This very moment

I've read 'this very moment' posts on other people's blogs- so yes, I am borrowing this cute idea. I take no credit for it whatsoever. I just love the idea of taking a snapshot of my life and writing it down so that I can look back on it years from now and remember how good life was- and hopefully still will be!

At this very moment....

I am eating a very delicious sandwich- turkey on wheat with Swiss cheese, with a side of kettle cooked sea salt and vinegar chips. Yum!

I am wearing my most favorite necklace. It's so simple.

It is so quiet in my house that I can hear the fridge running and the clock ticking. I love it!

I am recovering from a 12 hour shift at the hospital- will my feet ever get used to being on them for that long?

I am still in awe at how well Nicole's talk went last night at the youth Stake fireside. What an awesome young lady she is!

I am waiting for the dough to rise so I can make homemade rolls to go with the BBQ ribs we are having for dinner.

It is sunny and 52 glorious degrees.

I have two books waiting to be picked up at the library that I am very excited about.

I am looking forward to spending time with friends at lunch this week.

I have lots of hangnails- I need to drink more water.

I am working on my Sunday School lesson. It's always a work in progress- and always hanging over my head!

I am feeling that 'spring cleaning' bug.

I am reading a book about slavery and am wondering how this ever became an acceptable way to treat another human being?

I am trying to come up with a fun theme for girls camp.

I am texting Nicole. :)

I am doing laundry and enjoying the clean smells drifting through my home.

I am very content.

Random

Here's some random for your Friday....

I woke up to snow this morning....boo!
But then the sun started shining like crazy and melted the white stuff away....yay!
I am reading a book about Julia Child.
It makes me want to cook fancy dishes and travel to France.
A lady walking down the hall at the hospital said she loved my hair and asked me where I get it cut.
I needed that.
I think my hair is hideous right now.
I hate growing it out.
I am doing it for my main squeeze.
I hope he appreciates the pain and agony it is causing me.
But he's worth it.
I got offered a job last night....while I was AT work.
A doctor at the hospital asked me to come work for him in his office.
Hmmmm.
I have girls camp on the brain.
Time to get things rolling.
My shoulder muscles just tensed up a bit. :)
I love the color green.
I have lots of leafy green decorations out right now.
The color green means hope to me.
I love hope.
I heard Erik singing along to some churchy tunes that were playing on the radio on Sunday.
It made my heart smile.
I am pretty sure there was a smile on my face too.
Speaking of smiles, you should have seen my face when Isaac came back to our bench after passing the sacrament on Sunday (for the first time!).
Ear to ear I tell you.
I love that boy.
He is so much fun to hang out with.
He has the best sense of humor.
I hate bed bugs.
Have I told you our bed bug story?
Nope.
And there is a good reason for that.
I can't think about it right now.
Hurry! Change the subject!
Great. Now I can't think of anything else.
I'm itching all over.
You probably are now too.
Sorry.
I'll end now.
Have a happy and blessed day!
A scam artist from Jamaica with a very thick accent said that on Erik's answering machine at work yesterday (after telling him he had won 1.5 million U.S. dollars AND a Rolls Royce) and now I'm going to say that to everyone I meet.
Yes, I hope you have a happy blessed day my friends.
Has a cute ring to it, don't you think?

Blessed

For those of you who have children who are of driving age, you will know what I mean when I say that you hold your breath, and pray continuously until you hear them walk through the front door and you know that they are safe.

At the same time, your heart does a flip when you see their cell phone on your caller ID when they are out and about.

Whenever I answer the phone when Nicole is out, I anxiously wait to hear the tone of her voice on the other end of the line. I am always hoping to hear a, "Hi mommy!" instantly telling me all is well.

Friday night, the call came and I found myself holding my breath waiting for her greeting. My worst fear was on the other end of that line.

"Mommy! We were just in an accident! Someone hit us!"

She was hysterical, sobbing and very upset. I did my best to find out the details- making sure no one was hurt, which thank heaven's everyone was OK, and then told her to call 911.

And then I waited for her to come home.

I read something today that put exactly how I felt into such beautiful words.

"When our comings and goings are framed by prayers of safekeeping, returning is a special blessing." (Kate Braestrup)

And that is exactly how we are feeling about this weekend. So blessed.

