Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours! 

Blog Every Day in May Challenge {Day 1}

Okay everyone, Jenni over at Story Of my Life Blog is hosting a Blog Every Day in May challenge!  I'm actually excited for this, maybe it will give me the push and help I have been looking for to not only blog every day but to get my blog to where I saw it going 3 years ago when I started it!

So here we go with day 1!

The Story of my Life in 250 words or less.
 

Well I consider to have had a "crazy" life up until now. My parents divorced when I was little so I was always back and forth between my moms house (where I spent most of my time) and my dads "house" (where I spent every other weekend and some holidays).  I rebelled a lot in high school, surprised I graduated and nothing really bad happened.  I thank god every day for changing my ways and meeting Steven.  I have never been happier than where I am now.  And even though I wasn't the best child and I have made A LOT of mistakes, I do not regret anything because it has made me who I am today as well I am able to help give advise to those who might be following down the same path I did!

 Until tomorrow!
Happy Wednesday and May 1st y'all!



{friends}

OFriend [frend] noun, plural friends. 1. a person not in your family whom you know and like and who likes you; someone you like to spend time with and do things with. 2. someone who supports something by giving help or money: He is a friend of the Arts Society.

 

I was never that girl who had 100 friends, and I was more than fine with that!

I had my best friend and a few other close friends and that was that.  But for some reason those friendships never seemed to last more then a few years.  It was always very hard for me to accept because I was always the friend that invested EVERYTHING and did ANYTHING for my friends and they never did the same. 

(I guess its a good thing I finally realized that cause that's not a way to live life)

 

Any ways after graduating high school I never spoke to any one I went to school with.  They were all still stuck in "high school" mode and I was the grown up. Went to school full time and had a job straight out of school.  It hurt because I felt like I had to start all over again making friends, and that is NOT easy for me.

 

Friends came and left, I had a few boy friends that came and left as well.  It was very hard for me. I didn't think at 18 and 19 it would be so hard to find that friendship everyone talks about.

 

4.5 years ago (by this time I was 3.5 years out of high school)

I met a girl who instantly became my best friend.  We were inseparable right away.  She was not just my best friend but a sister that I never had. 

 

Silly things that happen in Tahoe!

 

Fun times at weddings I didn't want to be at

(she was my sanity when I needed it)

 

Laying on the beach in Tahoe

 

Well 2.5 years ago we had a falling out.  We are both to blame I do blame my self more because I never talked to her about how I was feeling and what not.  I ended up cutting her out of my life, and that was a huge mistake.  A friendship is like a relationship and you have to work hard to keep it and communicate.  I wish I would have just told her how I was feeling and not be a butt head. 

 

With the wedding coming up (in 11 days, eek so excited!) a lot of things have been going through my head.  My mind hasn't shut off in days and even though were not having a bridal party I still think of all my friends and of course her.  We use to spend nights talking, ok planning our weddings and what we would do for our bachelorette parties and so forth together.  I truly makes me sad that we have missed out on so much in each others lives in the last 2.5 years.  We both bought house and she just got married a few months ago. 

 

I know people come in and out of your life for a reason.  But does this count as one of those times?  Was I meant to lose her as a friend?  Or was it all just a result of me being a stubborn ass and not talking about how I felt?

 

Well I'm taking it as my fault and not gods.  I reached out to her last week, and we are going to meet for coffee or a drink soon.  At first I was extremely nervous, like it was a first date with a guy I have never met.  I'm scared she is going to hate me, be mad at me, not let me in.  I'm truly not sure how it will go.  Part of me wants to be strong and not get overly excited because I have no idea what is going to come of this, and I am sure that we wont be back to the way we were right away or maybe even at all.  It has been a long time and we both have changed a lot since then.  But I cant help but hope that things will be better. 

This is just my claim code ignore it 

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{we cleanse together}

along with many things the Mr and I cleanse together.

 

About 6 months ago I got hooked up with a wonderful lady through Instagram and she is a Beach Body Coach.  She was getting ready to do a 3 day Shakeology Cleanse.  I have always been interested in doing a cleanse and after speaking with her about what it in tales and how safe, natural and good for you it was I signed up! 

(both for the cleanse and as a Beach Body Coach!)

