The Crib

She's getting close to moving up to a toddler bed, it's true...  But for now, we're still using the crib, and I'm grateful for it. 

I'm grateful because it keeps her safely in bed while she still tosses and turns from top to bottom every night. 

And I'm grateful because I can still use it as her time-out spot (yes, we do time out -- and it works!), since she can't get out of it without us removing the side.

And I'm grateful because she can't get out of it, so when I lay her in the crib and cover her up at night, she knows it's bed-time and goes to sleep. 

And I'm grateful because, now, it's full of memories for me.  It is where I first laid my baby girl the first night we moved her into her own room at 3 1/2 months when she'd learned how to sleep through the night and put herself to sleep. 

It's the place I have picked her up from many a middle-of-the night during her growth spurts and need for midnight feedings. 

It's the place I go in and find her laughing and smiling after a nap, or first thing in the morning. 

I think often of how it isn't so long ago that she couldn't roll around and move in her crib.  Or how it isn't so long ago that she started being able to move -- and would shove herself up into the head of the crib and get stuck, so she'd cry to be moved down (we learned to go in and move her down when we were going to bed each night, just to get a few extra hours of sleep ;)). 

It is crazy to think that, one day, we will part ways with this crib.  We will be done having babies.  The concept seems so foreign to me right now.  I guess I form sentimental attachments to objects...  And, I'm realizing as I write this, that I'm more attached to the crib than I realized! 

What are you grateful for today?

Toddler Shoes for Chubby Feet

So my little munchkin has the chubbiest baby feet. They are so stinkin' cute.  But they are not so fun to find shoes for! 

So today we went to the mall to find some shoes that were adjustable all around.  My sister-in-law Gwen had recommended the Smart Fit type.  And, yay!!  We found some cute ones :).  And they slide on so much easier than the shoes we have been using. 

Anyway, I am grateful we have some nice shoes for her.  And hopeful that her feet will thin out over time ;)...  Because I want her to have a little more selection -- like the cute sparkly princess shoes!!!

What are you grateful for today?

Family Time

After the hustle and bustle of yesterday, I decided today would be a pajama day.  So Munchkin and I stayed home and worked on organizing some stuff. 

And I don't know why, but this evening, as we sat around -- our family of 3 -- and spent time together...  It was just the best time.  We all played.  Peek-a-boo.  Scream when we lift mommy's shirt (okay, the toddler plays this game -- and we probably shouldn't have taught it to her.  haha).  Bunny (and Beaver) catapult.  Throw the blanket.  Put Bunny to sleep and snuggle Bunny.  Just a lot of random stuff -- all of which my little girl laughed hilariously about.  She had so much fun.  And so did we.  Because it's such a joy to watch her as she grows and learns and laughs and plays.

I know that these are the moments that matter most.  The times when we make time for each other.  So that we let each other know they are the most important. 

And it is an opportunity for me to see the personality traits of my little girl emerge.  I can see her zest for life.  Her nurturing side as she hugs the bunny.  Her playful side as she throws the beaver back onto the blanket catapult so Daddy will catapult it again. 

These are moments that are precious.  And moments for me to treasure.  The kind I need to try to make more of, quite frankly. 

What are you grateful for today?

A Day Full of Awesome Friends and Delicious Food!

For me, there are few things finer in life than great friends and great food.  Today was packed full with both.

Munchkin and I started out the day by meeting up with Lea and Chuck for some breakfast at Denny's and a whole lot of fun conversation.  My munchkin loves hanging with (Auntie) Lea and (Uncle) Chuck, because she knows they think she's so stinkin' cute (but, hey, who doesn't ;)?).  And what can't be great about some blueberry pancakes, bacon, eggs, and hashbrowns with orange juice?  Absolutely nothing.

