Our Metrolink trip to LA

Ginny woke up in the morning and had a touch of the cabin fever so we tried to figure out something to do outside of the house. We took a trip to LA this Saturday on a "choo-choo".  It was about an hour there and Kaylor did a great job.  We went to the historic Olivera street and had lunch. In the past few weeks, things have flown by. Kaylor turned two and we had a great Christmas.  Here are some pictures of our little one and our trip to LA.

Our little sass hanging out.

These next few are a testing my camera skills.

I got her to stand still for a minute.

"I run dadda."

"Dadda, look at this."

Our trip to LA.

Mommy and K's new Nikes.  We are a Nike family, I suppose.

Kaylor and Aunt Bea on the train.  We've discovered she rarely looks at the camera and smile...Kaylor, that is. 

Artsy? 

She's very fond of "wah-wah", her frog blanket.  It normally stays at home but we brought it for the train ride back.  I accidentally let showed it to her. 

I'm not sure what she's saying here, but I would lay bet it is something like, "Where's Wah-wah?"

Kaylor chooses her own path.

Apparently, I can't look at the camera and smile as well. 

The American Chinese museum close to Olivera street.

It's happening again.

I've been meaning to tell y'all, Ginny is pregnant again.  She's about 21 weeks and we are both way excited.  Another girl is on the way.  Ginny and I both think she is a farther along than we originally were told. We still need to have another ultrasound to measure the little fetus, but she'll come when she wants to. We are hoping to find another physician, or even a midwife this time.  We have an OB right now but aren't super impressed so we are shopping around.  

In other news, we are also moving.  Our lease is up this month and with Aunt Bea moving in with us, we needed another bed room.  G followed the spirit and found another place to live.  There is an older couple we met who is going on a mission for a year.  They are leaving the 15th and we need to be out of our apartment by the 17th...how perfect.

I really had all intentions of posting the sonogram photos but I have already packed our printer/scanner so it's not happening...sorry!  The second kid always gets the shaft, believe me, I know!  

Trading Spaces and New Faces

Aunt Bea has finally made it.  She's been here for about two weeks and and she's loving every moment of Kaylor time.  She currently looking for a job and we will be moving into a bigger place mid-October.

We traded places with her after a week and visited Louisiana.   I wish I would have taken more pictures to show y'all but we had a lot of great time and visits.

We had a bbq with family and friends and it was quite fun.  We also visited with our Hammond peeps.  Of course, Noni and Papaw (my parents) were equally excited to spend time with our great K.  Kaylor took a few minutes to warm up to them but they are all best friends now.

She couldn't get enough of PaPaw's phone.  And he was fool enough to give it to her.

Also, while we were in Louisiana, we decided to head to a sonogram office so my parents could witness their second granddaughter first hand.  We all found out in the same moment.  We knew we were pregnant but wanted to discover the sex with my parents.  I haven't scanned the ultrasound pics yet but will hopefully post them later.

I was trying to hold out but Ginny suggested Canes on our last day in LA.  #sauced

 Our return trip home yielded this.  A tender moment since she never falls asleep in our arms. She was very tired because her crazy parents woke her up at 4 am to get on a plane.

Triumph

While growing up, my mom worked for American Airlines.  My whole family was able to fly anywhere we wanted to for a very low rate.  We were given carte blanche to fly almost any time we wanted.  I became very accustomed to flying and it was almost a way of living for me.  I would fly by myself, even at a young age, and would know all the ins and outs of flying. It was so enjoyable.

After I met my wife, we made several trips to her home in California to visit family by plane. Each trip became more and more stressful for me.  One trip to visit family in Michigan was going to be my last airplane ride ever.  The minute the plane's wheels touched down, I leaned over to her and with tears in my eyes, said I would never fly again.  Somehow, I had developed a fear of flying and this trip was the last straw.  This posed a problem since we were several hundred of miles from home and needed to get back to Louisiana.  Out of severe pride and fear, we bought train tickets home.  After that LONG but fun trip home, I realized I needed to do something about this anxiety laden within me. I knew something had to change.  Later, I went through some counseling for an anxiety disorder and was counseled to meet with a hypnotherapist to help with my phobia of airplane travel.  I met with a hypnotherapist as a last resort.  She helped me to understand a lot about myself and I knew I could overcome this anxiety issue.  A few weeks later, with moderate anxiety, I boarded an airplane and had a lot of self-talk and positive encouragement from my loving wife.  It was still very hard for me but I pushed through, hoping all the while I would never have to do it again.  This hope would not be fulfilled.  After relocating to California, we would need to return to Louisiana to visit my parents.  A few months ago, we were given this opportunity.  The moment we booked the tickets was the start of a very long two months.  Everyday I would go to bed with racing thoughts of taking off in an airplane.  Some thoughts would entail my daughter cringing in fear with the unknown of what was going on around her.  Day after day, I had to give myself pep talks.  I reassured and reassured myself of the confidence I had in the pilots, the understanding I had of planes and how they work, the previous flights I had been on and the safety I had been afforded.  One day, I was given a brief moment of relief, a tender mercy that gave me peace.  I knew I would would be safe and, even more important, I would be able to do it with little anxiety.  

