Hog Heaven

OMG. This past weekend Leah came over. She fed me, hung out with me, and in true Leah fashion, brought gifts as well. =) She handed me a beautifully wrapped present that said, "Happy 1 Year Anniversary!". Kinda made me pause and really think that Josh and I have almost been married a whole year. What in the world?

Anywho, I opened it when I got home and I couldn't believe it. A signed cookbook from Pioneer Woman! Leah stood in line in Pasadena for her book signing and thoughtfully bought me a book too. This is my very first autographed book. As Ree would say, "I'm in hog heaven."

Aimee and Bell's Palsy

Two weeks ago my sister woke up and realized the left side of her face wasn't responding. She couldn't close her left eye, raise her eyebrow, or get her lips to smile. She took herself to urgent care where she was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy. Basically it is the paralysis of muscles on one side of your face.

Although it is not life threatening or lasting (she should recover within 1-2 months) it was quite the scare. She texted me from the hospital, where I immediately looked it up, texted Josh, where he immediately looked it up, and by the time the doctor was seeing her out she had two self-proclaimed experts on her side. :)

After talking to her doctor and making sure the baby was a-okay, she was cleared for Cabo. We decided to go because there really was nothing she could do about it. So when I said people were starring at these two handicaps I was serious! Poor Josh and Blane. We really tricked them good, pretending to be all healthy before putting a ring on it. :p

But please pray for my girl. Sometimes her face hurts and it's hard to eat and keep her eye from drying out.

You just never know what life is going to throw at you. Trusting in the Lord!

P.S. How was your mother's day? We bought mom a necklace. Surprise, surprise, she bought presents for us too. Mine was a gold sideways cross from here. She just couldn't help herself. =) So loved.

A Few Words on Mom

I have learned a lot from my mom and, more recently, my new mom.

A few Sundays ago mom shared her testimony at church (Celebrate Recovery: Step 8). I cried listening to the podcast even though I already knew most of it. I admire my mom for her deep, deep faith, her care of people, her zest for life, and her desire to always learn and grow. She is quite discerning and if you let her she will make your relationship with Jesus stronger. She is also roll your eyes hilarious, impulsive shopper, chocolate eater, and a bonefide Southern Belle. Simply put, she brings life to life. These past 30 years she has taken me on a journey and much of her is in me and that makes me proud.

On the flip side, my mother-in-law is a private person. And my guess is she wouldn't appreciate a huge post about her so I will say only this - I've been with Josh almost six years now and in that time I've learned from her what it truly means to put your children first. There has not been one instance where she hasn't gone the distance for them (and now me). She is selfless, talented, and supportive. One day I want to be a mom like her.

To all you moms and soon-to-be mommies - Happy Mother's Day.

San Jose del Cabo

Hey strangers. How was your week? Our week was heavenly. When mom picked us up from the airport yesterday she asked Blane and Josh what their favorite thing about the trip was and they both said "getting away". It was a weird trip - I have this nagging back situation and Aimee isn't at her best. People were staring at us left and right. Oh well. :/ But the weird looks and exhausting travel were worth it. 

We stayed in San Jose del Cabo. I didn't realize there are two main areas of Cabo - San Lucas and San Jose. San Lucas is where the cruise ships dock and the whole town is built around young and fun tourists. We were in San Jose. It's about 25 minutes away by taxi but a world away by any other standards. It was quiet, luxurious, and quite safe. It resembles nothing of the Mexico I know. In fact, I decided that East L.A. is more dangerous than this sleepy resort town. 

The desert oasis that greeted us.

Blane and I celebrating our free room upgrade. 

Blane's favorite meal - Habaneros. 

Poolside view

The restaurant we ate at on our quick jaunt to San Lucas.

Once we realized it was safe to go beyond the confines of our resort we taxi'ed it up. Blane always sat in the front and chatted with the drivers. Josh always sat next to me to steady me on turns and quick stops. 

The streets of San Jose del Cabo

The site of the fateful sunburn. 

