lucas' 11th birthday / 50th anniversary of moon landing:

Due to the remodel, I hadn't planned on doing anything for Lucas's birthday besides buying a cake, but his birthday pool parties are his one big deal, so I did it anyway.  He was sad I wouldn't be able to do the cupcakes he wanted, but I got him a good cake.  I only invited three families, and they all came.  I think it was the perfect amount of guests for Lucas.  He wanted no one but our family there plus one of Naomi's friends who couldn't make it, but I talked him into the four others plus a different friend, and he was pretty happy at the end.  And I wasn't going to bother with a theme, but you know me and astronomy.  The day of the party, July 20, was the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, so I did do a theme.  It was a great party, though we missed Manny as he got called to Taiwan on business for two weeks, and with the remodel, no family could stay over.  The pizza at our local Pizza Hut has gotten worse.  It was the cheapest option apart from frozen Costco pizza (but I had no oven to bake).  I'm glad for the small party and happy Lucas had a good time.  We asked for no toys or books this time, and he was super happy with the gift cards and birthday money.  

Still using up previous party supplies, along with some space-themed items.

Duet bites (like half moons), Moon Oreos, and Moon Cake.  I know I overdo it, but it's fun.

I did not have Manny available to move the chairs outside, but they were fine with the color scheme.  Balloon astronaut and shuttle are part of the same set, but for some reason the astronaut is huge in comparison.

This is all I needed to set up for just us and three other families.

Lucas not holding still for a photo.

We have the fun inflatables.  Thanks, Grandma!

Lucas in his element.

Isaac having fun.

My NASA shirt.  Easy to find them these days.

Happy birthday!  Isaac in the green towel on the left.

Cake from Asian bakery.  Lucas was a little sad I couldn't bake this year, but I was a little relieved.

Me Asian squatting while watching the boys.

Manny having Coke with fiber in Taiwan.  Not a lot of photos or contact this time.

ladies night out:

On July 14, I went out with some college friends (two who were at the Vegas trip, and one who could not make it due to family illness).  We went to Meet Fresh, the same Taiwanese dessert chain place we went in Vegas.  I think it is going to be a tradition now.  Honestly, it's not the best I've ever had or the worst, but it is a novelty, and a lot of nostalgia for me.  Most of the Meet Fresh lovers in the group are Cantonese, so Taiwanese flavors can seem new and exciting.  But our other Taiwanese friend who is a foodie and a great cook has no issues speaking up about food, did so.  She didn't like a lot of it, but it was still good enough.  I am happy to eat anything, even though I do have a foodie side, too.  But I grew up without anything to eat many nights, so I will always love all of it.  When they talk about kids going hungry in the U.S., that is not a joke.  I still remember what it was like to only have mayo and bread or expired canned food to eat and tap water to drink.  I probably have a host of health issues from it as well.  From all these years of having kids, I haven't really been able to get out with my friends very much.  I'm glad that after over two decades, they are still there and as fun as ever to hang out with.

When I got home, Manny was helping Naomi set up her phone, and the boys were hanging out nearby, and my heart felt full.  I should have taken a photo, but I will hopefully remember the picture in my mind for a long time to come.

Food and friends.

Their sweet potato filled mochi is good.

Another manicure, this time with a butterfly.  I've gone through a metamorphosis this year.

far from home:

Manny got back from Vietnam and had to head straight into work.  Jet lag while working that much is hard on the body.  He returned pretty happy and relaxed from the last days he was there, when he could unwind.  We had more going on with the remodel, and then I can't remember why we were up late on Friday night, but the next day (Saturday, July 14), I had barely slept and wasn't sure if I wanted to cancel my jog/walk with my Wellness Revelation program accountability partner.  I like the program because we are working out and focusing on God at the same time rather than just our bodies.  And my friend and I had a lot to catch up on.  We are very different, but she is pretty smart and has been through a lot, so she understands me.  We went around Shoreline Lake and enjoyed the scenery.  I really wanted to take a photo, especially with the beautiful weather, but we weren't stopping!  It was great to get my circulation going--physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.  It's great when I can work on them all at once.

When I got home I got ready for a date with Manny.  I had been wanting to see Spider-Man: Far From Home, or really any movie.  He slept through some of it, but I was happy to be there with him.  Can I be honest that the Spider-Man movies fit in well with the MCU and are good in that sense, but I think I preferred the Sam Raimi films in terms of standalones?  But if they went with those same storylines, then it wouldn't feel original and wouldn't link well to the Avengers films.  It's nice to go to see a movie with him--I think the last movie Manny and I saw together may have been The Last Jedi during Christmas 2017.  

