Happy Engagement Day ~ 4 Years Later...

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We became engaged:

July 31, 2005

Half Moon Bay, California

Here are some photos of the period surrounding our engagement the details of which I'd like to keep largely to myself but what made Jose "realize" he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me is a bit funny looking back.  In 2005 Jose wanted to live together but I wasn't ready to start over again so we decided he should move into my apartment in April, we then scheduled a vacation to Puerta Vallarta right afterward. I was soooooo excited - I had never been to Mexico - never been out of the country. I think it was Day 3 of our seven day getaway that when stepping of a local bus to el centro I sprained my ankle - BADLY.  (This has been a recurring issue since early basketball days).  How do you sprain you ankle getting off a bus? I know...sounds ridiculous but it was about a 2 foot drop into the cobblestone street and the bus starting taking off before I was completley out...nice huh? Long story short I fainted and it completely freaked Jose out because I'm now a waif of a girl...never fainted before and haven't fainted since.  The local doctor said it was probably just by body's way of coping with the pain.  As Jose yelled for help most of the locals thought I was just passed out - I had barely had a drink! I'll never forget Jose's face as I came to the second time (apparently I came to once and fainted again quickly) or how he shared his feelings later in the time share over room service burgers.  After seeing the hotel doctor the next day he said we needed to go to the hospital and thus our journey in the Mexican hospital began, but they took great care of me.

All this lit a fire under Jose's butt because as he says he knew then that he couldn't live without me.  From then on it was only a matter of time :-)

Check out the photos from our PV vacation, my ugly ankle, and telling my siblings when we returned and I was still "planning" a "wedding".

Paying It Forward

We helped a vet starting over today and it feels so good to pay it forward. I know what it means to start over. I know what it means to start again with just an empty apartment. I know what it means to live without a couch or tv and to worry about how you will pay the rent on your own. I've been good about always keeping some emergency money in my savings for the unexpected and my family and friends have been so generous with me, especially in these times - one in particular. But not everyone is so lucky and today I am reminded of that.

Time out with Aunt Erin (not to be confused with Tia Ryn)

So Erin and I know live off of the same main street and closer than ever (well, at least since we stopped living together in 2000 or was it 2001?) and yet it seems that - at least so far - we only really ever see each other if it's 7am and at starbuck's. We run opposite schedules with her work going until 7pm typically which is when CC's "witching hour" hits full swing.  We are hoping that she can meet up with us at one of our many park outtings from this week forward.

One of us is always late, me usually something to do with Charlie - Erin with a stupid coworker or kitty issue  (her wild babies). Today it was Erin and Charlie got a bit restless. He loves to push anything across the floor so he can "walk".  Here he is with the starbucks' chair.  I learned today that we should always sit nearest the barista bar so he can watch people work and see where all those sounds are coming from :-)

Restless

Having a hard time finding my peaceful perch tonight - it seems that it's taking the three of us longer than usual to find our groove back at home again. CC is wayyy off his schedule but I'm working on gentle cues to help him get back to basics.

We attended Jose's company picnic today and took in some lemon cupcakes with vanilla frosting - another hit. I am such a basic flavors girl, and my dad especially will attest to what a finiky eater I am....it feels good to experiment with flavors outside of my box. (chocolate and variations of it, basically :-) Of course Charlie stole the show, and pushed his wagon all around the park.  Later on he and I snuck over to the playground for some time in the baby swing. I love that when the swing is in sight now he starts reaching for it and saying "who who who".

36 Days Until our Baby Boy turns 1!

I can't believe it - and yes - I know I write that EVERY time. This year has absolutely flown by and it breaks my heart that our tiny baby is turning 1, yikes!  I have had lots of people asking what we are doing to celebrate and what Charlie would like for his birthday, here is the plan:

Celebrations:

In lieu of a large party we are going to have several small celebrations with the different sides of the family/friends on different dates.  More cake and more partying for Charlie. We're having cake on the Cuevas side at Uncle Tony's shin dig 8/8/09.  Skaggs & Trogdon Families TBD.