 

I did the cleanse back in late November early December and had AMAZING results.  I was not expecting to lose any weight seeing how small I was already and the fact that we ate clean.  I would have just been happy knowing my insides were healthier and that I just felt better.  Much to my surprise I lost weight, felt amazing and looked so much better.

 

Here is what the cleanse in tales

 

 

1. You start each morning off with a cup of green tea you can have it hot or cold. 

(of course ours is organic)

2. Next you follow up with a shake, I just have mine with 12 oz of water and add about 1 tbsp. of cinnamon to mask the chocolate flavor (yes I hate chocolate!) You can also blend your morning shake with ice, water, and 1/2 cup of fruit.

 (These packets are purchased through a Beach Body Coach and they are already measured in packets, unless you purchase a 30 day supply)

3. You can have one piece of fruit between breakfast shake and lunch shake.  I always have an apple, a BIG apple.  It fills you up better than most fruits.

4. For lunch you have your shake, again mixed with 12 oz of water, this time no fruit.

Then you follow up with your cup of green tea (again hot or cold).

5. For another snack or save it for dessert you have one more shake for the day.  I have mine at around 3:30-4pm because I do not get home until 7pm.

6. For dinner!! Yay for dinner!!  You get a 4 oz piece of white meat, chicken or fish!  You may season with what ever you want but stay away from salt.  You also get a large salad with 2 tbsp. of non dairy dressing.  Or you may have 2 cups of a dense green veggie, I always have zucchini.

 

You also MUST DRINK WATER!  72-120 oz of water A DAY. This is so important because your body needs it and it helps to keep you full between meals. 

 

If you stick to this cleanse and follow it you will see amazing results as well just feel amazing.  Every ones body is different so some people may not see weight loss however just feeling better and knowing you did something good for your body is good enough!

 

So, on day 4 we wake up and weighed ourselves and I also measured!
Steven lost 4 pounds! I lost 3 and lost 1" in my waist and a 1/2" in both my thighs!

So happy with these results!
If you are interested in doing a cleanse contact me and I would love to help you get healthy!

{Thankful Thursdays}

Dear Thursday .. Oh how I am thankful for this day alone but today I am especially thankful for my best friend.  If it were not for her I would be going crazy with this wedding planning.

(ok well crazier than I already am!)

I always swore I would never let wedding planning get the best of me.  I swore I wouldn't be one of those crazy brides who loses friends and fights with everybody.  I'm not to that point yet but some days I feel like I want to call the whole thing off and just run away with Steven.

 

Our actual wedding is planned, done, finished and I am so excited!

However the reception to follow two days later, that is a whole different story.  We have invited around 130 people and well I'm still waiting to hear from 35 people who decided that RSVP'ing isn't in their vocabulary.  If it were around 10 I would just say yes and see if they show up, but 35 people, that is just too many to say yes to.

 

AHHH

(me screaming in my head)

 

Thank you Thursday.

Thank you Morgan.

Thank you Mr. Ruiz.

 

I love you all

 

Mud Run

So back in November my best friend and I did a Mud run. It was my first and her second.

It truly was an amazing experience I plan to continue to do. It pushed me physically and mentally. I didn't do as well as I wished but I finished and that's all that matters.

The next run is in May and I cannot wait. I've been working hard to stay in shape and hopefully have a better time! I want to push my self even harder this time and do better with some of the obstacles!

 

Here are some pictures enjoy!!

 

 

We did it and had such an AMAZING time!

 

The Dentist Made me Cry!!

Yes I'm almost 26 and the dentist made me cry yesterday.

I've always been a good brusher and rinser ..

HOWEVER when it comes to flossing .. I don't do it.

Well it finally bit me in the ass ..

Last August, yes in 2012, I went for my 6 month cleaning which was a few months late. I had a few cavities and one that the Dr said was pretty bad. I didn't "have the money" to pay to have them done right away. I know that's no excuse but I sure as hell used it!

With the wedding coming up ill be getting off my moms AMAZING insurance so I needed to get them taken care of.

I went in to have the bad one done, I knew it was bad and if I left it alone for too long I might have to have a root canal (I'm even cringing as I write this) but it never hurt .. Ever .. So I figure it was still all good!

