Happy Easter!

The Fateful Trip

Our Sophomore year, we had the opportunity to go to Disneyland with the orchestra. Bobbi was not going because her family had planned another trip (it was the week after school let out for summer). Glen was not going because his dad would not pay for it (which is why Glen is so awesome). I was sad for Glen because he hadn't been to Disneyland since he was little and I was and am under the impression that everyone needs to experience the joy that is DL. But he really didn't care either way. I wasn't going to stand for it. Every year, to help kids raise money for the trip, the orchestra holds a yard sale of sorts. I decided to sell anything I could find and give all the proceeds to "Glen Goes to Disneyland". I raised about half. His dad agreed to pay half as well. Glen was going!

We walked around the parks in our quirky little group (we had a lot of other quirky friends in orchestra). I have very few solid memories of this trip. I remember Kiri spilling warm coke down my front while we were waiting in line for Splash Mountain (on purpose, mind you). It was a coke that was just sitting there, that someone had left. I was furious. I wish we had bought the picture of us as we went down. I had this constipated look on my face and Kiri had a faux-"I'm Sorry" look about her. Everyone else was just fine. I also remember having a discussion with my friends about not wanting to marry someone with bad teeth. There was also the time when half of us went to the "bathroom" but really took pictures in the photo booth. We swore ourselves to secrecy so as not to upset the others. However, as soon as we saw them, I said, "Hey look at these awesome pictures we got!" I'm an idiot.

The clearest and best memory I have is also the saddest because Glen does not remember. On all the rides, we took turns sitting by different people. One of the times we rode Pirates of the Caribbean. Glen and I got stuck together in the back row. I don't remember really paying any attention to the ride. We just talked. I learned about his mom. I knew when we first met that she had passed away. It was something the other kids talked about. But I had never talked to him about it. My dad had passed about the same time as his mom. We sat in that boat and talked about how annoying it is when you tell someone about it and they say, "Oh, I'm so sorry!". It had happened years ago. We're okay now. We talked about what it was like to lose a parent. I realized in those moments that Glen was my friend. I got to know him personally and from then on I knew when he was around. No more ignoring little Glen.

Disneyland. This was our second trip together, six years later.

Our Story

With our all-important third anniversary quickly approaching, I have been compelled to ponder on the relationship(s) I have had with my wonderful Glen. I thought it important to start putting down in words the journey that led him and me to the altar (although it sounds terribly wrong, I assure you, that grammar is correct. It was difficult to type even but I went over it time and again and I'm leaving it!).

Our acquaintanceship began in middle school. I owe it all to my dear friend Kiri. She had been at the same birthday party I was invited to and we found out we both played the cello and were in the same orchestra. Okay, to be fair, I think she knew all of that but I am a little dense and it was the first I had heard (there were only, like, eight cellists). Anyway, Kiri and I became fast friends and she introduced me to a quiet boy named Glen. Much to my surprise, he also played the cello in the same orchestra (maybe I was too self-absorbed to notice anyone else? I really don't know). We didn't do much outside of school. I mostly remember getting together at lunch and sharing a bag of skittles between four or five of us. In Junior High, Kiri and I became closer friends and Glen was always there, it seemed. We added Bobbi to the mix as well. I was too busy crushing on... another boy to really notice that Glen had a Y chromosome. He was just one of us, ya know?
Anyway, high school brought more friends but none as close as Kiri and Bobbi, oh and Glen. He was always there. When I remember stories from high school, I tell them to Glen excitedly like it's something he's never heard before and it usually ends with him saying, "I know, I was there." I honestly do not remember him being there for most of it. As Sophomores we were pretty awesome. None of us could drive. Kiri turned 16 in September but refused to drive, I turned 16 in November and failed the driving test... twice. Bobbi didn't turn 16 until March and Glen was 15 until the following August. So, we mostly hung out at school.

Next Time: The Indispensable Trip to DisneylandBeautiful Kiri on her wedding day. Bobbi is on the right.