We went out to eat afterward (thanks to Naomi again), and I was sleepy and starving.  Can't say Manny's never fed me well!  I had a nice time.  It's different going places with Manny nowadays.  He knows his way around food and restaurants and movies and has a different vibe.  I guess I am learning a new dance in our relationship.  But hopefully we will continue evolving together and move forward.  Praise God for His care for us.

Meeting up at Shoreline with my accountability partner.

Did my hair and put on make-up for my date with Manny.

Spiderman projection screen.

Fun movie.

Good thing his arms are longer.

At Konjoe Burger (Asian fusion) having pork belly buns and burgers.

Shitake mushroom burger that Manny ordered for me.  He knows me well!

4th of july week:

I had a full week while Manny was overseas.  Mostly with trying to figure out the fireplace, which I know nothing about.  The remodeling company created a design which we approved thankfully before Manny left, but we still had to get the materials and piece this thing together.  I ran around to different fireplace and tile stores several times, and with the time difference I couldn't get immediate feedback from Manny.  At least I was able to cancel the fireplace insert order.  It was too costly, so we opted for painting our current insert instead.

With Naomi home (some days) during the summer, I was able to go visit with some friends whenever her friends weren't over or she wasn't out with friends herself.  Right now I am cherishing any time I get to be with my friends and have grown-up talk and find support in one another.  My friend J. lost her husband suddenly and unexpectedly in March.  I cannot imagine the loss, especially guiding her two children who have now lost their father so young.  Life...it doesn't always happen as we expect, but we can trust the Lord with it.  We can only trust the Lord with it.

Naomi went to see fireworks near her friend's house.  Lucas doesn't like fireworks, and Isaac will watch them from a distance, so I'm considering taking Isaac somewhere a different year.  

Visiting with J.  I am so inspired by her.

The boys and I got locked in the bedroom when the door handle broke, and the contractors had to kick the door in to get us out.  Would have had to call the police I guess if they weren't there!

Closing up the holes in the walls and pouring concrete to fill the floor.

Cabinets are here!

Dropping off Naomi and friends she invited to her youth group during the summer.

We had to eat out quite a bit, and while Manny was out, we got pasta (he doesn't eat much carbs).  This place made these big pizza-like breadsticks for the kids meal, but just two weeks later no longer had them, sadly.

Getting my hair highlighted.  Grateful Naomi watched the boys while I was out.

Naomi started teaching herself guitar.  This is the store where I bought this guitar for Manny two decades ago.  He couldn't pick it up, and I only took one quarter of guitar class, so I'm glad it is being put to use.

Had to give Nacho extra baths during the remodel due to all the dust and dirt.

Naomi's friend over for dinner.  We had Hawaiian barbecue outside.

More eating out--Lucas with his usual popcorn nuggets, wedges, and root beer.  He still has gastro stuff, so his burps are huge.  They silence the entire restaurant and embarrass me to no end.  He enjoys that.

Cabinets hung with care.

renovation progress:

This was the progress for the last two weeks of June on our home.   The kids were sad to say goodbye to their childhood memories.  Even Nacho seemed a bit down.  It was so dusty and hot.  We had a supply of water upstairs and I bought convenient breakfast and lunch food and mostly bought food for dinner.  We ate outside for dinner on our old dining table.  It's amazing seeing the transformation.

 

Tiles torn down and cabinets torn out.  Drywall cut to begin rewiring.  Nacho seemed confused.

Digging a trench to redo the plumbing.  Poor neighbor had to hear the jackhammer for two days.

They had to open up the wall in Isaac's room/the office as well.

Nacho was hot and dusty, so he had a few extra baths.

Removing the space around the fireplace.

New wiring and plumbing.

Drywall replacement.

Beginning texturing and prepping for painting.

Pouring in the concrete.  I tried to keep Nacho off, but there are a couple of pawprints in this.

m in vietnam:

Manny went to Vietnam on business with a coworker at the end of June and beginning of July.  Manny's coworker, who is from there, took him to a few different places, including in his hometown.  Lots of new experiences for Manny.  They went somewhere and got their earwax removed even.  I held down the fort.  The construction was still going on, even on 4th of July, and I had a lot of decisions to make and things to take care of for it.  Manny called or FaceTimed when he could.  It's amazing that we have this technology right in our phones now.  I missed him.  It was nice when he got back, although he had to go straight back to work right after and work through the jet lag (only to have to go to Taiwan for work less than two weeks later).

Arriving in My To.

FaceTime with 14 hr time difference.  Good night to him and good morning to me.

Manny and coworker looking really close.

Nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City.

Visiting with his coworker's family/friends.

At the water park

The jungle behind him