NOT .. She was doing her thing while I lay there with my mouth open trying not to have a panic attack .. I dislike the sounds and vibration of one of the drills .. I hear her say "oh no" and she hands me a mirror to look in my mouth (no damn idea why) and there's blood EVERY WHERE.

I burst into tears. I was scarred cause I knew what that meant but I was also mad at my self for allowing this to happen ..

Thank go my mom was there (we just picked up my wedding dress together) she came to the back to comfort me and assured me I'd be fine!

THANK GOD for my mother .. Xoxoxo

{Wednesday Wake up}

Dear Marcus snuggles on the couch last night melted my heart.  You are truly a blessing in my life and I'm so grateful I get to marry you.  Dear Tank you gross me out when you eat dog poo outside, but some how I still love your hairy little self.  Dear morning cup of coffee .. you warm my body and my soul.  Dear family you seem to amaze me every day with how generous you can be. I cannot thank you enough for the help of this wedding reception.

 

 

Happy Wednesday my loves.



{Letters to my husband}

Dear Marcus 23 days till you are my husband. 

Here are 23 why I love you ..

1. You make me smile even when I dont want to
2. You make me laugh every day
3. Your passion for life
4. I would love to raise a son just like you
5. You always concider my feelings
6. You put up with my craziness
7. You love me despite my flaws
8. I feel safe in your arms
9. After 3.5 years I still get butterflies
10. We love the same beer
11. Youre supportive of my Natural ways
12. We have the same goals
13. You eat my left overs
14. Youre honest
15. We work out together
16. You push me to be better
17. I strive to be the best I can for you
18. You eat everything I cook
19. You always teach me something new
20. The light in your eyes
21. Your work ethic
22. We sing in the car together
23. Youre sexy





An Engagment

*Read Fall Creek Hike first!*

We get to the top and he says:

"see wasn't it all worth it?"

I look around and say:

"yes"-however i am searching for a place to sit my ass down and take a break for a moment

With my back turned to him -spotting a giant log that looks like a good seat

I hear "Nicole!"

I turn around and ....

I turn around quickly to see him 

down on one knee in front of me 

with the ring in his hand!

I scream "STEVEN" and instantly cry!

As I look into his eyes,

He tells me he loves me and that he is lucky to have me.

(however i feel like the lucky one to have him)

He says "i know you have waited a long time for this

I just hope its been worth the wait"

(3.5 years and the purchase of our home is more that worth the wait for this man)

He tells me he wants to spend forever with me, he even used my whole name

(that will be the last time for that!)

*at this point i still haven't really looked at the ring i couldn't help but look at him*

I of course said "yes" between all the tears!

He truly is my best friend, my one and only.  I've never been so happy in my whole life.

even though he made me hike for an hour and a half for this it was completely romantic and more than i could have ever asked for.

Due to the fact that i had barley put any make up on and was red in the face and sweaty we didn't get any amazing pictures but we did get a few.

He did an amazing job picking out the ring.  its exactly what i have always dreamed of.  its simple but completely gorgeous! and i had no idea this was gonna happen! 

*good job surprising me baby!*

I would not change a thing about this day.  I normally don't give him enough credit when it come to planning things or being romantic.  he bus be getting soft in his old age!

i just want to thank all of our family and friends for all of their kind words with our announcement.

Now its time for the planning to begin!! 

Here are a few pictures of the ring i cannot stop looking at it

Fall Creek Hike

Well the Mr. decided last week that we should go to Santa Cruz! 

I thought that it was an amazing idea 

seeing as I hadn't been in 8+ years 

and he has NEVER been!

A lovely lady on IG had just recently gone hiking with her boyfriend to Fall Creek which is inside Henry Cowell State Park. Her pictures were beautiful so I thought that's exactly what we were going to do while we were there!  

Oh and of course go have some pizza by the ocean 

(which never happened)

Sunday morning we woke up had coffee 

and breakfast at the bar, 

in our kitchen that is not an actual bar 

you'd go to on a Friday/Saturday night! 

As Steven went to check the oil and tire pressure on the truck I took care of a few things in the house and then got dressed so we could head out! 