Life As I Know It

Smash cake

Cake Bites

I am currently watching Toy Story in Spanish with George. He just stares at it. I think he is trying to figure out why they sound different. He has become quite the difficult child at night. He will wake up sometime between two and five in the morning and SCREAM until we go get him and put him in our bed. I've tried just rocking him back to sleep and putting him back in his crib but I will rock him for 30 minutes and he will be sleeping soundly until he feels me standing over the crib. Then he is instantly wide awake and screaming again. So, I just put him in our bed. I am hoping he eventually sleeps in until at least eight, like he used to. He's still cute and fun during the day. I just want to give him away in the wee hours of the morning. What I'm trying to say is, it's not time to work on kid number 2 quite yet.
We had a really fun family party for George last Saturday. We ate yummy food by Glen, opened presents with the friends and cousins and then had cake and ice cream. There is still ice cream in my freezer, which I am proud to say I have not had any since the party, but it is EXTREMELY tempting. I wish I had thought to get gross flavors that I wouldn't want. My weight-loss lately has been very frustrating. This week I have worked out more than ever and I am gaining weight. I am going to attribute this to muscle gain but that is just an excuse people use I think. But, as long as my clothes keep getting bigger I won't worry so much.
Glen is almost finished with the school year! I can't wait to have him around all the time. He will be a big help with George and we will finally get more home improvement projects done. We want to paint the kitchen and add a back splash. We also want to put in grass and a brick patio. Oh, and we are still missing three doors in our house... That should probably be higher on the list...
My job has been frustrating lately, to say the least, but things are getting better. It's really hard to complain about my job when I actually have a job and I get to be home. But sometimes I wish we were in a position where I could just quit and focus on being a wife and mom and finish up my stupid degree. I have eight courses to go. I am not finishing my classes as fast as I want to but I don't have as much time as I thought I would. That and it costs $500 every time I take a class so I have to choose my start dates wisely.
Our third anniversary is coming up and we wanted to do something special. We were thinking about going up to Prescott (where it's nice and cool) and staying in a B&B. This might still happen but I am trying to decide if we can afford to do that and still let me take two courses in June. Also, the only weekend we can go is Memorial Day weekend which means we need to book something soon or everything will be full. Unfortunately, I live with Mr. Indecisive so I will just have to make the decision on my own...
Life is good. Life is great. Life is wonderful! Al infinito y mas alla!

Prenuptials

Gus and George: Best friends for life!

As you can see from the ticker on the sidebar, I have now lost 34 lbs. Almost, anyway. The website I use rounds up. I've actually lost 33.8 lbs which means I am .2 lbs from pre-pregnancy weight. Next step, prenuptial weight. When Glen and I got married, I guess I just got lazy. Oh, and in order for Glen to think he has eaten, an animal needs to have died. Therefore, I gained some weight. I need to lose another 6 pounds for my prenuptial weight and just another ten after that for my ideal weight. No biggie! Anyway, just thought I would mention something since I haven't said anything about it in a while. I haven't stopped working on it!

I spent the last few days in Utah for the birth of my niece. It was awesome! I loved spending time with family but I sure don't know what to do with myself without Glen. I'm not me when he's not there. Anyway, George had a great time playing with his cousins and seeing Grandpa Hicks and Marianne!

George loves cake!

We had a little birthday party for George in Utah at my sister's house. It was great! He had some cake and loved it! This weekend we will have another party with Arizona friends and family. Pictures to follow!

One year older and wiser, too!

If this kid is not the cutest you have ever seen, I would like to meet this other baby you deem cuter. I love this boy with all my heart. He is very obstinate and wants to have his way at all times which just means he takes after his mama. He loves an audience and will flirt with anyone who will reciprocate. They only time he is really rotten is when it's just the two of us. But to counter that, he gives me lots of hugs. I can't wait for this kid to talk and tell me all of the things he is thinking! He's so smart and so cute! Happy Birthday George Porge!