Dilemma

Ok question:

Set Up:

We are traveling to NYC with baby G. It will be cold so we are choosing indoor activities -- museums, art exhibits, toy stores, etc. We do not have anything special planned for the evenings - except maybe Times Square because baby G LOVES LOVES LOVES bright lights. 

Since I we booked the flights I have been DYING to purchase Broadway tickets to The Lion King. Online we're looking at $300 bucks for Art and I to attend. It's a vacation and all but...

Question:

Is it worth it to shell out that much money for a musical? 

I've made the PROS/CONS list...

Pros:

It's Broadway

It's The Lion King

It's indoors - no cold.

We aren't paying for the cost of a hotel - let's spend that money on the tickets

Cons:

It's $200-$300 - That's half of what we spent on the plane tickets. 

It's that much money for 3 hours worth of activity. 

That money could be spent on Christmas gifts or future vacations

We would have to ask my family to babysit Gaby. 

So it's a tie -- and really, the first point under the CONS list is worth 3 points so CONS is winning. 

What would you do? Splurge or Conserve? 

Smell the Roses

Headed to New York next week for a little Thanksgiving/December Vargas Vacation!
We've never been to NYC so we are PUMPED about this trip.
I'm worried about Gaby's reaction to the change in environment and Art's worried about having to spend $10 on a single hot dog. lol.... Men are from Mars....


I had a small moment of appreciation this morning. Do you ever feel like there aren't many opportunities to share those tiny priceless experiences? There are times when I am with Gaby or Art or on the way to work - something happens - an unforgettable moment... and it's disheartening when I realize I am the only one who will know how it made me feel.


This morning on my way to work I passed by a group of our refugee students. 4 young girls from the Congo. I see them every morning on the way to school as they walk 1.5 miles from their apartment complex. Right before you cross the street onto the high school campus, there is a small bunch of beautiful flowers to make the marquee sign look a little more beautiful on your drive in. Every morning I see them, and I think, "Look how dedicated they are to getting a good education. I wonder if they had that in the Congo." But this particular morning, I noticed from my rear view mirror that one of the girls stooped down in front of the marquee to admire the beauty in the flower bunches. A moment that happened in less that 2 seconds, brought me to tears. I wish I could appreciate the small things in life more frequently. I rarely thank my husband for always taking out the trash, I can't remember the last time I was grateful for the house I live in and the car I drive, I don't ever appreciate how easily obtainable my groceries are, and I could go on and on and on... It's the life I've made for myself. BUSY, BUSY, BUSY..... RUSH, RUSH, RUSH.


I know I'm too hard on myself at times -- but it was just a small moment that happened this morning that I felt compelled to share it.


Blessings and Happy Thanksgiving. Time to dig in on some YUMMY food and spend time with family and friends.

Life Is Beautiful

Sundays -- couldn't have asked for a better one. 

Church
potluck with Brothers & Sisters in Christ 
LOOOONG baby naps
unpacking our garage
Netflix 
homemade burgers and fries
phone calls with long distance parents 
singing and dancing with baby girl (Thank you, T.Swift)
re-reading through old journals (scary! but nice)
last minute deep conversations with the husband as he walks out the door for work...

I love our little Vargas life. 

oh, and I forgot one more for the list: 
GF Choc. Chip Pumpkin Muffins

Family

Gaby is 8 months. 

We are parents.

It's so crazy to think about!!

Last night, Art and I had the opportunity to go on a date. We checked out The Mill - fantastic place to sit by the fire and chat together. Supposedly there was an ACU social club event there that night, so we were surrounded by a LOT of younger 20-somethings with shabby chic outfits and too many beards to count. As we were talking, a question came up that really hit us hard: How does it feel to be on the other side of the 20's hill? 

Lately I've been feeling nostalgic for my "single" days. Maybe nostalgia isn't the right word because I also told Art last night how wonderful it is to already have found my best friend and life partner. But, I can't stop thinking about how fun my life was during those years and how I may have taken those years for granted as they passed right by me. Art reminded me of how happy we have been lately, and it is so true: We have a wonderful little baby girl, a companionship with each other, a home, jobs to provide for our family, the BEST Church family we have ever been a part of, and our youth. We still have fun together and are making many GREAT memories for Gaby and ourselves. He was right, I cannot complain! 

