Five Things

I have several friends who do posts every Friday titled "Top 5 Friday" or "Five on Friday." (Shoutout especially to Emily and Sarah).  It's so cute and fun and they are able to highlight five things that were especially great about their week (or not-so-great as the case may be). And so, in my attempt to blog more often I've decided to jump on the bandwagon. I think it will be nice because there are a lot of things that happen that are awesome, but don't really deserve a blog post in of themselves. This way I can record those small things that happen that make life so great. So here goes my first Top Five Friday. 


(I was going to call it "Five Things Friday"... but then I decided that I like how positive "Top Five" sounds. Like... "I realize that I have way too many great things that happen to blog about them all - but I'll just pick five to share." Which, really, is how I feel about my life.) 

#1 - Pretzels & Nutella. Oh my goodness. Seriously, this is my new favorite thing. I'm a little late to the Nutella gang, but it is seriously so good. When I was pregnant with Lydia I developed a fondness for sweets that has only slightly lessened since she arrived. The combination of sweet & creamy Nutella and salty & crunchy pretzel sticks is amazing. I have to put some stern limits on myself to make sure that I don't eat the whole thing in one sitting.

#2 - After years of telling David about my favorite book series ever... he finally has the time to read them. So of course, I decided to read them right along with him. The series is called The Shadow Series and is by Orson Scott Card. For those of you who have read Enders Game, these books start with the parallel novel Ender's Shadow and continue through the events that follow Enders Game. For those of you who haven't read Enders Game.... do it. Then read Enders Shadow. And then, if you like reading about politics - or if you really loved them, read the rest of the Shadow Series.  Okay, I got distracted. The best part about re-reading these books is that when I googled the order of the series I discovered that Card has written a followup book to the series! Shadows in Flight. It's about the only loose end that he leaves un-resolved at the end of the series. I am seriously so excited and have been flying through the books in order to get to it. I can't wait!

#3 - I haven't done the dishes in a week. In fact, I haven't done them in much longer than a week - but David has been the dishes fairy in the house lately. But both of us have let the dishes slide this week. This is the result:

But don't worry, as soon as I took the picture - I got to work and put a full load in the dishwasher. The sink isn't empty - but it isn't threatening to overflow either.

#4 - I went out to run a few errands (and eat lunch with my little sister, Melissa, whom I forgot to get a picture with... lame) and when I got back - David was home early from work and these flowers were waiting for me. It made my whole day.

Card reads: "Dear Shan, Just to remind you that I love you and think you are beautiful. Love, David"

#5 - This girl is the highlight of my life.  She is quite the little talker lately! The video is pretty repetitive after the first 30 seconds. However, I loved it... and I know my mom will love it. So hey... Mom... this is for you.