Day 30 - Nature

Originally I wanted to post a picture of something inside the massage room and talk about I got to enjoy the sweet sounds of nature as I was massaged, but they played soft music instead. I thought about lying and still going with it but felt guilty so I thought of something else.

This is totally against my lazy nature, but I went ahead and signed up for my first ever duathlon! My boss told me about it and wanted to know if I would do it with her. I thought someone that keeps making me sign up for runs with her would join me, but she's too clumsy and fears injuring herself or others if she crashes! I'm not naming names!

So turns out my cousins are up for joining me, so this Mother's Day I will be starting off in the nature trails of Deussen Park near Lake Houston with a .5 mile run, 8 mile bike ride and 2 mile run! I hear the transition from bike to run is going to be really tough! Can't believe I'm subjecting myself to these things, but Dennis really wants me to do it too since he did his first one this year.

Wish me luck! Again my goal as always is to just finish!

Ps...its an all girls one in case anyone wants to join!

Day 29 - In your fridge

I really don't want to post a pic of this because remember when I posted I love my mama?! Well my mama loves hanging on to all kinds of leftovers. She constantly insists on keeping everything because she will eat it. Its drives us nuts but I feel guilty when I throw out stuff she says she wants to keep.   We usually do a clean out when my mom isn't at home so that she doesn't hover and tell us that she's going to eat something, but she's been sick so hasn't been going out.  So alas the inside of our fridge isn't pretty!

Day 28 - Light

Today is the first day this week that I have left work and its still light out.   I know its only Weds but its been a long long week so I'm going back to the hotel early and vegging out before my early flight tomorrow morning!  Too bad I am not staying at the Westin where I could get myself a decent dinner and have my heavenly bed.   But I'm happy with a night of relaxation all to myself!

Day 27 - Lunch

So today has been a long and exhausting day here in Riverwoods, IL. I have been running around trying to put out all kinds of fires related to this software implementation that I'm working on. Its driving me nuts! So busy today that I didn't even eat lunch until almost 2 pm...and that's RARE for me! Normally I eat right at 11! So needless to say, I forgot about taking a picture of my lunch, so you're seeing what was left of my lunch when I realized that I didn't get a picture! It would have been a good picture too, since one of the groups I'm working with was actually having a training today and they had pizza, Chicago style pizza from the famed Lou Malnati's. It was pretty good but not fresh! I'll be honest I prefer New York sytle pizza over Chicago but it was still tastey! I chased it down with a Cherry Coke Zero and a bag of Salt and Vinegar chips! Yes, all things that are so good for me! I was doing so well last week on my healthy eating! All down hill this week! I'll try again soon!

Day 26 - Colour

Techinical problems with the phone again! Didn't let me post from my phone last night after writing everything out! I can't even open the post to copy what I wrote!

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I spell it color and I need more of it! Just started playing Draw Something like last week! The girls told us about it during their birthday party and Dennis downloaded it to play with them. I resisted since I thought it was kinda hard and I still don't really get the whole point of the game. But one night after exhausting all my Words With Friends games and still laying there waiting for Drew to sleep, I downloaded the game. Now I have a few games running and I notice I need more colors to make my drawings really pop! So if you have extra coins you want to donate to me, bring it on!!!

Day 25 - Something You Made

So yesterday was the kids' first official 1K fun run! Ever since Dennis did the marathon the kids have been wanting to run in a "race" too. We even take them to go out and "jog" around the block. To encourage them to keep active we decided to sign them up for their very own race! Alisa signed Maddy and Paige up, so we thought it'd be fun for the girls to match since we were twinkies for our 10K. When I found out Alisa didn't find a shirt, I decided to make knot shirt for Emmie out of her race day shirt, since it was way too big! I made one for Maddy too, but someone doesn't like knotted ribbon shirts!

I couldn't resist posting a picture of Drew and Emmie with their medals, its something I'll want to remember! So you see the shirt and guess what I also made those 2 adorable babies, with some help from Dennis I suppose!

Also couldn't resist putting up this picture, this is Emmie stretching before the start of the race. You also get a better view of the shirt!

And this is Emmie and Maddy finishing hand in hand! Not as twinkies because I couldn't find the matching BFF shirt that I got them for Maddy's birthday and Maddy didn't like the knotted shirt, but they're still so stinking ADORABLE!

Day 24 - Guilty Pleasure

NOTE: This post is not a day late. I posted this last night but apparently it keeps saying it's going to publish but never does. My phone doesn't even allow me to click on the post to cancel and repost as I had been advised, its just there saying "publishing". So I'm finally posting something from my computer!

