We did lunch yesterday because he had to work today and I had a small wedding at our church tonight and now he’s on call till the morning.    Emily came with me to the wedding today and on our way home, we stopped to get daddy’s favorite donuts and we were pleasantly surprised to see that they had heart shaped ones.    No matter how busy we are, we always try to do a little something to show how much we love each other.  Our gestures are simple and that’s just fine by me.

heart shaped donuts on our family platter with a tall glass of milk

LOVE

Today is a very special day.  On this very day 21 years ago was daddy and my first date.  What makes this day even more special is 16 years ago, you were born.  Plus today’s date is super cool…2-1-12!

When daddy and I were first married, we would sit and watch TV and wish we had a little baby who we could have between us to hold and love and enjoy.  16 years ago today, that baby came into our lives, but you weren’t so little.  You were  a 9 lb 7.5 oz bundle of joy.  My belly was so big that people thought I was having twins…nope, just one, just you, God’s perfect answer to our prayers.

You were born with a full head of hair so you had to get your first haircut at 3 months. You always had a deeper voice than other kids. You learned to walk and talk and do everything super early.  I remember how you memorized and said everyone’s names with your little lisp but you just couldn’t say your own name quite right.  I remember how you always wanted me to read books to you and when you learned to read yourself, you went through books so quickly.  No one could entertain me or make me laugh better than you – still.  How you can recite scenes from movies with all the right accents and your quick wit are truly gifts from God.

I love that you have a compassionate heart.  You never wanted to hurt anyone’s feelings, even when you were upset, you wouldn’t let the other person know it.  I remember how you were so brave when you had to have your appendix taken out at age 7.  You didn’t cry at all while they were poking you with needles and taking you into surgery.  I’m so glad I got to be there with you the whole time.  I cherish the memories of us spending time together, just you and me.  The best decision I ever made was to stay home with you.  Emily came along just before you turned 3 and you were, and still are, so great with her.  I love how you love your sister.  I love how you take care of her.  I especially remember the time when Emily didn’t want to eat her dinner so we sent her up to her room without dessert, and you said that if Emily didn’t eat dessert, you wouldn’t either.

I have yet to see a little sister look up to her brother as much as Emily looks up to you.  You are a wonderful big brother and it warms my heart to see the two of you together.  She thinks the world of you and she is proud to call you her brother.  She’s not one of those little sisters that roll their eyes when girls say her brother is good looking, she agrees with them.

I love that you have integrity. You don’t take the easy way through life, you earn every experience, you work hard and you do it with a quiet strength that I know comes from God.  Your black belt in Tae Kwon Do, your spot on the Varsity Football Team as a Sophomore, your guitar and even piano skills, there is nothing you can’t accomplish that you put your mind to.  I know there are times that you wanted to just explode with excitement but you always considered the people who didn’t have what you had and you held back.  I know there have been times that you wanted to lash out at people who were treating you or others unfairly, but you controlled your emotions.  I am so proud of you for choosing to follow God.  I know it hasn’t been easy all the time but you always handled yourself honorably.  My prayer for you is that you realize the gifts you’ve been given and use them to your full potential.

I love the friends that you chose to hang around, your friends reflect your character.  Not too many parents of teenagers these days can say that they like their son’s friends.  They are respectful, well mannered, honorable young people, just like you.  I have enjoyed watching all of you grow up together and the new friends you’ve made so far in high school are just adding to your wonderful group.  A lot of people can’t believe that you listen to your parents and don’t rebel, that you enjoy spending time with your family, and you even help around the house.  Those same people are the ones that have told me, “enjoy it now, once he’s a teenager, things are going to change.”  Well people – I’m still waiting.

You are a big, strong, young man now.  You rival your dad in size and strength.  I still can’t believe how you’ve grown.  I know he is so proud of you.  I know on game days, he can’t wait to come watch you.  I know he invests so much time and energy into molding you into a man who is physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually strong.

You are now at a place in your life where you really have to take ownership of your actions.  You have so much to look forward to, I just pray that you will keep working hard, stay humble, and always be the best Justin you can be.  I thank God that He gave me the BEST son ever! I couldn’t be prouder to be your mom!

Happy 16th Birthday! I love you!

Today my little girl is  a teenager.   I’m not sure how I feel about that.  When I look at you, I see this beautiful young lady, blossoming before my very eyes.  When you’re not with me,  I still think of you as a little 3 year old, saying your words wrong and bouncing around with your long hair and little blankie.

First trip to Disneyland just before your first birthday

You are truly a gift from God.  We didn’t know if you were going to be a girl or a boy before you were born, it took Justin a little while to stop calling you his baby brother or sister.  As long as you were healthy, Daddy and I were going to be happy….but secretly I hoped that you would be a girl.  I wanted to dress you up and put bows in your hair, I wanted to take you shopping and get mani/pedi’s.  I wanted to see your Daddy love his little girl, the way he could never interact with his boy.  I wanted your big brother to protect you and you be his biggest fan.  God did not leave a single thing out in all the things I prayed for.  The biggest bonus is that you love the Lord and you are a wonderful example of how a Christian should be.  Many girls these days are so eager to grow up and looking for the wrong kind of attention, but you are so secure in who you are and you are perfectly happy to just be you.

