I Know... It's Only One Month

My ears picked up on the slight click that the snag on the belt of our treadmill makes every time it cycles around.  As I felt the impact of each step I was taking, my mind was running with all of my tasks for the day. My day had been busy already and I still had more to accomplish before my husband came home. Husband... it's still something I'm getting used to saying. I love having a husband; having my best friend with me at every moment is a benefit I did not think I would value as much as I do. However I do wake up in the middle of the night a lot with mere inches left between me and the edge of the mattress. When asking him to give me more room, I get just a few more inches. Anyways, life is great being married. 

As I got off the treadmill and headed to stand in front of the fan to cool off, I started thinking about where I was one year ago. I had already met Derek, but we hadn't gone on our first date yet. All I knew of him was that his name was Derek Morgan and he was really tall and cute. He asked me out on our first date for February 6th. I hesitantly said yes, not knowing that it would lead to a friendship that not only would pick me up and put me back on my feet but one that would open my eyes and make me realize I wanted to marry him. 

I shut the fan off, closed the windows, and turned off the light. After quickly running through the shower, I threw my hair into a pony tail and ran to Fred Meyer. The Taurus started up right away when I turned the key. Haha, I remember when Derek and I went on our first date. When he showed up at my house to pick me up I was asleep and my little sister Morgan had to wake me up. I pulled myself off of my bed, looked in the mirror, patted my cheeks and headed down the stairs. I was not very excited. We went to Seattle and I was surprised by how much fun I had. Eight days later he asked me to be his Valentine.... and I turned him down. And after that he still brought me a birthday present even after rejection. 

Anyways, I got to Fred Meyer, made my purchases, and left the building. I passed the Fred Meyer Jewelers, and thought about this one afternoon when Derek and I were first dating. We were at his house just talking, and he asked about my retainer and if I would ever get a real tooth put in. I then responded, "Oh, my parents said they'll get it done before we- ..... uh, before I get married." That very same day we went to Fred Meyer and as we passed the Fred Meyer Jewelers he said, "Hey Tay, look!" I blushed, giggled, and walked past very swiftly. 

When I got home I pulled out some old magazines and cut out letters to spell out the words "My Sweetheart" to decorate the envelope of the card I bought for Derek. As a matter of fact, he's on his way upstairs right now and will probably see the card and the peanut butter M&M's attached to the back.

 I know it's silly and really not a huge accomplishment but... happy one month anniversary Derek!

I've Decided

You know, it is not an uncommon thing to feel like things are not going the way you would like them to. From waking up late for work to coming home and hearing your husband yell out, "Eew! Tay, Nanna just barfed on the carpet," things may seem a bit discouraging at times. But chin up! There is more than waking up on time and a dog-barf-free house.

On days where you feel like you're twenty pounds heavier than you were a mere 12 hours ago (while physiologically impossible unless you're carrying around two 10 lb. hand weights, some of us still feel like that sometimes) and yet you still really have a craving to eat all the sweet and sugar filled foods that cross your path, do not fret; there is still something to look forward to.

In those moments where you feel the blood rush to your face as you realize you should have held your tongue about the chicken salad because the devastatingly shy new employee at work brought it in for everyone to enjoy,  take your foot out of your mouth. Well, maybe not. Put it back in, but don't let yourself get down about it. You are not an idiot... just a bit too anxious to say your piece when you should take a few more seconds to think things through.

I heard a quote once that said, "Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections."

So what if there's a day where your hair doesn't look perfect (okay, so maybe it's far from perfect) and the dog threw up.  In looking past those unfortunate happenings is an opportunity to laugh at yourself, to laugh at the dog barf, and to decide to be happy as you grab the carpet cleaner and Clorox wipes.

On those days where you feel like you're going to bust the seams on your favorite pair of jeans yet you still ate the chocolate cake, it really is not a big deal. Yes, being healthy is a good thing, but there is always tomorrow where you have the opportunity to eat plenty of bell peppers, cucumbers, celery, apples, oranges, and sticks... just for fiber. 

And at those times where you do something that would lead people to assume you are half as intelligent as you truly are, just take a deep breath and laugh at yourself. Look past your faux pas and take the opportunity to do something nice for the new employee at your work to make them feel welcome.

I have decided something today. In fact, I decided it just ten minutes ago before I sat down to write this blog. I have decided to look past the little imperfections in my life and see all of the opportunities I have to laugh and enjoy the loved ones I have around me. I'm going to look past the rainy days that create the puddles that inevitably get the bottom of my pant legs wet. I'm going to look past my frizzy hair that won't stay nicely braided no matter how hard I try. And I'm going to look past my own murmuring and ungratefulness and realize all that I have. 

I am so blessed. How do I know? Because I've decided.

Mario Kart with Mom

I love to play Mario Kart. Ask my brother-in-law Adam Carson, or my husband, or any other member of my family and they would tell you that I love to play Mario Kart. So last night after everything was winding down, the last couple batches of cookies were in the oven, I asked mom if she wanted to play Mario Kart with me. She laughed and said, "Sure! I never get to finish a race so this will be interesting!" We got the game set up and ready to go, and I selected the first race: Luigi Circuit. Mom did pretty good on this one... she ended up in 12th place, but she was right at the finish line when it made her stop! I was proud.

Then we played Moo Moo Meadows, and Mom got 4th place! Woohoo! She was able to finish not only that race, but the next two as well. She was doing awesome. Then... the next four races we won't really speak of, but at one point during Peach Gardens we were both laughing so hard that I couldn't breathe and mom couldn't steer. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. I love my mom!

Afterward, mom and I were going to watch Eclipse, and I just figured Derek would go to bed because honestly, what guy really, truly, and fully enjoys watching Twilight movies? But he came downstairs with his pajamas on and hopped on the couch to watch the movie. What a good husband I have.