Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Happy Memorial Day!




Thank you to all the service men and women who have died to protect our freedom!


Monday, May 20, 2013

It's a Minnie Mouse 1st Birthday!


Party planning in the month of May was a challenge but well worth it!  I want to give a special thank you to my partner in crime and best friend James.  I could not have planned the party without your help.  You were my right hand man the entire time.  I love you and thank you so much for all your help!  I would also love to thank my mom for all her behind the scenes help with EVERYTHING, my sweet friend Becky (http://www.rebeccacalagna.com) for the adorable invites, Leigh (http://www.sugarbellecakeshoppe.com/) for making the beautiful cakes, Trish aka Nonie for the cakes and working her little booty off to help us set up and organize all the party stuff, our sweet friend Scotty for driving all of our party stuff back and forth, setting up and breaking down the party, and all the behind the scenes work you did to help make this party happen, Jeff (http://smithfolio.com) for taking awesome pictures of our very special moments, Auntie Hillie-Bear for watching the babies while we set up and picking up party necessities, and my wonderful Kerry for coming early to help set up the party.  Wow, I am blessed to have such wonderful people in my life!!!!




I have never thrown a party like this before so to say I had no idea what I was doing is a understatement!  All I have to say is thank goodness for Pinterest and awesome friends and family.  We had a wonderful day celebrating our little miracles Minnie Mouse style!  Both girls had fun even though I am sure they had no idea what all the fuss was about.  Our little Piper's cold had developed into a cough and she was not feeling well at all...poor baby!  I think if she was her normal self we could have gotten more smiles out of her.









 

After the party James and I sat on the couch and just starred at each other.  I don't think either one of us had ever been that exhausted before in our lives.  It was worth it though and I would do it again in a heart beat.  Well, I should be more specific, I would do it again for their 1st birthday in a heart beat.  All I can say is turning 2 is going to be a LOT different. :-)



What a Difference a Year Makes!


May 17, 2012











11 Months Old (Mommy Lost the Sticker)


This year has been the most challenging, exhausting, happiest, and amazing year of our lives!  The birth of our sweet miracles has changed our lives for the better forever.  James and I look at each other all the time and say we can't imagine what our lives were like before Phoebe and Piper.  They are the most amazing little girls!!  It has been an honor watching them grow, learn, and change over this past year.

Both girls are very, very, very close to walking!  WALKING....yikes, not sure we are ready for that.  Phoebe took about 6 steps and Piper is still a little bit nervous and will take about 2 steps and then she is done.  Piper loves to point to noses and Phoebe loves to entertain us with her silly noises.  Both girls are so happy and love people.  I am anxious/excited for our 1 year doctor appointment next week so that the doctor can give us an update on the girls and their progress.


Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Mother's Day, 1st Birthday Planning, and Anniversary....oh and A Portfolio/Thesis!


This week has only just begun and already I am exhausted!  We kicked off this week with a wonderful 1st Mother's day for me.  Piper, Phoebe and I spent the morning at church celebrating and honoring all the wonderful mommies with our church family.  We even had a surprise visit from Grammie, Auntie Nattie and Auntie Hillie-Bear.  What a wonderful surprise!!!  James worked very hard to make me feel special even though he worked most of the day.  I am very blessed to have such a wonderful family.





Monday Fun-Day was spent running errands to get all of the party food and supplies we will need to celebrate Piper and Phoebe's 1st Birthday (We did squeeze in a quick stop in Laguna Beach in the midst of the craziness for some family fun).  The girls had a couple of firsts yesterday...the first time they put their feet in the ocean and their first cart ride at Costco.  I love that Coscto carts have a spot for two kids...wahoo!  Unfortunately, both James and I forgot our phones in the car so we could not get a picture of our little girls loving their first Costco cart ride...boo!  Oh well, I am sure there will be many, many more Costco cart rides in our future.



Today, Tuesday, May 14th James and I will celebrate 9 years of wedded bliss!  I am so happy I made the big decision to say "I do" to my best friend and soul mate.  The last nine years have been crazy, but there is no one else I would want to go on this journey of life with.  James makes me laugh and smile like no one else.  I am so proud of the man he has become.  He is not only a wonderful husband but an amazing dad and an incredible Pastor to our Rancho Capistrano church family.  I'm blessed beyond belief!

Just when I thought things could not get crazier, they did....I am putting together my thesis portfolio this month and will officially have my Master's degree by the end of the month!  Wow, what a journey this process has been.  I will admit my timing is not the best when I decided to go back to school, but I am honestly glad I did it now.  It has been a crazy past several months but I will be so happy once it is all done and behind me.




Tuesday, May 7, 2013

No Fun-Day Monday!


This Monday was a sad day in the Valencia household...ALL the girls in the house were sick! :-(  I started getting sick on Friday and I clearly passed it on to Piper and Phoebe.  I feel awful about it.  This is the first time a cold has knocked out both girls.  They were so miserable yesterday and my heart was broken.  Thank goodness I had James to help me.


Since I don't have good pictures from yesterday I will post a picture from our fun Friday night date night to our favorite...El Ranchito in Laguna.  It was the babies first visit and they had so much fun!


Phoebe @ our Cinco de Mayo celebration at church

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Monday Fun-Day (a few days late)...

Better late than never...



Shopping Cart Adventures

The babies had their very first ride in the shopping cart together and separate this past week.  I think Piper enjoyed her solo ride much, much better than being strapped in with her sister.  I can't wait to take the girls to Costco so we can try out their cart that is built for two up front!