Tender Mercies

This morning I wanted to quit my job. Obviously I wasn't really going to quit my job and then the thought of being unemployed was horrible so I looked up my patients and headed to the floors. And then it got a little better as I did some more work on a gigantic malnutrition project I've taken on and that made me excited! 

But as luck would have it....around 2:30 my day took a very sharp turn for the better.

I sent a message on whim to a woman who owns a flower shop a few weeks ago asking if she was looking for any free help because I know that this is one of the busiest times of the year for florists. Basically I just need an outlet. Something fun. I need to work with my hands and do something I enjoy. I mean I love baking but then all I want to do is eat the stuff I bake and that's not a win-win situation. I sent it thinking she'd likely not respond and didn't expect her to but thought why not? and sent the message anyway. A few days later she responded and we had been playing phone tag. Well, I finally got in touch with her but she was working with a client on wedding plans and I didn't hear back, and had pretty much given up. I tried. I came close but who am I kidding? I have no professional training. I've taken a floral design class and I worked at a flower shop for a couple of months after I graduated. Beyond that, I don't know a whole lot about floral design. Well. At 2:30 I received a message from the woman asking me to meet her today after work. So I did. And two hours later I walked out with a second job.

I. Cannot. Believe. It.

But it works out perfectly because Mark has been getting busier and busier so he doesn't get home until 7 or 8 so I'll go to the flower shop after I'm done with the hospital and then help them out on weekends...and I get paid!!! I tried to tell her that was unnecessary since that was never my intention and I just wanted to help out for fun and that I don't have that many, if any, qualifications, but she insisted. 

Friends, I am so excited. SO excited. I don't really know what I'll be doing but I'm excited just to be in the flower business and the floral environment. I promptly called Mark and told him everything and to make sure he was cool with it, which he was!!!, and then merrily drove home still in disbelief. I start tomorrow. I don't even care if all I do is sweep the floors and put stock away. I'm so excited! It helps that they've just recently hired two other people with very little experience so I won't be alone there. Oh happy day!

And now I'm going to go eat ice cream for dinner because this is cause for celebration (and because it's a suffocating 93 degrees outside. No need to stick me in an oven, I'm already there)!!! 

On to the next quarter century!

I am now 26. Whoa.

Age has never really been a big deal to me. Well, that's a lie. 16 was pretty exciting. Age is a number and a mind set. But...26? I'm now in my upper 20s. Weird. Just weird. But anyway, it ended as a grand day. So my birthday technically was Monday. I am not going to lie, having a birthday on a Monday is kind of a bum deal. It was crazy busy and work kind of ruined my day. Until around 2pm when I got a call from one of the managers to see if I was in my office because someone was looking for me. Great. Probably a patient or their family member hunting me down. It was that kind of a day. I got to my office and there wasn't anyone there so I called the manager back and he said to stay in my office and the "visitor" was on their way. Then I became suspicious. Amy wasn't saying a thing either. Well, about 3 minutes later someone knocked on our door and there was a woman holding a beautiful bouquet of roses.

 FOR ME. 

Whaaaaat? 

So, call me cliche and old school but I have always wanted to be that girl who gets flowers at work. I don't mean that vainly. I just think it's always so sweet! Well, Monday was that day. And from Mark. I don't know how I lucked out getting such a swell guy, but I did. *sigh*  

And then I got home and had an odd-looking package outside my door. Well it was from my brother who is on a church mission in Australia!!! Now how many 19 year old boys remember their older sister's birthday and have the sense to send it so it arrives on their birthday? Apparently my brother. Totally precious! He sent me some "lollies" (candy), a beautiful anchor bracelet and the stuffed animal is a tazmania devil. My brother rocks!

Now Mark had sent me my package and it arrived the Friday before my birthday but I refused to open it until Monday. FINALLY I GOT TO OPEN IT!!!! He sent me a card that lights up. LEGIT!!!!!! And tons of candy (apparently everyone knew I was lacking in chocolate because I got a ton of it!). AND 3 of the Nancy Drew books I had been missing. I am working to have the entire Nancy Drew collection. He's so awesome! 

