Farrell's!

No, I hadn't been until about a week ago but I kept hearing such great things about the place that, when my mom's cousin, Melody, and her family, planned to go there for her birthday, I was really excited to finally experience the Fountain Fantasies and Fantabulous Food!

It did not disappoint. Once I took a bite of the Swiss Turkey on Foccacia, I could have eaten it for breakfast, lunch and dinner a few days in a row...and for those of you that know me, eating the same thing again and again isn't my fave.

So all 15 of us crowded into the "party room" of Farrell's and enjoyed our experience immensely. Thank you, Melody and Kyle, for such a special treat.

 Cousin William with Lynnea who thought he was just about the greatest thing since My Little Pony (William, that's totally a compliment).

 The birthday girl with her ice cream creation and her "no-one-should-realize-it's-your-birthday sticker."

 Caitlyn and I had fun looking at all of her Disneyland pictures. One thing about this family, they would literally live in Disneyland if they had their way. They had an awesome experience this trip of visiting the penthouse suites for Disney's distinguished visitors since they had a friend pretty high up in Disneydom. The pictures of the Jungle Cruise suite were pretty amazing, although I would have rather stayed in the Fairy suite. All of those cannibal-looking masks would have freaked me out at night.

 We got a few crazy pictures at the end of the night and were so incredibly grateful that Melody and her family chose to spend her birthday with our family. They are so special to us!

And a parting shot of me and my Nana. We were able to spend 3 weeks with her around Thanksgiving and enjoyed every moment of time we spent together. She is so much fun to be with and I wish we lived closer.

Things to be thankful for...

This past month has been a challenge, emotionally, for me. What I've realized is that, despite all of the tears and heartache, I really do have true friends; people who love me for me, who understand who I really am, not who they perceive me to be, and who make me a better person for having known them...basically, they possess these important qualities:

A true friend...
-Accepts you as you are
-believes in you
-calls you only to say "hello"
-doesn't give up on you
-admires all sides of your personality
-forgives your mistakes
-helps you
-encourages you to try it again
-makes a difference in your life
-says nice things about you
-offers his/her support
-understands you
-tells you the truth
-never judges you
-explains things you don't understand
-walks by your side
-calms down your fears
-shouts if necessary, if you don't want to listen
-raises your spirit.

- Unknown

I'll be honest, I've never been one to put up walls, especially when it comes to friends. On the contrary, I've usually been the one trying to break down the walls of others. Unfortunately, these past few weeks have made me get out my own bricks and mortar, closing my heart up just a little.

Friendships can be the most rewarding things on this planet...and the most hurtful. My husband and I were talking the other night about how our closest friends are those we can laugh with - that kind of laugh that makes your stomach hurt. They're also the ones to whom you can tell your most intimate concerns and they listen without judgement. They know when to offer advice but they don't try to fix it, they just listen, really listen, and they tell you that they'll be there for you, always. They encourage, they correct when necessary and, most importantly, they know your character and think the best about you instead of the worst.

So, with everything that my heart has felt these past few weeks, I've also been thankful for those people in my life who love me unconditionally, give me a giant hug, and say, " I love you for who you are - you're pretty special." With that said, here's more things I'm thankful for...just because my heart loves a little sunshine.


my favorite Christmas album playing

a hot, white chocolate peppermint mocha (especially the first sip)

that recipe that makes your entire family happy

the sound of my kids saying, "I love you, mommy - you're my best friend"

a spontaneous coffee date with a neighbor/friend that interrupts your walk home

talking on the phone with my cousin until 2am..about nothing and everything

my climbing rose that covers the garden wall in brilliant colors

a crackling fireplace

a good book that you just can't put down

Christmas lights in the rain

serving someone else

finding the perfect fabrics for a project...and then completing it!

watching my favorite movie with my favorite guy (my hubby, if you were wondering)

wise words from my parents

laughing at an inside joke

my sister

Thank you, Lord, for giving me another day to become a better person, to learn and to grow.