My Year-End Confession

I love her and I don't care who knows it.

(Callie, if you're reading this, I can bet you are already laughing because you know whats coming. Wait for it.)

Her name is Angie.

She writes a blog that I follow daily, Bring The Rain. I've posted about it before - but this post is a little different.

See, I started following her online journal almost a year ago, and with each clever, spiritual, emotional, or downright hilarious post, I became more and more of a groupie. I adore everything about her: her creativity, her love for her husband and her children, her love for her Savior. Angie is somehow able to balance thoughts of life, death, love and God with humor, grace, and the occasional post about the rising cost of stick bundles at Target. (24.99, anyone?)

So back to my "groupie" status.

On Christmas Eve, after Olivia went down for bed, my husband and I were just having a quiet evening at home. He was in the kitchen making some sort of snack, and my phone buzzed.

You have just received a direct message from Angie Smith.

*If I could insert a sound effect here, I would. Something like a car screeeeeeching to a halt.

I jumped off the couch and logged onto Facebook where Angie had messaged me. (Yes, I'd made her become my Facebook friend, even though we've never met in real life. I'm a groupie, remember? Try to keep up.)

The message basically said that she'd noticed my Pathwords score and wanted to know how I got it so high. This is when I start laughing out loud for the following reasons:

1. I started playing Pathwords on Facebook because Angie plays Pathwords on Facebook.

2. The score that she was referencing was not mine. Joel is the genius who is brilliant with letters, and once I started playing, well, he started playing on my account. And his score trumped my score. His score is astronomical.

So...Dilemma.

How to write back Angie (in our first direct contact!) and tell her that it is not me who is the genius but in fact my husband? I knew I had to come clean.

But before I did, I skipped into the kitchen and kissed Joel square on the lips and beamed: "Your genius brain just got me a direct message from Angie...ANGIE!!!"

The saddest part is that Joel knew exactly who I was talking about, even though I've never met this gal in real life. He's heard me go on and on about her as if she were my closest friend. I can't help it! If Angie chooses to live her life out loud and online, and I'm so glad she does, I can't help but relate to 99.9% of everything she says and somehow find myself wishing that Nashville and Seattle were next-door neighbors and that I could meet up with her over the smell of burnt popcorn at Target.

Anyway - I did confess to Angie that the score was Joels - and she seemed to take it in stride. We shared a casual conversation about tricks with Pathwords, Twitter, and her husbands music. (Todd Smith is in the group, Selah) I shall now fight to get every Selah record played in heavy rotation on Spirit 105.3.

I said to Joel on the couch later that night "I think if I had the choice of meeting Justin Timberlake or her, I'd choose her."

Joel said: "Yeah...if you ever talk to her again, I wouldn't lead with that."

:-)

Busy Day

I've always been grateful that my mom, who is a teacher, purposefully keeps a part-time schedule so she can watch Olivia while I'm at work.

And whats more - she often sends me email "updates" on what they are doing so I don't miss out on anything!

So this morning I called for my typical "mom-daughter check-in" - and she sent me this! It's everything they did this morning!

Yep, Still Here

Its hard to blog when you're busy taking pictures with your new....ahem...camera!

Snow Day #2

I can't upload these pictures fast enough! More are coming!

No!

Olivia: "No, Mama! No!"

Me: "I know, honey! Snow! I see it, Snow!"

Olivia: "No! Noooooo! No!"

Me: "Yep, honey! Snow!"

And she gives me a big, big grin! Have fun in the "No!" everybody!

Snowflakes and Shopping Bags

I awoke to a *buzz buzz* text message on Sunday morning from my mom. It read: "Bring that Granddaughter on over here to play in the snow! You and Joel can have a fun day!"

I was out of bed at lightening speed.

We bundled up Olivia in her hat and mittens and scarf and pink Hello Kitty boots and off we went. Slowly, of course, because it was early Sunday morning and the roads were icy.

Olivia jumped out of the car with glee when we reached "Nanny and Po's House" and yelled "Nooooooooo!" which actually means "Snooooooow!!!" in her little brain. She was in seventh heaven.

