Rainy Day wish list

For whatever reason, this summer has been a rainy one here in Hawaii. I really do love the rain but I would like a few sunny beach days before baby comes if it's not too much to ask, just a few....please? On this particular rainy night, I found myself searching the web and came up with this...my collage of everything I wish I had tonight.

who doesn't love rain boots and I certainly wouldn't mind having this selection to choose from before I go splash around in some rain puddles!

and this amazing little nook...

and maybe a small bouquet of fresh flowers to smell... and to place next to my little nook above...

and these amazing treats...If anyone really knows me, they know I LOVE oreos! I wish I had a personal chef to make them for me right now...don't these look scrumptious!

And of course this handsome face to spend it all with! Isn't this picture AWESOME!

Happy Anniversary to us!

1 year ago today I was sealed to the most perfect man for me. He was that "surfer boy" I had always been searching for and so much much MUCH more. he is everything I need in a companion and friend. He is the half that makes me whole. Without embarrassing him too much, one of the things I love most about Greg is his passion. He really is incredible.
For our anniversary we spent a little romantic weekend in Waikiki. Stayed at the Hilton, dinned at some fancy restaurants (my favorites being 1. Roy's and 2. Giovanni pastrami), went to see "crazy, stupid, love" (which we both recommend), spent lots of time at the beach playing & surfing, a little time at the pool, stayed up late, slept in, ate lots of warm cookies (compliments of the Hilton) and just loved having each other to spend it with. It was a perfect little, romantic get-away.

I wanted to share a few photo's taken from our very special wedding day, just 1 year ago, Aug. 14th 2010.

random happy thoughts

I woke up this morning just pondering my life, thinking of my past, present & future. I realized that even though I am not doing anything extremely fun or adventurous at this present moment I feel the happiest I have ever been. Having Greg in my life is the number one reason I feel so blessed. Just being at this stage in our life, knowing we are sealed for all eternity, knowing I have someone to love & love me in return brings such peace.
I feel lucky. I feel that I have lived a good life. I thank my family who has brought me such joy & so much laughter. If there was one word I could use to describe my relationship with my family, I would say "laughter". We can talk for hours to each other which contributes to our close relationship and when we all get together, I think we laugh more than anything.
I think some of my most growing experience would have to contribute to the many father-daughter walks I took with my dad. he is my hero.
And Greg has just added to the joy and happiness I feel each day. I have never felt closer to anyone. He is the greatest best friend I could ask for.
In my midst of my random pondering this morning, I also thought of my mission. I remembered in my "exit interview" with my mission president he said something that has stuck with me. He told me that the four most special days in my life would be
1. the day I opened my mission call
2. the day I returned home
3. the day I was sealed to my etenal companion (that one's my favorite) and
4. the birth of my first child.

It's carzy to think all except one of those days has happened and that the last one is only months away. I get nervous about becoming a mom at times. But thinking of my own family and the husband I have by my side only brings me back to peace. We are so excited for our little angel to come join us. We know she is so special. It's funny how you can love someone you have never met so much. We can't wait to meet her.

my super talented sister in law took some pictures of greg and I when we went home. I will have to post the rest of them soon. Here is one with our little bump for now.

My "Thank you" note

You know how Jimmy Falon has that funny short skit where he writes sarcastic "thank you" notes while listening to sympathetic music.... well here's mine.

Thank you Lani's for being such a beautiful beach with Sea Turtles and waves that everyone tourist on the island has to stop to take pictures with you. Thank you for being located directly off Kam Hwy, that lovely one lane road. Thank you for making your parking lot across the road with no easy access to the beach except to j-walk in front of us. Thank you for making us sit in at least 30 mins of traffic every Sunday on our way home from church... and making us late to movies... and a few time to work. And finally thank you for making me get so angry that I might have yelled something not so nice to one of the many tourists crossing the street in front of us. So I'm saying, thank you Lani's for making me work on my patience day after day after day. :)

20 weeks

Yes, it's true I reached my half way mark in my pregnancy today. 20 weeks. I was really excited to wake up to our little baby girl kicking. We haven't felt her much, just a few kicks within this last week, but today it just made me smile to fell those tiny little kicks. I stayed excited until I got on the Internet and read my weekly pregnancy update; only to find out I am expected to gain a pound a week for the next 20 weeks. All I can say is, I am sorry Greg. Although you probably don't care, I feel bad. Will you still love me? Will I still love myself?
Well back to the exciting stuff, Baby Steele is the length of a banana...about 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel and she weighs about 10 1/2 ounces (these are estimates). In our last ultrasound visit, the Dr. saw all 10 toes and fingers, 2 eyes, 2 ears, her nose & mouth, spine, brain, verified she's a girl and said she was, "A perfect baby". Who doesn't like to hear that.:).
We are anxiously awaiting her to join our family. I think Greg is a little more anxious than me. Almost daily I hear him say, "I can't wait for baby Zoey to come." (we've been calling her Zoey, but that could change.)
Greg is going to be such an amazing father. He is already such a loving, giving and caring husband. I couldn't have chosen a better partner. I love him with all my heart.

These were taken at our latest ultrasound, we have "Baby Girls" profile and little foot. We love her already.

Me loving & playing with Baby and some belly shots to share.

Belly Shots

After work on Thursday, Greg & I were making dinner together (we made delicious steak taco's, which I should have also captured). While we were cooking and enjoying one of our many fun evenings at home together Greg said, "we gotta capture this, you really look pregnant." Baby is sure growing.

I feel ALIVE

One of the greatest things that has happened to me was that I finally got Saturdays & Sundays off of work. I feel like shouting Hallelujah. I have been battling with my manager since the day I started working for one reason or another & recently everything is just falling into place. This child is already bringing me good luck! Thank you baby. For one of our first saturday adventures we got together with kiley & scotty & enjoyed a wonderful day in Honolulu. The boys found some surf, I found some sunshine. We ate a wonderful dinner at cheesecake factory and went out for frozen yogurt for dessert (my request). It was a million times better than spending the day at work. P.s. Today I found out that I finally got promoted to "full-time" status. Oh happy day!