A Few of My Favorite Things

A few days ago, my good friend, Courtney, posted a list of her 50 favorite things. I was inspired, so I made a list of my own 51 favorite things. So here it is, in no particular order....

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens. No wait, those were Fraulein Maria's favorite things.

Ok, here's mine...

1. Husbandy being home for the summer 2. Getting ready for work without my husband sleeping 3. Being able to spend extra time with my mom 4. My niece!! 5. Girls nights 6. Thursday night dinner 7. Helping Becca plan her wedding/events surrounding her wedding 8. Looking at houses on the market 9. Reading new blog posts 10. Knowing I don’t have to work as late as I used to ever again (this does not include my job being a mom one day) 11. Walking out of a cold building into the sun (lucky for me I get to do this every day cause my office is freezing!) 12. Frozen yogurt 13. Watching Husbandy's basketball team 14. Girls night conversations 15. Seeing Bryan interact with his daughter 16. Seeing Nancy cuddle with Brooklyn 17. Crossing things off a to-do list 18. Clean sheets 19. Vacations to Florida to see Husbandy's family 20. Saturday mornings 21. NFP 22. Seeing Husbandy interact with babies/young kids (especially Brooklyn) 23. Bike rides 24. Car rides with Husbandy 25. Kidd Kraddick in the Morning on my way to work 26. So You Think You Can Dance 26. Game nights 27. The Vrla Sandwich 28. Taking pictures 29. Playing with all the babies in my life 30. Making Husbandy laugh with my white girl dance moves 31. Aggieland 32. Going to Mass with friends and/or family 33. Going to sporting events 34. Lunch conversations 35. Weddings 36. Playing Mario 37. Date nights 38. Finding clothes that fit just right (wish that happened more often) 39. The feeling after a good work out (I should make that happen more) 40. Dresses 41. My in laws 42. Crime shows 43. Back rubs from Husbandy's (wish those happened more often :P) 44. Planning our European vacation next summer 45. Kissing Husbandy goodnight 46. Looking at pictures 47. Watching Katy (the dog) get super excited when she sees someone she knows (like when Husbandy and I come out of our room for the first time in the morning, or my mom comes home from work) 48. Holding hands with Husbandy 49. The smell of home cooking 50. Unexpected gifts 51. A good drink with friends

That was fun! Maybe I'll make a new list in 6 months to see how it's changed. Have a wonderful week!!

I was Summoned

This past week I had to do something I've never done before. Jury Duty! I wasn't too thrilled about it when I got the summons, but I had never been before so I figured it could be kinda exciting. I did have a slight fear that I would be ruling a "Casey Anthony" trial though. Either way, Wednesday I packed myself up and took the DART downtown. My summons told me to get there 45 minutes early, so I did, though once there I found out there really was no reason for that what-so-ever. All it made me do was sit in a chair for 45 minutes longer. Ok, so the actual jury duty part of my day was rather boring. I was relieved to hear that any case I may have had to hear would not be punishable by jail time, only fines, but no one must have wanted a trail by jury that day cause no one in the room was ever called. I sat in that room all day, watching CNN. Boring.... One man did make the room laugh (or just me) when we found out we had at least 30 more minutes of waiting by saying"Soo, any one want to play charades?" That could have actually be fun. I also appreciated that we were thanked by several people for coming and exercising our rights in our free country.

The real fun part of my day was the DART. When I worked at PWC I used to take the DART everyday, so that wasn't new, I wasn't even taking a different line to get downtown. But you never know what you are going to see....

I was on the DART and in walks that little number. My first thought was really? As soon as we were out of the tunnel, I pulled out my phone, made it look like I was looking at the news, turned off my flash, and took a picture. I really wish the bags weren't in the way...I do think they take away some of the cheetahness of this outfit. I would love to know where she was going....

I got out of jury duty around 4, so I was able to make it to the DART station right before the work rush hit. That was nice, but the train was full enough to where every pair of seats had one taken. My choices were to either stand, or sit by someone. I should have just stood like I opted to do in the morning, but didn't. I sat down by a girl who was probably 16 and the following conversation between her and her friends ensued...and they were yelling....

Girl: Seriously, there are all these seats on the train and she chooses to sit by me?!

Friend 1: Well it's ah train she can sit whur she wants.

Girl: Why couldn't she have sat right thur? (pointing to seat in front of her)

Friend 1: Maybe she didn't want to sit by a man.

