A New Year's Story

In high school I would get mopey this time of year. I didn't hate Christmas, but the cold and snow would get me down, and watching everyone so excited for the holidays while I was feeling blue would bring me down even more. Then I met my husband. New Year's Eve, though, would always bring me out of my slump, at least for one night.

My first year with Mr. Wonderful, he got really sick right before school got out for Christmas break. I remember it was a Wednesday night, and I was getting ready for youth group (my hubs was in high school, I was in my first year of college), when I got a call from an out of town friend who was visiting for youth group that night. Mr. Wonderful had gone to the doctor earlier for a throat culture, thinking he had strep, and they also took a blood sample. This friend of ours, who we called our third wheel at the time because we only really went out and did anything when he came to town, always just the three of us, told me he and my man weren't going to youth group that night and that I should just come over. He then started laughing like a madman and handed the phone to my man. "I have mono," he said, laughing. "You... what? That's really not funny." I replied, "Is it strep?" "No, it's mono. I have mono!" he insisted. I then realized he was telling the truth, despite the maniacal laughter in the background (which was induced by a game of Halo). "Yeah, they said it could be four to six weeks before I'm better."

I have to admit my heart sank. At that point in life I had never been kissed under the mistletoe (and still haven't, but it's no big deal to me now), and had never received my New Year's kiss. And it didn't look like that year would be any better. I was also really sad that this meant four to six weeks of no close contact with my boyfriend. My silly 19-yr-old mind saw this as a bad omen to our relationship. Yeah. Right.

As New Year's Eve approached we made plans for a little party with a few friends, including our third wheel who gained the nickname Papa Bear at some point in our friendship. After all, we couldn't pack in too much activity and tire out Mr. Mono. The party didn't stay down to the just few friends we had planned for, of course, it ended up being many more people than planned. I call it the party that spontaneously grew.

 The more the merrier!

 Knowing I was a little bummed, a friend suggested to my now mother-in-law that we just use saran-wrap for our kiss, and the message was relayed to me. So, with no tv available to watch the ball drop, the year 2009 was rang in with Mr. Wonderful and me kissing through saran-wrap before a crowd of close and not-so-close friends. After three weeks of no kisses from my beloved, that was the most memorable kiss of our relationship.

I remember this being really awkward, because all those people pictured above, yeah, watching. All of them.

Two years later we were married, and this New Year we get to ring in for the first time as husband and wife. And I will get my kiss.

We will be spending our one-year anniversary, January 2nd, at a four star hotel in Minneapolis. I'm super excited! I hope 2012 is as wonderful and filled with reasons to praise God as this last year has been. Have a great year, everybody!

Christmas Festivities Lowdown (Long Version)

I'm excited to tell you that I had probably the best Christmas of my life last weekend, which is lucky, because it was my first Christmas with my husband, who I love calling Mr. Wonderful, because that is what he really is. But I'm warning you, this is a long one. Turn back now if you don't have the time, but I put a lot of work into this. Thanks in advance if you continue now.

Here is the Christmas festivities low-down:
We first went to Austin on Friday, the good old hometown.We had some time to rest at the in-laws', and briefly go over the music for the Christmas Eve service at church that the family was playing for. I'm pretty sure it was beautiful, or that's what everybody said, anyway. My nerves always go way through the roof when I play because I have never had high-self-esteem (don't believe in it) when it comes to my playing, and therefore can never tell for sure when to call it a job well done. That aside, after our rehearsal we had dinner as a family at the new Vietnamese restaurant in town, Top Noodle. If you're ever in Austin, MN, for whatever reason that would be, I have no idea, go eat at the Top Noodle. Austin has many great hometown restaurants, but this one is the most unique, and I would have to say, the most authentic. Oh yes, and it's delicious. I've never had such amazing egg rolls in my life. But enough about dinner.

Lo, there was no room for the newlyweds in the inn (err... parents' home, because of the foreign exchange student in their guest room). So we slept on the floor. Never again. I really hadn't thought sleeping on the floor was something I would have to give up for another five to ten years, but nope, age has somehow caught up with my body and sleeping on the floor is just not advisable. This is getting embarrassing. Segue.

On Christmas Eve we had a fab time trading names and Christmas lists/shopping guidelines with some of the cousins to do (now traditional?) Crazy Cousin Christmas! We all went shopping together and it was a lot of fun to avoid (or shop with) the person we were finding a gift for. We then went home and wrapped them, and headed to our Christmas Eve service, which I have already addressed as a success. My family even drove into town from 45 minutes away. It was nice to have them there.

