Blessings

It's a well known fact that life is not predictable. That most (if not all) of us end up living a life that is so very different than what we imagined when we were young and impressionable. I mean really, is there a single person that you went to High School with who has ended up exactly how/who/what/where they imagined? I doubt it. But I think we can all look at life and see numerous beautiful things and amazing opportunities that they wouldn't have dreamt of.

For the last several weeks I've been babysitting this little munchkin three days a week. Today as Squirt sat and read books with her, my heart just filled with incredible awe and I was taken back with appreciation for the little things I wouldn't have predicted in my life.

I'm grateful that not finding a job means I get to be home every day when Squirt gets off the school bus. I'm grateful that we are here in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest and that the sun continues to shine sporadically, despite the rumors I've heard from neighbors. I'm grateful for mutually beneficial arrangements that are truly answers to unspoken prayers, and I'm grateful that my Squirt gets to be around younger children and have the chance to play and be silly with them while at the same time being her extremely compassionate self. And I'm doubly grateful that our two Squirts will get to be together again in less than two weeks. (Even though that sentence started with a conjunction and I'm actually selfishly anxious for Little Squirt's arrival because I miss her something fierce.)

Last week I was in a pretty deep funk and I still can't figure out why. This weekend I tried to re-focus on the good things in my life in order to implement a self-issued attitude adjustment. As a result blessings have been on the mind lately, but it struck me hard today as I watched this moment unfold. Life catches us by surprise continuously, but it can be a most beautiful thing.

Friday

It's one of those days where I feel like saying something. I feel like finding something personal and moving to shout out with passion and enthusiasm. I feel like baring my soul and sharing the deepest innermost parts of who I am, and being at peace with the complete openness. 


However, I can't think of what to say. 


I ought to blog about our lives and I ought to tell you how awesome life is (it really is). I ought to take gobs of pictures and do crazy projects with Squirt and share the recipes I've been playing with, but instead I sit here quietly, my mind a blank state.

The Hubs and I had one of our bi-monthly date nights last night. That is something we have made a priority and I'm soooo glad we have. Usually we get one hour to ourselves every other week when Squirt goes to a girls activity group through church. We make the most of that hour. Last night was Mezza Luna Pizzeria and it was quite tasty (though maybe not quite as much as the most awesome pizzeria in Victoria). Mostly though my selfish side loves that it's time when the PhD is in the background and we get to be just us. It doesn't last long, but it's so very worth it.

In that spirit, happy Friday everyone! May your weekend greet you joyously with the rest and respite from stress that you may be in need of.

Our first non-traditional Thanksgiving...

This year found us childless. Both were with their other parents and we had a few days to ourselves, which is a little uncommon these days. We decided to get the heck out of Dodge and take a small trip. Since Squirt flew out from Portland Wednesday night, we took that as a cue to head northward.

Leaving Portland we drove toward Port Angeles with a couple stops on the way. Unfortunately, I was attacked by a vampire as we passed through Forks. It rained the majority of the time we were driving and we unexpectedly ran into some snow in Olympic National Park. It came completely out of the blue and didn't last very long. In Port Angeles we picked up some Jack in the Box burgers for Thanksgiving dinner. Don't fret, we did the turkey/stuffing/mashed potatoes/pie thing last weekend before Squirt left on her trip.

Port Angeles is a darling little town. From there we boarded a ferry bound for Victoria, B.C. We were expecting rain the entire weekend but found we had clear skies (and even sunshine) most of the time.  Victoria is beautiful. I think it's weaseled it's way into my soul and made me feel at least partially Canadian at heart.

The Butchart Gardens in Victoria are stunning. They were getting ready for the 12 Days of Christmas holiday display and once we figured out what all the random statues were supposed to be about we had to start at the beginning again and make sure we'd found them all.

After taking the ferry back to the states we spent a day in Seattle without taking any pictures, as unbelievable as that is. We drove up to the North Cascades and found the rain that we had escaped all weekend. Then we headed to Mt. Rainier but sadly didn't get to see the mountain as low clouds and snow took visibility down to an extremely minimal distance. No biggie. It was great to go and we've added some new locations to our summer camping bucket list.

This weekend added more things for us to be thankful for. Despite being a fairly atypical Holiday, we had a marvelous time and wouldn't change a thing.

Turkey Day and the Things I am Thankful for...

This may sound like I am copying what my incredible wife did earlier today, but so be it. Never in a million years, would I imagine the twists, turns, ups and downs that my life has taken over the past 12 months. Having said that, I wouldn't change a single thing.

So in honor of turkey day, here is what I am thankful for.