Then we met up with the awesome Megan and her cutie Jack.  We started out our play date by going to a Reading Up program where someone read our two cuties The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and then they each got to pick a book to take home -- for free!  We got Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?  Because we needed to rectify the fact that we didn't previously have any Dr. Seuss books in our library...  After that, we went to their house and enjoyed lunch and play-time!  Let's just say that someone else's toys are always cooler than your own.  And let's just say that Megan is amazing.  Her house is always gorgeous, she is always beautiful, and she is super sweet and inviting -- always.  And she makes really great food.  Today it was ham and cheese pockets and Asian Chicken Salad.  Play dates are awesome.  Both for kiddos and for mommies.

Then this evening, I enjoyed a Girls' Night Out, thanks to the wonderful Mariah.  Mariah is always so generous with opening her lovely home to a bunch of crazy ladies to come hang out.  And she always provides yummy (and in tonight's case, healthy) food!  Tonight we had a red lentil chili and a really yummy salad (because she takes the time to slice up a ton of yummy veggies to put on it) along with some grapes and a creamy (which I love) pasta dish.  And pineapple upside down cake (sort of -- my cake didn't turn out quite like I'd hoped due to baker error) for dessert.  It's nice to sit and chat with other ladies.  Share stories of whatever...  Maybe climb up on a soapbox...  And never get around to actually playing the games that were brought, because -- hey -- visiting is just more fun!

And my sweetheart took care of getting Munchkin to bed so I could go enjoy some grown-up mommy time solo :). 

So today was just an awesome day.  The best kind, if you're a Nilla ;).

What are you grateful for today?

New Tires

The time had come in which we needed to purchase new tires for the van. 

That van should feel special this year....  It's had some serious money spent on it in 2014.  Which means we'll be keeping it around for a long time ;).

Anyway, an added bonus is that Costco had some tires on special.  So we saved $70 on our tires.  I'm always happy to take discounts where I can get them :).

So yeah, new tires aren't the most exciting purchase of my life....  But they are necessary.  And I'm grateful we are able to get what we need to keep the van running and working well for us.

What are you grateful for today?

Library Summer Reading Program

As most people are well aware, I am a lover of libraries.  They are awesome.  And today I added another reason to the list of why:  the summer reading program.

True, before this year, I was always on the other end of the library SRP.  And sometimes it wasn't as awesome from that side of things ;).  But this year, I got to be the parent of a child signing up.  Yes, even my toddler participated!!!  Because my reading to her counted. 

And sure, it took us, literally, all summer long to read her 10 hours (she's a toddler, after all...  I'm lucky to get 15 minutes of her attention each day for reading -- and that's rarely all in one sitting).  She loves books and "stories" and will drag her library bag over to me whenever I ask if she wants to read stories...  But she doesn't sit still for long, and I wanted to count her attentive time.  So, yeah...  All summer.

But it was awesome.  And we made it!  We colored in a flask for every 15 minutes we read.  And then today, we got to get a free book! 

There were a lot of other cool programs over the summer for the kids, too.  But most of it is "too old" for my munchkin.  So we just did the reading.  But next year...  It's full-on SRP! 

What are you grateful for today?

Pillow Talk

Because our schedules are often wonky enough that we often do not go to bed at the same time, my sweetie and I don't always get a chance to lay in bed and discuss the future -- or other silliness that comes to mind ;).  Unless, of course, we make the time. 

Tonight we did.  And we discussed our goals -- where we want to live, what steps we are taking to move forward...  How annoyed we are with our apartment complex, because the front steps have been unusable for 3+ weeks now...

You know, the good stuff...

It's a small thing, but I think small things are really the big things.

What are you grateful for today?

Blessings For Those I Love

Do you ever hear that someone you love has good news -- that they have been blessed in a circumstance which makes their life a lot better.  Takes stress off of them.  Allows them to breathe more easily...


Someone I love has had that happen.  And it makes me so happy.  And makes me grateful.

What are you grateful for today?