I really struggled with this one since I know I do a lot of things that I should feel guilty about but I don't actually ever feel bad about them when I'm doing them, so there's no guilt there! I don't feel bad about getting massages, I know I deserve them and I love them, but this year I got a bit indulgent and signed up for a membership at Massage Envy. So instead of getting a massage once every three months or so, I'm getting them at least once a month! And in my second month of membership, I found my masseuse soul mate so I'm totally hooked now!!!!

Day 23 - Something Old

This is a picture of my mom's immediate family.  Its definitely old since my mom is likely Emmie's age!    So there's my grandparents, my mom and 6 aunts and uncles.  The 2 oldest aunts have their husbands; one holding what probably is my oldest cousin in the picture.  I have not been able to meet my aunt holding the baby and my mom's older brother since they are still in Vietnam.  One day soon I'd like to my mom home to the motherland so she can see them again!  I love looking at this picture because I can see how much some of my cousins look like their parents.

My mom is the girl in what looks like blue pajamas on the left. 

Day 22 - Shoes

These are definitely one of my favorite pairs of shoes right now. I had seen people with boat shoes and really liked the look. I didn't know they were the new hot thing...everyone in their sperrys!  So I asked Dennis one day if I should get some boat shoes. Then a couple of days later at Payless with BOGO and a 20% off coupon I got these babies! They are super comfy and make me slighly taller with the wedge heel.   Love 'em and they didn't cost me much!

Day 21 - Reflection

I had all intentions of taking a cool pic of Emmie and Drew making kissy faces in the mirror since none of my other mirror pics turned out like I wanted today.  My master plan came to me while I was waiting for Emmie's ballet class to finish, but it wasn't the only thing that hit me during those 45 minutes.  All of the sudden I had the overwhelming pain of a UTI.  Needless to say I wasn't comfortable for the rest of the time and I'm still not feeling wonderful now.  So now there's a pic of my reflection from my bedside lamp! Can you find me doubled over in pain?!

Day 20 - Someone you love

MEEEEOW!  I love my mommy!

Since my mama hasn't been featured in the blog before, I've decided there's no better debut then this one. I might not always act like I love my mama because she's the one person that can wear on my patience but I love her with my heart and soul.  She's the friendliest person I know, making friends where ever she goes and I mean everywhere. She loves me and my babies unconditionally. I know she'd give up anything to make us happy.     She's completely young at heart...I'm hoping I have half the energy she has when I'm in my 60's.  Don't know that I'd hit up the clubs and stay out til 4 in the morning, but would definitly love to be able to run around with the grandkids all day.   Don't know what I'd do without her!

Yes she can drive me nuts most of the time but that's just who she is and it doesn't stop me from loving her.  The scary thing is I see myself doing a lot of the things she does so I guess Emmeilne better watch out for a mama thats gonna drive her bonkers!!!

I love you mama!  And I know I don't say it enough so I'm going to try harder to be a better daughter!

Picture taken Halloween 2009

Day 19 - Sweet

What's more sweet then this adorable little smile?!  For those of you who don't know this is Elliott Storey Nguyen aka Elly, our niece!  She's turing one in April and I'm working on her ABC Book! I'm working on a new style and can't wait to see the finished product!

Day 18 - Something you bought

I bought Drew cowboy boots for his birthday. They cost a little more than I wanted to spend but they were worth it because he looks so adorable in them. It cracks me up because he loves wearing them with shorts!  Yeehaw!

Day 17 - Water

Woke up at 5 this morning really wanting some water.  Thought about texting Dennis with the hope that he'd check his phone when he got downstairs to bring me up a big glass of water, but I decided to just sleep through my thirst! 

Wasn't sure what to post today besides a picture of the tall glass of water I drank when I finally made it downstairs but it was so boring.  Then Drew asked for water and I knew I'd have a little story to go with my water picture.  Any time the kids ask for water, its not just plain water.  They say "may I have cold with ice, cap and straw?" Sometimes it even seems like they try to say it as fast as they can.   It cracks me up! 

I tried to make a little scene for this cup of cold water with ice, cap and straw.  I think you can figure out who is represented by what!

Day 16 - Morning

I would have loved to post of picture of how sweet Drew was this morning before work but I didn't want to blind him with the flash at 6 in the morning when he should be asleep. So here's a picture of me waiting for my carpool buddy to show up.  We are suppose to meet at 630 she usually shows up at 645 but I'm always on time on the off chance she is!

Day 15 - Happiness

Are words even necessary?! My family is my happiness, especially when we are on vacation together!

Day 14 - Something you're reading

I would post a pic of the book I'm reading but its not all that interesting.  If I was reading the Hunger Games book that Cammy lent me I would have definitely posted about that since its the hottest teeney bopper book series right now and I'm cool like that, but I haven't started that yet.   Mostly because I didn't get it on the kindle app and reading from there has been a lot easier then reading from an actual book, but I do some times miss turning the pages.   But I'm getting on a tangent so back to the topic at hand.   Today I spent the day reading emails about offers for my almost new hire (I'm gonna be someone's boss...scary), status updates from my eager temp worker that really wants the perm position but didn't get it, and unnecessary questions from my vendor who needs to provide support not ask stupid questions.   I can't wait until this project is over!

