We are the Riojas

Yes we can!

2011-04-14T08:27:00.000-07:00

No, this is not a political post, no worries, I care as much for politics as I care for soccer, so basically just on election days or world cups :)

I made it! I made Ceviche and Jalea!!! and it was YUMMY! Yes we can have almost all the same delicious peruvian food here in the States too! Yes we can! :) Making the ceviche was easy, at most is just time consuming cutting all that fish, we used Tilapia, seems to be the best fit here in Washington. The Jalea was a little bit more time consuming, you have to cook the seafood first, then pass them through the flour and fry them, but making the salsas was pretty easy. I should post recipes huh? ... coming soon... if you like fish, you gotta try it! only the best! and our friends seemed to enjoy it much :)

Things that make my Christmas

2011-04-11T10:59:00.000-07:00

The Feeling of unity, of being with people, of acting as one, of doing something that others might enjoy, that reminds me of a good Christmas, good Christmas 2010

Just a thought today

2011-04-05T08:03:00.000-07:00

I was feeling really good today, after a conference weekend, nothing was going wrong, all of a sudden this morning, somebody changed that, treating me with disrespect, after that incident, I was still pretty aggriviated and mad, thinking all sorts of things about that person, it can come easy for me when somebody rubs me the wrong way. A moment ago I heard the Spirit "We have to be good even when times are hard" what a blessing that person was to me this morning then, I can't be good only when everything goes well, I have to show the Lord that I can be kind and good even when things don't go the right way. I will Follow Him. .... Ok, I will try my bestest ;)

Nuestra primera Navidad en casa

2010-12-24T18:03:00.000-08:00

Queria tomar muchas fotos, fotos de cosas que quizas en algunos anos voy a decir, por que hice eso? o que huachafo, o pude haber hecho mejor... si el hecho es que en muchas cosas pude haber gastado mas dinero, y hacerlo mucho mejor, pero no lo hice, a las finales, los detalles los termine a ultimo minuto, ya sea por cosas desprevenidas o nada mas por que es mi naturaleza esperar a ultimo minuto para todo, la cosa es que habian detalles de esta navidad que no queria olvidar, no importan las fotos, las cosas, lo que me importa mas son los recuerdos... recuerdos de este arbolito que nos regalon en Home Depot inesperadamente y que dimos la bienvenida a nuestra casa con mucha alegria, o el arbol gigantesco que pusimos a ultimo minuto por que el que compramos hace un par de anos se rompio la base, y por mas que hicimos para pegarlo no se pudo, y de como por pura coincidencia el Hno. Ceja habia comprado este arbol y no le cabia en su casa, y como fue tan grande oferta, $45 por este arbol, no pudimos pasarlo, y la misma tarde siguiente se cayo por ultima vez nuestro arbol y terminamos de poner el nuevo el 23 de diciembre, recuerdos de como conseguimos tan buenas ofertas en las luces de afuera, de como a ultimo minuto a Gilmer se le ocurrio hacer las iluminarias para el camino y tuvimos que ir a walmart el mismo 24, recuerdos especialmente de lo maravilloso que es mi esposo conmigo y como va conmigo en todos estos viajes locos que son mi vida, que son mis ocurrencias, que aunque el no entiende, va conmigo y puedo ver como empieza a pensar como yo y adivinar mis siguientes pasos. Nuestra primera navidad en nuestra primera casa, la familia esta pronta a venir, hora de empezar a hacer la ensalada de papa y meter el ham al horno, aunque lo debi hacer ya hace un par de horas :)

Our Christmas tradition

2010-12-13T14:13:00.000-08:00

I think it is our Christmas tradition now, Keera and I have been doing Christmas ornaments on Christmas time for three years now, so that would be when she was year and a half, I remember she made this popsicle stick tree ornament, with lots of help of course, but she loved it, and then last year we made different wooden ornaments, that she needed to paint, or put beads into and this year it was the snowflake, I am loving how much I can see her grow through the projects we make, and how it is "our" time and we can have a conversation, which is super entertaining to me most of the time, I love my Kiki Michie and our "Tradition"

I love flowers

2010-12-13T13:56:00.000-08:00

I love Flower, fabric flowers, I love making flowers, I am making too many flowers, have only 3 nieces and I only have one head, maybe I should make more flowers :)

Friends are a True blessing

2010-12-07T14:35:00.000-08:00

They are! not much more I can say, thank you friends! Thank you for the good times :)

Activity Days

2010-12-07T14:23:00.000-08:00

A few months ago I got the calling to work with the girls on Activity Days, I knew I was going to like it, I just didn't know I was going to like it this much! All the girls are sooo much fun, so corky, so beautiful, so special, true princess, all Daughters of The King, and all of them living with His spirit everyday of their lives, they truly are an inspiration to me and I am happy to see them grow into this beautiful young women that they are growing into. Two of them are graduating from primary this year, makes me a little bit sad not to have them here anymore, but I am so excited for them for what life brings them, I know I LOVED my years in young women and I know they will too, it will help them grow even further and I know the Lord has a lot in store for them, I love them all, and I thank my Father for keep giving me these callings that remind me of what's more important, service, and how when we serve, we gain the most.

25 days of giving

2010-12-03T12:52:00.000-08:00

Ok, Anna has a challenge 25 acts of kindness for 25 days until christmas...

