Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Addiction

I occasionally visit the pioneer woman’s website. Today, as I read the title of one post, my heart skipped a beat. It said “Berries for the Fourth.” My mind danced with visions of blackberries. And, sure enough, what I found was several recipes for blackberries. I’ve always loved them, but this year, I love them even more. Maybe more than is healthy. Being pregnant has put my taste for fruit in overdrive. I might have to go to blackberry rehab. I’ve also recently discovered self-serve frozen yogurt shops. I had read about one in Texas a few months ago, and then I noticed about 3 cropped up in our city shortly after. It wasn’t until recently that I walked through the door of one. And now, I’m hooked. I blame it on the fact that of the topping choices, they had lots of fruit, including… Yep, that’s right, BLACKBERRIES. I’ve decided that I’d never take off work if they would pay me in blackberries. I wonder if I could ever get tired of them. This might just be the year I find out.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Ma Familia. Part 1: Oh, Brother

It is my belief that everyone should have a brother. It is also my belief that everyone should have a sister, but I am not the ideal advocate for that, considering I don’t have a biological sister. I have some pretty awesome sisters-in-law, though. From the time I was a child, it has made me a little sad to hear someone say “I’m an only child.” I realize it is possible to grow up with no siblings and turn out to be a happy, well-rounded individual. It’s just impossible for me to truly grasp. I also believe that every girl needs an older brother. I have come to terms with the fact that my girl won’t have one. I’m actually ok with it. I must be growing up. Or it may have something to do with the fact that I am not usually one to worry about things I can’t change.


Whatever the case, I am glad to have had an older brother myself. He taught me things. He took up for me. He took care of me. And, he still does.
Until I transferred to a different college, and moved 2 ½ hours away, I never once paid for auto parts or repair. Labor was never a question, and parts always somehow ended up being a birthday gift, even if my birthday was 8 months away. And best of all, he is a really good mechanic. I’ve never had a car problem that he couldn’t figure out and fix. (In fact, my car is sitting at his house at this very moment.) He’s not just a good mechanic, though. He’s also great with heavy equipment. The guy can drive absolutely anything. And, over the years, I’ve watched him grow into an upright, God-fearing man. He’s a lot like my Dad, and my Grandpa. And, like my Dad and my Grandpa, he’s one of the best friends I’ve ever had. It makes me happy to think my baby girl will grow up having an “Uncle Josh.” I know he’ll be wonderful in that role, and I am anxious to witness it.


Stay tuned for thoughts on my baby brother.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Obsession

There are a few things in life (mainly food items) that I sometimes get hooked on and can’t stop. I go through a period where I eat it often, and then it wears off and I go back to normal life. I don’t eat it for awhile, or don’t eat much of it, until it once again hits me and I start the cycle all over again. It’s been known to happen with Peanut Butter, Sunflower seeds, Twizzlers and there are probably others. Some of them I’m completely aware of the cycle, I just don’t know when it will hit (i.e. peanut butter). Some of them, I am aware that I like, or rather love, but I forget about the obsession until it crops up. And that is what happened to me this week.
My sweet co-worker offered me a couple Twizzlers. And then it happened. I thought about Twizzlers for the rest of the day. I thought about them all day the next day. And then, I bought some. I put them in my desk drawer. And now, every couple of hours, they call to me. It took me 4 work days to eat the whole bag.


It’s awful…or wonderful. Or maybe it’s both.

Friday, June 18, 2010

The Sweetest Thing

That husband of mine, he’s a pretty sweet guy. I am continually aware of that fact. It’s usually pretty hard to overlook. That’s why I was bothered in Sunday school a couple weeks ago.


Our lesson was on marriage. So, each couple was asked a series of questions about their spouse. One of the questions was something along the lines of “What’s the sweetest thing your spouse has ever done for you?” He immediately began writing his answer, and I couldn’t for the life of me think of a good example. I knew there were plenty, but I just couldn’t think of one. I blame pregnancy. It’s done awful things to my brain.

Since then, I’ve felt a little bad for not having shared any good examples of how sweet he can be. It especially bothered me, because I knew there should be plenty to choose from, and yet there I sat with the perfect opportunity to brag on him and I couldn’t think of a thing!

So, today, I’ll share with you a few examples of the sweet nature of my hubby.

• While we were dating in college, he spent a semester in his hometown working, which was about 5 hours away from me. I hated it. Except for the long phone conversations at night.

He would often drive down to take me on a special date, and on one particular occasion sent me flowers at work before he came with a note that simply said, “Can’t wait to see you on Saturday.” I have never forgotten that…or the butterflies I felt.

• Also during that semester, my best friend came back to the states to visit family. She and her husband were missionaries in Poland at the time. I had made plans to drive 11 hours to her mother-in-law’s house in Illinois to visit. Dean drove the 5 hours to get to me, just to get back in the car and drive another 11 hours because he didn’t want me to make such a long trip alone.

• In the (almost) 3 years we’ve been married, I’ve only scraped ice off my car one or two times. He always scrapes my windows before he leaves for work. He’s even stopped by my work during ice storms (on more than one occasion) to scrape my windows before I got off.

• Just this week, he planted a couple rose bushes next to our house, because he wanted to make it feel more like a home for me. (It’s still under construction inside and out and not very homey).

I could list many more, but I’ll spare you. At least now I can now rest easy knowing I didn’t let his efforts and sweet thoughts go without recognition. He really is amazing. Have I mentioned lately that I love him? Because, I do…I love him A LOT.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

A Few of My Favorite…And Least Favorite Things: Home Edition

I have learned that, in construction, nothing ever goes as planned. I have also learned that it strains your marriage, and your patience. I’ve heard that building a house will test a marriage, and that is from people who have sub-contractors do the actual work. Doing the work yourself is a whole new ballgame. And, as many delays as you have when having a house built, you encounter so many more when you do the work yourself and only have evenings after a full day of work, and weekends. This results in being physically exhausted and emotionally drained. Add to the mix a 5th wheel with many problems, no A/C or heat. Then, when you think you’ve had enough, add a pregnancy. This describes my life in the past 9 months.


I am happy to report that I am still happily married. I am also happy to report that, by the grace of God and the generosity of our pastor and his wife, we are no longer residents of a 5th wheel. It is my firm belief that if that were not the case, you would be reading my obituary right now and not a blog post. No air conditioner and being 6 months pregnant don’t mix.

A couple nights ago, I took the time to walk around the property and see it for what it is. I have found that this time of year, it yields things I love, and things I hate. We’ll start with my least favorite and save the best for last. After all, we want to end on a positive note, right?

Least favorite, # 1:
Poison Ivy. I haven’t gotten it this year yet, thankfully. I had it pretty bad last year at two different times, which resulted in two doctor’s visits, shots, steroids, and misery. It represents all the evil in the world.  It prevents me from enjoying the entirety of our property, because I see it and retreat. It’s everywhere.
Least favorite, #2:
Mosquitoes. Need I say more? Although, if I had to choose, I would much rather have mosquitoes than poison ivy.

And, finally, what I DO like about the place.

Favorite, #1:

Blackberries! We don’t have big patches, but we have a few bushes sprinkled here and there. I love blackberries. They remind me of summertime and childhood. And, they're yummy.





Favorite, #2:
He makes me happy. I love that smile, and so much more.
(I told you I was saving the best for last.)