A week of Dreams and Reality

This past week has been amazing and yet grounding as well. I went to work, as a cashier at a parking lot near a local sports and entertainment arena, and this particular event was the Shania Twain concert. I was so excited when I realized what event it was because this was the closest I would ever get to Shania Twain! People were super nice and excited to be there. It is always nice when the crowd is in a good mood because then they are generally nicer to be around. As usual we got the few people trying to weasel their way out of paying for parking and then came two guys in a car. They drove up to me and said "they told us to talk to you." (I gave them a questioning look as they continued) "We just need to pick up tickets at the box office. Do we still need to pay for parking?" Generally this is a no answer but I decided to question them a little further. I inquired "what kind of tickets are you picking up?" They answered "they're for tonight. We just aren't going to go anymore." Me: "Are you selling th?" Them:"no." Me: "Let me get this straight, you're picking up tickets to tonight's Shania Twain concert but not going or selling your tickets?" Them: "Yes." Me: "Well that sounds like you're just trying to get out of paying $25 for parking!" Them: "no no no we're not. We're really not going tonight!" Me: (laughing) "I'm just kidding. Go ahead and park and if you can't find anyone for your tickets I'll take them," I joked. Then we parted ways laughing. I did not expect to see them again. BUT I did see them, they came back AND as they approached me they asked "so if we give you our tickets, will you be able to go?" WAIT, "WHAT?!?!?!" "YES!!! Oh yes yes yes!!" They said, "really? They are center stage row 13! Are you sure you can go?" Me: "ARE YOU JOKING WITH ME? Center stage row 13?????? Yes, I can go. Are you sure you aren't going? This is Shania Twain!!! You should just go!" Them: "no, we were at Disneyland all day and we are tired. Please use the tickets and enjoy the show!" Me: "I'm going to cry. Thank you so much!! Thank you thank you!" Hugs were exchanged and in all my excitement I forgot to get their names. I called my husband and even though he wanted to go he opted to stay home with our kiddos. So my bestie friend from first grade got to come with me. The sweetest part of the night was the clothing you hubby sent with my friend for me to change into. He sent a pair of sea foam green (light teal) cord, because he said I love them, which is true. The tops he sent were neon orange,dark teal tank that I wear to bed, a purple-ly magenta shirt and a white shirt with orange embroidery around the collar. Luckily a co-worker let me borrow a concert tee he bought. Then we went into the concert! THE CONCERT!!! There are no words to describe center stage 13th row at Shania Twain! Here are some of the pictures:

It was so amazing. 

The things I learned from that night will hopefully stay with me forever. 

1. If you try you're hardest to be a good person and be kind to everyone, then one day when you least expect it kindness will come back to you. 

2. Memories of dancing in your aunt's kitchen in Minnesota will make you wish she could have been at the concert with you and leave you smiling for days. I love you Aunt Diane. 

3. (And most important) My husband really loves me and tries so hard to be amazing. His effort he put into finding me an outfit means more to me than flowers and jewelry or any monetary gift. 

The other amazing item to my week was a volunteering opportunity I received. I got to work with books all day and then they "paid" me in books!! Oh glorious books!! The most exciting part was that three hours into my shift they offered me a real job!! They will work with my hours and availability AND THERE WILL BE BOOKS, LOTS AND LOTS OF BOOKS!!! Now if I can only find a sitter. 

Reality arrived ironically, with more bills than dollars, but who hasn't had that struggle and stress. I was pretty frugal today though. I cut my son's hair and it doesn't look half bad. Good enough that husband doesn't really believe that I did it. Then for dinner we had taco salad because our tortillas had some mold on them. I cut off the mold then cut the rest up and fried up some chips! So yummy and I didn't feel bad about throwing away food. I hate wasting food. We will get through this rough patch. How and where we will end up is up to God but he is there holding our hands. 

Be kind. Love and give to others because moments like these are what really matters and they don't last forever. 

Uneventful???

Sometimes I think that my life is uneventful and boring and no one ever wants to know about it. BUT then while washing loads and loads of laundry and making a nigh-night for the little guy I turn around and see:

He's hiding the glorious amount of bracelets on his other arm and walking around in his tippy toes. This kid is going places and I hope those places lead to my own private island for putting up with his shenanigans. This was yesterday while I was rushing to make popcorn for movie in the park. 