After exchanging some quick gifts with some of the family members on my husband's dad's side of the family, (confused?) including our cousin gifts, my man and I took off to meet up with my mom's side of the family. Which was also a lot of fun, and we got some pretty cool gifts for our kitchen. And for my husband's head, neck, and hands, which shall be forever warm no matter what the weather. Thanks Grandma!

On Christmas day, the best day of the year, we got up early to get ready to go spend the morning with my family, but first we finished gift-opening with the in-laws. We received some super cool lunch bags, which we were both in need of, and some really handy cleaning supplies, amongst other cool trinkets and treasures. Then we were off to see my family, which was quite a nice way to spend Christmas morning!

Mr. Wonderful got his circus peanuts he always asks for but I never let him buy (ack! so icky!). We also got a mixer (more pie! more pie!), an air popcorn popper, and an air mattress (never sleeping on the floor again!). But really, it was just so nice to spend some time with my family on Christmas day, and made the fact that we had a brown (rather than white) Christmas. Yes, somehow, MN is in need of some snow!

After a fabulous, over-indulgent brunch with my family we drove up north a bit to see my mother-in-law's side of the family, where we got to see all of the cutest cousins. We had some fun games of dirty bingo for the kids, the men, and the women, and exchanged normal, nice gifts with the family as well. I got a nice blue throw, which is on my couch, and I find reasons to use it even though our house is too warm.

We exchanged gifts together after we got home Monday night. I got him some more candy I never let him buy, and some games because gaming is his way of destressing, which is important because he is normally so mellow! Which is one thing I love about him most. Another thing I love about him is his ability to buy me great gifts, especially when it's something I only mentioned once and didn't put on my gift list. I am now the proud owner of every Jane Austen book, conveniently packed into one giant book. He also gave me a box of all dark chocolates. I couldn't possibly have a better husband for myself. And that's why he is Mr. Wonderful.

We are now cozy in our home, with all of our gifts tucked away in their new homes. We had decided to dedicate ourselves to working out every day this week, and so far I want to give up. I do not have more energy yet, but maybe a better attitude. It's kind of hard to tell with PMS and a headache induced by post-work-out sore muscles. By the end of the week, though, we expect to feel better and be on our way to having bodies of the gods. Ho-ha! Tomorrow I hope to have the energy (and relaxed muscles) to begin cleaning my apartment, which I want spotless by the end of the week. Just the way I like it. Wish me luck!

Blog #28, done! Thanks for reading my long long post. The next one will be more entertaining.

What was your best Christmas present this year?

More Real Conversations, and a Christmas Wish

Because this weekend is Christmas weekend, and my husband and I will be very busy little newlyweds who can't say no to a single family member (and therefore are going everywhere this year), I have an extra special treat for you this Thursday. Not only do I have some "Real Conversations" but they are also not with my husband. That is right, there are other people in my life with whom I converse, and we have just as humorous conversations from time to time.

First, I would like to share with you a wonderful part of my job, the part that makes all the crying, hitting, tantrums, and all other horrible things kids can think of to do, worth the spike in blood pressure. The cute, no, adorable things kids say and do.

For the last day of school before Christmas break, many of the classes were showing videos at the end of the day. I was subbing in one of those classes. There were to children, a boy and a girl, who we kept having to ask to move away from each other. It turns out there was a little baby romance going on, and it was so sweet. While sitting and watching the movie (and the kids), this is what another TA and I heard:

Boy: "Bria, I'm going to marry you someday."
Girl: "Ok. I'm going to marry you, too."
Boy: "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
TA: "Shhh, watch your movie."
(Moments of silence between the two)
Boy: "Bria, your nose is short!"
TA and I: "Shhhh!"

It was almost a shame to shush them, but if we let them continue talking, we would have had a chaotic classroom within minutes. So sweet.

Earlier this week I was thankful not to be awoken by calls for work, because my sister, Nanna (not my grandma, my sister, this nickname stuck when I couldn't say her name after she was born) came to stay for a night. She was here for two days, and slept for a lot of the time, but I think it was just what she needed. The night she stayed, before bed, we stayed up for a bit talking about being married vs. being single, and being happy in the life God has called us to be in. Somehow it led to talking about kids, and then this:

Nanna: "I never want to have kids."
Me: "Whatever! You see Oscar and you're all, 'oh, so cooot!' and squishy faced." (Oscar is our sponsor child)
Nanna: "Well, yeah, I like those kids."
Me: "Well you just need to go down to South America or somewhere and find some pastor/director guy and have cute little Phillipino babies."
Nanna: "Yeah, well, I'm going to Moldova this year and..."
Me: "Whatever, no, they are very white there!"
Nanna: (frenzied) "Well, no... I don't even care if they're white. I just need orphans!"

