Wednesday, July 30, 2008
The light at the end of the tunnel...
Well, here it is. The LAST post from AZ. Tomorrow is pack-up-the-truck day and then on Friday we head off to the land northward. It's been so crazy trying to get everything ready! All the cupboards and cabinets are empty and all the rooms are filled with boxes of all shapes and sizes. It really doesn't feel like we live here anymore. We are really ready to just be moved already! But there is so much to do... and so little time. We are going to miss all our family and friends down here in AZ! But we will be back for Christmas and we'll have to see everyone then. I will definitely write more once we get internet up yonder!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Pay it Forward: The Chinese Buffet Episode
So for the past 7 months or so, Thomas has had this irrepressible craving for all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet. We decided that we should take care of this before we go to Idaho, since there is NO all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet in Rexburg or probably within 100 miles of it. Anyway, we finally decided that last night was the night we were going to go. Thomas came home and said: "What do you want to do tonight? How about all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet?!?!?" I said: "Ok." So we decided to splurge and we went! We had collected a few coupons, and we decided on this place down on Gilbert and the 60 that looked pretty good. I think it's called Hunan VIII Chinese Buffet or something. I just remember driving past it and thinking it looked like it was advertising a "human" Chinese buffet. But needless to say, there were no humans to eat at this buffet.
So we finally WENT! We got to go and eat all different kinds of Chinese food, to Thomas' utter delight. He tried almost everything they had, I think- from the fried baby octopus (he said it was pretty gross and rubbery) to the stuffed crabs (he actually LOVED those) and he ALMOST ate a crawfish thing but I think the fact that it still had eyes and legs kind of creeped him out. Plus he couldn't figure out how to eat it. I stuck to normal-looking things, like sweet and sour chicken and beef and broccoli and egg rolls and stuff. Anyway- I think our evening at the Chinese buffet was overall a success.
Anyway, so we're sitting there eating our fortune cookies that had come along with our bill, pretty much ready to go, when the man sitting in the booth next to us came up to us and said "Hey guys," and he had some money in his hand. I had noticed the couple standing there next to their table with their bill in hand, ready to go pay, but they kind of lingered at their table, and we figured they just realized they needed some change or something. Then he said, "My wife and I would like to buy you two dinner." And he puts a $20 bill on the table. Thomas and I were like- "What? Why?" We were waiting for the catch or something. He told us that every now and then, his wife and he like to find someone that they think it would be nice to buy dinner for, and that we looked like we might enjoy that. He also wished me (my belly) a happy birthday, and with that they walked away. Thomas and I were totally stunned. We didn't quite know what to do with ourselves. I had noticed the couple watching us when we had first come in, and I noticed that every time we would get up to go refill our plates, they would just be watching us. I really didn't think a whole lot of it, since large pregnant bellies tend to attract peoples' attention. But we were just so surprised and touched at these complete strangers that apparently felt some connection to us and wanted to pay for our meal, just because. I could tell the man didn't want to make a big deal out of it, that he wasn't expecting anything in return, he just simply put the money on our table and told us they wanted to pay for our dinner, and walked away. Thomas actually started tearing up, even (though he may not admit to it now!). I just was so impressed that there are still people that have true human kindness in them, and aren't afraid to express that to strangers. It really made me want to know that couple- to know their story and who they are and what prompted them to do things like that. They didn't look like extraordinary people or wealthy people- they just looked like normal people. But I don't think I could forget the man's face as he told us he wanted to pay for our food. It really was just an incredible experience. It makes me want to go do something randomly nice for someone else. And it really makes me love that couple that I don't even know.
So we finally WENT! We got to go and eat all different kinds of Chinese food, to Thomas' utter delight. He tried almost everything they had, I think- from the fried baby octopus (he said it was pretty gross and rubbery) to the stuffed crabs (he actually LOVED those) and he ALMOST ate a crawfish thing but I think the fact that it still had eyes and legs kind of creeped him out. Plus he couldn't figure out how to eat it. I stuck to normal-looking things, like sweet and sour chicken and beef and broccoli and egg rolls and stuff. Anyway- I think our evening at the Chinese buffet was overall a success.
