Still Grateful

I feel like I should have continued my grateful posts into December. There have been so many answers to prayers, miracles, and tender mercies that have taken place this month.

Like the three times car accidents have happened right in front of, next to, and behind us.

Doodlebug and I were out running errands one day when a truck pulling a trailer cut me off and then rear-ended the car in front of him, which hit the car in front of him. Another time, we were all out one Saturday afternoon when I heard a horrendous crunching noise. I thought we ran over something but LaVor said a car hit another car right next to us. And then last Saturday, LaVor and I were on our way to his work Christmas party when we got caught in traffic. Again, I heard that dreaded crunching sound and asked, "What was that?!?!" LaVor looked in the rearview mirror and said the cars directly behind us ran into each other.

When we say our prayers and ask for safety and protection, I feel like it become redundant but clearly we are being watched over.

On another note, the boys and I were at Staples a few weeks ago, getting some things printed for Primary. The Lime saw something he wanted and asked if he could get it. I told him I wanted to check online to see if I could find it cheaper. Sure enough, everyone was selling it for the right price. Doodlebug and I were out last week and decided to stop at Staples so I could pick up The Lime's toy. I received an e-mail the day prior with my ink rewards (you get $2 back for every empty ink cartridge you return) so I was planning on using that towards my purchase. When we got to the toy, there was a 25% off sale sign on it. I thought I was pretty lucky to have waited to purchase it. The employee rang me up, applied my ink rewards, and told me I still have 28 cents remaining with my rewards. It was a small thing but almost brought me to tears that I didn't have to spend any money on this simple toy The Lime wanted.

My mom called me Thanksgiving morning and told me my dad was having some health issues but not to worry. Unfortunately, things got worse and he landed himself in the hospital. I can't remember a time I've prayed so often and with so much passion and intent. I also haven't fasted in over 2 years because I've either been pregnant or nursing. But I decided that if I needed answers to prayers then I had to put my faith in Heavenly Father that my body could do what I needed it to. While he isn't in the clear, my dad is following the doctor's instructions and will hopefully be as good as new after the first of the year.

As I sat in Sacrament meeting this afternoon, listening to the words of the Christmas hymns being sung, I was overcome by the Spirit multiple times. We have been blessed with a Savior, who was willing to offer his life for all of us. His example of love, charity, peace, forgiveness, faith, and obedience overwhelms me with gratitude. I'm so blessed to have Him to look up to.

This has been a roller coaster of a month for emotions and experiences. But throughout it all, my faith has kept me going and provided me comfort when I didn't know what else to do. I'm sad for those who don't have knowledge of or faith in our Savior and Heavenly Father. They are most definitely aware of us, our needs, our trials, our heartaches, and our desires.

Doodlebug - Tally Mark 19

 

-Still only has 11 teeth.
-Started saying "nana" when he wants something but I haven't figured out what it translates to. Maybe need?
-Waves and says "bye bye".
-Has no fear and loves running down the driveway.
-Says football, baseball and SpongeBob.
-Prefers to walk without holding hands.
-Screams bloody murder when you put him in his car seat, most of the time.
-Likes to play restaurant and pretend to fix his bike.
-Goes to Nursery like he owns the place.
-Mans the iPad all on his own. He even called Grammy and Papa on Skype a few weeks ago.
-Likes to help wash his hair in the bath.
-Hates having his teeth brushed.
-Is the best at folding his hands for prayers. Still working on closing his eyes.
-Has no problem wrestling with the older boys.
-Makes us laugh with delight all the time.

Grateful for: Z

Zuppa Tuscana

Two years ago next month, LaVor's cousin got married and had a winter-themed reception.  We enjoyed a hot chocolate bar as well as different soups, salads, and rolls.  One of the soups they offered was Zuppa Tuscana, which I guess is from Olive Garden.

I hate sausage.  I pick it off of pizza, avoid ordering it for breakfast, steer clear of it when LaVor orders an egg McMuffin.  The stuff grosses me out.  So I don't know how I managed to finish LaVor's bowl of Zuppa Tuscana at the wedding reception before he even had a chance to sit down.

This stuff is AMAZING!

