Needing Prozac after Attempting to make a silly Costume

   So this year we are taking the little monkeys to Disneyland for Halloween, yes, for those of you who know me know I am more excited than my kids. I love me some disney!!!! :) Well, so I thought it would be fun to plan for the kids to wear Disney costumes, so at first Audriana was going to be Minnie and I was trying to find Mickey for Donnie and Pluto for Gio, but no such luck, so then I saw a costume on craigslist for a monsters inc costume for Sully and my little mind started to take flight to a new idea....oh no, what have I done??!!!! I then thought it would be perfect for the boys to be sully and mike (the one eyed guy) and Audriana could be Boo, cute right?! I mean common, Audri will make an adorable boo. So being the complicated woman I am I could have had Audri be the simple version of boo in the pajamas but the one where she is in the monsters costume in the movie is so much cuter so I went with that idea!

People I just entered myself into a nightmare of stress ohhhh boy! So I started searching for costumes, well, there is no boo costume from disney, they were no help! But there are boo "homemade" costumes on Ebay so I started to get a little excited until I saw the price, $50.00 and all the way up to like $80 bucks for these costumes, r u kiddin' me? What do these marvelous costumes come with?! So then I thought "i could make that, so easy". This is coming from a girl who knows how to make a simple stitch, people I can sew a button on a shirt or sew up a tear, whooopdi freakin' doo! That's it, that's all! So the cocky side of Ali got ahold of me and took over myself -the good and humble part of myself ;) So I went on a journey, I went to Joannes and tried figuring out all I needed. I got some fabric that I thought could work, got something to go over the fabric to look a little like monster scales or whatever is on Boo's Costume, I got a mop head for her head, some white fabric for the monster teeth, and so on and so forth. I went on a lot of trips to that Joannes store, they know me all to well there! I'm costumer of the month, they blew up my picture, they shake my hand when I enter, people come up and ask me if I can help them find something since I know it all too well...okay so it's not quite like that, but honestly and truly I went there too many times. The poor ladies who had to keep cutting me fabric, all I can say is I'm sorry. It went a little somethin' like "i'm not sure how much I need, let me see how a yard looks...okay lets do a yard...no better make that two...wait make that a yard and a half, a yard and three fourths", blah blah blah!!! I shoulda tipped the poor ladies something for putting up with my indecisiveness and my multiple personality disorder...I did a little talking to myself, the ladies just smiled and nodded as if I had that little blue sign that gets ya great parking spaces, stamped right there on my forehead!

I then attempted to get out the ol' sewin' machine that's only been sitting in my garage for ohhh let's just say 10 years or so, yah I said 10 years. See Sergio, you said I never use it, and you wanted me to get rid of it, well look at me now!! Or maybe not...I got the old girl out dusted her off, cleared out the few dead spiders that made a home in it, that is after I jumped like an idiot after seeing them! Then took one look and said "WTF" that's "what the flip" for you that are wondering, common would I use such language? I then attempted to thread the darn thing, like I knew what I was doing, people my son Giovanni laughed at me and said "mom are you sure you know what you are doing?" No son, I do not, I have no flippin clue! But I did not say that, I said "well sure son, doesn't this mother always know what she's doin'!!?" It wasn't long after that till I hit the computer hard, I mean I went as hard core as it gets, I watched videos step by step, paused it, ran into the other room to do the darn step then ran back to watch the next step (I have to simply pause this and hope no one walks in on this conversation in the middle here, i understand this could sound...well...like something completely different, so please read the whole story!) anyways, it would have been easier if I would have brought the sewing machine into the computer room with me, but I didn't think that far. Yah I'm smart like that. Sergio thought I'd gone on speed or something, and he actually asked me after hysterically laughing "why are you running back and forth like a mad woman?" I stopped, laughed, and actually thought for a minute and said "I have no idea why". So on and on I went trying to figure out this "wonderful" and "easy" sewing machine...sarcasm, sarcasm, sarcasm...Only this time I walked back and forth, I didn't want to frighten my family anymore than I already had, seriously if you saw the look on my husbands face, you'd die laughing. Did I mention that this sewing machine is Vintage? Yes, Vintage, meaning old and confusing as hell! Sorry "heck"...I called up the lovely woman who gave me this thing, my mom and said "who invented this thing and how in the world do you work it? What's "thread" and how do you do it?" She couldn't remember either, so she said she would come over in the next few days to help me, well I was on a mission and this girl doesn't stop for nothin or no-one when I'm on a mission, I didn't even eat! Hi My Name Is Ali and I'm Hardcore! So on and on I went on my sick mission. I said sick because I may have been unhealthy at that point, mentally I think I just went off my rocker.