Anyway, so we're sitting there eating our fortune cookies that had come along with our bill, pretty much ready to go, when the man sitting in the booth next to us came up to us and said "Hey guys," and he had some money in his hand. I had noticed the couple standing there next to their table with their bill in hand, ready to go pay, but they kind of lingered at their table, and we figured they just realized they needed some change or something. Then he said, "My wife and I would like to buy you two dinner." And he puts a $20 bill on the table. Thomas and I were like- "What? Why?" We were waiting for the catch or something. He told us that every now and then, his wife and he like to find someone that they think it would be nice to buy dinner for, and that we looked like we might enjoy that. He also wished me (my belly) a happy birthday, and with that they walked away. Thomas and I were totally stunned. We didn't quite know what to do with ourselves. I had noticed the couple watching us when we had first come in, and I noticed that every time we would get up to go refill our plates, they would just be watching us. I really didn't think a whole lot of it, since large pregnant bellies tend to attract peoples' attention. But we were just so surprised and touched at these complete strangers that apparently felt some connection to us and wanted to pay for our meal, just because. I could tell the man didn't want to make a big deal out of it, that he wasn't expecting anything in return, he just simply put the money on our table and told us they wanted to pay for our dinner, and walked away. Thomas actually started tearing up, even (though he may not admit to it now!). I just was so impressed that there are still people that have true human kindness in them, and aren't afraid to express that to strangers. It really made me want to know that couple- to know their story and who they are and what prompted them to do things like that. They didn't look like extraordinary people or wealthy people- they just looked like normal people. But I don't think I could forget the man's face as he told us he wanted to pay for our food. It really was just an incredible experience. It makes me want to go do something randomly nice for someone else. And it really makes me love that couple that I don't even know.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
And So It Goes...
And so it does go! Life keeps moving, and we have about 2 1/2 weeks left here in the Valley. There is SO much to do!!! Packing is well underway, thanks to my wonderful mother and her amazing organized skills. Our apartment is becoming ever more box-filled, which is not as bad as I thought it would be, surprisingly enough. I like it better than it was before we started packing- which was just a disaster area. So we're making progress! Plus it's almost fun to tear things apart before we pack them up. Hee hee!
I think I figured out how to make pictures go on this blog, and I finally have some pictures of me pregnant so here they are. The one I tried to post is me at 27 weeks. Hopefully it works.
Pregnancy is going well- I still feel sick pretty much all the time but I haven't thrown up in a while which is nice. (knocks on wood) We are up to 31 weeks now, so just over 2 months left. It's always an adventure to try and figure out what to do with myself- hormones going up and down and things are stretching and itching and hurting and sweating and growing and me trying to get myself to eat something every day, yet somehow every now and then I have moments where I'm completely content and I'm SO happy and excited to be a mom. I know it will all be wonderful and worth it and amazing. I have so many friends who have had babies recently and they all tell me so!
Baby is good, we are good, and life is good. We are getting so excited to have her come into our family! Just a couple months now... We stayed up really late one night talking about baby stuff and names and fun stuff like that. Thomas keeps saying he's ready for her to come out NOW because he wants to play with her already! He's gonna be the cutest dad- and I think he will love having a little girl!
We had our LAST Second Sunday Singing here in AZ on Sunday- and it was a huge success! We had SOOOO many people come! Thanks to everyone who came and if you didn't- then you missed out. We had a great time and it was a wonderful experience for everyone. I'm sure that Thomas and I will continue to Second-Sunday-Sing in Idaho, but we definitely will miss you faithful people here in AZ. There is talk of keeping the song alive here in Mesa while we're gone- so more power to you all!
PS: We still have lots of YUMMY cake if anyone wants it...
I think I figured out how to make pictures go on this blog, and I finally have some pictures of me pregnant so here they are. The one I tried to post is me at 27 weeks. Hopefully it works.
Pregnancy is going well- I still feel sick pretty much all the time but I haven't thrown up in a while which is nice. (knocks on wood) We are up to 31 weeks now, so just over 2 months left. It's always an adventure to try and figure out what to do with myself- hormones going up and down and things are stretching and itching and hurting and sweating and growing and me trying to get myself to eat something every day, yet somehow every now and then I have moments where I'm completely content and I'm SO happy and excited to be a mom. I know it will all be wonderful and worth it and amazing. I have so many friends who have had babies recently and they all tell me so!Baby is good, we are good, and life is good. We are getting so excited to have her come into our family! Just a couple months now... We stayed up really late one night talking about baby stuff and names and fun stuff like that. Thomas keeps saying he's ready for her to come out NOW because he wants to play with her already! He's gonna be the cutest dad- and I think he will love having a little girl!
We had our LAST Second Sunday Singing here in AZ on Sunday- and it was a huge success! We had SOOOO many people come! Thanks to everyone who came and if you didn't- then you missed out. We had a great time and it was a wonderful experience for everyone. I'm sure that Thomas and I will continue to Second-Sunday-Sing in Idaho, but we definitely will miss you faithful people here in AZ. There is talk of keeping the song alive here in Mesa while we're gone- so more power to you all!
