New Years

Since hubs is out of town, I decided to spend New Years with my other soulmate and her family
- The Harlows.
Brother and I joined the Harlows for a fondue and fun games night...

...And then Kari spoiled me with a massage.

And then I fell asleep.
Woke up for the ball drop. I think.
Good New Years for muah!

Brother's new 'Do'

Since my brother was in town - I made him be a guinea pig and gave him a new do....full cut, color {subtle highlight - not pictured} and style....

Doing his hair, reminded me how much I miss doing hair. I remember racing out of High School to head to Cosmetology school. I can't wait till Chad is a Dentist, and I can stay home and do hair out of our home.....

The Funeral

Once again, this post has been almost 2 weeks in the making.
**WARNING**
It's one of those topics that should be handled with care, it's not me showing off a craft, or an outfit - or proclaiming to the world how much I love my husband and furries.

I've always wanted to make sure that I portray myself as a respectful, kind, intelligent person.
I don't want to blurt out anything that could hurt, or make anyone think less of me.
With that being said - this post will be real- unedited.
The day my grandfather died - I saw him. The life literally sucked out of him.
He lay there lifeless, the spirit long gone from his body - and the warmth barely lingering on his skin.
The image I will never be able to erase from my memory.
I keep kicking myself for walking down the hallway, into his room.
*
Death isn't like it is in the movies - it isn't like Greys Anatomy, or Bones - it is real and horrific.
I've only been to a couple funerals, but I haven't seen what happens ' behind the scenes'.
I was moved beyond emotion as I sat in the living room as the funeral home 'removed' Grandpa from his home...in bag, on a stretcher.
Those two white vans in the driveway never looked as eerie to me as they did that day.
*
The day of the viewing my dad was responsible for getting his father {grandpa} into his temple clothes.
I cannot let my mind wander to this moment, because I cannot imagine
what I will be like when that day comes.
Hopefully I will be stronger than I am now.
*
Funeral day:
I sobbed most of the day, I couldn't make it through the any of the hymns that day, or look at my dad as he was giving the Eulogy.
I went through a box of tissue, and still remember what it was like to see the casket closed, and to hear the tears coming from every member of my family.
The funeral was beautiful, the ceremony would have made Grandpa proud.
*
Today
I am so thankful for the life my family has chosen to live. Thankful for the opportunity to be with each and every member of my family again.
This is the only thing that helps me push the lump in my throat back were it belongs.
Because life doesn't end here.

Baby brother got to dedicate Grandpa's grave.

Grandpa's Viewing

Tonight after I got off work, Landon and I drove to San Jose to make it to the last part of my grandfathers viewing. It was a great opportunity for me to remember what the Plan of Salvation has in store for us, and the promises that the Lord has made to us.
It was comforting to be able to sit down in the arms of my family and be overcome with the spirit, and the happiness we have knowing that Grandpa is in such a better place.

"Death is an essential part of Heavenly Father's plan of salvation (see 2 Nephi 9:6). In order to become like our Eternal Father, we must experience death and later receive perfect, resurrected bodies.
When the physical body dies, the spirit continues to live. In the spirit world, the spirits of the righteous “are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow” (Alma 40:12)." - Pulled directly from lds.org

Family in Town....

My family flew in today for Grandpa's funeral this week - and they decided to drive up to Lodi....
We had a Birthday dinner for Nic at the Velvet Grille and this is what ended the night:

On a much sadder note, the hubs left this afternoon to visit his family in Seattle for a week....gunna miss that cuddle monster of mine.

Merry Christmas!

"We all enjoy giving and receiving presents. But there is a difference between presents and gifts. The true gifts may be part of ourselves—giving of the riches of the heart and mind—and therefore more enduring and of far greater worth than presents bought at the store."

Christmas Eve

Christmas is a time to surround yourself with family and friends
(and hot cocoa, cozy socks, fireplaces, movies, naps.....)

Chad usually spends the Holidays with his family in Washington -
So when I couldn't get time off from my AWESOME {Sarcastic) job I was pretty upset.
I was extremely thankful when he decided to stay with me for Christmas, and then
head up to Washington for New Years....
Don't I have the best husband ever?
I sure do think so....
So we decided to spend Christmas Eve cuddled up with our favorite (second) family
The Harlows.

