are. Inspired by the church song... Our God, He is Alive "There is, beyond the azure blue, A ...

For Today (October 25, 2011) Outside my window...  Warm and sunny 86 degrees I am thinking... it has been waaaay too since my last SWDB! (August to be exact). I know it will get busy again with the Marine Corp Ball, the move (again!) and holidays coming up but I hope to keep doing this again more regularly. It is such a great and easy way to document what's going on in our lives. I am thankful for...  being able to spend the holidays with our family. We are moving and driving up to Dean's grandparents' house in MO just in time to spend Thanksgiving with them. Dean's family and his Uncle's family will be coming over, too! From the kitchen... makings for this recipe: Spicy Thai Noodles . I hope it's not too spicy! I am wearing... red top, dark-colored cloth pants I am going... to put Nathaniel down for a nap soon. I am reading... The Girl who Played with Fire by Steig Larsson I am hoping... Nathaniel's cut on his forehead will not leav...

For Today (August 2, 2011) Outside my window... dark 99 degrees I am thinking... about the two left-shoes I bought/brought from Indiana. The nearest Kohls to us is in Abilene so I bought brown shoes for Hubby while I was in Indiana a couple weeks ago. At first, the box had a mismatch size 10 and 11 so I waited fifteen minutes for the supposedly correct pair. Turns out I really did have both size 11. But they were both left, too. I am thankful for... just the possibility/thought that we may be upgrading my camera soon! From the kitchen... a well stocked kitchen since I went grocery shopping today. I am wearing... t-shirt, shorts I am going... to bed soon. I am reading... multiple cookbooks; one I'm very excited to start cooking the recipes: Wings: 50 High-Flying Recipes for America's Favorite Snack. I am hoping... Nathaniel continues to do well in his first formal swimming class at the local Y. It's a Parent and Child class, twice a week for 30 minut...

For Today (July 5, 2011) Outside my window... dark 97 degrees I am thinking... about how uninspired I am with blogging and photography recently :( I hope to get out of this state soon since there are quite a few events I want/need to document (as far as May!) and my P365 is starting to suffer. I am thankful for... our freedom. And being part of the people that gives just a little bit more than others to keep that freedom. From the kitchen... Homemade Peach Pie. It was a last minute decision to add it to the 4th of July festivities and also my first attempt at fruit pies. I don't really like fruit pies but this was sooo delicious. I am wearing... tank top, shorts I am going... to sleep! I am reading... One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp I am hoping... Nathaniel is officially back to his awesome nighttime sleeping habits. Since moving to our new place, it's been quite a task putting him to bed: rocking to sleep, constant consoling, crying in the middl...

For Today (June 28, 2011) Outside my window... 99 degrees and dark I am thinking... about our upcoming trip to Indiana. Nathaniel was quite a handful last time we flew (teething, wanting to walk, etc.) and Hubby was with us. However, it will just be us this time and I hope he behaves! I am thankful for... air conditioners. It's hot in Texas! I mean it's almost midnight and the temperature is still in the 90s. From the kitchen... leftover Orange Chicken from dinner this evening. It is soooo good and taste very authentic! I'm sure it's a lot better for you too since you control the ingredients. I am wearing... tank top, shorts I am going... to sleep! I am reading... One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp I am hoping... our BAH pay gets resolved soon. We're still getting California BAH instead of Texas. Essentially, we are getting more housing allowance at the moment and we know they will want their money back! I am hearing...   the air condition...

For Today (June 21, 2011) Outside my window... 99 degrees and my first daybook in San Angelo, TX! And I want to add that 99 degrees is actually cool . It's been 105+ since we got here a little over a week ago. I am thinking... about my tomato plants that needs planting! A family/church friend from Indiana gave them to me when we were in town and I reeeeally need to move them out of those tiny pots and into a proper place. The delimma: I need a place that's sunny but not in direct line of the Texas sun. I accidentally placed them in what I thought would be a shady part all day and they wilted :( But just like Hubby said, they perked right up after watering. I am thankful for... a house that now looks like a home! I just realized this morning that every thing is unpacked and we just have a few organizing left to do. Yay! From the kitchen... for the first time, I have more cabinets, drawers, and counter space than I actually have stuff to put on/fill them with. I love ...