After watching more videos and reading step by step guides that might as well have been in another language, since it made no sense at all, I said "Screw It!" I decided to hand sew the sucker. I grabbed the material, took one look and thought to myself, "what and how do I do this? Oh my goodness, what was I thinking? Well, I then just kinda went for it and little by little this costume seemed to start looking more and more like something that came outta the school for the mentally challenged (I mean no offense here please), but heck they probably could have done better! So after un-threading what I had sewn and trying again and again, it came together!!!

My little Donivan was my Manichean since that little Audri person wouldn't try it on, stinker! Do not ask me how I am going to get her to wear it Halloween night...cause I haven't any clue. Well, the arms are really too low, Audri is smothered by her costume so I just cut out two holes above them and decided to leave it be! R u kiddin' me? I wasn't about to fuss with that thing again! The head part was a whole other disaster that could be a whole other long story, but I'll save you from having to listen to that!! The first version of the hat didn't really work out so well, Audri couldn't wear it, it was too heavy. I  basically did it, ripped it up, screamed a little, maybe even cried, (NO I DID NOT CRY, WHAT DO YOU PEOPLE THINK I'M MADE OUT OF??), then I did it all again with a coat hanger, some suggestions from my husband, ping pong balls, and a lot of love! Waaaa laaaaa I finally finished this thing! It will look better on Audriana though, don't judge!

So at the end, I realize I should have just bought her the darn costume or had her do the pajama outfit costume, I went through too much stress, it was probably more stressful because I am the one planning this thing, getting the hotel, getting tickets, trying to plan outfits (that's a big deal people!) and so on and so forth, so not a great decision to make a costume before a trip, but I did it and even though it didn't turn out quite how I would've liked and far far far from perfect, I am a little proud of myself for making my first costume!
   So did I mention that I had decided amongst all this madness that Sergio & I needed to be apart of the costume monster inc idea? Yes I did, so Sergio is gonna be one of the yellow guys that come swipe you if you get touched from a child "2319!" And I'm going to be Cecelia, the one eyed snake girl. These costumes are just as much of a headache as Audri's was, but I'm going a more simple route with them. They may not look great but I might still have half of my mind left! The only thing I really can't figure out is how I am going to do the head? It's a daily process! We'll see!

Shopping is Therapy

Okay so it's probably not the healthiest outlet, but come on people it works! I go shopping and whaaaalaaa I feel like a new girl and I'm on top of the world! This is my husband's first thing to say when I'm feeling down or I'm being a grumpy lil' lady, "Go shopping, and get Happy!!" So I say, "aaahhh okay honey, I guess this is something I must do." LOL so that happens sometimes, sometimes it's with the girlfriends which is so fun and that is good therapy, and then there are the times I go "angry" shopping. I am either mad at myself, mad at my wonderful other half, mad at family or a situation, or just mad at the world, and so I go angry shopping. It really does work as low as that sounds or as shallow as I may be I guess...I just feel better when I get outta the house and have a little "me time" and shop. It doesn't have to be a million things or expensive things, I'm a girl who'd rather spend some money on a few things rather than one expensive thing...for the most part :) Or even just one simple little thing and window shop till my heart's content! And believe me I love a good sale too! Have to thank my mom for that...and also give her a little crap for that because the argument I go through with myself not to buy something on sale when I really don't need it, takes FOREVER sometimes, I freakin' probably look like a crazy person when I do this because I probably end up saying some random comment outloud while I'm sitting there starring at whatever it is convincing myself to move on, let go and walk away and not look back. Okay sorry for the tangent, that happens alot. So shopping for me is an outlet.  It could be some scrapbooking stuff, something for the home, a fun toy for the kids, some new clothes for the boys, a cute little outfit for peach...aka, Audriana, something sassy to wear for me, a new pan (yes I just said pan, I can get excited to buy a new pan), a candle, something for the yard (even weed killer..LOL) okay so I really lied right there with the weed killer so x that one off my list, it could even be as simple as some new towels. I may be a big dork, but it works for me. I am not so sure as to why I feel better after shopping. Maybe it's a new something in the home to look forward to or a change in my wardrobe to make me feel pretty, fresh, and young again, or maybe a project that I'm excited to accomplish with whatever I've purchased, or just maybe it's as simple as change. Change is good and can be amazing, change is therapeutic, shopping helps change things up, so therefore shopping is therapy...end of story, end of discussion, that's it, that's all, that's my reasoning...deal with it :)

                                                                    ~Some of my finds~

The Cutest Littlest Sweetest Converse Shoes For My Girl!!!