The day of the trip, I was surrounded with the most anxiety I had experienced in over a year.   My worst fear was about to come true.  I would either stay home and allow my wife and daughter to leave while I allowed this demon to take over my life or I would board the plane and be so fearful I would be incapacitated.  I would be unable to exist in a sense of awareness.  I would be unable to console my daughter when she was afraid.  Throughout all of my anxiety, I have always prayed.  I constantly pray as I go through these thoughts in my head.  I even received a blessing the night before we flew.  As we boarded, I thought of that blessing and the power of the priesthood and how much my Father in Heaven loves me.  I also thought of how far I've come.  I knew I would have some issues on the plane and was prepared for the worst.  I sat down in my seat and prayed one last prayer.  The next thing I knew, Ginny and I were helping our daughter read a book and we were taking off in an airplane and I was not only coherent but present. I almost felt euphoric.  I cried but mostly out of frustration from past experiences and the time I had wasted in anxiety.  My crux was normally during take off so to have this situation be successful and less stressful was definitely a triumph.  We had a layover and the next trip was the same.  The return trip home was also a triumph.

I only say all of this to give a sense of what I've gone through and to let others know anything is possible. Some things we cannot control but I know I can control my own feelings.  I am in charge of my own thoughts and this experience was for my own betterment.  I feel almost empowered and definitely blessed to have gone through this.  I have become closer to my Father in Heaven and grateful for his help and guidance.  

Something's coming, something good.

Hey kids!  The above are some videos of our little one at the play park by our apartment.

So, our lives have been full of different adventures these past few weeks.

Ginny's car broke down at work and we aren't exactly sure what happened, still.  The gears weren't shifting correctly, luckily she had not made it to the freeway yet.  I drove the 45 minutes to pick her up.  On a positive note, Kaylor was already with the grandparents so Ginny and I were able to share an evening at dinner together - a spontaneous date night -. The next day, the car ran fine so we brought it to a mechanic.  He couldn't replicate the problem so he just flushed the transmission and called it good. It's been working better, so hopefully, that is it.

I started a new job with a chiropractor.  He happens to be a member of our ward.  I work for him about eight hours a week, helping him with his billing.  He's a bit behind and I'm glad to assist him.  It's a little more up my alley and is making me want to be back in that field full-time.  I have had a really hard time getting interviews in any job.  I'm worried there's a watermark-of the beast on my resume or something.  I have several years a of experience working in the medical field and not much luck getting back into it.  I've been dedicating more time to applying, coupled with more praying, so something will happen!

Ginny is also making a change in career.  She has not been super happy with where she is, literally.  She doesn't like driving 45-60 minutes to work every day.  It makes her miss time with us and she's also not satisfied with her job.  She has found a new job at a high school.  She should be starting in the next few weeks and we are both super excited about it!  Her heart is definitely on the field.

My sister is finally moving here!  She's sold her house and will soon be homeless.  ;-) She should be here the first week of September!  We can't be anymore excited!

Just a pic of our little Miss. Independent.  Enjoy!

Don't be shocked

I am writing another post so close to my last one.  Yes.  I'm actually bored in class right now, so I have no other choice but to post a post.  

We have been very busy.  Ginny and I are still working at the same place.  I am still in school for my master's degree. 

