A Letter to Heaven

Dear Nanny,

I miss you.

It's been three years and I can't decide if it feels like an eternity or just a moment since you left us.

I'll never forget the last time we spoke. I told you I wanted an electric toothbrush. Mom found one with my name on it in your big, black sharpie handwriting when they were cleaning out your house.

Thank you. You were always so thoughtful.

Thank you for calling me every other day the entire time I was at college to find out how much homework I had, how much money I had, how much sleep I had gotten and if my car had a full gas tank.

Thank you for all of the Starbucks trips and gift cards but more importantly, thank you for all of the precious moments we sat in the Hopper Starbucks reading, (me a book, you your paper) drinking coffee, and just enjoying one another's company.

Thank you for your example of a woman who worked hard for everyone she loved.

Thank you for always being in my corner.

Thank you for all of those nights you scratched my back as I fell asleep. Thank you for never letting me outgrow that.

I know you would be proud of me.

I graduated with honors! You always wanted me to work hard at college.

I have a "big girl" job. But, I'm happy. You always wanted me to be happy.

I will never be able to fill your shoes but I try to make sure all of the kids know they are loved...the way you made me know that I was so loved. And Melody and I get along now...she is one of my best friends. You always wanted us to get along.

I will always be a better, stronger, wiser woman because you gave me so much.

Thank you.

Loving you still and missing you always,

Liss

Favorite Things Friday : Revival Edition

Bringin' it back!

Trying to stay aware and conscious of the wonderful things in my life. There are many...but I really love sharing a few here!

This week I loved...

So thankful for my little brother Vick turning 11 and the hilarity involved when Morgan writes you her own personal birthday note. I have no idea what they were bickering about previously but...out of the mouths of babes!

Oh Ray. Some of the hilarity that goes into our texting conversations is just too much to describe but this was just one of the many moments he had me LOL'ing to myself this week!

MY  NEW HOME! Chelsea and I have found a beautiful, two bed/two bath apartment just a short walk from our favorite downtown area in Fullerton full of coffee shops, restaurants, antique stores, and the most popular bars among 20-somethings on a weekend night! Our heads are swimming with all of the decorating ideas we have to fill this spacious, welcoming apartment with "us".

I have always loved writing and am getting to do various forms of it at Ambassador (new job)! At the recommendation of some of my most trusted advisers (ie-chums) I purchased this little gem to help me polish up my style! Can't wait to dive in....

I think his name was James. I was very thankful that James was able to get my car open. And that my boss was gracious enough to stand with me and laugh at my absent mindedness and trunk full of laundry/shoes/towels/water bottles/etc while we dug through it looking for my keys! Oops. 

What were some of YOUR favorite things this week? 

Blessings, M.M.

Moving

Everyone said that the commute would be too far.

I didn't believe them.

After one month of spending between 2-3.5 hours in the car Mondays through Fridays to get from my pretty little condo in San Dimas to my office in Irvine I officially surrender.

TRAFFIC WINS!

Hypothetically It would only be an hour drive if I left my house by 5:45am every day...but my body refuses to wake up at 5am. Even then, traffic in Orange County starts around 3:30pm and by the time I reach LA County it's bad there too.

So two tickets, a fender bender (both cars are OK), too much coffee, not enough sleep, a couple late mornings and lots of headaches later, I'm moving.

I don't have an official apartment yet but my dear friend and fellow Biola alumni Chelsea and I are beginning the hunt for our new home on Sunday! Move-out day is set for May 1st. We are hoping for someplace near the Orange Circle or Downtown Fullerton. Both places have some of our favorite restaurants, coffee houses and shopping areas nearby as well as being halfway between our offices.

Jared and I are both disappointed that I'm moving out but we decided that we can still be friends.

(I'm also really excited to live with Chelsea but don't tell him that!)

I've been so blessed by the relationships and comfort I've received while living in San Dimas with Jared! I've met a ton of wonderful new friends, been supported through a crazy job situation and have (almost never) had to come home to an empty house! Starting on Friday afternoon you could always count on someone being at our home enjoying the hospitality that Jared so naturally gives! Not to mention the cleaning lady and the espresso machine...I'll miss him and the little condo I've come to love and call home but am excited for this next chapter of post-graduation life!

DUBBLE BUBBLE GUM

Do you remember Dubble Bubble Gum?

I do.

I used to love the stuff.

My boss had a box of it sitting on her desk and instantly it brought back a swarm of childhood memories. (As well as a solid half hour of awesome bubble-blowing at my desk.)

Primarily memories of smashing my face into plates of whipped cream trying to find that ONE piece of Dubble Bubble Gum. (First team to blow a bubble wins!) Oh the games homeschoolers play...

And then there's the funny little comics that go inside.

Like this one:

What is one of your favorite childhood candies?