Thankful.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner! One of my favorite Holidays! Thanksgiving and Christmas ( the holidays ) is my favorite time of year! Being surrounded by family and loves ones is the ultimate gift. I have so much to be thankful for this year so bare with me as I jot them all down! : )
I am thankful for my husband, not only because he treats me like a Queen but I am so lucky to have him. I am Thankful for our growing love and devotion to one another, and knowing that it will only get stronger.
I am thankful for my family, The craziness, the full house, the kids, the loudness,the love, I wouldn't change it for the world.
I am thankful for my parents, letting Cody and I stay with them while Cody gets going in his business. If it wasn't for them I don't know where we would be.
I am thankful for getting pregnant and having a healthy pregnancy (so far)! I am thankful that it is a BOY! I always wanted a boy first. : )
I am thankful for my spicey girl who never fails to make me smile everyday.
I am thankful for my fellow staff members who make the long nights at the gym always memorable.
I am thankful for the kids I coach, always working hard, wearing their heart on their sleeves.
I am thankful for my angel boy shoogies. This holiday is his day and it will ALWAYS remind me of what he accomplished for Cody and I and always remind me We would not be where we are today without him.
I am thankful for my grandma being in town for thanksgiving. I know shes going through alot with her pain and sickness, but holds it back and still comes down to see her "favorite" grand kids! :)


Okay now some little things I am so thankful for .. ahh.
Caffeine free coke, for my pregnant coke cravings.
Forever21.com
My rebel camera, I can shoot everyday life in style !
headbands.
bobby pins.
Sundays.
cute boots.
stuffing.
lemonade.
Victoria gardens.
Victoria secret sweat outfits.

I hope everyone has a fabulous Thanksgiving!!!
Much love,Tal

Gingerbread men.

Gingerbread men have always been a big part of christmas for me! I remember in elementary school my school would have the annual "find the gingerbread man" game during christmas! It was always my favorite! The little guys always bring me some Christmas spirit! This year I want to start a tradition and spread some christmas cheer to loved ones!

Ingredients [metric]
•3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
•3/4 cup sugar
•3/4 cup unsulphured molasses
•1/4 cup water
•1/2 teaspoon salt
•1/2 teaspoon baking soda
•2 teaspoons ground ginger
•2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
•1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
•1/4 teaspoon allspice
•1/2 teaspoon ground cardamon
•3 1/4 cup flour

Royal Icing
•1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
•Either:
◦1 large egg white
◦equivalent meringue powder and water
•1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
•1/4 teaspoon orange extract
•paste or gel food coloring (optional)

Directions
In a large bowl cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Stir in the molasses and water. In a medium bowl whisk together the remaining ingredients. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, stirring constantly. Divide the dough in half and flatten to a round disk. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and chill overnight. (You can freeze half or all of it if desired for later use.)

The next day
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and lightly grease your cookie sheets. On a lightly floured surface roll out one of the disks, leaving the other chilled. Roll to a 1/4 inch thickness, adding more flour if needed. Cut the cookies into desired shapes and place about an inch apart on the prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 6-10 minutes depending on the size of the cookies. Cookies should be firm but not browned. Reroll the scraps and continue to cut and bake until the dough is gone. Cool the cookies on the cookie sheets for three minutes, then remove to wire racks to finish cooling. Frost if desired with royal icing and let dry for 24 hours. Store in airtight containers.

Royal Icing
Traditionally egg whites are used in making royal icing, but because of concerns about salmonella I have switched to using meringue powder. While more expensive than an egg white, the icing comes out perfect every time and there is no need to worry about letting children or the elderly enjoy the cookies. It is very important not to overbeat this icing as it can (and will) break down. You can use the icing white, or tint it using paste or food colors. Liquid food colors will make the icing too watery - unless you are using meringue powder and substitute some of the food coloring for the water.