Day 13 - In your bag

So I took this picture early in the morning of day 13 with all intentions of writing up a little something at the end of the day!  But my kiddies let me go to bed early and I was so excited about getting to bed I forgot all about the blog, but I'm not too far behind.

The other day Emmie told me that her friend Ava was having a Strawberry Shortcake party and she was mailing something.  I was a little surprised since I thought maybe Ava's mom thought we were crazy because she was one of two school friends we invited to the kids' party...and it was a little crazy there!  But I guess she decided we're still cool!

Later that night I went through Emmie's school folder and there was the infamous invitation.  There was a lot of jumping up and down and excitement after I found that! I had to throw it in my bag so I could remember to actually RSVP.   Chuck E Cheese here they come...good thing its on a Monday!  CEC on the weekends is a no go for the Quinio clan!

This the first year where she comes home from school talking about what her and her friends did that day. Her two besties are Ava and Samara.  Ava's mom even told me that she thinks Ava and Samara fight over who gets to play with Emmie since she'll hear stories about Ava being upset that Samara was playing with Emmie.  I'm so happy to see her come out of shell and interact with her classmates and teachers.  She's making her own friends!

It'll be a little sad when this school year ends because she looks forward to seeing her friends at school.  At least I know she'll have some play dates with Samara because she lives in our neighborhood and Samara's grandma likes to hang out with Emmie's baba!  Dennis likes to call her baba's mexican twin, since they both social butterflies and love to go to the club!  So I'm sure Emmie will get to play with Samara for some time even if they don't end up in the same school!

Day 12 - Close Up

Emmeline is always ready for a close up!  In this particular picutre, its a close up because I was in the bubble bath with her and Drew and no one wants to see any of that!

After getting home from the miserably cold, wet and windy 10k run, Dennis had prepared a nice hot bubble bath for me.  The kids wanted to jump in right away but were convinced to give me some peace for 15 minutes.  They came crashing back in and wanted in immediately. They found it hilarious that I was in the tub with them!

Day 11 - Where you sleep

I'm a little ashamed of this, but I have to be honest for the blog.  The first picture is where I start off sleeping. Its cozy and its even better when we have "the sheets" we got from Mica on it. 

The second picture is where I end up the majority of mornings.  Its inevitable that one of the kids will come get me and I end up on the floor in between their beds.  I want to make them cry it out but I'm too tired and lazy to do it. Judge me if you must! 

Day 10 - Childhood

I found this picture of Cammy the other day.  She has to be around 2 or 3 here and looks absolutely precious in the outfit her Auntie Kim got her.  I can't believe how quickly childhood flies by.  Cammy will be 15 in a week, she's grown into a beautiful young lady.  Loving her sisters and baby brother and always wanting to make her parents happy.  Sigh!  I hope my babies grow up to be like their oldest cousin! 

The real Day 9 - Daily Routine

After posting my previous picture, I looked at the list and realized I didn't do the right thing. At first I was going to just let it slide but when I got home from date night I realized there was one daily routine I'd like to document. So here goes:

Me coming in the door from work.

Kids hiding so that I have to go find them.

I find them and we shower each other with hugs and kisses. I'll admit sometimes I have to force this on them but it always happens.

There might be some small talk about their day, then inevitability Drew asks the question: "me play mama's phone?"  Not really sure if its a question or command, but he gets it. Then for the rest of the night we jam to the following songs:

- Shuffling aka Party Rock
- Undies Slong aka I'm sexy and I know it

He walks around with the phone for the rest of the night, switching between the two songs. We do get to hear various versions, chipmunk, regular, slow-mo...whatever you tube lists.  He sometimes throws in a little bit of Selena Gomez's love you like a love song, or Maroon 5's Moves like Jagger...where he often requests to take his shirt off for!

It can get old, but I did find myself missing it while I was traveling so much last month. It just makes him so happy...see that sweet smile on his face?!  Plus it gives the whole family a chance to dance around after dinner, although a lot of the time he tells me "no mama not dance".  But everyone else is allowed, I think he might be scared that I'll show up everyone else...cause mama can dance!

Day 9 - Routine

Tomorrow is mine and Alisa's 10k debut.  We'll be running (rain or shine, most likely rain) in the Bayou City Classic.  Hope I survive this!

Apparently the night before a run or race, its our "routine" to carb it up at Carraba's! The food is good and the bread is better! What more could a girl ask for?!  Tonight is date night too so added bonus!

