Ever had one of those weeks? It's been a bugger, but today we are all smiling and happy. I'm eating chocolate and having a Coke to help aid in the recovery :). It started with a beautiful rainstorm on Monday that I was so happy to see roll in, the kind with big, black clouds and a couple of downpours that I like to call gully washers, the kind of storms that bring relief from the heat...but these storms ended with lightning that caused an explosion in our garage, knocking out our phone line and internet, and toasting our computer, monitor, and everything associated. We consider ourselves very fortunate though that the lightning only caused minor damage instead of starting our house on fire. That was Monday.
Welcome in Tuesday, a sweet little girl I know, who shall remain nameless, was invited to have a long stay with a bunch of cousins, we call it cousin swap. This little girl couldn't sleep as she was so excited to go stay the week with her cousins. So, the mama packed her little girl a suitcase, loaded up the car, and off they traveled 3 hours or so, across the desert to join in the fun. It was a long trip of cows, wind, sagebrush, and lots of blah...I don't really love blah, but it always makes me appreciate where I live in the middle of the blah. The mama kissed her little girl goodbye, and started on her 3 hour journey back home that evening.
The mama decided to stop in her favorite city of St. George, UT and do a little shopping for herself, as she has some birthday money to spend. So off she went to pick herself out a new outfit for church and actually go into a dressing room and try clothes on. This was an event that hadn't occurred in ages, as the little girl who shall remain nameless, hates shopping, and makes it so unpleasant for her mama, that she just gives up on clothes shopping all together. So, for an hour, the mama enjoyed her peaceful shopping experience, bought herself some super cute clothes, a new purse, some jewelry, a couple of sooooooo incredibly darling scarfs, and got going on the second leg of her journey home. Well, just as she arrived home around 10 that night, her phone rang, and whoever could be on the other end of the line, but the little girl, not happy, not content, not excited to be joining in the cousin swap, but begging her mama to turn around and come get her NOW! Crying tears that were as big as the state of Nevada and that broke her mama's heart. And, that mama did want to hop right in the car and get there as fast as she could, but didn't.
So, the next day, after saying lots of prayers of comfort and strength for her little one, the mama set out on the journey again, to retrieve her little, sad lamb, and bring her home once again. She was very proud of her little one for getting through the first night, but when the little girl called the next day and said she was all done, her mama knew that the super fun week of non-stop cousin fun, was coming to an abrupt halt.
Needless to say, my achy back and I didn't want to get in the car and go anywhere for a while. But one more day trip was required to purchase a new computer so I could get back up and running, so this time the three of us, daddy, mama, and the nameless little one, loaded into the truck, and off we went. And, today is a great day! Life is short, long, busy, never-ending, happy, sad, troubling, uplifting, joyful, frustrating, up, down, sweet, sour, bitter, rewarding, and oh, so worth it.
The End.
Melis
P.S. Oh, there's more. I am happy today because of those super cute paperclip stars that I used on my card...see, how easy to please I am? Taco Bell Pink Lemonade Freezes also make me happy, and I have had my share this week each time I've passed through the big city, but oh, there I go getting off track again. You can purchase Freckled Fawn's sweet little stars in every color of the rainbow only at Two Peas in a Bucket.
The chipboard bicycle is from Crate Paper's The Pier collection, the washi Resin Mum Blossoms from Freckled Fawn, the scrunched seam binding from My Craft Spot, and the Framed Out #12 Mini stamp from Papertrey Ink.
P.P. S. A quote to lift and inspire each of us:
"No matter our circumstances, no matter our challenges or trials, there is something in each day to embrace and cherish. There is something in each day that can bring gratitude and joy if only we will see and appreciate it."
—Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Of Regrets and Resolutions", Liahona and Ensign, November 2012
Topics: Gratitude, Joy
Melissa, not only are your projects beyond gorgeous, but your writing style just makes me swoon. You are able to draw me in and experience everything you share. I love visits to your blog and the sweet escape they bring. Thank you for sharing such lovely things with everyone :)
Posted by: Arielle Berceau | July 20, 2013 at 01:46 PM
Glad that the lightening storm was not worse. I enjoyed your stories, we have all had "those weeks"! :)
Posted by: Natalie Winterstein | July 20, 2013 at 03:13 PM
My heart goes out to that little girl who shall remain nameless and her dear, sweet mama. Embrace each moment and this one has certainly become a memory you won't soon forget. And, your card is super cute, as always! ;)
Posted by: Birgit | July 20, 2013 at 03:42 PM
What a week you had! I half expected you to say that after the second trip to pickup the little girl who is to remain nameless that she decided she wanted to stay after all. (I have been known to do that in my younger years!) I am glad that things were not worse with the storm and you had some enjoyment during the week too. The card is so cute and sweet, as always!
Posted by: Patty O'Malley | July 20, 2013 at 04:08 PM
Oh, I don't blame you for being over it this week!! What an awful start to things, but you're right, at least your house is safe.
