30 DoT: Day 27

I am thankful for CHRISTMAS MUSIC!  I totally cheated and have been listening to it since last week, but now that it's officially "legal" to listen to, I am so happy!  Pandora Christian Christmas is so uplifting and I am thankful that it's Christmas time!

30 DoT: Day 26

I am thankful for my life.  I feel so blessed to be surrounded by the people in it, the love shared, and the experiences, both good and challenging.

30 DoT: Day 25

I am thankful for dates with my hubby!  Today we ventured out to the batting cages to experience something new together!  We both really surprised each other with how good we still are!  Trevor grew up playing baseball and still has skill, for sure!  I, on the other hand, never played growing up, but have a natural ability to hit a ball to a bat.  So much fun spending time with him and doing something new!

30 DoT: Day 24

I am thankful for family friends.  It's always so nice to come home and see people that helped mold you into the person you are today!  I absolutely love that I got to see my other mama Glenda, sister Danielle, and favorite crazy "aunt and uncle" Linda & Harry Ortiz while we were home!

30 DoT: Day 23

I am thankful that I get to spend time with my Grandma Linda over Thanksgiving vacation.  I admire her strength, free spirit, and love she emulates.  I have always felt a unique bond with her and love her for just who she is.

She has gone through way too much at her young age of 72; from getting married very young, to losing her husband during his 3rd open heart surgery at the age of 57, to battling and surviving breast cancer and numerous surgeries, and losing her son at his young age of 51. She has never given up through life's trials and has continually loved and be joyful. I love her so much!

30 DoT: Day 22

Today is THANKSGIVING and my dad's BIRTHDAY!  What a day to be THANKFUL!  I am thankful to be in El Dorado Hills with my Trevor, my parents, grandma, aunt, and cousins!  I am so blessed and filled with joy today! I love love love love family time and being home!

30 DoT: Day 21

I am so blessed to have a mom that enjoys ALL DAY shopping trips together!  Today we were able to have a full day of mother/daughter shopping.  I had so much fun shopping for my mom instead of for myself! We revamped her outfits and bought her some skinny jeans, cute tops, and boots!  My mom is so stinkin cute and I love her so much!

30 DoT: Day 20

I am thankful that we live close to both of our families.  Trevor's parents live just 15 minutes from us, and I am thankful that my parents live a driveable distance from us too.  Today we are road-tripping to El Dorado Hills to see my parents for Thanksgiving and my dad's birthday!!

30 DoT: Day 19

Since I am still sick, I think it is fitting to be thankful for doctors who can diagnose and help make people healthy again.  I am thankful for these antibiotics that should get me back into full health ASAP!

30 DoT: Day 18

Even though my teams have been totally stinking this season, I am thankful for FOOTBALL!  I am home sick today and thankfully I have a full day of football to entertain me. :-)  I haven't had a Sunday all season to just be in the game.  :-)

Ok, so I know these guys don't ever play each other, but I had to post this pic since they're my favorite teams! 

30 DoT: Day 17

I am thankful for lazy Saturdays!  I just love lounging around the house in my jammies and hanging out with the girlies.

30 DoT: Day 16

Being that tonight I am hosting girl's night at my house, it seems fitting to be thankful for girl's nights!  I love that us girls can get together and just be silly, eat whatever we want, and drink some good vino!  I am thankful to have quality girl time every month with old and new friends. What happens at girl's night, stays at girl's night! :-)

30 DoT: Day 15

I am so incredibly blessed to have the mom-in-law and dad-in-law that I have!  I am thankful that they have brought out a new adventurous side to me and have introduced me to many new things; from camping in the desert, to crafts, and to teaching me to not be so girly!  I love that I married into a family who also strives to be close knit and spend quality time together.  I am blessed to have these two love birds in my life and that they will someday be the grandparents of our children. :-)

30 DoT: Day 14

I'm thankful we have a happy little dog, Brody, in our family!  I love how he legitimately smiles and is happy to see us in the morning and when we come home from work.  Sometimes is frustrating being a pet owner, but overall, Brody is such a sweet dog and we couldn't imagine our family without him.