 Now to back track. 

I went to Dallas over Labor Day weekend to visit Mark and to take our engagement pictures. It was, as it always is, so much fun! Friday we explored downtown Dallas and went through a bunch of art museums and walked around. Friends, it's BLIMEY hot in Dallas. BLIMEY. HOT. I do not tolerate triple digits well. Whew. It was still wicked fun! We ended the day with sushi and then meeting his parents, sister, and one of his nephews for a Rangers game! My first Rangers game. I even wore blue to be supportive. But before you freak, because I am die hard, loyal Red Sox fan, Mark and I have an agreement that we will support each other's teams unless they are playing each other. 

Around the 4th inning Mark's dad told us to get our phones/cameras out and then this appeared on the scoreboard. WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!!!???? AWESOME!!! I couldn't believe it AND it was up for, what felt like, quite a while. I was afraid they were going to pan the camera on us (again, 105 degrees makes for one sweaty, nasty, frizzy Gabe). They didn't, thankfully. But holy catscans!!!! How sweet! 

I finally got to try the infamous Rooster's Roadhouse burger and freshly made potato chips. AWESOME BURGER! AWESOME! And I got to color with Mark's niece (and I guess technically she'll be my niece too! HOOOORAY!!!!!) while we waited. She is wicked cute and I am now also wrapped around her finger! 

Saturday Mark and I took engagement pictures. It was 105 degrees at 5pm. I thought we were going to melt. Poor Mark was wearing his wool uniform while we took our formal shots at an airplane hangar. The shots look AWESOME (you'll see a sneak peek later).

Still smiling after 2 hours of picture-taking. We were waiting for Mark's best friend and his wife to join us for ice cream. The ice cream parlor is aaaaaaadorable! Can't wait to go back! 

During a discussion prior to my arrival, I found out Mark has never tried a Hostess Cupcake. So, naturally I had to bring him one to try. I am not a fan of Hostess products because they are more chemical than food and I can taste it. Gross. But I made him try it. CLEARLY he was thrilled.

 Mark's family celebrated my birthday early on Sunday. How sweet is that? I mean really! Mark's mom, whom I adore, made my favorite cake, German Chocolate Cake! It was soooooo yummy! I love my future family.

And Mark's parents got me some birthday presents. I was trying really hard to act mature but the giddy kid in me came out as I was opening the newest additions to my cookbook collection and gardening utensils to plant grape hyacinths. Mark DREW, yes DREW, the anchor. He is INCREDIBLY talented friends. I couldn't believe he drew that. :) And I always love Boston Red Sox stuff!!! My face hurt from smiling so much. It was a grand day! 

Then Mark and his dad played a bunch of songs on the piano (they are both amazing; Mark's dad can play anything) and Mark, his neice, his sister, and I danced around the living room under the direction of his niece. She is so cute I can't stand it! 

Then I caught this picture. Pardon me while I melt.

And finally. The best for last. 

I HAVE AN OFFICIAL WEDDING DATE!!!!!!!!!

December 14th!!! 

WAHOOOO!!!!!

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mark and I have been waiting for on a few things before we could announce the date and finally everything fell into place and it's official! We had this date in mind for a bit so, don't worry, the wedding planning was already underway but now I can REALLY get things done! 

 We won't get the rest of our engagement shots until next week but Ambyr was sweet enough to post a few sneak peeks on her blog! She was FABULOUS and so patient and fun! 

I cant' wait to see the rest of them!!!

83 days to go!

June

June is a big month for my family. My mom and stepdad got married in June. My brother and sister-in-law got married in June. I graduated high school in June. It's the beginning of summer. I mean, June is kind of a big deal. 

This year June is a pretty special for me personally for a couple of reasons. I was asked a couple of months ago to be the camp director for my church's Girls Camp. I love this age group. Girls Camp is held across the country for the different stakes and are a great opportunity for girls, ages 12-18, to come together and learn some outdoorsy skills (think Girl Scouts), form some great friendships, and to grow spiritually. It's a neat experience. I went every year when I was that age and had a blast. Now, it's a WHOLE different ball game being a leader, and you better believe an even different ball game when you are asked to be the director. To say I felt completely inadequate to fulfill this role would be a VAST understatement. But, I agreed to do it and was really excited, and nervous, and terrified, but excited. 

