Everyday Epiphanies

Currently...

It's been a while since I've done one of these:

listening: Today's Hits (iTunes) "Perfect Duet" by Ed Sheeran & Beyonce; "End Game" TayTay "Him & I" by G Eazy & Halsey; "Mi Gente" by J Balvin & Willy William, "I Fall Apart" by Post Malone

eating: Tacos, Tacos, Tacos (Taco Palenque) and Whatta Burger *I really need to stop! 

watching: Netflix (The Crown, Magicians, and re-runs of Friends). 

 wearing: Rudy's Red/Black Flannel PJ's and Red Hoodie.

feeling: Glad to be home, relaxed sitting in front of the computer, blogging and scrapbooking my December Daily 2017. 

weather: 56 degrees in SA with a bit of a breeze. 

wanting: Besides Crunchy Tacos? More days off, although I've got the rest of the week off. I want to get a good routine going (but I think with the Izzy's Xmas Vacay and Caelan visiting, I doubt I'll find a good rhythm). Contemplating on getting my Bachelors Degree in Business Management. 

needing: TO GET BACK TO THE GYM! Shit! I really need to get my ASS back in there!  

thinking: How I called Caelan tonight to ask if he needed to talk about anything (like suicide). I took his Instagram story too literal I guess. But that's the reality of it now, kids don't think twice about ending their life, I see it too much in the news. I just wanted him to know that I love him no matter what! I guess Finals Week is getting a bit much for him. 

enjoying: The minute I walk through the door and coming home to my loves. I immediately call out for my "Isabella Consuela" (inside joke) and jump on Rudy's lap for a "Glad To Be Home" kiss. Don't get me wrong, I do like my job and in all I do, I do my best.  But after 9 hours, it's nice to come home to what matters the most, my family + dogs. 

wondering: How Kai and Pua will be upon meeting their new "doggy day care provider". This is the first time I've used the Rover App and found a gal to watch the dogs while we go are out and about during the day. I really hope Pua adapts well. I never have to worry about Kai because he is the most easy going dog I've ever met. 

2017 DECEMBER DAILY | 07

With Little Snow.. comes a Little Tiny Snowman.

The entire San Antonio was in a frenzy tonight as large flurries of snow fell from the sky. I was quite excited to, but then it made me miss Alaska and real winters even more. Ever since we left our Winter Wonderland, the holidays have been quite the adjustment. Although the hubby and I grew up in Hawaii, where we've always had tropical as our backdrop of our holiday season, I do miss EVERYTHING about enjoying a white Christmas. 

Kai did love the shift in weather, however the other one chose to stay indoors and was not fond of the cold, let alone big flakes falling from the sky. This big guy grew up in snow and he has always loved it! I wish we could take him back to running through a big field covered with snow! I miss him doing "Krazy-Kai". 

What an excited and interesting day though! I've been loving the shift in temperature! But I can see by the forecast that we'll be back in the 70's in no time :)

2017 DECEMBER DAILY | 06

06 | Baby It's Cold Outside.
I've been waiting for this weather ever since I saw it in the forecast last week! So waking up this morning to a crisp 42 degrees, my oh my, I was quite smitten. Quite reminiscent of a cold Winter's Spring's Summer's Day in Alaska! (Yeah that would be relatively warm for Alaskans for sure). But it was a nice change from the constant warm temperatures of 70 degrees (I mean who can stand so much sunshine and warmth! The nerve). But it is winter, and for once, even if just a few days, I'd still like to feel the cold wind chill against my cheeks while I bundled up in a warm fleece blanket. 

The weather was the topic at work, I could not stop talking about it as I sipped my large flask of hot green tea. (But that didn't stop us from getting tacos afterwards). 



Tonight we went with crunchy tacos (Hashtag) YASSS (Hashtag) TacosGiveMeLife (Hashtag) TacosErrday (Insert Taco Emoji, like 5 of them and worshiping hands)

2017 December Daily | Day 03

Day 3 | Holoholo Often.