PS: We still have lots of YUMMY cake if anyone wants it...
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Happy Post-Fourth of July!
Well, Thomas comes home today! Hurray! I've definitely missed him this week. But I got to hang out with my mom and do all sorts of fun stuff like... watch movies and play with cute little rats and such. We watched Independence Day on Thursday to celebrate (a day early). Then yesterday we watched fireworks on TV and the NCIS marathon that was on. We also enjoyed Nature's fireworks as that huge storm blew through. And then we made a Taco Bell run at 11:30pm. Stupid Taco Bell commercials. But I am glad that Thomas is coming home- he has definitely been missed!
It sounds like Thomas had a great time over there in Nashville (when I actually heard from him, that is) and he stayed busy doing lots of singing and "stuff". I'm really not sure exactly what he's been doing all week, just that he's been really busy having a great time. I do know that he's been rehearsing like mad all week, the competition was last night and they took a break in the show to all go outside and see fireworks for the Fourth ofJuly! Thomas said it was the best fireworks display he's ever seen. His choir came in 11th in the competition, which wasn't as good as the 6th place they got last year but he said he had a great experience. I'm sure if he ever decides to post on our blog himself he will tell you all about it. ;D
Thomas has had some exciting business opportunities come up in the past week. It looks like he may have an opportunity to sell his shoes wholesale to CTR clothing, which is the company that does all the buying for Pomeroy's here in town (among other stores). He's very excited about all this- and I don't really know all the details yet because Thomas has been out of town and busy with his competition. I just know Thomas is really REALLY excited about it! But I will keep y'all posted!
Baby is doing well in there- she's getting so much bigger every day. We are 29 weeks now- only a couple months to go. I can already tell she is developing her talents early; I predict she will either be a Kung Fu master or a breakdancer. She is definitely making her presence known in there! Sometimes it feels like she is trying to bust her way out through my stomach or something. But I count my blessings- because it means she is healthy and happy.
I found out last time I went to the doctor that because I've been so sick I'm kind of anemic, so she put me on iron supplements twice a day. That made me nervous at first, because initially several months ago when I was so sick they told me to stop taking my regular pre-natal vitamins for a while because the extra iron in it could be making me sicker. So then they tell me to take a bunch more iron and I'm like... ok... this should be fun. But actually the kind they recommended for me to take is a slow-release kind that actually doesn't dissolve in my tummy, it dissolves once it gets past my tummy- so I haven't really had a problem with feeling worse because of it. Hurray!
It's coming down to the LAST month in AZ! Crazy!!! It's such a weird feeling to know that in a month I'm going to be living in another state. In my own house. Eeeek! We're excited!
It sounds like Thomas had a great time over there in Nashville (when I actually heard from him, that is) and he stayed busy doing lots of singing and "stuff". I'm really not sure exactly what he's been doing all week, just that he's been really busy having a great time. I do know that he's been rehearsing like mad all week, the competition was last night and they took a break in the show to all go outside and see fireworks for the Fourth ofJuly! Thomas said it was the best fireworks display he's ever seen. His choir came in 11th in the competition, which wasn't as good as the 6th place they got last year but he said he had a great experience. I'm sure if he ever decides to post on our blog himself he will tell you all about it. ;D
Thomas has had some exciting business opportunities come up in the past week. It looks like he may have an opportunity to sell his shoes wholesale to CTR clothing, which is the company that does all the buying for Pomeroy's here in town (among other stores). He's very excited about all this- and I don't really know all the details yet because Thomas has been out of town and busy with his competition. I just know Thomas is really REALLY excited about it! But I will keep y'all posted!
Baby is doing well in there- she's getting so much bigger every day. We are 29 weeks now- only a couple months to go. I can already tell she is developing her talents early; I predict she will either be a Kung Fu master or a breakdancer. She is definitely making her presence known in there! Sometimes it feels like she is trying to bust her way out through my stomach or something. But I count my blessings- because it means she is healthy and happy.
I found out last time I went to the doctor that because I've been so sick I'm kind of anemic, so she put me on iron supplements twice a day. That made me nervous at first, because initially several months ago when I was so sick they told me to stop taking my regular pre-natal vitamins for a while because the extra iron in it could be making me sicker. So then they tell me to take a bunch more iron and I'm like... ok... this should be fun. But actually the kind they recommended for me to take is a slow-release kind that actually doesn't dissolve in my tummy, it dissolves once it gets past my tummy- so I haven't really had a problem with feeling worse because of it. Hurray!
It's coming down to the LAST month in AZ! Crazy!!! It's such a weird feeling to know that in a month I'm going to be living in another state. In my own house. Eeeek! We're excited!
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