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The Pink Phone And The Seafood Palace, Part III...

Remember, patience is a virtue.

My Pink Cell Phone And The Seafood Palace: Part II

You would think that when Tim surprised me with that cute, new, shiny cellphone, I would be grateful, touched, and happy. I tried to be, but honestly, I was a little bummed that I did not get to go and pick it out myself and check out the options, and so forth. The funny thing is that I am sure I would have picked the pink one, too. He was so happy when he surprised me that I hated to say anything and break his heart. So, I kept my big mouth shut...well, at least for a few hours. Then I said it:

"I wish you would have waited for me to go and pick it out myself. I just don't like it very much, it is hard to figure out."

He was deflated and hurt and I had opened my big mouth and complained. How I wished I could swallow those words, but I couldn't. So, did I learn my lesson? No...I kept complaining with subtle comments, like, "This phone is too heavy." or "I can't figure anything out on this phone." or the dreaded "I can't hear you, this phone sucks." Yeah, I said it sucks. I kept 'threatening to take it back and Tim was actually really sweet about it and kept offering to take me to go look at my other options. But, I kept making my little comments each time the phone would be in my hand.

I had told him on our way to Disneyland that I was definitely going to exchange it. I just couldn't stand the phone and I wasn't looking for 'cute' in a phone, I was looking functionality. Is that even a word?!?! Well, it was what I was looking for. When we got to Disneyland, Tim dropped us off and we headed to Star Tours. It was Christian's first time and I couldn't wait to see his little face. He loves Star Wars. I was leaving Zack and Miguel outside the ride, so I had to take that pink phone with me. I put it in my pocket, forgot about it for about 20 minutes, and did not realize that it must have slipped out somewhere between Star Tours and Autopia. Not good. I checked with the ride, the stores, we walked back and forth. No phone. Of course, we all got together and prayed what a sweet friend of mine calls the 'Zap It' prayer. I also told God that if he helped me find the phone, that was only 3 weeks old, I would NEVER complain about the phone again. But, what I really needed to do is and ask God to forgive me for being ungrateful, and ask my husband to forgive me for not appreciating his kindness. I did both. I loved that my Timmy was not mad and you know what that sweet man said when I told him I lost the phone? He said that he had some mileage checks coming in and he would let me go and pick whatever phone I wanted this time. Geez, was I a booger or what before..yeah, don't say it, I already know.

This whole episode also meant I had to humble myself in front of my children and tell them that I should have been grateful to begin with and I should have been appreciative of what their Dad had done for me. Anyway, after we all prayed that the person that had it would have a conviction put on their heart to return it, and searched for awhile, and reported it to lost and found, and tried calling it several times, and texted a message to the phone to call our other cell phone, I decided I wasn't going to let my carelessness ruin the kids day. We went on to have a great day at DLand. There were no lines!

Then around 7pm, while we were walking around Toon Town, Tim got a call from a 626 area code....should he answer it, he says. Answer it, I say, it could be someone calling about my pink phone! This is where the Seafood Palace came into play...

Retraction

I must print a retraction concerning my earlier blog about MVCF. I said that Michelle was a nut thief....

I stand corrected: Michelle is actually a nut borrower.

Hope that clears things up, Me-Shell!

A MVCF Retreat, A Pink Cell Phone, And The Seafood Palace

It all started at the MVCF women's retreat in early August. The campus at Muiretta Hot Springs was absolutely pristine and so beautiful.



Then hanging with some of my favorite girls late at night in the hot springs was so fun. I totally felt like I was at 6th grade camp, but only better, because Jesus was at the center of this weekend. I was blessed so much, especially by learning how to praise God. It is easy to praise God during our happy times, but we must also praise him through the hard times, the difficult times. It is during those times that our relationship with the Lord is being strengthened. So, we must praise Him, praise Him, at ALL times, through ALL things.


I just love my MVCF women!! Michelle, lovingly known as MeShell my Bell, to me...was so fun to hang out with. Even if she is a nut thief...but, Michelle, your secret is safe with me, girl.

Paula, one of my 6 roomates, had her rockstar debut on this day. She looked so stinkin' cute up on the stage praising God with all her heart! She is lovingly known as my other pea in the pod.

It was a weekend of lots of lessons learned, for me and even for Tim. ( I have been meaning to post about what he learned that weekend for some time, but it is really personal, and I am building myself up to share.) It was nice to have some 'me' time with the Lord, but I did miss my family so much.
When I met Tim at a friend's house, on my way back from the retreat, he had a surprise for me... a shiny new pink cell phone, with a long 2 year contract attached. (Gotta love those, right?) ...the cell phone has been quite the pain in the you know what since I got it...or was it? I have found that if you look long enough, each situation has a lesson attached. You just have to be willing to learn from it. My pink phone has been quite the teacher.......check back to hear what nuggets of wisdom my pink cell offers and how it all ties into The Seafood Palace....

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!

Tim had a deposition to go to in Orange County yesterday, so we decided to hitch a ride with him and be dropped off at the Happiest Place On Earth...DISNEYLAND!! If you know me, you know I love me some Disney time. Tim was only gone for a couple of hours, then came to meet us at the park.

It was a hot day, but there were NO lines and all the kids had a chance to ride most of the rides; some even twice!
Miguel is the best big brother and took the boys on lots of the rides that I decided to pass on. Christian was finally tall enough to get on Space Mountain, twice, and Star Tours. I think the only ride they still need to grow a few inches for is Indiana Jones. I know Walker can't wait, because he is a BIG 'Indy' fan.

After Tim got back from his deposition, we had a late lunch at the Carnation restaurant. We love their fried chicken.



We took Zack to the parade and he was really enjoying it. I loved the look on his face when the Ariel float passed us, only to bring on Ursula. Well, you would be pretty taken aback if that huge villainess was headed right at you, too!


As usual, we can't help but be happy at DLand. Tim was in a bit of pain, but I know he has become a Disney fanatic along with me. It is where we became engaged afterall! God met the desire of our hearts, by providing the $$ for gas, food, and some treats by using Tim's depo. It was a great day all in all...although, I did lose my pretty new pink cell phone only 30 minutes into getting into the park...but that is another post!!

Room With A View

Just wanted you to see what the view looked like from my bedroom window yesterday morning. It almost looks like a sea of fog in the valley. This is definitely the best start to my day along with my bible study. Thank you, Lord!

Happy Birthday, Zack...

OK, so he isn't even 21 months old yet...still over 3 months before he actually celebrates his 2nd birthday... but I could not pass up this awesome deal!! Tim and I discussed what we wanted to get our Zackadee for his upcoming birthday and we knew it had to be a horse. Lord knows we have the room up here for a real one, but a plastic one will have to do. We saw some at Costco for $80, but we found one that was even nicer on Craigslist for only $40. It is so cute...has a leather (like) saddle and 'real' hair. Zack already named him 'Jellybean' like our neighbor's horse. It was love at first sight and Daddy sees a possible jockey in our future.



It was so cute watching him slowly put his hand in the horsie's mouth, wondering if it could bite him, and seeing that it was a really nice horsie. He has already fed Jellybean bananas, apples, and of course carrots. I have the horse sitting in front of my computer so, while I type, he rides. This is the life!