Latest Word on the Street

GUESS WHAT!!!!!!!!!

Todd's arm is finally healed!!!!! He just went to the doctor today and was told he can start therapy and he doesn't have to wear the brace anymore!!!!!!! Wow I'm so happy for him!  He said it did feel a little crazy to go 4 long months with it being broken and then to walk out of the doctors office today without the brace.  I can't even express how grateful I am for all the prayers and blessings that helped so much along the way.  Most importantly, I'm so grateful to my Heavenly Father for keeping us all positive and teaching us a few lessons a long the way.  

Tonight, we CELEBRATE!!!!  (Partially, since Todd still has a ton of homework... dang school ruining everything)

St. Geezy

A weekend or so ago Todd and I followed the sun to St. George for his nephews' baseball tournaments.  Was I happy to have a nice vacation and miss a little work? You betcha!  Was I even more happy that I'd be able to spend it with this guy and his fantastic family?

Overjoyed :] 

*Todd only looks a little stoned because he was the responsible one this time and was trying to keep his eyes on the road.... my bad *

Well, when the Oakey's say they are going to watch baseball, they stick true to their word.  That's what we did, watch baseball non-stop for 3 days.  Before I left for the weekend, I heard a lot of jokes about how torturous it would be to watch that much baseball, but I didn't experience that feeling once.  I loved every second of it!  I have to say, I've always had a strange hidden love for watching these games, even back when Karlie used to play softball.  I used to go to every one of her games by myself just to watch her play. 

It's only strange because none of us ever played baseball or softball,

and my brothers barely made it through t-ball. 

I just love being out in the sun, cheering for a team, and hangin out with the fans/family.  Most of those watching the games are well seasoned ball game fans and know how to watch a game.  They come prepared with as many bags of seeds as the closest Maverick had in stock, camping chairs, blankets, snacks, and plenty of cheering.  They remind me of my parents when they used to come to my soccer games, and I think that's why they pull at that special spot in my memory bank. 

Watching baseball this time was a truly interesting experience because for the longest time I've listened to Todd talk about how baseball is really more complicated than most people realize.  He would try to rant with me about how most people don't know the complexities of the game, but these rants ended quickly when all I had to contribute was my "wow this is all going over my head, but I'll smile and nod anyways" face.  Todd coaches one of his nephews and was there coaching the whole time.  I had tagged a long to a few of his practices and was really excited to see how they played in a game, and to see how Coach Todd was.  For most of the games, I got to sit right behind Todd by the team box (still working on the lingo....) and have him coach me probably just as much as he coached his team.  He would walk me through all the scenarios, tell me why they did certain things, and maybe most importantly how to chew/spit seeds like a pro.  I even spit enough seeds to know that cracked pepper remind me of chicken ramen and to be able to declare that the barbecue ones are my favorite!  with dill pickle following so close behind    I got to joke around with the team and cheer them on all weekend and I have to say, there is something about team sports.  I LOVE the atmosphere of them and how everyone is working together to take home the win.  It's so easy to get hooked in, and I don't even have any blood relation to any of these 12 year olds.

It's a good thing I enjoy watching baseball, especially if I want to keep hanging around the Oakeys and Averetts.  So far I've passed, and it wasn't even painful! I can't wait until summer.

P.S. Epic fail on my part for forgetting I had my camera the whole time. Maybe I'll draw us some nice pictures instead.... na, we're just going to have to make another trip soon!

Eternal Investigator joins Eternal Family

Jordan emailed us today and said that he was able to baptize their eternal investigator this past week!!!!  Jordan's first baptism and it happened to be an investigator that has been looking in to the church since before 1998!  We are all more than excited for this new member of our family and also so excited that Jordan got his first baptism!  He's doing so well, completely immersed in the gospel and I can tell he has grown so much! I'm so proud of him, and honestly can't even wait until he comes home. We're almost to the year mark!!! crazy.

Keep up the work little brotha.

Lesson #12

Today I went the extra mile and decided to color code some documents for our client to sign -to make them easier to keep straight.  When I met with the client today, I explained what I had done with a proud tone in my voice.  Sweetly, our client said, "Well I'm sure that looks really great!  The only problem is that I'm color blind."

Note to self:  Check before jumping on my over-achiever tendencies.  

Soooooo gooooood

Over the weekend I decided to pick a Pinterest desert and give it a try!  I present to you....... my new favorite treat! 

Oreo Truffles

Don't they look amazing?  To let you in on a little secret, they taste like 44 bajillion million catrillion times better than they look!  They are a little messy to make, but TOTALLY worth it in the end.  I'm telling you, go to the store tonight, get these few ingredients and try them out!  You will not be sorry! 

That is unless you don't go make them, then you'll for sure be sorry.

Next up:  Either Chicken Parmesan Bake or Lasagna Soup!