Teenage Baby-sitter Success

Today was the first time my husband and I paid for a baby-sitter.  We have been quite fortunate that we have so many near us who want to watch our munchkin for us and let us go on dates.  So we rarely schedule a baby-sitter to come here.

But we decided we should try it out -- for all of our growth and learning ;).  And plus, we know some awesome young ladies at church who are looking to make a few bucks.  So we did it.

We haven't left our munchkin here at home without one of us present since she was about 4 or 6 weeks old -- and even then, it was my mother-in-law and father-in-law.  When we've had others watch her, usually we drop them off at their house.  So today we had the opportunity to see how she did with watching Mom and Dad leave the house without her -- and to see how I did with it.

We all survived.  And she was happy as a clam when we got back.  So I say it was a success. 

And the hubby and I went and saw Xanadu Jr., put on by the theatre camp kids.  Cute and funny.  Something different for us to do.  So, yeah...  A good day :).

And now I know my munchkin is growing up even more... ;).  And that I can leave her with a teenager without freaking out.  I now fully realize the trust parents put in me all those years ago when I was the baby-sitter.

What are you grateful for today?

Birthday Traditions

My sweetie got another year older today.  He surprised me last night when he got home by telling me he put in to be off work today.  And, shocker of shockers, they approved it! 

That's not the tradition though ;)...  Raspberry Coffee Cake is :).  My husband loves this cake.  And so, for the last 3 years, I have made it for him on his birthday.  I try to make it a surprise for when he comes home from work (seeing as his last 3 birthdays have been week days...).  But today he kinda knew -- since he was home and all ;). 

But still, I love simple birthday traditions.  And I get excited about making him one of his favorite treats every day to let him know how special he is -- today, and every day ;).

What are you grateful for today?

Being Invited to Learn About Freezer Meals!

So this afternoon, while my little one slept, I got a random text from a number I didn't recognize.  Once I read the text, I knew it was from someone who, at the very least, knew me (and whom I probably knew as well ;)).

I was being invited to attend a Provident Living lesson on freezer meals!!!  I replied asking what time the meeting was, and who was inviting me.  Haha...  Clearly it was someone who knows all about the foodie in me ;).  The ever-awesome Brenda H. 

And, seriously, she is ever-awesome. 

So I went and have been inspired to do some freezer meals!  We had a tasting table and were able to try 5 different freezer meals.  YUM!  So I definitely have several to try -- and they don't look hard to put together!  The very best kind!

Anyway, it was a treat that Brenda thought of me and invited me to attend her class.  She is one of the coolest women I know -- so organized and "with it," for lack of a better term.  She's one of those people I'm just glad I know and can call a friend!  So I'm grateful for her too -- and that makes two gratefuls for today :).

What are you grateful for today?

Scrapbooking Group

Once a month, the funeral home where I used to work holds a little scrapbooking group.  Sometime after my munchkin was born, I started attending it for a couple reasons:  1.  To have a time set aside for me to work on her baby book (I am not a huge scrapbook person, as I'm not very creative).  2.  To have a social outlet.  I noticed how much I was craving groups of other women after I was home all day with an infant.  So...  I decided to start going to the group. 

Over the last year, I've started participating more in making the craft they bring to share...  I like it!  It's nice to sit around the table and make something fun and quick along with the other ladies.  And now that my munchkin is walking, she's pretty content to entertain herself just walking around the room, so that helps me be able to do this easier :). 

Today we made a "summer-y" card.  Isn't it cute?  I don't know when I'll use it, but I'm sure I'll have the opportunity eventually! 

Anyway, I'm just grateful for having opportunities like this one to be a part of a group and visit other ladies -- and make cute things to boot!

What are you grateful for today?

THRIVE Host Benefits

In July, I hosted my "launch party" for my THRIVE Consultant thing.  It was fun and exciting for me.

And today, my host benefit order came in.  It was like Christmas.  Seriously. I got a lot of new stuff to try, and I got a whole bunch of it for free!  (The stuff that wasn't free was half-price).  I'm uber-excited about building my home store and having our food storage full of variety. 

