i HEART a.b.

I LOVE any and everything by Amy Butler. Her designs are incredible. Her fabrics and papers put a smile on my face. My "craft" desk is modge podged in Amy Butler paper. It's glorious! I found a bedding set she designed when Travis and were engaged and I had to search everywhere to find it in a store, and they were completely sold out.

Then I discovered Amy Butler rugs, and my heart skipped a beat. They are way out of my price range at the moment. One day though, when T and I have a house with our stunning hand scrapped espresso hardwood floors, these rugs will looks stunning as an accent! Amy Butler, you are going to send me to the poor house!












(source)

How We Met

Today at Kelly's Korner the topic is how your met your husband. Travis and I did not have traditional start to our relationship. I had just moved back to San Diego and had transfered to a new Chili's. The first shift I worked there was a guy who I thought was the most arrogant jerk I had ever met. He thought he was incredible at his job (in his defense, he was). This guy was Travis. I couldn't stand him, I hated having to work shifts with him and pretty much didn't talk to him for the first six months we worked together. Then one night we went out with mutual friends and we started talking, and I realized, he wasn't that bad!



It took us a few months before we started dating. Travis was crushing on someone else at the time and once his feelings for her were gone we started dating. I knew within a few weeks of dating Travis I would marry him. He was unlike any other guy I had ever dated. He was so patient, calm, caring, and loving. At the beginning of our relationship I was having really bad anxiety issues and he would just sit with me each night, rub my back, pray with me and tell me everything would be okay. I don't know any other guy that would do that when a girl is crying and vomiting every night due to anxiety. I think anyone else would have said "i'm done with you", but Travis stuck around. And I am so glad he did!



Three years later he popped the question! And five months after that we said "i do".It was the best day of my life.

Zoo Day

Last weekend Travis and I decided to head over to the Wild Animal Park. Neither of us have ever been there, but I have wanted to go for a long time. We live pretty close to it and we decided we might as well buy season passes. I'm so glad we did. We had a wonderful time, it was a beautiful day and the animals were incredible. The highlight was the baby elephant that was only 5 days old!

















The new baby

"All By Myself"

I am bored out of my flippin' mind here in San Diego. Beyond bored infact. Travis works five days a week, at least ten hours a day, and I work four days a week about three hours a day. So I have a lot of free time on my hands. And that is when the bordem begins. Don't get me wrong, I have plenty I could and should be doing, but it's just not fun. I have no friends down here, and it is starting to get to me. I need to start getting out! Even if it was just to go to the farmers market, or go hiking, or get together for crafting, I need some interaction! I need friends.

The Business of Being Born

A few years ago a good friend of mine became pregnant and she planned to have a natural birth. At the time I thought she was out of her mind! I couldn't understand why she would want to endure all that pain when she could so easily ask for medicine to "help". She ended up delivering a beautiful daughter, without any medication. I have never told her, but I completely look up to her for this decision (I really do Nicole!). And until about one year ago I never thought I would be able to endure what she had. Then one day after reading about what really happens during a medicated labor, the risk's associated with induction and c-sections I thought a natural labor was what I would want when the time came.

Throughout the past year I have made mention of my desire to have an unmedicated birth to some friends and the usual reaction is a laugh and them telling me I have no idea what I am in for. So, I thought maybe I was crazy and I couldn't do it. After all, I have never experienced contractions, so maybe I was crazy to think I could do it. Then T and I got married and I have wanted to get pregnant since our honeymoon, so naturally I have really started thinking about pregnancy and delivery. I have continued to have the desire to have a natural birth and wanted to learn more about it, especially delivering in a birthing center as opposed to a hospital. And after reading several blogs of mom's who went in planning for a natural birth only to end up being induced or in many cases with a c-section, I thought a birthing center would make the most sense. It seems to me delivering in a hospital, nurses and doctors seems to throw out all birth plans and do what accommodates them before they accommodate your wishes. They want you in, and they want you out.

So I started researching birthing centers in the area, and I have to say I was shocked to only find 1 in San Diego. It's not like I live in a small town, there are over 3,000,000 people in San Diego, and only 1 birthing center. (Granted, there is another one being built as we speak, it's about time!) I have also discussed home birth's with my sister recently. Of course I thought a home birth was crazy at first, but then I started to read the statistics and I was blown away. So tonight I rented The Business of Being Born. I have to say, this movie really confirmed what I have been feeling and thinking lately. I also think every woman should watch it, regardless of the type of birth plan you have, it is very educational and amazing.

I now long for the type of birth I once thought was completely crazy! I hope that when the time comes I will be able to have an unmedicated birth and possibly even give birth at home. I still have a lot to learn, but I feel like in starting to learn all I can about it now, when the time comes I won't question my decision or feel that I wasn't as educated as I could be.

Thanks.

I usually spend my days bitching and moaning on this blog. I can always find the negative in any situation, but I have to work on that. And I really do have a lot to be thankful for. So today I am stopping and taking note of all the things I have to be thankful for in my life.

1. Travis, my loving and incredible husband. I don't know what I would do or be without him. He has shown me what love is. He knows me better than I know myself (sometimes!). He can somehow put up with all my craziness and keep me calm in moments of panic and excitement. God knew the type of man I needed and he truly blessed me with Travis.



2. Our Little Home. And when I say little, I mean LITTLE. I have seen so many bloggers who are in a position where they cannot sell there homes and buy something bigger, listen here people, we live in 542 sq.ft.! Anything bigger than that is palatial if you ask me. While there are several things I wish I could change about our apartment (we can't have pets, a few hundred extra square feet would be nice, a second bedroom, living on the 2nd or 3rd story) I love that we live in a safe and beautiful area, and this may be the only time we can afford to live on a golf course. I love our little place, it is our first home together. It is cozy and has room for everything we need.

3. My Sista/Family. I love them all so much and I miss living near all of them. As much as our apartment is now home, going to my parents house will always be home. I was just there this past weekend and I just love getting to spend time with my parents.



4. Fresh Flowers. Having fresh flowers in our place puts a huge smile on my face. I love, love, love flowers. If I could afford it I would go to the wholesale flower mart at least twice a week.(I'm also searching for a Farmer's Market here in S.D., anyone have any suggestions?) These are flowers from my bff Ambre's shower this weekend.



5. My Sewing Machine. This is my little slice of heaven and peace. I am not the best at sewing but I thoroughly enjoy it! I am trying to get better and start sewing more and more. This is my messy craft corner. It makes me happy, so very happy.