*!@#

Can I just say... Life is good.

I'm so glad I finally grew up. Heavenly Fathers blessings have become so much more apparent now. Oh how I struggled throughout so much of my life. Growing up was a constant battle. My single years were even harder in ways. I feel like I've closed the first chapter in my life. I love looking back and seeing my life with the eyes I have now. God is so good. I honestly believe the moment I turned my life around and chose to follow Christ, REALLY follow Him and put my broken heart in His hands-- blessings just poured. Poured. and poured. Oh how grateful I am. A broken heart is all he ever really asked for.

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saves a wretch like me
I once was lost
And now I'm found
Was blind but now I see

Simple pleasures.

First let me tell you what is NOT a simple pleasure. Getting all ready to head to the mall (with LOTS of excitement) and then realizing you left your keys in your husbands car which is now across town. GOODY. Yes this just happened to me. So I've decided to sit down and write a much needed blog instead of doing laundry. Sounds PEACHY. :)

I feel SO BLESSED. Life may not always be like this but let me tell you, it's pretty dang rockin lately. Family, husband, work, friends, weather (today)--it's all just ROCKIN.

First simple pleasure. My sweet Margaret. Bobby and I teach the sunbeams on Sunday at church (well at least 5 of them). OH how I love it. Some Sundays are harder than others but we just adore these kids. Margaret is one of them and she is HILARIOUS. She is very smart, and she DEFINITELY doesn't like just anyone, at least not all the time. She is famous for her dirty look. This little girl is freshly 4 years old and OH how she can give you the stink eye! So funny. Here's another funny story. The other day she was saying the opening prayer before we started our lesson and she said "Please help us to be able to sell our house", I don't know why but this totally caught Bobby and I off guard and we laughed (just a little). She stopped, looked up at us... pondered for a second... and said "forget it". Oh my gosh it was so funny! We loved it. These kids are so fun. Josh isn't talking much yet, but he has THE cutest "okay". We like to say it like him when we're at home. Malena is as sweet as can be and ALWAYS has something to say. Alexa is my little red-head who gets SO excited SO EASILY and has the cutest laugh. And then there's little Jack and his rosy cheeks. Jack has big muscles and is ALWAYS being a helper.
Anyway, so this Sunday I was sitting behind Margarets family and I didn't get the stink eye ONCE! Instead she kept coming over to me handing me pictures. This one was my favorite:



Isn't that just tender? I love these sweet spirits. When I was watching her color I just kept thinking how great it would be to be that innocent again. To have so much curiosity and joy in simple things. All these kids are looking for is love, and I love loving them and teaching them about the Saviors love. We look forward to Sundays.

Another simple pleasure:



I get to see these kids in less than a week! Yup that's right. My mom and I are doing the long drive to Rexburg Idaho. Haven't been back there in QUITE some time! I'm pretty excited. We'll get lots of knitting done on the way while listening to some Daughtry and munching on celery (GOODY). I'm pretty stoked! Can't wait to see my favorite siblings and go meet Crystals FAVORITE TEACHER EEEEVVVVEEERRRR (that was just for you Crystal). Hopefully I can still get my work-out on and see my Missy pissy and maybe even Jess again! We're just going for a few days but BOY it's gonna be great! First time away from the husband. Let's hope he doesn't cry himself to sleep every night. ;) I'm sure he'll LOVE a break!

I have an AWESOME job. This seems so simple but let me tell you it's NOT. It makes life SO good. It makes it possible for me to go on little trips like this! I could not do this before. And guess what? I'm actually making more money than before! Isn't that GRAND? My clients rock, the girls I work with rock, and all around I feel FREEDOM! It's like when you first move away from home and you can do whatever the heck you want. Just like that. :)

So another simple pleasure.... a husband that COOKS! Bobby is an amazing cook. He basically cooks dinner every night.. I come home from work and it is ON the table. WOW am I a lucky girl! Remember the crazy Paleo diet I told you about? Well we've been doing it (or at least he has.. I've been sneaking naughty treats every once in a while). Anyway, it's gluten free, dairy free, soy free, pretty much everything free. And it really hasn't been too bad. Especially since Bobby likes to try new recipes all the time and it never gets boring. Get this. Valentines Day I came home to a 3 course meal. He made PF Chang style lettuce wraps for appetizers, salmon AMAZING asparagus w/ mushrooms and mock mashed potatoes (mashed cauliflower! SO GOOD!) for dinner, and for dessert HE MADE CREME BRULE!!! WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My jaw was dropped BASICALLY the whole time. Here is one of my favorites that he makes. Lettuce wrap TACOOOSSSS!!!! SO GOODDDD!:


(ps check out his Work-out/nutrition blog: bobulrich.net)

I love simple pleasures. Like Lost, knitting, a killer run, and Coconut bliss ice cream.



Check it out. It will rock your world.

XOXOXOXO