Funny story, Blane was convinced that the pool would be cathartic for my back. I kept telling him I definitely could not go in the water. I explained I wouldn't be able to propel my legs forward or keep my back straight. One day at the pool he demonstrated by slowly backing into the pool and then suddenly jumping back into the water while keeping himself pencil straight. The splash was HUGE! Aimee and Josh were laughing so hard and shaking their heads while I looked on with utter horror. I can only imagine...

Tacos... yum. The food was delicious and cheap.

The local market had a huge Panaderia! We stocked up. 

Smoothies galore

Blane, Aimee, and Baby heading home. I love this picture. 

Overall, we had so much fun. I was worried about making it but God was watching out. I think it was all the worried moms and dads (and Leah) who prayed for our safety. =) I was able to lay down in both terminals before boarding, I had a whole row to myself on both legs of the flight so I laid down then too, the shuttle ride to the resort was only 15 minutes, our living room had a flat, sturdy but soft ottoman that worked for me, and the bed didn't bother me. It couldn't have worked out more. Plus my traveling companions kept my pace and weren't annoyed that we couldn't do much. I am so thankful.

I love being with Aimee and Blane is the most fun to be around. He had us laughing all week. They're now in baby mode, I'm starting physical therapy this week, and Josh is still enjoying his last days of freedom (he's on his annual guys family fishing trip as we speak).

And although it was so nice to get away it's also nice to be back.

God is good.

I'll post pics if we get wifi. Beautiful day!

The Best Banana Bread Recipe

I love banana bread. Actually I love most things than end in bread. Zucchini bread. Carrot bread. Blueberry bread. I do not discriminate. And I think I've found a darn good banana bread recipe. Moist and nut free with shaved chocolate. Yum, that's the clincher right there - shaved chocolate.

The best is when you add a little dollop of butter to a warm slice. Oh gosh.. doesn't that sound heavenly? I got the recipe from my friend acquaintance ok, someone I don't even know but stalked for a good banana bread recipe. :) If you like a traditional banana bread + chocolate this is for you. You can get it here. Happy baking!

Airports Anyone?

Speaking of traveling (I'm sensing a theme here...I think my mind is already poolside), I have found in my somewhat limited travels that airports play an important role in the success of your comings and goings. They are the beginning and end of every major trip and therefore set the tone and leave the last impression.

Although I understand the burden of increased security in aging buildings, I have noticed that some airports fair better than others at handling the strain. Case in point, LAX. I do not understand how one of the greatest cities in the world can have one of the worst airports. You too, NY (shame on your guys) Some of my favorite airports are SF (they can't help the weather delays), Bangkok (so modern and spacious),  JFK (foodies delight) and the Southwest terminal at our very own San Jose Airport (super clean, efficient, and free wifi).

Travel and Leisure recently rated airports. The results were fascinating. I wasn't shocked that LAX placed second to last (spoiler alert - La Guardia took that honor) but the winners were somewhat surprising. Here's the complete list of Americas Best and Worst Airports. 

I don't have high hopes for Cabo's airport. I hear once you clear customs you are immediately assaulted with tons of people trying to sell you things. Sounds like the border. :/ We have already booked transportation to and from the airport through our resort. This way we can be assured that some drug lord's nephew doesn't pick us up, behead us, and hang us from the town's traffic light. Ahhh, counting down the days to pure bliss..

America's Best Public Markets

One of my favorite travel websites, Frommers, recently wrote about America's Best Public Markets. I love Public Markets because you can often find scrumptious goodies and regional specialty items. Out of the thirteen listed, I've only been to Seattle's Pike Place and Los Angeles' The Grove. 

One of the winners was the Oxbow Public Market in neighboring Napa, Ca. It's so close! They say there are tons of gourmet purveyors and local eateries. As soon as my back is feeling better, I want to head over there to try a Venezuelan sandwich and some homemade chocolate.

Cleveland's Westside Market also caught my eye. It has over 100 produce stands! We'd have to ship some of the meat from their amazing selection home as well as try some Middle Eastern baba ghanoush. Yum!

Have you been to any of these places? Have any recommendations?