Trailer Park

Well...let me start by saying there is nothing wrong with trailer parks or those that reside in them. It is true! I met my beautiful wife in a trailer park. No...she was not a resident there or anything like that...not that there's anything wrong with that...but it was a trailer park in West Valley City of all places...not that there is anything wrong with that either! As a young man I frequented such places in search of action...you know...a few winks here and a "howdy" there (if you don't know me very well, please understand that I am joking right now). We actually were both there attending a graduation celebration in the parks clubhouse. The celebration was for two girls who are cousins and I was friends with one and Becky the other. As was common in my younger days I manned the post of parking lot greeter along with several of my associates. We greeted many young ladies that day but one stood out from the rest. I don't know if it was because she was a foot taller than all the other girls or that fact that she was the only white person there, but I was under her spell. She had "bewitched me body and soul...and I love..love.." l loved her (that quote is from Pride & Prejudice and its use here is what you can refer to as "I've got game"). After some introductions and small talk...her group agreed to meet my group at the local hangout...Hardees (mmm...curly fries and a mushroom & swiss burger). Unbeknownst to this beautiful woman and her friends... I had labored long and hard all week long doing various jobs for my uncles like building fences, breaking cement slabs with a sledge hammer, laying sod and other minor jobs to earn my spending money for the weekend. So when the apple of my eye arrived with her entourage (now...take note this is another example of "Hema's got game") I stepped up to the counter and slapped all of my hard earned money down...all $20 of it...and said "get whatever you want". Good thing 20 bucks went a little further back then because really that was all I had. The girls ordered in typical girl fashion so there was still enough left for some extra burgers and fries for me and the guys. The rest is history!

The best twenty bucks I've ever spent and the reason my heart races anytime I pass a trailer park. - I love you babe!

I just want to take a minute to wish my sweet hubby a Happy Birthday!!! Hema had to work today, so we made him a cake last night. Little Hema wanted everything to be football. I tried to talk him into a fish cake, but he insisted on everything being football themed. Of course the cake had to be chocolate, because footballs are brown. He helped decorate the cake, not too pretty, but it was fun! He said we had to get balloons for his dad's birthday because everyone wants balloons for their birthday. He even stayed up late last night until Hema got home and yelled surprise when Hema came in the door. It was pretty sweet!! Then today we went to the zoo after Hema got off work and then over to Thaiphoon for dinner. Yummy! I hope Hema had a great day and knows how much we love him. My kids count down all day long until he gets home and LOVE him so much. He is the best dad ever!! He is also the sweetest husband. He is so good to me and is more than I ever imagined I would have in a husband. Who would have known that when I met him in a trailer park (yeah, that is really where we met) nearly 19 years ago, my future would be changed so much for the better! I'm glad he is mine forever!! I love you babe! Happy Birthday!!!!!!

This is going to be a long one....

We've been busy and I have a bunch to update so hang in there!

First of all, the bedroom is finally done. I will either do the playroom or Vela's new room next. Here are some before and after photos. By the way the new color is so nice! These pictures don't do justice!

The window before (sort of - I forgot to take the picture)...

and after.

The bed before (I threw out the old quilt that was torn before I got a picture)...

and after.

The shelf before...

and after.

My Hawkins family will recognize my beloved donkeys! When I think of my Grandma Vela's house, I always remember these sweet donkeys that she got before my dad was born. I am so happy to have them now!!

I can't get enough of Vela swimming. Which works out well since we go 5 days a week! She LOVES her goggles. I love her belly!

Little Hema got invited to the neighbors princess dress up birthday party. His dad wasn't real happy about it. He wanted to go as Spiderman, but the birthday girl wasn't too happy about having a super hero crash her party. So we decided he wouldn't dress up. Five minutes before the party started he decided he really wanted to be a prince. I had some left over felt from a project and made a cape and belt - added a toy sword and he was ready to party. The next day he showed my hubby his painted fingernails (which I hadn't noticed or I certainly would have removed the pink polish!) and let's just say, that will be the last princess party he attends.

Here is some yummy shrimp curry I made on Sunday. I love to eat out for Indian or Thai food an almost always get some version of curry with coconut in it. I LOVE it! I have been working on a recipe that I like as much as at some of my favorite restaurants and I finally am there! I like it with chicken or shrimp. I made this one on Sunday. My boys LOVE shrimp and curry so it is a hit around here!

Green Eggs and Ham

Today Hema's preschool was celebrating Dr Seuss's birthday. We were in charge of the treats and I wanted to do something really fun. I have been researching it for a while and found some very cute cookies that stack up like a Seuss Hat and also some cute cupcakes that look like green eggs and ham. When I asked Hema which her preferred her said he just wanted green eggs and ham. Really, just green scrambled eggs and ham (he loves both). I let Hema add the food coloring and the eggs got pretty green. His teacher said the kids liked it!

And for my sisters who have been asking to see the color I am painting my bedroom (I'm going from pea green to summer breeze - isn't that a great name for a color of paint?), here is a sneak peak... hopefully it will be done by Friday and I will post more pictures then.

Here is the new window trim.