She was quite serious, but we couldn't help laughing at ourselves after her last exclamation. I love my sister, and I'm so excited to see her and the rest of my family again in a few days.

On that note, have a Merry Christmas!

Blog #27, done! Don't forget the true reason for the season. God bless.

Real Conversations 12/18/11

Hello all! It's that time again, time for what I know you enjoy the most. More real conversations I have had with my husband.

It was morning and my hair looked rather nice, even though it hadn't been washed yet. The conversation went as follows:

Me: "Should I wear my hair like this?"
Mr. W: "Oh, yes! You look like one of the back-up dancers for Van Halen."
Me: "Do you think that's hot?"
Mr. W: "Not particularly."
Me: "Is it hot on me?"
Mr. W: "Everything is hot on you. Except for ice cream... that's hot in a different way."

Also, late last week we received a letter from the family of a child in Bolivia who we have been sponsoring through Compassion. Oscar is only four, so his two of his older sisters write his letters for him. They are so sweet, and always tell us what the family is up to and how Oscar is doing, and that they are praying for us and thankful for our prayers and support for their brother. In the latest letter, the sister who wrote the letter said that they have been praying for us and know that God will give us a son soon to bless us. At first we thought of this as probably being a simple allusion to Christmas coming. Later, I had an epiphany, which I hope is just my mind blowing things out of proportion, but I mentioned it after dinner, and Mr. Wonderful became a bit concerned as well. This was the discussion:

Me: So, I hope I'm wrong, because they could have just meant Christmas and God sending his son, but when they mentioned praying for us and God sending us a son... I couldn't help but wonder if they meant they have been praying for us, that God would give us a son.
Mr. W: Uh... uh oh. (makes noises)
Me: I just, I mean that's nice of them and all but I really hope not.
Mr. W: Well, if they are, it's your fault for telling them that we hope God will give us a little boy someday.
Me: But I said someday! I also said we're very young! Just make sure we're praying that we can at least be living alone, not with your dad, before we have any kids.
Mr. W: Yeah. Definitely. Definitely. Yeah.

Don't get me wrong, when we do have kids, whether our first is a boy or girl, we will both be very happy and excited (and crazy scared). We're just hoping that we can be a bit better established before that happens, that's all. And so that our mothers won't tear their clothes in despair over being grandmothers, with them both being so young and all.

We just have to wait. Wait until they are begging us to have kids. Yeah.

So it's one week from Christmas, and praise God that he has sent a son, who died to save us from our sinful unworthiness, and his wrath.

I am very much looking forward to next weekend. I have all my gifts ready now, and our tree is looking rather small now due to the pile beneath (and around) it. I can't wait to see everybody!

Today, breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus will suffer as we are making more treats to stash away and take with us next weekend. Yum!

Blog #26, done! Have a wonderful week! Find time for peace and quiet away from the crazy Christmas retail rush.

What Happened Last Night

Most people ask what happened last night when they spent a night partying; drinking or doing drugs, or whatever people do when they party. I wouldn't really know. It's not my lifestyle. I on the other hand, am asking this question today because I seriously went from perky and awake to dead tired in about two minutes around nine-thirty last night.

It went like this: Mr. Wonderful and I were sitting on the couch watching some of our favorite TV shows, and I got up and walked down the hall into the bedroom. I can't remember why I went in there. I'm not sure how long it was before my husband came in and found me - probably not too long. All I remember is walking into the bedroom and then waking up in a puddle of slime (where did that come from?) to the hubs jumping onto the bed beside me. He must have thought I was faking? He waited patiently for me to come to, then I apologized and a look of realization flashed across his face.

After struggling to stay awake for ten more minutes I asked him if it would be okay if I went to bed early and he nodded. He told me he couldn't sleep and came to bed three times before falling to sleep, but I didn't notice. And when the alarm went off for him to leave this morning, it took me another hour to wake up.

It was okay. I had a half day of work beginning at 11:30, so there was time to veg out for awhile.

Yet still, I am fatigued. Maybe I am getting sick. I certainly hope not.

This week has gone well so far. I have work every day except Thursday so far, and there's still time to snag a job! Thank Jesus for a good solid week of work right before Christmas (and after a massive blow to our bank account due to car repairs and Christmas shopping)! I'm so ready for the next week and a half to be over.