For Today (May 24, 2011) Outside my window... Sunny but chilly 50 degrees and my last daybook in Seaside, CA I am thinking... about the "family," friends, and life we have created here. It has been a good two years. I am thankful for... opportunities and new beginnings From the kitchen... sooooo much food. For the last couple days, I've been cooking and baking everything that is perishable in our fridge and pantry. I am wearing... jeans, blouse, cardigan I We are going... to dinner one last time with friends tonight. I am reading... nothing :( I am hoping... our cross-country trip goes smoothly. This is Nathaniel's first long road trip and we're armed with a newly gifted portable DVD player from his Lola (grandmother [my mom]). I am hearing... the dryer. Trying to wash everything so we don't have to bring/pack dirty laundry. Around the house... mess-ish. Our packed stuff on one side of the house, wires unplugged, soooo much food ...

For Today (May 17, 2011) Outside my window... Rainy 52 degrees I am thinking... about how nice to have family and friends visiting us! I am thankful for... My husband passing his DLPT, graduating with honors, and also receiving his AA in World Studies. From the kitchen... leftover from Fish House for our anniversary dinner date last night. The food was sooooo delicious! I am wearing... jeans, long sleeves I We are going... to pick my mom and Hubby's best friend at the airport soon! I am reading... nothing :( I am hoping... It stops raining this afternoon/early evening so we could all go to the Farmer's Market. I am hearing... The dishwasher because I forgot to run last night. Ooopss. Around the house... it's clean and neat right now since the Monster is still asleep :) One of my favorite things... seafood. Yum! Inspired by the church song scripture... Matthew 19:5-6 "...A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his ...

For Today (May 10, 2011) Outside my window...  Cloudy 55 degrees I am thinking... about all the things we need to do before we move (in less 15 days!) and how so little time we have left :( I am thankful for... being a mother. The most difficult role yet but definitely one of the most rewarding job. Ever. From the kitchen... halfway done Moussaka for dinner this evening. I am wearing... purple blouse, jeans I We are going... to buy paint tonight so we could repaint Nathaniel's nursery. There may be a ton few sheds of tears. I am (sporadically) reading... Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson I am hoping/praying... Hubby is doing well on his 2nd day of DLPT . I am hearing... Nathaniel playing with my house slippers. And yes, I am currently wearing. Around the house... toys One of my favorite things... new adventures. Change is scary but it is also a great opportunity for growth. Inspired by the church song scripture... Romans 8:31 "...if...

For Today (May 3, 2011) Outside my window...  Chilly but sunny 52 degrees I am thinking... how May is my favorite month of the year! It means: final exams and end of school for those who are still in school; Mother's Day and for me now, too!; Our wedding anniversary (three years this year!); I used to request two weeks vacation when I used to work); My Mom's birthday (and three days later, my sister's); Memorial Day and Indy 500 and the true beginning of Spring and warmer weather (and not too hot, not too cold), which is my favorite season. I just love the blooming flowers! I am thankful for... being able to spend this Memorial Day at our hometown with our family and friends (Lord willing). From the kitchen... FOUR loads of clean laundry (our washer and dryer are in the kitchen area, too). What the heck? I don't know how that happened and why I got so behind. All I know is that when I woke up yesterday there were only two small loads and by the time I ...

For Today (April 26, 2011) Outside my window...  Chilly but sunny 50 degrees I am thinking... my lower half body has a love/hate relationship with me right now. I did the P90X Plyometrics yesterday and it was brutal! I am thankful for... mommy friends. This is such a great post by Stacy at Delighting in the Days . Check out her list of inspiring/encouraging mom-blogs. From the kitchen... homemade banana bread I am wearing...  long sleeves, pajamas I am going... to start marinating the chicken for dinner tonight: Sweet and Smoky Barbequed Chicken I am reading... Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson I am hoping/praying... for no injuries on Dean's first full marathon this Sunday. I am hearing... maintenance mowing our front lawn. Around the house... the contents of Nathaniel's Easter basket . One of my favorite things... finding new recipes to try. I can't wait to try this and this . Inspired by the church song... I wi...