Well, after of months of planning the day (Wednesday) arrived! Girl's Camp! Now I was supposed to meet up with some of the girls at 6am to drive them to camp. At 5:45am I loaded up all of my stuff, shut the trunk, reached into my purse, and to my UTTER horror my keys were not there. 

So I ripped open my backpack and clawed through everything hoping and praying I would find my lanyard. Nope. No. Not even close. I had, for the first time ever, locked my keys in my trunk. Yup. 15 minutes before I was supposed to be at the meeting place to drive some girls to camp. Stellar director, I know. So I panicked for about 5 minutes, tried to break into my apartment, unsuccessfully (which is probably a good thing). I finally cracked and called AAA and they said they would be there in 30 minutes. Great, I'm a terrible leader. Fortunately I called the other chaperon and she said she wasn't planning on getting there until 6:30 and then we'd leave between 6:45 and 7 because it's only a 2 hour drive, not a 3 hour drive. SCORE!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAA got there in 15 minutes. The AAA dude looked none too pleased to be there. Nor did he look amused at my predicament. Well, I was none too pleased either ok? But then he commented on how clean my car was for a 25 year old, popped open my door in 45 seconds, and I almost hugged him I was so happy. Almost. Instead I grabbed my keys, thanked him profusely and sped off. What a great way to begin camp! The theme this year was based on Dr. Seuss's book "Oh the Places You'll Go" and the mutual theme: Oh the Places You'll Stand. Awesome, awesome, awesome theme! We and the girls had a lot of fun with it!

These are some of the leaders. Summer (who is standing next to me) was really the brains behind camp. I may have been the director, but she did it all and I just followed her lead. I would have died without her especially, and without the support of these wonderful women. It was quite humbling to be working with them. 

Me and the Stake YW President

Rockin' Youth Camp Leaders. These girls did a FABULOUS job helping us plan!

Skit time. All the girls from the different wards were assigned a Dr. Seuss book and a YW value to tie together. They were hilarious and superb!

The Myrtle Beach girls and I had a blast with glow-in-the-dark balloons and bubbles!

I'm not sure what I am doing here. Probably teasing the girls because that's what I do...and they were sunbathing (supposed to be) observing clouds 

Loved the enthusiasm! 

Craft time...

And pretty much how the girls and leaders felt. I guess that's what staying up late, eating lots of yummy food and candy, pranking and a non-stop, wicked busy, jam-packed schedule from 7am-11pm-ish will do to you. Well worth it!

Now you should probably read the previous post first before you read this next part. Go on. Go read it. Trust me. You'll be glad you did. 

The other reason this month is very special to me, and one of the main reasons why I will never forget this year's Girls Camp is because Mark surprised, no, more like shocked me (in a good way, of course) and proposed to me at Girls Camp, in front of the entire camp. I was shocked, stunned, amazed, flattered, impressed, and smitten. He is so very amazing. I sure do love him a lot. 

Now. I am not going to share the proposal story YET. BUT I WILL! I WILL! Soon! Trust me, the wait will be worth it. Mark is awesome and it was one of the those proposals that should go down in the books on Best Proposals Ever. Really though, it was incredible. It was captured on video so I am waiting for that. You'll love it. 

To make the surprise even better, Mark stayed from Thursday to today. He's so dashing.

Two of my stellar Young Women!

And the good times just keep on coming! The Young Women and their awesome leaders decided to play one last camp prank: decorate my car. 

Well played. WELL played.

After I dropped Mark off at the airport, I was waiting at a stoplight and an elderly woman was in the lane next to me, honked her horn, and gave me a thumbs up. Rock on! I was smiling all the way home.

BEST. WEEK. EVER.

Surprise #2 = near heart attack

****Please note:  I wrote this post in a little bit ago (Sunday, June 16th to be exact), the day after the following happened, for reasons you will understand after you read. It's a GOOD one!****

I almost had a heart attack yesterday. 