Friend 2: (looking at me) It's ok I wouldn't want to sit by hur either, do you want to sit right hur?

Me: (thinking I don't really want to move, nor do I have to) No.

Friend 1: Maybe she paaaaid for a ticket, did you paaaay for a ticket.

Me: Yes. (technically I didn't, you get a free ride with your jury summons)

Friend 1: Oh, see, yuh, she paaaaid for hur ticket, she's gonna fight for hur seat. She can sit whur she wants.

At this point I am feeling a little bit awkward, but want to prove a point, so I just sit there. The friends continued to be obnoxious talking (yelling) about the boys they hooked up with and calling girls rude names. All I could think was, "Wow, I pray my kids are more considerate than this." I also enjoyed watching the lady sitting across from me and the girl, she just furled her eyebrows looked at her and continuously shook her head.

Luckily, they exited before me, but I was thankful to get to my stop. Once in my car, I was getting situated, and all of a sudden heard a voice outside my window. I have no clue where this man came from, there was no one around me two seconds earlier, but he scared the bajeebuz out of me. As soon as I looked up I starting shaking my head to tell the man no, I'm sorry, I don't really want to speak to you, and started to back out. With that, he walked a little towards my car and started to talk louder. At that point I was a bit frazzled and couldn't actually hear what he was saying. He then took out a pen and wrote down my license plate number! Ummm creepy!!!! I have no idea why he would need that, but I don't think I'll be parking in that parking lot for a while.

I have some other good DART stories from when I worked at P-Dub, I'll have to bust them out some other time. I hope I didn't freak you out with the last story, I do like the DART, and recommend it. Just stay away if you think it's going to be a late night, or remember, safety in numbers!



Brooklyn Michaeline Vrla

This past Thursday, July 7, 2011, the first grand baby was born into our family, my first niece! It was such an amazing day filled with tears, love and joy.

On Wednesday night around 11:40, as Husbandy and I were laying in bed, my phone made a noise telling me I received a message. Because it was so late I figured it was a email, so I didn't bother looking at it. The next morning I woke up to knocking at our bedroom door. It took me a while to figure out what was going on, but eventually I was coherent enough to tell my mom to come in.

"Nancy's 6-7 cm, so I'm going to head up to the hospital," she said.

"What?!?"

"Bryan sent out a text last night saying they were headed that way, did you not get it?"

Apparently what I thought was an email was actually a very important text from my brother! I later realized it was actually kind of better I didn't read it, it kept my mom up all night texting back and forth with my brother for any updates. Despite her lack of sleep, she was off to Baylor Hospital.

I woke up Husbandy and let him know what was going on and he said, "Ok, well let me know when something happens."

"When something happens?!? It's already happening!"

"Wait, what did you say?"

Haha he obviously wasn't all the way awake. When I told him again what was going on, he was out of bed and in the shower before I could blink. He had previously ok'ed it with his company that he could go to the hospital when Nancy was having the baby, so he sent an email saying he wasn't coming in, and left for the hospital.

I was a little bit more in a bind. That day was right in the middle of a busy week at work, so I had a lot to do. I decided to get to work as soon as I could and work until Husbandy called me saying you better leave. At that time it was right around 6:10, I was out the door at 6:45. That is definitely the quickest I have ever gotten ready for work!

I worked for about an hour before other people started showing up. As soon as my senior got to work I told her the situation; she was so excited and happy and said I could go anytime I needed to. Husbandy was a little disappointed that I didn't make these arrangements before. Either way I worked diligently until about 9:30 when Husbandy sent me a text, IM, and called me to tell me Nancy was 8cm. When he called I was in the middle of doing something that I had to do that day and quickly. Because I knew Nancy was progressing I started to get really anxious. I was so anxious it was hard for me to concentrate, but I knew what I was doing affected a lot of other people, so I focused as much as I could. I finished up what I needed to do around 10:00, walked into my senior's cube and told her I was going to go. I am so incredibly thankful for my job and the flexibility it gives me. My senior knew I had things I needed to get done before Monday, but she trusted me enough to get them done on my time. I know if I was still in public accounting I would not have been heading to the hospital by 10:05.