Today was a pretty good day -- but the UPS dude showing up with all this...  Yep, it just made my day.

What are you grateful for today?

Glass Cleaner

Glass cleaner is great stuff.  It can provide a nice streak-less shine for your windows and mirrors. 

But that's not why I am grateful for it today!

Nope, today I am grateful for glass cleaner, because it's the only thing that sort of worked on the bright pink nail polish that got spilled on my rental apartment carpet. 

Oy.  (And if anyone has any suggestions that may work better, they will be gratefully accepted!  I've also tried nail polish remover and rubbing alcohol.)

What are you grateful for today?

My Little Shadow

Tonight, as I was talking to my dad on the phone, I walked into the kitchen (to get dessert, of course ;)).  After a few minutes of randomly doing stuff in there, I looked down and saw my munchkin sitting on the floor in the kitchen with a couple of her library books.  She was just as happy as could be, flipping through her books and making a little sound every now and again.  And I commented to my dad that she follows me everywhere and described to him that she had come into the kitchen with me and was sitting contentedly on the floor. 

He told me that I should cherish that, because one day, when she's 15 and 16, she won't want me around. 

And whether or not she will feel that way in the years to come, the truth is, she won't always follow me around like a shadow.  And I do cherish it.  True, it can be annoying that even potty time can't be a private time for a mommy sometimes...  But, really, I do cherish the sweet little pitter patter of her feed as she follows me from room to room.  It is one of the cutest things in this world, and, even on the days when she's rolling around on the floor in the kitchen and is slightly underfoot as I try to cook, I wouldn't trade it for anything.  I'm grateful for her -- and I'm grateful for the way she follows me around.

I love her.  She brings a brightness into my life I can't believe I ever did without.

What are you grateful for today?

The Ability to Write

There was once a time I planned to go into journalism.  Because I love to write.  And I thought choosing a field that would pay me to do something I loved anyway would be a good thing.  But then I remembered I love to write about what I want to write about.  Not what "they" tell me to write about.  So I changed my mind.  Because I can honestly say term papers were not loads of fun for me :).

But I love to write.  And I'm grateful I have the ability to write.

Truthfully, I've always aspired to be an author.  To be published.  To make my mark on the world in some small way through writing.  I've come to realize I'm really not that talented a writer -- and I really don't have anything that interesting to say.  So it'll probably never happen.  But the dream still lives on inside me, nonetheless.

The other thing is that I love the release writing offers me.  I can sit down with paper and pen (or fingers and keyboard) and allow my thoughts to flow onto paper.  Memories, hopes, dreams, opinions. Whatever I want to write in that moment.  And I love it.  I always have.

And I suppose those things describe one aspect of the ability to write.  But there's another, more basic one, I think.  Simply the literal ability to write.  The fact that I was blessed to go to school and learn how to make marks that mean something in this world.  That I can communicate through the written word, not just the verbal one.

Until about 3 or 4 years ago, it never really occurred to me that there are people on this earth who cannot write.  (I'm not talking about little kids, either.)  I think that's one of the dangers -- for me, at least -- of my life of ease and plenty:  I become blind to the fact that others are not so fortunate.  Writing is such a basic thing, and we are so technologically evolved now.  How could someone not know how to write?  Well, 3 or 4 years ago, I was permitted to be part of a humbling experience.  I was working at a public library and a young boy wanted to get a library card.  His parent or guardian had to sign with him to do that.  This young boy actually filled out the whole thing and then called his mother over to sign it.  There was a large discussion about the need for her to sign the card (this conversation was done in Spanish, as that was their native language).  She was hesitant.  And I think the boy was even a little embarrassed.  His mother eventually agreed, because her son wanted the card so badly.  And she stood there and slowly, methodically, and painstakingly printed her name.  She could not sign it.  And some of her letters weren't correct.  In fact, her son was trying to help her remember how to make some of the letters.  But she pushed on and did it.