The Man Cave

Welcome to the Man Cave.

Isaac's birthday party this year was All Things Men.

There was a variety of 'manly' contests to entertain his guests....rootbeer chugging, best burp, push ups, pull ups, who could eat the most anchovies and sardines, just to name a few.

My favorite contest was who could make the best facial hair. The boys were given black paper, scissors and tape. I wish I could show the picture- it is SO funny! But I haven't asked the parent's permission....you'll just have to trust me. It was so great. There were side burns, unibrows, beards and mustaches of all shapes and sizes. Oh my!

And what were the prizes?.....Only the most manly things would do for these little men.
I can't believe my little man is 12! But he is. It says so right on his Chocolate Bunt cake. :)
A special thanks to Erik, the manliest of men, for running the show and for taking the pictures. I was at work and would have missed it all if he hadn't snapped all these great photos. Thanks hunny!

Hugs and Kisses

The annual dinner for my loves....
flowers from Erik....
and from Isaac....

Here's hoping that your house looked like Cupid threw up all over it too.

Happy Valentine's Day friends!

Nineteen Years

once there was a boy named erik and a girl named becky.

his young life was filled with crutches, bruises and pain as he learned how to live with his bleeding disorder. her young life was carefree as she spent hours upon hours dreaming of the man she would someday marry.

he wondered if anyone would be willing to marry him because of his health problems. she happily dreamed about her future.

she was in high school. he was just home from his mission. she instantly fell in love. he liked her legs and her long hair. she dumped her high school boyfriend. he asked her on a date. she knew it was love.

he was afraid to tell her about his health problems. she dreamed of her wedding day. he worried. she loved this boy. he loved her so much he was afraid to lose her.

she kept hinting she wanted a ring. he got up the courage to tell her about his health concerns and what it would mean for the future. she tried to be strong and said they would deal with it together. he was so relieved.

she told her mom with tears streaming down her face and worry in her voice. he bought her a ring. she had to convince her parents everything would be ok. he asked her to marry him. she said yes.

he took her to the temple. she saw eternity in his eyes. he said he loved her. she cried and said she loved him too.

and she still does....

This love story began over 19 years ago. I have now had the pleasure of being married to this amazing man for exactly half of my life. 19 wonderful years of being his bride.

I am so thankful that he chose me. I am thankful that he is always encouraging me to live my dreams, that he lets me be who I am- and that he loves who that person is.

He listens to my worries and fears (and there are so many!) and patiently helps me work through them. He has been forgiving and understanding when the laundry hasn't been done, or dinner isn't on the table when he gets home, or the house isn't as clean as is should be- because he knows that this 'dream' of mine is taking up precious time that used to be filled with being a homemaker.

He is an amazing example of service, charity and compassion. He has the best sense of humor and is so fun to be around. He is a great dad, a wonderful brother, a considerate friend. He still lives with pain and worries, but he never complains or voices his concerns. He lives each day to the fullest and is an example to all who know and love him.

Happy 19th anniversary to you- my dear husband. It has been my honor to be by your side, to grow up with you, to learn life's lessons hand in hand with you and I look forward to spending the rest of our lives together- for the best is yet to come!

Twelve

I can't believe it. He's twelve years old.

He is now the proud owner of a cell phone.

And owner of an xbox game that he bought with his birthday money from his grandparents.
We picked it up tonight...... I only wish my camera had done a better job catching his little 'happy dance' as he came out of the store.
Here are twelve things I love about Isaac (in no particular order)

1. His dimples. I live to see those dimples!
2. He is so thoughtful. He will often give me a shoulder rub- just because.
3. His laugh! It is so contagious. I am going to miss his girly giggle when his voice changes. :)
4. I love that he still wants to be tucked in at night.
5. He is a great help in the kitchen.
6. He's a hand holder. I love that.
7. He will let me put my cold hands on the back of his neck.
8. He is a wonderful middle child. When he tries, he can be best friends with his big sister and his little brother.
9. He is so smart! I wish I could say his math skills came from me but....
10. He is so excited to receive the priesthood and to be able to pass the sacrament.
11. He is starting to like girls. For some reason I just adore this stage!
12. He reads books with me. He snuggles up right next to me and just lets me read and read to him. It's my favorite!

Happy Birthday my boy!