A Royal Good Time

Because hes awesome, my dad gave Blake and I the best gift ever: Date Night!

He got us tickets to Medieval times and offered to watch Kaleb. 

I love him. 

This is our Knight. Hes the "Yellow" guy with two lets. 

He looks brave here, but he ate it later. 

This was my first time there so I didn't really know what to expect, but it was pretty fun.

the food was super yummy, though I didn't know there weren't any utensils until my soup was cold. Blake said it was because there weren't any spoons in Medieval times. But there wasn't any diet pepsi either, so I didn't see the harm in giving me a spoon.

However I didn't want to be a party pooper so I slurped my soup with everyone else.

I really did have a great time. It was wonderful having that time, just Blake and I.

A New Patio and Kaleb's First BBQ

What I thought was going to be a complete DIY/Paitio furniture overhaul turned into a lazy Saturday where we just bought a new patio set and a BBQ for good measure.

It was pretty awesome.

We had to christen our new patio.

Blake made us a yummy dinner on our new toy

Best chicken ever

My only contribution - the Ceaser Salad

Asparagus wrapped in Bacon. Thank you Disney Land's Bengal Barbecue!

From Blake's Soda Stream he got for Father's Day

It was so nice to be able to sit outside and enjoy the summer evening! I think my boys had a good time. :D

In case you were wondering how to make your mouth water (don't let its simplicity fool you)

Chicken Recipe:

• Cut up full chicken
• Add about 4 cups of vinegar to a bowl 
• Mix in 1/2 cup to 1 cup of salt until dissolved
• Place chicken in bowl and let soak for about a minute
• Remove and place on hot grill
• Cook about 30 min or until done
• Eat the best chicken ever 

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Recipe:

• Soak your skewers in water so they won’t accidentally catch on fire when you grill them.
• While they are soaking, cut the asparagus in the chunks about the width of your bacon
• Wrap some bacon around each chunk, making sure some overlap. The overlap is where you’ll want to skewer through so the bacon doesn’t fall off easily.
• Put the skewers on your grill and flip occasionally to cook the bacon to crispy golden brown.
  • TIP: Use tongs to pick up the entire skewer so all chunks are turned at the same time, otherwise some chunks may not turn if you simply try to turn the skewer.

You're welcome.

Hating the waiting game.

Barrera baby shower and Maternity shoot posts to come, but first: some venting.

I have occupied myself the past couple weeks with organizing baby things and getting Kaleb's nursery ready... and I think its seriously backfired on me.

I want my son. I want to hold him now. I love feeling him kick and move. I love that hes all mine right now. But I'm still going nuts waiting to "start".

I don't even know for sure how I'm feeling. Do I sound nuts? I don't know.
I mean, he SO big now.

32 week unborn baby (artist's rendition)

I'm 32 weeks and he is almost fully developed, but would still be a preemie if he was born now. I don't want THAT for my son.

This little guy was 32 weeks when he was born (photo taken on his birth day) .

I mean, look how big the precious little boy in the picture above is! That's what Kaleb looks like now. He is THAT big. But I do not want see my son hooked up to and patched up just because I want to see him now instead of two months from now.

I know he needs to stay inside as long as possible. I know hes going to choose his birthday, and it will be the perfect time when he does come, but I can't help feeling the baby angst.

I want to hold him SO BAD. I want to nurse him and kiss his little Green nose and pat his little Barrera bottom (which I can already feel through my belly!).

The baby boy above is at 32 weeks, just like Kaleb. Doesn't he look squished?

So, other Moms out there; did you go through this in your last weeks of pregnancy? How did you deal with out going nuts?

I love Kaleb so much. I love seeing Blake get so excited. I'm sometimes amazed by how much he already loves our son. I know how much I already love him, but I sometimes feel that's because I'm always with him. My body is my son's home. Compared to me, Blake can only spend a relatively short amount of time with the baby, and half that time Kaleb is sleeping or not moving.
But still, Blake holds my belly, kisses it and reads to our son whenever possible. He is already a father, and I honestly wasn't expecting that to happen until after the baby was born.

I feel so very blessed every day to have an amazing husband and a healthy, growing baby boy. I just hope I don't lose my mind waiting for him to come into the world!

Blake the Graduate!

This past Sunday was Blake's graduation ceremony at Cal State Fullerton.
Hes considered himself "graduated" since December, when he took his last final, but he finally got to "walk" and I was very excited for him.

He truly earned his Bachelors in Communications with an emphasis in Advertising. (YAY BLAKE!)

Thank You!

His family was at the ceremony, including Mom and Dad, Jordan and Freesia, Quinn and Becky and Vance and Melissa. We were so very thankful they made the trip to be with us on Blake's day.

This ones for Mom and Dad!

Especially since we didn't have any ticket and basically "snuck" in at the last minute. (they let us in)
Blake's family had to sit in the very back (so sad) but I grabbed my baby belly and walked around the front and center of the seats until someone said I could have a seat they were saving. :D

Yes, I'm milking it. No, I don't care. My feet hurt, and I got the see my Blake graduate up close and personal. :D

My goodness, he's handsome!

We were only missing Jillian, Kyle and Becca, who were in Utah welcoming the newest addition to their family, Baby Paul Michael Gardner. (Hello, Paul! We love you.)

Welcome to the family, little one! <3

After the ceremony we had a mini photo shoot. 

(by the way, Dad was the photographer the entire time, I did grab my camera but didn't use it much. Thanks Dad!)

Brothers and the Wives.

Its the Greens! (all 5 couples.)

aww, Parental love.  

Our growing (and successfully educated) family

LOVE HIM!

Brothers.

The Ladies. 

After we left the Campus, we all went to my Dad's house for a super yummy BBQ! I, unfortunately, didn't take ANY pictures there, but it was lots of fun.

There were cupcakes, decorations, sour patch kids, hot dogs, peach soda, hot wings, frog eye salad (brought and made by Blake's fantastic mother) enchiladas, family and friends. It was so nice to be with family and celebrate with Blake.

My Dad is awesome.

But Sunday was all about the Blake and I could not be more proud of my husband. He worked so hard and sacrificed a lot for us and our family. 

I absolutely adore you, Blake. 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!