The reason I was rushing was because prior to the box cuteness he decided to get into his sister's pink hair chalk and rub it all over his clothes and body and my comfy rocking chair. Outside he went to hose him off and water the grass at the same time. We are in a drought so water usage must have two purposes. 

After doing loads and loads of laundry today and halfway finishing Jacob's blankie I was invited to see Jon Lovitz at the improv!! A hilarious night out with my bestie and no children!! Whoop whoop! The only thing that would have made the night completely awesome was if the table next to us stopped talking and enjoyed the show. The lady (I'm trying to be polite because she was way too rude to be a lady) talked throughout the ENTIRE show and kept showing stuff on her phone to her gentleman (again being polite) companion. So I kept laughing louder and louder to make conversation even more awkward. It didn't work. The louder the show, audience or my laughter the louder she raised her voice.  I was in such a bright and cheerful mood that I didn't want to ruin it by confronting them or bothering the waitress. And honestly I don't think it would have made a difference anyways. To be that loud and rude at a comedy show, she wouldn't have cared a fig about me telling her to whet her loud trap. What would you have done? Here's a picture just because we are lovely. 

Then I come home to this lovely scene. 

I mean come on, how great is my life?!? No space for me but oh they are cute.  Now I am laying in bed with full makeup and unbrushed teeth because the baby woke up crying for momma and I have become his pillow. My left leg is almost completely asleep. My life is stressful, exhausting, wonderful, spontaneous, glorious, silly, poopy, unpredictable, stressful (did I say that already), and worth every second. 

Forgive the rudeness in life and get home to be a pillow. That is how life should be. 

It's been a long time...again!

Life, as usual, has gotten the best of me and priorities have been changed. I am trying to re-structure my life now. Things that will change:

1. Cleanliness of house

2. Healthier eating habits

3. Everyone working together

4. Meals al fresco. 

5. Punctuality

6. Budget and Savings

7. Fit and Healthy lifestyle 

Seven is a good number to start with and those are pretty significant lifestyle changes. I am also holding myself accountable and not relaying on too much external assistance. I am enthusiastic a motivated for these changes. 

We have started by totally cleaning out and organizing our "garage" a.k.a. The third bedroom. It was necessary to do so because we needed a out third bedroom to begin another adventure. 

You guessed right! Our family has grown. Almost two weeks ago Owen moved in. He is a 14 year old student from China. He started his first official school day at Servite high school today. Owen will stay with us for the entire school year. So far having him here has been wonderful. He is kind, gracious and loves playing with the kids. He says he likes my cooking but not my Brussels sprouts and he is sick of watching "Home!" Jacob loves playing swords and fighting with him and Claire loves drawing with him. 

We count ourselves very lucky that not only did we get Owen in our lives but also his sister Yongsi. She lives in San Diego and attends the art institute there. She came up on the afternoon yesterday to spend some time with us. She brought us some soup and said that when someone lives away from home it is tradition to bring soup to them. She made a pork soup with carrots and mashed potatoes in it. We look forward to eating it tonight. 

Last night we went to the last summer concert in the park. Jacob got down with his bad self to the some funky soul and R & B. We had a picnic of chicken Alfredo with egg noodles and asparagus. For dessert Yongsi brought us a chocolate cake and strawberry cake from 85* bakery. Very tasty!! While us Murphys were grooving and dancing Owen and his sister watched and enjoyed the music. It is understandable that our fine and funky dance moves were a bit intimidating.  It was such a fun night. 

This round of blogging will be about our lives and adventures. I will share stories and pictures about hosting an exchange student and also my life as a sometimes stay-at-home mom who works when her schedule allows it and there are hours available. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we will for you. 

Owen and Claire last night at the concert in the park. 

Flying and North Carolina.

My flights from Pensacola, Florida to Jacksonville, North Carolina were pretty uneventful.  However, I did learn that I don't want to fly with my children unless they are in my uterus. The children on the flights were very well behaved but they had to use the restroom and that bathroom is tiny, a mom will not fit in there too. The most exciting part of the plane was disembarking and one boarding. 

Disembarking in Charlotte. 

Boarding in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

My plane in the Jacksonville airport. Oh it was so cool getting on an off the plane like this. 

Cruising to Jen's home in her baby blue mustang. 

