My Recent Sanity

So...some of the best things about my job are the people I work with, I know that is SO cliche, but, meet Pam........

This is us at a little office outing to Bucca de Beppo where we absolutely stuffed ourselves! Don't get me wrong, this isn't a Pam love fest (love ya Pam!!), BUT it's people like Pam that make my days go smoothly.

I love people that are equally as goofy, but appropriately serious, not afraid to be totally crass or abrasive (becuase trust me, I can hold my own in that department), and have such a kind heart at the same time.......

those are my kinds of peeps :)

Bliss from Blessings #7

• An AWESOME husband that cleaned my yard last night! I came home from a work trip to California and I heard 'our neighbors' raking in their backyard. I thought to myself, "I can't believe they are actually cleaning that mess!" Then, what do my wondering eyes see appear? I tall handsome man in my backyard that's clear! No dog poop, no clippings, no tall grass or tool, just a nice clean backyard...my husbands no fool :)
• Talking to my brother that is serving in the military in Korea. Things are a little sketchy there right now, so it's always nice to chat with him.
• A nice lunch in the office with a new-bee around these parts. We got a good visit in and now I have a new friend!
• I'm so grateful that I get along with my in-laws! I LOVE getting texts from my sister-in-laws. Woot-Woot!
• A nice (FREE) all you can eat dinner tonight with friends. Can't beat that!

Bliss from Blessings #8

Better continue my blessings....I can't just leave 8 sessions out there unfinished!

• Great family time this weekend. I got to see some cousins I hadn't seen in probably 3 or 4 years and it was a good time to reconnect.
• Seeing both moms shine with their fancy new bracelets! It is so fun to make your mom happy!
• Being able to joke around with Tyler. Everytime we goof off I sit back and think how great it is that neither one of us is offended and we can just laugh our head's off.....trust me, we can get ridiculous.
• Having the opportunity to exercise my creative side as I get ready for our youth Girls Camp! Having to keep 30 12-15yr old girls occupied for 5 days can be a daunting task, but it has really stretched me in a good way.
• Maybe I have said this before but I am so blessed to be able to make choices. Tyler and I are choosing to live our lives the way we do and we can choose to live it another way if that starts sounding better. We are blessed to have options.

One Day When I Grow Up

In honor of my mother and in preperation for one day when I too will have such a huge job, I've decided to make a list of some of the wonderful ways my mom has shown me how to be a good mom.

• Sacrificed so we could have the experience. I know paying for swim, dance, and gymnastics was not cheap. She took the time to sign me up for junior forest ranger training, beauty pageants, and 4-H. She drove all over the world to take me to learn how to be a broadcaster, shoot a gun, build a snowman, march in band competitions, and be in musicals. She sacrificed.


• Sang to me. We sang in the car, while we made dinner, before we went to bed, at church, walking around the block. She gave me my voice.


• Made me cook. I hated to cook. She was determined and I dodged her as much as I could, but she eventually won.


• Didn't make things a big deal. I remember being so scared to ask her if could wear makeup. I was about to go to bed and I went in her room, sat on the bed with her and clung her pillow to my chest. She asked me what I wanted to say....I covered my head with the pillow and muttered, "I want to wear makeup". She said, "Okay...."


• Made me pull weeds. She taught me how to work and work hard. I can't count the hot summer days when we raked, shoveled, and pulled weeds on our acre of land. Filling trash bags and wheelbarrows. I remember going in my room and laying under the fan in my undies. Hot and exhausted, but accomplished.


• Let me make choices. There were things I did that I know she didn't agree with, but she knew they wouldn't kill me, so she let me do them. She let me learn from my mistakes instead of protecting me from the life lesson.


• Loved my dad. There were days when I'm sure that was a hard thing to do, but she was an example of unconditional love for my father, which made me understand how much she really loved me.


• Taught me about money. There were plenty of people that made fun of me for having Easter candy at Christmas. I have always loved having a 'stash' and my mom has always supported it. She helped me open my first bank account, made me save, and also taught me to spend. I was always encouraged to buy something after I had saved some money, especially if it was a good deal.


• Spoke frankly. I can never blame my mom for not telling me something, even if I didn't want to hear it. She is open and honest and says what's good for your head, even if it's hard on your heart (and your ears!)

She would tell you she disagreed, but this woman is a REALLY good mom, and continues to influence my life to this day. One day, when I grow up.....