New Blog on the Way

Hey everyone! I'm in the process of creating a new, hopefully inspiring blog. I'll let you know the details when it's up and running!

Life Since Last Time

Last Saturday we met up with Josh and Noura and Henry's cousin Diana and her new fiance for dinner at a Middle-Eastern restaurant called Carousel. It's one of my favorite places to eat! There's a five-course dinner of Arabic foods, live music and dancing, and a belly-dancing show at the end. I love that I get to have this culture as a part of my life since I married a Lebanese guy! 

I loved all the colors of our first course. That pretty pink stuff was a delicious turnip hummus. 

Me and the hubs.

 This week I've just been trying to put one foot in front of the other. I got a bad cold that I kind of deserved after not taking care of my body too well with all the snacks and sweets from Super Bowl parties and such last weekend. I've been a bit discouraged by thoughts of inadequacy and the likes, but I've gotten a lot of good advice and revelation on the subject. I really want to make sure I'm living a life that I love and not trying to mold myself to anyone's expectations, including the expectations I put upon myself! I'm also really trying to make sure my life is in line with what God wants for me. Ultimately, He know what will make us the happiest in our lives. 

Here are a few quotes that have totally inspired me this past week...

Be sure to check out my Pinterest page where I pin pictures, ideas, recipes, and quotes like these that I love.

Sometimes when things get too complicated in my head, looking over at my cat reminds me to simplify!

Fantasy Photo Shoot

My friend Stacey came into town with her new fancy camera! We did a couple of photo shoots, one in my neighborhood and one at the Huntington Gardens. We were going for kind of a fantasy/fairy feel at the gardens, and it was so much fun! Stacey's getting really good with her camera. I had a great time photoshopping the pictures back home. Here are a couple I finished...

Almost makes me believe it's real!

The photos with stone in them turned out really nice and gothic-style. 

I'll keep posting as I go through and edit!

Lunch in the Park & Art at FHE

Henry and I realized that we needed to get out of the house for a bit last Monday. We decided to grab some lunch from El Pollo Loco (I love their loco side salad with creamy cilantro dressing) and eat it in the park. I had to take some pictures of Henry's outfit since I picked it out...

It was so nice to get out for a bit. 

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That evening we went to our Armenian-Speaking-Group FHE. Brother Townsend gave a spiritual thought about the things that can make our lives peaceful and secure: obedience to God's commandments, church attendance, prayer, scripture study, and I can't remember the last one... Anyway, he did an object lesson using popsicle sticks, showing that you need five in order to make a shape that stays together securely. It corresponded with the five things he told us would help us feel happy and secure in our lives. 

Henry got a little creative with our popsicle sticks!

After helping with clean up, our friend Ashot and I drew pictures on the white board!

My First China Town Experience

I've been dying to spend some time in China Town every since I moved to LA 7 years ago, so I was super excited when a friend of ours wanted to meet at a restaurant there for dinner! I didn't get to do as much exploring as I had wanted since it was kinda late, but here are a few of the pictures I took...

This was the crosswalk.

I took this pic for mom and my "smiley face in random places" collection.

Our friend Leland's new wife Melissa, Leland who's leaving for training in Florida, me, Henry

I need to make another China Town trip soon!

New Year's Eve

This is a bit late, but I never posted about my New Year's Eve! We started out by going to breakfast with Junior and Chantel. We always have so much fun and great conversations with them!

Henry was still suffering with his "trigger point" problem, so Junior helped out a bit while Henry tried not to cry. :D

My eyes weren't open in any of the pictures we tried to take here...

I was lovin' my new haircut blowing in the wind!

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Then it was off to Henry's Uncle Bill's house for a family reunion/New Year's party. I always find it funny when we celebrate with Henry's family, because it's so so different than what I would be doing with my family. I love both!

Here are a few of things I find when we party with Henry's family that I wouldn't find with mine...

Dolma (stuff wrapped in grape leaves)! 

Arabic music and belly dancing!

 

Dubkee (that's what that circle dance is called).

Marriage brings all sorts of new things to your life! :D

Here are some pics of the fam...

Henry and some of his cousins

Noura and "Coco"

Coco and Henry

Noura and me

Henry and his little cousin

 

Henry, his sweet cousin from Chicago, Noura

Family pic! Well, part of the family...

Me and Ma

Henry and me

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

I'm posting my New Year's Resolutions for all to see! Hold me accountable everyone. 

I put this image as my desktop wallpaper so I'm  reminded of my goals every time I'm on my computer. 

Here are some of the first pictures of the new year...

Henry and me at the LDS Temple grounds in LA.

2012 is going to be a great year! I can feel it. Anything is possible this year--don't forget it!

Christmas Day 2011

Merry Christmas! It was our first Christmas in my parents' new house. A new setting, but our traditions remained the same. We took turns unwrapping our presents from Santa. I got a food dehydrator! Santa knows I don't like to waste food, so it's the perfect gift! I can dehydrate all that fruit Henry's mom gives me instead having to throw away what I couldn't eat in time. I also got a wooden crate with "potion bottles" inside! I'm a strange one, but I sure love glass bottles and rustic stuff. 

After a breakfast of yummy sticky rolls, we opened family gifts. I love giving these gifts as much as receiving! Thanks Santa and family. I love my gifts!

Our first look of what Santa brought.

Snip joining in on all the fun.

My potion bottles!

Haydie gave Danny some awesome Spongebob earbuds. We love Spongebob...

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We got to go to church on Christmas this year since it landed on a Sunday. It was so perfect getting to spend some time specifically reflecting on Christ. He is the true reason behind all the fun and joy of the Christmas season. He is the reason we're able to have happiness at all!

After church, I made everyone (except Paige who was out with a guy) take pictures on the back porch since I loved the scene and everyone was dressed nice for church, 

Kryssie

Danny

Haydie

Dad

Mom

Henry

Me

Merry Christmas everybody!