10 dates before baby

We are in the single-digit countdown to Christmas and our due date.  So to soak in these moments with my amazing husband we created our "10 Dates Before Baby".  These are small things, and most of which we can do at home with no cost.  Marriage doesn't mean that the dating ends, and in fact, we have to be consciously aware to not get too comfortable and forget about dating one another.  We know that life will change drastically with the arrival of our baby, so spending as much time together just the two of us is important.  

I tried to find some fun activities that we already enjoy doing, and also added in some to soak in the holiday spirit.  Without further ado, here are our 10 dates:

1. Decorate Christmas cookies

2. Watch a Christmas move together and drink hot cocoa

3. Do a random act of kindness for one another

4. Have a lunch date

5. Go see the Christmas lights

6. Make a pancake breakfast

7. Take a long walk together

8. Get a gift for Minnie together

9. Go to the movies

10. Cheese and crackers while playing a board game 

Sunday night we kicked off our first date and decorated Christmas cookies, to which the husband told me he never did when he was a kid.  My mother in law soon corrected him, and I can't wait for us to do this next year with our little guy.  I'm pretty sure that more frosting went into Daniel's mouth than the cookies.  It was most definitely a very fun night with one another! 

that funny little question

I'm officially on maternity leave, and officially realizing how horrible I have been at blogging!  And now that I'm on maternity leave, I keep getting the same question asked over and over again, "So do you just not know what to do with yourself?"  Every time this gets asked I just laugh.  If only that were the case, because to be quite honest…things have been crazy busy in the LaFuze household.  And I'm learning how to finally take a bit of a break, but it has been a journey. 

Last week at work was intense.  I wish being a teacher and going on maternity leave were two things that made sense together, but they don't.  Leaving your students for three months is a lot of work!  On top of that, I had parent-teacher conferences before and after school, leaving little to no downtime.  I basically had to tell myself that I wasn't pregnant so that I could get through the week, and solely focus on work.  Every time I thought about something that I had to do to get ready for baby, I would write it down for next week.  By the time Friday night came around, I was filled with such a mix of emotions.  You see, I've worked since the age of 10 with no breaks.  Not even in college.  So working is a large part of my identity.  Saying good-bye to that part of my life on Friday was very challenging for me, and the whole ride home I finally let it out and just cried.  I know that what awaits me is just going to be beyond amazing, but it was definitely challenging to finally wrap my mind around the fact that now I had to get ready to have a baby.  

Now everyone keeps asking me this silly question.  And the reason why I laugh is because I have so much to do!  Work consumed so much of me, that now is the time I can finally focus on preparing for our sweet baby boy to arrive.  This week alone I have gone to the chiropractor, a doctor's appointment, goodwill, put some final touches on the nursery, had our carseat installed and inspected, met up with a friend who I'm helping with a photo shoot, made dinner for my brother and sister in law, wrapped all of our Christmas gifts and shipped packages that need to go out.  Today is packed with more appointments.  So maternity leave hasn't been very restful and relaxing as I'd hoped it would be, but I know that after this week things will finally start slowing down.  (And hopefully someone will start coming soon.)  

Even though there has been so much business in our lives, I love seeing all of the beautiful moments we have had.  

Like Minnie snuggling on me whenever I sit on the couch...

Or having Lindsay over for a girl's night which involved eating way too much food and indulging in sugar cookies and hot cocoa...

Or braving the crowds for December Nights at Balboa Park...

Or finally feeling a little bit better after rearranging the gallery wall in the nursery…

(PS: In case you can't find your husband's leveler, remember that there is an app for that!!  It is so nifty and I used me phone to check that all of the frames were level!)

Or crossing off one more item off my to-do list and feeling so good about it...

an anniversary celebration

I remember when we first got married and I thought that every anniversary was going to be this huge celebration- we would go on a trip somewhere, maybe get a hotel, have a nice fancy dinner,  you know- fancy.  Well, we were young and life settled in very quickly.  Those expectations vanished as the years went on, which isn't to say that I gave up all hope on a wonderful anniversary celebration.  We celebrated, but I remember always struggling with my expectations compared to real life situation.  

We're currently in a very busy season of our lives, and our anniversary snuck up on me.  And what caught me completely off guard were my expectations.  This year my expectations were realistic, and it was my amazing husband who turned our anniversary into something beautiful.  We tossed around the idea of staying in a hotel somewhere here in San Diego just for the night, but then I never looked into it.  The Mr. was on top of it and ended up booking us a room right at the cove in La Jolla.  Literally, we walked across the street and we were at the ocean.  And Saturday morning we woke up to this view from our balcony: 

We knew this was going to be our last anniversary just the two of us, so we tried to soak in as much "us" time as possible as well as some relaxation.  We took a long walk all around the cove, admiring how clear the sky was and how entertaining the sea lions were.  We grabbed coffee and breakfast.  We walked everywhere.  And it was beautiful.  