While I was brushing my teeth he comes up stairs to get ready and proceeds to ask me "you gonna put make up on?" I give him a look and say "no, we're going hiking there is no point." He asks again and I say "well obviously you're trying to say I need it so fine!" 

(This will be important later!)

Santa Cruz is about a 2 hour 40 minute drive from our house. 

We didn't turn the radio on once on our way down there. 

It was so nice to enjoy the drive and each others company.  Laughing at the horrible drivers and dreaming of our future together!

We finally made it to the parking lot and began our hike. The weather was perfect, the air was crisp and the canopy of trees above us was breath taking. I love nature and this was at its finest. This place was amazing, so quiet a place that I could turkey spend forever in!

The redwoods smelled amazing, the blue skies peaking through the tops of the trees here and there was heavenly.  every way you turn the view was the same but it never got old.

The first map we read said it was about 2 miles to Fall Creek.  Shot 2 miles is nothing we got this!  

As we hiked we followed the signs that said Fall Creek to the left Fall Creek to the right. 

I just have to say something about the kind of people you meet on the trails.  They are all the kindest people.  

They say hi and ask how you are and how your day is going so far!  I can barley get the bag girl at the market to say hi to me.  

I'm not sure if its the kind of people who hike or if there is something in the air that makes everyone so nice and friendly but i wish everyone in the world was this way because it would be so much enjoyable!

At this point we had been hiking for close to an hour and a half now.  we had seen many streams, 

creeks and waterfalls along the way but still no Fall Creek.  

We had the feeling we had missed a turn somewhere along the way .. OOPS!

Steven said "lets just go a little farther, then we can turn around and go back." (i was hungry now!) I agreed with this even though i was hot, sweaty and sore.

While hiking up the last hill  he was a little ways ahead of me and i wanted to die and just stop.  I kept saying "I'm going to kill him, I'm going to kill him"

(obviously i never would, i love that man too much.)

We get to the top and he says:

"see wasn't it all worth it?"

I look around and say:

"yes"-however i am searching for a place to sit my ass down and take a break for a moment

With my back turned to him -spotting a giant log that looks like a good seat

I hear "Nicole!"

I turn around and ....

Come back later for what happened next!

Advent Study

So I have decided I would join in on another bible study session with Good Morning Girls.  

I did one over the summer and LOVED it but failed to complete it.  

So here we go AGAIN ...

http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/

This is a 4 week Advent Study-Keeping Our Focus on Jesus.  I think this will be good because I truly believe that the true meaning behind Christmas has been lost.  It is very important to me to always remember and have it said in our house what Christmas is truly about so that when we fill our home with children they will know what that day is really about!

If you're interested in joining in go to www.GoodMorningGirls.com and read a little more about them and what this Study will offer and if you decide its for you then subscribe to their emails and you will receive your free eBook so you will be able to join in!

I am hoping to be able to post once a week about my studies and possibly have a button so we can do a link up!

Hope you join along on this study to Focus on Jesus this Holiday season

Nativity

In appliance love

Well here's another one to home ownership! 

 *cheers*

While cooking dinner last Sunday and enjoying a bottle of wine, we heard a "tick" I thought it was the lid to my pot I had placed on the stove about to break so I removed it and put it in the sink and heard "tick" we'll shit now I'm confused! Then all of a sudden it gets faster "tick tick tick" ... "tick tick tick tick" ... And I look at the stove and all the burners were sparking like they were trying to light.

Ahhh of course I freak out thinking my house is gonna blow up so we reach around and unplug it from the wall. Thinking it rest it self, we plug it back in and it kept sparking, well seeing as we were in the middle of cooking dinner we had to finish so we dealt with the "tick tick tick" and finished our dinner quickly then unplugged the stove.

After dinner we took apart the stove to see that the mice had found their way into the stove top (again) and made a nice home.

*BOO*

So of course we were both beyond discussed that we didn't realize this earlier ..

So bye bye old nasty stove and hello new one :)

I was made we had to buy a new stove when we needed a dishwasher or fridge but I cook every night so its a necessity.

I love our new one way better 

Its the simple things in life that make me happy.

Baby Fever

Well every where I turn its like guess who's pregnant?, we're having a ..., baby this baby that.

I'm going to SCREAM!

For my whole life my dream has been to be a wife and a mother.

