Surprise!!

Just about everyone who knows me knows that I love surprises. I create little ways to surprise myself each day.

I don't know when exactly I became aware of this fact.

I know that I didn't, unlike my sister, sneak into wrapped gifts. I know that when people told me they had a surprise for me I wouldn't beg to know what it was.

The best I can pinpoint it is to 1998. That's the year I got one of my best surprises~my sweet boy Kaleb. Kaleb Dylan. He is the answer to so many of my prayers.
When I found out I was pregnant I with him I was certainly not in an ideal situation.

I wasn't married. I didn't have a career. I had no goals and I certainly didn't know how to be a mom.

Over the years I have accomplished most of those things. I'm still working on what I want to be when I grow up but at least now I have a career in mind :)

Kaleb is a special boy.
He is amazingly smart-sometimes too smart for his own good!

He is becoming a master at sarcasm.

He has the sweetest heart.

He is an awesome cook.

He still holds my hand when we walk places and isn't embarrassed about it.

He adores his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

He loves animals almost as much as I do.

At ten years old he still thinks I'm pretty cool.
He has always been incredibly observant.

He is kind and courteous.

I love when he sneaks into my bed at night and searches for my hand first thing. Then he doesn't let go all night no matter how much we shift.

He has a gift on the football field.

He makes me laugh constantly-It's saved his little behind numerous times!

He is learning to be a gentleman.

He loves hanging out with his friends.

His hands are magic on my neck after a stressful day.

He's more than I would have ever dreamt I deserve.

A few of my favorite Kaleb moments over the last few years...

Kaleb and Bella at the Boise Zoo

First year of Babe Ruth baseball

First year of flag football

One of my all time favorite photos of Kaleb

Elvis Halloween 2007...

He's a huge Elvis fan!

Florida November 2007

Kaleb and Lucy

Strikin' a pose!

Oregon Coast March 2008

Kaleb and cousin Blake in Alaska July 2008

Kaleb and Christian

:)

Small Tokens and Big Blessings

I think every once in a while we all should take a moment to list what we are thankful for from the huge obvious blessings to the token items that sometimes go without mention.
I started this list as a small journal entry and found the more I thought about it the more and more I have to be thankful for.
So here is what I'm thankful for...in no particular order :)

• Having a job
• My physical health (mental is still questionable at times:)
• The ability to pay my bills
• A body with curves
• Amazing, lovable and loving kids
• Wine
• An electric blanket-hey, it gets cold in Idaho!
• Faithful friends
• A soul that works every day to be pure
• Wine
• A brain that still wants to learn
• A heart that still wants to love
• A body that still wants to grow
• Wine
• The trials in my life that have let me appreciate every second
• The chance to understand the "other side of the fence"
• Wine
• An appreciation of my country
• People who believe in me when no one else does
• Music, rhythm and dance
• The time when I was crazy so I can savor being sane
• Wine
• New friends who feel like old
• Old friends who feel like new
• Wine
• Dismissed cases
• Hugs
• Boys and Girls Club
• Friends who never gave up on me even when they had every reason to
• A year of hell to plan for a lifetime of cohesiveness
• Wine
• Dave Ramsey
• A fair mind
• Ham and grits, pizza and diet coke
• Friends who don't believe in "prior claims"
• Wine
• When my friends faces light up when they see me
• Pencils and erasers
• Wine
• Football
• Fat Babies
• Digital cameras

"Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving." W.T. Purkiser

"However many blessings we expect from God, His infinite liberality will always exceed all our wishes and our thoughts." John Calvin

"The grass is not, in fact, always greener on the other side of the fence. Fences have nothing to do with it. The grass is greenest where it is watered. When crossing over fences, carry water with you and tend the grass wherever you may be." Robert Fulghum

New Year, New Me?

Ummm...I hope so!
This last year has been so chaotic I pray to God that 2009 is different and hopefully better!
I really wish I had something deep and meaningful to write here...but I don't.
This is what I've got:
The people you need in life are the ones who need you in theirs.
Does it get more simple than that?
I need people who love me for me.
Who may not understand my quirkiness but smile with me anyway.
Who love to banter in my native language~sarcasm.
Who I may not hear from everyday or week but are at my doorstep when I need them to be.
Who know to be at my doorstep when I try not to need them.
Who know that sharing with me their imperfections makes me love them even more.
Who laugh more than they complain.
Who search for beauty in things most consider ugly.
Who bring me back down to earth when I've lost control.
Who hold me tight when I get knocked around but let me loose when I need to dance.
Who look at situations through another's eyes before passing judgement.
Who know that everyday is filled with choices and that if it's a crappy day...well, it was your choice after all.
Some of the people in my life are many of these things wrapped up into one beautiful person. But some are equally beautiful containing just one of these traits.
I had so much fun "ringing in" the New Year with Charee. I can't believe what started out as mocking a girl in crazy jeans with crazier hair close to 20 years ago has turned into such a deep trust and respect. We have been through a whole lotta crap together and (I'm pretty sure she'll agree) hope that '09 is better to us.
Happy New Year to you all!
rikki

Strike Three

Oh...we look so innocent (she says with an evil laugh)Since I've already hit my high school peers and my coworkers it's only fair that I post about those that have stuck with me through thick and thin, right?

