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I'm thankful for originality.

I go through these spurts of wanting to grow my bangs out but it never lasts longer than a week.
This last time, I was determined, no matter WHAT, to be firm in my decision and resist the scissors.

Then LaVor had to chime in and say,
"Why haven't you been doing your bangs?"
Me: "Because I'm growing them out."
Him: "But I like your bangs. They make you different."

He's right.

And I like being different.

Tally Mark 10

-Taking more and more steps each day but crawling is still faster.
-Speaking of crawling, he practically runs when he crawls. So dang fast.
-Has a huge mouth, just like Mommy. A whole Ritz cracker fits inside.
-Has 4 teeth on top and 2 on the bottom.
-Likes having his ears cleaned.
-Still hates having his diaper changed.
-Is starting to say "Dada" as much as he says "Mama".
-Loves to play catch! Daddy got him some wiffle balls to practice with.
-Lounges on the couch like he owns it.
-Seems to like football. Watches it with Daddy on the weekends.
-Still takes 2 naps during the day.
-Still nurses 3-4 times a day.
-Has started putting things up to his ear and pretends to talk on the phone.
-Isn't so sure about wearing shoes when walking.
-Will make-out with anything he can get his tongue on.
-Is keeping us plenty busy and it's oh so worth it.

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I'm thankful for nice words.

My co-worker has thyroid issues and hasn't been feeling so hot lately. A patient was in today and asked how she was doing. "Okay," she responded. The patient then said, "Yeah, you look really tired." Hmmm...even though it wasn't, "You have horrible dark circles under your eyes, you look like a zombie and you can tell you aren't getting any beauty sleep!" it probably wasn't the nicest thing she could have said.

On the other hand, last night before going to bed, LaVor and I were discussing some things. When times get tough, he's the calm one when I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I tend to overreact...like George Banks from Father of the Bride. Anyway, LaVor poked his head out of the bathroom and said, "[We'll] make it work."

The nicest words he could have said at that moment.

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I'm grateful for money.

And not because we're rolling in it because we're not. But because we've been blessed with sufficient funds for our needs.

The Lime always has diapers, we always have food in our cupboards, our bills are paid on time, we're able to afford a home to live in that provides us shelter, we have cars that take us to our jobs safely (for the most part), and we have clothes on our backs.

We are blessed.

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I'm extremely grateful for LaVor.

So many good qualities about him but one that stands out the most is how hard he works.

Shortly after The Lime was born, I began to freak out about finances since I'd be cutting back at my job. He assured me that everything would be fine and it wasn't something that I needed to worry about. If he needed to, he said he'd get another job so that I wouldn't have to work so much, if at all.

He would do anything for The Lime and I. Even go to Saudi Arabia for work. (We're still waiting to hear if this one is definite.)

Since his work schedule is earlier than mine, on the days that I work, he has dinner made and on the table by the time The Lime and I walk in the door.

He's such a handy fellow to have around. The cabinet locks were up within minutes after coming home from Target on Saturday. He saves us hundreds of dollars by doing our own auto repairs. He's a fabulous bath giver to The Lime.

I consider myself lucky that I've got him forever.

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I'm thankful for KitchenAid mixers.

Mine has been my sidekick for 4 years and hasn't let me down once.

Numerous cakes, dozens of cookies, gallons of buttercream, several loaves of bread and hundreds of rolls.

I remember growing up and hating when my Mom used her mixer because I couldn't hear what was on the tv, it was so loud. Now, it's music to my ears because I know it's making something delicious.

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I'm thankful for Jesus Christ.

I'm thankful for the sacrifice he made for me.

I'm grateful that he's my brother, my Savior and my friend.

I'm thankful that we get to celebrate his birth next month.

I'm grateful for the example that he is to me.

I know that he lives.

I'm thankful for that knowledge.