"If I had an iPhone"...is a phrase of the past.

You know when you see something, touch it, experience it? When you know right then that you want this "thing", realizing also that you probably will never have one in the foreseeable future, yet wanting it all the same? This item soon clobers the stores, make headlines and finds it's way into women's purses, guys hands and babies carseats. With each new addition you admire the features, watch your friends experience the technology and know think that one day. one day it will be your turn. You talk about it, dream about it, read about it, think about it, ask for it. In fact, you know more about this little device then even some of your friends who own the darling little thing. But you remain just a spectator, very involved, yes, but still just a spectator. This was my own experience with;

The iPhone.

Yes, I am an Apple girl. Through and through. It helps that I grew up on the old Macs. Our home has never known another brand but that shiny apple. And ever since the iPhone came out (how many years ago?) it's been on the top of my "want-list"....that is until yesterday. 2/24/13. And this is {the short version} how it happened.

It was Sunday afternoon drama practice. I had my computer out and was typing notes and doing stuff that props/costume coordinators are supposed to do, when suddenly I noticed my phone was gone. I needed to send a text but when I looked down on the seat...no phone. Very strange. I glanced around--under the seat, on another row. still no phone. The search continued as I looked in my purse, computer bag, the floor, coat pocket. I tried to push it away thinking that it would "turn up" soon, and went back to watching the actors on-stage. A little while later I needed to send another message (of course regarding the drama at hand) and enlisted a little help to find my pink phone. I questioned several young members of the male gender who are notorious for pranks such as this...but to no avail. A friend (Arnie) decided to call it...confirming that it was on vibrate. {later I find out that he was 'in' on the whole surprise...and played his party very well}. Once again in order to prove that I am capable of operating without my phone I returned to my seat.

Not more than 10 seconds later as I'm sitting in the front row contemplating how to tell an actor to "get their face involved in their lines" a strange sound starts coming from over by the piano. Very weird. My mother had just been over there {"why hadn't she gone home anyways?!?" was the thought running through my mind}, and I figured she just put some weird toy in the bench to make some strange noises. Not sure why, but before I could think about anything Josiah walks over and picks up an iPhone clothed in a pretty pink otterbox.

Me: "Oh! That's Lindsay's, she must have left it here."
Someone else: "Answer it!"
Me: "WHY?!?" I knew that a friend had a phone that looked almost identical "This is Lindsay's phone."

*phone stops ringing*
*everyone looks at me*
I'm confused.
*phone starts ringing again*
My mother: "Answer it, Anna, someone might need something!"
I, being an obedient daughter, obeyed.
Me: "Hello?"
Grace {the caller} along with everyone else: "SURPRISE!!"

Me: "What?"
*looks around very confused. noticing Arnie taking pictures. everyone is smiling. awkward silence.*
Someone: "It's YOURS!!"

Me: "WHAT?!? Are you serious?!?!"
I can't even remember what I said after that. But I couldn't believe it! There in my very own hands was my very own iPhone. And the rest, as they say...is history.

My family and friends had pooled their money for an early birthday present. I head overseas in a couple weeks to work in some orphanges and was really wanting a nice camera. And boy did I get it...and SO much more!!!

I'm so blessed. Not because I'm the very proud owner of an iPhone 5. But because I'm blessed enough to have friends {and of course my family is included in this!!!} that care. Friends that love me. Friends that will sacrifice their own resources to give me a 'wish come true'. They invest soso much into my life, in so many ways...and to top it off, they throw in an iPhone. It blows my mind.

Thank you!!!!! A million times over again.

When life gets cold...go to Florida!

I'm so excited about the prospect of getting snowed in tomorrow. {you may be surrounded with the white fluffyness as you read this, or you may be laughing at the forecasters predictions as you head off to work...I'm pulling for the latter.}

BUT

as much as I love snow and all the wonder that accompanies it...

I miss this.

Florida is a wonderful place. I just discovered this two years ago when I flew down for a friends wedding {gorgeous bride pictured above}. And I'm not sure if that was a good idea, because now I feel like I need to visit that sunny place every year. But I'm okay with that. Quite.

My visit was 4-5 days. We jammed packed it with so much wonderful stuff that I went to bed pinching myself wondering if it was all a dream...and when I woke up the sunrise would slice across the lake with such grandeur and wonder that would leave me speechless.
{yes, I stayed at a lake house. yes, I was up early enough to see the sunrise every morning--I may or may not have gone back to sleep...but that's beside the point.}

List of Fantastic Plans/Events;

Starbucks

{Chatitng with the baristas, people watching, talking, planning the day

...it's so much more than just drinking coffee.}

SeaWorld

{pictured below. Bonus: the Fabulous Lindsy was able to come with us}

Dinner with friends

Farmers Market

{best ever. I wish I had a picture of it to show you. just imagine fruit everywhere, enough veggies to satisfy a vegitarian, fresh flowers, live music, lots of people, crafts and do-dads}

Disney

{pictured below. so much walking, talking and laughter...and sore feet. :)}

Orange Groves

{best oranges.ever. no questions asked or accepted}

Settler's Game

Late-night Talking

{knowing you should probably go to bed but instead you sit and talk waaayyy late.

that is when the best conversations happen}

Invigorating workout

{complete with a personal trainer ;)}

Paddle-boarding

{my new favorite lake-side activity}

Lots of SUN!

More Starbucks

Which Wich?

 {"serving the superior sandwich"...and I learned they just opened one in NE!}

Pinkberry

Chick-Fil-A

{chicken biscuits are a must-experience for everyone...this I learned...the yummy way}

Starbucks

BEACH!

{I fed the birds...first and last time I ever do that on a beach.}

Outlet Mall

Little moments

{all those times that made you laugh, smile and just enjoy life...

yep, my trip was jam-packed full of them}

I'm sure I probably left something out...like the AMAZING people that hosted me, and made my time WAY better than I could have imagined!!! 

Thank you, Andrew&Kori

And all the other wonderful Florida people!

A though from Dr. Suess

"You never realize the joy of a moment, until it becomes a memory." -Dr. Suess

I've been mulling this thought over throughout the day. And it is quite true. Sometimes the moment slips by and thinking back and remembering things and reliving them, are almost as fun as experiencing them for the first time. Not quite, but almost.


So when you're contemplating doing something a little out of the ordinary or fun, taking a risk, showing a little extra love, sacrificing for someone else...do it. Make it worth remembering.