I am three days behind, so I'll have to either think of something I did those days or to to the 27th. I am sure there's something I can think of. Today well, I finally sent the package to my brother, that's something right? ... ok, I'll do better :)

Trials

2010-11-11T14:08:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I found out why my life is so great, well, it is to me, because, I don't deal with trias too well, I just don't! I am like a little baby throwing a tantrum, why oh why me?! I don't want to deal with it, I don't want to know it exists, I just don't want it for me! and I will beg, I will cry, I will pout until somebody else takes care of it for me and my life is back to pink and nice... well, it doesn't always work that way huh? I guess not... but in between my pouting I got reminded about all my blessings, the biggest one I could think of, was the same person reminding me of them, my wonderful husband. I do have a wonderful, supportive, commited to our marriage and our life kind of husband, Thank you for being you, for being there, for always being US! I know we'll get through this, I know now there's no I in our marriage, I can't feel something is my fault, I can't feel guilty, there's too many I's there, We'll make it through, because We have a Father that loves us and gives us these trials for our growth, I am thankful for Him, I am thankful for everything He's given me, and I promise I'll try to be better and not fear, fear is not what he wants from us, I am learning to trust Him with all my heart. I love my Heavenly Father, I love my husband, I love my trials, I love my life :)

how much fun is too much fun?

2010-11-08T09:56:00.000-08:00

Well I hardly think that is an issue, right? Sure I am tired this Monday morning here at work, sure I am going out of town for the weekend and doesn't seem like I am going to be getting any rest in a while, but I am having soooo much fun! I am loving it! I am so grateful for family and friends that keep me busy :)

So it started with Halloween Party! Definitely will have to make it a tradition! Oh my! I had so much fun and sure hope all friends and family that came did too! :) Thank you all for making Halloween so much fun! :)

Next week, my friend had left her camera at my house so we decided to make a "Dia de la Cancion Criolla" Celebration, well since she was coming all the way from Yakima for her camera, the least we could do right? LOL, not another huge party, but well, I have fun at parties no matter the size :) We had so much fun with Danny and Sandra, we just connected with them so good, we had to do it again this past weekend too, another session of Karaoke, playstation and food! :) In there too some good family time with my kiki and kiko and there you have it three straight weeks of fun and work, tired? sure! worth it? YOU BETCHA! and here goes for another coming weekend in Colorado with my favorite Coloradion babies :)

I dig junk

2010-10-22T12:06:00.000-07:00

I want a mirror in the dinning area, I want a fancy mirror in the dinning area, I got fancy, I didn't get that big, but this will do until I get my buffet table and can figure out what I really want, for now, no point in really spending money in a big one when I can use this $2 mirror that I got at a yard sale and just spray paint.

This girl, is growing up..... well sorto....

2010-10-21T13:07:00.000-07:00

Why don't they let you take pictures on Claire's???? Doesn't matter, not like I'll be going there much anymore... I think I have to say I've reached a milestone in my life, where even for this princess, Claire's is just too young.........shocking, I know! But that milestone doesn't count the cute Hello Kitty cel phone charm and key cover, right? LOL :)

Why carve when you can glitterize?

2010-10-21T08:49:00.000-07:00

I don't like carving pumpkins, I don't, I mean, they look awesome and kudos to you that do it, but isn't it messy??? yeah... not the thing for me, so isn't it appropriate for me to put glitter on them? I think yeah! Some elmer's glue and glitter, all I needed :)

I am soooo happy

2010-10-19T11:32:00.001-07:00

You have no idea! Well many reasons... let's try to put them down

When we moved from Peru we left many "things" that meant something for us, "things" that belonged to my grandparents "things" my dad had made, "things" that reminded me of a childhood in Peru, of a lifetime in Peru. And yes, they were just "things" and yes, you do have to get over it, people are what really make a difference in our lifes, not "things". But with that in mind, when I bought a house in Moses Lake, I knew that United States was my Home, where I wanted and hoped to stay, to make new memories and hopefuly someday makes memories for my kids as well. I wanted, and yes, I mean, I wanted, as in I begged, and I pleaded, and I annoyed my dad for an entertainment center, I wanted him to make it, I wanted to have that big piece of furniture in my living room, made by him just like we had in my house in Lima, and even though I may not stay in this house forever, I would know that that piece of furniture will stay with me for I would hope be forever. And like a good, loving, well also tired of whining daughter, dad, he agreed! :) Work started in May, and after months and months of hard work for my dad, and with the help of my awesome and handsome (doesn't have anything to do with his handyman abilities, I just had to tell you I think he is handsome) husband, It is here!!!!!! We both, Gilmer and me, took the week off work to finish it, so at the end of that week we were ready to stain, sand, lacquer, repeat, bis bis bis many times. And that is another reason why I am so happy, working with Gilmer in the final process of this furniture, was actually........... FUN, I know! weird huh? me? loving sanding and painting? weird, but true, I loved working with hubby, he is such a perfectionist, but nobody is perfect LOL :)

And here it is now in my living room, enjoying it and thinking once and again, how awesome is my dad! how patient and kind those men are to me, even when I am so spoiled, they come forth for me, every time, and once more I feel blessed, it is not the "thing" it is what I get from them. I love you! and I love my mom too, for letting borrow her husband soooo many days and nights :)