In a large bowl beat the powdered sugar, egg white, cream of tartar, and orange extract on medium high speed for 5 minutes. Check and see if you can form peaks with a teaspoon. If you cannot, beat at a higher speed for a minute more and check again. Beat and check at thirty second intervals until the peaks will form. Tint icing with food coloring if desired.

18 weeks & catching up!

Haven't been on in quite awhile! Yesterday was my first day @ 18 weeks! I am finally over the nausea, and slowly gaining some weight! I lost 13 pounds and have gained back 2! Yayyyyy, haha. I have been busy hanging out with my Grandma and making my Christmas Cards! Ill post pictures of those bad boys later! My Grandma is in town from Kennewick, WA. She comes down once a year for about a month for Thanksgiving or Christmas! I gotta soak in my yearly time with her! Today she is staying with my sister, so I have some extra time! : )

We find out what we are having on Monday the 23rd. We are so anxious/excited!! I think its a boy.. but my family swears its a girl. They are going to be surprised when its a lil man. Haha. A couple days ago I felt the baby for the first time! It is the craziest feeling. I actually got scared and jumped the first time it popped me in the belly, haha. Now, I wait for those little pops & flutters all day just so I know my little bun is doing okay! : ) Cody has warmed up to me now that Im starting to show and the baby is starting to move. I swear he is just like his dad, he thinks its "alienish" that I have a baby inside me. Its quite hilarious the things he thinks and says. A baby is definitely a new and different experience for him. (Ive been around them with my 3 sisters since i was 9, baby shmayby.) Just glad this one is mine : )

So once I find out what we are having I want to start a project. I want to make the baby some cute baby blankets. I have no idea where to start, but with the help of google and Joann's I'm sure I can figure it out...hopefully.

We have a busy month coming up! Jaydens Birthday party, my doc appt, Thanksgiving, BLACK FRIDAY ( yes!) , Open house (FIERCE), our first competition, thoroughbred, Christmas cookies, Legend in Vegas, Christmas Eve & Christmas! Ah, this is the BEST time of year! I love it. Im so glad we got our tree up 2 weeks ago : ) I can come home after shopping , wrap the presents right away and get the under the tree for as long as possible! I wish it was the Holiday season all year long!

Well I think Ive caught up enough for now, Ill be back Sooner than later !
<3 Tal

23

Yesterday was my 23rd Birthday! Ya hoo! It was a fabulous day. I am on bed rest( not fun) but I loved just having the fam over and getting Olive garden to go for dinner. Thats my kind of friday night ; ) Everyone came over around 4, we ate , hung out, some of the boys had to leave for soccer and basketball practices. When everyone came back we just opened presents , did cake and ice cream then took a million Pictures with the new Camera Cody got me. I absolutely love it. Yes he did get it for me! He got my the Canon Rebel xsi. Its amazing. My first slr ! Chantel and I took so many pictures of Jayden and Ryan , they loved the photoshoot attention!

We are just hanging out again today. Watching some college football. Cody is on a big football kick right now. Well see how long that lasts : ) We are watching the Ucla game tonight, a boy from the local high school here is starting so we are going to watch & support him! Hope everyone has a relaxing weekend! xo.

Love, Tal

9 weeks.

So today I am exactly 9 weeks preggo. I have had my dose of morning sickness, more like all day everyday sickeness. Today is not so bad, I think because I forced myself to eat this morning! Cody and I went to target yesterday to get some snacks that looked good to me so I can actually eat! Ive lost 4 pounds from being sick and not being able to eat/keep my food down. So I have found some foods that I can actually like to eat!
Eggo's with Butter & syrup.
Lucky charms.
Fruit.
Frosted mini-wheats.
Salad.
and on a good day , sandwitches!

My sister seems to think if your craving sweet things rather than greasy fatty foods then your bound to have a girl. Hm.. I think my diet is definently sweet, and would I would love to have a little girl.. but, I want a boy too. So I dont really care : ) Well see if her food technique is right. Well see on November 23rd!

I need to post my first ultrasound picture on here, Ill have to scan it asap!

