Our Anniversary - Take 2

A lot of people have been asking me how was J.R. going to top my birthday present. Well, I don't really expect that of him as that was a pretty incredible present and would be difficult to top (especially considering our current economic situation).

Last night J.R. came home from work and we exchanged gifts. He got me a beautiful scrapbook. I mistakenly thought that year 4 was wood, it's not. Year 4 is fruit and flower. Yeah that would have been a difficult one to do. So I got J.R.'s degree framed. It's been sitting in our desk for a year and half now while my two degrees sit on the wall. So I knew he would love to have his up there. And I was right he loved it. I'll take some pictures once we get it hung. (And get our camera fixed which we learned is going to cost $130 to do. blech!)

To celebrate our anniversary we went to dinner down by the beach. It was a really nice dinner. We talked about going for a walk on the beach afterwards but instead decided to just drive along PCH (Pacific Coast Highway for you non-southern California people). We were really glad we did as the wind was blowing something fierce and the fog had rolled in pretty thick. So thick in fact that we couldn't really see the ocean at all. But it was a nice and relaxing night out. J.R. later apologized for not being able to do more. But I loved every minute of it and it was just fine for me. Sometimes the simplest of things are the best.

Our Anniversary!

Today is our 4th anniversary! Yeah!! It's really hard to believe it's already been four years. The time has flown by. Last night I was going through all our pictures creating a scrapbook. I created one from the time we met to just before we got married. I can't wait till it gets here. It seems so much has changed since then but also so little. While it's hard to believe it's been 4 years already, it's also difficult to remember what life was like before J.R. was around. I'm not usually the sappy sort but I really can't imagine my life without him. He is very much a stabilizing force in my life. So happy anniversary babe!

As far as plans, well, I don't know what we are doing. I'm sure (hope) he has at least a little something planned. Every year I consult the traditional gift giving guide for anniversaries and try to come up with something creative. The first year is paper, so I got a book to record all our anniversary memories. Ok so that gift was more for us than him but it still fits. The second year is cotton, so I got him a handkerchief with our monogram and wedding date embroidered on it. Last year was leather, so I bought him a leather wallet. This year is wood. And just in case J.R. reads this before I give him his present I'm not telling what I got him. But I think it's a pretty good gift.

The Sad and the Good

This week was a sad week. Our Disneyland passes expired. We've had them for two years now and really enjoyed them. But we can't rationalize spending all that money this time around so we let them go. Friday after J.R. got off work (he gets off at 1:30 on Fridays) we went to Disneyland for one last time. We had a blast. That new Toy Story ride is so much fun. For us it was really nice having the passes because we could always go just to have a nice dinner or it was just a place to get away from it all. So we will miss having our passes. Hopefully we might get them again sometime in the future.

Finally, I wanted to say how amazing God is. I've really been trying not to worry about our whole financial situation. God continues to tell me that He is my provider. I believe it but when you don't see where its going to come from its scary. A few weeks ago my friend gave me the following scripture.

But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

It's a great scripture but I have yet to fully understand what it means for me in my situation. I know it has to do with my job and that situation but I'm not sure what it means for it. So I guess I continue to wait. (Ha! No pun intended.)

But as to why God is amazing (sorry got a little sidetracked). Last week I got a call asking if I would be willing to participate in a survey. I said sure as I don't have anything better to do. Oh yeah and they would pay me $200. Um yeah I'll give you my opinion for $200. So that's what I did yesterday. I sat in on a study group about cars of all things. There's also the possibility for more money if they decide to do an in home interview. So I am just grateful to God because I know He's going to take care of me one way or another.

Our Chair

This is the current state of the chair in my office. Sad isn't it? (Sorry for the terrible picture. Our camera is broken and I'm having to use my phone.) I have to balance on two wheels. Three have fallen off. It's quite the sight to see. Over a month ago one wheel fell off. We were able to put it back in but when you moved around it would just fall off. So we just left it off. That wasn't too bad. Then a few weeks ago I sat down and heard a crack. One of the spokes cracked in half but the wheel still remained. Soon after that one too fell off. You can see the remains of that wheel on the top left of the picture. Then about a week ago a third wheel fell off. At this point it's just comical. Ironically enough two wheels are easier to balance on than three.