Link to more pictures

I am grateful

2010-10-13T10:13:00.000-07:00

For the blessing I have, I am grateful for what I've been taught, I am grateful I have a wonderful man next to me, one that his main concern is always my happiness, he truly is happy when I am happy, I feel it, I sense it, and I appreciate it, I am thankful to my Heavenly Father that gave him to me, I am grateful, for the right decisions I made in my life that led me to him. I do not believe in coincidences, I do not believe you just happen to get blessings, I believe in consequences, I believe everything you get is for something you've done, I am sure I did something right in my life to deserve the life I today have, I am definitely sure the Lord pays back 100,000 % times more than what I gave him, but that is my loving Father, ready to give abundantly to any that follows Him. I am grateful for the blessings, I am grateful for the trials, I am grateful to know He lives and loves me.

work will always wait... fun not so much, get it while you can :)

2010-08-04T11:51:00.001-07:00

That's what I think I know. It's my story and I am sticking to it :)
I was thinking about that yesterday, I need to finish unpcaking my scrapbook stuff in the garage, because we have the washer and dryer there, and in the moving and re-arranging we blocked the dryer and need to, well do more laundry... So over the weekend I was supposed to at least get most of it done, well it didn't happen, I got to online chat with my friends at A Charming Place, get creative, and had so much fun and got so muh of my well needed creative escape that I didn't regret spending my time that way. On Monday we had FHE with another family, and that was a great way to spend my Monday as well, and yesterday I had the opportunity to hang out with Keera and Kaeden, and well, that didn't help me working in the garage, but thinking about it, yes, work, good, but it will wait, I'll get it done, destressing, having fun, spending time with family, friends, doing good things, better. Got me thinking about a talk I loved about choosing good, better, best; now I am pretty sure, today would be a day when BEST would be to clean that disaster area, yes, I am tired, and will be more when I am done, but who says going to bed tired at night is a bad thing? ;)

I've been inspired!

2010-08-02T12:45:00.000-07:00

Yes, I've been inspired by my new sister-in-law, gee what a rough word that word is, it has law in it, lawyers, trouble... you follow me right? anyways, I'd rather call here sister, Anna.

Well since the last time I posted, my lil' brother, not really that little, got married! In Boston! I know!!!!!!!!!!!! (said in best Monica voice), and I've really enjoyed getting to know the newest family member through her blog, I was pleasently surprised to find her blog and see all the cool crafts and yummy food she is making, I must say, she must be the other Luna girl I've been waiting for my whole life!!!! I mean, no offense to my other sisters, they are great, but I needed another crafty sister to share excitements, so Thank you Lalo for finding her just for me! :)

I was saying... I go on and on, and might be why I haven't been blogging, but I really was saying, I've been inspired by her, so I want to start blogging again too, there are many things going on with life right now, and things I learn and don't want to forget, so here I go again :)

Just a short update, family is doing great, I guess since the last time, my family has grown, we now have Leila my new precious baby niece and Anna, Lalo's wife. Gilmer's family doing great in Peru, and working hard. We have been getting older, Gilmer turned 30, and no, against all he thought, he still is as young as when he was 29, and looking quite sharp! ;)

We bought a house, in Moses Lake, and we are loving working on it, sometimes it gets frustrating, sometimes it feels like it is all a mess and never going to end, but most of the time it is rewarding to be working in a home of our own!

In Church, we've been transitioning too, we have a new branch president, I have moved from nursery leader, to primary counselor to now Sunday school teacher, back to a calling I had when 18, but loving every step of the way, it is amazing how much we learn from every calling in the church, as much as I don't like change, I really should get used to this and like calling changes, they really make you grow and expand in many areas. Gilmer has gone from clerk to Elder's quorum counselor now to... coming soon.....

I'll probably be going back a little bit, sometimes, as I remember things, but for now, welcome back to our world, even if it is just me talking to me :)

My Birthday!

2009-04-27T14:38:00.000-07:00

Can I just say again I have the best husband in the whole world!!!!! Oh yes I do!!!! And family too, and friends! I can only imagine this surprise party they threw was a bunch of work! and it turned out amazing!!!!!!

Ok, so this is how we start... for weeks now I've been bothering Gilmer (the guy is a saint I tell you) about my birthday party, of course I wanted one! I needed to dance the night away, but he kept saying he did have a surprise for me, but unfortunately it wasn't a party, he couldn't get the place to do it, so I could have one later, so he kept telling me, meanwhile, everybody in my life, family, friends, even co-workers, kept asking "what about your party Lani, weren't you going to have one?" I was so disappointed every time I heard that, it wasn't even funny! but deep inside, I always hoped I would still have one, a small one at least, with family. I tell you when it is time to deceive somebody, lie to somebody, all of a sudden everybody in your life is the best actor or actress in the whole world!

So Friday comes, 1 day before my birthday, Gilmer all this time is telling me that I have to be ready when he gets home from work to go, I am like what? is he going to do my party on Friday because he couldn't find the place for Saturday? or in the worse case scenario, is he going to take me dancing to Spokane? don't really want that... so on the way, he tells me, yes, we are going dancing to Spokane.... can you picture a disappointed spoiled princess now? yeap, that was me... trying to hide it though, for a moment I did believe he would do that, and only both of us? how not what I wanted at all! ... but I did not want to make him feel bad. But as we keep driving I have hopes that we are actually going to take the airport exit and go get Nalu and Lalo, and we DO! we take that exit! I get the soul back to my body, we are going to pick Nalu and Lalo up! so I think.... but Gilmer now says that we may be going to pick up tia Maria, I love tia Maria, but now I don't know what we are doing! he is a sneaky little brat! The whole time he kept telling me lies, one after the other, but I am pretty sure is Nalu and Lalo, and it is!!!!!! we get them, after my little Keera assures me it is tia Nalu and tio Lalo coming, Thank you Kiki! ;)