We ate a lot of treats at the Harlows Christmas party

We played this interesting dime in the flour game:

And then as things were winding down, the Nelson family played a GORGEOUS impromptu collection of Christmas songs:

So. It was a GREAT Christmas Eve.
Hope you all had a fantastic day surrounded by family, friends, and happiness.

Ugly Sweater & EBar

My brother is in town, and I couldn't help but get excited for us to go to the Ugly Sweater party at Scott's house tonight - We searched Goodwill and couldn't find any ugly sweaters - so we ended up checking out Forever21 and there were SO MANY hideous sweaters - we ended up picking some cool B1G1F matching sweaters!

The sweater party was great, we did a gift exchange and had more fun shopping for gifts - that recieving them {my poor brother got an Ugly Sweater as a gift!}

Everyone from the sweater party headed to Elephant Bar to visit Chad while he was working since he wasn't able to attend.

All in all.
It was an ugly night.

San Francisco

I love San Francisco, and Santa Cruz.....
Everyone seems so happy, and the mood is so tranquil and laid back.
I am crossing my fingers HARD that Chad gets accepted to the Dental School in
San Francisco. I would literally be in HEAVEN.
{while he slaves away in Dental School}
Jogging along the ocean, shopping, food, street vendors, and performers, the sun, sand in my toes, family would probably want to visit us more :) and I could be in heaven with my heavenly husband....
***SIGH***
Anyways.
Here's some pictures from our recent trip to Frisco with my brother:

Grandpa

This is one of those posts that I've been drafting in my head for several days, I've been trying to decide how much, or how little to explain.
Death is one of those topics that not a lot of people like to discuss, let alone read about.
So, if this isn't your cup of tea - I'd skip this post.
*warning*
We have known for several weeks that Grandpa Piercy wasn't doing so well, after weekly tests, and seeing a rapid decline in his health - we started to prep ourselves for the near future.
I don't think that it's ever possible to prepare yourself for the death of a loved one. We were told by hospice that Grandpa only had a few days to live, so we decided that on my next day off we would head up to tell him how much we loved him, and appreciated having him as a Grandpa. A few minutes into our drive to San Jose, we were called and told that he had just died.
As we immediately entered the home, we were overwhelmed with a wave of sadness and tears, and surrounded by mourning family.

As horrific as death is, we have such an amazing opportunity as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to believe that we have the opportunity to be with our family after our earthly life.
This is one of those times, that even after struggling to find truth - I turn to the Plan of Salvation and what
it promises us.
Arrangements are being made for the viewing and funeral, and during this time -
A prayer goes out to my Grandmother - the women who loved my Grandpa until his dying day.

Reflection

I'm sure not sure why I'm always so reflective on Sunday:
-Maybe it's because I haven't been to church in over a year & I miss it
-Maybe it's that I listen to several conference talks
-Maybe it's because it's DEAD at work
-Maybe it's because. Well. All of the above.

I always tend to ponder my life, and the lives of those around me. I wonder how far I've come, and how far I have left to go before I can be completely proud of who I am.
I have such a great life, and have such a great husband to share my life with.
I cannot even imagine myself happier with a better partner.
It's reflective moments like these when I am so appreciative for family.
The fights
The tears
The emergency meetings
Late night snack runs
Slurpies at 7-11
The emails, texts, skype sessions
The forwards, silly messages
The hugs, butterfly kisses, and cuddles....

Families are forever - and I take such great comfort in knowing that.
Baby brother leaves to go to the MTC to prepare to serve his mission in:
24 days
{but who's counting}
and it's in these 'final days' that I really stop and wonder if he knows how much I love him, how much I appreciate his young sweet spirit, and how much I look up to him.
Today, I've been pondering my baby brother - and praying for the Lord to help him on his mission.
To guide, support, challenge, and enlighten him.

...Happy Sunday Everyone ...

Saturday in my shoes....

This is what my day consisted off:

I drove to Target on my day off to pick a new planner.
Usually my favorite part of the New Year. BUT.
Planners and I have a love hate relationship.
I always end up getting one that I don't think I will like at first, but then by the end of the year never could have planned how perfectly it worked out.
So. Year after year. I end up being miserable for Jan/Feb with a new planner.
And then I am in love.
So. The hunt has been going on for about a month now - Borders {before they closed}, Barnes and Noble, Walmart, and I ended up sticking with Target.

