Happy Mother's Day...take two...

Happy Mother's Day, Hot Mama!

I would do (just about) anything to be with you to celebrate today! At least I'll be with you soon and you know I'm always thinking of you :)

A year has gone by and you've done nothing but shown your continual support, love, and affirmation in all that has been thrown my way while we've been apart. Thank you for sharing my tears, laughter, and stories over the phone, email, and through cards and letters.

I could never have asked for a better mom - you have given advice, counsel, and heartfelt understanding in ways that I wonder if I could do in return... you are an inspiration, a role model, a caregiver, and comedian... you are my true Frother :)

You are the perfect example of what sort of mother, wife, and woman that I want to be - you are the backbone of the family, you have faithfulness that will be rewarded, and an outpouring of love towards every person you meet.

As I have watched you over the years, I see so much of Grandma Ar in you and a smile comes to my face (like right now)! What a true embodiment of how love radiates in a humanly form... the stories that you tell of her and the 14 years of memories that I've kept of my own, show how you have continued her legacy of sorts... thank you for being a great example!

I hope you have a great day, mom, and always know that you're on my heart and being loved and thought about daily! Happy Mother's Day - I heart You

Your Sweet Baboo

Girl Time

This past weekend was such great 'girl time' with an old friend from home - ahh...good times :)

Kelli flew in on Friday afternoon to San Francisco and drove over to my place to meet up and hang out with me for the weekend. We had such a great time together and I began to remember why I have always liked her - she is caring, she is a great listener, she is super intelligent, funny, loving, and just easy to get along with... I loved hearing stories about her kids, husband, and her life in general.

We 'met' when we were 3 years old when her grandpa and grandma lived next door to me. (If you remember me talking about Lyle and Kate in previous blogs, this is their granddaughter). I loved it when I would see their 'hot' van pull into the driveway because I knew that we would get to play outside - even though mom and dad would have to 'remind' me that she was there to see her grandma and grandpa and not ME - after all, we did get to see each other at school every day!

The afternoon started off with lots of chatting, reminiscing, and laughing followed by supper at my favorite place across the street - it was a celebration of sorts, so a pazookie was in order! Great food and great company, who can beat that?

She had spent 40 hours awake by the time we decided to call it a night and head to bed! I don't know how she did it... maybe it's because she's a mom and can easily run on fumes, I don't know? :)

Saturday we decided to head down south to a couple wineries (even though we don't drink wine) and scope out a few places - it was beautiful weather and so nice to be outside enjoying the sun with one another. We had a bite to eat and headed off to another winery before heading back up to my place and relax for a while. The drive was really scenic and peaceful (even though she thinks I ran over a rattlesnake on the road) and it was such a nice backdrop for a day of friendship. I could have stayed there for hours...

That night, my friend Jason came over to go out for supper with us and then head to the drive in movies to see Baby Mama...(Woo WOO!). I think she had the excitement that I did when I first went there, but I don't want to speak for her - I still get excited going there! Once he dropped us off, we stayed up until 1am talking some more (I mean seriously, what more can we talk about?!)

Sunday morning we headed off to church and it was so much fun to be able to share my church home with her. On our way out she said, "How can people know that this place is here and not want to attend?" I thought the sermon was great and the music was all acapella that day... something they have never done before. And just for the record, her singing did not sound like a dead jellybean ;) ha ha ha... (I believe I told her than at a very, very young age in music class!)

After church, we headed downtown to Old Sac for some souvenirs for her kids and look around at the sights. There was a Cinco de Mayo celebration going on that was fun to watch, but I think our day was catching up to us and we decided to head out. However, we had to wait 40 minutes just to get out of the parking ramp (well, if you ask her, it was an hour and a half!) and by then, my nerves were just about shot! We headed back here and grabbed a bite to eat and then she started the sad process or repacking so she could head home in the morning. Boo.

Monday morning was the day I was dreading because I knew my little apartment would be empty again - I miss the smell of her perfume, her hugs, her laugh, and just having a best friend to share my time.