 Kaylor is becoming more a little person and less of a baby.  Heck, I'm not sure she was ever a baby, she was just small and unable to speak.  Now that she can speak, she is very sure of herself.  She is putting a lot of things together and very smart. She is also very trying and will even tell us, "nonono" and then do something that she knows we would disapprove of.  She has about six teeth on top and still the two on the bottom.  She knows where several body parts are : "eyes and teeth, sugar", hair, nose, elbow (which she repeats frequently in succession " eh-bow eh-bow eh-bow eh-bow eh-bow eh-bow"), belly button (she calls ball "bah"), knee, foot.  She impressed us by pointing out a picture of Jesus and saying his name.    She also asks for "tees" which is either cheese or keys, "boo" blueberries, "cackah" anything crunchy like pretzels, crackers, cookies, "shol shol" cereal, "mil" milk, "wah-wah" water or her frog blanket.  She also says a lot names "Unca" Uncle Donnie, "Bopba" Grandpa Lewis,  "Uhm-um" or "Mawmaw" Grandma Lewis, "Nana" banana or Noni/Grandma Garner, "Ah-Bea" Aunt Bea/Brandie/Ouizer.  She is climbing on everything, and wants to "thit" sit on everything higher than two inches from the ground.  

We have also started a new business adventure.  We are selling Tupperware.  We are in the beginning stages of it and we would love to help anyone with their Tupperware needs.  We are hoping it will take the place of my job and then Ginny can take it over once I graduate and am in a career.  I would love to know if anyone has any suggestions about starting a new business.  

In other news, my sister Ouizer is moving to California.  We are so excited to see her and can't wait until she gets here!  She is selling her house in Louisiana.  If anyone knows of someone looking for a 3BR 2BA house in Gonzales, please let me know!

Sassy-pants

So, we tried to get K dressed this morning.  Normally, this isn't the most idealistic situation (similar to changing her diaper-complete chaos!).  She has her own agenda and is not afraid of telling us what it is and how we are not following it.  Ginny tried to change her clothes, K screamed, got down from Ginny's lap, walked over to her toy train, climbed on top (the first time she's ever climbed on it), folded her arms, and gave us this pose.  "This is my day.  This is my house.  Get over it!"She is looking directly at Ginny.  Priceless.

Easter Bunny!

We started out the day for Kaylor's second Easter (her first that she could actually understand what was going on, somewhat) with her opening her basket.  She got some cool stuff.  We got her some shades because she normally steals our sunglasses and she has very quick hands! Also, some "poons."  We already had the bread pan, but apparently, she wanted it too. HA.

Then, we went to church in our cute little easter outfits.  (I think cute and little always have to go together, even though Kaylor's outfit was the only one that was little.) Ginny's mom made our outfits.  So, my vest and bow-tie, Ginny's skirt and Kaylor's dress.  There was also a head band from Ginny's skirt's material that Kaylor chose not to adorn. You are more than welcome to think I look like the Easter Bunny with my bow-tie.  Ginny has never been a fan of them, but she made an exception and surprised me for Easter.

Then, we went to Bopba and Uh-mum's to hang out for a bit and Kaylor got another Easter basket.  That Bunny is everywhere. If you look closely, Kaylor is saying "ooooo," as she carries the basket. 

Later, we went to Joe and Jeanette's for the Easter egg hunt.  Kaylor was thoroughly confused as to what to do.  Bopba helped her for a little bit, then when there were few eggs left, she started to get it.  Luckily, Uh-mum is in charge of stuffing the eggs, so Kaylor got plenty of loot; although, she doesn't really get any of it. 

Tryin' to get this kid to stand still is still a mystery.  So, we have several pictures of her from the back.  If she sees us taking a picture, she wants to come up to us and see the camera.  HA.  As you can see, she's pushing my hand away. 

This last picture is from a place here called Dickey's and they give free ice cream.  We ate dinner there a few days ago, and Kaylor needed a "poon" to eat it.  HA.  Yes, we are white trash and bring our kid to dinner in her pj's. HA

Is it almost February?

WOW!  Since you last saw the Garner family, not too much has changed.  Ginny is still working and I am still in school.  I am still working at Five Guys but have moved locations (long story).  But I'm at the location closer to our house, I have more hours and I am a lot happier there.  Even Ginny noticed a difference.  

I have been sick this last week.  Just some viral cough that is obviously going around.  I'm getting better but I hope and pray my girls don't get it.  Little kids coughing is unbearably sad.  

I am still in my first official class at UOPX.  It is only 6 class periods, but we had three holidays as well (Christmas, New Years and MLK); that's why it's taking so long.  I have two more classes and then I am done with this one.  It's a very interesting class about counseling the culturally diverse.  Our teacher is a little laid back which makes it much easier but it's still a fun class.  With UOPX, we break up into learning teams.  My learning team is three other students and we all work really well together.  