When I was a little girl, I would come home from school and I would see my father leaving the apartment and when I asked him, "Dey" (I never called him Dad or Daddy, it was always, Dey. My mom always called him that, but I think it was a combination of Dad and Teddy, his nickname.) Anyway, back to the story. My father would always reply, "I go Holoholo!" Holoholo is a term us locals from Hawaii used to describe to go out and enjoy the day, either for a walk, ride, or sail. In other words, to go out for pleasure. The more you holoholo , the easier it is for you to stay positive. I've realized when I compare the lifestyle and people here in San Antonio vs the locals in Hawaii. The people of Hawaii seem to be happier, more laid back, and generally more positive. In fact, Hawaii consistently ranks as one of the happiest states in the country. It literally stems from its unique mixture of culture, the authentic spirit of aloha, and our carp diem lifestyle.

So on my drive home today, I took a snap shot of the sun setting in the distance, and I remembered chasing the sunset in Ala Moana Blvd leaving us in awe of such beauty. Sure sunsets are not the same here and we at times we count the days till we can gather all our belongings and move back on the rock in the middle of the ocean. But for now, we need to embrace where I am, make the most of it, in other words, holoholo often and lasting happiness will follow. Today I stopped by Starbucks to grab one of my absolute favorite desserts of the season. But I didn't get a good pic, so that will be saved for another day in my December Daily. But I did manage to get a coffee sleeve (as I do every year) to put in my album. :)

2017 December Daily (In Progress)

The last time I did this project was back in 2012! It's been a tradition since the kids were little (when Santa used to crawl to our chimney, or rather enter from the back door to drop off their presents). But things started getting busier for all of us (well mainly me, I let work and school take over) and I've been itching to get crafty ever since. One of my favorites was this:

Way back when we made an effort to do a family photoshoot and I actually sewed on my pages! Not only that, but check out the dimension in this layout with that button! This layout 6x12 was so much fun to work with! I loved the challenge of not doing the traditional 12x12, 8x8, or 6x6! But I do have to say, I do enjoy the concept of what the Project Life has introduced to us avid scrapbookers! Since the introduction to the simplicity of scrapbooking that way, it has reshaped the entire scrapbooking community. I'm quite excited that I've been attempting to keep up with this first love of mine. I'm starting to find that balance between what's important and what feeds my soul.

T'was That Time of Year Again...

... For December Daily.

December 12
It's 11:10 pm, we are all upstairs.. doing our own thing (just the way I like it). Izzy and I are getting crafty, I started (it's about time) my December Daily album for 2015 and Izzy's finally painting the Christmas crafts we got last week. 

Craft Time.


I realize, I need it. It's as simple as saying, it's really a part of me, much like people need a vacation after months of working so hard, I need to craft (freely) aside from the school work to be at peace with myself. As I sit here gathering my photos for December (not a lot) I'm thinking how much I haven't been recording my family as much as I used to. Sure I can use the lame excuse of having no time.. but I carry a phone that takes photos, so there is literally no excuse. I used to record and capture our lives pretty good, with lots of photos and stories, and I really miss that. I will try harder, I need to try harder, now more than ever to capture our lives. I love looking back and reading about our experiences and moments that I have forgotten. It means so much to me, I need to reassess, to step back and  make some changes. 

2012 December Daily | 18 - 24

 Backtracking for the sake of my 2012 December Daily Album that is almost done! I'm so excited to have another December Daily on my shelf. I loved bringing out it as part of our Christmas Decor. We all loved looking through the pages and reminiscing on our holidays together.

On that day, my sister in law took Izzy for the day, freeing me a whole day to myself in my feeble attempt to do some Christmas Shopping. Needless to say, the hustle and bustle of the crowd just got to me and gave me a headache (hence my stop to Target for a bottle of water and a bottle of Excedrin Migraine).  I opted to wait for hubby to get home to stop by the mall instead.

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We literally baked all night/morning. I think we went to bed at 2 am! 

*****

I work in the heart of downtown surrounded by some of the best places to eat. Although I always find myself going back to my favorite place where I've been diggin their Crispy Noodles. It was pouring that day, but I sat outside anyway and did some people watching.

*****

Doomsday 2012. Waking up to a hazy day but all smiles, knowing that the world did not end after all.

It was a Gingerbread kind of night.