It's moments like those we have to remember that some day we'll miss them needing us so much. Easier to say than to feel, of course.
I hope next week is a far better one for you, my lovely friend!
Posted by: Meredith | July 20, 2013 at 09:12 PM
Oh my goodness...what a week you've had! Wonderful story telling Melissa :) Praying you and nameless little one are feeling MUCH better today! Yes, coke and chocolate... divine! By the way, your card is absolutely beautiful ♥
Posted by: Lori A | July 20, 2013 at 11:20 PM
Oh, the poor little one who shall remain nameless!!! I can sooo relate to your story.
I once had to get my little one who shall remain nameless too from a sleepover of her BFF! Big tears and looking sooooo sad....
but thankfully that was only a 1 minute walk because she lived in the street next to ours.
Well, I do hope your back will recover soon.... all the things we're willing to do for our beloved ones!
Bye from the Netherlands,
Marjolein
ps. Like Stuart Little would say:
'Every day has a silver lining. You just need to find it'
Posted by: Marjolein | July 21, 2013 at 02:40 AM
Oh dear - yes that is how it goes sometimes:) Glad no one was hurt in the storm and you're all up and running again with a 'puter. I hope little miss will give cousin swap a try another time. Yes we must count our blessings cause they really are out there:-) xx
Posted by: Linda L | July 21, 2013 at 03:44 AM
Such true words..and I know you live up to those words.....
Love your card...so gorgeous and so sorry you had that horrible lightning must have been so scary....and that you had to make such a long trip twice ......poor little girl too...I know how she must have felt...felt this way a very long time ago too...it was so bad that I couldn't eat or walk anymore..imagine....
Hugs Holly.
Posted by: Holly Saveur | July 21, 2013 at 05:59 AM
OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!:) I feel for you Melissa! I've BEEN THERE!!!!!(Our little ones are College Age now!) I'm WONDERING if this year when our daughter goes off to school if SHE will become a "girl that shall remain nameless!" She's ALREADY crying she doesn't want to go! BUT, back to YOU! They say, "When it rains, IT POURS!!!!!" (I've found it to be TRUE!) ALWAYS look for the POSITIVE in things! Sometimes, it's harder than others! Chocolate & Coke should CURE ANYTHING!!!:) I'd recommend Chocolate ONLY for the little nameless girl! :)As she would go from SAD to BOUNCY!!!!!!! :)
Posted by: Becky Green | July 21, 2013 at 07:00 AM
I think this post covered so many aspects of every day life and things that matter growing up. Leaving home, spent time with family but not as funny and pleasant as expecterd. In need of mummy, you had some shopping fun, troubles with electricity ( thank God you are all safe)
Love love love your card!
Posted by: Stella | July 21, 2013 at 07:19 AM
P.S. FORGOT to comment on your card!!!!!! LOL I LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE IT!!!!!!!! (I need to pull this stamp & die set out & PLAY with it!) I LOOOOOOOOOVE the COLORS you chose!!!!!! QUITE VINTAGEY!!!!!:) AND those rosettes on the wheels & the PINWHEEL!!!! WONDERFULLY ASSEMBLED!!!!!!!!!!:) (I can HARDLY BELIEVE there's only one week left of Stamp Camp! THANK YOU MELISSA!!!!!! I'm having a BLAST!!!!!!!!:) )
Posted by: Becky Green | July 21, 2013 at 08:53 AM
Oh my, that was quite a week! Enjoy that coke and chocolate mama, you deserve it. I hope you can still get your important info off your computer or have it backed up. That all those pix of your sweet little bean are safe! And thank The Lord your house is safe. I can't imagine a lightening strike so close. Scary! Stay well and best wishes
Posted by: Rebecca Ednie | July 21, 2013 at 09:23 AM
What a cute story! Your poor little Bean! I would have wanted to hop in the car instantly too! This card is so gorgeous!!!
Posted by: Renee | July 21, 2013 at 02:55 PM
Thank goodness chocolate makes everything better, if only for a short time! Glad to hear that things are looking up for you all. Your story made me smile.
Posted by: Jo Reynolds | July 21, 2013 at 04:14 PM
Life. So glad to share it with you!
Posted by: jan m | July 21, 2013 at 06:28 PM
love the card, the story, and love all Dieter quotes :)
Posted by: Victoria Resh | July 22, 2013 at 10:03 AM
What a story! Enjoy that coke & chocolate & that nameless little girl. Maybe it's being an only child. My son hated to stay away from home alone - even at his friend's house down the street. But, by the time college hit, he was a champ at being on his own. You are such a good Mama - I would have done the same thing. Love the card too! Sorry about the lighting strike, so glad the house is ok. Crazy weather! Big Hugs!
Posted by: Troy Louise | July 22, 2013 at 11:55 AM