1. My indescribably, amazing and beautiful wife who complements me so well.
2. Ellie-girl who I miss everyday, and whom without life doesn't feel quite complete. So I am completely ready for the three weeks we get to spend with her next month.
3. Squirt, who is one of the sweetest children I have ever met in my life. She cares about everyone and everything.
4. BYU sports. I am addicted what can I say?
5. The University of Oregon, its Human Physiology Department, and everyone involved with the Cardiopulmonary and Respiratory Lab.
6. Loving what I do. 
7. While I will never believe for a moment that I should have been laid off by that company that has that annoying Flo chick, I am thankful for the opportunities that have come into my life as a result.
8. California State University, Fullerton's kinesiology department. Seriously... I don't know how I could have accomplished what I did, in the time I did without the help of Dan, Jason, Jeremy, Caitlin, Carolyn, Barry, Dr. Brown, Dr. Coburn and everyone else that helped so I could push through my M.S. program in such a short time.
9. For having a place of my own. It is a little, okay, a lot, sobering to look back and realize that from August 2009 - August 2011, I was for all and intents and purposes homeless.
10. For constantly being surrounded by people that were crazy enough to let me live with them over the past couple years.
11. Beautiful falls in August
12. Being able to get a full night's rest. I don't have exact values, but I know the number of nights I have slept through the entire night this year (especially the last few months). I am not sure I had one of those nights at all from 2008-2010.
13. For getting a paycheck every month that does come from the unemployment office.
14. Five words - Starbucks Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
15. My incredible parents, brothers and sister's-in-law, nephew and nieces. We are screwed up in our own special way, but we are pretty freaking awesome
16. The love of cooking that my parents instilled me at a young age. That has been such a blessing and now I get to share that passion with my wife and daughters.
17. For GPS, which allowed us to bypass the insane traffic that was between Eugene and Portland, allowing us to get Squirt to the airport so she could see her dad for Thanksgiving.
18. Kim and her family. They are all amazing people, and I am thankful for all that they do in helping to raise Ellie when I am not around.
19. Pre's Trail
20. Falling asleep every night next while my wife snuggles next to me
21. All-Clad cookware and Williams Sonoma
22. The fact I don't get AMS
23. Autzen Stadium, its atmosphere and the fact that "It never rains in Autzen!"
24. My wife for handling my innate ability to get tunnel vision and my analytical side
25. For silly goals like seeing as many temples as possible (52... 50 of them with Ellie-girl), and visiting every national park (13 and counting)
26. Homemade pasta
27. Having fresh rolls nearly every Sunday night for dinner
28. Alton Brown, Giada de Laurenitis and Bon Appetit
29. Ducks athletics, because it helps to fill the void of not being able to go to BYU sporting events
30. My 2001 Nissan Xterra. If it can last until I graduate with my PhD, then I will be extra thankful
31. Running. My love, and stress reliever for the past 3-1/2 years
32. Ryan, Megan, Mike, Jaimee, Royce and Kristin and their families
33. ESPN3
34. Italian food
35. No sales tax in Oregon
36. For the University of Alabama also accepting me into their PhD program, this giving me piece of mind for the a few months, because I knew I would be going to school somewhere
37. Our incredible new friends and ward here in Eugene. The transition to Oregon has been much easier because of them. 
38. Being able to walk to school everyday
39. For the road bike I will one day get as my graduation present to myself for getting my M.S.
40. I have been extremely healthy this year. There have only been about 3 days I have been sick all year.
41. Tom and Lois
42. The quarter system. 
43. Being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
44. Back rubs from my wife
45. Endless possibilities
46. Subscription to Bon Appetit
47. Eugene Saturday Farmer's Market
48. Being an American. Yes things are screwed up here, but I enjoy the freedoms and blessings I am afforded by being an American.
49. BYU football and basketball, California Angels, San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Manchester United. Stupid sports teams that generally provide me instants of joy throughout the year
50. For the trip that Michelle and I are going to take in about 30 minutes.

Life is good, what more can I say?

50 Things I am Thankful for v.2011

Those who knew me in my previous life, may remember that each year at Thanksgiving I blog a list of what I am thankful for that year. 50 things actually, some of which I find remain quite constant throughout the years. This is merely a beginning as I have so very many things to be thankful for.

This year especially.

I didn't know one year ago that my life would take the turns it has. 2011 has brought more dramatic changes than pretty much any other year of my life but they have all been welcome and even sought after. My list this year reflects those changes. Some are silly, some are serious, but all have contributed in some way to my joy this year.

In case you are curious, you can see previous years here: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. 

