Blessing

Today I am thankful. Thankful for the amazing friends we have.

Things got rough this week and a few bills magically appeared that we were not expecting. And this is embarrassing for anyone to admit but pride aside, we were completely broke. I am talking 3 dollars in the bank account and just praying to make it to payday Friday.

For whatever reason Friday arrived but my paycheck did not. I didn't know what I was going to do. So, gas light on, I started to drive to work and hope for the best. Fridays I usually stay half day because I always have enough hours. I was supposed to leave at noon that day but again, no paycheck, no gas, no way of getting home.

Honestly, I sat at my desk for a bit trying to figure out what to do. I had no money for gas and no gas to take me home. I could not stay until the paychecks arrived because they would not approve over time and who wants to stay late at work if you aren't getting paid for it? I spoke with the accountants and they said we may not get checks till Monday due to a clerical error. I was in what you call "a pickle".

A short while later, I looked out my window and saw something on my car. I walked outside to see what it was. An envelope. With 15 dollars inside. And a note that said "thought you might need this".

I broke down right there in the parking lot for the whole world to see, and cried. How could any one have possibly known what was going on with me that day? Who could it have been and how did they know that $15 was just enough to get me home? Then I realized, My Heavenly Father loves me and watches out for me. I am thankful for the many blessings he has given me. I am especially thankful for my wonderful friends who listen to the promptings of my Heavenly Father and are willing to do what they are asked to help a friend in need.

So thank you, thank you , thank you, a million times, thank you!

This may seem small and insignificant to you but it was a huge blessing to me. If you try to remember daily something small you are thankful for; you will be able to see so many blessings in your own life. What a peace and comfort that will be to truly know that your Heavenly Father loves you sooooo much.

Another check on the bucket list...

My husband has had the life long dream to one day pet a live penguin. Me, being the amazing wife that I am, decided to make that dream a reality for Christmas. I did lots of hunting to discover that he could actually touch a penguin at Sea world! Christmas morning he found in the bottom of his stocking a small penguin ornament with his pass to touch a penguin. He was so excited, he ran around the house all day saying "hey, I get to touch a penguin!!!" He cracks me up. So we invited my family to come along as well. So a couple days after Christmas we woke up early and Mom, Zach, William and I set out for Sea World. Once we arrived, we checked into the main booth to pick a time to play with penguins. I surprised my mom and bought her a ticket so she could join in the fun!

First we watched the dolphin show. It was fun. There were acrobats and divers. It was really cool and very different from what I remember from childhood.
Can I just say, LOOK AT THAT SKY!!! Oh my so blue, California I miss you.
You are NOTHING like the icky winters we have in Utah.

Then as we were walking around the park we came across a group of flamingos walking along the grass. They were not caged in so you could just walk right up to them. This one seemed to have a lot of interest in us and started nibbling at our hair. The boys didn't seem to mind, but I was thoroughly freaked out. My face gives that away.

After being mauled by a flamingo, we went to another animal show. This one featured dogs, cats, a pig, and even a kangaroo!!! After the show I was able to go to the stage and pet the baby Kangaroo.

Then we started our wonderful penguin experience. First we stood outside and they told us about the penguins in the outdoor exhibit. Then they took us into the lab where a large ice pack was on the counter. The woman told us to wait there for a moment and she would bring out a penguin. We waited and the woman returned, but no penguin in sight! We waited for a moment then from around the corner a cute little thing comes "running" down the hall. He was so excited to be out and about. She placed him on the counter so we all could get a better look and to keep the little guy cool. Suddenly, almost as if in slow motion, the woman yelled MOOOVVVVVEEEE and pushed a small kid to the side just as the penguin shot his liquid poop across the room. We dodged the splatter and tried not to gag at the smell. Who know how penguins went to the bathroom?
On a less graphic note, lets continue...
His name is 161, their names are numbers because there is way to many to keep track of and the number system is the easiest way. 161 really enjoyed exploring and would not sit still on the counter. We were all able to touch and take pictures with him. We learned the reason penguins cant fly is because their wings are solid bone, like humans, making them too dense to fly. These wings also serve as a safety device. If anyone comes to close they will smack them with their wings and seriously hurt them. The trainers commented that they have been smacked while in with them and have had huge bruises through their heavy rubber boots and thick pants. Ouch!

We also learned the reason a penguin's egg is in the triangle shape. This shape causes the egg to always roll back to the point it originally started rolling from. Which is very helpful in the wild because if the penguin drops the egg, it will completely freeze within 10 seconds because of the climate.