But what will the next decade look like for us? 2.5 kids, a home, two cars, a garage, and a nice backyard? Is that what our dreams are for the next 10 years? What about mission trips or moving to another city? What about advancing in our careers or going back to school? What about all the OTHER moments we didn't take advantage of during our younger 20's? Are we okay with where our lives are headed -- the standard "American Dream?" Was I too busy concentrating on the future during my 20's that I missed out on these opportunities?

Hard and tough questions for us to process. And while we head into our 30's over the next couple years -- we will continue to place our trust and prayer in the Lord. During my meditation time - I always seem to hear Him remind me of how little I am in charge of what the next 10 years has in store. That my wandering heart will find a place to be again. It doesn't feel like it will happen soon - but I come away feeling more peaceful about it than when I entered into my time with Him. And while we closed our date night together still undecided about what is to come, we were content with the knowledge that our trust in God will lead us to the right place at the right time. God will take care of our family. Praise Him for that. 

Gaby's Arrival

Well -- our little Miss Gaby Mae came into the world earlier than we expected! She has been a blessing to us so far. I want to record her birth story -- and also share with anyone who reads this.

Gaby was born on February 23rd, 2014. It was a Sunday.

Before we get to the Sunday part of the story -- we have to return to the Thursday before. I arrived at work feeling as normal as a pregnant woman should. I was hungry when I woke up -- eating 2  La Popular burritos (scratch that... it might have been three... no shame.) But by the time I got to my lunch hour -- I had lost my appetite and had a strange feeling in my abdomen area. I called my doctor, who recommended I get monitored at Labor & Delivery just in case. I remember not wanting to go -- because I had a dr. appointment scheduled for Tuesday. Her words were, "I would rather you go get checked, in case Tuesday is too late."

Art and I went... but, of course, after a few hours they sent me home, letting me know they were VERY light contractions and nothing to worry about. We went home -- and I felt so silly for wasting my time and the nurse's time. The following day, Friday, I went to work all as normal. Saturday, Art and I had plans to look for a more "family-type" car, and we made that purchase that day, spending the evening with good friends. I remember eating popcorn, skittles, and peanut M&M's for dinner, closing off the midnight hour with a bowl of cereal. (These two "snacks" were a favorite during my pregnancy.)

6:38am Sunday-- I remember waking up with slight cramps. I had ready somewhere online that cramps were normal during the final trimester, and these didn't really hurt. Almost like an upset tummy. So I walked around a bit, thinking I would get some extra time to get ready before Church at 9am.

When I lied back down, thinking I could take a quick nap, I started to notice the cramps had a certain pattern to them. They would come.... then go..... then come.... then go. At this point, I thought, "Surely not. But maybe... just maybe I should time these. It's probably nothing, but it would be fun to test it out." Keep in mind, Art is still asleep in bed.

I timed the next 15 minutes -- noticing the average "cramp" was coming every 4 minutes. Or 3.68 minutes -- according to the app. I didn't believe it. So I went another 15 minutes. Same thing. By this time, I woke Art up, just wanting to let him know I didn't feel well, and really hoped I would feel better by Church. He didn't believe me when I told him this was all nothing and probably just a fake contraction (like they had told us earlier that Thursday). I finally convinced him to let me rest until 8:30, until we had to get ready for Church. I remember putting on Friday Night Lights to pass the time.... and the cramps never went away. Just as I thought, "I don't think we're going to make it to Church," I picked up the phone to call L&D. They told me to count, and if the cramps came every 3-5 minutes, to come on in.

If you know me -- I didn't go right away. We put on one more episode of FNL. lol.

After 5 minutes -- while Art kept walking around the house frantic -- we left for the hospital because the pain was concerning. When we got there, they did everything they did on that Thursday before. I kept thinking, "How embarrassing." or "They must think I am so silly. Two visits in a week." And they sure did act that way to me. They weren't concerned much, almost as if this was going to be just like Thursday. When they hooked up the contraction monitor, the first words from the nurse were, "WHOA! Are you feeling that?" (Not to sound arrogant... but no, I actually hadn't feel that.) The following went like this:

(After the contraction)
NURSE: "I'm just going to check you real quick. It's normal."
Me: I hate this part....
NURSE (After checking me): You are at 80%, we are going to admit you. (walks out)
Me to ARCHIE: Remember they said they weren't going to stop labor at this point.... Does that mean Gaby is coming today?
ARCHIE: I don't know. Maybe we should ask so that we can call our parents...
(NURSE WALKS IN)
ME: Nurse, you said I'm at 80%? Maybe this is silly, but do you think our baby is coming today?
NURSE: (with a serious face) Yes. Your baby will be here in less than 8 hours.