It was cold and rainy a few Sundays ago so I made Zuppa Tuscana.  We didn't have any bacon, or garlic, but I managed to eat about 2/3 of the pot myself over 3 days.  While I was making it, The Lime kept making gross noises and begging me to make him something else.  When he sat down and tasted it, he, too, was won over by this delicious soup.  The combination of the kale, potato, onion, sausage, cream, and broth are perfect.

I'm grateful LaVor shared that bowl of Zuppa Tuscana with me two years ago.  I'm grateful I can get past my disgust of sausage for this stuff.  And I'm grateful The Lime is mature enough to try new things and enjoy spectacular food.

Grateful for: Y

Yards

Before we moved, we had a decent amount of yard space in the front and a little bit in the back.  We were able to play outside and grow a garden.

When we found out we were moving, one of the things we wanted was a bigger yard.  Several of the houses we looked at had tiny ones.  That wasn't the reason why we didn't choose those houses, but the stars aligned and the house we did choose ended up having everything we wanted, including decent sized yards.

I'm grateful that we can grow an even bigger garden now, even if we still have to keep them in pots.  I'm grateful that we can play a miniature game of baseball in the front.  I'm grateful that the boys can dig in the mud out back.  I'm grateful for the experiences and memories they're making in our yards.

Grateful for: X

I had a whole post written up about the X-Files, but it was pretty far-fetched so I just deleted it.  And if I'm being honest, I'm not really grateful for the X-Files.  I was just trying to find something "X" to be thankful for.

Since X is a random letter, I'm going to express my gratitude for a random moment we had the other night.

The Lime still loves to dress up and pretend, and came out of his bedroom in this getup.

 

I'm not sure exactly what he was trying to be but it didn't last very long.  He had me tie the bandana around his face and then he went back in his room and changed.  I'm just grateful he let me take his picture before he was done.  I love his creative mind and am grateful for his never ending imagination.

 

Grateful for: W

Waking up at a decent time

Doodlebug thinks it's cute to wake up when the sun comes up.  Every morning, as soon as sunlight barely shines through his window, he starts crying.  I wasn't too thrilled yesterday when I had my alarm set for 6:15 and he started crying just after 5:00.  I was afraid that if I got up to feed him that he'd think it was time to start the day.  So I let him cry off and on until 6:15 when I went to retrieve him from his room.  Shortly after, The Lime comes walking out of his room.  LaVor wasn't even up yet and he was the only one who had to get up and be productive for the day.

It was a long day, but we got a lot of stuff done.  I made a batch of rolls, in the morning, to take to some friends.  The Lime was begging me to spare one but I didn't have enough.  So I made another batch of dough before dinner.  We went out to eat, made a detour to Target on the way back, and arrived home to a KitchenAid mixer filled to the brim with yeasty dough.  I threw it in the fridge while we got the boys ready for bed.  Doodlebug decided to nurse for what seemed like forever and I didn't get a chance to get back to the dough until after 10:00.  "You're going to bake those tonight?" LaVor asked.  I told him the dough was out of control and I was afraid what would happen if I left it overnight.  Around 11:30, I took the final pan out of the oven and regretted making such delicious smelling food right before bedtime.  I could hardly resist tasting one!

I heard my alarm go off this morning (at 6:15) and was so thrilled that I didn't also hear the cries of a Doodlebug in the background.  I showered and did my hair before Doodlebug woke up at 6:50.  Before I went to get him, I shut The Lime's door and he slept until 7:45.

I'm grateful the boys didn't pull a repeat of yesterday and decided to wake up at a decent time today.  With The Lime being off of school, I want to use my time wisely so I can spend as much of it with him.  Getting ready before the boys wake up helps me do that.  But when they wake up prematurely, it throws things off.

I also ended up being grateful for baking the rolls last night so we could dig right into them for breakfast this morning.  I think the final count was two per person.

A happy boy who got enough sleep and enjoyed his roll with raspberry jam

 

Grateful for: V

Vacation

I have been looking forward to this week for a long time!
I'm so so so grateful that The Lime has a vacation from school this week.  We don't have anything big or extravagant planned, I'm just thrilled to have him home.  I've missed his "I have to go into work for a little bit" moments, and his stories about his co-worker JJ.  Doodlebug will love having a constant playmate and someone to play baseball with.

And to think, he gets another vacation in a couple of weeks (and LaVor will be off a majority of it, too)!  My heart is practically doing flips, I'm so excited.