*****

 

We decided to catch the City Lights on the busiest day possible!  We need to get back, even though Christmas is done.

 

*****

Just hanging outside with my girl(s) and my neice, Abby.

I still find it odd to be out in shorts and flip flops...

Movie night with the family.. and Kai is watching along with us.  Not your usual Christmas movie though, we decided to watch "Resident Evil, Retribuition." This family just has a thing for zombies.

My sons, GF always hanging out with us...

*****

 

Baking, eating, baking, and eating again.. all night.

 

Christmas 2012.

T'was the night before Christmas and Mommy & Daddy stayed up way to late (4am) to be exact. Only to be woken up at 6am by an eager 9 year old. We tried to convince her to get back to bed for another hour or so, but that didn't work. She went in to wake up her big brother instead. So hovering over us in the wee hours of the morning are our kids (well just 2 of them, Ethan has been sick for a few days) both eager to open their gifts.

(cookies for Santa)


(Every year at midnight, the kids get to pick one gift to open. Some how this year, they convinced me that they could open one from the stocking too.)

So this year, I was so tired.. that I barely took pics of the kids opening up their gifts. This was my favorite of the bunch. Capturing Caelan opening up his gifts on Christmas morning while his girlfriend, Arzu was on the line watching it all. Their long distance relationship warms my heart. It gives a new meaning to "hope, faith, believe..." and against all odds. All of which, what it takes to keep these relationships going. But I love seeing his eyes light up when they talk or when he gets to share a special moment like this.

Christmas 2012 was indeed a blessed one. Although it seems like it came and went in the blink of an eye, my family and I are simply blessed to be surrounded with so much love, family, and fortunate for all the gifts under the tree.  I do find that as the kids get older, the magic of "believing" seems to fade but this year they were able to enjoy the season of "giving." Being surrounded by family and new friends, this was the first year we were out with the crowd last minute shopping for family and friends. I loved taking Caelan Christmas Shopping, he is such a giving and thoughtful person.

I spent Christmas morning sleeping in and watching tv. (I caught Sweet November on tv!)

2012 December Daily | 13- 17

So it's been a busy week with the kids home. Busy in a sense that there is absolutely no routine, what so ever! We finally get out of bed when we finally wake up.  We go for bike rides instead of grocery shopping. There is something to be said about Christmas Breaks, lots of family time!

I have been keeping up with my December Daily and Project Life, cause along with not having to wake up early... we all stay up very late! (For instance, it's 1:23 am on a Saturday Morning, we are all wide awake!)

(Photo above) My FM station in my car hasn't been working in a while. So a while back I made a disc of 11 songs, mostly random but more of Pink's latest songs. And it is the only decent thing to listen to. So Izzy and I love, "Give Me A Reason" by Pink... and we totally sing to our hearts desire during our car rides.

Izzy LOVES to paint! In fact, she loves to do anything creative. So while we all do our own "thing" on a relaxed Saturday afternoon. She brings out her paint supplies and gets busy. I have her canvas painting all over the house. One of my faves is one she made for her teacher! But I didn't get a photo of it !

Every year, we've been creating our Ginger Bread Houses with a girlfriend of hers. This year, she got to do one with her cousin, Abby. I usually help assemble the houses, but this time the only thing I did was open the box. With tons of candy to spare, the girls quickly abandoned their half-decorated houses to play outside instead.

And.. what a difference some rain does for the soul. I simply LOVE it.  It has been a lot cooler, although my kids seem to regress. It's winter time here on the islands and although Christmas is just around the corner, it still really doesn't feel like the Holidays for us still.

There is a lot more to my December Daily.. but like many, I thought the world was gonna end today, and I figured I'd spend it hugging my family then organizing my blog thoughts.  :) LOL!

Our 2012 Xmas Card

Credits:
Template Paislee Press
Printed WHCC on Pearl Paper (wish you could see how pretty that shimmer looks)

This year we just couldn't get our act together and as I saw everyone else making their cards I was still looking for outfits. So I saw this idea on Paislee Press and thought "hmmm".

I used mostly Instagram photos which I thought was cool considering that's where 90% of my photos come from... And I just loved the way it turned out!