Nakia Jordan TWO sweet

Is it possible to watch your baby go from speaking baby babble to singing the national anthem, or from depending on you to do everything to telling you, "No, I do it" in just two years?!  And that isn't even the half of it.  Our beautiful daughter turned TWO YEARS OLD today and I am a proud mommy.  

What BebePrincess is into now...

• Hello Kitty
• Princesses
• Doggie Doggies
• Kai Lan
• Einsteins
• Boots
• Doing everything on her own.  She refuses help.  "No, I do it," she says.  Love that she's being Miss Independent, but when Mommy's got things to do and places to be, well you can imagine my frustration.. haha.
• Bear hugs and kisses.  Niki is sweet and affectionate.

Nakia Jordan has grown so much in so many ways.  I must admit her development and intelligence far exceeded that of Kyan when he was two, but then again NJ does has her Kuya (older brother) to follow so she does have the advantage.  She also had the opportunity to start pre-school earlier than her Kuya.  Either way, we are blessed and look forward to the many years ahead of us.

Artform: Dance

Tonight, again, reminded me of how much I love dance.  What an artform.. really.  

Ever since I joined the Tall Flags and Dance Team in high school, I have wanted to be a dancer.  My favorite choreographer (then) was Paula Abdul.  On top of being phenomenal choreographer, she was a Lakers Girl as well.  And if you know me, that's a big deal!

Anyhow, I continue to watch any and all dance reality shows, competitions, movies, live shows every chance that I get.  I am truly inspired and I plan to make it a reality to dance once again.  I may not win Sytycd (So you think you can dance) or get any kind of exposure, but I know that I will feel content knowing that I made the effort to fulfill my dreams.

34 before 35

In no particular order...

1. Spiritually cleanse myself by going to confession.
2. Organize my clothes.
3. Eat more vegetables.
4. Get a massage.
5. Go to the spa.
6. Run (well maybe walk semi-fast) a 5k.
7. Plan a menu.
8. Give away a LOT of stuff.
9. Get a facial.
10. Plan a real vacation.
11. Date my husband.
12. Schedule chores.
13. Call and see my sweetest friends.
14. Dance again.
15. Scrapbook.
16. Start jumping more for photos.
17. 
    

Inspired by my friend Susan Yee.

Happy Happy Birthday Kyan Xander!!

Three years ago, I gave birth to a bouncing baby boy. His eyes were wide open on the first day. He was so observant of all his surroundings.

Today, he is very much the same way. Our Kyan Xander blows us away with his observations. Funny boy, he is.

He still loves his cars, fast action movies like Cars and Speed Racer. He also loves desserts like his mommy! But he does love his beef like his daddy, when he actually eats something.. hehe.. he's a snacker.

Thank you God for this wonderful boy. We look forward to many, many years of FUN!

What Hurts the Most

We truly take for granted the many blessings we have. And it takes someone you know, one heroic life, to be lost to realize that we should cherish every single moment.

On Friday, March 27th, I got some very terrible news. My friend, Florence Bacong Choe, was killed in Afghanistan. I wrote a blog about her last April 2008. I am devastated. I continue to ask why and can't stop crying out about how unfair this is. I still cannot believe that she is not coming back. I am in disbelief.

When death hits you unexpectedly, especially one as tragic as this, it takes a great toll on your heart. She actually just returned back to Afghanistan. Two weeks prior, she was on vacation with her husband and daughter in Hawaii. She was also able to spend some time with her family and my sister, who is best friends with Florence. I had some children's books for theUnited Through Reading program she started out there. I also had a bunch of candy to give her to take back with her, but I was unable to get any of it to her. I feel bad that I didn't initially mail it to her or make the effort to give it to her sooner.

I know that I can't live on worrying about my regrets, but if only I made a better effort to give things to her, it would have made her stay there better. I think of her when I hear Rascal Flatts' What Hurts the Most. She only had 4 months left in her deployment.

My colleague said it best. You can't keep asking why because she has obviously touched the hearts that needed her the most. She has made her beautiful place in this world and in our lives. And although her passing was unfortunate, we need to remember to celebrate the life she led.

Remove the Blanket

It makes me really sad when I hear about a troubled marriage or a divorce. Today I found out about friends who are going/went through both.

Mahal and I have our issues every now and then, I mean what healthy couple doesn't, but we have managed to communicate our concerns to one another, although it might take me longer. I'm the gal in NKOTB's "Two in the Morning" (if you haven't heard the song, listen to it).

Regardless, I honestly wish there was something I could do especially when there's children involved. I come from a home of divorced parents myself all due to poor communication and financial irresponsibility. I may have been in college at the time, but it wasn't something I ever wanted to deal with. I always told myself that I would never let what happened to my parents, happen to me. I just know that if they did not let their pride and lack of communication get to them, they'd still be together.

There are reasons why we choose to marry who we do. In stressful situations, it seems to blanket those very reasons. It's at those times that we need to step back and re-examine what's most important to us.

God bless those in these troubled times.

2009 Givens & Leisures

In random order, I hope to accomplish the following in 2009:

The givens...

1. pray more (for continued blessings and the less fortunate)
2. lose weight (ideally 30 lbs, realistically 15 lbs)
   
3. exercise more (I ran last week so I kinda started early!)
   
4. get my M.A.
   
5. have someone help me organize my life
6. give/donate a LOT of my things
7. even though I don't want to, do more chores
8. spend quality time with family
9. follow up on my health (dental included)
10. be more financially responsible

Now onto the leisures...

1. take a photography/photoshop class
2. take dance classes
3. start up yoga again
4. become either a eucharistic minister or lector
5. scrapbook more
6. gtg more often with friends
7. keep in touch more often

Last few years, I told myself I wasn't going to do them anymore because I wasn't following them.  We create resolutions so that we can better ourselves.  Well this time, I am going to make every effort to follow them.  I know that I can only be a better individual for me and family, just by doing so, especially the givens.