As I was sitting on the grass Saturday morning watching my husband admire the body surfers in the ocean, I thought to myself, "we have made it".  I was completely overcome with love and peace.  Over the last five years, we've figured out how to love one another unconditionally, with no grand expectations, leaving the other one hurting because they didn't meet our needs.  We've learned how to communicate better, how to listen inventively, and how to compromise.  The Mr. has made me love the ocean and I've made him love coffee dates.  We know what the other wants and what the other needs, and go our of our way to do that for them.  We've become selfless and humble.  We've become one.  And I think that is a beautiful thing.  In fact, I know that is a beautiful thing!  

5 years

I can't believe that I'm here, writing that today is our 5 year wedding anniversary.  Just looking back at our wedding pictures brings tears to me eyes, seeing the beauty behind how much love two people have for one another, and to see how much  God has blessed us in our marriage.  

It was 10 years ago today that this cute boy that I was mad about in high school asked me if we wanted to be "official" in front of the movie theaters.  

It was 10 years ago that he held my hand after junior prom, and I thought I could die.  I was complete in that moment. 

And it was 5 years ago today that he help my hand, as his wife, and walked me into one amazing marriage.  

The other night we were talking about our "5 year plan" and how crazy it was that so much has actually happened, and that those 5 years are up and another plan is ready to unfold.  

In the last 5 years we have...

fallen more and more in love with one another,

learned what it truly means to love and respect each other,

laughed so hard that we both were balls on the kitchen floor,

have prayed more for one another than we thought possible, 

had the hardest years in our jobs,

encouraged and supported one another through a grueling master's program,

bought a condo,

learned how to be patient and love the other even when it is difficult,

let go of expectations to become a better spouse,

found that each year of marriage just gets better and better, 

cried over disappointments and let downs, 

smiled more than we thought possible, 

and are now preparing for the biggest blessing yet, a baby boy.  

My dearest Daniel- you continue to show me what it means to truly love someone, to love unconditionally, to be kind, gentle, and patient.  You are the one person who always knows how to make me smile, who understands me sometimes better than I knew possible, and who will always be my better half.  "I love you" doesn't come close to express my love for you and I can't wait to see how God continues to bless us! 

snippets from our week

This past week has held so much excitement and has been filled with...

// it's official, I'm 27!  My birthday was complete with the sweetest gift card frame from my class, family over for dinner, the dessert that didn't want to cook, and our living room overflowing with love

// the first RED cup of the season.  I'm still not quite sure how I feel about this.  It reminds me that Christmas is fast approaching, which reminds me that our sweet son will be here before we know it.  

// my dear friend visiting from out of town.  Our evenings were filled with Daniel, Kylee, and I laughing and sharing life together on the couch. 

// breakfast at my all time favorite spot with our great friends, and their sweet little Sophia.  I can never get enough of Daniel with her, it's beyond precious.  

// morning runs that filled me with hope as I looked up at the most gorgeous sky.  

// tackling our never ending to-do list, including returning duplicates to Target.  We did get THE cutest outfit because we just couldn't resist, and Daniel made sure our little babe has his first Charger's jersey. 

// laying on the couch together, relaxing, and not thinking about anything other than the here and now. 

// watching a movie in front of the fire place because it is what we love.  We've decided that no matter what, every house we live in must come with a fire place. 

// baking THESE pumpkin scones.  Two words: easy and delicious!!! They are the perfect spicy, fall treat, especially with a warm cup of tea. 

currently...

I'm writing this from our official nursery!  We finished all of the painting on Saturday, got the rest of the furniture moved out, and today the crib and changing table came to accompany our rocker.  (PS: Don't mind the "I desperately need a shower, it's crazy hot, and I'm cleaning the house" look)

                                           

I'm on cloud nine from our date night this weekend.  We had tickets to the Padres game and finally got to a game before the season ended.  I think they knew we needed a good night because they won, which-if you're from San Diego, know doesn't happen very often.  My highlight was seeing the sweetest boy with downs start jumping up and down when their closing pitcher came out, he was getting the whole crowd into his enthusiasm, and it made my cheeks hurt with how big I was smiling.  

I'm currently 6 months pregnant!!! We hit 24 weeks last Wednesday, and trust me-a pregnancy post is on its way.  All I can say is thank goodness I finally went maternity clothes shopping, but wish this heat would finally go away so I can wear everything! 

I'm swooning over this shirt for our little man...

Tiny Natives

I'm desperate for some pumpkin in my life.  It was all I could do to not buy a can of pumpkin when I went grocery shopping, but I refuse when it is still 100 degrees outside.  In the meantime, I will try to get in the apple spirit and dream of making these skinny minnie chocolate chip muffins. 

