a little bit of february

february is almost over and it seems like yesterday was the first.
it's been a wonderful and full month so far.
i spend every day at work and barely squeeze an hour or two off right now.
on the bright side i truly love my job.

we are attempting to get into a solid work out routine and improve our nutrition.
p90x is quiet the program and we'll need to work into it {that's for sure}
it does feel good getting into healthier habits.
however we have had quiet the week of indulgence....
who could resist with valentine's day and brunch with close friends
and meeting up for dinner with them before a chick flick last night.
alyson and i decided we need to 'practice' girl's night... because the boys tagged along.
i suppose that might be the case for the rest of our lives.... partly because mitch and joe are like brothers.

spring is starting to tease us.
and my flower beds at home are showing signs of life.
i seriously can't wait for the days to lengthen and for it to gradually get warmer.
my life needs more color and the garden is the ultimate source

we said goodbye to the jeep
{what a nightmare of a story}
and i now inherit the hybrid and mitch is driving his {current} dream vehicle - a big bad truck.
{oddly enough} i already love it.
comfortable, smooth ride and huge cab - with plenty of room for the boys.
i strongly believe that dogs should never ride in a truck bed!

next friday is the first of March
and it's the beginning of my most favorite month.
{i'm crossing my fingers the snakes stay out of my greenhouse}
the greenhouse will quickly fill with all my 'baby' plants and my soul will be happy.
and my body will be tired.... in a good way.

Excitement, Progress and Snuggles

{Bed time snuggles with Cezar}

I'm SO close to making it to the weekend. I am eager to take some time off and enjoy being home and spending time with my hubby and boys. 

I've been feeling a bit better this past week. 

My grandma is making a good recovery this week. She spent last weekend in the hospital and finally came home on Wednesday. I'm glad to see her making improvements. Today I spent the morning helping her make cards and cleaned and organized her craft room. I felt accomplished, grandma was happy to see it clean and she'll be able to maneuver safely with her walker in there. 

I've fallen in love with Yoga and Pilates. My energy level is slowly rising and my mood is improving. Plus my body feels fabulous and slimmer. My current goal is to do yoga twice a week, Pilates twice and Cardio twice. Hopefully my schedule allows me to succeed  :)

On an extremely exciting note..... Mitch and I just booked a cruise to the Western Caribbean in place of our Disneyland vacation. We decided while we don't have children, we need to take advantage of being able to travel out of country. Labadee, Jamaica and Cozumel Mexico.... We've already visited those places on our last cruise. BUT it was incredible!!! And we can't wait to go again :) September can't come soon enough. 

I have a feeling that this will be my year. 25 will be a fabulous year! My health will balance, my mental health will soar, my body will be healthy and in shape. A cruise, birthdays, goals.... This is my year.

{My beautiful valentine flowers are in bloom}

{Will you be mine}

This year I began thinking about Valentine's day about a month in advance.
It's the only way I am able to gear up for anything lately.
So in hopes of pulling off a fabulous Valentines....
I planned in advance.

I spent quite a bit of time cutting out darling hearts to decorate with

I even made a double batch of sugar cookies to share with friends and family

To start my valentines.... I asked my poppy's help in heart attacking Mitch's desk at work. Since he works at an investment firm, only employees are allowed. I even had help from a friend in coming up with a darling phrase, since poppy heart attacked it a day early....

"someone as special as you.... shouldn't have to wait another day... Happy Valentine's Day love!"

It was perfect!! We definitely surprised him. {sadly no pictures are allowed}. 

Monday night while he was at work I finished blowing up all the balloons. The boys didn't like them. They wouldn't stop barking at them. Once I was done though and had closed the door on my office, Jake kept going over to the door wanting in. I was afraid he'd give away the balloons. Luckily Mitch didn't notice when he was home.

On Tuesday, actual Valentines day, I worked 8-2. Then had plans to hurry home and gather all the balloons I had blown up and fill his car full. 45 red, pink and white balloons. I was nervous someone would catch me and alert Mitch prior to his lunch break. My luck held though. I had a cute note "will you be mine?" and then a booklet of car washes and a gift card to his favorite smoothie shop. 4:30 came and I got my usual call from him. He was completely shocked and curious how I managed to get the balloons to stay in the car while filling it up. My surprise was that he managed to get out of his overtime shift that night. So we grabbed some burgers to go and curled up in bed for the evening.