                                          Of course I didn't find this girl, she was just a gift from Heaven!!!! :)

Lovin' Him

Isn't it funny how you sit down to watch a romantic movie and you just begin to love your other half more. At least that happens for me :) I guess I am a sappy little lady and love the romance, so I imagine myself in the movie or try and relate and ya know in a way it really helps me in our little marriage. Sometimes I do that when I am in a bad mood or if the Mr. & I are goin' through a rough patch and sometimes it really helps, well okay so sometimes (because I'm only human people) it can have the opposite effect and I think "why can't he do that, why can't we be like that" and then I'm no better off or even worse than I was, and then of course there's the random object thrown at him...oh okay, so I only imagine doing that ;) j/k. Most of the time though, I really just can't wait till my love comes home so I can give him a big hug after watchin' a romantic movie. He probably thinks to himself "where's this little happy wife coming from??" Not that he has to really think that since I am almost perfectly happy all the time ;) So when he wonders why on earth I watch all these romantic comedies and rolls his eyes, he really has no clue it's actually helping our relationship. Just a thought. Here are some tips that I find help our relationship, at least it helps us. Marriage is never still or perfect, you have to continuously  mold it and change it to keep things fresh and happy!

• put the other person first
• be loving and kind
• be patient and respectful
• sacrifice things for that person
• let each other be an individual
• let go of hurtful things, don't have resentment (hard to do, but great when you achieve it!!)
• listen to each other
• compliment and say nice things to each other continuously
• do lots of random acts of kindness; leave a note, make a special meal, give a gift, make a gift, call um' up and say somethin' really nice, take um' somewhere.
• kiss kiss kiss!!! Nuff' Said....
• follow the golden rule
• remember that no one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes, we are here for our other half's to uplift, encourage, and help. Through trials a person learns and grows.
• don't give up, don't take the easy road
• sometimes ya gotta fake it till ya make it; do those nice things even if ya don't feel like it and sometimes it will eventually make ya feel like doing them.
• And of course watch those romantic movies, it's therapy ;)

Our Little & Complete Family

Well people I guess it's about time I did this. I have been reading all the cute blogs out there and thinking to myself, "one day I should do a blog!". Today is the day, I only procrastinated a few years :)

So let's begin with a little background of how our little family started. Sergio is Peruvian and grew up in Lima, Peru. His family moved here to the United States when he was 14. He learned English and brought his soccer skills to little ol' Murray Utah and was quite the soccer stud, oh sorry honey, I mean "IS" a soccer stud, you still got it babe!! Sergio has a great sense of humor and is down to earth, he's a hard worker, organized, and never lets anything get in his way. I grew up in Santa Rosa, California but moved when I was 11 to Parker, Colorado, then moved again to Arizona, then I went to Utah...well...let's say "sent to Utah", for you who know what I mean lol, and for you who don't, well that's another story for another day! I am a stubborn little lady (it's the Italian-Armenian blood in me, thanks alot Dad!) I am easy to get along with and love life. I say how I feel and I love to feel young. So now for the romance; get some popcorn, get your drink cause here we go... :) Sergio & I met back in the day in year 2001, wow it's been a long time! I walked into a little bagel shop called "The Bagelry", and there he was; this tall and handsome manager (mm mm mm mm mm!) He offered me bagel's and schmear's, "I mean what's a girl to do??!!" He hired me and it was love at first sight, well okay so it wasn't really, it took this guy a month and a half to finally ask me out on a date; our first date December 12, 2001. Sergio played the smooth move and gave us both the day off on Wednesday. It went a little something like, "well, ya know it looks like we both have a day off, would you like to go to dinner?" So cute hun, loved the effort! After that it was pretty much a Serg & Ali day everyday, we danced, we ate, we played cards, we went boating, we camped, we went to amusement parks, we saw movies, we just had fun. We were like two peas in a pod...soon two & a half peas in a pod! Yes, a bun in the oven!!