I walked into the labor and delivery room and was so happy to see my family, but it was then the waiting game began. Around 11:40 we were kicked out of the room so Nancy could get some rest. Since I really hadn't eaten anything other the almonds, I went to the cafeteria to eat some lunch. Husbandy and my mom tagged along. I was actually quite surprised by how good the taco salad I had was! Who knew there was good food in a hospital. :P At 12:45 we got a text saying they were starting to push! Yea!! It's going to be soon!!

Eeehh, not so fast... over the next couple of hours we did a lot of sitting in the waiting room, playing of angry birds, eating of lunch for Husbandy, and walks to the labor and delivery room to listen through the door.

At around 4:15 my mom decided it was her turn to go and listen through the door. Three minutes later we get a text saying, "I hear a baby!" Everyone went a little crazy knowing that Brooklyn had arrived, then we went a little crazier when we received our first picture!!! Knowing my mom was in the room with Bryan, Nancy, her mom, and Brooklyn was a little tough, but my Aunt finally got a text saying the girls could come in!

I can't even explain the feeling when I walked into the room. So much joy, love, and excitement! About 45 minutes later the boys were invited in and the pictures commenced. The rest of the day was spent giving Brooklyn all our love.

Seeing my brother and Nancy with Brooklyn is such an inspiration. I know they are going to be amazing parents, their whole bodies beam with love around Brooklyn.

Husbandy is also incredibly cute with our niece. A day hasn't gone by where he hasn't asked if we can go see her. He has set his phone background to a picture of her. Sometimes we find ourselves getting each other's attention, turning on his phone to her picture, looking at each other, and smiling. Our friends joke that when we have our first, he's going to have a constant slide show going on his phone for everyone to see. He's so proud of her, and it's incredibly encouraging.

My friend told me when she met her first niece it was instant love. I couldn't say it better in any other way, I love that little girl so much. I can't wait to see her grow and be her Aunt. God has given our family such a blessing. I pray for her and her health everyday, I pray that she will come to love the Lord, and that I may be a constant Christ-like presence in her life.

Brooklyn, you are loved.

The family of three

Family

Vote Yes, Vote Yes, Vote for Independency!

A million points for you if you know what my title is from! (without using the link!)

This year the 4th felt much like our last couple of 4th of Julys. Not that that's a bad thing, cause that means it was filled with amazing friends, family and food!

Sunday morning, which was technically the 3rd of July, Husbandy got up super early and worked on his car. He had it lifted, wheels off, and tools everywhere. I got to help with minor things, but he did ALL the grunt work. He never ceases to amaze me with his stellar abilities. After cleaning up, we went to my dad's to see some family who were in town for a couple of hours. It was great seeing them and hearing about family happenings! After that we headed to Mass and met up with some of our friends. From there we were off to Kaboom Town!

Kaboom Town was... hot. Luckily, we had a friend willing to go early and score a spot under a tree. We were very thankful for the shade. One thing about sitting under tree... you never know when a baby bird will fall from a nest onto your lap! This happened not only once, but twice during the day. They also proceeded to hop all over our picnic blanket, one even managed to hop right through our ranch dipping sauce. It made for an interesting afternoon.  :)

The food...ooh the food. How I love fruit, vegetables,tuna salad, pasta salad, salsa, chips, too moist cake, and vodka watermelon! Y-U-M!! The vodka watermelon still wasn't as good as I want it to be though. Husbandy and I are assigned (or we volunteer) to bring it every year and have yet to perfect it. I guess it's hard to perfect something when you do it once a year. :)

The night ended of course with fireworks! I just love fireworks with patriotic music. It makes me feel so proud to be an American!

We spent the actual 4th of July at my Papa Joe's house.

Sidebar: Papa Joe is the other half of Meemaw, just for reference. He deserves his own post, cause he's one of the most respectable men I know.

We brought all the fixings for burgers and he (along with Husbandy and my brother) grilled them. I haven't seen Papa Joe in too too long, I am so glad I got to visit with him.

A break from work is always good, but being able to celebrate our freedom makes the 4th of July especially good. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!!

The Internet - It's Not So Bad

Many of you may already know this story, or at least a version of it; but when I think about all that had to happen for Husbandy and I to meet, I can't help but see God's hand in it. I also want it to be written down so that it may never be forgotten. :)

In August 2002 I had just started my senior year in high school and could not wait for it to be over so I could begin my life as an Aggie. Back in those days there was no Facebook, AIM was the way to communicate. AIM had been out for a while, but my family was always behind the technology curve, so we just got it and I was all about it. 

