Expressing Gratitude - Day 16

The rain finally stopped and the ground is dry enough that I don't have to bag my papers!  Yah!

But with the rain gone, that means the clouds are gone.  And it's getting chilly outside!

That's AM

I haven't seen him this week but there's a guy at work that appears to have a MUCH harder life than I do.  I don't think he has a car because I've only seen him hitch a ride with another carrier and her daughter or he rides his bike.

But his most recent most of transportation has been his skateboard.  He loads all of his papers in a large garbage can and skates with the can on his board.

He's amazing.

I sit in my heated car, with my heated seats, with my scarf tightly wrapped around my neck, and my fleece jacket on and I still manage to complain about how long it takes me to do my routes and how cold I am.

Never have I been more grateful for my car, and the warmth & safety in provides me, than I was when I first saw this man on his skateboard.  Talk about dedication and determination!

And what an example he is of someone who can do hard things.

Expressing Gratitude - Day 15

I got to work this morning and it was BUSY. I used to go in at midnight but realized I needed a good chunk of sleep before heading out so now I arrive after 2:00. Since it rained today, and I knew I'd need extra time to bag the papers, I went in a smidge earlier. A bunch of carriers were still there and my normal table was taken so I parked it next to my friend. My friend that has no name because I'm embarrassed to ask him! He knows mine but I have yet to ask him what his is. I'm horrible.

We got to talking about Thanksgiving and the craziness it brings when it comes to newspapers. Like, each paper weighs about 5 lbs. Say a prayer for me Thursday morning.

I asked him what his plans were and he said he didn't have any. "Any kids that'll come over?" "Nope," he said. "Any siblings close by?" I asked. "I have a nephew in Huntington Beach and my mom is down there. But nobody up here."

My heart sank.

Nobody should be alone on Thanksgiving.

I regretfully told him we were headed out of town, otherwise I'd be more than happy to have him join our family. He appreciated my offer and said he'd be fine.

Man, it made me grateful that we always have a place to go. We have plenty of family around that are more than willing to celebrate with us. And even if they weren't, we have friends that could substitute. And if that didn't work out, we have each other. It's something that I might have taken for granted in the past but I will now treasure the moments we get to be with our family. Especially this year, with LaVor's parents joining us.

Thanksgiving 1993

Thanksgiving 2013

Thanksgiving 2012

Expressing Gratitude - Day 14

I often think back to when it was just The Lime and me. We had our weekly library trips, visited Target often, headed to Auntie's house every day but I got to join him on Thursdays, and watched the MoMo man every Tuesday. We had lots and lots of fun!

I'm not as fun with Doodlebug. Which I feel bad about! We're much more limited on time than The Lime and I were. We drop The Lime off and have about 2 hours before we need to be back home for lunch so I can put Doodlebug down for a decent nap before we have to pick The Lime up from school.

We didn't have anything planned today (which was apparent by the way I looked) and I was pleased as punch when Doodlebug suggested we play baseball. We got the T out, which he hit off of, and he pitched to me. He's just as talented as his big bro and is going to be a rock star in two years when he can play baseball.

He laughed hysterically every time he purposely threw the ball at my head.  It was a wiffle ball so I wasn't too scared.

Then he suggested we play soccer. As much as it isn't in the cards LaVor has for his boys, I think Doodlebug would make an excellent soccer player. We'd bring a ball to all of The Lime's practices and games and at one point he was repeating "I love soccer!" over and over and over again.

Next up was a rousing session of sidewalk chalk. I drew a turkey and then Doodlebug asked me to draw something. I could not, for the life of me, understand what he was saying. So we played our guessing game where he gave me clues. Is it a movie? No. Is it a toy? No. TV show? Yes! Then Doodlebug said "yellow" and I said, "SpongeBob?" "Yes! Yes! Yes!" he said. In his sweet mind, he was saying it perfectly and couldn't understand why I wasn't getting it. So when I did get it, he was ecstatic. It was darling.

Almost 2 hours later, we headed inside to get ready for lunch.

I'm so grateful Doodlebug suggested we do all those fun things together. Not just because I love making those memories with him but also because it's supposed to rain for the next two days and we won't be outside much.