So that was fun, but little did I know fun was just starting, he had told me that he had to go to work for a couple of hours on Sat. to help his co-worker... yeah right... I did end up believing that one, and he goes for around 3 hours in the morning, I hear things about my party... my mom is not a very good liar LOL, but still thinking is probably going to be a small get together, really, my husband is organizing it, and as sweet as he is, what does he know about parties, right? ;)

After a little shopping with Nalu and Gilmer, we go home to rest a little bit, the poor husband hasn't been sleeping right in days, I STRESSED HIM OUT! yikes! LOL :) After our nap he is hurrying me to go, saying that Nalu had organized a karaoke and we need to go... I take my sweet time... in part to get the whole scoop, thinking if I pressure him enough he'll have to tell me... but no.... he is good I tell you!!!!!

We get to the car, he is telling me that in the middle of the way he is going to have to blindfold me, that it was Nalu's instructions... right..... meanwhile I am going crazy, I know there's going to be something, but where? how? he is telling me all sort of lies and making me even more nervous! and he blindfolds me, and I just want to kill him! I can't stand it anymore!!!!! But we get there, he is guiding me, me trying not to fall, the door is closed... we have to go other way... I don't have an idea where we are! ... he opens the door... everybody starts singing, but I can't see still... finally I can't take it anymore, I take the scarf off my face and there it is! My family, my friends, my co-workers, people from church, my scrappy friends, it was AWESOME! and the best part is that all the decorations were Hello Kitty!, I had a balloon arch HE made himself, with help blowing the balloons of course, I even had a Pepsi sign! LOL :) Let's see... I had a yummy 3 leches cake, hello kitty of course... a piñata... yeap you guessed it, hello kitty too :), I was soooo overwhelmed by my husband's, family's, friend's love they had shown to me! THANK YOU EVERYBODY THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

I had the time of my life, the love of my life throwing me an amazing party, most my family there with me, helping and celebrating with us! Thank you Nalu and Lalo for coming!!!, my friends being there and helping so much, special thanks to Mireya! she did so much!!!! I danced the night away and had a complete blast! I cannot say enough about the party, just look at some pictures :)

What would I do without that wonderful man!

2009-04-15T10:54:00.001-07:00

For so many reasons, Thank you Gilmer! Thank you for putting up with me in my worse moments! Thank you for taking such good care of me! Thank you for loving me the way you do! Thank you for making me smile when I most need it! Thank you for being such a wonderful and loving man. I love you Gilmer! You make my life better and brighter!

What Da White Stuff!!!!!!

2009-04-14T13:35:00.000-07:00

Seriously! What's going on, doesn't anybody else notices that is April 14th! it snowed here today! and when I mean snow, I mean SNOW! big flakes all morning! Seriously! Seriously!!!!!!! Cwazy!

All I really want is to be able to go outside and stay in the grass, have Gilmer grill, uhmmm... I love Springtime, I just wish it was here already!

I made this layout a couple of weeks ago, this is Alana when they came for a visit, I believe it was spring of 2007, I miss them so much! I need to see them soon!!!!

MDDD is over

2009-04-07T07:54:00.000-07:00

At ACharmingPlace every once in a while they hold a Mystery Double Dog Dare game, where somebody send us something out of the ordinary, or ordinary, whatever, refer as a "thong" and we have to get crafty with it. This time Leah sent us some totally out of the ordinary stuff, and we had a blast playing with it, connector cables, buttons, mica, wood chips, and some other stuff I don't even know the names :); the girls did so amazing check out the gallery here, what a creative bunch they are.

And this one is mine, I made a bracelet, with a little bit of charms and some funky stuff you can get your creative juices flowing, Thanks Leah! :)

Sweet and short weekend

2009-04-06T10:32:00.000-07:00

I had a nice weekend, Kuki the clown had another show this Saturday, he was working all day, so I got to learn how to set up the music and microphones and to be his help, so I figure; I am now Kuki the clown's, music lady, set up lady, warm up lady, translator, helper and master of ceremony, and he is only the STAR, I think I am going to be asking for a raise now, 80% doesn't seem enough anymore! LOL :D But it was good, it is so fun to see your husband dressed up and having so much fun, playing like a little kid, kids LOVE him so much! the kids were begging him to stay longer, it was fun, glad he is able to bring joy to kids.

Sunday we had conference, I love general conference, going to church is always food for the soul, and if I like food, my soul likes it too ;), but general conference is like going to PF Chang or Olive garden, it is awesome.

Sunday was also Alana's birthday, she is 4 now!!!! Amazing! where does time fly? I still remember the day when we arrived to Salt Lake, for a visit only, and she was born, a little premature, she just wanted to meet her tia Lani and abuelita, I am sure ;). Now she is 4, and it stinks that I don't get to see her that much, I can't help but think how much fun would be to play with them too when Kuki does his shows, or when we go visit Keera and Kaeden, and have so much fun with them, but that's life, and I made a promise to myself that for her 5th, we'll be there. Happy Birthday baby girl, we love you and miss you!

So no much scrappin' this weekend, but I did get to go to our first Garage sale this weekend, nothing much but I did get some toys for nursery.

This card I made last week, I wasn't sure about it, but my friends say it is sexy???!!!, you tell me :)

I love going on walks...