I was lying on my bed yesterday afternoon catching up on the latest episodes of "Once Upon A Time" and at the commercial break, decided to check my Instagram. Well. I scrolled to this photo posted by my stepdad and thought, Aww he went golfing with the boys {his son and sons-in-law}. Then I looked at the photo from right to left (I know, I'm weird, who looks right to left?), Caleb, Dallas, Chris....waita...I know that shirt. I know that hat. What the...

OhMyGOSH. Oh. My. Gosh. Ohmagosh. That looks like Mark. That LOOKS like Mark. ThatlookslikeMark. THAT LOOKS LIKE MARK!

But no. It can't be. Mark is in San Antonio with his parents. He's even sent me pictures. He's golfing with his dad today. 

Now mind you, 6.3 seconds after I saw this picture I flew off my bed with a heart rate in the 200s and into my living room because I needed better light. I was, stupidly and desperately, trying to make the picture bigger so I could verify that it was indeed Mark. In case you didn't know, you can't do that with Instagram, but in a moment of desperation, this bit of knowledge had completely escaped my mind, and so I kept trying to enlarge the picture. I think I may have even shook my phone to see if that would help as I paced the room, literally, yes, paced. I was 100% sure it was Mark, but then not at all sure, and then 100% sure, and then baffled and not sure. It couldn't be.  I need a magnifying glass!!!!! At this point I was straining my eyes in disbelief and then, I was 100% sure it was Mark.

That can't.

No. 

But. It is. He's in California?

WHAT!!??!!!???!?!?!?

I stopped pacing, still in utter disbelief and shock, and wasn't quite sure what to do. SURELY, they knew I would see the picture. SURELY. This was bait. Take it? Do I play it out? Wait coyly for Mark to call later? HECK NO!!!! I was about to burst! Who do I call first? My mom? Dan? Mark? Mark. Done. 

I resumed pacing because, hello the amount of energy and adrenaline and shock I had SURGING through my body would have sent me into a jig. It rang...and rang...and I thought if I had to leave a voicemail, I would go mad...and then I'd call my mom, Dan, the house phone and repeat until someone answered. I needed answers!!!! He picked up. I said hello. He said hello and I knew the instant he said hello that he knew that I knew. So. I asked how he was doing. He shyly replied, with a bit of question, hesitancy, and I suspected a hint of a smile on this face, "good." I asked how golfing was. He said good. The one word answers were kind of an obvious a dead give away. We both knew. And then I decided no more beating around the bush. So...golfing with your DAD today HUH?  And then he laughed and wanted to know if I wanted to skype. I race to my computer, signed on, called him, and his face appeared...along with my mom's and Dan's.

So the elusive surprise my mom had been talking about and torturing me about with vague hints and allegedly unsure time frames, the one I had talked to Mark about for weeks about the waiting was killing me, the one I outright asked him if he knew and he said no but did indeed know about all along because he was the master behind it, had come to fruition. He was going to California.

Well, well, well. 

Did NOT see it coming. Completely caught off guard. That is some master planning. Expert scheming. WELL. DONE. I am still reeling from it all. Touched. Flattered. Beyond impressed. 

****Now, as you might have noticed, I was not in California. He was not coming to surprise me, which may beg the question, why was he was going to California? What you may not have known is that he hadn't yet met my parents and so he flew out to meet them. And to talk to them...****

Yay it's May!

So. 

Let's recap. 

This may be a long post BUT it has lots of pictures (and yes, a lot of food pics. Don't pretend to be shocked)!!! That means it'll mostly be pictures with my commentary. Muahaha!

Ye have been warned. Birthdays are kind of A HUGE deal for me. The bigger I can make it, the better. My pal Amy had her 24th birthday on the 23rd and the day before I had brilliant ideas poppin' out of my brain cells. I couldn't wait. These are the results:

*Eh hem* FIRST of all friends, let me just say I made my own caramel...WITHOUT a candy thermometer. WHABAM! And it was great! The author of the recipe said I could do it and she was right. Boy I felt like a million bucks. Also I'm glad because otherwise I would have had to make a late night trip to Wally-world (eh...) for caramels to melt (aka the cheapo way). Well, thank goodness it worked. 

