30 Day Challenge- Day 27

Day 27-Pets

Zoey is the best fur baby ever. A friend in college gave her to me after her dog had puppies. She was SO cute when she was a little puppy. I remember bringing her home and my roommate freaking out because she thought Z was going to be huge. She's a chubby 40lbs but she's not huge. I love her size. She was originally my dog but after meeting hubby she loved him instantly. I think she loves him more now. All I have to say is "daddy's home" and she gets so excited and runs to the door. She knows exactly how to get what she wants too. If she wants to get on the couch she'll just sit there and stare at us, resting her little face on the edge of the couch. She is a terrible beggar though. She will literally drool when we are eating dinner, haha! Her favorite thing? Belly rubs! Just ask her to show you her belly and she will automatically roll over so you can scratch her belly. We love our four legged baby girl!

30 Day Challenge- Day 26

Day 26- Picture of your family

30 Day Challenge- Day 25

Day 25- Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs

Darius Rucker- It Won't Be Like This for Long
Nickelback- Never Gonna Be Alone
Jeremy Camp- Carried Me
Chris Tomlin- How Great is Our God
James Morrison & Nelly Furtado- Broken Strings
The Fray- You Found Me
Angel Taylor- All Lost at C
Natasha Bedingfield- Soulmate
Patti Scialfa- Looking for Elvis
Goo Goo Dolls- Listen

30 Day Challenge- Day 24

Day 24- Something you've learned


I've learned-

That I'm stronger than I ever thought I was.
That I learn something new everyday.
That everything happens for a reason, even if you aren't sure what it is....one day you will.
That family is more important than anything.
That being pregnant is the best feeling in the world.....literally.
That I can do anything I want to.

30 Day Challenge- Day 23

Day 23- Favorite vacation

See day 8....yes I'm being lazy because I technically already did this one.

30 Day Challenge- Day 22

Day 22- Favorite city

This would probably have to be San Diego, CA. I was debating on NYC but I only spent a long weekend there so I'm not sure it would be favorite for an extended period of time. I love San Diego. I love the weather, the sun, the beach, and how much there is to do there. The flower fields were probably my all time favorite thing there. Literally, fields of flowers every spring. They had the best strawberry shortcake too. If only our family were closer (and it weren't so darn expensive) I wouldn't mind living there forever. I'll settle for another city though that can become my favorite if it means we get to be closer to our families.

30 Day Challenge- Day 21

Day 21- Picture of yourself

30 Day Challenge- Day 20

Day 20- Nicknames

Well, I don't have many which is kind of surprising considering I have a longer name that's not necessarily "common". Of course, maybe that's why I DON'T have a lot of nicknames. Growing up, my nickname was GG. My maiden name started with a G so it made sense. I'm not sure how it came about, I think my parents must have started it. Everyone didn't call me GG though. It was mainly used by my family and close friends. As I got older it was usually just my full name. I've never been a fan of "Gretch" so that's a no-no. Nowadays, if anyone calls me by a nickname it's usually just G. I think I'll always be GG to the people who I've grown up with. I think I should be all caught up now on my challenge days....will go back to resuming one per day now. :)

30 Day Challenge- Day 19

Day 19- Something you miss

I miss my family. I miss my parents, my house, my hometown. I miss both of my grandmas who have moved on to somewhere much better. I miss San Diego, the weather, the OB farmer's market, the Del Mar dog beach, our little apartment, and my friends still there. I miss my brother and his stupid jokes. I miss my best friend who no matter how long it's been, can call me and we pick up right where we left off. I miss swimming, just getting in the pool and doing laps with the warm sun beating down. I miss working, the people that I worked with, the paycheck, the lunches and happy hours together. I miss all of these things but look forward to filling that void when I see all the people I love again. When I get back in the pool and just swim laps or take Zoey to the beach and let her play. I miss it but that's how I know I loved all of it.

30 Day Challenge- Day 18

Day 18- Something you regret

Honestly, I can't think of anything for this one. I try to live my life without regrets. Every decision I've made has been for a reason and at that time I thought it was the right decision to make. If things didn't work out how I wanted them to then I learned from it and moved on. So, no regrets!