So my weekly pregnncy email came today and this is what it says...
Your 9 weeks pregnant! 217 more days to go!
Your new resident is nearly an inch long -- about the size of a grape -- and weighs just a fraction of an ounce. She's starting to look more and more human. Her essential body parts are accounted for, though they'll go through plenty of fine-tuning in the coming months. Other changes abound: Your baby's heart finishes dividing into four chambers, and the valves start to form -- as do her tiny teeth. The embryonic "tail" is completely gone. Your baby's organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear. The external sex organs are there but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks.

You see how they refer my baby to a she? Hmmm... Email lady, Do you know something I dont know? haha..

So, my birthday is on Friday 9/18! Whoo hoo for 23!
I asked my hubby for a NICE camera for my birthday. Ive always wanted a nice professional camera that takes amazing pictures. I know if he gets it for me I will have it attached to my eye at all times! I think its perfect timing! Right before fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, my pregnancy, Christmas and when the baby comes, I will capture everything, and capture it with style.. Mmm Hmm.. : ) So lets pray that I get it!

Well thats all for today, Ive got to clean this place up. It seems like every weekend our room gets destroyed! Heres a pic of what my lil babe looks like! : )

Happy Monday!
Tal

Good news!

So within the past 2 months, life for Cody and I is pretty much in the air!

He recently quit his job of 5 years to start his own business!
So we have decided to put the house on hold, until his business gets into gear.
So with the stresses of starting his own, I find out Im pregnant ! : )

We couldnt be more happy! We have been trying for a while, so we are so excited it has finally happened!
We know god has a plan for us and everything will work out perfectly!

love love,
Tal

These are the times.

To hold open a door.

To surrender your seat.

To thank someone, in writting.

To let bygones be gone.

To remember your parents.

To listen with care.

To suprise with a gift.

To mind your table manners.

To honor traditions.

To give voice to your heart.

- Tiffany & co.

I love it. So simple : )

I love Rev Run.

Good morning. The scripture says.. “Narrow is the path that we must walk.”

(What does this mean?) You'll always have to squeeze through a narrow path in life in order to get through to a happy place. Sometimes its budgeting when everyone else is splurging. Going to the gym when they're going to the movies. Going to church regularly, eating less, etc. But those who insist that they'll stay on this wide spacious path. The scripture declares that this path will lead to destruction. So discipline yourself today, find your NARROW PATH and focus.

P.S. Your happiness depends on it!
God is Love Rev Run

Its the "official kick off summer weekend!"

We will be laying poolside all day tomorrow! Hopefully I get some color : )

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!

Mi favrito.

A few things that make me happy...

. Sun dresses

. Cute Penshttp://www.7bestsellers.com/

. Rev Runs words of wisdom

. Huge pitcher of lemonade with lemon slices . Hanging poolside with jack fm

. 80's music

. good jeans

. big hair

. aviators

. cute sandals

. bazooka bubblegum

. love notes

. good morning kisses

. cute photos of my puppy

. dancing and singing like no one is watching

. crafts

. coloring/doodling

. Bright Yellow flowers

Bad news Barry.

So, a week before we were "supposed" to get the keys to our house, we get a bad news call from our agent. We fell out of escrow! Some nonsense about our taxes and Cody getting paid with bonuses was the reason. We would of had to put down 30 more thousand to be able to keep the loan! So we said No, and have moved on ever since. We have found about 10 houses on the market that we like but still no luck. It seems like its going to be for the better ( We Hope & PRAY). We were just so excited to finally be on our own again, and now we are back to square one. Something will come up, we just have to keep waiting! I saw this quote today and it is exactly how we are feeling at the moment. I love it!

"Difficulties are opportunities to better things; they are stepping stones to greater experience. Perhaps someday you will be thankful for some temporary failure in a particular direction. When one door closes, another always opens."

Love Love,

Tal

Vacation & Back to Reality!

