I'm not a big fan of soda

unless it is filtered through lots of ice.

And those giant ice cubes just don't cut it. 

With my pregnancy hormones being all wacky, I've had a hard time keeping drinks down (especially water). And drinks that are too sweet only serve to further upset my stomach. 

But sometimes, the carbonation in soda seems to help calm things down. However, soda can be too strong if it isn't filtered through some good-sized ice. (Good size meaning small. Pebble-sized. Is that what the ice I like is called? Pebble ice? That's what Tyler calls it.)

Anyway. Last night, around 10 PM, I had a minor emotional meltdown. Things have been hard (they are getting better though), and it all just hit me. I started crying and trying to explain what all was bothering me to Tyler. He calmly listened and rubbed my back through it all, being as understanding and helpful as he could. As I finally started to relax, I turned to him and said, "All I want is some tiny ice." 

Tyler, being the great guy he is, assured me that he would check at the store for some ice for me when he went to pick up some milk and Sprite. 

But stores don't sell the good kind of ice. I knew this, and Tyler knew this. So, I had no actual expectation for any tiny ice. 

A few minutes after I calmed down, Tyler headed out to the store. He was gone for a long time. So long, in fact, that I was starting to get worried. Just as I was about to enter panic mode, Tyler arrived home--with the ice I was wanting. 

As it turns out, Tyler had gone to the store, then made his way out to Sonic to pick up some ice. (Sonic ice, in case you've never had it, is the best kind of ice. It's tiny and porous and perfect.) As it happens, he arrived after Sonic had closed for the night, but managed to catch someone before they left. Happily, Tyler had some cash on him so that he could pay for the ice even though the computers were already powered down. 

And Tyler returned home the hero. 

I know this is a little thing. But it really meant so much to me. I started tearing up when I saw what he had done. I told Tyler it was the nicest thing anyone had ever done for me. And in the moment, it really felt like it. 

There Is Much To Be Thankful For

Although I did not take the time to blog each day during November about all the things we have to be thankful for, I have really appreciated the focus on gratitude that I see all around me. Many of my friends and family have blogged about or posted about the things that they are grateful for, and I really have enjoyed seeing the things they have to say. 

I feel like this year, we have had so many blessings, and good things just keep coming our way! It's like somebody up there likes us. ;)

A part of me regrets that I haven't shared throughout this gratitude month all the things that I am thankful for (or at least the things most top-of-mind), but I have been trying to reflect on my own what all there is that we have been blessed with, especially lately. 

Without sounding too sappy, I do want to say how grateful I am for Tyler, and for all the sacrifices he has made (and continues to make) to support our family. We decided a long time ago that when we started our family, I would be a stay-at-home mom, and my main job would be to care for our home and family. From a financial standpoint, this decision we made means that Tyler has to work harder than he would have to if I was not staying at home. It also means that he is under more pressure to provide for our family, and I know that sometimes, he really feels that pressure. I am incredibly grateful for all that he does so that we can have our physical (and spiritual) needs provided for. 

So when I look at the feast we had on Thanksgiving--and are still working on as leftovers--I see all the hard work that Tyler is putting into his schoolwork and job. And I am so very grateful for that. 

Thanks Tyler, for all you do! We sure appreciate you around here.

Best Husband Ever

You know, sometimes women just need some retail therapy. Even if life is going great. And even if money is tight.

Today was one of those days. I told Tyler this morning that I really just needed to go shopping. Kohl's had sent me a $10 off anything coupon in the mail, and I felt like I could put that $10 to good use. Especially with the seasons changing.

But you know, money is a little tight right now, and I didn't want to do anything that would make him uncomfortable. So before I left for Kohl's, I went upstairs to ask Tyler how much money I could spend. (Note: Tyler is not at all "in charge" of our money. We just like to clear purchases with each other before we make them. But since I didn't have anything specific that I needed, I wanted to pre-clear however much money I could spend. Does that make sense? I hope so.)

Tyler's response is what makes him the best husband ever. He grabbed some leftover cash that had been sitting on his desk for a while, handed it to me, and said, "I'm tired of this laying around."

Every woman's dream right? I mean, could there have been a much better response?

So, happy and excited to treat myself to some shopping, I left for Kohl's, Thanks to some great sales, and the $10 coupon, I only spent $17-something. And I ended up with a new top, a new sweater, and some new socks.

And I ended up with the best husband ever.