Tried and Tested

I have been thinking recently about a "fight" I had with one of my best friends a few weeks ago. I went into the discusion with an open mind and willing to work through any issues we had. But as the argument progressed, I began to realize that I was not going to make any headway. And it made me sad. I had the sudden feeling that this might be the end of a long standing friendship, and I couldn't even get her to understand my point. We talked for about half and hour, and I was almost in tears by the end. I was terrible. I have disagreed with my friends choices before, but nothing to the extent that my friend seemed to disagree with my choice in this matter.

I was particularly worried because I had been thinking that maybe my our friendship was on the way out, and that we were only friends still because we had been friends for so long. And that this was going to be the final blow.

I went to bed sad, and without telling Nik what had happened. That forboading feeling stayed with me the next day as well. I just couldn't get over it. When Nik finally returned home that night I decided to tell me what had happened. He was very understanding and helped me to understand my friends point a little better, but mostly he was outraged as well. Well, I was scheduled to see this friend the following week, and I wasn't sure if I could go.

I finally decided to give it a chance and see how it went. Surprisingly, nothing seemed to have changed. We both acted as we always do around each other. Frankly, I was surprised given the strong feelings expressed only a week earlier. But it was fine. All fine. We have enjoyed each other's company numerous times since the fight, and it is like it never happend. Now, I will admit that everytime I talk to her I have this thing in the back of my mind that reminds me of what happed, but I never let it get past a fleeting thought.

I am proud of both of us and our grown up abilities to put petty things behind us and move on, better for it. My advice, please try to remember how amazing relationships like this are and don't let your pride get in the way of a true friendship.

Southern Utah Blizzard

Over the long weekend Nik and I (and my family) took a last minute trip to St. George. It was a blast! The weather was warm, and sunny (though I still frequently "mentioned" that it was cold outside). Due to several family functions this weekend, I was able to see family members I hadn't seen since my wedding. I even got my favorite St. George treat twice! I know, I am spoiled.

We had planned to leave monday afternoon, but didn't have a set time. After eating, taking naps, and putting it off as long as we could, we finally left around 3:30. And it was raining pretty good in St. George. By the time we were outside Leeds, it was snowing. And if anyone knows Cedar City weather, you will know what is coming next. We had white out conditions clear through Cedar and into Beaver. To top it all off, there was an accident about 5 miles south of Cedar, so we were stuck in traffic for close to an hour. Needless to say, I had to pee when we got there. The weather cleared inbetween Beaver and Filmore, and there was a beautiful sunset, so I guess something good came out of it. I do feel bad for those people in the accident though. I can't imagine being in the middle of nowhere and in a three-car pile up. It was bad.

My parents were about hours ahead of us and they were sending me pictures from their phones of the conditions ahead. Very encouraging. Lucky for us, they weren't as bad by the time we got there. But it put us about an hour behind schedule, not to mention that we were starving by the time we got to Nephi, so we stopped for dinner. It felt like we had been on the road all day.

Luckily, I was in the car with my wonderful husband, and he helped pass the time. He has such great sense of humor and a positive outlook on things, that I forget that we still have four hours left in the car. I love you Nik.

Happy Valentine's Day

My wonderful husband and I decided to exchange Valentine's gifts last night, as opposed to today. Mainly because he was so excited to give me mine, that he couldn't wait. When he returned from work he rang the doorbell instead of just coming in the house. When I answered the door he had a dozen red roses for me. And a box of fresh chocolate covered strawberries! I was so excited! My husband is the best.

I had be not so subtlely hinting that I wanted flowers, and I was really hoping he would get them for me for Valentine's. I immeditally put them in the only vase I have and arranged them with the beautiful green filler they came with. I repeated many times last night how beautiful they were and how happy I was that he had given them to me. Even now I am anxious to get back home to see them displayed in my home. I was so excited about the strawberries too, I usually have to share them with someone, but not this time! I was savoring them last night. I still have about five in the box.

I just want my husband to know how much I love him and everything he does for me. He works so hard to provide for me, and I am so proud of him for it. I know he sacrifices a lot to have a full-time job, and I want him to know that I completely understand how it is. I love you so much Nik. Always.

Sweet Tooth

Last night, after returning home from Toast, Jam and Cheese, I had a major sweets craving. I don't know why...I had just had three pieces of toast and jam...isnt that sweet? Anyway. Due to a problem with our kitchen sink drain I was not able to do the dishes this weekend and therefore did not have any clean cookie sheets. So no making cookies. And, a rarety in my house, but we didn't have any ice cream either! The horror! I didn't even have any sweet cereal.

I had just resigned myself to having popcorn instead, when I noticed my husbands newly purchased bag of marshmallow gun ammo. Then i had an idea. I popped a bag of microwave popcorn and melted half a stick of butter and half the bag of marshmallows (rice crispy treat style) in the microwave and then added the popcorn. Since Nik had yoinked a small bowl of the un-mallowed popcorn, I ended up with a little more gooey than popcorn. After mixing I sprayed a pyrex dish with Pam and dumped in the mallow corn. I smushed it around a little and let it set in the fridge (I didnt have the patience for it to set at room temperature) for a few minutes. After that I was in sweet tooth heaven. It was awesome. Even Nik liked it. Sort of.

So, please try my newest solution for sweet tooth cravings, and tell me what you think!

Child vs. Grown-up

Nik and I are in the nursery in our ward and really enjoy it. I don't want kids for a long time now... :) Nik particularly likes it because he gets to play with toys and little kids for two hours, and heck, that is better than the grown-up alternative. Nik has invented a new game with our nursery little ones: he lays down and announces that he is tired and going to take a nap. This alerts the kids that it is time to jump on Brother Nik and wake him up. He then makes a show of waking up and waits a little bit before needing another nap. I think Nik enjoys this almost more than the kids do. Which is great. That means that I get to build with the blocks.

This little-kid attitude was reinforced yesterday when we were at Lou and Ten's house and Nik spent the evening playing with Noah. Noah is a big fan of light sabers and, you guessed it, so is Nik, so this is a great time had by all. Nik has also taught Noah how to use his Force powers, so the play isnt as physical as it used to be. I love that my husband is so young at heart. He has so much fun bringing out the inner child with his nieces and nephews that sometimes I have a hard time getting the Grown-up Nik back.

I know that Nik will be a great Dad someday, and I hope that our kids will help keep their dad young for many more years. Love you Baby.