2009-03-31T09:24:00.000-07:00

So you may not think so, I don't look like the active type of girl, really dont; but I miss going on walks with Gilmer, when we started dating in Lima basically that's what we did all the time, going on walks, here and there, to go anywhere, it is a good time to talk, to joke, to play, to have a nice time; so even though situations here in Moses Lake are different, I decided that I need to do that again, so we are, last week and yesterday we went on a walk, nowhere, there's nowhere to go around my house, but just walking made us feel happier. I am glad I know that now.

And here's another card I made last week, another thing that makes me happy, playing with paper :)

Sorry Gilmer...

2009-03-30T07:45:00.000-07:00

I know I complain about soccer all the time... but even though I could care less about soccer, I love the guy that loves soccer, and I have to admire his passion for his country and for his team, yesterday they had a bad loss against Chile, of all the teams, it had to be Chile and it had to be at home! so it was pretty sad to see my disappointed husband moaning last night... I am sorry Gilmer, but it will be fine. I love you!

how about a card

2009-03-27T08:01:00.001-07:00

I am crazy for him!!!! LOL ;)

Are you ready for the weekend?

2009-03-27T07:25:00.000-07:00

I am!!!! can't wait! actually coming Monday I cannot wait for the weekend to come! LOL :D Hubby is working this weekend so I'll just chill with friends and scrapbook tomorrow.
I did want to post some pictures of last Sunday, I was sitting Keera and Kaeden so convinced Gilmer to get outside with us to snap some pictures, don't they look cute?! My favorite people in the world! :)

A card, wishing and waiting for Spring

2009-03-26T07:49:00.000-07:00

If spring won't come to me, I'll bring spring home! All ready and decorated at home for Easter, bright colors are up, I just need you Mr. sunshine to stay in Moses Lake long enough, until then... a springy card will be.

The Fun, the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Seattle :)

2009-03-18T10:40:00.000-07:00

We went to Seattle this weekend, things I realized, know now:

*Next time we go to a Broadway show in Seattle, I'll just focus on going to the show, enjoying, maybe have dinner afterwards and relax.
*Lion King ROCKS! it definitely is a must see!
*Living in Moses Lake, spoils you!, yes, it does, I cannot stand big crowds all around me for too long periods anymore, and I cannot stand the traffic of a big city, and hate paying big bucks wherever you go for sucky parking!
*Lani should make sure her camera memory is IN the camera before going out of town
*It really rains freaking a lot in Seattle
*The pass is terribly scary when snowing, and when they say you need chains, yes, you really need chains.
*Pike street market is better in the summer and not so early in the morning
*Salmon is good in Seattle ... yummm...
*The crab spot has amazing clam chowder
*The Seattle aquarium is bigger and better, fun and actually what saved us from the rain
*Love our GPS!
*Don't go looking for a restaurant before calling first and making sure they are still open
*And together with the above, there's no peruvian food in Kirkland.
*PF Chang is not as good in Kirkland
*Paper source is in Kirkland, and also a huge rubber stamp store! yumm... EYE candy!

So, I still like Seattle, but I think next time I'll go in the summer, unless I have to see a show, then refer to first statement. :)

I am inspired!

2009-03-13T16:35:00.001-07:00

I am! finally Christine started blogging again, and as soon as she did, she had my creative juices flowing! love the way her creative mind works! So here it is, I grabbed my distress inks, alcohol inks, UTEE, stamp, buttons, mica and perfect pearl powder, and got this. Now, I don't really have much of an idea how Christine played with hers... and it definitely is not as cool as Christine's, but I am happy with it, and happy to get some creative inspiration. Thanks Christine :)

Mickey Mouse Canvas

2009-03-02T13:45:00.000-08:00

My first canvas, I made this one for Kaeden, his party was Mickey Mouse so I went with the theme, I didn't want to add much stuff, to try to keep it as simple as possible and not too girly, like I tend to do things :).

I cut the Mickey mouse with my cricut expression and modified the picture with Adobe photoshop.

For my MIL - Para mi suegra :)

2009-03-02T10:49:00.000-08:00

Hola hermana Ruiz :), siempre me esta pidiendo fotos de los niños y voy a darle algo mejor que eso, un video de los niños junto con Gilmer, este exactamente es Gilmer con ellos, de pronto se pone a jugar con ellos y se convierte en un niñito, es lindo! :) Este video lo tomé el día del cumpleaños de Kaeden ya tiene 1, puede creerlo?! cómo pasa el tiempo no? También unas de mis fotos favoritas de ese dia.

Cuídese, la queremos,

Lani y Gilmer :)

A video of my cute hubby playing with the kids, he is just always like that, all of sudden he just starts playing with the kids and turns into one himself, one of the things I love most about him. and some of my favorite pictures of Kaeden's birthday too... not his party, his birthday :)

If you are happy and you know it... make cupcakes!

2009-02-25T07:58:00.000-08:00

Yeap, most of the time when I get home from work, all I want to do is just chill, sure I have to run some errands and cook, but other than that, I just want to plop, but some days, I just have the energy and want to do something fun, and last Wed. was that kind of day... so what do you do? Well you get a date with your best cupcake buddy, and go at it! :)

That girl can crack eggs with one hand! although I did eat some eggshells while eating a cupcake, but that's calcium, right?

And in case you are wondering, all I did, was make the batter, fill up the cupcakes molds, little less than half, then place the cones on top and put it in the oven that way, for a moment Keera got excited she actually she was eating ice cream, but the cupcake frosting was good enough for her! LOL :)

His Valentine Day for me!