How fitting that this nail polish is called "Daddy's Little Girl"

I am so proud of all your accomplishments, but most of all, I thank the Lord for your heart.  Ever since you were little, you always thought of others.  Whenever someone offered you a treat, you always asked for one more for Justin.  If someone cut in front of you in  line, you just waited patiently and never pushed your way in.    I know I always joke when you bring home your report cards that you never improve in school, but I’m sure if there was a grade higher than A+ for academics as well as behavior and attitude, the teachers would give it to you.  My eyes get filled with happy tears whenever I watch you dance.  You move to the music so gracefully, but the part that I’m so proud of is that you are such a great example to the younger girls that a graceful dancer is not just someone who dances well by herself, but is graceful in helping others and encouraging them.

First year of dance - age 2

10th year of dance - age 12

Another thing I love about you is that you always played well with others and had a great time no matter where you were.  You considered everyone a friend, even if you just met them and didn’t even know their name.  You are sweet and considerate but you also tell it like it is.  You can dress up and play tea party one minute and run around playing Nerf Dart wars the next.   You are always making something special for your friends with your hands and from your heart.   You appreciate everything you’ve been given and never complain.  Those you call “friend” are truly blessed.

You are loved by your whole family – grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.  You are loved by your brother who wishes you were little again so he could carry you around all the time, who goes to all your performances and cheers you on, who misses you when you’re away, and says no matter how cute a kid is – no one is as cute as his sister.  You are loved by your dad whose voice softens when he talks to his little girl, who smiles every time he looks at you, even if it’s just your picture,  who is always looking for a chance to spend time with you whether it’s going to the store or making something with wood in the backyard.

Happy birthday to my sweet baby girl.  I always thank God that He chose me to be your mom.  I love you!

These two love birds are getting married next weekend and I cannot wait!  They have so many personal and meaningful elements incorporated into their wedding, put together by people who really love and care about them.  They are blessed, and I am too as I’ve gotten to know them and get to be a part of what’s going to be a great celebration.

Jen Disney, who has known Karen and Andy for years, got to witness the actual proposal and she so graciously shares those images, as well as their awesome engagement session on her blog.  So excited to work with her!

Here's a little peek at Karen and Andy's rustic & red wedding. Jen Disney's images make a beautiful guestbook.

It’s been 21 years since Chrisma and I met and realized we have the same birthday.  Since then we’ve had the most special relationship.  We’ve shared so many wonderful memories over the years and I can’t imagine what my life would be like without her in it.  Last year, to celebrate our birthday with our husbands, who also have their birthdays close to ours, we decided to spend a fun evening together.  We went to see Sinbad!  Back in college, we recorded an HBO special he did  and practically memorized it, so it was awesome to see him in person and share this experience with the Aguilars.  This year, we’re going to see Boyz II Men, reliving a little Motown Philly from back in the day.

Happy birthday my friend!  I’m so glad to be sharing my birthday with you and I look forward to many more years of kickin’ it old school with you!

]]> http://pleasantsurpriseevents.wordpress.com/2011/12/07/happy-birthday/feed/ 3 nelliemun http://pleasantsurpriseevents.wordpress.com/2011/12/07/a-hungarian-tradition/ http://pleasantsurpriseevents.wordpress.com/2011/12/07/a-hungarian-tradition/#comments Wed, 07 Dec 2011 22:16:21 +0000 nelliemun http://pleasantsurpriseevents.wordpress.com/?p=678 ]]> This is the fun that happened in the Sandstrom house yesterday.

December 6-St. Nicholas Day (Szent Mikulas nap) by Eva Sandstrom

Growing up, my sister and I could hardly wait for December 6. This was the feast of St. Nicholas and was our sign that Christmas was just around the corner. In our Hungarian culture, St. Nicholas would visit the house of every boy and girl on this special night. The children would leave their nicest pair of shoes on the front porch in hopes of getting a treat. We knew that if we behaved and were good throughout the year, he would leave us a few pieces of candy, a piece of fruit, or sometimes even a small toy. But if we were naughty we might not get anything but small twigs or tree switches in our shoes. My sister and I would wait anxiously through dinner and hurry through our evening routines so we’d be ready to discover if St. Nicholas truly knew whether we were nice or naughty. Lucky for us were were good girls and our shoes were always filled with nice treats…except once, when St. Nicholas left behind gold painted switches wrapped in a beautiful bow along with the usual candy and goodies. My dad especially liked that year…he couldn’t stop grinning!

When my husband and I had kids of our own, we continued the tradition with them—along with my mom and dad. It was so wonderful to watch this custom passed down through another generation. I loved their excitement and anticipation, just like I remembered feeling when I was young. And even today, with one of our sons off to college, my mom and I still sent him his ‘Mikulas’ package. The strange thing about celebrating the feast of St. Nicholas today is, our kids’ shoes are no longer cute little things—they’re as big as ours!