Blog #25, done! What is something you don't remember? Oh wait, you can't remember.

Blessed

My husband and I have been in such awe and wonder at what has been happening in our lives lately. It's strange to think that nearly a month ago, our car was stolen. Stranger still to realize that this was not as bad a thing as we had thought. Our car was in good enough shape that the insurance company offered over $3,000 for the title of our stolen car. Enough to go get a car, make the repairs necessary, and help pay off the remaining balance in my husband's account at NWC so he doesn't have to take out a private loan. God is so good! It just goes to show you that even bad things that seem like they can't possibly be happening for a reason, always really happen for the best of those whom God loves. It's so true.

So now we have our Monte Carlo, which is a car that I've always admired, and after a few more repairs it may actually be better than our last car (although, it will never have better gas mileage!). But next time, we're not going with a sports car. We feel like punk kids, but it's fun for now. Someday we'll have kids and have to drive real grown-up cars, so I'll just go ahead and enjoy this one!

 

Our "punk kid" car.

I'm getting very excited for Christmas, and to have a whole week free of work and school. I already have all of our Christmas presents wrapped and under the tree.

Mr. Wonderful will be using the time to find a job. He's finally seen the light that though I have a good job, it's not going to be enough in the long haul. He's not lazy, but I think our move was a little overwhelming for the both of us. It was quite the adjustment, and he's very serious about getting good grades. Now that he's had some time to adjust and figure out some time management plans, (and to see our bank account fluctuate more than the DOW), he's ready for his search for a part-time job. We're both excited for this chapter in life to be over. You know, the school part. But we're trying to savor it while it's here. Pray for us!

Blog #24, done! Happy hump-day. Finish the week strong.

The Need for Rest

 As promised, I have some pictures. They're growing! They're growing! I'm such a proud little gardener. My plants are growing.

Poor lighting this time of year + flash not working = I hope you can see the greens!

The garlic cloves are having a little trouble, and so are the sweet chili peppers our friends the E.L.'s got as a housewarming gift. (I call them the E.L.'s because they're getting married, and once they're married their initials will both be E.L.). But as you can see, the tomatoes are coming in quite nicely! It's almost time to transfer them to a larger pot =) Now I just have to figure out how on earth to harvest these things.

I have also been up to my cooking again, and this meal just looked so good I had to take some photos of it! I was slow-cooking a ginormous ham in the crock-pot and had to cut off a chunk so that it would fit. I baked it that night and we had it for dinner, and put the rest away for easy meals for the rest of the week.

 Mr. Wonderful just couldn't get over this meal! My very own recipe =)

 

Oven-baked garlic ham: (Note: I did not measure anything, please forgive me)
- Hunk of ham, fat side facing down in oven-safe cookware
-Fill less than halfway with water
-Cover entire ham in a sprinkling of crushed garlic
-Sprinkle on some herbs de provence (not enough to overwhelm)
-A pinch of black pepper

Heat oven to 400 F. I cooked my ham for about an hour and a half, turning it halfway through. Cook it until it reads 140 F on a meat thermometer.

Now, in my last mini-post I mentioned hating Black Friday. I know that sounds kind of whiny or judgmental, but I really do. And it's not just because people die by being trampled or because of all the craziness that takes place that day. I think that sales are good, my husband and I hit them up as much as possible. Saving money is important. But I just realize that it's not even a day people go out and buy things they particularly need. For many, it's just a day to go out and buy a bunch of things and feel less guilty about spending money because it was "on sale." Let's be honest, unless you're buying electronics, the sales aren't even that great anyway. Is it really worth leaving your family on Thanksgiving, a day we're supposed to reflect on the things in life we're grateful for, to go buy more stuff to fill our homes with?

My mother, who has a hard time turning down a day of work, went in early Thanksgiving morning to get the store ready, then went home in the afternoon just long enough for dinner, then went back to her store to work at least a twelve hour shift, and came home sick and exhausted. She, and many others, did this just so that consumer America could shop. I just can't understand why stores were allowed to open so early this year. Black Friday should remain on Friday, but it has now infringed on Thursday, which is clearly not Friday, but a holiday that we as Americans should observe. Next year, take a day to reflect, a day to be thankful, a day to rest. I believe rest is important from a Christian standpoint, sure, but whether you're a believer or not, there's a reason God calls us to rest. Plainly put, it's good for you. In a world that says go go go, get get get, just stop and take some time to rest your body and mind, and think of the things you've been taking for granted.

Blog #23, done! May you find rest this week.