Expressing Gratitude - Day 13

Today was my friend's birthday so after we dropped The Lime off at school, Doodlebug and I ran to the store to get her some balloons and a treat. We were going to quickly drop them off so I left my bag (with my keys in it) in the car.

Before we knew it, she invited us in and we chatted for a bit. We eventually ended up back outside and chatted a bit more while Doodlebug opened and closed the car doors.

Honk! Honk!

That's the noise the car makes if you close the door with the keys inside of it.

My friend gasped and I said, "No! It's okay! The doors won't lock with the keys inside."

A few minutes later, we finished our conversation, said our goodbyes, and Doodlebug and I headed to the car. I took one look inside and realized the doors were most definitely locked. And inside the car were my keys and phone.

I turned around, held my head in my hands, and told my friend I needed her phone to Google LaVor's work because his regular cell phone is kaput and I didn't know his work phone number.

He answered his phone, I laughed to lighten things up, told him we goofed, and he said he'd come rescue us.

So Doodlebug and I went back inside my friend's house where he played and she and I chatted for another hour. She graciously made Doodlebug a PB&J and he tortured (in the sweetest way possible) her two dogs.

I was relieved and thankful LaVor could come so quickly to open the doors, grateful my friend didn't care that we ruined 2 hours of her birthday, appreciated Doodlebug being a good sport just hanging out even though he was the stinker that locked the doors (and waited to poop until we literally walked through the door of our house), and learned if I take anything with me in the future it has to be my keys.

Expressing Gratitude - Day 12

It's been a little over a year since I was called to the YW program and about two and a half months since I was called to be the secretary. The timing was spot on because I was on the verge of asking to be released. Things were not meshing between me and my girls and I wasn't sure how much longer I could stay in that position.

But being the secretary is one of my favorite callings. I loved it in Primary and I'm enjoying it in YW. I love being organized and I'm not intimidated every week!

Because of that intimidation, as much as I tried, I had a hard time feeling love for those I was serving. It sounds awful, I know! But it's true and it makes me sad.

Then tonight happened and I felt that love! I felt love for them, I felt love for my Savior, and I could see the girls as He sees them.

We had Young Women in Excellence and the girls sang the theme song for this year, "Ask of God", accompanied by five girls playing their ukuleles.

Holy goosebumps! Tell me you can't feel the Spirit and see the potential in every.single.one of those girls! What an experience to finally be humbled enough to experience those feelings I'd been hoping for for so long.

Expressing Gratitude - Day 11

Last night, we went to In N Out for dinner and I asked if they had any hot chocolate. The manager said they had the machine but it wouldn't be ready to produce for a few more weeks. So The Lime asked if we could stop by the store and get some. It was getting late by the time we finished dinner and we promised him we'd have some in the morning. Except, the packets we had require milk and we didn't have any. Whoops!

So on my way home from work this morning, I swung by Safeway, grabbed a half gallon of milk and a package of powdered doughnuts, and set the cocoa and doughnuts on the counter before heading back to bed.

I woke up at about 8:45 to giggles and squeals of two little boys so excited for their hot chocolate and doughnuts.

How stinkin' lucky am I to experience pure joy through my kids' eyes over something so small? It took me maybe 10 minutes to drive to the store, grab the items, and come home but it made them so happy.

I'm so grateful for the lessons they teach me; that it's really the simple things in life that can bring us the most happiness.

Expressing Gratitude - Day 10

I woke up this morning and checked the weather before leaving for work. The weather app on the iTouch said no rain. Hallelujah! I feel horrible saying that but rain + newspapers = no Bueno.

Except, I got to work and the rain alert sign was lit and people were bagging their papers. What?!?! The girl next to me suggested to bag but not tie because it wasn't supposed to rain very much.

Well, it didn't pour but it definitely rained more than I anticipated.

I got a text from The Lime's baseball coach asking if we'd make it to the game. Uhhhh...if it stops raining.

And thankfully, it did stop.

Tonight was The Lime's last game and we were worried it was going to be cancelled. But it wasn't and we were thrilled to spend one last Friday night at the ballpark.

Sometimes I wonder who this kid is! He has such a talent and it's a joy to watch him play. I'm grateful we had the opportunity to cheer him on during Fall Ball. We register for Spring this weekend and I'm anxious to see what another season brings.