The holidays are upon us once again…a time to give thanks for all of our blessings and to reflect on another year that has gone by all too quickly.  It also means it’s time to put up the tree and decorations, shop for that perfect gift for everyone on your list, and of course celebrate with your family and friends!

Your calendar is probably filled with holiday events to attend and/or host, so here’s a super easy dish that my cousin, Cecilia, graciously shared with me several years ago.  Ever since I started making this, it’s been requested over and over again and has become a family favorite.  In fact, when I host parties at my house, people look for that black and silver crock pot with the anticipation of enjoying these meatballs not only alone as an appetizer, but as a full on meal paired with a generous serving of rice.

I could say that I shape perfectly round meatballs from scratch with ingredients that I lovingly grow in my own backyard (including the cow).  I could add that I slave over a piping hot stove while crafting the top secret scrumptious sauce, sacrificing precious time spent with my hubby and 3 little dudes all for the pleasure of sharing this one of a kind dish with the ones I love.  But that is all too dramatic!  In reality, I can humbly reveal that all it takes is three simple ingredients and a crock pot.  Yes, just three and you have the rest of the day to do many other things before the big shindig at your house or all the potlucks you are attending.  With the holiday season in full swing, I’m sure you have plenty to do!

By the way, I don’t have a picture of the dish I actually made myself, so I borrowed from another source.

(culinarycircle.com)

Easy Crock Pot Meatballs

1 bag of meatballs

3 cans of chili (Choose any kind you like such as fat free, chunky, with or without beans, or even turkey.   I’ve used anything that was on sale, but my hubby prefers Dennison’s. )

1 jar of grape jelly (32 oz size.  Any brand will do, even generic, because it’s all good!)

Mix all these “gourmet” ingredients together. Set crock pot to 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low.  Mix whenever you get a chance, but even if you don’t it will still turn out delicious!

Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

This is my favorite time of year, full of family and fun.  With so many things going on, the best way to keep the stress level down is to be prepared; make lists, plan menus, shop early.   And while we’re all running around,  we hope everyone will consider safety first.

We never know what might happen and we hope we never have to face a life threatening emergency, but it’s very important to be prepared.   We had the privilege of having Nick Schaumburg, a firefighter/paramedic and owner of FirePro CPR, come out to conduct a CPR/AED class for the PS team.  In about an hour, he taught us how to administer CPR on adults and infants, handle a choking situation and how to use an AED.  He was not only informative and very professional, but he was also very laid back and created a fun environment.  Everytime we hear “Stayin’ Alive”, we will think of Nick and what he taught us.

Thanks Nick for the services you provide through FirePro CPR, and for what you do on a daily basis.

God bless you and your family always!

]]> http://pleasantsurpriseevents.wordpress.com/2011/12/01/safety-first/feed/ 0 nelliemun JKUNG_04916 JKUNG_04919 JKUNG_04923 JKUNG_04915 http://pleasantsurpriseevents.wordpress.com/2011/10/31/no-tricks-just-treats/ http://pleasantsurpriseevents.wordpress.com/2011/10/31/no-tricks-just-treats/#comments Tue, 01 Nov 2011 03:42:04 +0000 nelliemun http://pleasantsurpriseevents.wordpress.com/?p=607 ]]> Last year, a beautiful young lady and her family enlisted our help to have a very cool, very SWEET sixteenth birthday party.   Her only request was that there be a DJ and fruit from Edible Arrangements.  She’s so cute!   The family did their part in preparing their backyard, then we brought in some rentals from Create-a-Party and lots of yummy treats for 100 of her closest friends.

The party was complete with fire pit, benches, a photo area, a chocolate fountain with lots of goodies and a couple of Edible Arrangements, a Halloween themed candy station, a drink station with personalized water bottles, sodas in her colors and hot chocolate with whipped cream and sprinkles, and of course the dance floor with music provided by Just 4 Fun.  If that weren’t enough sweets, she also had a rad cake and lots of cupcakes from Michelle’s Cake House.  We had a basket of popcorn, a little salty to offset all the sweet treats.

Her friends arrived in the best costumes!

The guest of honor is one of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet.  We were so blessed to have been a part of her milestone birthday.  She is now one year older, wiser and ever more beautiful – inside and out.  Happy 17th Birthday Amanda!

Landon is one happy kid!  He’s got the best expressions and his  smile can put anyone in a good mood.  I still have pictures of him in my camera and phone and whenever I need a boost, I look at his cute little face.  Actually, I do that with a few other babies.  I’m a little obsessed with chubby cheeks, those of you with older kids know what I mean.

As always, we had such a great time leading up to and at the party.  Thanks for a great time.  Love you guys!

Venue:  Los Coyotes Country Club

Photography:  Our very own Jessica Kung

Sweet Goodies:  Michelle’s Cake House, Dots Cupcakes, Napoleon’s Macarons

Invites, Banner, Poster, Raffle Tickets, Dol Go-Ims, Favors, Bunting, Centerpieces:  Landon’s Mommy & Daddy & Friends