Intro

Let me start off this trip by explaining why we're taking it.

This past year, LaVor's company had something called the "Choice Awards" which allowed employees to nominate their peers, for exemplifying the company's core values.

A couple months ago, I was at work on a Friday, when LaVor called me and did his usual, "How are you doing?"  He then said, "Do you want to go on a cruise in March?"  I knew about the award and we were hoping LaVor would be recognized, and he was.  I was so stinkin' proud of him because I see on a daily basis how hard he works and I wanted someone else to notice it.  And they did.

After being proud, I was nervous.  I've never had a desire to go on a cruise for numerous reasons (ships sinking, fires, mass illness, being seasick, etc.) but I also didn't want to leave The Lime.  I had to put all of that aside and quickly called my mom to reserve a week so she and my dad could watch The Lime for us.

The next 2 months were filled with excitement but more anxiety (on my end), as we prepared for our trip...

Sittin' On The Front Porch

...sorta.

For as long as I've known him, LaVor has wanted a home with a wraparound porch, where he can sit in a rocking chair and admire the outdoors.  That's just not in the cards for us now (or possibly ever) so this is as close as we get...

Saturday was an exceptionally gorgeous day (and night), so after our walk, LaVor grabbed the boys' chairs and sat out for a bit.  They even had their cup holders filled with cups of water which is not very exciting but the homemade strawberry lemonade wasn't made until Sunday.

Club 33

"Club 33 is a private club located in the heart of the New Orleans Square section of Disneyland. Officially maintained as a secret feature of the theme park, the entrance of the club is located next to the Blue Bayou Restaurant at "33 Royal Street" with the entrance recognizable by an ornate address plate with the number 33 engraved on it<sup>."

How I wish I was talking about Club 33 at Disneyland, but this Club 33 is exciting, too!

LaVor joined Club 33 yesterday (or you could say he celebrated his 33rd birthday).  We had 2 fun-filled days of special activities.

He decided to take Monday off, even though his birthday was on Tuesday, so we went on a walk, watched tractors, ate lunch and went to the park.  Tuesday was work for him but we joined him and his co-workers for a special lunch.  The Lime is especially fond of LaVor's co-worker, JJ.  I think because that's the only name he can say.  LaVor found a surprise of balloons in his car after work (this has become our new birthday tradition.  You really can't beat $1 store balloons!), that The Lime picked out himself.  

After LaVor had a chance to clean up, he opened presents and we rushed to Texas Roadhouse to meet some friends for dinner.  Always a good time!</sup>

I wasn't going to buy him clothes this year, but I couldn't resist this darling shirt and tie I found.

^{It was getting late but that didn't stop us from indulging in some cake!  More friends met us at home where we sang, laughed and stuffed our faces.}

Cocoa

Clinton Kelly from "The Chew" made a frostee with Nesquik today. Then, I used cocoa powder for LaVor's birthday cake tonight.

Those 2 products took me back to the 4th grade, when my mom watched 2 girls before/after school. Monica was the older sister and also my sister's friend. Megan was Monica's younger sister and a year older than me.

I've always had jealousy issues and I remember my jealous levels skyrocketing during this time. I believe I thought my mom would end up loving these 2 girls more than me. Crazy.

I handled my issues horribly. I was mean, really mean, to these girls but especially Megan.

I remember making signs on our computer that said "Keep out!" and putting them on our snack cupboard, with a big X made out of tape. When Megan went to get a snack one day, she saw the sign and looked elsewhere for something to munch on. The baking cupboard wasn't off limits so she took the unsweetened cocoa powder to make chocolate milk. After each taste test, she'd add more powder, hoping to make it sweeter, but it made the drink more dreadful. I remember sitting in the family room, watching her and laughing hysterically, waiting for her to eventually figure it out. I don't think she ever did.

I've gotta track these girls down and apologize. Or else I've got a one-way ticket to you know where.

Tally Mark 25ish

I really thought I was done doing these but there's stuff The Lime is doing now and I don't want to forget it!

-Loves his color books that "Baybay" (Becky) gave him for his birthday. The butterflies are his favorite to point out, as of 2 days ago.
-Is trying so hard to say sentences. Last Wednesday, LaVor was leaving when we were and The Lime said, "DeeDee wook Dada?".
-Is also intrigued by LaVor's co-worker. "JJ wook Dada? JJ hom, nigh night."
-Believes that if anyone is at home, they're sleeping.
-Knows that GrandPop played the trumpet.
-Chose to eat blackberries and strawberries over fruit snacks today.
-Hates sitting in anything babyish. Only wants to sit in big seats at tables, wants to walk in stores. It makes for interesting times.
-Proceeded to say, "Man!" over and over again as the police officer reprimanded me on Thursday.
-Begs for Daddy when I discipline him.
-Fights me every morning when I get him dressed. He only wants to wear his basketball shirt & sweatshirt or his tractor shirts. I've been doing a lot of laundry lately.
-Is my best little friend.

All We Need Is Love

As I was getting ready this morning, The Lime and I both agreed that we needed some music to dance to.  This song was #2 on the playlist...it's been stuck in my head ever since. 


Love makes me happy and the two guys that I love make me super happy.

They happened to be wearing the same thing last Wednesday.

I shot this video several months ago but I love The Lime's little "Hewwo?" and that he got embarrassed and ran off.

While I was standing out, collecting donations on Saturday for the breast cancer walk, LaVor and The Lime took a stroll through the Farmer's Market.  They know I love tulips and surprised me with a bunch.

I couldn't agree with Zac (or The Beatles) more...

All we [you] need is 

DeeDee

When I was a baby, my parents made the mistake of buying me Wish Bear.

I imagine it looked something like this.

I couldn't say "baby" so the bear became "DeeDee".  And 27 years later, the name remains.

DeeDee went everywhere with me, which is how he got lost.  I think the story was, we were at the Ochoas' house and DeeDee somehow got placed on the ground in the kitchen, just underneath the cabinets.  His little hiding place wasn't very obvious and I went home without him.  My mom didn't realize he was missing until it was time to put me to bed and I refused to go without DeeDee.  An imposter was brought in but I wanted nothing to do with it.  Thankfully, Sister Ochoa ended up finding DeeDee and life was complete again.

I remember my mom making me a DeeDee pillow.

Just like this little guy.

I also had a ceramic DeeDee that had a huge crack running through it.  Thank goodness for super glue.

Nancy's...not mine

DeeDee went on sleep overs with me but stayed in my bag because I was too embarrassed to show him off.  LaVor even threatens to throw him away if he sees him, so he stays tucked away in my top drawer.

Why would he want to throw away my favorite childhood toy, you ask?

Because he looks like this.

Battered, abused, sewn back together, bald, but most importantly, loved.

This DeeDee is loved just as much as our new Dee Dee. 

The Lime started out saying his name like "Dada" but now it's turned into "DeeDee".  All day, we hear, "DeeDee help", "DeeDee walk", "DeeDee truck", "DeeDee's Dada". 

I promise not to let my new DeeDee end up looking like my old one.