Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Happy Tools

There are a few things in this life that make me just wonderfully happy. Fun times with my family and friends, incredible food, a great chocolate chip cookie or just the dough, a page-turning book, dancing, watching incredible dancing, happy music, sharing my beliefs with someone who is really interested in them, helping others, feeding super yummy food to hungry people, the sound of Lauren's laugh, a snuggle from Noble, a surprise cleaning spree or concert from Annie, a beautiful piece of artwork or song sung by Sabrina, Jonathan working along side me doing just about anything, exploring new places, meeting new people (especially those who already know me through my blog), good ice cream on a hot day.  Okay you get the idea. These things are like tools I can use to lift my spirits when they are feeling low.

Well as we are approaching the 2nd anniversary of the worst day of my life, I have been preparing myself for how to spend the time. Last year I ran away with my friend Britt and our families. Her son Daxton died two years ago today. We spent our anniversary week in San Diego together doing lots of fun things. It was a great vacation. 

This year we had planned to go to my parents cabin. Well, then my parents sent these pictures of the river outside the cabin.


Just to give a reference, this next picture is what the river by the cabin NORMALLY looks like:

The place Sabrina and Lauren are standing in this picture is all underwater now. The river would be over their heads in fact. Can you imagine me spending my weekend up there trying to make sure my kids never left the house. Yeah, we decided not to go to the cabin this weekend. And that made me very sad because I really wanted to get away this weekend and I really wanted to see Britt and Doug and their family.

I talked to Britt about other options but she has a brother who is leaving on a mission and has to be to church on Sunday to hear him speak before he leaves. We tossed out other dates we could get together. Nothing seemed to pan out. Finally I asked her if we could just come to her house. If you know me well, you know I am prone to invite myself over. :) She said that would be perfect. 

As soon as we made that decision, all the gloominess I had been feeling about what to do about this weekend went away. It feels so good to have the plan to be going down to Arizona to spend the weekend down there. I have never really visited Arizona so we will be on a new adventure. Plus we have old friends down there in Britt and Shanan (are there others I am forgetting? Let me know if so!) And there will be lots of new old friends to meet. I have always loved people from Arizona. Maybe it is because they are from this hot dessert land like me but they always feel like Vegas people to me. 

I know there will be amazing food because I have eaten with Britt a few times. :) The girl can bake and cook. We share our love of food. Basically, I think there will be a bit of most of my favorite happy things in this weekend. So I am excited for it. Just make sure you DVR my So You Think You Can Dance on Thursday night Britt! I gotta find out who the top 10 will be! 

Watch out Mesa. Here I come with all my happy tools!

For those of you local. Come watch So You Think You Can Dance with me tonight at 8:30 if you know where I live. I am making chocolate filled croissants. They are fabulously yummy. See you tonight I hope.

11 comments:

shanan said...

wow - am I ever glad we're not in Texas anymore! :) ha

I'm so excited!! We've got sleeping space if you need it ...

Anonymous said...

Stephanie-
I looks like you and I will be switching places this weekend. We are from Arizona (Tucson) and we will be vacationing in Vegas this weekend. My husband has a conference at the Aria hotel. I will be thinking of you and your sweet family! I hope you have a nice trip. -Erin G.

Anonymous said...

your amazing rolls. yum. you should post the recipe. lol have fun in arizona with your dear friends... and remember, your loss was great but you should celebrate the happy moments (sounds like you have all the tools for that). and i will be watching "so you think you can dance" :) you really dont know how many lives you have touched through your testimony, thank you so much for sharing.

Rebecca said...

Top 10 announced tonight! So glad that Kent made it in. He makes me smile :) Enjoy your weekend with friends who have been through what you've been through. It's interesting how God provides for us just what we need, even when we don't know we need it.

Brittany said...

totally ready! and i got you covered on the DVR!

Anonymous said...

Uh-oh! (in AZ)

Mindy said...

Question: do you ever have people you don't know FIGURE out your address and show up for SYTYCD? I've always wondered that! Haha :)

Stephanie said...

I am still out of town... so sad to miss your treats, they sound amazing! Have a great trip and I'll see you when you get back.

Sunny said...

The croissants were delicious I keep thinking about them. And it was fun to hang out with you. Have a great weekend.

Angela said...

It was soooo fun to see you and your cute family yesterday, here in our neck of the woods!! I would love to plan another time to get the kids together to play! you and Jon are wonderful examples to us! Thanks.

Kirsti Hardie said...

First of all, thank you for this blog. I came across it recently because I am a good friend of the woman that wrote "Camille's Song" for you. I wanted to let you know that your sharing has helped my healing. Immensely. In the space of 2 years my son, husband, and niece were all hit and dragged down a dirt road by a drunk driver in an SUV, the proceeding criminal trial, the death of my father, and death of my father in law 9 months after has changed me forever. I have been in a very dark place but I am healing now. And I am forgiving. My Testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ has new depth. I believe I was guided to your blog to help me heal. I want to thrive, not just survive, and to Be Happy. Although we don't know each other, you have made a difference in my life. Thank you.