Kelli, thanks so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to come see me, comfort me, and love me. Thanks to your husband for taking care of the three little ones and home and knowing when a friend was in need - I appreciate you more than you know or more than words will be able to express. I love you and thank you so much! I'll see you next month, my 30 year friend :)

Pet Peeves

When I was in the shower this morning, I got to giggling about random things that bother me.... nothing major, but you know how things can irritate you and it just makes you grit your teeth or roll your eyes? Like, why do people DO the things they DO?!



Well, here are just a few of my pet peeves...

The sound of fingernails being clipped - gross.

When people leave their turn signals on when they're going around the loop to get on/off the interstate...um, hello, i know you're going left - we're all behind you in a semi-circle...

Going to a public restroom where numerous stalls are available and somebody sits RIGHT next to me. This usually happens at work with me and then I can't go because they're invading my privacy.

Toothpaste left in the sink - and yes, I'm the one leaving it, but when I'm in a hurry to get to work, I don't think about washing it down. Then when I get home, there it is - all crusty - to greet me.

I don't like it when people tell me what kind of a mood I'm in when really, I'm just thinking or concentrating on something. For example, 'Wow, you look really ticked off or upset' - no, that's just my face.

Hair in the bathtub drain. (Again, all me, but still a pet peeve!)

People who don't hold the door open for somebody older than they are... R-E-S-P-E-C-T...

Getting cut off in the grocery store checkout line.

Let me know what YOUR pet peeves are - just so I know I'm not the only crazy one!

Beaming

I have been so proud the last couple of days - proud of my 8 year old nephew and his newest accomplishment. I want to show off just a little bit....

His artwork was featured at an art gallery north of DM and I hear that there were only a couple other 2nd graders who had art displayed, as well. He drew the most perfect butterfly made up of vibrant colors with the sun as his backdrop! I love it and am so proud of him :)

Great job, Keegs - I can't wait to see it in person in a couple of months! I love you!

Changes

This past week has been about changes taking place, being grateful about the lessons learned, and the many experiences that I've had this past year. It's funny how life can hand you all sorts of twists not knowing what's around the corner, but expecting yourself to 'be ready' when things do change.

I have been filled up with grace for the past few days and it's an absolutely great feeling. (Ironically, when I went to church, the sermon was about grace!)

Grace is undeserved favor. I think we're all in need of some grace every now and then!

Grace apprehended always brings us life changes - it helps us to live in freedom and to live in gratitude.

Grace equals gratitude. It's so simple!

I'm grateful for the seasons of change, the people that come and go in my life, and the emotions and feelings that can get caught up in it all. As much as I admittedly hate change, sometimes I need to embrace it and work through those tough areas to get to the desired outcome.

I honestly feel 'free' again... I'm hoping to be able to get back to where I was in life when I moved west over a year ago. Finally rid myself of these ugly insecurities that decide to surface at the most inopportune times. Learn to be content and not take everybody's opinions straight to heart. Welcome future changes... the list could go on and on...

I am so very blessed and grateful for the friends and family that I have in my life - thank you for your words of encouragement and endless love this past week! I couldn't have asked for better peeps to be in my life :)

'Nuff Said

Oh no...

It's happening.... I'm turning into my mother.

I remember calling my mom one afternoon to tell her that I was so upset with myself for "randomly clapping" my hands like she does. For instance, if she is cooking and trying to remember an ingredient and then walks over to get it -clap clap- I think it's just a habit, but the time I found myself doing it, I slapped my own hands.

Well, my latest mom-characteristic is something that I've been trying to ignore, but I can't do it any longer. She can crack open the newspaper and fall asleep within three minutes. We used to tease her and say, "Oh, you're going to 'read' now?? We'll wake you up in a half hour."

"Oh you guys, I'm not tired, I really want to know what's going on in the world," she would say....and then she would be out like a light...zzzzzzz....

Well, the last two nights I've tried to read a book and find myself counting the holes in my eyelids. I never used to do that!? Of course, it doesn't help that I just ate supper and have my little blue buddy (the heating pad) on my back keeping me nice and warm. (I'm so good with justifying any situation.) When in all reality, I'm becoming my mother.

Which, by the way, isn't a bad thing. After all, she is the funny one.