Chad and I got a Christmas package from The Wierlo's today - and It made my day. I love getting mail, but getting packages is even better!
They sent us a gorgeous christmas card, a personalized ornament - and some gifts for us to open on Christmas day.
Thank you Steve and Terri for thinking about us.
I am still bummed as we inch closer to Christmas that we won't be able to spend it cuddling with the Wierlos - but I am frequently reminding myself how all of this 'bad job' stuff is temporary.

After work, I FINALLY finished glittering my "Let your heart be light" decoration - and it was drying with modge podge as I snuggled up with Dexter and my hot cocoa to fall asleep to Glee.

Dexter's Photoshoot & Relax Time

I know that one of my 24 followers is laughing at this post....
Imagine that I just punched you square in the face.
I love animals, always have, always will.
Dexter is like our CHILD - since we haven't had children yet.

{Hopefully we will be pregnant this year though!}
So. Stop laughing, and let me tell you about our angels photoshoot.
Terri - from Terri Fairbanks Photography helped us get some pictures of Dex
for our Christmas card this year.
{I bet she thought we were crazy too!}
Dexter proved everyone wrong and was such a good dog, he responds very well to Oscar Meyer lunch meat,
and Terri got some AMAZING shots of him -
I can't wait to see the rest!
Then hubby and I got to relax and play some COD, and then we fished for awhile - and
headed home so Chad could go to work.

Work Party & Girls Night

I got to go to Garibaldi's Christmas Lunch today at the Waterloo Gun and Bocce club were we had a catered lunch, and played Bocce!
This is one of the maintenance guys and the housekeeper that work at the property with me....

After that I met up with Terri, Cyndie, Steph, and 2 other gals for Dinner at Dave Wongs.
(No picture. FAIL)
We did a Gift Exchange and look what I picked? It's a high heel tape dispenser.
Cute right? {excellent work Cyndie!}
Now we are heading up to Fred & Terri's for a movie and sleepover!

And yes, we are taking Dex. He's got a photoshoot with Terri in the morning!

Wednesday is my Friday....

And every Wednesday. I sing this song while I'm walking to work.

Excited for some Zumba tonight. and then 2 whole glorious days off.

Chads been CRAZY busy studying, he finishes classes TOMORROW!
He is so excited to be done, and able to have a few weeks off before his last semester at UOP!

Gym, Zumba & Ellen

A good friend of mine Melissa goes to a gym in Lodi called 'Fitness Works' - She encouraged me to come to Zumba with her, and I ended up joining her membership because it was so cheap! (Like $20 a month cheap!) We went to Zumba last night and I had a blast, but it reminded me how UNCOORDINATED I am. I don't go dancing because I can't move like that, so being in a room with a bunch of people shaking their bodies was complicated for me.
I am hoping to get better as the weeks go on, but for now - no dance parties for me until I can teach these hips not to lie :) {get it, Shakira?! No ?}
Tonight is Yoga, and I am much more excited for something I feel comfortable doing.
I found this HILARIOUS Ellen video today - it will make you laugh.
Happy Tuesday Everyone!

Netflix.

I am addicted to watching movies, and tv series, I love relaxing with a cup of hot cocoa {or tea lately}
and watching a movie. I watched "The Roomate" tonight. FREAKING crazy. I was eeked out the entire time.

Guess that'll teach me to put a movie in my queue without watching the trailer first.

Sunday Funday

I am absolutely exhausted from working on Sundays - it is literally depressing walking to work while Chad is walking out the door to go to church....
To the family ward... without his wife.
I hate it.
I have to constantly remind myself that this is temporary, and that in the future we will be able to go and enjoy church together.
I can't wait when we get to cuddle on the bench and listen to crying children, and last minute lesson plans.
Enough complaining.
While I was in San Jose my dad took me to the LDS Bookstore and bought Chad and I this:
Beautiful huh?
It's a great reminder right when I walk out the door - Thanks Dad!

Santa Cruz & Grandparents time

Today, my dad and I decided we should take a quick drive over to Santa Cruz to get some Clam Chowder on the pier - it as an ABSOLUTELY beautiful day!

We walked around a bit - checked out the shops - I got some Peppermint Bark and we headed back to spend time with family....