So, our Florida vacation was AMAZING! I don't think we have to go back there for 20 years, we saw everything!! Well, at Disney world at least! We went to every park, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and even had a day to go watch Worlds (which was also AMAZING).

Family @ Hollywood Studios. Funny Dad...

Me with the cutest ostriches EVER. My favorite animal : )

Epcot!

Hubby and I @ Animal Kingdom!

So the day after we get back from Vacation, we get a call from our Agent saying we have a lot of work to do, because Escrow is closing in 3 weeks! Whoo hoo! We couldn't be more excited! We are so glad we got our vacation out of the way, just in time because it was definitely back to reality when we got home! : )

We got it!!!!!!!!

On Friday we got the call from our Realtor/family friend that we got approved for the house we wanted!! We could not believe it! Cody has Friday's off so we celebrated and went out for a cute little lunch together! : ) We could not be more excited ! Escrow starts today and closes in 30 days! Ah! Time to pick out FOR SURE what paint and colors I want! The fun part! YAY! And on top of all the craziness we leave for Florida for a mini-vaca on Thurs! We have ALOT to do, but cant wait!

Love Love.

Tal

Our New home!!

Busy Bee & Stressing Sally.

So The past few weeks have been CRAZY. Fierce had numerous extra practices for both of the teams I coach. It was our last practices last week with the girls I've been coaching for a year. The end of the season is filled with so many emotions. I always become so used and attached to my girls ( and boys ) I coach within a season, it's so hard to move onto the next. We had our last competition in L.A. and it was hosted by IALC (aka USA). The competition was all hyped up like it was going to be a lower levels "worlds". We competed one day and we already knew it was a disaster. To make a long story short, we had injured girls who couldn't compete, the staff at the competition didn't care, didn't give us anytime to pull together, half of our teams got misplaced in placements( which they did nothing about), and not to mention they were freaking rude. Ugh, I could go on for days. It was sad to see our last competition be such a disaster. On a good note, our kids knew how horrible the competition was and didn't seem to care, they all put smiles on their faces and had a great last time competing together! And that's one reason why I love them so much : )

So... this past week having no practices Ive been on the computer making the slide show for the end of the year banquet. The gym was closed so there was no way to have some of the parents that had taken pictures throughout the year take Cd's down to the gym so I could have pictures! No, that would have been easy right? I had to search on parents Myspace's and Facebook's for pictures! I was searching for at least 3 days all day.. I got alot, about 200 photos, but all the kids in the pictures were mainly the girls from the parents pages, and there are some girls who wont make the slide show at all. Aye, maybe I'm just stressing over nothing. I did the best I could do right? Ha ha. So in between being a busy bee and a stressing Sally, We are having our parent meeting tonight at Fierce for this next season, and I couldn't be more excited! I love the beginning of new years, its so exciting! New kids, new relationships, new teams, new skills, new choreography & the best of all NEW MUSIC! Ah, I love it. Cant wait, I can feel this will be the best season yet! I'm pumped : )

Love Love.
Tal


Here is a video of legacy's last practice. LOL. I love them. I will miss this team so much!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PFSajW4Guo

While we're waiting...

The three houses we put offers on were either a short sale, or a REO. I found out today it can take the bank to go over our offers anywhere from 30-90 days. In a good way, we can save MORE money. In a bad way, WERE GOING CRAZY! In the meantime, I guess I can get a head start on furnishings, paint, colors, decor etc.. So when we move in to one of our future houses I can have everything picked out and done. : ) Its a good thing to be optimistic, right?

So I was looking at Urbanoutfitters.com and found this world map wall mural! I think this is pretty awesome, I was picturing it in an office or den. And maybe someday when we get to travel the world we can mark all the spots we had been too : )
Haha, I know Cody would love it!

Your my Sunday.