From this moment on -- everything was a whirlwind. I remember getting to the delivery room thinking how nice it was. I remember wanting Archie by my side, but instead he was on his phone texting EVERYONE WE KNOW. I remember walking around the halls grasping Art's shoulder harder and harder as each contraction came. I remember hating the monitors around my stomach, thinking THEY were the cause of my pain. I remember the HORRIBLE contractions after my water broke, and regretting my decision for demoral, as I had opted-out for an epidural. After the Demoral kicked in, I REALLY don't remember much else. Sleeping... waking up to pain, with mom and Art by my side. At one point, I remember being in the bathroom... falling asleep... ok, tmi....

Then my last few memories.... The heart monitor was beating really fast. My doctor tells me the baby's heartbeat is above 200. We will try naturally, but if not, we are going to have to go to a C-section. I DID NOT want that. So I tried to push. I tried and I tried, and maybe I tried too hard. BUt she wasn't coming.... and baby is in breech position. So after what felt like an eternity, I told them to get my baby out. Doesn't matter which way -- she was at-risk, and I wanted her to be healthy.

Gabriella Mae Vargas arrived at 4:48pm on that Sunday afternoon. She cried (and still does) like a little angel. We are so enthralled by her, and everyone she meets is put in a good mood when they see her. We are thankful to the Lord that he has given us this blessing, and pray that He will give us the wisdom and courage to raise her in the way of the Lord. We pray over her every day, asking God to give her a strong spirit, a loving heart, and the desire to serve Him all the days of her life, for the rest of her life.

V-Day Music Day 3.

What's a Valentine's celebration without a little boy band vocal?

A friend of mine shared this link with me last night, and after listening to it for the 4,398,789th time this morning, I figured it needed to be officially added to the V-Day playlist.

"What Makes You Beautiful" by One Direction

Speaking of boy bands, I'll just go ahead and share with you my favorite boy band love songs.

"As Long As You Love Me" by Backstreet Boys

"Shape of My Heart" by Backstreet Boys

and even though I totes loved BSB waay more than Nsync, I'll go ahead and post one of my favorites from the ramen noodle-haired JT and his buddies.

"God Must Have Spent" by Nsync

Now go grab those boy-band CD's you so dearly loved once, and download them onto your iPhone. These *belong* on your V-Day playlist!

Hey, Febs!

On the outside I'm not your average girly-girl. I prefer sneakers over high heels. I play video games and watch sporting events. I have more sports bras than I have jewelry, and the list just goes one, people.

But as tough a girl as I am, I'm a pretty big sucker for the lovey-dovey month of February. I think it's one of the things my husband still can't figure out about me.

"Honey, I know we watch ESPN every night before bed, and that I sit through your 2-hour playing time of HALO without complaining, but can we get some flowers, chocolates, and The Notebook in here every now and then???"

I can't exaggerate, though. He does a great job of "keeping the romance alive" in our relationship, but now that it's February, I plan on pulling out the "V-DAY" excuse on him once or twice this month when he grabs the TV remote, or turns on the XBOX.

But for serious.... I'm a typical romantic woman, and I am not ashamed of it!

I bawl over stories of people in love, young and old. Two elderly couples holding hands while walking gives me chills.

or even chick-flicks (and not just rom-com's) like Titanic, The Time Traveler's Wife, and Pride & Prejudice can make me tear up and give the hubs an extra amount of lovin'

and now that my Christmas music has been put back into the external hard drive until mid-November, I've got those love ballads and Whitney Wanna-Be's playing non-stop for the month of February.

Ahh.... love songs. Aren't they just wonderful. Hey, check out this song I ran across yesterday:

"Oh, Darling" by Plug in Stereo

*tear*

Rachel