And my perception was changed that day.  I realized how blessed I am that I have learned to print.  And then write in cursive.  And then type on a computer.  I realized that not everyone has been so fortunate.  And I respected that woman for her efforts.  For her courage to try.  For her decision to learn.  The young boy told me he and his siblings were teaching her how to write.  And though he may have been slightly embarrassed that day, I know that what they were trying to teach her was an act of love. 

So I am grateful for my ability to write.  Both for the fact that I can form letters and make them into words with ease.  And for the fact that I can allow my thoughts to leave my head and be recorded somewhere.  The latter is why I blog -- practically incessantly.  I may have a blog addiction ;).  But it's just a way for me to share my thoughts -- however unimportant they may be ;).

What are you grateful for today?

My Hot Glue Gun

So now that I've finished the quilts, I have moved on completely to my next creating project:  a quiet book for my munchkin!

I am by no means a super-crafty person.  But I have enjoyed trying to design this and make it...  We'll see how it turns out. 

I'm pretty sure it'd be a lot harder without the hot glue gun, though!  This thing is awesome and handy for a million reasons.  Including burning your fingers ;). 

Here's to hoping the hot glue is enough -- and that my munchkin doesn't start pulling it apart ;).

What are you grateful for today?

Frasier

It may be shallow of me to be grateful for a TV show (again) when I know I have soooo many things for which to be grateful.  But lately I've been borrowing these from the library, and I watch them in the evenings after munchkin goes to bed and before my husband comes home.  Usually some background noise while I work on other things...

But it makes me laugh.  A lot.

So I'm grateful for it :).  Silly or not ;).

What are you grateful for today?

My Aunt Hila

That's right....  I'm a name-sake.  If you didn't know :).

So, to give my mom the opportunity to go on vacation, my Aunt Hila flew out from New Jersey to take care of my grandma and give my mom a break.  And I'm so grateful to her for doing that.  And grateful for her. 

I'm also grateful for her example.  She is like the happiest person I know.  Well, actually, she's pretty much tied with my mom.  So I know those genes must be inside me somewhere!  Much like my mom, my Aunt Hila has a great sense of humor.  And there is nothing better than seeing her and my mom together.  They make life hilarious. 

It's been a treat to have her hang around an extra couple days so I could swing by and visit for a little bit each day.  There's just something nice about seeing family. 

Makes me want another family reunion...  Anyone else agree :)?

What are you grateful for today?

Electricity

I frequently say I was born in the right century.  This Nilla simply would not do well in the days before flushing toilets, running water, and electricity.  For real.

So tonight I'm grateful for electricity.  Because, without it, I wouldn't be able to enjoy the bought air on the hot days.  Or the fan that is blowing on me right now.  The lights that allow me to see.  This laptop that enables me to blog and research and connect.  The oven that allows me to cook.

Electricity is a wonderful thing :).  And I'm really glad we have it!

What are you grateful for today?

Coming Home to a Clean -- and COLD -- House!

Today leaves me with so many things for which to be grateful!  It was hard to choose just one.  But I did.

I know I've already touted my husband's awesomeness.  But seriously...  He deserves an encore! 

So, as I shared, my mom, my munchkin, and I went to Utah for a few days (officially, we were there 2 and driving 4...).  My husband's job sent out an email months back with black-out dates -- dates during which no one would be approved for time off.  And the dates for this trip fell into that category.  Boo.

So my sweetheart was stuck at home while we were gallivanting around Utah (and Washington, Oregon, and Idaho...).  I was already very happy to be getting home to see him today (when he gets home from work, that is).  But imagine my happy surprise when I walked into the house -- and the a/c was already running (so refreshing on this hot Washington day -- holy cow, I just looked at today's high:  98 degrees.  What the heck, Washington!?!).  And then...  I walked around the corner and saw that the living room was spotless!  As was the kitchen!

