Aware

I was feeling a bit down yesterday and my feelings were bubbling at the surface.

The Lime has a plugged up nose so LaVor stayed home with him. I always feel very awkward without at least one of my sidekicks. Although we've been in the ward almost 5.5 years, I have yet to connect with anyone besides my sweet Visiting Teachers. And I totally take the blame for that. I'm not social.

Anyway, we had Ward Conference so the Bishop and two members of the Stake Presidency spoke. I can probably count on 1 hand where I've really felt a Sacrament Meeting was for me. As the President finished up, he said, "As I knelt down, asking Heavenly Father what I could say to you, I was impressed to say this. He is aware of you. He knows you and He loves you.". The President said he didn't know who needed to hear it, but someone did. That someone was me.

Throughout the day, I kept thinking about a note I received several years ago while in the Tri-Valley ward. The Relief Society had an anonymous drop box where we would put notes for the other sisters.

This note said, "Kim! I just need to tell you how sweet you are. I don't think you hear that enough. You are always smiling and that always makes me smile. You are a strong daughter of our Heavenly Father. You are also a wonderful sister in our ward. Again, thanks for just being you!"

I tend to forget that although I may be visibly alone and feel alone, I'm not. I'm loved and being thought of constantly.

From Deseretbook.com

The Big C

We needed to make a trip to Costco on Saturday, to get yogurt and cheese.

Somehow we walked out of the store with much more than that. How does that always happen?!

One of the items that snuck its way into our cart was Chevy's salsa. Our local Chevys closed a few months ago (no more crispy flautas...WAH!) and we've missed the semi-guiltless treat of chips and salsa.

And it wouldn't be Costco without something BIG (hence "The Big C"). If only they were also Chevy's chips...because I would include those in my "meal before I die". The best.

Birthday Celebrations

Since LaVor and I both had to work yesterday, The Lime's birthday celebrations had to wait until everyone got home.

We enjoyed Nation's for dinner (we both got cheeseburgers, he got a hot dog) and everyone agreed it totally hit the spot.  We then met Jared at our house to open presents and eat cake.  The Lime even got a chance to open his presents from Grammy & Papa, while talking to Grammy on Skype.  Unfortunately, our internet SUCKS and we kept losing the connection.

One of the only things The Lime wanted for his birthday were balloons.  The look on his face when he woke up yesterday and saw them in the kitchen, was perfect!  He also got a crazy amount of tractors, a football, books and 2 new shirts, one of which he picked out himself.

For as long as I've known him, Jared has always gotten a mint chocolate chip ice cream cake for his birthday.  Since Liz is no longer with us, that detail got overlooked on his actual birthday.  So, since LaVor got that exact cake for The Lime, and we had "3" and "2" candles, we sang to him as well, despite him objecting to it.

We didn't do anything big or fancy but I know The Lime had a great day!

Tally Mark 24 - Part 2

-Made up a rap that goes like this..."Moo moo dat!  Moo moo dat!"  We have no clue where it came from or what it means.  But it's funny.
-Has no problem asking for help.  I hope this never changes.
-Is currently obsessed with our iron and ironing board.  I know if I bought him his own, he'd hate it and only play with ours.
-Is on a yogurt kick for breakfast.  And then wants cookies the rest of the day.
-Has been having night terrors.  I don't know if it's from being sick or his teeth that are coming in.  They're no fun.
-Stayed in Nursery for the entire 2nd hour, by himself, without a meltdown, 2 weeks ago.  Then everyone got sick.
-Would eat hot dogs for every meal, if we let him.
-Gets dry skin, just like me.  Because the static in his hair wasn't enough.
-Will randomly drop to the ground and pretend he's been tackled.
-Hates sitting in the "seat" part of the shopping cart.  Much prefers to either be in the big section or hanging off the front. 
-Never ceases to amaze us.

Tally Mark 24 - Part 1

My sweet boy,

I'm convinced this last year went by faster than the first. Besides still wearing diapers, you're no longer a baby but a big boy.

You're one energetic little guy and you keep Daddy and me on our toes. People ask us if you ever stop. The answer is always, "No".

This year has been a fun one; with you learning a whole new vocabulary and cranking that brain a mile a minute. You may not speak as clear as other 2 year olds or say as many words, you don't know all your numbers or the alphabet, you don't sit still for long periods of time. But you're so sweet and caring, polite and gracious, concerned and hilarious. I wish I could have a constant, "Tink (thanks), Mama" playing in my ear.

You are your Dad's #1 fan. You ask for him the second you get out of bed in the morning and he's usually the last thing you see before you fall asleep at night. If you could go to work with him everyday, you would. Any car that drives by the house, that even remotely sounds like a truck, you say, "Dada hom (home)!". I hate having to tell you it's not him.

You wear your boots everyday, just like Daddy. And you carry around a phone and keys, just like he does. You pretend to fix things, just like you see him do. You want to be just like him and I hope that never changes. He's a good guy to want to be like. And he loves you so much. So, so much.

Thank you for blessing our home with your infectious laugh and spirit. These 2 years have been the best.

I love you!

-Mama

No Way!

I came across some pictures I took a couple months ago, as we were crossing the San Mateo bridge to meet Curious George.

There was a helicopter flying mighty low, which made me a bit nervous but LaVor assured me there was nothing to worry about.  "The helicopter is just going to drop a guy off on the tower," he said.  WHAT?!?!

Setting up

Dropping off

Adios

It all makes sense.  But I just figured the worker took a little boat to the base of the tower and climbed all the way to the top.  I'm sure he appreciates this way much more than my idea.

Proof

One thing that happened a lot, while fundraising for the Avon Walk last year, was people would question if I was really doing the walk or keeping the money for myself.

Part of me was insulted but most of the time, I would say, "I have a real job. Standing on the street corner, asking for money, is not something I would do for an income (just boobs)."

I'm ahead of the game this year. Since our current PC doesn't have Microsoft Office (I'm dying without it! 20 years of it being at my fingertips and now...nothing!), I had to print the info in Picasa under the "wallet" setting. I had a bunch of blank business cards from our wedding (I can find a use for everything) so I glued the "wallets" to the cards.

Now, if someone questions me, I can provide proof that I'm legit.

Too legit to quit (hey...hey)!