My day turned out perfect. Mitch had listened to my request for a simple heart shaped ring for my right hand. I found it on our bed Monday night before I headed to Pilates. I was thrilled!! It was the perfect gift!! :) At work I received my first box of plant plugs. I love getting my plant babies. A perfect delivery for Valentines at work. When I arrived home that afternoon, I found the most beautiful bouquet red tulips and blue Irises along with a book I had been wanting - Pukka. {The author wrote Merle's door which I love!!}. It was the sweetest Valentines! I'm so grateful for a thoughtful hubby who knows me and just what to get me ;)

4 Valentine Days later.... I love him just as much as our first. I'm grateful to have such a wonderful man as my husband and as my sweetheart!!

{My Valentine}

I had the best valentine ever!!

Isn't he just soooo handsome?!!

I sure think he is!!

We had the most charming morning on Monday.

I LOVED brunch at Kneaders {I already want to go again}

Then we came home and tried to decided what to do

Mitch decided we should see Sanctum at the theater.

Last year I picked a girly movie, it was his turn this year.

Then we went our ways... him to work and me to the Harts

I spent the rest of my valentine's with the most darling boys.

I had 4 boyfriends!! :)

We had a wonderful time hanging out

We ate homemade tomato soup and homemade bread

{No I didn't make it but I want the recipes!!}

Then we packed up in the car so we could go feed and potty my 'children'

and make the bed for my sweet Mitchel.

Once we got back it was getting dressed for bed, brushing teeth, checking homework

and tucking them into bed with kisses goodnight.

Crew stayed up with me for awhile longer. He's such a darling baby!!

I woke early {couldn't sleep... I missed my bed and husband}

Enjoyed a beautiful sunrise

made sure the Kaden and Chaz made it to school

I loved getting kisses good bye from them

I enjoyed my morning with Kellen and Crew

{it reminded me of the good 'ol days when I was their full time nanny.}

Kellen was off to school around 9:15 ...

then it was just me and the babe.

I laid sweet crew down for his nap around 9:40

waited for the swap so I could go home and finished celebrating Valentines with my Mr.

When I got home I found the most beautiful black and gold box on our bed...

My valentine roses!!

WOW

Here's the thing...

I love roses!

Red, pink, yellow, white, orange....

I love them all.

Red is beautiful but the most common color....

I have a special thing for any other rose color.....

this year I got WHITE roses!!

They were absolutely perfect!

Boy does my honey know me or what?!!

:)

I needed to go into work at the garden center for a bit.

I was so tired!!

Sanna caught me up on everything

{We got robbed during Sunday night to Monday morning}

drank my pepsi

helped customers

helped my sister

then I finally got to head home to spend some time with my lover!!!

:)

We decided to go to Texas Roadhouse for dinner.

{Have you ever been?!!}

It's our NEW favorite!!

It was the second time we'd gone and we not disappointed at all!!

We went early - 4 pm

They still had the Valentine special....

SO MUCH FOOD!!

We barely made a dent in it

Yea for left overs!

After dinner {4:45} we headed home to watch House {I heart DVR}

plus GLEE!!

Then Mitch had to do some studying.

We had such a wonderful valentines!

And...

I have the BEST VALENTINE EVER!!

{Happy LOVER Day}

Since being sick I've not had the best nights of sleep. Last night was no exception, however I have to say it was wonderful waking up and snuggling my husband this morning. I LOVE taking some time in the mornings to snuggle and soak in the time spent in his arms. {Mushy I know... its Valentines day so its okay}. The puppies finally called for their morning potty break, I let them out and then curled back in bed to watch some Simpsons with my man :) Then we got ready to head for brunch. We went to Kneaders ... yummy! Their french toast was incredible!! Mitch worked at 2 and I would be watching the boys from 2 til tomorrow so we wanted to enjoy our Vday morning. We are going to do our main celebration tomorrow - who really wants to go spend 2+ hours waiting in line for dinner?! Not us :) anyways... We finally decided to see Sanctum. Mitch found a theater that was showing it early enough for us. It was really good and really intense! I'm definitely not cut out to be a caver or a diver let alone to mix them. I'd recommend the movie though.
Afterwards we headed home, Mitch had to split for work and I gathered my things plus Cezar and headed to Saratoga to play with my 'boyfriends' :) These boys are incredibly darling!! Cezar isn't quite sure what to do with 4 boys and Lucy - their dog. I did some cleaning, dishes, put the baby down for his nap, the 2 older boys are at a friends and I have sweet Telly chilling {napping} on the couch watching Nemo. Lucy is napping on the couch and Cezar on my lap. What a fabulous afternoon!!

{What are your big plans for Valentines Day?}
I'll post pictures and our valentine happenings tomorrow