Yep, my husband is full of wonderfulness, and he totally made my day -- at the end of two very long days of driving.

(And just so you know, in case you were super curious...  My other two gratefuls are that my munchkin is the most amazing traveler.  A total of 38 hours of travel (34 of them in the car) over the space of 6 days and she was a total gem!) and THRIVE Express Creamy Garden Vegetable Chowder.  Click the link to find out why.)

What are you grateful for today?

My Sister-in-Law Angie

So as I mentioned yesterday, we were in Utah.  It was a lovely trip, and so nice to get to visit with my brother and his family.  (Unfortunately I did not know one of my cousins was also in the exact same city, also visiting from out of town... what are the odds?)

I have to express particular gratitude to my SIL Angie, though.  She is a busy woman with work and two kiddos AND all the planning she did for Saturday when she and my brother got sealed in the Salt Lake Temple... AND she had to prepare for us to come and stay a few nights on top of it all.

I definitely appreciate all she did for us with this trip, but I am also grateful for past opportunities to visit with her and get to know her. Like when they came to our house and stayed a night around Christmas.  That is a great memory for me.

Anyway, I want to say more  but this tablet - though wonderful - is not the most  conducive for my mini novellas ;).  Even so, I am grateful for Angie. She is a beautiful lady and she has brought much happiness into my brother's life... for which I am also grateful.

What are you grateful for today?

Panama in Utah

Okay, I totally stole this blog title from my friend's hashtag.  But it was necessary because it was cool :).

So as you may already know, I have been in  Utah the last couple days.  And tonight my mom and I were invited to crash a bridal shower for someone we knew years ago in Panama.  (Maybe it isn't crashing if you'really invited?)

So we drove the 30 minutes...  And it was so awesome.  We saw so many people we knew growing up.  It was such a treat to reminisce about the good ol' days (like about the high school teacher who called me Hilda my entire freshman year...).  Seriously, this was the perfect way to round out our wonderful trip.  I loved it!  And I have to give a special shout out to Julie J for making it happen!

What are you grateful for today?

The Chance to Visit the THRIVE Showroom

Well, one of the bonuses of coming to visit my brother is that we are close to the THRIVE warehouse and showroom!  So naturally we had to swing in...  And save shipping on our orders!  And of course get a few more items...  Oh if only I had a million dollars!  I swear I felt like a kid in a candy store!

I wish I had been able to tour the whole warehouse, but I didn't realize I would be so   close to the warehouse,  so I didn't schedule one.  Nonetheless, it was so fun and exciting AND we got to sample anything we wanted!  I learned I will be ordering the THRIVE Ground Beef soon!

What are you grateful for today? 

The Garmin

Technology is amazing.  This is the first road trip I can think of when I didn't print a map! My mom has a Garmin, and it has been a wonderful tool. Most especially when it helped us find the Chick-fil-A in Twin Falls, Idaho.

If you are wondering about my uber-short posts... it's because of the tablet...  Still haven't learned everything about it yet ;).

What are you grateful for today? 

Motels

...Because sometimes, after 13 hours of driving -- with a toddler (and only 4 hours of sleep the night before), your eyes say they can do no more driving... and the contacts NEED to come out!  That's when I am really grateful motels exist.

What are you grateful for today? 

My "Big" Brother Ben

Today is my older brother's birthday.  So I wanted to share several memories of growing up as his "little" (and likely obnoxious) sister to explain a bit of why I am grateful for him!

Due to the large gap in age between us (9 years, with no siblings in between), Ben was often tasked with watching us younger siblings when we were growing up.  I don't necessarily remember a lot about this, except I've seen some of our home videos -- so I know he was usually helping corral the kiddos while my mom was filming.  And I remember at least one time when he walked to pick me up from a friend's house.  I don't remember much about it, I just remember him walking me home and making a snide comment to some neighborhood kid said something rude to him (don't remember what, though).  Ah, the things we remember.

