I Believe In Tender Mercies

I believe in tender mercies. Sometimes they're so small that it almost makes me laugh, but I so appreciate them. I experienced one of these small miracles today. Sure, it's one that may make you laugh, and I can accept that, because I laughed too. But I also stopped and thought about how wonderful it is to have a Heavenly Father who answers unspoken prayers.

So, today at work I had an upset stomach all day. Nevertheless, I was starving!  The two didn't mix so well because when I went to eat my lunch, it just didn't sound good at all! I choked down parts of it, and enjoyed a bite or two, but I was still so hungry and nothing sounded good. Then, I remembered that I had been wanting spaghetti for the last couple of days. I don't know why! Spaghetti! It's not even that great. But I wanted it so bad. I kid you not, I honestly thought, "What I would not do for some spaghetti right now." But I was defeated, knowing that there was nowhere around where I could get any.

I finished up the rest of what I could for lunch and headed back to my office still feeling hungry and grumpy. I decided to stop by the break room on the way to get some hot chocolate, even though that didn't even sound that great. As I entered the small break room, and I KID YOU NOT, there was a massive tray of spaghetti with a sign on it that said, "Please help yourself!" Are you serious!? Yes!

I was so happy! I mean REALLY happy. I did help myself, and it was delicious. Then, I walked back up to my office chuckling to myself about the ridiculousness of what had just happened. And then I stopped to think, and although I was laughing somewhat at this point, and am still semi-laughing about this now, I honestly feel like I was blessed with spaghetti. I know we are blessed with the small things that we need, and it is just a sign that we are loved, and we are being looked out for.

Disclaimer: I won't judge you for laughing at this story, but you also have to admit--it's pretty cool.

"I Think It's Cool to Have a Mom"

This is something my mom said to me when she dropping me off at the airport, and it's so true. I love my mom. She is honestly amazing. My trip to St. Louis was tons of fun, but it did end in me being really sick the last two days. Somewhere I picked up a flu-like bug and I could feel it coming on. The biggest disappointments were not being able to go to Bandana's BBQ for fabulous ribs and my favorite applesauce of all time (odd combination, but it works), not being able to go see the Arch, and being forced to lay on the couch all day (although I did enjoy a 'Cake Boss' marathon, and that show is cool!)

But once I started to feel sick--mom to the rescue. My mom made me a bed on the couch, got me a kleenex box, vapo rub, water, orange juice, etc. She was constantly asking me what I needed and bringing me in little meals. She was so attentive! I felt spoiled and told her so as we sat in the airport. "You're the best mom. You took such great care of me!" And that's when she said, "I think it's cool to have a Mom. That's what we're there for, to take care of our children."  I hope that I don't just take and take from my mom--that I give back too, but I just love the idea, that she is always there for me and she WANTS to take care of me when I'm down.

I love my mom and I'm excited to someday be in her shoes and feel that love for my children. Just a little thought for the day.

Here is me, my mom, and her mom (Grandma Wride)

My Brother is SO Cool

So--every family has those traditions that they think are so cool and fun because they've grown up with them. They never get lame, because they've been cool forever and that's how they are going to stay. My brother, Jeff, is solely responsible for keeping one of those traditions alive, even as we all grew up and left the house--and that is why he is so cool.

When he was a little kid he started 'Specialty Theater.' He would pick a movie, make a treat, set up all the seats and charge a minimal entrance fee (50 cents or so). Today, it has evolved to a full fledged evening of fun complete with theme song, preview DVD and a program. Ha! The price has gone up too, but it's worth it to carry on tradition!

Here's Jeff before the show. Please note the PAJAMA pants and TIE. A true business man always has to look the part, right? ;)

Trip Home To See the Fam!

I love my family! Last week I took a trip "home" to St. Louis. It was my first time visiting this house since they moved last year. Loved it! I should have taken more pictures, but we've proven this is not my strong point.

My family is so funny.
We laughed and laughed about inside jokes and funny things we did as kids.
And we reminisced about my brother Ben who is on a mission and we all miss tons!
I took a grand tour of the house, the neighborhood, the city, the church and wherever else we went.
I helped my dad set up his new exercise bike that he got for Christmas.
We watched old movies from my childhood (Yours, Mine and Ours with Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda). Favorite quotes: "Helen, you've been the victim of an alcoholic Pearl Harbor." "I was kinda mad, so I HAD to push her." "I don't care if he does look like Paul Newman."
We went to my brother's basketball game (they won by a lot).
My parents have this amazing sledding hill behind their house that I desperately wanted to try out, but by the time I was pumped up for it the snow was gone!
I enjoyed all the food that my parents have that I won't allow myself to buy--bagels with cream cheese! (used to have a semi-addiction).
I ate my mom's home cooked meals, and I RELAXED. So fun!

I am realizing that most of the few pictures I did take were on Jeff's camera. We'll see if I can get them somehow. I did get one amazing picture--German Pancakes in all their glory!

The Peanut Butter Incident

I pride myself in simple joys. I don't need all the fanciest, most entertaining things to be happy. All I need are a few little things that I take joy in.

One of those things is being the first person to put a knife into the peanut butter. Slightly pathetic? I don't care. I love it! It's not something that happens every day. It's not something that happens every week. This is something that only happens every few months--which means, IT'S A BIG DEAL!

So, last Saturday we ran out of peanut butter. Tragedy? In my world, yes. A grocery store trip was in order. A twin pack of Jif (yes, Jif. The only acceptable brand of Peanut Butter) was purchased. And what do I find only a few minutes later????

Who could have done such a thing? I'd say the answer is pretty clear.

Christmas Tree Bonfire

How cool! Christmas tree bonfire at the beach! Some of the guys brought Christmas trees and we had a big bonfire last weekend. Naturally, I brought Capri Suns, per tradition. S'mores were enjoyed. David ate three hotdogs. Good times. Thanks to the families who planned it!

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah

Yeah, yeah, yeah. There's been some blog slacking. I'd like to blame it on someone else, but, alas, I cannot. So here we are. We had a great Christmas Break. We decorated. We sang Christmas carols. We watched Miracle on 34th Street. We went to Knottsberry Farm for Free. We saw the lights at Disneyland. Then, we went to Boise and spent a week and a half with David's family.

Highlights of the Trip: Getting to see our wonderful family (the girls were cute/hilarious)! Buying a new car (A Camry. Way to go, David. I contributed nothing)! Skiing! Cafe Rio! 50% Off at GAP! Caroling! Visiting my old job! Seeing some old friends! Using Walkie Talkies! 52 Second Average Wait Time at the Boise DMV! Winning the Bean Game! FONDUE!

Non-Highlights of the Trip: Driving home all 16 hours by myself (had to drive both cars back!)! Coldness! Breaking a glass of water all over the decorated New Year's Eve table (sweet move, Melissa)!

Whew, that was a lot of exclamation marks, but it really was a blast. I was so busy enjoying that I failed to take many pictures. Here's what I have. You can imagine the rest--just make sure you imagine it looking really fun and relaxing.