We had a delicious dinner of Chicken Roll ups, salad, veggies, and Red Velvet cake for dessert! Then I headed home to get ready to go back to work in the morning.....When I got home, Dexter told me I could never leave him again!

Piercy Grandparents....

We are lucky to have some family relatively close to us. The Piercy grandparents, and some of my cousins live in San Jose - on my days off this week I got to visit and see my grandparents, and my dad who was visiting.
We went grocery shopping and picked up some snacks for the move:
I convinced my dad to go see Twilight with my Grandma, Aunt and I - and I think he liked it.
I don't think he really understood it much, and he asked for his $ back when we left.
But I think deep down I've created a fan.
After the movie he told me that in Part 2,
"The vampire baby is going to bite vampire bella's parents because they are human!"
Silly dad.
Then we went to Goodwill and picked up some ties for my baby brother who leaves on his mission next month!!
Then it was picture time with the fam - my Grandpa has gotten progressively sicker by the day - and is awaiting more test results. (We are sure that he has Cancer)
It was great to see him, and to be able to rub his back and see him smile.
It's an amazing reminder of how we should appreciate our lives, and be ready to meet the Savior whenever he sees fit.

9 Months!!

Look at this stud! Chads brother forwarded me this picture.....SUCH a handsome boy - Can't believe I'm married to such a gorgeous guy!
HAPPY 9 MONTHS OF MARRIAGE MY GORGEOUS HUSBAND!

Well. We are officially:

I have been wanting to "revamp" the blog for awhile now, thinking I could do it myself instead of pay an obscene amount of money - I went to work. FAIL. I don't like how anything turned out, and sadly I spent the greater part of the day working on all the fonts, layout, etc. SO.
I found, through my new blog BFF Lauren @ Pink On the Cheek that she used an A-MAY-ZING blog designer who does excellent work {staulked her already} and for a great price. I waited about 2 weeks before her waitlist opened up, and then got right on it! Hopefully it's not to much longer until we can fix the mess I've created.

In the meantime - SORRY for the wierd spacing, awkward layout, and just about everything else.

Date Night....

Handsome hubby and I try to go on a "date night" once a week...
doesn't matter if it's grocery shopping, dinner, a movie, or just sitting in the hot tub for an hour -
we try and get away for some quiet time....

{not like we have kids to bother us or anything- though the dog is like a kid!}
It's something we've both learned is important to keeping the love strong.
Tonight we went to our favorite restaurant Shangri La in downtown Lodi
We are in LOVE with this place.
We found the restaurant via some friends several years ago, and then found them on restaurant.com
SO:
For 2$ you get a 25$ giftcard - and have to spend $35 dine in only.
If you do the math - that ends up being a pretty cheap meal.
We usually get an appetizer or two,
two full entrees
and dessert
& leave a FAT tip for all of $30.
I get to cuddle on a bench with my warm cozy husband =priceless
So it's a win-win-win.

After dinner, we hot tubbed, played some COD, and I fell asleep as soon as the lights went out :) Oopsies.

Pinterest Idea - "Let your heart be light"

I found this super cute idea on pinterest {I couldn't resist when I saw that glitter!}

Cute Right? So, I printed it out on cardstock, and modpodged some glitter on it. I've got another coat to add, and then I am going to put some blue glitter from my new Martha Stewart glitter kit on it as well, to match with our other decorations.

Broiled Grapefruit....

Found an interesting idea on Pinterest the other day, so Chad & I tried it on my lunch break today:

Broiled Grapefruit - It wasn't bad. The butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon all kind of carmelize and sweeten the grapefruit. It was good - but a lot of work for a fruit that's already a lot of work.

Wolf Man.

I get to have an AWESOME last week of English class. 'What are we talking about' you ask?
Vampires & Werewolves.
My class is in luck, because they have a big Twi-Nerd to talk to
{yep. Thats me!}
Alright, I will be honest. We aren't having a Twilight week. We are actually having a week discussing the origination of Vampires/Werewolves, and when they became so popular {my vote is Twilight numero uno!}
So. After I do all the lame research, and discuss that - we get to talk present day.
You best believe my vote goes out for Edward, and I will make it known.
Last night, I had to watch this movie from 1941 - Thank goodness for Chads commentary, I wouldn't have made it:
Excited for class to be done, especially for Chad. Poor guy is beyond exhausted - and I can't wait for him to be able to relax and have some time away from Dental Applications and studying.