30 Day Challenge- Day 17

Day 17- Something you're looking forward to

Number one thing I'm looking forward to is probably obvious....meeting our baby girl! I'm scared more than anything about the labor process but I cannot wait until she is in our arms and we know she's safe and healthy. I just can't wait to see her chubby little cheeks and look into her eyes. It's truly amazing how much I'm in love with her already. I can't imagine how much more that will increase when she's in our arms. I can't wait. :)

I'm looking forward to seeing my parents and brother. Having them all be together in one spot is going to be great. Seeing the love and joy that they are going to have for our daughter, I am looking forward to that. I'm looking forward to decorating the house for Christmas. Putting the tree up, putting lights outside, I love the holidays. Might be kind of weird but I'm ALMOST looking forward to the winter. If only it didn't last quite so long.... The snow is so pretty though. I'm looking forward to my best friend's wedding next summer. To share in such a wonderful celebration with someone I've been friends with for almost 15 years. This will be the first time we'll be going home since having the baby. I'm so excited to bring her home to see all of my family. My aunts and uncles and grandfather and cousins will get to meet her. I can't wait to share her with them. I'm looking forward to seeing where we get to live next. Even though it's still another year and a half away it's exciting to think about.

Lots to look forward to in the coming year. I'm very excited to see what life has in store for us as each new year comes. :)

30 Day Challenge- Day 16

Day 16- Dream house

I'm gonna try to double up since I've been slacking. Who really thought I'd make it 1 blog a day anyway? My dream house could be many things. There are certain things that I know I definitely want, and there are certain things that can change and develop. Location is one thing that is unknown. I have no clue where we'll end up. I think where we end up depends on the style of house that I will want. I grew up in a one story house....I always wanted stairs. I don't know why, I just thought it was cool for some reason. I think now I appreciate our one story house better. I don't mind our tri-level but I don't think I want a full second story house. So, one level only unless we live somewhere it snows (highly unlikely!) then I'll want a basement. I want a front porch, wooden swing included. A large backyard is a must, lots of grass and flowers and plants with a pool. A pool is non-negotiable in my book. I grew up with a pool in our backyard and it's something that I long for almost everyday of the summer, no matter where I live. My dream house would have lots of rooms. One for us, one for each child we have, a guest room, a sewing/scrapbooking room, man cave for hubby, and a playroom for the kids. I want a huge master bathroom as well. With a jacuzzi tub that I relax and enjoy baths in. A large kitchen with an island/bar and wood floors and granite countertops. Lots of windows too! I love natural light and opening the windows just makes my house feel more like a home. We drive around some neighborhoods here just looking at the huge houses and dream of what it would be like to own one of them. I don't need some humongous house.....it'd be nice to own one of those....but we don't need it. I just want to live comfortably in something that is "ours". I want to paint the walls in each room and hang lights outside at Christmas and plant flowers in my garden. One day I'll have all that and it will be my dream house no matter how big it is.

30 Day Challenge- Day 15

Day 15- Bible verse

When I was going through all my anxiety a couple years ago I would repeat this verse to myself all the time. It helped me try not to focus on myself, and just trust the He would get me through, no matter how I was feeling at that exact moment. I actually got the verse from the pastor who married us. I didn't really have anyone that close to me and my family was so far away. Sure, people say "call me if you need anything or want to talk" but that's hard when you're trying to explain something that they've never felt. My mom suggested calling the pastor that married us....so I did. He gave me a couple verses to focus on and this was one of them.....his favorite and now mine as well.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

30 Day Challenge- Day 14

Day 14- A picture you love

Our little family <3


Adding one more love to our little family in a couple weeks! <3

30 Day Challenge- Day 13

Day 13- Goals

This one has taken me a few days to figure out. I kinda wanted to skip it altogether but that's not really the point of this blog challenge, now is it?

I think maybe the reason I don't really like day 13 goes back to one of the 15 facts from day 1. I've never had that passion to do something career wise. I majored in business management in college because there was nothing else that really jumped out at me. I ended up getting a double major, business management and marketing. I really enjoyed the marketing classes in college. Once I graduated though I went on many, many interviews, none of which for jobs that I wanted. They all wanted me to work on commission and sell one thing or another. No thank you. Driving my own car all around town to try to make a buck by selling myself didn't do it for me. Luckily, I moved to California and got an amazing job within the first 2 weeks. Having nothing to do with what I went to school for. I was a credit analyst and I loved it. I think the people I worked with made me love my job. We were the AmeriCredit family, as we liked to call ourselves. Miss them all!

