A Taste of Real Life

Over the past year I have had a reoccurring theme in my life. 

As I get older I realize that I am occasionally right about some things but mostly there is so much out there in the world that I am usually clueless and my perspective is not the only valid one. 

Here's an example..... 

The first blog post of the year I was pretty much complaining about how this year was going to be the most awful year EVER! 

'Tis not so... No. Not even close. 

February has proven to be even more crazy than January. 

Between going on some new dates with Ty - Cooking Class at Taste which was divine, Gallivan's Center Ice Skating with the Terrific Trio and their sweeties, watching the 49er's lose in the superbowl, Brynlee's first school Valentine's party, Grandpa Thomas had a minor stroke, cousin Jake was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, Grandma Deon with Alzheimer's, new business opportunities, Valentine's Day, a sick dog, Iphones, and teaching the new curriculum at church, it has been awesome. 

Plus a whole bunch more.

Spring fever has also hit us here at home.

Brynlee asks several times a week if the snow is melted so she can swim in her zebra pool. 

This summer is going to be a blast with her. 

She won't let the snow stop her playing outside. I practically have to wrestle with her to get her to put her coat and boots on or else she'd run outside without either of them. 

In January Ty took Brynlee and me out on a date. 

He attempted to reenact our first date by taking us to California Pizza kitchen which had a 45 minute wait so we decided on Malawi's Pizza instead. Then he took us to Clark's Planetarium which Brynlee had a blast running around looking at everything. He wanted us to watch a 3D movie but that didn't pan out because the movies didn't start for another hour and it was already late. It was really sweet of him and we all enjoyed ourselves. 

Brynlee now talks about wanting to go on dates. 

For Valentine's Day this year I was lucky enough to not have to work so I prepared a scrumptious dinner that really hit the spot. 

Brown sugar glazed Salmon, parmesan baked asparagus, herb truffled smashed potatoes, Brazilian Lemonade and Mascarpone Crostini for dessert.

We topped the night off with Mario Kart Wii. 

a.k.a. Brynlee's new favorite game.

We really lucked out with our little Brynlee Jade. She is still very good natured even for a 3 year old. 

If you tell her Thank You for doing something she usually will reply with, "It's my pleasure." 

Silly girl.

She loves her some blueberries, raspberries, homemade guac and chips. As of last week we figured out she really really likes salad.... Odd? I was impressed. She MUST sleep, bathe and have her 3 mini My Little Ponies with her - Shining Armor, Twilight Sparkle and Princess Cadence. Mimi coined the term that Brynlee is a whirlwind. Seriously, she could rip your house apart in 5 minutes if you aren't watching her. I know she can't help it, she's just so curious and loves to play. We are currently trying to teach her to clean up one mess before you make another. Sometimes I feel like we don't make much progress. Still in love with Little Einsteins, Doc McStuffins, Lady and the Tramp, Wall-e and she can't make her mind up if she wants to be Belle, Aurora or Cinderella for Halloween, YES she is already looking forward to Halloween. Trying to explain the months to a 3 year old is going to take some patience and time. I love how she comes in my room every morning just to snuggle with me until she gets impatient with me and tells me it is a "Beautiful Day Mama! Wake up!" How lucky am I that I get to sleep in until 8-8:30 most days. She puts her own dishes in the sink after eating, says thank you (most of the time) and love taking bathes. However, she is 3 and still has those moments you prefer to forget. 

I am still lucky, she loves helping and is over-helpful sometimes. Her new thing is to terrorize Toby. Poor dog. Any chance she gets she picks him up and hauls him around. Terrible fits have occurred over the fact that he doesn't want to sit on her lap while riding in the car. 

Something I must document. As long as Ty and I have been married I do not remember having so many fruits and veggies in our house. I've really tried to integrated more fresh food into meals. I want to remember this for later so when I come back and read it I can see that I really am trying. 

Purple cauliflower, zucchini, kiwi's, blueberries, bananas, cuties, raspberries, broccoli, mushrooms, carrots, apples, avocados, and salad. 

Super impressed with myself. 

I was even able to change Ty's mind about not liking cauliflower after 7 years. 

We welcomed ourselves into the 21st century by getting Iphones the day after Valentine's. 

Seriously I wouldn't have done it if I didn't need to for work. It's such a bittersweet thing to have everything at your fingertips whenever you want. 

However, it really is a good thing because I can now accept credit cards for my business which helps considering I picked up a new business to do chair massage for. 

I put in my 2 weeks at Essence Day Spa, then 2 weeks later, prayers were answered and a better opportunity was literally handed to me.

I am consistently amazed at how much my work changes and grows. 

First time in my life that I slipped on the ice and didn't catch myself. Leaving a clients house a couple weeks ago. Super embarrassing and made me feel old. To show for it, I have an excruciating bruise on my right knee and a wounded piece of my pride. 

Our families have kind of had a rough go in the past month. 

Grandpa Thomas had a minor stroke earlier this month and ended up in the hospital then a care center. He's home with full functioning of his right hand but it was a little scare there. 

My cousin Jacob has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Super scary but if they caught it in time he will be ok. We had a family fast and we will continue praying for him.

Grandma Deon also has officially been diagnosed with Alzheimer's which runs in our family. 

It's amazing how worried you can be about things in your life that seem so important and then you get a call that your teenaged cousin has cancer and it totally changes your perspective and you realize how pitiful and insignificant some of the things you worry and stress about are. 

Real life.... Planning your life and living an entirely different one. 

Not necessarily by choice either.