The week leading up to the weekend has been great. There was the usual stress from the babies (in which I'll have a new one tomorrow XD).
Wednesday was particularly stressful because I was torn between wanting to comfort a baby who I knew I couldn't because it wouldn't help him, while being extremely frustrated with the child who was thoughtlessly scaring him. Thankfully my 10 minute break came at that moment and I was able to go vent to my boss. I knew she couldn't fix the problem, but I was overwhelmed that I need to let off some steam and be reassured I wasn't doing something drastically wrong. After that the rest of the day went by fine and top brighten it up I was given an a "Great Job?" certificate with a Jamba Juice gift card attached from my boss. I thought that was super thoughtful because I didn't particularly feel I was doing a great job considering how out of control I felt.
Then Friday I got a review. I really good review. I wasn't suppose to have it until February on my hire anniversary, but since I was now a lead teacher and had been for a few months, she felt I needed to get my review early. I passed with flying colors. The only critique is I need to build up my confidence in what I'm doing by taking more classes. It was truly rewarding to hear such good news. I do feel I've been doing a good job, but I still suffer the low self-esteem trips and do truly need to be more sure of what I'm doing and not as reliant on what my peers think of my work.
One of the things that also stood out was how she said some people feel the baby room is a mini vacation. As long as they aren't crying, you can relax and chill. Grant it, that's exactly how I felt going into the baby room when the previous Infant teacher was there. It was my escape from the other crazy kids. The one room in which the children couldn't talk back to me. But the difference was I still did things. I remember one occasion when all the babies were asleep and the teacher hadn't prepared me with any instruction in case something like that happened. I sat for a few minutes wondering what to do. Was it perfectly fine for me to just sit and wait for a child to wake up? What in this small room could I do while I wait (especially since it wasn't my room to mess with)? I ended up cleaning a shelf or something and a few minutes later a child woke up anyways. Basically though I found it to be a break being in that room, I didn't literally treat it as one. I kept busy, and even now I take advantage of those moments to get needed projects done that normally I can't do when they are all vying to get my attention.
Then it was Saturday. I had a wonderful work week and now it was time for Steven and I to go get our garments for the temple. I tried to get us to hang out til 2:30 for when the post man should drop our mail off seeing that my parents said they sent us a card and gift to celebrate with. Well, Steven said we could get it when we got home so we left an hour early. We swung by half price to drop off some donations and buy a book before going right to the Temple. Steven and I lucked out because it looks like the distribution center was gonna be relocating to the Deseret Book store near by.
Despite being over whelmed with all the choices that one could make about their garments, there was a couple there who over heard my indecision as to what I might like or what size I might actually be. The Sister said she usually tries one on just to see how it fits. I told her that I wasn't endowed yet, but thanked her for her suggestion. She seemed real nice and they said bye to us when they left and that was about the whole extent of our conversation.
Steven and I about 30-60 minutes later had all our things that one should have for the first day going to the temple. We left, me feeling giddy that we were just a week away from our exciting day. It was now time to go off and celebrate our anniversary with dinner. Steven recommended us trying a Brazilian Steak House. The only one in the area was Navilhos Brazilian Steakhouse in Bellvue at Factoria Mall. It was an all you can eat with a hefty price tag, but we figured it would be a fun experience since I've never been to one and it was our anniversary.
When we get there, low and behold there's the couple we saw at the distribution center. We both see each other at the same time and we say 'Hi,' once more even though we don't know each other. I also ask what it was they were celebrating wonder if they too were celebrating an anniversary. They said they weren't and that they live farther south so they wanted to swing by this restaurant on the way home. Again, that was pretty much the extent of our conversation and then we went to our table and enjoyed an heavenly selection of delicious meats freshly grilled and very savory. The waiters or cooks... actually I'm not sure what a formal name for them would be, but you have these guys who come around with meat on a stick and they will slice pieces off for you. They will keep coming too until you flip your puck over to the red side indicating you are not wanting any more. Of course you can flip it back to the green side for more, but they were really quick! Like I would get some Chicken, barely get a bite before someone brings over Filet Mignon wrapped in bacon. They were very polite and the side bar was impressive. For the price, it was upscale. The price didn't just reflect the highlight of the buffet (the meat) but they upped the quality of the salad, soups, and other sides one could get. I was quite impressed!
So to top off this amazing meal experience, that couple comes over to our table as we're beginning to finish eating. We find out their names are Audrey and Rob from Lakewood. Audrey tell us that after we left they did remember what it was they were celebrating. Rob was gonna be deployed really soon (I think today) and it was a good bye dinner (or something along those lines). Steven and I thanked him for serving and mentioned we only asked because we were there for our anniversary. They congratulated us too then surprised us. They said that they paid for our meal and that they wanted to tell us after the fact so we could refuse. I tell you, I'm still lost for words at this random act of kindness. I feel undeserving of such a treat. I haven't been at a low point in life. In fact life right now has been going really good. I have so much to be thankful for and this was the icing on top to how blessed Steven and I are. What are the chances that two complete strangers that share a common belief with us would pay for a meal we were already intending to pay? My head is blown!
So here I am now pondering the words they said. They did it because they wanted to and would only hope that we too would pay it forward. I cannot wait to give someone else this same gratitude I feel. To bless someone who may not be in a bad situation nor necessarily needing the help, but to highlight their day with a kind, possibly over the top, gesture. I'm excited to surprise someone with this happy gift. I wish I could do it for every body, but alas I am limited, but I will seek my HF guidance and hopefully with his inspiration and my observation I can be a continual source of spreading happiness to others around me.
If I haven't expressed it to everyone, I pray that you will feel it when you read this. I am very grateful for all of you in my life. I wish I had more time and energy to visit everyone regularly, but I feel this is the only way anyone keeps up to date with me right now. I have so much growing to do still because I know I can be selfish, but I hope that you know I don't purposely avoid or neglect our relationship. Don't be afraid to get in my face and remind me that you're there and want to hang out. I will, to the best of my ability, drop what I'm doing and make a time to visit with you. I love you all and thanks so much for taking time to read up on me and Steven.
<3
P.S. I would love to figure out what ward Audrey and Rob live in because I would love to send a Thank You card to them for their kindness. If anyone lives in Lakewood and know of a Rob and Audrey in which Rob is deployed currently, please email me! I sincerely want to thank them and when it happens let them know how I paid it forward.
P.P.S The cake tasted great! Special thanks to Jessica who made the most amazing cake ever and to those who wrapped it so well that it survived!
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