Bonus!

Today has been a beautiful, sunny, marvelous day and I've loved every second of it! To take advantage of this time, I decided to clean my car.  (Having people squish in my back seat around all my crap this morning also helped motivate this idea......)  I cleaned out all the stuff and then headed out on the town for some errands and to end with a nice bath for Veronica. It's definitely a windows rolled down, red Ray-Bans, music blasting kind of day - one that you take a mental picture of and visit on the cold winter days.  I can't help but smile when I think of how much I love the warm sunshine. 

Feeling pretty great, I pulled in to take my spot in line to get my car washed.  Luckily there wasn't another car behind me because when I got up to pay I realized that the machine only took exact cash and couldn't give back change.  So, I quickly maneuvered my way backwards and over to the gas station to get change.  Running in and running back out, armed with Big Red gum (I was feeling the red today- I chose my red Vans this morning :] ) I hurried back to the car wash before anyone could steal my spot.  I paid, and proceeded to pull forward - as the sign indicated I should. 

Oh did I leave out the part about how I rolled up my window to then watched the water show? 

Yeah, well you see that's because I forgot to roll up my window. 

epic fail.  

I also didn't get a second to watch the water show because I was too busy getting soaked and splashed in the face.......

Silly me, I must have pressed the car wash + nice cold shower button. 

Also, you know how everyone is worried about getting their fingers cut off from how fast their automatic windows roll up?  Well I would have loved to have that worry because I needed that speed.  I got another 2 buckets full to the face before my window finally reached the top.  Once it did, I just sat there in the puddle, water running down my legs, face, arms, steering wheel, rear view mirror, etc. and tried to "soak" in what had just happened. Then it clicked and I busted out laughing.  It was a good thing I was the only one in the car because they too would have been soaked.  Those car wash soakers have power!  Thankfully I took out my printer, typewriter and stash of clothes before I got a car wash. whew. I did have a towel in my trunk so I climbed to the back seat to get through the trunk and started to clean up the damage.

Honestly, it was probably an interesting sight for those in the McDonald's drive through line to see Veronica come out of the car wash all clean and beautiful and then to see me get out sopping wet. haha

Maybe I'll try to do my part and make the world a better place and put a warning sign before you enter the car wash.  I know I could have used a "Hey blondie, roll up your window before you drive forward" sign today.

Nice Little Reminder

"Yesterday is history,

Tomorrow is a mystery

and

Today is a gift;

That is why we call it the present."

-Babatunde Olatunji

I saw this quote today and instantly added it to my list of favorite quotes.  It's good to keep my perspective in check or else I can easily get caught up in worrying about the future.  However, today I will try to keep the worrying to a minimum and be happy with my present.

Shake Secrets

Todd, you still take the #1 spot on the "Things I Love" list, but this guy is definitely in the running for 2nd place. Chocolate cake batter ice cream with Reese's peanut butter cups. What?!  Yeah it's the greatest sensation to hit the Shake market since Iceberg's Strawberry shake with almonds, and hot fudge (plus it's better AND a lot cheaper).  Interested in something a little less chocolaty but just as awesome?  Try any of their pie shakes (peach pie, banana cream pie, key lime pie, mixed berry pie, etc.) or their cheesecake shakes filled with mounds of mini cheesecake bites.  Now that you will be completely distracted from anything you planned to do today until you find one of these lovely shakes, I'll let you in on the secret.  Firehouse in Springville.  The burger and fries joint that has been so many different burger and fries joints (including my favorite: Brand-X) that I can't even begin to name them all.  Luckily, Firehouse has my family to keep them around for awhile.  We've started our own little mini fan club and continue to make multiple trips to visit each week.

As a side note, I do want to say that if you're looking for some more amazing shakes, but would rather hit up the Provo scene - check out Sammy's.  Back in my 200 club days, we went there every Tuesday after bowling league.  Nerds? Debatable.  Happily filled with delicious shakes and camaraderie? Most definitely.

I'm Like a Firefighter

What do I have in common with those strong, buff, courageous, heroic, brave, firefighters that dedicate their lives toward the greater good? Well, actually none of the descriptions above.  Just that we both save lives. nbd.    

I got a call today from the Red Cross saying that I've saved 21 people by donating my lovely AB negative.  WOW!  Don't worry, I don't say this to toot my own horn, but rather to hopefully light a fire under each one of your bottoms so that you will run and give blood! People are waiting for you, people are waiting for me! 

*Also, as a side note.  I heard that if you donate as often as allowed (every 8 weeks), then it's like an oil change on your heart.   I'm sure that pumper will appreciate the maintenance.   So if you don't want to donate blood to save the dying people (maybe you recently helped an old lady cross the street and that filled your service quota), at least do it for yourself ;)*