My 4th of July week

Alright, it's almost been a week...but...it has been a full week. Michael and I were blessed with the company by our friends Marshal, Gina and their 8 month old son Mason (love that little guy). They arrived the same day as my graduation! The ceremony was nice, it was really hot and congressman Honda used his speech to influence his viewpoints, LAME! My father, step-mother and little brother came to our place after the ceremony and had cake and enjoyed each others company. I totally passed out on my dad's lap, just like old times. It was a wonderful Saturday.

Sunday, we (myself, husband, Marshal, Gina and Mason) went to church, played with the children in the nursery and came home for our Sunday nap. Later we went to my mom and step dad's house to have dinner.  It was a graduation dinner, chicken and ribs were on the menu not to mention a most delicious burn almond cake! My mom is known for going all out with her parties, and they are always amazing.

Monday, we took a trip to Vasona Park in Los Gatos. Marshal and Gina pushed Mason in the kiddy swing while I push Michael right next to him. (Yes, he was sitting in a kiddy swing as well). We proceeded to walk the grounds and found our self at a little train station. We took the 5 minute train ride and enjoyed all that there was to see, not a lot but it was fun. Our next quest was to get Mason to smile on the carousel, I think he was mesmerized by the horses going up and down he didn't have time to smile. We concluded the night with a wonderful meal at Benihana's. I still can't believe I ate everything that was put in front of me!

Tuesday's schedule contained four major stops. San Francisco's: Japanese Tea Garden, Botanical Garden, Golden Gate Bridge and Ghirardelli Square. These sights are amazing and I would recommend them to everyone. We had done a significant amount of walking and unfortunately my feet and knee started to hurt, but none the less it was a fun adventure. We we arrived home I cooked a simple meal of mango chicken curry over white rice! (SO YUMMY!) While I was cooking Marshal and Michael went to Storables. When they got back home they put together our pantry storage rack, it looks amazing. Thanks again Marshal. The only down side to this day was Michael and I stayed up until 2am to clean our place, it was super trashed from all the cabinet boxes and junk lying around. Long night but down stairs looked awesome, so worth it.

Wednesday was as you know the 4th of July!!!!!!!! This day was a more low key day. Michael and I decided to sleep in since we went to bed late. Michael, Marshal, Gina and baby Mason went to Specialty's for brunch then hit up Fry's Electronics. While they did this I stayed home and watched T.V. that was super nice. Went they got back we decided to take a stroll in the park next to the apartments. The park always has something going on for the 4th of July. My wonderful parents did a most kind thing and cooked us dinner again. (Pulled pork, chicken, coleslaw, chili beans, potato salad, banana split cupcakes, brownies and ice cream) After dinner we headed to the Shoreline Amphitheater to hear the San Francisco Symphony and watch fireworks. It was a nice night and Mason stayed up to watch the sky show! He was a big trooper!

Today (Thursday), was our Santa Cruz trip. We left the apartment around 11am and enjoyed some sun at Twin Lake's beach. Michael swam in the ocean and obtained a sunburn while I rested my eyes on the shore. Marshal and Gina took Mason to the water and let him dig his cute little toes in the wet sand. After the beach we headed to Maryanne's for some amazing ice cream! (Mud Pie and Fudge Brownie in a waffle cone was my choice). We arrived home after a peaceful and quick drive down highway 17. I made dinner before our friends had to leave.

So far this week has been wonderful! I am so thankful for our friends the time Michael and I got to share with them. My family is also a blessing. I am so grateful for their kindness and love. I hope I remember this week for a very long time. Now I'm off to bed!

Last and First Day

Date: June 29, 2012. Today I completed my last final at De Anza College, I will be graduating, with honors, tomorrow morning! I am at the half way marker on my path for higher education. There is the possibility of continuing on to obtain a masters degree but I have not decided yet.

I start at SJSU in August 2012, Child Development is the goal. I want to obtain knowledge I'll need to guide the youth of the future. I want to make a difference and if that difference only comes from the children I bear, that's fine with me.

I have worked so hard to get where I'm at today. I am so grateful for my family, friends and most of all my husband, Mike. He is the inspiration in my life, he is the one who drives me on to finish tasks and my dreams.

I am determined to write as much as I can with this new blog, even if no one reads it. This will be my personal yet public journal. I hope when I have children they will look through this blog, read my comments, ideas and stories and think they have a pretty cool mom.

So, today is where it begins.