On seven random things about me

So, I've never done one of these before, partly because they're usually so long and partly because no one I really know has ever tagged me. My sister-in-law, who I adore, tagged me for this one.

Seven "Random" Things About Me
(I put the word random in quotes because the majority of the times I hear that word, it's not used correctly, and that kind of bothers me. I still do it though. But, that's not one of the seven things.)
1. I could spend hours in Banana Republic. I don't always buy things there, but I still like to go in and just look.
2. According to Blake, I play racquetball like a maniac, no mercy. If you ever play with me, be sure to wear goggles. I hit someone with the ball almost every time I play.
3. Paella is one of my favorite foods. You wanna try some? I'll make it for you!
4. I like rollerblading, but I'm afraid of too much speed going downhill.
5. Once we've saved up enough money, I want to get a breast reduction. That's probably TMI, but I have serious TMB.
6. I don't like Guatemala. I have friends who are in love with the country and do humanitarian work there and what not. I don't get what the big deal is. I've been there twice and have no desire to go again.
7. I crave praise, and I'm not embarrassed about it.

On pulling a Grandpa Hook

I finished classes last Tuesday, spent the day at the beach on Wednesday, and came back to Utah on Thursday. That "coming back" date was flexible, so I didn't make a big announcement about it. We decided on Wednesday afternoon that I would be coming back for sure on Thursday.

I packed up my stuff, cleaned the bathroom, and headed out. I realized as I was leaving the house that I hadn't told anyone there exactly when I was leaving, and no one was home to tell. So I left a note and drove away. As I drove down the street, I realized that I had just pulled a Grandpa Hook.

Apparently he didn't like saying goodbyes. When he came to visit he would get up early and leave before anyone else got up. It was an endearing and funny little quirk of his. Maybe it's genetic. I pulled a Grandpa Hook without even realizing I was doing it. I did leave a note though, and that's Becca original.

On aunts

Our twin nieces got to come home from the hospital last Saturday. Circumstances worked out just right that Blake and I were able to visit them that day. They are awesome! Being there with these new little ones has gotten me thinking about being an aunt.


I am very excited about this, probably because I have such wonderful aunts myself. My aunts (and uncles) have been a part of every major event in my life and most family vacations as well. I remember them cooking for me, reading me books, telling me stories, and rescuing me from all sorts of childhood perils, from the too-tall tree house to a case of head lice. I know I could show up at any of their homes at any time and be welcome. It still is comforting to me to know that if something were to happen to my mother, my aunties would take care of me.


I love my nieces and nephew. I look forward to a literal lifetime of memories with them. I want them to feel welcome in my home and sure of my love and concern for them. Some of my favorite times with my family are when we just sit around and tell stories and share memories. We love to laugh about all the funny and exciting things that have happened to us. Planning for similar future conversations, I try to remember things that happen with my nieces and nephew. I file these memories away in a special I'll-remind-you-of-that-when-you're-older part of my brain.


I'd like to remind Cora of how cute she was when she watched our fish, singing him songs and reading him stories. When Lachlan does something silly or makes one of those dumb mistakes that we all make, I'll let him know that we can just blame that on Uncle Blake, who let him fall back on his head onto the table on the family vacation in Hawaii. When Millie and Jo are fourteen and convinced that their parents are determined to make their lives miserable, I can tell them about when they were first born and how their parents spent days on end in the hospital just looking at them, how on their first day home their dad gave me the most detailed and adorable lesson on how to hold the bottle just right for Jo.

Mostly, I want to have lots of fun playing with them. Let's play, guys! (And we better do it fast, before I get all mom-ish and, therefore, by definition, much less fun.)

On mutton bustin

I mentioned a few weeks ago how much I like rodeos and especially mutton bustin. I first heard about it in college from a roommate who was from Green River, Utah. She talked about it like it was a normal part of everyone's childhood. I was so confused, and she couldn't wrap her brain around the fact that I had no idea what she was talking about. I only had to see it once to become a lifelong fan.

Blake shared this video with me today. It made me laugh out loud in the library. (I probably should have known better than to play it in the library, even with my headphones in.) Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkqMHFHd2qY

On being home

I'm home this weekend, and it feels great. I didn't realize how much I missed it until I knew I would be coming home. Last night I slept so well in my own bed with my husband next to me. I went to the store and baked and have plans for making dinner today. I can't wait until we can live together again soon.

Because I know at least one person will ask, here's a house update: no offers yet, but we've lowered the price and have seen activity pick up a ton. This last week we've had 3 people come back for second or third showings. We could have an offer any day. I'll have August and most of September off from classes, so I'll be able to come home then. I'm hoping and praying that when I go back to California for Fall quarter Blake will be with me. Hopefully.

On death

Our beloved fish, Lil Jackie Sparrow, died yesterday. I was on the phone with Blake when he got home and found Jackie on the floor next to his bowl. His water wasn't any higher than normal, and we've never seen him splash around really or jump out of the water. We don't know how this happened. The worst part was that I was still on the phone to hear the flush of his burial. We both cried a little. We shared our favorite memories of Lil Jackie and assured ourselves that he knew that we loved him. One of my favorite memories is that when our niece watched him while we were out of town she read him bedtime stories so he could go to sleep.

I realize that there is a strongly comedic element in all of this, but I'm seriously sad about it right now. I think it's the first little realization that "we" are vulnerable. Lil Jackie was from our wedding reception. We made him a part of our family; he even came on the family vacation in Vegas last weekend. He was a part of the playful, fantasy world that Blake and I live in, and now he's gone. Our world is vulnerable.

I lay in bed last night thinking about death, trying to come to grips with the idea that one day death will separate us. Hopefully that day is a long, long way away, but it will be just that: a day. One day. Death isn't something that happens gradually, even in the case of the terminally ill. It isn't something you mark on your calendar and prepare for the same way you prepare for your wedding. It just happens one day. One day. One moment. Your loved one is here with you, and one day he/she is gone. I can really only begin to imagine how devastating that day will be. Please, God, that is one day I don't want to live to see.

On rodeos

I LOVE rodeos! It's my gas station hot-dog--one thing about me that's true but somewhat inconsistent with the rest of my personality. I'm not really an animal fan. I definitely do not like horses. I hate riding horses. I don't hang with the normal cowboy, western sort of crowd. I would choose to live in a big city over living in the country. And yet, I love rodeos.

Rodeos are summertime. A warm night, a sunset, nothing else to do. Crowded into uncomfortable bleachers, announcer making bad jokes, the skill of the cowboys, the unpredictability of the animals. I just love it. And don't even get me started on mutton bustin!

This pic is from the Days of 47 Rodeo in Salt Lake last summer. You can't see it, but I'm wearing my Texas belt buckle. I've also got on my Wrangler shirt with pearly buttons (from the boys section at DI, of course).
I'm thinking about rodeos today because Ben and Blake are at the Lehi Round-up Rodeo tonight. They're there right now. I miss them both and am jealous they got to see each other AND go to a rodeo. Have fun guys!