Little did I know, but two years earlier there was sneaky little teenage boy in Florida who had decided to play a joke on his friend (aka Husbandy) and searched for girls on AIM named Sarah to fill his entire buddy list. One of those Sarah's happened to be a good friend of mine. Sarah and Husbandy talked on and off for two years just as online friends. Isn't that crazy?! Imagine how many Sarahs there are in the world, and one of the ones that end up on a random guys buddy list is my friend. Not only that, but this Sarah is one of the only ones he actually kept in contact with.

Fast forward to 2002...Sarah and Husbandy decided it would be a good idea to exchange pictures. Because she didn't have one of herself on her computer, Sarah asked me to send her one. However, the only one I had of her also had me and another girl in it. After exchanging pictures, Sarah asked Husbandy to guess which girl in the picture she sent was her. That's a pretty tough question for a guy, so he did exactly what any guy would have done and guessed which girl he thought to be the prettiest. That girl was me! Again, crazy. This of course is the only way God would have planned it, but I didn't think I was the prettiest girl in the picture. A little annoyed Sarah told me the story and sent me the picture she had received of him.

After seeing his picture, I thought Husbandy was also pretty cute, so I got his screen name. (Please don't ask what our screen names were....they were pretty ridiculous!!) Husbandy and I talked all the time. You can ask my good friend Lauren about that. She was really the only person I hung out with in high school, so she of course was constantly hearing about my IM conversations with this guy in Florida.

After about a month of talking online, we decided all that typing was getting old and moved our conversations to the phone. For the next four months Husbandy and I talked on the phone every night. Lauren also heard a lot of these conversations. I can remember being at her house and having to stop what we were doing so I could talk to him. I'm sure she thought I was crazy, but she was also very supportive.

On December 23, 2002 Husbandy was flying to Lake Tahoe to visit family, and conveniently had a layover in Dallas! This was obviously the perfect time to meet each other, so I convinced Lauren (safety in numbers) to go with me to the airport. I spent the night at her house (along with another one of her friends) and we got up super early to leave. At this point no parentals knew of Husbandy (not a good choice, future children), so I'm sure we made up a really good story for Lauren's parents explaining where we were going so early. Whatever it was worked cause we were out the door and on our way! Unfortunately for me, it was raining that morning so traffic was horrible. I weaved my way in and out of lanes determined to be at the airport on time. Once we got there, there was Husbandy, with a stuffed Eeyore in hand. I thought that was so sweet. :)

By this point, we had seen several pictures of each other so we knew exactly who we were looking for. We had also learned a lot about each other over the past 5 months and had a genuine love for each other. I remember our first hug just felt right and comfortable. It was a little surreal that I was actually meeting this guy! Because Husbandy's next flight was a few hours away we decided to leave the airport. I had no idea what was around the area, but we found a mall. Once there, Husbandy and I lost Lauren and her friend. It was there in the mall Husbandy asked me if he could kiss me! You might think that was kinda soon, but we had been getting to know each other for 5 months. It was the best first kiss I've ever had, not a very romantic setting, but all the more memorable.

Before we knew it, it was time for Husbandy to leave. While saying our goodbyes and taking some pictures, he gave me a beautiful gold and diamond bracelet. I was in shock. That was definitely the first time a boy had given me jewelry!

I would say they didn't take the news very well. I mean, I understood where they were coming from; meeting someone online does not always end well. Like it or not, spring break of my senior year Husbandy came and stayed in Dallas, with my family. Awkward is definitely a word that describes the whole week. My dad immediately fell in love with Husbandy as he grew up working in construction. Dad saw him as someone who was strong and willing to work on projects around the house. My mom did not take to him as well. I know she tried to be open to the situation, but Husbandy had to work hard to win her over. (I would venture to say the winning didn't happen for at least another year)

After that visit Husbandy was committed, he talked more and more about moving to Texas. At first I thought it would never happen, but as I saw him working two jobs and saving money, I knew the move was possible. In August of 2003 I started as a freshman at Texas A&M University (AAAAAA!), that very same month Husbandy moved half way across the US, to College Station, Texas.

Despite initial concerns of friends and family, there we dated for 5 years! Husbandy is now of course loved by everyone, and I know for a fact he is their favorite of any boy of mine they met. He's definitely my favorite too!!