Gifts:

Please don't feel obligated to give Charlie a gift, he doesn't know :-) Like many families Jose and I are in a position of only being able to give $15-$20 gifts at this time. If you feel like you want to give the little man something we're happy to take a small check for his college fund. We also have a wish list of things we think Charlie will enjoy listed on the right side of the blog. Many of these items are super expensive, so small gift cards are welcome too.

Thanks for all of your support throughout this crazy first year, we're looking forward to celebrating with you!

Back from longest hometown stay in 7 years

So we are back in the bay - what a relief. For those of you who don't know, we've been in our hometown for two funerals from a thurs to the following Sat, minus a couple of nights in between. I find that with each passing of a life there is a time of sadness but also of reflection on our current choices and maybe our future choices. In my own perspective, life is far too fleeting, especially to put up with anyone's B.S.  (I can hear my hubbie saying BE - ESEE in espanol, love you bbc). I try to focus on living in the present because when I'm living in the past I'm sad - either because I long for things to be the way they "used to be" or in some circumstances think about how they used to suck :-) When I live in the future and in future choices I have anxiety. Living in the present is where it's at - I've decided and I continue to work on this focus.

Not all of the trip was sad - we were blessed to be able to see a ton of family and there are a few special images burned in my mind:

#1 Charlie was pushing his cousin Eden's barbie "ride-on" car around Jillian's house when Eden decided she wanted to have her turn and sat down. Charlie started pushing her on the car around the house :-)

#2 Walking from the car toward the playground where my husband pushed my little boy in the swing....what a sight.

#3 Watching my husband from the back of the church in his suit: strong, steadfast, and super handsome. (I was going to put sexy for the extra "s" alliteration affect but is that too much on a family blog? LMAO)

We're glad to be home, more pics of the little man to come soon!

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Happy Birthday Today Mimi - We wish we were there to celebrate 74 years with you today!

Photographing on a whim today...

Pulgas Water Temple ~ See my Photog Blog for more Photos!

Pictures from this AM...

10 Months 1 Week, I can't believe it!

Behind Blogger

Yes, I know, I've been terrible about blogging - moving/organizing has been all encompassing and I still feel like I have a looooooong way to go :-(  A big thanks to Arantxa, Alaina, T, & Mimi for coming over to play with Charlie and help me organize. Moving (and more so settling in) with a baby has proved to be very challenging. (ie I tried to run away and live at pottery barn but they kicked me out at closing time).

The Yard Sale:

I think it went well, we got rid of a couple of bulky pieces of furniture which has given our little garage some relief but we still have stuff for sale... check it out *here*

We did find at the end of the day that a couple of our signs on the side streets fell down so that may have been a bit of a marketing malfunction. All of the people were really nice, no crazy bargain hunters which made me feel good.

Our house is a little bit funky because it's so old so we've had to be creative with furniture placement and a couple of euro style/size items. Our tv stand with all the glass (like my favorite tables) have became a baby disaster zone and we've done our best to block it off to no avail. Soooooooo I'm not above creating a "housewarming" registry on Crate and Barrel to get the 10% completion coupon! LOL, I thought it was a good idea!!! I made the date for last Sat. yard sale day :-) Hopefully that bad boy will be arriving soon so we can get the new media console ordered and we will once again have a "baby safe" zone.

Charlie is Acclimating:

But I think he thinks we're still traveling :-( It's funny that we moved for him and yet I feel guilty about uprooting him.  He does enjoy our walks (as we can now walk to most everything) and our nearby park where he relaxes in the baby swing (last time for more than 20 mins which is a miracle in itself)

4th of July @ Trogdon Farms

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We escaped the nightmare of unpacking briefly on Saturday to celebrate the 4th with a little Fry Family Reunion at Trogdon Farms. Of course my mom and sister put on a great party, I swear they could have charged the locals to get in! It was adorable with flags everywhere and plenty for Charlie to get into including a kiddie pool, his own lounge seating area complete with umbrella, a jumpy house, riding the "mulle" etc. It's nice to visit because Nona already has a high chair, changing area, bath accessories, food/bib, just about everything the little man could need so that really cuts down on the packing/prep. We had lots of fun as you can see in the pics. Hoping Tia Ryn will send us a few from her camera too :-)