So anyway, goals regarding my career (or lack there-of right now) aren't in the front of my mind most days. I'd love to have a career doing something that I enjoy. So I guess long term goal would be to find something that I'm passionate about. And do it. Make a career of it. I love taking pictures. Maybe I'll be a photographer one day. I love sewing. Maybe I can make a career of that. Only time will tell I guess but I know that someday I'll be able to do something, love it, and make money from it. A constant goal is to be the best mom I can be. To raise our daughter in a way that my own mother will be proud of. I have so much to learn and it's very overwhelming. I'm so excited for the new adventure and this new title I'm going to take on. Mom. I love it.

30 Day Challenge- Day 12

Day 12- What you believe

I believe:
that God is true and always there for us even during our lowest of lows
that everything happens for a reason, even if we don't know what that reason is right away
in true love
that love can conquer all.....you just have to put a little work in
that family is the most important thing in the world
friends can become family
everyone should try to live life without regrets
that even if you can't change your past, you can shape your future
you are (most likely) who you hang out with
dogs are truly man's best friend
that I can do anything I put my mind to
that there's a perfect song for however I'm feeling
true friends make it through just about anything together
everyone has one true passion....even if it takes awhile to figure out what it is

I could go on but it'll take me forever so I'll stop there. :)

30 Day Challenge- Day 11

Day 11- Favorite tv shows

Oh boy. There's a long list. I will admit that I watch a lot of television. My DVR is always busy recording one show or another. All time favorite tv show is probably Grey's Anatomy. I'd like to get the whole season and re-watch it all from the beginning. Second favorite would be Private Practice. Thursday nights are my favorite. :) There are many more favorites though.....
Parenthood, Survivor, The Apprentice, CSI, Criminal Minds, Law & Order, One Tree Hill, Desperate Housewives, Biggest Loser, Lie to Me, NCIS, Chase, Glee, and I'm sure I could go on! Told you I watch a lot of tv....

30 Day Challenge- Day 10

Day 10- Something you're afraid of

Ok, I'm going to refrain from listing them all since the challenge is "something you're afraid of", not "everything you're afraid of". I touched on this in day 1's post. The thing that I'm probably most afraid of is Alzheimer's. It runs in my family. My grandma had it pretty bad. I remember going to visit her in the nursing home and it was to the point where she barely woke up for more than a minute. I knew she didn't know who I was but I'm glad I went to see her. We grew up with her, going to grandma and pop-pop's house all the time. We vacationed with them, they would take my brother and I on road trips in their big van. I still remember her chocolate chip cookies. Homemade and kept in the freezer. I make my chocolate chip cookies just like she used to and I still eat them frozen. Grandma passed away earlier this year and I know she's in a better place. Looking down on all of us, remembering sharing those chocolate chip cookies and letting us watch soap opera's with her.

My grammy was getting Alzheimer's before she passed away as well. She remembered who we all were, would ask about us and know us when we called her. She was having trouble remembering what day it was and telling time. I could see it coming and I didn't like it. I was worried she wasn't going to remember me the next time I went home to see her. Sadly, she won't be there the next time I go home. I know that she's watching us though. Sitting up there in heaven with Grandma eating chocolate chip cookies and watching us all. I know they'll be there when the baby is born, get to see her. Maybe not physically but they'll both be there.

That's the main thing that scares me. Not being able to remember who I am. Who my husband is or my family members. Not knowing where I am or what day it is. If there was a pill that I could start taking now, I'd do it. I'd make everyone I love take it now. I'll continue to pray that researchers find some sort of a cure soon. The scariest thing is that there's nothing I can do about this fear. Just live my life and hope that it doesn't touch anyone else that I love.

30 Day Challenge BREAK

I'm too excited to write about something I'm afraid of today. Which is my blog challenge topic for today. So, I'm skipping it and day 10 will resume tomorrow. :) I'm blogging at all....that counts for something, right?

We had an ultrasound today to check my fibroid tumor to make sure it's not going to be in baby's way for her debut. I was really nervous going in to the doc's office this morning. I've heard bad things about the woman ultrasound tech. We had the man last time and he was super nice. Even gave us 2 pictures when we should have only gotten 1. I was really worried they were going to be quick, check the fibroid, and be done. Without checking baby to make sure all was ok. Well, I was pleasantly surprised. We had the woman tech and she was great. She took measurements, checked fluid around the baby, and checked fibroid. The fibroid is fine, very small and not in the way at all.