 I felt it completely necessary that I "taste test" some so I put it atop some leftover brownies I had in the freezer and then thought, "what the heck?" and topped it with some sea salt and whipped cream, or "keem" as my darling nieces used to call it. Delish friends, DEE.LISH.

Now the point of making the caramel? Well, Amy's favorite candy bar, or one of, is Twix and I had pinned (I will admit, I am a Pinterestaholic. Yup. *no shame*) a homemade Twix recipe months ago and now had a reason to make them! YES! So I made 'em, cut up in attempt to make them kinda, sorta look like Twix bars and then got all crazy (this is what happens when I am scheming, the ideas just FLOOOOOW. It's amazing) and decided to wrap them up so they looked like candies. 

AND THEN. I decided that Twix bars weren't enough, because, like I said, I like to go ALL OUT on birthdays. I decided to make some peanut butter pudding cookies. Amy and I had made these together months ago and I remember us both devouring them so I thought these would be a hit. Instead of peanut butter chips, which I didn't have because I kind of decided to make them on the fly, I just used Reeses Pieces, peanut butter M&Ms, and chocolate chips. 

SOOOO YUMMY! And you know I taste tested that dough about 5 times. I gave her 24 cookies and she was kind enough to share. Mmmmm! 

THEN. And this was the AHA! moment I had right before I left work on Monday and decided to gather all my goods to super surprise Amy on Tuesday: decorate her desk/half of our office. Oh I was bursting with excitement! I got to work super early and decorated and was so nervous she would come in extra early (she always beats me) and I would be in the middle of decorating. Well, as it turns out she was running late and ended up getting in loooong after I had finished. Thank goodness. She was surprised and I was pleased. 

Now we decided to throw a birthday bash on Saturday and I got all crazy and made spinach dip (from a packet but it was from Mark from this fabulous store in Texas!) with homemade pita chips, and, now this is a big deal, guacamole. For the first time. By myself (which means without the guidance of Mark, who showed me how to make it). Now I realize it's not rocket science but I'm a baker, ok? This means I like specific amounts with specific ingredients and clear cut instructions. Cooking is a little more lenient in amounts and ingredients so I was a little nervous making this for the first time, and for a party no less. Fortunately, Mark is amazing and walked me through about 5 times. He even Skyped with me while I made a test batch. Yes he is that awesome. And yes I am pathetic. It's the curse of perfectionism. 

THEN. In my attempts to get back into making dinners more consistently that are a little more wholesome than a PB/honey sandwich, cereal, or a Greek yogurt, I found a super easy salad recipe which involved black beans, corn, romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and a homemade cilantro-lime dressing. Friends, it's off the hook good. I added some spicy tilapia and whoa buddy it was good. YAY for leftovers! 

This shouldn't be anything new but I just am not feeling running as of late. I don't know why. Actually I do. April, well, after April 10th, April and I were not on good terms. No siree. Work sucked the life out of me (you work 3 weeks straight sans a day off and tell me how you feel. Yeah that's what I thought), I was recently asked to be the director of a girls camp my church does every year and usually the director is given this assignment months ago and I have kind of been thrown into the whirlwind of planning (with a mere 2 months to go until camp) while trying to get myself up to speed, plan, etc. etc. etc., while trying to maintain my personal sanity. This is no small task. I believe many of you would say, "Welcome to being an adult" or "Welcome to reality. Yeah well...fine. At least hand me some more cheese for my whining. Provolone preferably. Or sharp Havarti. 

I was talking to Amy, who is running a marathon this weekend and another in Philadelphia in November. I was telling her I didn't really want to run the Myrtle Beach mini-marathon (half marathon; I don't know why they call it a mini-marathon because there is nothing mini about 13.1 miles thankyouverymuch) in October. I didn't like the course and, I donno, just wasn't feeling it. Amy suggested I run the half marathon in Philly when she runs the full. 

