Grateful for: J

Joking Around

LaVor was going through old family photos Saturday night and came across this one from his sister's wedding 11 years ago.

Surely, we must have been joking around.

And nothing has changed since then.

We joke around...a lot.  Sometimes we cross the line, but for the most part we're all having a good time and laughing.

I'm grateful we have two little dudes in our bunch that can joke around with us.  Their sweet little laughs can bring the house down.  And give them an awful case of the hiccups.

I'm grateful for joking around - for the fun, happiness, and laughter it brings into our home.

Grateful For: I

Impromptu Surprises

Last Wednesday night, LaVor had to go to the church to get some things done for scouts.  While he was gone, I got the boys ready for bed, which included nursing Doodlebug.

I got a text from LaVor asking if I was still feeding him.  "Nope," I responded.  I forgot what I was doing the moment he walked in the door but a little while later, I walked into the kitchen and saw two Starbucks cups on the counter.

"Awwwwwwww!" I said and gave him a big hug.  The nights are just about freezing (in my book) and he surprised me with a white hot chocolate (and himself a caramel apple cider).  It's only appropriate to drink such a fattening drink when it's freezing, otherwise you'd end up just as fat as the beverage.

I was so thankful for his thoughtfulness and desire to want to surprise me.  It tasted sooooooo good and was the perfect impromptu treat to warm me up.

 

Grateful for: H

Honesty
 
A couple weeks ago, we played Jeopardy with the older kids in Primary.  At the beginning of each round, a child from each team would come to the front of the room and one of them would pick the category and point amount.  Once the question was read, whoever raised their hand first and answered correctly got the points.  If they didn't know the answer, the other player had a chance to guess.  

In one particular round, one child guessed the answer and got it wrong.  The other player had her chance to steal but was unsure of the answer.  Her team was shouting several different things at her, one of which was the answer.  Unfortunately, she couldn't rely on her team for the answer.  The opposite team heard the answer being shouted and erupted into hysterics, calling out "Cheaters!".  The counselor heading the game asked the girl if she said the answer because someone shouted it out.  You could tell the girl was hesitant to tell the truth because she wanted to win for her team, nor did she want to be made fun of or yelled at or booed.  But with her cheeks bright red from embarrassment, she answered "yes."

I was so unbelievably proud and grateful for this girl's honesty.  How many times, even as adults, are we swayed by those around us and the pressures of fitting in even if it goes against what we believe.  This girl could have easily lied and helped her team win but she chose to do the right thing.  

As the kids were leaving at the end of the block, I mentioned to the girl how appreciative I was for her honesty.  She's pretty shy to begin with, so her response was merely eye contact, but I hope she remembers this situation for years to come.  Because it definitely made an impact on me.

Grateful for: G

Grace

Last month, when my visiting teachers came over, they both highly suggested I watch the talk His Grace is Sufficient by Brad Wilcox.

So that night, as I was nursing Doodlebug to sleep, I got my iPad and looked up the talk.  I sat there listening, in amazement, to his words.  What I thought I knew about grace was so far off.

I'd point out my favorite parts but I love the whole thing, so I invite you to watch the video below.  I assure you that you'll be grateful (or more grateful) for grace when you're done.

Grateful for: F

Fall Ball

When The Lime's t-ball season ended in the spring, we were so sad to think that he wouldn't be able to play baseball again for another year.  You can imagine our excitement when I got an e-mail for Fall Ball sign-ups.

The Lime was in the Farm division this time, which meant it was coach pitch.  He lucked out with a great coach, who has been kind, firm, supportive, and to the point.  

He's improved on his throwing and catching, and is still getting the hang of having the ball pitched to him.  We can't believe we're down to our last week!

I'm grateful for the opportunity The Lime's been given, to have fun and to learn. I'm grateful for the talent he has when it comes to baseball. I'm thankful for the desire he has to want to get better. I'm thankful for the coaches and the time they put into helping The Lime. I'm thankful for a patient Doodlebug who gets carted along to all the games and practices. I'm especially thankful that we haven't had to give up our Saturdays like the soccer players do.

Grateful for: E

Exercise

There are a couple days during the week where I have obligations.  The days that I don't, I try and get in some exercise after dropping The Lime off at school.

Doodlebug and I go walking...well, he gets to be pushed in the stroller while I walk.  He keeps me company by saying hi to every dog we see, and I make sure he gets to push every button when it's time to cross the street.

I love feeling my body in action.  My feet and legs amaze me, that they're able to move briskly and support the rest of my body.  I always feel refreshed and energetic when I'm done exercising, and I don't feel so guilty when I eat a cookie or a piece of candy.

I saw this picture today.  It makes me even more grateful for the days that I'm able to get in some exercise (even if it's chasing the boys around outside or pushing Doodlebug up and down the street on his scooter).

Grateful for: D

Dishwashers

As much as I'm OCD about our dishes, I hate doing them.  I always feel great when I get them done, and I'm always embarrassed by how quickly they can be done (yet, I procrastinate for as long as I can before doing them), but I never seem to learn my lesson and clean them in a timely manner.

Weekends are the worst.  Everyone is home and we seem to eat a lot, so the dishes are piled high by Sunday.

Thank goodness for dishwashers!  It would make this chore that more dreadful if I had to do these by hand.  Been there, done that.  I'm happy with and appreciate my modern day conveniences.