For almost a year I've been off birth control (bc) and nothing has come of it. We're not really trying but still what's up?

Since I knew "how you get pregnant" I've always had a feeling, strong feeling, it would be very hard or not possible at all for me to get pregnant. Just a feeling I have never actually been told that. 

Now to add to my fear I've been hearing and doing research about the HPV Vaccine Gardasil and the damage it has done to many girls. I was given this shot a few years back as well as tested positive for HPV and had a procedure done to remove the abnormal cells that were cause from a form of HPV.

Well so the damage that has happened to girls who have revived this shot which by the way is given to girls as young as 11. Yes 11, just blows my mind. We do not believe in vaccines (this will be another post) so I don't have to worry about this for our children. Anyways Gardasil has been the cause of death in almost 50 young girls, it made a young girl in Australia infertile, and has been the cause of ovarian cysts and infertility. This is very scary and makes me want to go out and get all the tests done to make sure things are ok down there!!

I tell myself it will happen when it's suppose to. There is a time for everything. But I say that because I'm hiding my true feelings and honestly I'm scared to death .. Scared beyond words. I really do hope it will happen when it's suppose to but deep down I'm worried.

Sorry for this ramble of a post I had to get all my thoughts out cause I'm going to flip out.

I'm truly happy for all my friends who are pregnant and those about to have their babies, even in my sad days I truly and happy for them all but I'm still sad it's not us.

I'm sick of people saying "it will happen when it's suppose to." Or "I thought you two wanted to be married first? Why would you be considering a kids now?" And "you're still so young, you shouldn't worry" .. I want to tell them all to just shut up. Gah

Christmas in Hawaii

Looks like this Christmas we will be spending it in Hawaii with my boss and their family!

I'm looking forward to it .. in a way.

There is a slight chance Steven will not be able to join and honestly if he doesn't I'm not so sure I can bare going there with out him and spending Christmas alone.

Disney Hotel

this will be our home for one week 

Id take it only if I can have my man with me.

This place is beyond beautiful AMAZING!

Hotel's Beach

It will be an adventure as we will have all 4 kids with us so I'm not sure how much alone or "adult" time we will get but I know if Steven comes we will have a blast.

I can just see us walking along the beaches, exploring a land so new to us that might make us never want to leave :)  So many possibilities of great adventure

I get very excited to think about the "Christmas" we will have in Hawaii and honestly until we have kids I think its the best way to spend Christmas.  Never been to fond of the holiday, many people have forgotten the real meaning of Christmas and think its all about the presents. 

So we will see what happens in the next few months and hopefully you will be seeing pictures of the fun we had and mine and Steven's first real vacation together!

Love or wifely duties?

What do you ladies do for you man/husband every day?

My every day..

work out
shower

make coffee/tea

make lunch

make breakfast

run off to work for 10 hours 

come home

make dinner

light cleaning

laundry

go to bed

for over three years now I have played the wife role without even being the wife.

some days it's tiring but I wouldn't trade it for anything else.

I hear many guys talk about how there are not woman out there that do these things for their man.  Some times I just cannot understand why not.

Not only do I get satisfaction that I can take care of my family but he loves that he gets a home cooked meal every night and a delicious lunch to take to work!  I'm pretty sure he is the only one of his friends that wife does this for them! 

*excuse me while I pat myself on the back, because yes, Yes I do deserve it!*

So men there are still some woman out there that take care of there men like they should!

I wasn't raised this way, no one every told me the woman's role is in the home to cook, clean and raise children but I have always believed this!

Will it ever get easier?

I try my hardest to be positive .. these days I feel like its a joke

Money isn't everything .. you cannot take it or the material things with you when you die.  

We don't want to be rich but we would like to be comfortable. 

Lately I feel like ..

we cannot catch a break.

The batterie in the truck dies .. $100

Credit Card has to be paid off next month .. $1000

Down stairs toilet breaks .. $100

Personal expenses due to horrible insurance .. $800

Transmission in the car .. $1000

I love my life with Steven I wouldn't ask to change it, just some days I wish it were easier or I knew how to deal with it better.

Im 25, aren't I suppose to be enjoying life right now?

