Gratitude: Day 12

I'm skipping the alphabet thing this year and just picking something from the day that I'm grateful for.

A few weeks ago, my friend asked if I would take her family's pictures. I said yes and while I've been excited, I get so nervous too!

But as I was editing them tonight, I realized (even though I have in the past, too) how much I love pictures (looking at and taking).

The friend's 5 year old son was griping to me about having to dress up and how he just wanted to play. "But think," I told him. "When you're a grandpa, you can show these pictures to your grandkids and tell them all about your life as a 5 year old!"

I love that we have the ability to freeze time and then look back on it for years and years and years.  Even if those pictures include crying children or silly faces.

As a sidenote, I'm also really grateful we were able to buy a new camera last year. It makes all the difference in the world when you click the shutter and you don't get an error message :)

We were setting up the blanket and I saw a frog, then another. 

Everyone fought for their turn to hold the little stink

Gratitude: Day 11

I'm skipping the alphabet thing this year and just picking something from the day that I'm grateful for.

Even though they're no longer with us, I want to take advantage of the time that I live near my grandparents' grave and visit them often.  I couldn't think of a more perfect day to visit than today, Veterans Day.

As soon as we pulled into the cemetery, I was in awe of all the flags.  They were EVERYWHERE!  The man at the gate asked if I'd like one to place on my loved one's grave but I graciously declined, letting him know I brought my own.  But much to my surprise, all of the military graves already had flags placed on them.

We quickly found Grandpa and Grandma and placed our flag. Doodlebug couldn't get enough of the kitty on Grandma's headstone and The Lime was paranoid about Doodlebug stepping on the headstones. He said he was afraid Grandma and Grandpa were going to reach their arms up from the ground and grab us. Oh my, does he had an imagination!

We spoke to them for a few moments before we walked around the cemetery and expressed our gratitude to all of the veterans for their service.

Our family has veterans dating back generations (I sort of feel like Forrest Gump). The tradition continues on with my brother-in-law and The Lime speaks of one day joining the military.

I'm grateful for the men and women, past and present, who make the selfless decision to join our military, fight for our freedoms, sacrifice their time with family and friends, to ensure my family is safe. They are an example to me and hold a special place in my heart.

Gratitude: Day 10

I'm skipping the alphabet thing this year and just picking something from the day that I'm grateful for.

Since the beginning of the school year, The Lime has been practicing each week for their annual "Starstruck" performance.  Tonight was their show and I asked him this morning if he was excited.  Naturally, he said no and his excitement was at an even lower level when I picked him up from school (the performed their dance during an assembly).

"I don't want to go tonight," he said.

"Too bad," I said.

The Lime hates being in front of people.  He dreads Mother's Day, Father's Day, and the Primary Program because he doesn't like going up on the stand at church.  But I want him to know he can do hard things so I push him, even though he fights me.

Although he didn't want to do his dance tonight, he did it.  And it appeared he had fun, even though he said he didn't. 

I have no clue what he was doing with his tongue

I'm grateful for the teacher that spent months teaching these energetic first graders the dance.  I'm grateful for The Lime's school, for giving the students an opportunity to express themselves and try something new.  But I'm most grateful The Lime was able to tuck away his fears for two minutes and follow through on something he's worked hard on.

Gratitude: Day 9

I'm skipping the alphabet thing this year and just picking something from the day that I'm grateful for.

Doodlebug's little vocabulary is improving more and more each day. Just this week, he's started pointing out what belongs to who. "Deedee's bike!" or "Daddy's hat!"

My personal favorite is "Omi, Bopbop's har (car)!" I think he said it 100 times today.

I'm grateful he's learning and growing and is proving to be one smart cookie.  He's so observant (just like The Lime and me) and sometimes I spot their car and wait to see how long it takes him to notice it.  It only takes him a second or two.

And I'm really grateful he knows and loves my parents.  I took the boys to get yogurt tonight and suggested we get some yogurt when my parents visit next time.  I think Doodlebug thought they'd be there tonight and kept asking for them.

I'm grateful for his zest for life, his desire to explore and be free, and his adorable face.

He's a doll and I'm grateful he's ours.

Gratitude: Day 8

I'm skipping the alphabet thing this year and just picking something from the day that I'm grateful for.

Do you know what this photo is? Our empty mailbox.

Can I tell you how so stinkin' happy I was to find an empty mailbox today?!

This has been a year of medical expenses, which also means medical bills. Whether it be an EOB from our insurance letting us know what we owe, an EOB notifying us a claim was denied, or an actual bill from a provider, it's been a constant flow of bad financial news/mail (and just in time for Christmas, no less).

But today was one to be thankful for.

LaVor won Disneyland tickets from a radio station months ago and we were seriously considering paying a visit in the next few weeks. But when the bills started rolling in, we had to decide what was more important (even though Disneyland is WAY more fun!).

We sold the tickets today and I was able to pay off 3.5 bills with the money. Such a huge blessing!!! And we didn't get any new bills! Yah!

Just when you're at your wits end and wonder how much more you can take, Heavenly Father chimes in. He is, no doubt, watching over us and always provides a way.

Gratitude: Day 7

I'm skipping the alphabet thing this year and just picking something from the day that I'm grateful for.

In our old place, carpet dominated our flooring.  Here, we only have it in two bedrooms, and that drives LaVor a little bonkers.  I hate walking on any kind of bare floor so I always have some type of foot covering on.  We do have a decent sized area rug in our family room that gives him a taste of carpet among hardwood floors.

I'm soooo embarrassed to admit this but in Livermore, I would usually only vacuum if someone was coming over or it REALLY needed to be done.  Now that I can literally see all of the junk that's brought into our home, I'm appalled I didn't vacuum more often. Darn brown speckled carpet!

I sweep at least once a day and the pile is usually this gross and large. And every time I dump the pile into the trash, I'm grateful that we no longer have carpet and I can see every crumb, hair, and dirt particle that's scattered throughout the house.

Because what you don't know can hurt you (and give you the heebie jeebies).

Gratitude: Day 6

I'm skipping the alphabet thing this year and just picking something from the day that I'm grateful for.

Last Sunday night, the youth attended a fireside with the theme "A Night by the Sea of Galilee". The bishop played a talk by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland to music and pictures of the Savior. At the end of it, he invited people to share what they were feeling and their testimony of Christ. I, being the crybaby that I am, couldn't hold back and had to share first.

Part of me being so emotional was because of the immense love I have for Elder Holland. I can remember him attending a Stake Conference when I was younger, feeling so special because he was "home". He mentioned Brother Supinger by name and called him a great friend, and spoke fondly of his time as an Institute teacher. He later came back for a Regional Conference and I remember those same feelings coming back.

I hate to admit it, but aside from President Uchtdorf, I always anxiously look forward to Elder Holland speaking at General Conference. He conveys his message with such power and love. It's as if he is speaking directly to you and nobody else is around.

I felt that same way as I watched the Teaching in the Savior's Way broadcast today. Elder Holland knew exactly what I needed to hear and I felt the love of Jesus Christ exude from the words that were said. He is truly a vessel of the Lord.

Some of my other favorite talks of his that have left a huge impact on me are:

Like a Broken Vessel

"Lord, I Believe" 

The First Great Commandment

"An High Priest of Good Things to Come"