2009-02-24T12:48:00.000-08:00

Oh He was WONDERFUL! he is always wonderful to me, but on special occasions he always goes above and beyond, to me it is not about how much money you spend, is about how much thought and effort you put in it, and he sure knows how to do it!

Ok, you need to know, I am in charge of finances at home, he has his debit card, and can use it of course, but I always find out, and know about it, but he does get some tips at work and some money a week for snack and little stuff, not much really, cause he has the debit card he can use for bigger stuff, anyways, this was special for me too, because he saved every penny he had to get me all these stuff because of course he didn't want me to find out and see it on our account, that made it even more special :)

First, in the morning, he wakes up before me and all of a sudden I hear one of my favorite love songs, a very special one for me and he knows it, so he comes to the bedroom and wakes me up with a pot of miniature roses and a card he made himself from magazines cutouts, he said it took him a week to finish it, in order to find all the words he wanted, he even got into some of my ink to make the edges, super special to me! :)

Then he is very persistent that we hurry and have breakfast at Denny's, so we do.... we had a really nice breakfast, and when I am almost done I see a group of 5 older guys dressed in red vests, I point them out to Gilmer and say "look, they must be going to a show or something an coming here for breakfast first" Gilmer nods, all of a sudden they come to my table "Are you Lani Riojas?" Yes, "we have a rose for you and a card from your love, and we are going to sing a couple of songs to you" so they do! ok, two things, first, this is soooo out of his comfort zone, heck it was even out of My comfort zone, and my zone is much wider than his LOL, but he did awesome! he just did it because of me, and second, he took the time to call them and get everything ready for this, again, out of his comfort zone, made it sooo special! and they did sing some very nice songs :)

Then we go this "scavenger hunt" looking for something in the weirdest places, gas stations, outside Dennys, anyways, when he finally comes back with what he is looking for, he shows me and it was the nickel saver, weird huh? and he just shows me the classifieds, where people had written down things for their loved ones.... yes.... he had written me a message in Spanish in the nickel saver! again! so out of his comfort zone! oh he is so the best!

Now you tell me if the guy didn't score some points! ;) Bad thing for him though, he is going to have to think of something more spectacular for next year LOL :D

close up of my handmade gifts for him

2009-02-24T11:52:00.000-08:00

These are a couple of things I made for him on the 12 days of valentines, he loved them!, but he is so sweet, he loves anything I make him ;)

This is an altoid tin I altred with alcohol inks, some grungeboard and distress glitter, inside the little book I left a note for him :)

And this is a frame I altred with our wedding picture, he's been asking for one of these for a while and I just never got around to do it, well now I did, and really it took me all but minutes to finish, mostly it just took time for the glue to dry.

Valentines @ the Riojas

2009-02-17T07:32:00.000-08:00

People still says I love valentines day because I am a young newly wed, but come on! how long are you going to call me a newly wed? I've been married now for 2 1/2 years now, and seriously, I am not that young, I am going to be 30 this year! wow, written down sounds so serious! LOL. So here's the deal; no, I don't need Hallmark to tell me to make something special for my sweetie, no I don't need a special day to show my love to the people that are important to me, but I do enjoy the celebration, why not join it? it is a nice theme, to me, the most similar to Christmas, isn't Christmas about love, and everybody has nice feelings for other people? well, that's how I feel about Valentine's day, I love the feeling :)

At home I started the celebrations early. Started with the 12 days of Valentines, I started hiding little things for Gilmer to find and make him feel special.

Day 1 left a cookie in a soccer tin on his desk
Day 2 left a decorated tin with goodies in the mailbox
Day 3 left a little bear with a handmade sentiment in his backpack
Day 4 decorated his car and left a goodies in it
Day 5 left goodies in the bed
Day 6 put goodies in his bed as he woke up
Day 7 decorated bathroom mirror and left goodies there for him
Day 8 left in dinning room table altered microscope slide
Day 9 got him the hallmark dancing guy with balloons and a bookmark and left it at the entrance for him to find
Day 10 Made him an altered frame with our wedding picture
Day 11 Made him cupcakes
Day 12 gave him altered altoid tin with goodies inside

So that's how I celebrated valentines day for him, this celebration was so rewarding to me, everyday he was so excited to get these small little things, that you would've thought I was giving him a brand new car or an Xbox, and really it wasn't hard for me to do these, so, why am I not doing it on regular basis? whatever I was giving him, was not too important, what was important is that he was feeling loved and thought of, I really could make him that happy very easily more often. That's my plan, and that's my part of valentines ;) he deserves a whole new post for himself, and more time to type :)

My new fav!

2009-02-10T17:25:00.000-08:00

Ok, I LOVE inking now, it is my new favorite thing to do, and all thanks to 3 people... Tim Holtz that makes the coolest things!, the beautiful, talented inkalicious girl, Leah, she took the time, last time we were at convention, to teach me some cool stuff about working with ink and alcohol inks, and the also beautiful, Hot mamacita, bookalicious girl, Christine, that also taught me some cool tricks, LOVE it now! :)
I made this for Gilmer, I am doing the 12 days of Valentines for him, and I was going to post all of it together, but he Loved it so much, I thought I would post it on its own, so Christine, here it is, I took the pictures as fast as possible :) Charms from A Charming Place.

Weekend is over, go back to work!

2009-02-09T08:44:00.000-08:00

What a great weekend we had!