Joel and I knew to make the most of our free day by getting all our Holiday shopping done - so we hit up Old Navy first. The parking lot was practically empty because of the snow, so we grabbed everything we needed in record time, with NO LINE. This was the beginning of a beautiful day. Target came next. Same thing - empty parking lot, no line. It was bliss! Stocking stuffers galore, plus a gift card for my brother Andrew for some Wii points. And no, I'm not ruining the surprise because he doesn't read blogs. :-) He's 18 and has better things to do with his time...like play the Wii.

Joel and I took a break to go home, have some french toast and scrambled eggs, and just rest. I had "Its A Wonderful Life" on DVR from the night before - watched the whole thing. I've never seen the movie before - just clips here and there. HOW HAVE I NEVER SEEN THIS MOVIE BEFORE? I loved it. Joel was quoting it with his back turned as he played on the computer. Evidently, he and his mom used to watch it each year. I think I'm officially the last person on earth that had not seen that movie. I'm gonna start calling Olivia "ZuZu."

The french toast was fuel for us to get back in the car and finish our shopping. My mom HATES the mall, so we said we'd do her shopping for her in exchange for the lovely day of childcare she was providing us. Done deal, she said! So we had fun finding a snowflake broach for my Grandma Grace in California, and a kickin' Northface Jacket for my little brother. (Dont worry, he doesn't read blogs, remember?). Plus, I may have thrown in a few extras for myself for my mom to give me. :-) We also got a DVD for Joels best friend, JR, whos serving in Iraq - and a bunch of goodies for his sister Ellen who just moved to Nashville. (And Ellen DOES read blogs, and I hope she sees this, to know a special care package is on its way!)

By the end of the day, Joel and I were simply exhausted. The french toast had long wore off, and we were starving. Imagine our surprise to walk into my parents house to get Olivia, with the warm aroma of homemade crock-pot Chili just waiting...right next to the brownies, fresh out of the oven.

My mom was thrilled that her shopping was done - without her ever having to find a parking spot. Olivia was in soft pink "Footie" pajamas, ready for a ride home and a warm bottle of milk. Joel and I were just about to hop in the car when someone reminded us that the Survivor finale began at eight pm. It was icing on the cake, we couldn't wait to see if Bob would win.

And he did.

And it was a good day. A very, very good day.


Olivia and Katie

Sarah, Meghan, Jacob, Katie and Olivia

It was a good day

Some people shop around before they buy a car. Or a house. Or a purse.

I, on the other hand, shop around before I commit to a weather report.

You can take it as me wanting to deliver the most accurate, up-to-the-minute forecast each afternoon. But the truth is, when SNOW is in the cards, I search for the report which gives us the best chance of that coming true!

So here's what I've got for today:

Colder air will move in tonight, and that could change rain to snow showers, especially above 500 feet and in the Convergence Zone prone areas of Snohomish, King and Kitsap Counties. As much as 2-6" could fall during the night!!! Thanks, KOMO 4. Your forecast wins the prize.

Oh, Hallmark, how you know me

I'm a Hallmark girl, through-and-through. If you ever want to impress me, send a card in the mail with that sweet Gold Seal on the back.

I love Hallmark cards (and Hallmark commercials) and could spend hours contemplating the perfect cover art with the perfect description with the perfect envelope. I was in the Birthday section this morning, because my nephew Jack is about to turn 3. And I needed to find just the right card, preferably with the number 3 on it. I'm big on giving kids age-specific cards. I'm not sure how much my dad would like a card that was in the shape of a 52, but whatever. I'm sure Jack will like his 3.

While I was scanning the store, pressing anything that had a button and played music (much to the cashiers chagrin), I stumbled into their wrapping paper section and fell in love with the MegaRoll. Finally! A roll of paper big enough to wrap that ShopVac I got Joel a few years ago! Then, I found the "Peek-Buster" bags - complete with motion-sensors that sound an alarm when little fingers get too close!

Hallmark - I only wish I was so creative - I would send YOU a card.

Sarah

Memories

I began this blog 2 years ago. Found this in the archives. I was 9 months pregnant and asleep in the studio.