Don't worry ladies (you know who you are!)...I'm not posting those pictures! :)

The date: October 5th, 2007. The location: My home. The occasion: My 31st birthday. The occurences: Well, depends on who you talk to.

There were two groups of people at my party that night-those who left "in time" and those who didn't. The first group remembers the party as a fun night sharing drinks and laughs with friends and loved ones. The second group doesn't talk about the rest of the party...I'm going to tell the story from the first group point of view. It was my party I can choose to remember it how I want, right?

Actually the party was a blast. It was a fantastic combination of all my favorite people. My closest friends, my sister's family, Margaret and Bruce. I was drunk on love and happiness...I said it's my story I can tell it how I want! If I want to rename Russian vodka and triple spiked drinks (thanks Donna!) love and happiness I can.

Now back to the story....drunk on love and happiness. I have the best friends in the world. They have proven that to me over and over again. They always come through for me when I need it most. And sometimes when I don't even realize I need it.

Wait a minute...I just remembered that I told you in the last post that I don't drink often. I don't! I swear! But I forgot to tell you that when I do I really really do. And remember that whole part about three drinks and dancing? Well that night was no exception...

No one was in any condition for driving so we busted out the ipod and old cd's and moved the furniture. What happened next was a cluster of the dancers (full of love and happiness) persuading the non dancers to shake their thang. Most everyone danc...er moved in one fashion or another. Then...came...the...microphone. Never ever ever bring a microphone to an already loving and happy party. I've seen the video...it ain't pretty.

Well, it took a few days for some to make eye contact but in the end when I look at these pictures...wow! We sure know how to have fun!

Heather and Katy riding Peg

Dana, Donna and I "before"
Charee and I "during"...
This is where it starts to take a turn...damn Russians! Yep...we're that funny!

One cannot even begin to explain this...

Since We're Here...

Looks like fun doesn't it? IT WAS!
So I figured since I publicly humiliated some of my high school peers that I would now move on to my work friends :) But I think that since I include very unflattering pictures of myself it kind of balances out, right? Well...maybe not but here goes anyway!
I work for the Nampa School District in the Administration offices. Now think with me for a minute...do you remember the administrators from when you were in school? Yeah, I know! Certainly they didn't ever have any fun...they were...OLD!
After working there for a while I have to completely rethink what I thought principals and teachers were like outside of school. All they did was think of ways to torture us, right?

The April night in question was an absolute alignment of stars, moons, planets, wheat fields, boots, beer and martinis. It had to have been 'cause it was a blast that can never be recreated.
I had gone back to work for the District permanently in January after mostly staying home with my kids for about 9 years. I had done some subbing in the classroom (big mistake!) and worked in HR here and there for about 3 years but now I am official. Now I get invited to..."Happy Hour".
So the "alignment" comes in because I was going through a really really crappy time in my life. I was a girl that needed a drink and a dance partner. They had no idea what they were doing when they extended the invitation and then offered me a third drink.
To clarify~I rarely drink. I got that all out of my system when I was...ohhh...a sophomore in high school. Doesn't do much for me these days. Anyway, knowing myself as I do I knew that if I had a third drink I would have to dance and they would have to go with me. ANOTHER MARTINI PLEASE!
We had a couple more drinks and decided to walk down the Boulevard to Cowgirls. Gwen and I were sure it was just a block or two. No problem! Ummm more like a mile or two...RIDE PLEASE!
We eventually make it to Cowgirls. Heather and I get tangled up and fall on our faces right out of the shoot...Ma'am I swear I am NOT DRUNK just very clumsy. Now can I have another drink please? Sucker...
We made a friend right away. She came over and asked if she could dance with us because she just got new boots.
Now before I go further with the "boots" story let me clarify...I like boys. A lot. I have always liked boys. A lot. I always will like boys. A lot. I can just hear it now..."Ohhh, rikki likes girls. That explains a lot...". Well, you're going to have to find other ways to explain this lot...I LIKE BOYS. A LOT.
Anyway, my sister had recently told me that if I get ever a chance I need to feel fake boobs. Do you see where this is going??
So when she said she had new boots I thought she said new boobs. At the same time I was reaching out I was asking "oh, can I feel them?", she said while reaching out "only if I get to feel yours". I replied "well, you can feel them but they're not new" to which she said "neither are mine. I said boots!" Mass hysteria as I'm sure you can imagine. Luckily she had a good sense of humor...
The night continued...Gwen showing her fine dancing skills (we still love you Gwen!), dancing on the bar, creepy girl that liked me (I told you I like BOYS!), table toppled over, unexpected Jitterbug flip (that's a fun one when your...well, you know), and free drinks baby!
So to wrap up...thanks girls! I can't tell you enough how much I loved that night and the stories that go with it. Unfortunately some of you will never be allowed out again (he said I looked like a librarian-I had to show him what I was made of :) but now we have an accurate-ish account of the nights activities to reflect on.
Wishing you all a wonderful day with friends and family tomorrow as we all remember what we are thankful for.
Safe travels and Happy Thanksgiving!
Until next time...
rikki

Was it something I said...?

Gwen and Jennifer

Heather and Gwen

Only in Idaho...Beer in a martini glass with a straw.

The "Walk"

Jitterbug Flip Dude

The "Boots" Girl and her date

Um...yeah...I have no idea!

Again...no idea but it sure was funny!