DONE. I am slightly more motivated though probably not until after the chaos of June is over. But still. Now I have a goal. AND it's my first distance race. We're making a little trip out of it and driving up with a group of friends, a few others who are running the half and a few coming to cheer us on. I am pumped! And you better believe I will be running up the Rocky stairs! 

Next month this cutie will be back in NH to live with my brother and sister-in-law permanently. I'm a little heartbroken because I love him so, but I think it'll be better for him: more room to run around and two people to care for him. So I busted out his dreaded carry-on bag to get him ready for the flight home. I can already feel my stress level rising. 

Per the request of Amy, I made rolo cookies for her because this week has been a bust for us both. Like I'd turn down a request for cookies and the opportunity to bake. NEVER! 

And now for today. I had yesterday and today off. Yesterday was devoted to errands and today was my fun day. I let my mane go free--and it was windy so I looked like a human Mufasa--and busted out my mint cords and loafers, and you know that means I'm in for some serious fun. 

The fun started with Iron Man 3. Dude. First showing of the day cost me a whoppin' $4.75. That pleased me GREATLY. And hooooooly catscans it was a GREAT flick. Robert Downey Jr. is one of, if not my favorite actor. This role was made for him. Go see it. You will not be disappointed! Then I went to get froyo for lunch. It's been awhile since I had some. I got hazelnut, chocolate, and vanilla froyo and topped it with--ready for this??--chocolate chips, brownie bits, chocolate-covered pomegranate seeds, cocoa puffs (why not??) and topped it off with chocolate jimmies (or for those of you not from New England, chocolate sprinkles). Ooooooh yes I loved it! AND this makes me SO excited to go home in June to a) see Heath and Emma and my New England family and b) go to Lagos, the best ice cream place EVER. I'm drooling already. OHMYLANTUSIMSOEXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then I decided to "pop in" to Anthropologie. Right. Pop in. Ha. I don't shop at Anthro for their clothes. Not quite my style, though cute. I shop for their kitchen stuff, sometimes home stuff, and random books/literature/note pads/writing stuff. I honed in on this cup and plate (pictured left) when I walked and I ended up walking up with that plate because I have an obsession with nautical stuff and therefore I had to have it. I also loved these little ceramic sailboats (pictured right), but what would I really do with them? Eh. Not worth $24. But still cute. 

LOVED this tape dispenser.  

And my eyes popped out of my head a little when I saw these AH-dorable sticky notes. And hello! There were 480 in there! But I told myself I have enough stationary/sticky notes (For now. But that's a lie. It was a tactic to talk myself out of them and it worked...this time). 

 Then I got home and the top I had ordered for my new bathing suit had arrived!!! My new suit is ready! Now, woman to woman--or hey if you're a man, woman to man but let's face it, what I am about to tell you is probably more exciting and understood by a woman--I had to order a smaller size in my bathing suit bottom. Yeah. I almost died with happiness. You know that feeling right? Oh yes. AMAZING. 

Now. May I please just tell you how much I adore my brothers. I can't even tell you. There are no words except to say I am the luckiest sister ever. I love and adore and admire these fine men. They are some of the best friends I will ever have. 

Heath (on the left) graduated from Brigham Young University the end of April in Electrical Engineering (WAHOO!!!!!), was accepted to the University of New Hampshire's law program, and got a scholarship. I am SO freakin' proud. And I get to see him and his fabulous wife in a month. We're going to have some serious sibling time. I CANNOT wait. 

Dane (on the right) is rockin' and rollin' as a missionary for our church--The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is doing very well and I am SO proud of him. You can read about his experiences and adventures here.  

Finally, OneRepublic came out with a new album in March and friends, it is AAAMAZING. I LOVE IT. Michael Buble also came out with a new album in April, but, to be honest, I like OneRepublic's better, at least right now. And I found a really cool recipe for homemade rosemary soft pretzels. I think I'll give 'em a try tonight. And I thumbed through a macaroon recipe book at Barnes and Noble today (and used my iPhone to snap some of the recipes; does that make me a bad person? I did't want the whole book!), and I think I might try to make some macaroons tonight, or tomorrow. Hmm...baking and listening to OneRepublic? Yup that sounds like a swell evening to me!