I remember, after he moved away to go to college, how excited we always were to see him when he'd go home to Panama to visit.  I remember his huge collection of cassette tapes of Guns 'n' Roses and other things (I don't remember the others, though... just the G 'n' R).  Yep, cassette tapes -- so awesome, right?  Oh, the Moody Blues.  He listened to them too at some point. 

I remember how he and I would write letters back and forth for a while.  Those meant a lot to me.  I mean, I really looked up to my "big" brother; so when he moved away and wrote to me, that was the bee's knees :).  And I recall how hard it was for me to accept that he had grown up and was moving on with life.  He was "my" big brother -- and I felt very possessive of him for a long time. 

I remember him playing the Atari a lot (old school...  awesome old school).  And I remember there was one game called Dandy where you could create your own level and I think he made one that was basically impossible to beat.  You "warped" into that level and were surrounded by all the monsters.  I can still hear (in my head) the sounds of the monsters "hitting" the character (which was a number with legs...) and then the explosion-like sound of death.  Hahaha.

But I think the best memory I have of him took place in 1989.  December of 1989.  It was during Operation Just Cause (a "war" that took place in Panama while we lived there).  There was a lot of fear during that time.  We lived in U.S. Civilian housing, but we weren't on-base -- which meant there were no guards monitoring the entering and exiting of our little community.  (Actually, eventually things got bad enough that there were for a time.)  I remember my parents always having the news on the tv at this time -- even during dinner, which was not the case beforehand.  One night, they were downstairs watching TV in the dark while the rest of us were upstairs.  Ben was entertaining us by drawing us little cartoon characters.  He was very talented with these types of things.  He drew us a goofy family.  The daughter was listening to a walkman with her eyes closed and not watching where she was going and was about to trip on a rock...  The sun was holding a lit round bomb (think Mario Bros bombs) and the animated duck on his shirt was freaking out looking at the bomb... the dad was sitting in a recliner eating potato chips (and was a rather large man)... and the mom was standing on a stool afraid of a mouse who was sticking its tongue out at her.  I don't know why we all remember that so well, but we do.  We thought those cartoons were the most awesome ever.  I remember, though, that we were told to go into the hallway upstairs if we wanted the big lights on (we were keeping the lights to a minimum so as to draw little attention to our home).  And then I remember my parents came running up the stairs at one point to be with us.  Apparently there had been snipers in the neighborhood trying to get onto one of the military bases which had a back-road access through our community (that wasn't really guarded), so some U.S. tanks were rolling into our neighborhood.  I'd never seen my parents act so afraid and it scared me.... I remember crying.

Anyway, that's just best memory I have of Ben...  The memory of him taking care of us and entertaining us during a scary time while my parents were trying to know all that was going on to keep our family safe. 

And I have to say that, of all my mom's 4 kids, I think Ben is the one who got her compassion.  Which is a trait I admire a lot.

So, Happy Birthday Ben!  I love you -- and I'm grateful you're my brother :).

What are you grateful for today?

R'Lene B

So back in 2011, I was employed...  But I wouldn't say I was gainfully employed.  I worked two jobs and, fortunately, one of them offered insurance.  But I couldn't afford to move out of my grandmother's house with what I was making.  It was a frustrating time for me.  Incredibly frustrating.  I had been trying everything I knew to do to get a job as a professional librarian (which I was educated to be), and nothing was panning out.  Not even for me to return to the South (I tried that too).  So I decided to change tactics and just look for employment outside of libraries.

And one day, I happened on a job posting for a job at the County in which I live.  It was a job for a front-desk person.  I met the qualifications.  I applied.  I got called to test my typing skills and such.  Then I got called for an interview.  And that's when I met R'Lene.  I remember her coming out to the waiting room to get me for the interview.  I remember being nervous.  Incredibly nervous.