Day 8 - Your Sky

My first instinct was to post a picture of Dennis because he's my sun, moon, stars and sky, but I thought I should save that kind of post for the true public forum.  I'll be posting that on Facebook for his birthday or for our anniversary!

So I took it literal today! One picture is of the sky when I left for work. The other picture is of the sky when I got home from work!  I thought it'd be slightly closer so that you couldn't tell which was which but its a little obvious to me since I stayed later than expected.  Being busy at work is overrated! I'm ready to go back to my days of internet surfing and twiddling my thumbs!

Day 7 - Favourite

Today is my bestie from high school's birthday so I decided to dedicate today's post to her...even if she doesn't normally read my little blog!  This photo challenge has been fun since it makes me think of things I normally don't think of.  Since I decided to dedicate today to Taysa I had to start thinking of where I could scrounge up a picture of her. I ended up digging through my old photo box, I couldn't find the one I was looking for to speak to my favorite moment with her but I did find one that was taken in March 1995 which was around the same time the picture I was looking for was taken.

For all intensive purposes, I'm going to tell myself this happened for Taysa's 16th birthday but it could have happened for her 15th birthday! I got a call from Taysa's mom after school, telling me that she wanted to throw her a little surprise birthday party.  I was able to get some people together fairly quickly and we were on our way to surprise her! It ended up being a great night, I'm sure her mom wasn't expecting to have a bunch of high schoolers swimming in the lake in their backyard but we had a great time. At the end of the night we took a big group polaroid of everyone soaking wet.  That's the picture I was looking for but I found the next best thing, Taysa in her brand new beamer she got for her 16th birthday! Definitely crusin' in style! Happy birthday Taysa!!! Ps. I'm not sure about the spelling of favorite in post and didn't have time to figure it out!!!

Day 6 - Makes you smile

Not only does picture make me smile, it can some times bring me to tears laughing.  Its also a big reminder for me not to try out any Asian spas regardless of how many people tell me about how great a place is.

We heard rave reviews about a place called Happy Feet, where the focus was a foot massage but they pretty much gave you a full body massage.  I decided to treat Alisa for her birthday with a foot massage.  When we arrived we were given keys to a locker and told to go back and change.  We wandered into a big open room and finally figured out where to go.  Then we wondered do we really need to change if we were just getting foot massages. I went to check and the answer was yes.  See how good Alisa looks in Happy Feet ensemble. So we come out in uniform with no inkling what to do next and are approached by 2 guys who asked if we were ready. I suppose we were so we followed them.  Keep in mind Alisa's guy was in scrubs and mine was in street clothes and looked like he might have worked next door inthe sandwich shop. Red flag?! Apparently not for me, since I proceeded to follow him for my massage. 

It started out not so bad but quickly went down hill. I don't want to go into too much detail but my little asian man kinda sat on me, then later literally mounted me to massage my back.  I don't know what was going on with Alisa but at one point I thought she was getting beat by her scrub wearer, I heard some hard slapping.  There was no mounting for her which I'm sure she would have wanted for her birthday but at least she got some good stretches in and may have exposed her v-jay-jay to the entire "spa"! 

So that's why this picture puts a smile on my face!

Day 5 - Something you wore

Alisa got me these kick a$$ boots for my 23rd birthday, mine and Mica's last year of college.  We decided to throw big themed birthday parties.  I sported them for my Wild Wild West birthday bash.  This was also the first birthday I got a present from Dennis...he gave me a pair of windsheild wipers.  Definitely the beginning of something beautiful. 

Approximately 10 years later, I pulled them out to consider wearing them for Go Texan Day at work, but decided not to since I was interviewing that day; hence they were available for the photo op!

Day 4 - Letterbox

My smartphone is not smart enough to take screen shots, so I did the next best thing and took a picture of my phone and texted it to myself.  Being able to post from the phone is making this photo challenge a lot easier for me. 

This is my latest letters box for my Words with Friends game with Alisa. It would have been a better picture if she wasn't kicking my butt!

Day 3 - Something you adore

Obviously I adore my kids, but I wanted to go one more level and show something I adore about each of them.

Its a little bit hard to get a pic of what I adore about drew, but I adore his caveman talk: "me man".  He's expanded his vocabulary in the past few months but still uses me in place of I and its just so adorable.  We correct him all the time but I still love hearing him say me, me, me!

Can you tell what that pic of Emmie is? Its her elbow dimple! I simply adore the fact that my 5 year old baby still has her elbow dimples.  I like to think it still keeps her as my baby!!!

Day 2 - Breakfast

What I really wanted for breakfast today would have been to sleep through it and wake up in time for lunch! What I actually had at my desk at 7 am...2 hours after getting up!

Day 1 Photo a day Challenge - You

Many say she's my mini me...yay or nay?!