I'm watching Drop Dead Diva like it's going out of style.  We don't have cable so we use Netflix and Hulu Plus to entertain ourselves.  Since the fall season hasn't started for all of our shows I've been on the lookout for something to keep me occupied.  Can I just say that I love this show?!?  

 

I'm just overwhelmed with God's goodness through the latest She Reads Truth devotional on Daniel.  My heart is feeling all sorts of emotions, and I don't ever want this feeling to go away.  

My crafting itch is starting to creep up, and once I find time the first priority is to make a set of these

via

I'm blown away by how amazing my class is.  Our first week was superb.  And rarely do you hear a teacher say that!  They are the cutest bunch, and I'm shocked at how I haven't feel as overwhelmed as I usually do at the beginning of the year.  I'm truly excited for this school year and love these little guys so much already!

weddings + ode to marriage

In LaFuze fashion I am behind in posting this, but we also jetted from one trip to another.  After we debarked our cruise on Friday morning, we gassed up, and hit the road for Big Bear to attend Daniel's cousin's wedding.  We don't like wasting any time!  This was actually my first time going to Big Bear (and I feel so crazy saying that since we are only 2 1/2 hours away).  What a gorgeous, quaint, lovely town filled with character, charm, and beautiful views.  The weddings was held at an estate and we stayed with family two doors down in a barn house.  Our weekend was filled with large family breakfasts, people sprawled everywhere, setting up for the rehearsal dinner, preparing to move the wedding due to a lovely little thunder storm, strolling in The Village, and of course so much laughter and love that your heart felt like it grew two sizes in everyone's presence. 

Weddings have a way with me.  It never fails that as soon as the wedding march begins, those tear ducks just burst open, and the sentiments keep rolling.  This ceremony was a bit nontraditional, as the bride walked down to Led Zeplin, but the sentiments remained.  Tear-strewn vows were lovingly stated, and it just reminded me how much love two people really have for one another.  I remember saying my vows with uncontrollable shaking hands, the tears that burst the minute it was time to walk down the isle, and the head tilted smile I gave my husband at our first glance through the "walk".  

Daniel's grandparents stole the show during the reception during the dance to see which couple has been married the longest.  As the DJ kept calling out years, this kept raising a thumb telling him to go higher, until he finally reached it...56!  They have been married 56 years.  And to this day, it just blows me away.  Such love.  Coming from a family sewn together through the divorces, it is always an encouragement to see marriage live.  The see love live.  To see two people love each other so much that they will love for better or worse.  Marriage is a beautiful thing, and what makes it that way are couples who are a testament to the faith and dedication it takes to make it work.  Because there will be hard times.  There will be many "sorrys".  But for every sorry there is I forgive you.  Weddings have a way of reminding me that it isn't about the small things, the things we wish our husbands would remember (putting their socks in the clothes hamper :) )...marriage is about LOVE.  And I love my husband with a deep passion that continues to grow more and more each day.  It always seems to catch me off guard to think that we have been together for almost 10 years now, that we are having a baby, that our marriage is about to take on different obstacles, and that we have gotten through the sorry and I forgive you, and will go through 100's more.  Marriage is sacred, and I hope that one day my children will be looking at us in awe as we dance away while the DJ keeps calling higher numbers for the years we have been married.  I want my marriage to be a testament to the love and respect that marriage is, and that my husband knows how grateful I am for such a God-loving husband.  

our cruise getaway

There is something beautiful and refreshing about vacations.  For us, we have noticed that taking the time to get away at least once a year for a fun trip is essential to our marriage.  We need that time to breathe, relax with one another, get back into sync, decompress, and just readjust.  There are lots of "big things" going on in our life right now, and taking a trip helped us talk about these as a couple, a team; and just dream about our future.  

This year a friend suggested we take a cruise, which we had never done before, and when the dates matched up perfectly with the husband's vacation schedule-it was as though the stars aligned.  We visited Catalina and Ensanada, kayaked, took a gold cart tour of a town, ate way too much food, watched entertaining shows, were blown away by the wind, got sea sick, and took lots of cat naps.  Yes, we napped on vacation.  And it was blissful.  Things leading up to this cruise were very stressful and crazy, so once we were on the boat we were so happy to take a breath and just let it all go.  Throughout our trip we didn't talk about work, about any stressors in our lives, and instead we laughed together and just loved one another and escaped from reality for just a bit. 

And in LaFuze fashion, we went from one vacation off to another!  We ported back in Long Beach Friday morning and drove straight to Big Bear for a family wedding (which was gorgeous).  I'll be back tomorrow sharing the exquisite pictures from there!