After the tech did her thing, she spent a few minutes showing us baby's face and pointed out her eyes, nose, and mouth. She even showed us her "chubby cheeks". She has mommy's chubby cheeks already! Baby girl was looking right at us and had her hand up near her face. The tech took all measurements and told us that her estimated arrival is November 24th. Hubby was in the room and says "24th? For what?" Tech says "for her arrival...." LOL. Hubby is so cute. I think it hit him today just how close that is. Granted, if she comes on the 24th, that's only a week earlier than we expected her. I guess she's measuring a little bit bigger or I'm further along than we thought. Only time will tell when she's ready to enter the world. We are ready though. Scared.....but so incredibly excited. I can't wait to see those little chubby cheeks! We even came home with 3 ultrasound pictures. :)

30 Day Challenge- Day 9

Day 9- A picture of your friends

Super easy blog day. :)

30 Day Challenge- Day 8

Day 8- A place you've traveled to

Hmmm, I've been to a lot of places. It's hard for me to choose a favorite. I'll only count the places that I've traveled to, not actually lived in. Throughout my life I've probably been to at least 20 states.....not during one vacation obviously. I'm gonna break this up into two parts, favorite place traveled with family and favorite place traveled with hubby.

One of my favorite places that I've traveled with my family is Hawaii. We went to Kauai for 2 weeks over Christmas in 2003. It was soooo much fun! We went snorkeling, took a helicopter ride around the island, went to a Luau, and met Pierce Brosnan. Yep, we met Pierce Brosnan....in the local grocery store. It was New Year's Eve and we went to the local store to get something to make for dinner. We were in the checkout line when my mom grabbed my arm and told me who was in front of us. I think she may have walked away for a minute (or sent my brother) to go find my dad because she was so darn excited. He turned around and chatted with us for the few minutes we were in line. His cart was full of champagne and wine....I believe his bill was $1000. Guess the party was at his house that night! After he left that's all my mom talked about....she asked the checkout girl if she knew who it was and the girl had no idea. Haha! One of the highlights of the trip was that grocery store trip. It was a blast though, I loved every minute of being there. This is one of the only pictures I have on my computer from that trip. I have a couple boxes of pictures printed though, there were so many. This is my brother and I at the top of one of the waterfalls we went to see.


One of my favorite places I've traveled with hubby is to Mexico for our honeymoon. We've been on two cruises and we LOVE them. It was a little work trying to talk him into going on a cruise since he's in the Navy. He didn't think it would be much fun. It made the most sense at the time since we got married and wanted to honeymoon before he got deployed. We stuck close to home (San Diego at the time) and a cruise was the cheapest way to go without spending too much time traveling to get there. The cruise took us to Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, and Mazatlan. We had a blast! The cruise experience was amazing, we had so much fun and made some great friends who we still keep in contact with today. I feel like hubby and I are closest when we are vacation together, just him and I. We did almost kill each other on the kaiak though! We have realized a 2 person kaiak is not the way to go with each other. We shopped and lunched in Cabo, took a tour of Mazatlan and saw a cliff diver, and had dinner and a show on an island in Puerto Vallarta. It was a blast. We went on a second cruise last Christmas and I can't wait until we can go on another one. I love traveling and look forward to our next adventure together. Here's some pictures from our honeymoon trip.

30 Day Challenge- Day 7

Day 7- Favorite movies

This one is kind of boring. I don't really have a favorite movie. I guess if I had to choose I'd say "The Notebook". I love the story even though it makes me cry through most of it. I will watch almost anything....except horror or scary movies. Romantic comedies are probably my favorite. Sometimes hubby will pick the movie and I won't care too much about seeing it but it turns out to be really good. I have to admit, I hate watching movies more than once. If I've already seen it, I have no interest in watching it again. Hubby is addicted to movies, we have more than is necessary and we rarely ever sit down to watch them again. We went to the drive-in theater for the first time this year and we loved it! 2 movies, in our pajamas, with snacks, pillows, and blankets....love that kinda date night! Speaking of movies.....a netflix movie is patiently waiting for me to watch and mail back.....sounds like that's on the agenda today. :)