8/31

I took a picture of yesterday's mail, in preparation for today's subject. I was getting ready to e-mail it to myself when I realized I didn't save it.

Since we don't get mail on Sundays, my e-mail will have to do.

I just spent about 10 minutes e-mailing all of the photos on my (flip) phone to my e-mail. As I finished the last one, LaVor said, "You know we have a cord that plugs into your phone and the computer so you don't have to do this, right?" Um, no. I didn't know that. But thanks.

I made the mistake of not saving my photos on my phone when The Lime was a baby and then I lost my phone when he was 10 months. To say I was upset is an understatement.

So my e-mail is full of photos from my phone, just waiting to be saved so I can treasure them forever.

It's blurry for safety reasons

8/30

The thought of a close up (today's subject) intimidates me, especially the older I'm getting.

More wrinkles are appearing, although I've noticed they're accentuated when I smile. Thus leading me to believe that they're a result of smiling and I guess having wrinkles because of smiling isn't that bad.

Like mentioned before, I'm trying to grow my bangs out, which exposes my receding hairline and huge forehead. Both are quite apparent in my close up.

But so are my sweet boys, and The Lime's darling smile, and Doodlebug's fuzzy hair, and how much fun the three of us have together.

8/29

I was telling the ladies at the park this morning that today's subject is something pink and with three boys in the house, pink is hard to come by. Especially since I already wrote a post about the blanket my mom made me with all of my Walk shirts.

So I started looking around the house and found the perfect thing.

The Lime and I were at Target not too long ago and we spotted this map in the $1 section. He has a puzzle of the United States but I thought it'd be nice to have something a little bigger.

He's always asking me where people live and where certain baseball teams are from. So one night, he and LaVor went through the teams and put them in their designated location.

California is lucky enough to have five MLB teams, more than any other state.

And it just so happened to be pink.

8/28

We went with LaVor to buy new work boots and The Lime just about died with the amount of boots they had.

It wasn't enough for LaVor to try them on, The Lime needed to check them out too.

The Lime didn't mind the orange (today's subject) but he would have preferred an aquamarine pair.

8/27

Today's subject: fruit.

The number one reason I love summer is because of the fruit we get to enjoy.

Going to the Farmer's Market every Saturday and getting the most AMAZING strawberries (seriously...I've never heard LaVor enjoy a piece of fruit as much as he does those berries), and the peaches and nectarines, and the plums. I could go on and on.

I know they'll be gone in a few weeks so I'm trying to enjoy every bite while I can.

8/26

At our wedding reception, 8 years ago today, LaVor and I wanted a way to incorporate our parents and grandparents, since not all of them were physically present.

So we gathered wedding photos from the six couples and placed them on the sign in table, next to a photo of us as newlyweds.

With all the grandparents getting married in the 40's and 50's, the photos were black and white (today's subject) which added to the character I wanted.

I love these photos and loved having a piece of how our separate families began on the day our little family was created.

8/25

Aside from church on Sunday, which is never fancy but more "nice", I can't remember the last time we dressed up (today's subject).

When I was still working, my Christmas party was always a fun reason to get a little dressy but we're done with that chapter of our lives.

LaVor's parents just got back from a cruise and it had me thinking of the cruise we went on 2.5 years ago.  We had the Awards Ceremony on formal night, and while we weren't as fancy as some, we were dressier than others.

Gosh, I love that skirt!

And aside from the pregnant woman, the only sober ones.

8/24

Today's subject is a mess.  I have so many messes to choose from, I couldn't pick just one.

1/2 of our family is sick with different things so we stayed home from church, as to not share our germs with others.  When we're all confined to the walls of our home, disaster strikes.

The Lime has turned our couch cushions into bales of hay, he turned a cardboard box into a fire truck, we have blankets strewn about, baseball hats everywhere, markers scattered on the floor, leftover Mac & cheese on the table, old cameras on the island, way too many dirty dishes in the sink, and everything imaginable on the floor.

Needless to say, Monday will be spent cleaning this mess.

8/23

When Doodlebug was brand new, we'd get so excited when he'd open his eyes, since it didn't happen very often. Every time he would, we'd yell, "Eyeballs!" Then we started calling him Eyeballs. Every once in a while it'll come out, but that name sort of fell by the wayside.

Now that he's awake about half the day, we get to enjoy his pretty eyes (today's subject) more often.

Do you see me in the reflection?

Both boys have been blessed with bright blue eyes. The Lime's are a bit lighter and Doodlebug's are more navy. Someone even described them as denim the other day.

I love when our eyes meet and Doodlebug squeals with excitement.

I could stare into those puppies and get sweet smiles back in return all day long.

8/22

I was supposed to take a picture of the sunset tonight but someone decided they needed to eat right away.  Thankfully I have a variety of sunset photos I've taken over the years.

Like this one I took last year. It had rained prior to the sun setting and it created an amazing scene. Sunsets always make me so grateful for all of the beautiful creations Heavenly Father has blessed us with.

