8 sushi rolls and then some!

Friday night Ben and I went out on a date. When he asked me what I wanted to do, I told him

A. YOU should plan the date, not me. Since you are the one taking ME out!

and

B. I really want to go to Restaurant Depot. Please, pretty please? With a cherry on top? Just to check it out. It is literally right down the street from us. It’s members only, VIP access, okay, maybe not VIP access. But, you DO need to have a membership and you can only have a membership if you own a business. We don’t own a business, but he was lucky enough to get a card from his friend, a fellow fireman.  Sooooo….with that being said, I’ve been dreaming of going inside. Really. I had a dream about going there. And I also dreamed that I got a job offer for the San Deigo Zoo. $400,000 a month! Sidetracked. Sorry! Restaurant Depot. I just want to see what’s in there! I know, I’m a dork. But, I don’t get out much, mmkay? Needless to say, we didn’t go because it took us too long to get out of the house. So, instead, we went out for sushi! {Surprise, surprise!}

I looooove this guy. I can’t believe we’ve known each other for 9 years! Wowza, we’re getting old! Okay, not really. But, it has been a while! I mean, that’s almost half my age. Emphasis on almost! Parker was our photographer for the night, and by golly he was having a blast! Tickled, would be the word!

He was going to drop me here, what a pill! And what’s up with the tongue? I have NO clue!

This cracks me up. Parker’s climbing up my back, and you you can see Preston climbing up Ben. Silly kids!

I don’t know about you, but it is very seldom that we go out on dates. So, when we do get out……we definitely make it worth it! And, I try to go with an empty stomach that way I can get my “fill.” Know what I’m saying? We love love love sushi! Love it! Despite what my sister, ahem, not to name any names, Peggy…. despite what Peggy says, tempura sushi is STILL sushi! You get the best of both worlds. Sushi. And deep fried. :) Anyway, we placed our order: 8 sushi rolls. Is that a lot? I could eat 8 by myself, just saying. Apparently, for the 4th time dining here this past year, our waitress looks at our order and says, “8. That a lot a rolls!” And then she ‘tisk-tisk’s’ us. Really? Come on! We know. And we are starving! At least I’m not ordering an order of cheese fries, a salad, a big steak and loaded baked potato, and THEN dessert. Because that’s what we used to do. 8 rolls is NOT a lot!
Boy, were they yummy!

You see that, Peggy. The one with the orange looking sauce on them {yes, we got two of those rolls}. Two words for you. Tempura. Fried. Yumm……that’s a Volcano roll. And, it’s my favorite. Although, the spicy tuna roll is coming in a close second now. And I’m pretty sure that that is “real” sushi! :) Such a fun night!

Could this little girl be any cuter? I think not?

I’m debating about throwing her a big birthday par-tay. I’m undecided. It was nice not doing anything over-the-top for Parker. And yet….I’ll never get to throw another 1st birthday party. Ever. I have a feeling that will be mantra for the next I don’t know, gazillion years! “But, she’s my baby! I have to do it! It’s the last time!” She really is growing up too darn fast.

So, I have two girls potty trained. Yes, you heard that right. Two girls. One of the girls poops and pees in the pot-tay. All day long. She “rocks my socks!” The other girl poops, like clockwork, in her diaper every.single.morning at 6:30 am. Every.single.morning. It wakes her up. Every.single.morning. I don’t know how more “trained” you can get?!

But, not to take the lime light away from Miss Paisley. Stubborn, in-her-own-time Paisley, finally is wearing panties! {Not underwear. They are panties! Heaven forbid you call them underwear!} Can we get a Hip-Hip-HOOORAY for having only one child in diapers! I never thought I would see the day! But we have! :)

Parleigh sure loves her Papaw! Anytime he comes over, once she hears his voice she goes crawling as fast as she can to him. Super cute, I tell you. And check out her stomach in these pictures. She is full as a tick! Her Mamaw fed her fish, beans, strawberries, and churros. She was in hog heaven! Her pants wouldn’t even zip! We love having grandparents so close for our children to be around!

This morning, while we were getting ready for church, I over heard Paisley and Parker talking. I turn around, and they are looking at the picture of the Savior. Parker is telling her that He died for us so we can live again.

My heart has been so full today. I love my kids so much. And, they tell me that they love me, so I guess I’m doing something right! I am so blessed to have children who are patient with me and overlook my weaknesses. They are so forgiving, and I pray that I can learn from them.I am learning that they really are the ones that are teaching me.

"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother... Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children... What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else." Elder M. Russell Ballard