So just thought I'd share my dilapidated chair as this is where I spend quite a bit of my time. We have no money to buy a chair so that's why we're making do for now. My parents were going to give us their old chair but then I got a better offer. My friend said she would give us her old chair that really isn't all that old. But she keeps forgetting to bring it to me. So I continue to sit in my sad little chair. I was going to take my parents chair when I was at their house yesterday but I completely forgot. Until then my seating arrangements remain pretty funny. :)

Birthday Weekend

This was a really busy weekend for me. And an extra long one to boot. Fair warning here this is going to be a little long.

Friday
Friday evening J.R. and I met up with my parents to celebrate my birthday. We had dinner at P.F. Chang's. Yum! One of my favorites. Then we went back to our house to open gifts. My mom was true to her word and literally bought me 28 gifts. Not only did she do that but all but two gifts were in a particular theme. Talk about creative. My parents gave me some scrapbook supplies, just a few stickers and some punches. I am obsessed with scrapbook supplies yet rarely take the time to actually scrapbook. I have yet to finish my wedding pictures almost FOUR YEARS LATER. Ugh. Gotta get on that one soon.

I also received a really cute journal. It's so much nicer than my cheap, yet cute, $1 journals I have been using. I've already started using it. Then my parents gave me a precious moments. I have been collecting these for years. Actually, the first one I ever received was on my 12th birthday. I have a whole cabinet that is quickly running out of space full of them. I really love the one she got me. It says "Dear Child, I never said it would be easy. I said it would be worth it. Heavenly Father" Wow does that describe my life right now. They also got me a toe ring I have been eyeing for quite some time. I know some people think toe rings are a little silly but I like them. I don't go crazy with them. The max I wear is one on each foot. But because I never take them off they eventually break. So I've been without even one for the longest time. A few months back I spotted one I really liked but couldn't rationalize spending $9 on a toe ring. But every time I would see it I would want it. So when I sent my mom the wish list she requested (it's a miracle that I was able to actually give her one of these as I never know what I want) I sent the link to "my" toe ring. Sure enough she bought it for me and I love it. It's just a simple toe ring that says "Faith Hope Love".

Moving on with the theme of books my parents bought me a few cute bookmarks. These will come in handy considering my parents bought me EIGHT books! I was so excited. In my wish list I had sent my mom a list of books that I would really like to have. I expected her to get me one maybe two, but definitely wasn't expecting ALL EIGHT books. That will definitely keep me busy for the moment. But then I was in quite the conundrum. I had already run out of room in my bookcases. I was already having to stack my books on top of others in order to fit them in. Thankfully, my mom is a genius and knew this, which is why she bought me this. My mom even had the perfect place to put this. I was concerned about putting it into my already furniture overloaded office. So we put it in the bedroom, which will be perfect when I get a chair I've been wanting to go in there. I will definitely have fun filling in my new bookcase.

Finally, my parents got me some bookends, but not just any bookends. My mom found some really cute bookends but decided not to get them as they were entirely too expensive. My mom being the insanely creative woman that she is decided that it wouldn't be very difficult to make these bookends herself. So with the help of my dad, the two of them set out to replicate the bookends my mom had found. Here is the result. Isn't that amazing? My parents are so creative. Plus, these little bookends fit perfectly into the theme of my bedroom, color of the chairs and all. My mom thinks of everything. My parents are the best.

Saturday

Saturday started out a pretty lazy day. I finally received the book for my class in the mail on Friday. I immediately set out to read the assigned reading. Saturday "morning" (which really means whenever I lug my behind out of bed, usually after 10:00 some time) I spent answering some of the discussion questions for homework. I was about to start writing my story that was due by midnight but decided against it for the moment. I needed a break. So I relaxed with J.R. for a bit. Then J.R. announced he was going to run some errands. I ended up taking a short nap. After my nap I decided it was time to FINALLY take a shower for the day.