1. The seemingly endless crimson autumn leaves in the Pacific Northwest.
2. Neighborhood clothing swaps that give new life to one's wardrobe.
3. Time to indulge in creative endeavors. 
4. The most amazing husband who ever lived. 
5. Looking into the laughing eyes of my precious baby girl. 
6. Adding another precious angel into my family and expanding the definition of my role as mother. 
7. Hot glue guns.
8. Peacock feathers. 
9. Starbucks salted caramel hot chocolate. 
10. Tide pools and freezing cold waves. 
11. The increasingly rare moments when sunlight floods in our bedroom window. 
12. A realtor who works his derriere off on my behalf.
13. Surprise job opportunities that surface as answers to unspoken prayers. 
14. High thread count sheets and new bedding. 
15. Personal spirituality. 
16. Building amazing friendships in a staggeringly short period of time. 
17. Glorious Silpats, which take my baking to a new level of enjoyment. (Thanks, Debbi!)
18. Dishwashers - which I have learned to appreciate anew due to our lack of one. 
19. The wealthy whatever percent who spend their money when the rest of us don't have any - creating numerous jobs and sustaining our economy.
20. My cordless drill, which has found it's way into projects despite living in an apartment. 
21. Squirt riding her bike.
22. Crazy critter shapes in clouds. 
23. Warm socks with no holes in the bottom. 
24. Health insurance.
25. Amazon.com free shipping. 
26. Pinterest (There, I admit it).
27. Giant, warm bear hugs. 
28. Perfecting the art of buttery dinner rolls. 
29. Morning runs that allow me to indulge in the illusion of control.
30. The Eugene Saturday Market with the smell of freshly roasted chillies, bakery treats, shallots the size of a small human head, tomatoes to die for and sweet Walla Walla onions.
31. Fun, dangly earrings. 
32. Being friends with endlessly creative people who inspire me to trust my own ideas while also filling me with awe at theirs. 
33. University sporting events - as much as I never thought I'd say that. 
34. The way my spirit of wanderlust and His Hotness's sense of planning and analyzing work together to create lives filled with adventure. 
35. Daydreams.
36. The Kitchen Aid mixer. Enabling lives for the better since whenever the blessed thing was invented. 
37. Mommy-bloggers who aren't afraid to share their heart and soul, so the rest of us feel like we aren't completely crazy or alone in this business of raising little people. 
38. Ferry rides.
39. The National Park Service. 
40. Being able to take 42,000 pictures on a digital camera in search of the one that turns out just right.
41. Eternal families. 
42. An able body and mind, capable of acquiring knowledge and gaining skills in proportion to my willingness to try.
43. Public education - a privilege, not a right. 
44. Reliable transportation.
45. Bridges with tons of brightly painted support lines. 
46. The absolute blast of flavor imparted by a sprinkling of fresh thyme, rosemary, or basil.
47. Bon Appetit magazine. 
48. Purple nail polish. 
49. Lindt Intense Orange chocolate bars - my new favorite. 
50. Loving the life I live and making the choices to be certain that it stays that way. 

Happy Thanksgiving!
What are you thankful for?

Lady Ducks B-ball

Friday nights are fantastic. We often spend weekends at some Duck event or another. One perk of activities being included in student fees is that now we feel like we can go to games whenever we want and it's totally free. Even though it was paid for. Anywho...

Squirt takes her stuffed duck to most of the games. Tonight she packed it into this stinking cute owl bag I just finished for her that I affectionately refer to as my I-saw-it-on-pinterest-and-actually-made-it bag; And His Hotness made his characteristic serious face for the photo op.

We sat at the baseline (or as non-sports people call it - the skinny end) of the court and were in the second row. The cheerleaders sat right in front of us and Squirt spent the entire evening deciding whose hair looked most like hers and who she wants to be like when she's a teenager. Um, yes. I might cry.

At halftime there was an elementary unicycle club that displayed their skills. The group twirled and circled to the Star Wars theme and it was especially cute to see how little some of them are and how capable they are. Of course, the collisions were pretty awesome too :)

I didn't take a single picture of actual basketball or think of the self-portrait until we were back at the car. Clearly we aren't all in focus - but it's the best there was.

 

You'll just have to believe me that we won 77-74 over Illinois. Go Ducks!

Recent artistic expression

Squirt loves to draw. It's really convenient actually since it's an easy way to keep her busy while I'm making dinner or something else. Oh, who am I kidding, His Hotness usually cooks dinner and Squirt often draws all over her homework when she's supposed to be working on multiplication. I still get a kick out of the pictures.

Squirt and I have been talking about making a new job chart. Her mother (yes, me) has procrastinated the task and so she took it upon herself to get it done. I love that she only has one job each day and that she only has to "Lisin to mom" on Wednesdays.

Self portraits make me happy. If I drew one of myself it might look almost this good. 

Clearly this was drawn on a day she was less than pleased with me... :) I'm still adjusting to the desire for privacy - and yet I'm happy about it to because I know it's normal. And hey, when I'm a bird I 'm really tall!

As if to demonstrate that she knows how to keep herself busy by herself, I love this representation of everything she could be doing. 

I confess I didn't understand this one until Jim told me about it. Squirt loves to make "mailboxes" to keep outside her room for me to leave her little letters. It was the spelling of "eeroww" (arrow) that took a while to connect.

Introducing our first imaginary friend. It's funny to me that she invented Lilly after knowing clearly that she's purely pretend. Lilly surfaces only once in a great while and often it is when she is upset and seeking for an escape, but I still find it to be the most awesome thing ever.