Grateful for...X

X = Xerox Paper Boxes

For reals, I am.

We go through paper quite a bit at work so we always have boxes lying around.

These boxes are perfect!  They have lids, since they're for paper, they can store files, they stack nicely, they're durable.

Really, Xerox knew what they were doing when they designed them. 

Grateful for...W

W = Whispering

The Lime has toned down the "screaming bloody murder" but still erupts every now and then.  Telling him to be quiet or getting mad just made him scream louder.  If I say, "We whisper", he stops.  Thank goodness.

LaVor has started a little game that we play several times a week.  He'll tell The Lime he has a secret to tell him, whispers in his ear, then The Lime runs over to me, gives me a big hug and waits for my secret.  I whisper in his ear, he runs over to LaVor, gives him a big hug and waits for his secret.  That goes on for a while until The Lime gets distracted and moves on to something else.

The Lime found my American Doll on Monday and noticed her eyes.  When she lays down, her eyes close.  He instantly put his finger to his mouth and said, "Shhhh!  Baby night night."

It appears the whispering lesson is sinking in.

Grateful for...V

V = Vacuuming

I actually have a picture of me vacuuming.

Growing up, our Saturday mornings were spent doing chores.  We had to pick 1 chore from 4 rooms and we couldn't do the same chore in every room.  Because if that were the case, I would have picked vacuuming 4 times.

I love vacuuming.  I love the sound it makes when it picks things up and I love the way a room looks after it's been vacuumed.  Sort of like how a lawn looks after being mowed.

Our vacuum needs a belt replaced (I think) so I can only vacuum for about a minute and a half before it starts to stink.  Needless to say, it takes a long time to vacuum the house when you're doing it in 90 second shifts.

A dream gift that I don't think I'll ever get, would be a steam vacuum.

There's something about being able to see all the dirt and grime that you've sucked out of your carpet, that gives you a satisfying feeling.

Feel free to leave a comment so I don't feel like I'm the only cuckoo in the world that feels this way.

Grateful for...U

U = Undershirt

I've always put a onesie on The Lime, whether it's 45° outside or 105°.  The temperature doesn't always play a factor but the extra layer to prevent him from digging in his diaper does.

I decided to not only put a onesie on him on Saturday, but also an undershirt.  That way, he wouldn't have to wear a jacket and cover up his Curious George shirt.  That was plus #1.

Plus #2 came when we were at Costco, later in the afternoon, and we were trying samples.  We passed a man giving away orange juice, which The Lime rarely gets.  But when he does get it, he chugs the stuff.  No matter how many times we said, "Gentle!", he wanted the juice in his mouth as soon as possible.  Except...most of it ended up on his Curious George shirt.

I didn't bring his "big" diaper bag which would have provided me with a burp cloth to dry him off.  I only had wipes to clean his sticky hands.  Thankfully, I had LaVor with me because he quickly said, "Just go like this!" and took off the Curious George shirt. 

And what was underneath?

The trusty undershirt.

Grateful for...T

T = Tommy

Tommy on the left, Kenny on the right.

I always looked up to my brother, Tommy.  I remember in the 2nd grade, when I was the "student of the week", I could pick a special guest to come visit our class.  I wanted Tommy to be my special guest and I envisioned the kids to literally "look up to him" because as a 2nd grader, he was the tallest person alive.

I also remember him coming to my middle school during our name changing ceremony.  He was taking a video class at the high school, and was "on assignment".  I felt so cool that I could say hi to a high school student and have him be my brother.

When I was in the 6th grade, my mom let Tommy take Kenny, Amy and me to San Lorenzo because 98.5 KOME was doing a special event.  I got a t-shirt that was 10 sizes too big but I wore it all the time.

Tommy also took me to my first and last Blink 182 concert.  In fact, that was the first time LaVor and I met (which I think I've mentioned before).  It shocked Tommy, 2 years later, when he called home on Christmas Day from his mission, and found out we were dating.

It's been 3.5 years since I've seen him (and since that picture was taken).  He has 2 kids that I've never met and I have 1 he's never met.  I hate the distance, to say the least.

But today, on his special day, I'm eternally grateful for him. 

Even though he cried and threw a fit on my special day, because I was a girl.

Grateful for...S

S = Sunsets

In the Wal*Mart parking lot

I'm not a nature girl...at all, but I can appreciate a good sunset.

On our way to Switzerland - over Spokane, I believe

They're a sweet reminder that amidst all this craziness we're surrounded by, our Heavenly Father loves us.

Driving to my parents' on Sunday night.

Plus, if I happen to have the camera in the car, it's a great distraction so I don't hassle LaVor about his driving.

Tally Mark 22

-Loves stickers and I'm totally fine with that.  Stickers are easier to clean up than a Sharpie.

-Calls Uncle Alex, "Dada" because that's what the other kids call him and because he can't say Uncle Alex.

-Says, "Mama go bye bye" as we're driving to my sister's house.  It breaks my heart.

-Seems to be clingy to me now more than ever before.

-Asks for Papa when we pass the golf course and pumpkin patch.

-Loves backpacks and thinks the Momo wears one, but it's really his leaf blower.

-Likes to "write".

-Thinks he's counting but it just sounds like "two" over and over again.

-Says, "Hewwo?" when he puts a phone to his ear.

-Had a meltdown psychotic episode in nursery last week because we weren't in there with him.  We'll see how this week goes.

-Thinks any business park is the one LaVor works in.

-Likes to say, "All done!"

-We may be "All done!" with these in 2 months.  I still haven't decided.  But we'll love him forever.