On another random note, penguins do not drink salt water. They filter the water in their beaks and "spit" the remaining salt out by shaking their heads. Needless to say, I got my fair share of 161's spit that day. Then we went down the hall and saw new born penguins.
So cute. So fluffy. So wanted to put one in my pocket and take it home.


Then they took us inside the exhibit. That's right, the other side of the glass.
This little guy between my mother and I, may look sweet, but be warned, hes a bitter.

This cutie is named Tut. The name seems very fitting because after all, he is a King Penguin.
He was born and raised in the zoo and became very close to his trainer. Every time she enters the exhibit Tut follows her around like a puppy. It is the cutest thing. The trainer tried to have Tut walk over. Tut dug his feel in the ground and tucked his beak into his chest, same reaction you would get trying to introduce your two year old to your friends. It was adorable. So then Tut was close enough for us to see and Zach even got to touch him. King penguins are pretty big, he was almost up to my hips!

Apparently Zach forgot that penguins live in the cold and wore shorts, t-shirt and flip flops for our adventure. Here he is, completely happy, but frozen to the core!

This girl is named "44" she only has one eye because the other was pecked out by mean penguins. She is a small well.. "ear muff" penguin. Yes, I forgot their real name. She is a sweetheart and actually knows her name! Who knew penguins were so smart!?! When you look at her and say 44, she tilts her head all the way back and squaks. A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E.



This is me trying to get her to "talk" to me. She answered every time.

After wards as we were walking out, I came across this stuffed animal. This toy looks exactly like the ornament I gave to Zach when I promised he could touch a penguin.
We got a good laugh out of it.

We later went to feed the bat-ray's, strange little buggers. Not on my list of things to do, but with my brothers help I fed one.

Then we went to see the polar bears and got to climb inside a cave.

After a long and amazing day, we wrapped things up with the shamu show at night and headed back home. What an amazing trip!

Merry Christmas 2010!
Love,
The Lymans

Our newest addition...

You heard me right, We have a new addition to our family!

A seven year old Maltese named, Cozy! Isn't she a doll? Lets give a little background on her. Once upon a time she was part of my aunt Brenda's "collection" but an evil worker kidnapped Cozy and gave her away to a family that didn't love her. Brenda thought she was gone forever. One day after countless hours of crying (jk), She was found on the side of the road in Salem (45 mins away). Poop covered, lots of eye gunk, and nothing but a bag of bones. Heartbreaking but true. Not to worry though, this story has a happy ending. Someone found her and took her to the vet. They scanned the micro chip and returned her to my aunt. Cozy was happy to be clean and returned to the home she grew up in. Sadly, her some what crazy life changed her personality into a very scared dog. Afraid of being left, abused, unloved, and hungry. From the first moment I met her, I loved her. Cozy "adopted me" at Brenda's one day and would follow me around the house every time I went. Because she was dirty from the streets, she ended up contracting ringworm and no one would touch her because they didn't want to get sick. So our poor sad puppy was home, but still receiving no affection. Stuck in a cage and not being touched. I still loved her though and surprisingly never got ringworm. After Cozy healed and was allowed out of her cage, we realized that she didn't quite get along with the other dogs. She is a bit of an attention hog and enjoys being alone. She started causing problems with the other dogs and Brenda knew she just couldn't keep her. ... This is where we come in. Brenda called and asked if I would take Cozy in and we happily agreed. Its only been a week but we love her already.

She has had 2 litters in the past but is now fixed. She weighs 4 pounds and is the smallest dog I have ever owned. She is completely potty trained and we have had no problems with her. Like I said before. She came from an abusive home so we are working hard with her to show her that people still love her. She is especially scared of men, she will run away and hide at any quick movement. She is definitely a work in progress, but we are up for the challenge.
She LOVES her new momma! I know this picture isn't the most flattering of me, but it shows just how much she loves me. She goes crazy when I get home and follows me everywhere. She really is my "little" girl. And having a hair dresser for a mom has done a lot for her, yes, she has a pink tail. Bordem got the best of us and she was great the whole time.
And I mean, how cute is she? We have a routine set now and she very much LOVES being an only dog. She gets to cuddle on our bed at night and wakes up with me in the mornings to use the bathroom and get a drink of water. Once I leave for work, she climbs back into bed and cuddles Zach until its time for him to go. She is is so happy to see me when I get home, it makes my day.

I am so happy to have a dog again. I know most of you that know me, also know about Bentley. Though I do think about him often and yes, Cozy looks a lot like him. I know Ben is with a good family (I hope). One day, I will kidnap him and give Cozy a brother!

His and hers 2010

So I thought this was a funny way to recap 2010 and get ready for 2011. Instead of making unrealistic goals lets look at the year before in our favorite Facebook status and have a nice giggle together... I love seeing the differences between Zach's status and mine.