Our little Giovanni came unexpectedly into this little world of ours and changed our lives in every little way. So before this little guy entered our world we had bells, yes I'm talkin' weddin' bells, we only had a month and a half to prepare for this wedding, otherwise I'd be some fat lookin' blob walkin down the isle and that's just not attractive! So thank-goodness for my momma, she saved my life and threw one together, not to mention Sergio's family and some others that helped a great deal! So we were married, and may I just add that going on a honeymoon while pregnant is not an ideal thing to do! Sorry honey, cause I was a hormonal bisnatch, yes I just said bisnatch. Thankfully a few years later we got to go to Puerto Vallarta for a second honeymoon, it was absolutely AMAZING! Anyways, we had our first baby, Giovanni and couldn't have been happier. That day we both found love, a kind of love that words can't describe and our world became wrapped around a young boys finger :) He's our little adult; observant, obedient (for the most part), kind, smart, and our little negotiator ( until your blue in your face negotiator!). He's amazing!

Well on to the next little monkey...I guess we just thought "bring it on" after having Giovanni since I got pregnant only two & half months after he was born...NOT!! This was a BIG "OOOPS" and let's just say I was in no way prepared for another baby, I still had no clue what I was doin' with the first baby. I cried....and cried....and cried...and stared at the wall in wonder of how this happened. I guess I needed more talks on the birds & the bees, thanks mom... ;) We had our little Donivan a month and a half early; scariest moment in my life. It was one of the hardest things to go through as a mommy and having the doctors and nurses sticking ivs in my new baby's head and all over his little frail body and then taking him away from me to another hospital, I was scared and depressed. But this little guy was a fighter and he pushed and pulled on through and in 3 weeks he got to come home to us!!! He's the entertainment in our life, makes us laugh constantly and never keeps us bored, we love that little guy! Shortly after Donivan was born we moved from little ol' Utah to Arizona to be with my family. For the next few years those little boys were my life along with my love. We bought our first home, then moved into our second. Sergio got a job at the University of Phoenix ("I'm a Phoenix") and moved up to be a fantastic manager. He started going back to school and is almost finished with his masters in Business Management, "WOOOO HOOO, Way to go Babe!!!" He found and finds the time to play a little soccer on the side. And of course we put our boys in soccer, they are little champions!! We found a little church (not really that little!) that we love called Cornerstone. We found our boys a great school called Benjamin Franklin Charter School. I went back to school and got an associates degree in Psychology. From time to time my best-friend; who's my sister, & I have a little Craigslist Business on the side for fun. I have been lucky to be a stay at home mom all this time and I'm so lucky to see all the small and little miracles that occur everyday. It has never been perfect nor will it be, but it's perfect for me. And even with all the bumps, hills and sometimes mountains in the road they somehow only make us stronger.

So finally after having a nice 6 year break...a much needed one with those two muskrats (have I got stories to tell, maybe another day and another post), we decided to try for a little girl and keep our finger's crossed. You see Sergio was dead set on three and "NO MORE", and I had thought maybe four and definitely four if it was another boy. Well, God gave us what we asked for and probably saved us from having one of those big mountains in our "road". We got our girl! So then it was, "bring on the shoes, bring on the hair bows, bring on the tutu's, bring on the cute little dresses, bring on the crafty projects, bring on the bling, bring on the pink, and bring on a "little me"!!" I was super excited about having a girl. Perhaps too excited, since our little Audriana was trying to come into this world early (trying to follow the footsteps of her big brother Donni), but thankfully with a little bed-rest and a lot of help from my mom, dad and Sergio, she only came a couple of weeks early. She came into our "already perfect world" and made it more perfect! We are stuck on cloud 9 with this little girl, she's a true angel from God. Sweet as can be and a pretty little princess, she's got the tude and she knows how to work that smile to get what she wants. She has made us a happy and complete family. And so with Sergio, Me, Giovanni, Donivan, & Audriana, we are a little family of five and sometimes our life is busy, or stressful, or simple, or just plain fun, what-ever it may be we are just grateful to have each-other each and every day.