Fierce had a competition today at Aliso Viejo High School. It was an early comp, we left at 630 am ( I dragged Cody out of bed with me ) and we were done by 12! This comp was small, ran horribly, the staff was so rude, the Venue was a joke, people couldn't find seats, the warm up area was 5 minutes with half a tumble strip.... I could go on and on! It was SOOOO bad. Our Girls did well, were miss judged , but what can you do ! I'm still proud : )

Here are some of My legacy Kids, gotta love them.

After the Comp, Cody and I headed over to fashion Island for lunch! We had our favorite...cheesecake factory while looking over the ocean! We live for our Sundays together, time to be together and Relax!

All in all, today was a really wonderful day. All thanks to my hubby coming with me : ) We just got up from a nice nap. Waking up at 530 makes the day last foreverrrr! Haha.

Love Love.
Tal


P.s. We still haven't heard anything about the houses, Ay yi yi!

Aol news.

A boy drinks water from a roadside tap in Amritsar, India, Friday, March 20, 2009, ahead of World Water Day. There is no direct supply of potable water at homes in most of the poor neighborhoods and people have to depend on regulated supply of water from public taps erected on roadsides, with a single tap catering to hundreds of households.

Ever since I was little, I always watched the news every morning. I really cant go a day without watching the news whether it be in the morning or at night. Who knows why, I guess I'm just used to knowing what goes on in our crazy world everyday. Ive recently found myself going on the Internet and getting stuck on AOL news. I could sit there for hours and look at the top news photos of the day. Someone please call me crazy, and I have to look at all 500! Oh my, but here is one of my favorites from today's stack.

Not yet.

We still havent heard anything yet on our offers! Im going crazy!

I am thinking of decorating our living room in these colors, I love love love it!

xo, Tal.

Crossing our fingers!

Number one: 2492 sq feet 3 Bed 3 Bath.

Number two: 1805 Sq feet 3 Bed 3 Bath

Number three: 2250 Sq feet 4 Bed 3 Bath

We put 3 offers in today! We find out tomorrow! Wish us luck! EEE!

House Hunting.

For the past couple weeks we have been searching high and low for a house! We don't want to go too high so we a trying to find the best house for the best price. We have looked in Rancho, Etiwanda and North Fontana. It seems like the Rancho homes are soooo old. It would take so much to get them fixed up, as well as the Etiwanda homes. We have found so many Nice homes in North Fontana that would be well worth the money. We are just stuck because We know in Rancho We would get more equity. Our plan is to sell once the market comes back up and get a house in Rancho that we can stay in for The majority of the time while we raise our kids!( if i EVER get pregnant.) lol. So we might as well get a 2600 Square foot house in Fontana rather than a 1200 in Rancho? right? ha ha. Well we have found a couple that we really like, wait let me rephrase that, MY HUSBAND has found a couple he likes in Sierra Lakes. He went looking with our Realtor while I was in Vegas this past weekend, and I have been sick all week and have not gotten time to see them! But.. tomorrow is the day so we will see if my husbands visions of something nice is the same as mine : ) Ill post pictures later!
Much Love.
<3

A new Chapter!

I havent written on here in a while ,WOW!
So to start off... new years... Didnt go as planned! We ended up going to my Sister and Brother in Laws house to hang out, drink, play ping pong, sit by the fire ect. It was one of the funnest and DRAMA FREE new years Ive ever had. Shan and Alek my sister in law and boyfriend came along and we all had a wondeful time : )
Anyways...

Today we went to a lunch meeting with a loan officer who is one of our family friends. We gave him our w2's from the past two years and a couple pay stubs so he can run our credit and see how much we can get approved for a home for. He called us back and said we are approved for over 300,000! We are sooo incredibly excited! We had trouble with our credit the past year and have been living with my parents to save up to buy a house and get our credit up , so this is BIG FABULOUS news! : ) We are now in the process of looking to purchase our first home! I will be posting on here what Furniture, paint, ideas ect...I will use to furnish our home as well! My favorite part! The fun part! We are so happy and thankful for this day! Now it feels like we can
"officially" start a new chapter of our lives! <3