One of Our Favorite Things

Seeing as we haven't had a proper date for weeks, we decided to try to have an official one this afternoon. (Sorry Lance, but staying at home to order pizza and watch football or a DVD is NOT a real date. ) We started out by going to Tom's (my older, charming brother's) favorite restaurant - The Soup Plantation. We snuck in there at 3:55 p.m. so we could still qualify for the lunch discount price but still be able to take advantage of the dinner menu that starts at 4:00 p.m. Sneaky and frugal. That's us.

Anyway, our second destination was to be the local dollar theater so we could watch Hairspray. I wasn't too fond of the original one, but for $1.00 per ticket, I could suffer through it. However, my stomach wasn't feeling so well after our salad (or in Lance's case - pasta and baked goods) gorgefest so we decided to just drive around in the rain for a bit.

I have to say, this was much better than a movie. AND we saved two whole bucks. We talked and laughed about lots of things and listened to our iPod. We decided that car trips that involve listening to (and often singing along with) Katie Melua, Norah Jones, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Williams, the MoTab, The Fray, whatever 80's band that Lance has liked and Nickelback are one of our favorite ways to spend time together. (SIDENOTE: You KNOW our kids are going to think their parents are so cool with the types of music we enjoy. :-) )

I am now happily doing my homework, grateful that Steve Jobs invented the iPod. And that Lance is good about downloading music that not only he likes, but songs I like as well. All I want to do now is freeze frame this moment in my memory forever.

Because sometimes someone can say it better

My good friend Lisa and her husband just adopted a baby boy after a VERY, VERY long and difficult struggle with infertility. Their situation gives a whole new meaning to suffering (in my opinion.) She sent us an invitation to a "welcome baby" shower and the following poem was included on the invite.

We prayed and prayed for a baby to love.

We looked for answers from God above.

As time went by our hearts seemed to break.

Was our faith being tested, how long must we wait?

Please listen my child, your prayers I hear.

I have a plan, put aside your fear.

From the begining it was meant to be.

This precious baby is your gift from me.

So open your arms and dry your tears,

I give you this child the rest of your years.

Author of this poem is unknown but I must say thank you. Thank you for penning words the fill so many couples hearts who struggle with infertility. Thank you for reminding us that there is hope. Yes, sometimes someone can say it better.

In over our heads

I am happy to say I just finished my first grad school assignment. Have you ever had the feeling that you are the dumbest person in a room? Or a gut instinct that whispers "what have you gotten yourself into?" Well, I have had both of these feelings..A LOT...this week. Oh well - I guess that means I have a lot to learn from my fellow co-hort members! I am not trying to be the top of the class, that is for sure. Passing would be the best gift EVER. I am hoping it will get easier over time.

Funny side note: Sofi discovered how to open her doggie treat cupboard yesterday. I came home from dinner to find she had eaten four "greenies" dog bones and a good portion of her milkbones. She was lying on her side, whining a little when I walked into the kitchen. I guess her stomach was a little queasy. She made multiple trips outside in the middle of the night to relieve this queasiness. I should have taken a picture of our little glutton. It was a sight to behold and I couldn't help but laugh as she looked up at me with her "I don't feel so good" eyes. Serves you right, Miss Naughty!