Excuse me while I step outside and scream 

FALL AUTUMN which ever you want to call it

So as summer is coming to an end

I am both sad and ecstatic!

Fall is my favorite time of year! There are so many wonderful decorations, fun activities and delicious food to indulge in and most of all super cute clothes!

How could you not love Autumn when this is what comes with it 

[Breathtaking]

So I'll share some of the beautiful decorations that I hope to make and buy to decorate our home for its first Fall Holidays!

[Tacky Pumpkins]

[Fall Wreath]

[Pumpkin Carving Party]

Pretty sure these ladies dress scarfs and boots are AMAZING! 

[Scarfs and Dresses]

 How could you not want this beautiful thing on your porch?!

[Monogrammed Pumpkin]

Our Story

So Ive been meaning to share how the Mr and I met.  It has been hard deciding what to put in and what not but then I remember when I decided to start this blog I was going to be up front and honest and not hide anything.  This might be a rambling post but Ill try not!

Back in 2005 I met Steven, at the time he had just started dating my "best friend".  I put that in quotes because I was always a better friend to her than she ever was to me! Any ways when she introduced us I knew from that moment that he was way to good for her.  She had a bad rep with guys she dated in the past; cheating, lying blah blah blah and I knew he was a good cowboy.  Anyways I stopped talking to her that October and we never spoke again.  Ill keep this short because it is about Steven and I not her even though with out her bad little self I probably never would have met him.

Jump forward 4 years and a few blind dates later ..

A friend of mine text me out of the blue July 14, 2009 (Steven's 21st birthday).. "Hey you will never guess who I am hanging out with."  I of course had to think for a moment because she is 3 years younger than me, I had no idea who she might be hanging out with.  I asked "Who?" and she said "Steven, Marissa's ex."(I never call her by her name)  I said "oh they are not together? Give him my number and tell him to call me sometime." She said "Ok" and that was that.  Never heard from him.  About a week later she text me saying she was with him again so I told her the same thing "give him my number and hit a girl up sometime!"  Hahaha yes I actually said that .. but it worked because he started texting me right then.  We talked for over 3 hours catching up.  Then he said the next night (Friday) that him and some friends were going to the local bar and that i should come hang out.  So of course I said yes, but I was going to dinner with my girlfriend then I would come out after.

When I got to the bar that night I called and told him I was there and he said he would come meet me outside.  In my mind I was thinking this would never go past being friends because of the awkward way that we knew each other.  But for some reason my stomach was filled with butterflies, I had no friend to lean on and make me laugh.  I walked up to the entrance staring at the ground (so I wouldn't trip) and having to give myself a pep talk because I was so nervous! Well I looked up and there he was with a huge smile on his face!  All my nerves just went away and I couldn't stop smiling.  I guess deep down I really wanted to be more than just friends.  He is the sweetest gentleman in the world and I guess it helps that he's good looking!

Well I met all his friends that night who were all sweet as could be (Thank you lord)!  He came to the bar with a few of them and they were getting ready to leave I guess he was having a good time with me because he asked if I was going to stay longer and if so if I minded taking him to his tuck later that night.  I said of course because I was having such a great time and didn't want the night to be over so soon!  We stayed at the bar till it closed (2am) and we talked the whole ride to where his truck was!

We hugged and said good night and he would call me the next day.

Well obviously he did and we hung out every day after that.  In September we went to a fundraiser dinner for his moms drill team and when we were working the ticket table he passed me a note.  It said "Will you go out with me check yes or no" and it even had the little boxes to check and of course I said yes.  I knew then I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him.  I don't think he felt the same way but I didn't care.  That was the sweetest thing any one has ever done for me and some might laugh because we were 21 and 22 at the time and that's stuff kids in high school do but you know what I  love every minute of it!

It has been 3 years since that meeting and I couldn't ask for a better guy to be sharing my life with.  I will not say our life is perfect I don't think "perfect" exists but it is our version of perfect and we wouldn't change it for a thing.  Life isn't easy and we have sure been through our ups and downs but that is what true love is to me and I wouldn't want to deal with life with any one else by my side then him.

He makes me cry, smile, laugh and dream of things I never thought were possible!

I love you Steven Marcus <3

I hope that wasn't too rambly (yes i just made that a word!)