Wordless Wednesday

Daddy's Got the Shotgun Out

"Oh he better get the shotgun ready! Anytime your girls bring home a guy start cleaning the shotgun."

Last Friday night, while I am standing in a small circle of adults I mention that I have two little girls and the first reaction is that their father better start contemplating his scare tactics for future boyfriends when they come to the house to meet us. The things that are said would suggest my daughters could bring home young men that would disrespect them, lack the confidence to demand a good man, or even worse case scenario not know how to stand up for themselves.

I understand the light-hearted comments are well-meaning but since we found out we were having a girl the same comments have been repeated over and over. Instead of hearing that each time I say that I have two girls, I'd like to hear "you should start working on their uppercut". I don't want to raise my girls to become women that need a man to protect them. I hope for my girls to be able to recognize a respectful man, a man that values them for who they are, and treasures them as I do. Strong women only in this household and men that can match that.

Can I get a witness?!

#19 Get another tattoo

In Las Vegas and with the support of my close girlfriends, I did it. For me to get another tattoo was really no big accomplishment since I have known for 2 years what I wanted to get and where it was going to be. I just lacked the follow through so we all thought why not now, here in Vegas.

Tattoo Heaven helped me cross off #19 from my list when they put Julianna's birthdate written in Hebrew on my back. Just perfect.

My first tattoo was a butterfly as a symbol of happiness in the Chinese culture, in honor of my brothers' heritage; the butterfly was designed from a toe ring that my mom and I picked out in Santa Cruz in my favorite colors. The next tattoo Julianna's birthdate was drawn just below the butterfly which now appears to be landing on the text. The symbolism is that my happiest moment was the day that I became a mother.

I do plan to have one done to represent Amaya but I have yet to figure it out. Her addition will be just as meaningful as the first two. But no rush for now.

Our trip to Calaveras Big Trees

We packed up the car with my mom, sister, and girls; lunch cooler and extra clothes included. The drive that felt like it lasted forever was only 2 hours but the weather was gorgeous and the air spectacular. Take a peek at some of the photos. This is a must daytrip, heck maybe a camping trip if I can muster the courage to sleep out there with the well known bears.

Vegas Baby! #8 Go on Girls' Vacation

Vegas Baby!

That's how I refer to my upcoming vacation each and every time I can mention it to anyone that listens. I am for the first time ever going on a trip with a few of the best girlfriends a woman can share my life with. This vacation also the first time I have ever left the kids for an extended time, overnight for Amaya. The fantasy of traveling to Las Vegas for a weekend trip sounded so enticing but as the date drew nearer I realized I wasn't ready to be without the smiles and hugs of Julianna and Amaya. A weekend vacation just wasn't going to happen for me until they leave for college.

Late one night curiosity, and a little bit of midnight restlessness, set in and I looked around for flights to Las Vagas. My option was to leave Friday evening and return Monday morning, oh dear tears started rolling down my face its far too long I think to myself. I find an early flight Saturday morning and earliest return flight on Sunday morning. I send out the message that I will be joining the clan for just one night. I am immediately instructed that Las Vegas cannot be accomplished in just one night. Now what, how in the world can I abandon my children for two whole nights and days. The guilt has taken over and I call my mom for moral support. Well, that didn't help since I get from her that she never left me overnight until I was at least a teenager. But she does encourage me that the girls will be okay and I'll have fun.

Long story short, I find the perfect flight I am most comfortable with that leaves late Friday evening and returns early Sunday morning. My pep talk goes a little like this: I'll only be gone for technically one day and be back just after breakfast on Sunday. Now I might sleep the entire day that I return but at least I'll be able to snuggle with my girls the entire day.

Can't live without them. Kids.

But I'm doing this for me and get to cross off #8 on my Project 622. Accomplished.

Giveaway from Flowerz in Her Hair

Enter this great giveaway from Flowerz in Her Hair at A Little of This and a Little of That

Giveaway ends on July 25, 2010 at 11:59pm EST

I have never been much of a bow person despite I have two girls. But I saw my friend wearing one of Amy's bows from the Heart Collection and fell in love. I told Amy to send me some and she created the most beautiful bows for my girls.

Beautiful bows made from the heart.

Get your own for yourself or little girls.

#16 Got credit score

I requested the dreaded credit report. The one that you are supposed to check every year. Well I've never check my credit report as recommended, because much like the medical business philosophy, "no news is good news". If I ignored it then I wouldn't have to be honest with myself, personally I like to avoid problems that I can't solve.

Quite the accomplishment for me, face my problems and be patient. I am all about solving problems and getting it done immediately. Improving credit score (#17) will have to take time but at least I know now where my starting line is. That starting line is fair and certainly not as bad as I thought.

So now I have to take the steps to get to the perfect 800. I will make a promise for my children to have better credit rating than they do so I can be a co-signer if necessary for those, ugh, college loans.