First I went with Crisdee and Keera to a "Princess Party" you know there's no better party than a princess one, right ;)
Then we went to dinner and a movie for mom's b-day, we watched "He's not that into you", and well, although I didn't absolutely hate it or care that Gilmer wanted to take his eyes out, WHAT'S UP GIRLS! really? REALLY? Why is the world telling women that they are desperate to get a man! or that they NEED a man as bad as to put themselves through all that, women are worth much more than they think they do, if that movie has any true on it. Ok, that's all I am going to say about that now.
Saturday went to the temple with Gilmer and had a GREAT time, I learned for myself something that I heard before, and I will share with you: When you are putting off going to the temple and something always comes up that doesn't let you go, it is because you REALLY need to go, we had such a nice spiritual experience on Saturday and we hope that the lesson sticks with us and we can make the changes for better we need to.
Sunday we had conference, sat down with the Ceja's and Nena's kids, that was fun! they were good really, although all of us 4 adults had to seat in between all 6 kids, but it worked out great! Mikel really is a sweetheart Nena! :)
We had yummy spaguetti back home, that my dad brought, he really makes a killer spaguetti sauce! and also made some chicken alfredo sauce for Gilmer, it is his favorite, so we had a good time with the family at home. And that was it, a full weekend but great!

Last week I had some time to play with cards too :)

Happ Birthday Mami!

2009-02-06T08:29:00.000-08:00

We love you! We'll see you tonight for dinner and a movie! Have fun with Keera :)

Love, Lani & Gilmer

Take a mental health day

2009-02-05T10:07:00.000-08:00

So, I do this every once in a while, although not much lately, work is just fun for me now, and one of my best medicines, but, don't you ever have one of those days that you have way too much to do to have time for work? Well, I do, and I've been having one of those for around a week now, and so, yesterday, when I woke up with a headache I decided it was the best chance for me to call in for a health day. Turns out the headache is just my sinus, one of the few bad things about living in USA, I didn't use to have to deal with this in Lima, but oh well. So most of the time when I think I have too much to do to go to work, it's related to my scrappy mojo, and it was this time too, I created most of the day in my scrapbook room and then decorated the house a bit for Valentines, only a week and some left for Valentines and I finally get the house decorated, I know! :D; but it really is one of my favorite things to do, specially Valentines, because yes! I love GLITTER! I love PINK and I do like lovy dovy stuff, there, I confess! ;).After that, I actually cleaned the house, thank you very much LOL, and cooked, uhmmm... gotta tell you, there's something really special when you cook on your mental health day, at least for me, my mind just plays and works with ingredients that may work good together, and this recipe was yumo! Ok, so it was:

Pork chops
Garlic
Canola Oil
Oregano
Cilantro
Lime juice
Soy sauce
Salt, Pepper and Cumin

Very simple, just salt, pepper and cumin on the pork chops, put them in a bag, put the rest of the ingredients in it, let sit for a couple of hours. Fried the pork chops just to brown them, then on the same pan, add some water and cornstarch, put the pork again and let it cook, so simple and so yummy :)

Another sport widow

2009-02-03T11:55:00.000-08:00

By no way I want you to think I am the perfect wife, because truly I believe I could be much much better, I could tidy up the house more often, take out the trash myself more often, when it is my turn for laundry, I could just do it and not wait for the last day, when I am out of whites, but, I don't, ok, I am just not the perfect wife; and I do truly also believe he is a much better spouse than me, he cleans, he cooks, although I do think I do better than him on that ;), he spoils me, he doesn't spend, he lets me buy whatever whenever I want, he cuddles me, he wakes up early in the morning with me to warm up my car and make me breakfast, anyways... he is a really good husband.... BUT... there was just something I always wanted... this is the sad story of a Peruvian, growing up, my brothers took over the TV on Sunday afternoons, yes, it is the day when most SOCCER games are played in Peru, so there I was, home bound, nowhere to go, because it was Sunday of course, and having to either take a very long nap, read my scriptures or watch SOCCER!, ok, so there might be some of you that love it, but I just DONT, I just don't get it, a whole bunch of people running for a ball, and kicking it? seriously? what's so great about that? and you know how Hispanic games are, Hispanic men are not shy on their adjectives for the opponent or shy on they way they treat them, so it really is like watching WWF, I just don't want that, so they watched the pre-game, the game, the post-game commentaries, and the following smaller team game.... anyways, you get the drill; so back to the point, growing up all I dreamt about, was how blessed I would be if my husband didn't like SOCCER! how happy I was going to be not watching soccer ever again, but seriously it was just a dream, come on, if I wanted to marry a Peruvian, I know my chances were slim, very slim, he wouldn't like soccer, but I still hoped....
This Cinderella woke up from that dream and found a very loving considerate husband that LOVES SOCCER, he could dream, eat, sleep, well maybe not eat, cause he does love eating too, but dreams about soccer, and really FEELS for soccer, so there are times I feel like a soccer widow, I do, but I can never stop feeling blessed for the kind of person he is, after all, his capacity for feeling such passion, is one of the things I love about him too, so Gilmer, it is ok, you still are the perfect prince for me, cause if you really were perfect, I would be in trouble! ;)

You may have plans...