Jen was craving chocolate cheesecake so I made her one. It was the first time her beautiful red Kitchen Aid was used. Yes, be embarrassed for her. 

I was pleased to discover many Pampered Chef items. Missing was a rubber scrapper, cutting boards, cooking utensils, measuring cups, functional spatulas and sharp knives. Guess what she's getting as a thank you gift. The cheesecake turned out delicious and well as the homemade whipped cream. She actually said to me "I pegged you as a container of cool whip girl!" I slapped her across the face. Alright I didn't do that but she changed her opinion after the spoonful of whipped cream I gave her. 

The cheesecake. We ate our slices while watching a romance movie and an 80's comedy. Oh how I love being with her. We talk about boys, and shoes and shopping and imaginary future dreams, and chocolate and food and... It's all face to face!!!  It's wonderful!  

Jacqui's home

Sunday morning we woke up to thunderstorms and stiff muscles. My crazy sister went and did yoga in the pouring rain while I stayed in bed dozing and watching tv. I had wanted to go to the antique store and drugstore/used bookstore but it was Sunday and everything is closed in Alabama on Sundays.  My favorite part of the day was losing Maureen right before we left to take her to the airport. After waiting in the lobby for forty minutes I checked the hotel room and she was not there. My heart started racing and panic was setting in until I found her curled up in the backseat of the car. Neither Jacqui or I knew she was there and Jacqui even locked her into the car!!  Oh my Mojo potato!  We left really early for the airport and had plenty of time to eat before Maureen's plane left. We stopped to eat at the Bonefish Grill in Pensacola, Florida. 

Our food server was amazing and promptly brought all of our food as quickly as he could so we would have time to eat it. The food, oh the food!! 

What's left of corn chowder. Sweet and spivey and served piping hot!! 

Bang Bang Shrimp, tossed in a spicy cream sauce served of iceberg lettuce. Delectable!!

Rainbow trout topped with mango salsa and served with a side of succotash and potato au gratin. 

It was this good!! All three of us demolished it!! 

Dessert was creme brûlée topped freshly made whipped cream. It did not last long.  

 After we returned from dropping off Maureen, Jacqui took me to see her home. It was beautiful. There is green everywhere the only downside is the previous occupants were rude, disrespectful, inconsiderate lazy people. They left the house in shambles and left a majority of there personal items and furniture in on the front and back porches and in the home! Unfortunately Jacqui has a lot of work ahead of her but despite her disappointment I believe she is looking forward to making the house into a home. Here are some pictures of her house. 

Right side and back of the house.

The lovely Jacqui in the front of the house.

The super steep stairs up to the second floor. I describe them as if stairs and a ladder mated and the ladder had more dominat characteristics. And yes I went up and down those stairs. 

This is the queen of the castle her name is Rosie. She is sitting in her throne alcove on the second floor. While Jacqui was with me and Maureen the previous tenants decided that they wanted to come back into the house. Which they did and boy were Jacqui and the cats pissed. One cat, Pumpkin, disappeared and we didn't find her until I came down the stairs and saw her on top of the fridge way back in the corner. Her royal highness, Rosie took another approach and went potty all over their stuff. Bravo Rosie! 

I am so very thankful and grateful to Jacqui for this amazing adventure and I look forward to seeing her house to home progress. 

Foley, Alabama

We arrived about an hour ago. We are showered changed and ready to sleep! Thank you God for our safe drive and keep us safe during the rest of our journey. 

Tomorrow we will go and see Jaqui's home and do some sight seeing. We wan to go to mass but the closest Catholic Church is 3 milies away and the rain is supposed to keep up tomorrow. We also don't have a way of reaching Jaqui until she comes to the hotel but she needs her sleep. I think she slept the least of all three of us. I will post pictures of Jaqui's home tomorrow. I am so excited to see it. Maureen leaves tomorrow night at 630pm and should arrive in California at 1130pm. Then Monday morning I fly to North Carolina to see Jen!! I can't wait!! Good night!

The rain in Spain... I mean Alabama!

We drove through Mississippi and we are driving through Alabama. It is 1:15am and we are all tired and its pouring rain. This is not California rain! The drops are small and when they hit the windshield they make it blurry and difficult to see. I'm too tired to focus so Maureen's giving it a go. She's been sleeping for the last hour and a half. Pray for us tonight. The rain is beautiful but we are tired. I will post again when we get to our hotel.