TechyDad | The Angel Forever

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Time for Couples is Important Too

Posted on August 8, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Ever have one of those days where you wonder how you got to where you are? It seems to be hitting hard here over the last few months. Drama on many levels have left TechyDad and I quite stressed this year. When we celebrated our 10th anniversary with massive plumbing troubles and moving into my parent’s house for several days, it was a sign. Then, thanks to a little push from Amy (aka Resourceful Mommy), we decided to do it. Yes, we booked a kids free getaway. We tossed our senses away and decided that WE needed this. WE, as in the couple, were in great need of time to ourselves without worrying about the kids, stressing over the house, and bickering about this, that, and the other thing.

Since NHL was born, almost eight years ago, we had only gone away without the boys once. That was last summer to NYC for BlogHer. Although it was a wonderful trip, it was not exactly the romantic destination. There were many times that we were on opposite sides of the city at different events.

Could we really afford this trip? Probably not, but WE the couple could not afford to let this opportunity go. What I have learned over the last year is that you can not wish, hope, and wait for things to get better. You must be proactive and stand up for what you need and want. TechyDad and I need to be selfish for us. The kids will be fine with family, they will get to know their Bubbe and Grandpa a lot more, and we will get to be a couple again.

The last real hurrah for us was when we went to Las Vegas in December 2002. We had celebrated out 1st anniversary in June by going to Boston. Then, when some health concerns in the following months left us deciding to start our family, we booked a getaway. Thankfully, we learned from our honeymoon and took more photos of the two of us together. Check out how young and carefree we were:

Our time in Vegas was amazing and we saw so many beautiful items (more posts on that another day). Here are a few photos scanned for now:

When we arrived home, we found out that we were indeed expecting our first little Ewok. NHL was born the following summer and changed our lives. While NHL and JSL are two of the most amazing parts of lives, we, like so many other couples, have hardly had time to be ourselves – husband and wife. Our roles of B and J have morphed into Mom and Dad and rarely seem allow us to get off and remind ourselves of who we used to be.

So, have you ever been just a little selfish in the name of your marriage? Please share tips, thoughts, or anything else in the comments below.

Categories:
decisions family jl looking back losing my mind me moments photos TechyDad travel vacation vent

Sushi Style Birthday Dinner

Posted on August 4, 2011 12:05 am by TheAngelForever

For our birthday celebrations, we try to go to a restaurant that the person likes for lunch or dinner on their special day. For the boys, this usually happens on their day since the weather is typically nice in May and August. I am the lone winter birthday in our immediate family and often get snowed out.

Yesterday, was TechyDad’s birthday. The boys were not really interested in going out, so they went to have pizza with Nana and Papa. This meant that the birthday boy could really pick the location he liked. He decided to go back to Mr. Fuji’s. We went there on our 10th anniversary the night of our plumbing fiasco. The meal was delicious, so I was all for it.

We ordered our meals. I went vegetarian so I could share with TechyDad since I was not too hungry. First, our Miso Soup and salad arrived. It was quite good.

We decided to have one of our favorite sushi rolls from our previous trip there. Here is our avocado and peanut roll. This was just as delicious as the first time we had it. I could have stopped right here.

As I mentioned, we ordered vegetarian so we could try two items and share. TechyDad has the vegetable sushi meal. It was really a beautiful presentation.

I opted to have the Teriyaki Tofu. It was served with some white rice and under the lightly fried tofu were amazing onions in the tangy sauce.

We normally would not have ordered anything after our meal, but TechyDad had received a really amazing birthday coupon via e-mail from Mr. Fuji. It included a discount and free Tempura Ice Cream.

There are no words to describe the ice cream properly. It seriously should be illegal and makes me really curious about their tempura cheesecake (imagine me drooling).

Then, it was time to head back to the boys who wanted to use TechyDad as a boat. Apparently, the little guy is talking about cruises lately. Hmmm…. maybe he dreams of a trip on the Disney Dream as well.

I tried to get a good photo of the kids with the birthday boy, but they were acting too silly. This was the best of the batch.

And then it was time for birthday cake. TechyDad had requested a cookie cake, so the boys and I went to purchase one earlier in the day. It was quite colorful.

Here is the birthday boy making a wish – possibly for some quiet time.

I do hope that TechyDad enjoyed his birthday meal out in quiet, and had fun with the colorful birthday cake in the end. More about that coming on his blog.

Categories:
birthday family food glorious food fun jl jsl nhl photos TechyDad yummy

Birthday Wishes for TechyDad – 2011

Posted on August 3, 2011 12:05 am by TheAngelForever

Today, I am breaking away from being completely wordless to wish my amazing husband, TechyDad, a happy birthday. For ten years, we have celebrated your big day as husband and wife. Eight years ago, we sat wondering on your special day when our first child would be born. Of course, that would be just two short weeks later.

Thank you for being the most amazing husband who gets my love for all things Disney and is now a proud NDD at The Disney Driven Life.