2010 ACCORDING TO SARA

February

Wishes california wasent so far away... I hate the snow
March

Just had a few Valentines mailed to me, I have the BEST FriendsWhat a wonderful Day. Congrats to Aaron and Lindsayand welcome to the world Maizy! We are so excited to have anotherbeautiful neice! Happy Birthday little one!

Misses Hermana Mayans, has it been 18 months yet?
April

Needs to find motivation to clean her apartment..

ughIs it time to go back to CA yet?

Loves getting voicemails from her favorite 2 year old! Thanks T!
May Dear Mother nature, could you please stop the mind games? Its really startying to make me mad, Its already summer in Ca so lets just do the same for UT, k?

Apartment flooded. Today's gonna be a good day.

Just went to my first Dr pepper themed wedding reception. Have mixed feelings but I drank too much DP to care.

JUNE
At the opera on a rainy friday night, feeling cultured

Big news coming to the Lyman family in about an hour! So proud of Josh

Has a bird stuck in her window which I guess wouldnt be strange.. but I live in a basement

JULY

Happy birthday month to me and two of my brothers!

Went to my first rodeo, all I can say is Wow.

Just finished planning a much needed vacation.. let the count down begin

Two ER trips in two weeks! Man my life is crazy

So proud of her amazing husband! Happy graduation honey, let the partying begin.

August

Is 10am to early for cupcakes? I think not!
Has the sweetest husband

Oh california how I've missed you!

Happy Birthday to my amazing husband!

September

August was a rough month for the Lymans, Lets hope September is better

October

Lets get rich and buy our parents homes in the south of france

having the best girls day with my best friend.

A year ago today I married my best friend! Oh how time flys

RIP Daisy girl, we will miss you!

Rain rain, go away, come again another day so I can take my neices and nephew trick or treating!

November
Needs a mental health day

Can not get enough of this kid!Kira girl, I love you!

Made it through a HUGE corn maze with two little kids in under40 mins. Yeah I'd say thats impressive.

Gets to jump into a burning building today!! I'm pretty excited about it!

Welcome to the world Jayden Marie. Though your arrival may be a bit early I think your parents waiting long enough. So excited to meet you little one!

December

At dinner zach tells me "ya know, for a white girl, you make really good italian food"

Thanks honey!

Humm my first blizzard warning! The news coverage is freaking me out! Dont worry, we're prepared.

I'll be home for Christmas, You can count on me. Please no snow but mistletoe and all the presents for me!!!! Christmas eve will find me, where the sunshine beams! I'll be home for Christmas, if only for two weeks!

well we did it..... we talked to a penguin, pet a kangaroo and got my hair done by a flamingo, and its only 2 in the afternoon!!!

got to talk to my little brother (inlaw) this morning!!!! What a wonderful Christmas! Only 18 more months till he's home!!!!

And now for 2010 according to Zach

Feb

Is studying heart anatomy, EKG, cardia dysrhythmais and various ACLS medications, man my life is fun!

March
Saw a racoon die, Sad day.

Now im bored out of my mind

You want me to cut a hole in his neck? Guess its just another day in class for me

April
Got a tube put up his nose and into his stomach, man I love class

May
Over a hundred pages and close to a thousand questions, im done with my paramedic final

End of day one. Five new babies

Whats the worst thing at a car wreck? A gay guy thinking hes the dr.

Another shift over.. this time I learned what a five year old high on morphine sees

June
Used a camera to stick a tube down someones throat, Technology sure is cool sometimes

So my car got broken into last night. Bummer

Worked on the toughest little kid

My brother is going to colorado. Give em heaven

July
was in a legitimate parade

Played hife and seek fireman style, Its intense

Got to see some pretty awesome miracles yesterday and primary's

Got paged to the trauma room while at the ER today, I felt important

August
3 codes, 56 pages and a test later I'm done for the summer

On my way home from an awesome weekend in vegas

My little brother becomes a missionary tonight.

Dear everyone, Say hello to the nations newest paramedic!

September
Watching duck hearding, yup you heard me, duck hearding

This cool black kid singing country music just made my day

One year ago today I married the most amazing girl in the world.

October
bored at school, what else is newjust licked and eagle!

My wife got quoted from the pulpit today, she's that amazing

November
On my way home from my first opera

I think I was in the middle of a KGB agent and his handler

December
Good night neverland.

Has learned alot the last few weeks. A whole lot.

Stuck studying the saturday before finals, lucky for me my wife is the best and made me study treats.

So happy new year to one and all!

Hope your year was as adventure filled as ours!