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.