5 Benjamin Franklins for Christmas!!

I have been to many a work party hosted by Security Metrics because Jon worked there for our engagement and over a year of our marriage. Last year's Christmas party, they featured Gev from So you Think You Can Dance, hosted the event in the massive event center at UVU, and had delicious food catered for all the employees and spouses. They don't mess around with their company parties. One of the most intriguing aspects of their Christmas AND summer parties is their competitions. Winners win $500 a piece. Jon and Dan always competed in Badminton, but they continually competed against freakishly good guys who quite frankly, could not be beat.

Now I am the breadwinner and it was my turn to sign up for an event to compete in. I was not very hopeful when I heard what the competitions were this year: Basketball? Darts? Air Hockey? Ping Pong? Badminton? Bull Riding? What the Sexist??? Where is Boggle?! I thought to myself. It was always listed as a competition before and I was really looking forward to putting my skills to the test. Then the very last option...Shuffleboard??

Hmmm. That involves luck, right? (This is my thought process, if you didn't catch on) I've never played before, but basically you just need to get the puck in the right places without it sliding off? I decided I had to take my chances there. The raffle had too many people's names on the list, so chances were slim. And there are way too many employees at this company for me to have a shot at any other event. So Shuffleboard it was.

First round. I beat a sweet girl who taught me how to play. It's trickier than I thought to add just the perfect amount of push to your puck. Too hard and it falls right off - resulting in zero points. Too soft and you won't even make it to the point lines. Hitting your opponent's puck completely off the board is extremely advantageous to assuring a win. Lessons were learned.

Second round, I beat Dustin who I trained with. I asked if he let me win but his response: "Heck no! I want that $500!"

Third round, I beat another girl who was intent on winning and making me nervous. She had the touch, but apparently I had the force. I mean the force, people. Star Wars Jedi Knights, Straight up. There were literally moments where my puck was flying way too fast across the board, I would hold out my hand and shout...STOP!! before it flew off the edge...and I am not kidding. It was like someone's hand just stopped the speed of that little guy and it remained on the 3 point line, sometimes as close to the edge as possible without completeley falling off. Those shots equal maximum points.

Have you ever seen that oldschool movie, Angels in the Outfield? "You got Angels with ya right now!!!"

Fourth and final round. I am trying to contain my excitement that I might win this thing. I HAVE to stay calm so that I can play my pucks perfectly! This guy I played was really good. Before we started he was sprinkling extra stuff on the table and warming up and what not. I'm thinking let's just play this thing so the butterflies can leave my anxious stomach.

And you probably guessed it already, but yes. I WON!!!!!!

And it is our little Christmas miracle!!! Jon's like "I had no idea you knew how to play shuffleboard!" Yeah, I had no idea either. But we were pretty desperate for Christmas money this year. We didn't really have a plan for how to buy gifts for the holidays. We avoid pulling out loan money unless it is in regards to Jon's education. And we needed that blessed cash.

After celebrating and releasing all that built up energy that was burning inside me, I whispered to Jonathan, "I was totally praying the entire time!"

His response: "Me too!"

Like I said, angels, people.

That is Andrew, who I beat in the final round, sporting a fake smile.

And Jon's Uncle Bill, Aunt Marcia, and cousin Jenny who witnessed the miracle with us!

As we jokingly but with high spirits say at the Mecham's: It's a Christmas Miracle!!!