Ginny and I recently celebrated our 2nd anniversary.  We had sushi (YUMMMMM!!!) and then went shopping. 

 We also got ourselves a new bed.  It's the first actual bed we have had since we got married. Our box spring was injured in the move so we needed a new one anyway and we both wanted a headboard.  So, we took ourselves to Ikea and got one.  I've always wanted the one with the slats instead of a box spring.  We got the bed, brought it home and put it together.  It was a little labor intensive but we got it done and it looks amazing.  Below is the bed after it was completed with no mattress followed by the bed with the new duvet cover.

Hot Dog! Hot Dog! Hot Diggety Dog!

Our little girl turned one!  Ginny and the Aunties made some great decorations.  We invited all of our family and my parents were able to fly out as well.  Kaylor had a fun time!

My parents got this little couch for K.  She LOVES it.  It can fold out to a bed too. She loves to sit on things so we knew this would be best. 

Nanny took this picture of Kaylor in Aunt Bea's dress.  She really made that dress in 5 minutes.  Ginny made the 1.

Of course, Aunt Bea made both cakes for Kaylor.

This is the rest of the cake.

Our family.

Before

After

She didn't leave much.

WOW...I have a lot to post

So, our last few months have been filled with plenty to blog about.  I don't know if I can fit it all in one post, but I'll definitely sum up the highlights.

Ginny, Kaylor and I had a great Thanksgiving.  We spent it with Ginny's aunt and uncle and their family.  We snapped a little shot of us since we were looking super cute.  

Since Ginny has been working a lot, Kaylor and I have been spending a lot of time together.  I have some super cute shots of her, too.

Of course, she's walking (and climbing) everywhere.  We kept her toys in our ottoman for a while, so the last shot is her digging in there to get there very last one out.  She can say some words fairly clearly: 

• dadda
• momma
• ball
• bah-bye complete with a wave

She also says some other words she has made up that resemble the original one.

• rah-rah is her frog that she sleeps with or water
• mah-mah is mickey mouse, milk, and high five
• bah accompanied with distinct pointing is "What is that?"

She loves our iPhones and throws quite a fit if we don't let her have one of them.  She loves to just see the picture on the front of it and kiss it.  She is officially off of formula which is such a blessing.  She loves jelly sandwiches, peas, grilled cheese sandwiches, quesadillas and puffs.  She has been giving very grumpy faces to strangers and even to friends.  But she is very sweet and still sleeping well.  She has a bit of a runny nose but is in good spirits.

After Thanksgiving,  Ouizer and Dolly came to visit.  Well, first, we all went to Vegas.  Ouizer's company paid for a flight + 1 to go to Vegas.  Ginny, Kaylor and I drove up and spent a few days with them.  We tried to take them to as many of our favorite places as we could fit in the two days.  We had a blast.  While the girls went to their Christmas party, Ginny and I hid out in the bathroom so Kaylor could fall asleep in the room.  We set up a little pallet (blankets and pillows) to watch a movie until she knocked out.  Sadly, it's the only pictures I have from Vegas; especially since we went to Cane's to eat lunch the day we left (AMAZING!)  I guess what happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas.  After Vegas, all of us came back and the aunties spent a little while with us. 

I won't mention the unmentionable happenings on our way back from Vegas.  All I can say is Dolly hates Canes and Hot Chocolate now and she left her boots on the freeway.

Of course, no trip to Cali is not complete without a trip to Ikea.  Kaylor and Dolly decided they needed to rest in the buggie.

Oh, and we also made a stop at the Happiest Place on Earth.

We also celebrated Kaylor's first birthday.  Ginny had the great idea of making it a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse themed party (thank you Pinterest).  

Aunt Bea (Ouizer) made Kaylor a cute pillow case dress.  More pics to come.

Dolly (Nanny), Ginny and I decided to be healthy and run a 5K.  We did the Reindeer Run for the YMCA in Chino.

                                        

And last but not least is Christmas.  We had our first official Christmas together as a family with just us.  We spent the Eve with Ginny's Aunt's family and then Christmas morning was just our little three.  Aunt Bea also made Kaylor a Christmas dress.  It is adorable.  

This is a picture of Kaylor at Ginny's parent's house in the dress Aunt Bea made.  It doesn't display exactly how cute it is but I loved it.  Thank Aunt Bea!

Ok, I think that covers everything.  Ginny and I are training for a half marathon.  We started jogging and are doing well.  We are looking to run one in about June.  Wish us luck!