As soon as I got out I found a text message from J.R. asking me to be ready by 4:30. It was 4:00. I told him I'd do the best I could. I got ready as fast as I could, then ended up waiting around for J.R. to get home. He finally did about 4:50. I knew something was up because he had been out way longer than the errands he claimed to. Without mentioning where we were going we were off. At this point I knew something was up. I had asked for a birthday party this year. My mom had told me that she and J.R. had it covered and hadn't mentioned anything since. At that point I stepped back and never mentioned it again. I knew at some point this weekend I would be getting my party, I just didn't know when. I was now very suspicious. After I had already figured out where we were going, J.R. said, "Oh I never told you where we were going." I said, "Nope. You didn't." He said, "Ryan called me and we're going over there for dinner." I said, "Oh ok. But isn't Ryan supposed to be working?" J.R. said, "Oh I don't know. Maybe his schedule changed." At this point I knew what was coming.

We got to Ryan and Holly's house and knocked on the door. Holly answered that she would be right there, that she was dealing with a poopy diaper. I kind of thought it odd because she usually just tells us to come on in. J.R. was also horribly and uncharacteristically obnoxious yelling through the door. The door finally opened and my friends and family yelled, "SURPRISE!!!" My mom stood there with a camera waiting to get my response. They were all so disappointed at my lack of surprise. It actually happened so fast that I couldn't even fake a surprised looked.

I had a really nice party. It was fun to just sit around and talk with friends. Ryan and Holly's house is actually the perfect place to have a party as they have a game room with a pool table, Foosball, air hockey and darts. The guys spent the entire evening playing games. Denise got me a bunch of little gifts that matched the theme of my party. She got me a book chair that is really cute and especially handy. I've already used it a couple of times. She also got me a "bowl of the ocean." It's cute and matches the theme of my bedroom. It's now sitting on my new bookcase!

As for my cake? It was probably the cutest cake I have ever seen. My mom found the idea for my cake over a month ago. She was so excited about making my cake that she could barely contain herself. I can see now why. Though I wish she hadn't done two sandals as an entire sandal now sits in my refrigerator. Anyone up for cake? So I was pleasantly surprised by my birthday party. I know J.R. and my mom worked really hard on it. They did a great job! The sand is crushed graham crackers and the shells and starfish are white chocolate. And yes the graham cracker sand is stuck there. I can't get it off. :)

I got home pretty late Saturday night and still had my story to write. Oh no! I decided rather than stress myself out and turn in something that was sub-par, I emailed my professor and asked her if it would be ok for me to turn it in a day late. Thankfully, she didn't mind at all and was very understanding.

Sunday

Sunday was church as usual. Afterwards J.R. and I went home and I took a nap before we met my parents and brother for lunch. J.R. then told Greg that if he would stay the night he would wash Greg's car for a birthday present Monday morning. (Yes I'm a terrible sister and still hadn't gotten my brother a gift 2 months later.) So Greg spent the evening with us. I finally got my story written. I have to admit starting it was very scary and at first I wasn't sure what to write. I really struggled initially. However, once I got going it just seemed to flow out of me. I'm actually really proud of it and had fun writing it. It's inspired me to write even more.

Monday
When I finally woke up the boys were outside cleaning Greg's car. Greg later admitted to me that he initially thought he was being suckered into receiving a cheap birthday gift. That is until he realized all that J.R. would do for his car. J.R. loves to wash cars. It's sort of his thing. He can spend hours doing it. So Greg's car really got detailed.

After they were done with that, the three of us went to look at a few cars J.R. and Greg found Sunday. We test drove one. It was horrible and actually pretty scary. Then we got some lunch. As the boys kept talking about softball and their teams, I mentioned going to the batting cages. So we did that. It was a lot of fun. At the end the boys decided to try the 70 mph pitch. That was actually pretty funny watching them try to hit the ball.

Then we ended up just relaxing the rest of the day. I put on a movie while Greg played around on the computer. It was just a nice day. So that was my long and wonderful weekend. Sorry this post was so terribly long. I wanted to get it all down. And you can't say I didn't warn you. :)

Oh yeah. Sorry some of the pictures are terrible. Our camera is broken and I had to take them with my camera phone.