30 DoT: Day 13

With every passing month, I am thankful for patience.  God has always proven in my life that his timing is absolutely perfect. I am so thankful that I am able to trust in him; being patient with the plans he has for our marriage.

30 DoT: Day 12

Today is such a great day! It's my BEST FRIEND'S 25th BIRTHDAY!!

I am so thankful that Nicole and I have been best friends for 23 years!  We met in pre-school and continued our friendship through my family moving 2 hours away, college, and now grown up life.  She is such a beautiful person and has the biggest heart and best sense of humor, ever!  I feel blessed to have a constant friend in my life.  She is someone I am always always always able to rely on and feel supported.  Nicole, I hope that 25 brings you a new and exciting year, filled with opportunities, love, friendships, and adventure! Thanks for being a little gem in my life!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NICOLE!!

30 DoT: Day 11

Yesterday, I was at church from 7:30am to 7:00pm working at all of our services.  Normally, these days feel long, but something happened that made me realize how thankful I am to be serving in a ministry for my job, rather than having a career.

My Service Lead for the 10:45am service pulled together the hospitality team and shared his story with us yesterday.  He serves on hospitality in memory of his wife who passed away nearly 3 years ago and he wears a pin to honor her and has continued serving in hospitality because of her legacy.  At that moment, it clicked with me, I am not merely just "working;" I am in full time ministry and serving with people with big hearts.  I am serving with people who want to honor God by showing love to every person who walks through our church's doors.  I am privileged to have amazing Team Leads and Service Leads who can direct their hospitality teams and lead them to know Jesus.  I love that I get to serve with 50+ people on a given weekend who are all becoming my friends and implementing the vision we have for the guest experience at Newbreak.

30 DoT: Day 10

I am thankful for my sister, Annie Miranda.  Today is a fitting day to be thankful for her, because it's also her birthday!!! It's hard to believe how fast time has flown by, we have been friends for 17 years!

As a child, we would play nearly every day after school, have family dinners, have pool parties, and always always have a fun time together.  Even though we aren't officially related, we are without a doubt sisters.  I love this little pumpkin so much, and even though life is leading us down separate, busy, paths; I will always have a sisterly bond with her.  Happy Birthday, Annie! I love you!!

30 DoT: Day 9

I'm thankful that I miss my husband when we aren't together.  Last night he went on a "man date" with his best friend and within the first hour of him leaving, I missed him.  So, I cuddled up in a pair of his sweats and a t-shirt while I watched chick flicks all night.  I'm so thankful to be married to a man that I miss when he's not around. (Oh, and he missed me too!)

30 DoT: Day 8

Last night, I woke up around 2:30am to the sound of rain outside.  There is nothing more serene than hearing  rain in the night; in fact, I'm pretty sure I smiled when I heard it. I am so thankful for the rain. I love the smell that it leaves behind, the crystal clear blue skies, and how it makes everything fresh and clean again.

30 DoT: Day 7

With the outcome of the election last night, I am still thankful to be an American.  I am also thankful that my hope is in Jesus Christ.  With Obama being re-elected, I am further encouraged to be in prayer for our country and where we are headed.  With everything that is to come, I am thankful that the truth and justice of Jesus will prevail.

There was an image posted on Facebook last night that really made me reflect about all of this election madness and brought my heart back to where it belongs:

30 DoT: Day 6

I am thankful to be an American.  Regardless of the outcome of the Election today, and regardless of which policies pass and which don't, I am blessed to be born into a free country.

30 DoT: Day 5

Today is a simple blessing; I am thankful for both my emotional and physical health.