For Today (April 19, 2011) Outside my window...  Drizzly and chilly 54 degrees I am thinking... maybe I should have breastfed longer. Now that I don't have that extra calorie burning, the pounds are slowly (but oh so surely!) creeping in, even if I had started working out three times a week. I am thankful for... my husband and his dedication to serve. Two years tomorrow since he left for USMC bootcamp! From the kitchen... leftover Triple Cheese-Spinach Manicotti. It was yummy! I am wearing... t-shirt, hoodie, pajamas I am going... to try P90X Kenpo today. I am reading... Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson I am hoping... to make it to the Area wide Ladies' Devotional tonight. I wish I could just leave Nathaniel with his Daddy so I could go alone but he has to go to study hall tonight, too. I am hearing... birds chirping outside. Around the house... Nathaniel's Easter basket goodies. I hope to make it to Michaels soon so I could...

For Today (April 12, 2011) Outside my window... Cloudy and chilly 52 degrees I am thinking... Easter is less than two weeks away and I really should start putting Nathaniel's Easter basket together. I am thankful for... my grandmother. She is 75 years old today! From the kitchen... freshly made almond butter. I couldn't find raw peanuts at the store last night but we had almonds so I made almond butter instead. It's very delicious and hope to share the recipe soon! I am wearing... t-shirt, workout pants I am going... to take a shower soon. I am reading...   Mission of Motherhood  by Sally Clarkson I am hoping... we're able to go to the Farmer's Market this afternoon. If not, how about 99cents Taco Tuesday at El Torito for dinner? Yum! I am hearing... Nathaniel throwing his blocks everywhere. Around the house... toy blocks :) One of my favorite things... Nutella spread. I recently found a recipe for homemade hazelnut spread an...

For Today (April 6, 2011) Outside my window... Sunny 53 degrees I am thinking... about making this Spiced Carrot Cake to take to church tonight but I currently don't have plain-yogurt :( I am thankful for... a curious toddler. Most of the time. From the kitchen... leftover Chicken and Mushroom Marsala---except, it's really Chicken and Mushroom Cabernet Souvignon since I didn't have Marsala wine on hand. It's a new recipe and definitely a keeper! I am wearing... t-shirt, lounging pants I am going... to start Nathaniel's laundry after this. I am reading... Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider I am hoping... to submit our application for base housing in Texas soon. We got our orders last week and we're moving at the end of May! I am hearing... Nathaniel laughing Around the house... a toddler happily bouncing on his bouncer. Silly boy. One of my favorite things... sitting on grass on a warm sunny day Inspired by the church son...

For Today (March 29, 2011) Outside my window... Sunny(!) 57 degrees. It finally stopped raining! I am thinking... we really need a nice toy chest to put Nathaniel's toys in since they are in the living/family room for every guest to see. I've looked online but I want to check out Goodwill or thrift stores first and it could be DIY project. I am thankful for... sunshine! From the kitchen... a new mandolin purchased with a $10 Kohls cash and 30% off coupon. I love Kohls! I am wearing... t-shirt, shorts I am going... to move the laundry to the dryer after this. I am reading... Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider I am hoping... to buy essential oils soon so I can finally make the leap to non-toxic cleaners. I am hearing... Nathaniel playing. Around the house... toys. e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e. One of my favorite things... the sound of my son being tickled :) Inspired by the church song... I Know Who Holds Tomorrow "I don't know about...

For Today (March 22, 2011) Outside my window... Chilly 45 degrees; It's been raining for days and we're ready for sunshine! Unfortunately, not going to happen until next week :( I am thinking... Marines are too motivated and dedicated. My husband is in the last eight weeks of his class so all services are required to stay for seventh hour (extra school). And the Marines? Of course they take it to the next level! He now has mandatory study hall on Monday-Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. So on top of his marathon training, family time definitely took a hit :( I am thankful for... a healthy 15-month old toddler From the kitchen... leftover seafood Gumbo from last night I am wearing... t-shirt, sweatshirt, pajamas I am going... to make a list of the things I need to purchase to make my husband's birthday cake(s) I am reading... Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider I am hoping... naptime is easier and on-time today. Nathaniel ...