I love Tweeting to you and texting sweet nothings so the kids can not spell them while in the room. Wow, how things have changed in a few short years. I can not wait to sit and relax together on our belated 10th Anniversary trip without the kiddos.

At least then you can sit by a slightly larger pool and not worry about getting hit in the head with a water toy by the boys.

The boys are so lucky to have you as their father. It isn’t every parent that would go running into the splash area at the park.

Thank you for being the man of my dreams and riding this adventure of a life with me. I love with with all of my heart and hope to have many more amazing years together.

Love,

Your Angel Forever

Previous Birthday Posts to TechyDad:

Categories:
birthday dreams jl jsl laughs looking back nhl photos TechyDad Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tales – Thank You Harry Potter

Posted on August 2, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Tuesday Tales

As I wrote a few weeks ago, Harry Potter grew up along with me. As Harry went through Hogwarts, I graduated from earned two college degrees, got married, became a teacher, had two children, and the list goes on. I started the series while I was still in college getting my teaching degree. Then, I read the fourth book as my water broke for NHL’s arrival in August 2003. I still remember devouring the last book as I nursed JSL in the summer of 2007. So many memories.

One may have assumed that I rushed out to see all of the movies when they were released. That would be a bad assumption. While I have seen all seven of the previous movies, I had never seen any of them before they were released on DVD. I am happy to report that I finally broke that this past weekend. TechyDad and I were able to go on a movie date while Nana and Papa watched the kids. We went to witness the final chapter of this saga on the big screen.

I was excited and nervous about seeing this film. Would it live up to my expectations from the last book? Would I resent Hollywood for the way they represented some very intense moments? Would I cry like a baby? So many things were running through my mind as the movie started.

In the end, I loved the movie. It lived up to my expectations and more. It was powerful, made me feel like I was in their world, and the acting fantastic. I will also admit that I fell more in love with the actor that plays Severus Snape.

*Gasp* I know – I just admitted I like Snape. I am completely fascinated with Alan Rickman’s portrayal of the professor that everyone loves to hate. I also find it interesting that Lord Voldemort was played by Ralph Fiennes, who played one of the horrid Nazi’s in the Academy Award winning Schindler’s List. While looking around online, I found this History of Snape video and adore it. I had chills watching this with interviews from many actors in Harry Potter actors and J.K. Rowling. Enjoy!

Although seeing this final movie was sad, it helped me to close this chapter of my Harry Potter life. Of course, now I am even more excited to share the wonderful world of Harry Potter with my boys as they grow up. NHL has seen the first movie and is now quite intrigued with the series. I think we may do a read aloud of the books soon. TechyDad wrote about NHL confusing something from Harry Potter and the world of the Smurfs – really he did.

Please feel free to share your favorite Harry Potter moment from the past, present, or possibly future. I would love to hear them.

What have you read recently? Please be sure to link up to your Book Posts, and/or leave a comment below. Include something you read on your own, with a child or someone else. Tuesday Tales are all about spreading the love for books.

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Disclosure: For the record, I did have tears in my eyes for several parts of the movie. Highly recommend seeing this movie and bringing tissues or a good sleeve to wipe your eyes.

Categories:
books looking back me moments Movies TechyDad Tuesday Tales

Carnival and Chocolate

Posted on July 31, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Yesterday, I wrote all about our travels to Canada, Australia, India, Russia, France, Mexico, and China while staying home. Thanks to the Passport to Fun programs at Michaels, we had the adventure of our life at the local craft store. In the end, we went to eight of the eighteen countries. We missed two because the boys were still in school at the end of June. Then, I completely forgot about the Egypt day on June 25 and Bahamas on June 28. Luckily, I got our act together in time for Canada and beyond. I wish we had been able to make a few others, but they did not work with our schedules and two did not seem age appropriate for my kids.

On Saturday, the program ended with Brazil. What a way to end it making Rio Carnival masks. The boys had a blast working on these with all of the glitter, feathers, and sequins.

Brazil

Of course, while in Michaels we HAD to check out other items. TechyDad looked for a case to house his grandfather’s old telescope in. Both of the ones in stock were cracked, so we are waiting on that. Then, we looked around for ideas to use for NHL’s 8th birthday. NHL has said that he wants lions and other animals as the focus. We chatted about it while walking around and came up with a safari theme. Seems perfect since he loved the Safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I know one day I would love to take him on the African Trek I went on.

While checking out the Wilton cupcake making supplies, we wandered over to their chocolate mold section. NHL fell in love with some things there. TechyDad thought they were really interesting and said we should use our coupons and pick them up. So we did. Don’t these look fun?

So we will be making the Oreo/Pretzel molds to go along with some kind of lion cupcake. Do not think there will be time to paint the chocolate and make it pretty, but it’s still fun and something the kids can help with. If you have any lion cupcake suggestions – I would love to know.

What have you been up to this weekend of July?