2009-02-02T08:11:00.000-08:00

And your body has other plans for you, and won't cooperate!, I have been sick probably since last Thursday, but like a good stubborn latina girl, I have been ignoring it, plus I had to be at work, so I had to ignore it; finally on Saturday when we were suppose to go to the Temple to go to the sealing of a couple from the branch, my body did not respond to me, woke up finally at 8, that's late for me since I started my early work schedule, anyways, went to town, run some errands, got home and really needed a little nap before heading out, so the little nap turned into waking up at 2 in the afternoon, really so dissapointed I couldn't go to the Temple, but what do you do, you gotta just let your body rest sometimes, so the rest of the day was resting, a little bit of scrapping and just chilling with Gilmer, we did have a good day at home, we haven't had a Saturday like that in a long time, so it was ok. By Sunday I was almost all good again, so I got to play with my nursery kids, I tell you, Church is just playing for me since I got this calling, I LOVE IT! LOL. Then we went to my mom's, played with Keera a little bit and watched God's Army, it really is a nice movie.

All good today back to work and feeling the Valentine spirit already! many things working in my mind, I do love Valentine's day! sorry if you don't, if people think is a "commercial holiday" but I don't, I know I don't need anybody telling me to show love, but I just like the more special opportunity to do it, so decorating and creating I see in my future today :)

Some of our crafts

2009-01-29T08:06:00.000-08:00

So, I want Keera to be a crafter, I do! maybe she is not the greatest at it right now, but she is a smart little girl and I know with practice she will be, and when she is older she is going to be my favorite scrappy/craft buddy, she has to! I am putting a lot of effort in it, and like Keera says, "Tia dreams come true, they do, they came true for me!" ;)

Spring around the corner?

2009-01-28T07:28:00.000-08:00

Winter is almost over and we can see the deer wandering around now.

Just something I got on the internet yesterday, but I couldn't help to start laughing, maybe trying not to cry! LOL, I am just not a winter kind of person and it seems like this winter has been here a couple of months too long for me, so here's to Spring :)

and the cards

2009-01-27T08:07:00.001-08:00

I couldn't get very good pictures of some, I need better lighting for longer periods of time, that's it! I just need my sunshine, and I am not only talking for the pictures!

I am using more of the alcohol inks and playing with them, I know my charming friends will be proud of it ;) I still don't have a craft mat (see I don't have everything), so I used wax paper to make the background paper for those two shiny cards, and it worked, not perfectly but worked, it just dried the inks a little bit sooner than I wanted them to.

A scrappy day

2009-01-27T08:02:00.000-08:00

On Saturday a couple of friends came over to my house and we scrapped all morning, and most of the afternoon before I went to babysit, so I got some cards done, and finished a layout, I think I finally may be getting my groove back, there's nothing better than a scrappy day to cure that :)

"The Show"

2009-01-26T09:04:00.000-08:00

A video of the show, and don't mind me, the camera puts like 50 lbs. right? really I look good ;)

What a weekend

2009-01-26T07:36:00.000-08:00

Really, it is fun to take care of Keera and Kaeden, really is, and my favorite part is on Sunday morning, when I am choosing what they are going to wear for church, is like playing paper dolls again, the ones my grandma used to sell on her little art/office supply store, really lots of fun, and getting to church with them all cute, and playing girlie stuff, and doing her hair, and the crafts we do together, and how cute Kiko is looking, fun, BUT as fun as it is, I cannot deny that the other part, the waking up early to have enough time to get them ready, arguing with a pretty smart 2 1/2 yo, and trying for the 11 mo not to eat every thing he finds, and the changing diapers, and just having to do everything for them, is WORK, Gilmer was a great help, he basically took over for Kiko and did really good, he first said he wasn't going to be able to, but pretty soon he was changing poopy diapers, making formula and putting to nap like a real man, proud of him :).
So today is a day that I don't really appreciate much going to work early, and I am still finding ways to wake up, I'll get there, I am sure :)

These are from our last week "Show" Kaeden decided at last minute that he wasn't going to participate, something about the pay.... ;)

So Keera

2009-01-23T07:23:00.000-08:00

When you grow up you better still believe your "Tia" is super cool! super awesome! super princess! cause you know we have a lot of fun together ;)

We had a blast together! went to the library, I know, sounds boring huh? but when you put a whole bunch of kids books and a computer for toddlers, voila, you have 45 min. of pure entertainment for a 2 1/2 yo, then we did a little bit of shopping, that girls prefers going to Safeway than Gottschalks, something wrong with her, but still she had fun with both, and then to eat. We had pizza, I have to say I like Papa Murphys, but what's up with the stuffed pizzas? those are not pizzas, calzones maybe?! they are just weird, but hey Gilmer likes it, so fine, to each its own.

Ok, so I love spending time with a 2 1/2, it is because there is nothing better than to start a little girl into princessdom LOL :D, and maybe if I do my job right, when she is 29 like me, she'll drive her husband crazy and still believe, but really believe, she IS a real princess, hey it is hard being a princess, but somebody has to do the job, right? ;)

Well so not everything so bad

2009-01-21T19:25:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I am in a better mood today, so, what about snow angels? those are good things about winter right?

Well and there's also chilling under cozy blankets, even better with hubby, warm meals, The hope for spring! LOL There are good things ;)

Winter time Stinks!

2009-01-20T10:49:00.000-08:00

For sooo many reasons I can't even begin to explain! I just hate it, my mood goes down, my scared level goes up, I hate driving, I hate having accidents, and worse part is we never seem to be able to avoid them! arrrggghhh and now my strong man is sick :(. Poor thing, he never gets sick, probably once every year an a half, and at that probably just for a day, now it's been since Saturday he's been sick and he feels miserable! First time since he started work in Oct. 2006 that he's missing work and hates that too, I basically had to make him stay. So Winter not so much fun, but I am still working on finding the positive, Help? yeahhh.... you tell me