Cousins.

Cousins. We all have cousins. We have since we were young. Now we might be far from cousins, or don't talk to cousins as much as we should, but we all have them. Cousins share a special bond. It is having a real friendship, that can never grow too far apart, and can certainly never disappear...because you are united by blood. Pretty powerful isn't it?
Now think back to when you were a kid. Everything is more fun when you are little; life is simple- no worries other then which bowl to eat your cereal from, or which cartoon to watch in the morning.
But do you remember your cousins? I do. My cousins and I were best friends. We were inseparable. It was grandma's house every Sunday because waiting an entire week to see my cousins again was torture. It was an extra "cousins" birthday party because there was no possible way I could focus my attention on friends when my cousins were around. It was racing to grandma's on Christmas day to exchange gifts and search through snowballs to find the lucky million dollar bill. (a $20 is a million dollars to a child- ask any of them) It was popsicles and sleepovers, nights filled with games and make believe. It was fun. And it was joy.
Well, unfortunately my childhood days are gone, and as we grow up we change. Our looks change, our schools change, our friends change, our lives change. But one thing that never changes, never leaves- is family. Cousins.

It has been so fun growing up with my cousins, we share so many memories and make more every time we see each other.
But now let me explain something else about cousins.
The fun part about cousins is that not only do I grow with my own cousins, I watch my nieces and nephews grow with each other. Grow as cousins. And that brings me just as much joy as doing it myself.
They want so bad to be together, even though half of that time spent together...is spent in time out. They can't wait to wake up in the morning and see each others faces. They can't wait to eat the same cereal, watch the same cartoons, play with the same toys....or more often toy. (notice the change from plural to singular- its usually just one toy they both want)
They just can't wait to be kids together. Make forts, pretend to be pirates, run around laughing. Just because they get to do it all together.
That is what family, not just cousins, is all about. And thanks to these kids, we are constantly reminded of that.

No matter what we are doing, we love it just because we get to do it together.

[forts built for mickey and minnie]

[teaching her how to "play guns"]

Let it be love.

Valentines Day is potentially a great holiday. A holiday all about love. Flowers, chocolates, pink frosted heart cookies, conversation hearts, valentines, secret acts of kindness, valentine parties, heart shaped everything, romantic dates...the list goes on. And its true, I can't get enough of the treats, I love them..

however...this isn't the best part of Valentines day. The best part of Valentines is having that special Valentine. The one that makes you smile no matter what. The one you love unconditionally. The one that makes your heart melt whenever you're around them. The one you can't wait to see, and can't bear to leave. That is the joy of Valentines. Love.

And the best part is that everybody has their own unique Valentine. All to themselves.
Now, let me introduce that special someone that lit up my week, and changed my life in a way I won't ever be able to forget.

Isn't she something?
Mary Mae. We are going to be best friends. She is perfect in every way. From her little fingers and tiny toes, to her big blue eyes and soft brown hair. She is a little angel. She has parents who have waited so long for her, and love her so much. And a family that can't wait to watch her grow. She has love. But most of all she gives love.

So my challenge to you today is to be like this sweet little Mary. Give love. Give love to everyone around you. Be that special someone that makes life just a little bit better for those around you.

Let the spirit of Valentines be something you share. Something you give.

Let it be love.

Sushi surprise...

Wait wait wait...did rach just say sushi?
yuck. I know you must be in shock- but it wasn't a typo... I said sushi surprise.
It was truly a sacrifice on my part, because I hate sushi- well lets be more clear. I gag when I as much as smell any type of seafood. So let me explain. I will set this up for you, it went a little something like this....

January 30, 2009. Annie's (one of my best friends) birthday- and not just birthday, but more importantly 18th birthday...big deal right? Well, Annie loves sushi. So me, katie and brock (aaron loves sushi) decided to make the sacrifice for one night and take Annie out for a surprise sushi dinner.

However, we needed to find a place where those of us who don't like raw sea animal concaucions, could order something we would eat as well.
So eventually...we decided on Mikado- a deluxe sushi restaurant that looks like this..

Next step- getting her there without being too obvious- since Mikado is down the hill from her house. We figured blindfolding her and driving the long, roundabout way to dinner was the best way. It was so fun to hear her confusion as to where we were headed. We even took the freeway and looped back around so she wouldn't figure it out! We had lots of fun...


And when we arrived, she was so excited!

However, the surprise doesn't end there. And neither does my story. We were seated and brought out a surprisingly yummy apetizer..

Yummy sea salted soy beans sprinkled with real lemon juice to jazz up the flavor.
They were delicious!!

Next was the main entree. Dog throw up on a plate. Ok, not really- they called it a birthday roll but you might as well have served me the dog throw up- it looked about the same.

I mean look at this...and tell me it doesn't look disgusting..

And guess what.....

I ATE THAT!!!

Yes, I did. I promised I would at least try it because it was her birthday. I didn't find out till after (by choice) what I had just eaten.
Raw tuna in a rice wrap covered with fish eggs and a spicy sushi sauce!
But you know what? It was worth it. Because she loved it..

And sometimes its ok to make sacrifices for friends.
Because we realize that making a best friend happy is worth more then our own hapiness.

I know this is kind of a funny example, but in all seriousness- I would have done anything to make her happy. She has been one of the best friends I have ever had, and that is something I won't ever sacrifice.... even if I did have to try sushi.

home. ALONE.

So, as you know my blog has been quite neglected as of late. Why you might ask? Well its as simple as this.
I have been home alone.
No, I didn't set up any booby traps, or play any videos to scare off robbers like the real home alone, nonetheless- I was home alone.
My parents decided to take a wonderful vacation to the warm sunny Arizona....without me.

Therefore, I have truly had nothing to blog about. So...I know this is boring but its my only option for right now. Dinner.
It had been a long, long day. And I was starving. And it was 9 o'clock at night. Everywhere was closed- so I didnt have the luxury of ordering out something tasty.
SoI made myself dinner. And- to make my mother and grandmother proud...I even included vegies....

(deluxe tender noodles marinated in a mild
chicken broth and doused with herbal spices)

(freshly picked california oranges with crisp carrots
and gorgeous green broccoli washed and ready to
eat) [rich veggie dip included but not shown]

...Pretty impressive right?

Ok so maybe it wasn't quite that amazing. I didn't have much preparation time...and I don't really have great cooking skills. But I have enough to make my favorites.

So.....true confessions. (You probably already guessed it) but this was my real dinner...

Ramen and a few raw vegetables I grabbed from the fridge.
I was home alone...remember?