8/21

Summertime is hot around here (and these temperatures are "cool").  It's hard to get out and do stuff when it's 90+ all day long, especially when I want to keep Doodlebug comfortable.

Unfortunately, both boys take after LaVor and are naturally warm all the time.  Add in the heat and they're little sweat machines.

Because of the drought, all of the water parks are closed.  The courtyard in front of City Hall has a water feature that kids are always playing in.  But when they post signs that say the water is reclaimed and not to drink it, I'm not willing to risk anything just to stay cool.

So we've spent ample time at the mall, the library, and plopped on our couch with the AC vent blowing directly on us.

8/20

We just went grocery shopping which means we have food, lots of food!

I have to make a list of dinners before we go shopping. It makes shopping less stressful and then I don't have to wonder what we're going to eat each night.

Tonight, we're eating wienerschnitzel, mashed potatoes, zucchini, and homemade pretzels.

Please don't confuse this wienerschnitzel with the hot dog Wienerschnitzel. Breaded pork that's pan fried is so much better.

8/19

Doodlebug and I were sitting in the living room today, rocking away, crossing our fingers a certain someone would go to sleep (he never did).  I was looking at the pictures on the wall and found my "something blue" for today's photo.

I can't believe it's been almost two years since I took this picture. Those were the days when The Lime would only wear his blue monster truck shirt and his cowboy hat everywhere! I've taken hundreds of pictures since then, and while I like to update my photos on the walls, I can't bring myself to take this one down. He's just so little and so stinkin' cute. And those blue eyes...melt my heart!

8/18

While we were out of town, I brought two pairs of shoes but ended up only wearing one of them.  Out of the gazillion pairs I have, I wore them again today.

LaVor gave these to me for Christmas several years ago and they're just about ready to retire.  Putting them to rest makes me super sad because they're comfortable and I wear them all the time.  But when the threading is coming undone, that's a sure sign that they've done their job and need replacing.

8/17

Today's subject: photo taken from a low angle

We just got back from a great weekend in the Bay Area.  A good friend of ours went through the temple for the first time and will be sealed to our sweet Jared next month.

I was reminded of my first time through the temple and how terrified I was.  I have never felt the influence of the adversary as strongly as I did during that time.  He really did not want me to be able to do something he couldn't.  But I knew it's what I needed, and deep down wanted, to do.

Eight years later and I'm always excited to go.  Especially when I'm taking family names through and seeing familiar faces.  That's one thing I love about attending the Oakland temple; I always recognize someone.  Like the girl that I've never met but have been reading her blog for months (and as inappropriate as the setting was, I had to introduce myself and congratulate her on her engagement) or the patients from the dental office I used to work for.  

Every time I visit, I feel like I get a glimpse of what heaven will be like...lots of reuniting, hugs and happiness.

8/16

Today's subject: photo taken from a high angle

When we bundle Doodlebug up for bed, we do the traditional burrito wrap.  I love seeing him snuggled up tight, and I especially love how sound it makes him sleep.

8/15

Since about 6th grade, my favorite color has been green.  I wanted a lime green VW bug growing up, my prom dress was green, I even went as far as painting my whole bedroom lime green.  At one point, most of my wardrobe was a spectrum of green.

I've toned down with the greeness over the years but was excited when I saw today's subject: green.

Last weeked, LaVor and The Lime spent some time at a lake and The Lime was introduced to sour cream & onion Pringles.  He fell in love, and who could blame him?

After work today, LaVor picked up another can (pictured above) and those suckers were consumed by the three of us in no time at all.  Their slogan is spot on; once you pop, you can't stop!

8/14

I kept my eyes open all day for clouds (the subject for today) but had to wait until about 7:30 before I saw any.

And of course, right after I loaded the photo onto the computer from my camera, I went back outside and the clouds were a lovely pink. Oh well.

8/13

Yesterday at Activity Days, the other leader and I somehow got on the topic of laundry and how we both hate to do it.  And how we both put the piles on our bed and postpone folding for as long as we can.

That, my friends, is one of my many bad habits (today's subject).

I don't know why I hate folding laundry so much but it ranks up there with grocery shopping. I attempt to break this habit but it rears its ugly head every time I wash a load.

8/12

Today's subject: from a distance

During the early evening, usually before LaVor gets home from work, the boys and I will hang out in the front yard. The Lime takes turns riding his bike, scooter, or drives his cars, and Doodlebug stares at anything and everything. We wave and smile to all the people coming home from work and anxiously await until we see LaVor's car at the stoplight around the corner.

While we wait, we look for the moon, admire the clouds, and look for airplanes. Last night, we spotted one taking off from the airport and making its way across the sky.

Do you see the little white speck in the middle?

We make guesses as to where they're headed (The Lime usually says Seattle) and The Lime always asks why the plane is so small. I tell him that from a distance, big things look small but the closer you get, the bigger they are. Then we pretend to squeeze the plane with our fingers.