30 DoT: Day 4

I am thankful to have the friends that I have.  I have a core group of girls who have been with me throughout some of the toughest and happiest moments of my life.  I am also blessed for all of the new friends I am making who encourage and relate to the walk of life that I am currently in.  Love you all so much!

30 DoT: Day 3

I am thankful to have such caring, thoughtful, generous, loving, and fun parents.  Not many people can say that their parents are their best friends and enjoy spending time with them.  I am blessed to have a dad who is a complete goofball and a mom who is so patient and wise.  I love you!!

30 DoT: Day 2

I am thankful that Trevor and I have jobs that utilize our skills and talents.  Though some days can be hard, nonetheless, we are blessed to have steady incomes and be in positions where others rely on us every day.

30 Days of Thankfulness (30 DoT)

My favorite month has finally arrived! It's November 1, which marks the first day of my favorite month, ever!

I honestly couldn't tell you why November has won the "favorite month" contest, but it could be because three of my favorite people celebrate their birthday this month, or because there is an entire day designated to eating.  Regardless, it's November and I am so happy!

Today when I woke up, I had a revelation.  I decided that November is going to be a month full of thankfulness and prayer.  I feel like this year has been so busy that I haven't had the chance to sit back and be thankful for all of the blessings in our life.  To go with this, I also have slacked in the area of keeping my prayer journal up to date.  Every day for the month of November, I will blog a short blip about something I'm thankful for (in no particular order) as well as make an extra effort to journal my prayers.  30 days, totally do-able.


30 DoT: Day 1
I just can't help but feel so blessed to be married to the man of my dreams and best friend.  I wouldn't want it any other way.

Recent Happenings

By golly, has it really been 2 full months since I last blogged?  Crazy how time flies by when you're having fun!

Here are some of the most recent happenings in our life since I last posted the Gangnam Style video:

1.  Gangnam Style by PSY is now #2 on the Billboards and much overplayed.

2.  I had my 90 day review at Hotel Palomar and didn't get any recognition or support I deserve, so I began to pray and continue to work harder and longer hours at my job.

3.  God was faithful and I was offered a paid, full time opportunity to join the staff at Newbreak Church as the Guest Relations Director! Being in full time ministry is the most rewarding, challenging, and fun job I have ever had.  As the Guest Relations Director, my primary role is to assimilate guests into our church and community.  I also oversee 300+ hospitality team members between our 6 campuses, improve the guest experience, and lead people to know the love of Jesus.  Since going into full time ministry, I have been able to focus more on my faith, marriage, friendships, and future of my family.  

4.  Trevor and I had a nice little road trip to my parent's house for Labor Day weekend.  It really is the best end of summer trip!

5.  Brody officially forgot that he was potty trained... we're working on it, again.

6.  My best friend had her little girl, Emery! Such a joy and I can't wait to meet the little pumpkin!

7. Trevor and I challenged ourself to a 2 day, 100 mile bike ride for the MS Society from Irvine to San Diego!  With the lack of training, we weren't sure how the ride was going to be for us, but we killed it!  We had the best time and made an amazing team.  The first day was 60 miles and the second was 40 miles.  For me, this was the first time I ever signed up for a physical challenge and actually crossed the finish line! I can really thank Trevor for staying with me and being my cheerleader the entire ride. We are already looking forward to another ride in April!  I can proudly say that I feel accomplished!

8.  Trevor and I have decided we are ready to be parents in God's perfect timing.

9. We went APPLE PICKING! I have never been before and the Stevenson's treated us to a fun day of apple picking and touring Julian.  

10.  I became a host home for a women's Life Group at my church.  We meet Tuesday nights and are going through the book, "The Power of a Praying Wife."  There is something about being around other married women and talking about how we can be Godly wives that is just so cool! 

11.  Our friend network is growing!  Between our neighbors, friends in new relationships, and people we are meeting at church, we have been keeping a busy social calendar!  This week alone, we have 2 birthday parties, a baby shower, and friends visiting from out of state!  

This is what life is all about, right?