TJ Cunningham

I'm usually a little more distanced from violence in my blessed life. But yesterday, as I was sitting in sacrament meeting, there was a man being shot and killed across the street on the grounds of my kids High School.  It was a neighbor dispute about where they were parking their cars. Such a crazy stupid waste of life. I guess any murder is.

This guy played a season with the Seattle Seahawks in the 90s, has a family, and is (was) an assistant principal at one of Brandon's District's High Schools. I know that this happens a lot, everywhere. But it is just a lot for my brain to digest.  It's so rare for anger to boil up inside of me to the point that I do something rash. Rare enough that I can count them on one hand. I spanked a kid once I was babysitting out of frustration. I yelled really loud at one of my teens and slammed my door as I escaped the scene.  I was furious at Brandon a couple years ago due to his reply in a conversation we were having and filled several pages of my journal with scathing words. (which later sounded pathetic--I should probably burn those).

Not proud of any of those moments, but even in the midst of those feelings, there was never a moment when I could even a *twinge* imagine wishing them anything close to dead or even the seconds after not regreting that I had hurt someone's feelings.  I've never felt anger for an extended period of time where I could imagine deliberately taking a gun with me somewhere 'in case I might need it'.  I see some pretty bad situations at the hospital and at the free clinic I volunteer at. I've felt connections with people, despite them having done some pretty terrible things. I still can find their experiences and feelings, although not familiar, relatable. 

But not this. Not that kind of anger. That complete lack of perspective. I just don't get it.

Chinese New Year

Brandon always thought he was the year of the solid Ox. Until not long ago when he realized that the new year starts after his January 13th birthday so he is actually a Rat. Well, you win some you lose some.

Milla is Tiger, Sean and I share the (coolest) dragon, my Monkey came third, and Thomas takes the Dog; which is fitting with his sweet snuggles and sleepy eyes.

So, not even remembering it was Chinese New Year week, we chose to go to our favorite little neighborhood Chinese place, the Honey Bee Bistro, for date night. We had just gotten our bill when a giant drum got pushed through the front door...

And then we noticed some strange creatures gathering outside our window...

So either we were under attack or in for a happy surprise. We decided to wait it out. 

And then this happened...

The little guys did try to snag our leftover bag but we managed to wrangle it from their grasps.

 Hee hee. Lots of fun.

Steak Cake

Steak and Cake. Two great things in the world. Why not together?

This was Brandon's 46th birthday request, and so I thought, 'Why not?'

Below is the video of Brandon testing the steaks doneness... it was one of those 'hold your breath' moments. Like when Bob Cratchit was tasting Mrs. Cratchit's Plum Pudding in A Christmas Carol.

Happy (late) Birthday to my sweetheart!