"Do You Want To Form an Alliance with Me?"

This is how cool I am: I had a meeting tonight and when I got home around 8:30, I found that Mat and Lana were both sleeping. SCORE! I didn't know what to do with myself so I was on the computer for a little while, cleaned up the living room, and then decided to see what was on t.v. They had the final episode of last seasons "the Office!" I was so excited I turned it up (as loud as I could go without waking up the sleepyheads), made myself some popcorn (I even made it mochi-crunch style. yeah, that's right!) and was sitting on the edge of the couch laughing out loud at some parts. There's just something about that show that I can't get enough of. I don't laugh out loud very often when I watch tv, but the office will always do it for me. I'm just sad Mat missed out cause I know he would have loved vegging out with me. Come to think of it, today I even bought some magnets at target. One set was of Michael Scott and had a good quote: "I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." And the other set was Dwight with a picture of him looking through the blinds. So creepy it's funny. I always think of who everyone's favorites characters are. Mischa likes Kevin and Stanley, I think Jenna said she liked Toby, Mat likes Dwight and some of Andy's singing. Who are your favorites?

The Newest Pacada Ohana

I'd like to welcome the newest member of the Pacada clan: Kaitlyn Pacada. She and Michael tied the knot this past week in the Orlando, Florida temple. The sealing was very beautiful and it couldn't have been more perfect. It was really emotional for me to see my little brother (my little punk for so many years) all grown up, ready to start a new life with his sweetheart. We were all bawling but the Spirit was so strong and in that moment I had so many feelings going through me: peace, love, gratitude (for the time that our family did have Michael all to ourselves and the many memories we have together) , disbelief (that the day had come so quickly), sadness (that not all of our family was there), and joy to know that families can be together forever!!

The reception was fabulous! It was at a very nice house (generous hosts!) on a lake and while everything was being set up, we got to go jet-skiing and wake-boarding on the lake. I totally schooled Michael on the wake-board. That's probably the only thing I'll ever beat him in and it probably won't last. haha. It was an out-door event and started just as it was getting dark. The bridesmaids and groomsmen looked so nice and we got to visit, eat, dance and finally said our goodbyes and the couple took off on a jet-ski. So fun!

I'm still waiting on pictures from my mom & dad who have all the good ones, but Kaitlyn's mom just sent me a few fun ones from the reception. They were so nice to think of Shaefer who's on a mission in Peru right now and obviously not able to make it to the wedding. They made a cardboard cut-out of him (actually the body of JFK and Shaefer's face pasted on! ha!) that we took pictures with and had standing around during the reception. Kaitlyn's cousin even danced with him for a while!

I have to say that Michael is a lucky man and the two of them fit together quite nicely. I'm so excited for their future together and just hope that they start having their cute kids soon so Lana can have some Pacada cousins!

Shaka Brah

I was just sitting here at the computer and Lana comes up to me, flashes me the "shaka" sign and smiles. She's been practicing that move for the longest time and hasn't quite been able to do it right all by herself. Until now. It's funny how she's so proud. That's our girl!

BEST DADDY in the WORLD

This past weekend I was gone for Michael's wedding in Florida. (I'll post about that later when I have pictures to go along with it because it was AMAZING!!) Mat and Lana were on their own and this was the first time that I'd been away this long: 3 1/2 days. The day before I left I was driving with Lana in the car and that song by John Mayer came on "fathers be good to your daughters, daughters will love like you do, girls become lovers and turn into mothers, so mothers be good to your daughters too..." (or something like that) and I totally started crying! I had to keep blinking away the tears so I could see. The first day I was gone I called Lana to check and see how she was doing. I secretly thought that she'd be missing me like crazy and just be a mess. She was at her friend Veronica's house and she just told me she was playing with Veronica and it seemed like I was interrupting her playtime (EXCUSE ME!). Mat had her stuff packed when he dropped her off and he even got off of work early to pick her up. They went to the pool and played and he said she fell right to sleep at night with no problem. The next day when I called they were in the car and Lana was so excited cause daddy was taking her to buy a tent. "A big HUGE one!" she said. And when I got home on Sunday I found out that she got super-sick the night before throwing up everywhere! Poor Mat was all by himself to take care of her and he did a good job! When I walked in the door I saw the big huge tent set up in the living room, and Lana was asleep in the bedroom with a big bucket next to her! Haha. When she got up she told me all about her weekend and said that she had fun with daddy, she was good girl and then she got sick and daddy took care of her. He even gave her a blessing. So, Mat, here's to you and your mad daddy skills. WE LOVE YOU!!

Little Brother...Big Move

My biggest little brother, Michael, is getting married in about a week. I can't believe it!! It's such a big move and I'm very excited for him. I was just taking a trip down memory lane and found this picture of me and Mike at my wedding a few years ago. I wonder if his bride-to-be has seen his "gorilla" look. Also, check out all the cute girls and boys in the family. They look way young in these pictures compared to what they look like now!

ICE QUEEN meets PRINCE CHARMING

I had the worst day EVER last week. I wasn't feeling well, I was a bit tired, I was grumpy...you name it. Everything was bothering me and I had a mean and snippy comeback for everything. Poor Lana was stuck with me all day and the minute Mat came home from work I walked right into the bedroom shut the door and jumped into bed. I woke up from my coma a few hours later to find out that Mat had taken Lana out shopping, brought back some dinner and they bought me some roses. Mat had Lana give them to me with a big hug and kiss and said, "Look what we got you, mom! Feel better?" Yes, thank you guys! I have the best husband ever! And we made a nice little munchkin, too. Thanks for putting up with your grumpy wife/mom.