A few days later, R'Lene called me again.  She said I was one of the top two choices, so they wanted me to go in and meet the Commissioners, since I'd be working with them if I got the job.  Yikes!  I was really nervous again.  I remember chatting with R'Lene as we waited for a Board meeting to wrap up so I could go in and meet the Commissioners.  I remember how R'Lene was so friendly and put me at ease.  She said a lot of really nice things to me -- about me.  I remember that it meant a lot to me -- the things she said.

But then I didn't get the job.  I was the second choice.  I was sort of bummed, but just figured something else would pan out.  She asked if she could keep my information for future job possibilities, because she said I had really impressive credentials.  I told her she could.  And I remember telling her I hoped everything went well and smoothly with the new person -- I expressed that I know it can sometimes take a while for things to even out after a new person comes on board.  I remember she said, "I hope so too.  But if it doesn't, you'll be hearing from me."

Well, it turns out they didn't.  Because a couple weeks later, I got another call from R'Lene.  She wanted to know if I was still available -- and if I was still interested.  I said I was.  And, initially, I was a little nervous, since I didn't know exactly what hadn't worked out with the first person.  But it was all good.  And I ended up with a great job -- and an even greater boss:  R'Lene.

That's a lot of talk before I get to the point of why I'm grateful for her today.

So, it turns out that R'Lene is retiring.  And, due to out-of-townedness, I won't be able to be there for her retirement party.  So Munchkin and I went to say good-bye to her today.  Not that it's really good-bye.  There will still be lunches and get-togethers from time to time...

But today, as I pondered the blessing I feel it has been to know R'Lene and to work for her, I thought over all those moments.  She was an amazing boss.  She trusts her employees to do their jobs -- she doesn't micromanage.  Her door is always open and she was always willing to listen.  She was encouraging and really believed in me.  She brought me in on fiscal responsibilities while my friend Angel was helping with other financial stuff -- and that's how I ended up becoming good friends with Angel!  R'Lene helped me expand my horizons while I worked for her, and I really appreciated that.  Because I ended up really loving the fiscal stuff.

I will never forget that R'Lene told me that she believes we work to live, we don't live to work.  And she totally showed that.  She lived it.  And she allowed that of her employees.

I will never forget that she was actually the very first person I told I was pregnant with our little girl.  The reason is because there was a fiscal job opening that she was encouraging me to apply for, and I wanted to, but I knew I would be quitting to be a stay-at-home mom once the baby was born.  That didn't matter to her.  She encouraged me to apply anyway.  I didn't get the job (there was a way qualified gal with tons of experience), but in the end, that was for the better anyway, because I ended up quitting 3 months later anyway.  (We kept the pregnancy quiet -- even from family -- because of our previous miscarriage).

And she'll probably never know it, but it meant the world to me that she went to my baby shower several months later, after I'd quit.  She drove 30 minutes or so to attend it.  And I think that was so sweet.

And so...  I had to go and say "good-bye" to such a marvelous woman.  To a woman who blessed my life in so many ways (that job allowed me to finally move out on my own, by the way).  And I'm glad it's not really good-bye.  And I'm grateful I was blessed to work for her -- and that I am blessed to know her.  She is a strong and amazing woman.

What are you grateful for today?

Our Tablet

So this past Friday, we finally decided to enter this decade and buy a tablet.  Okay, maybe it's more correct to say I decided to do that.

Truth is, we've been wanting one for a while, but kept putting it off...  But, since we'll be taking a trip soon, we figured this could be a few minutes of entertainment for the munchkin when she gets fussy. 

And it's already being beneficial...  Like for having materials for the lesson I taught in Young Women today.  I didn't have to print anything -- just have it on the tablet!  Way convenient.

Anyway, I'm sure I'll be even more grateful for this thing once we are making our road trip, but even so, I'm still grateful for it today, too :).

What are you grateful for today?

My Husband Getting Up With the Munchkin

I don't know why, but lately I've had the worst time falling asleep at night.  I lay awake for forever.  It's frustrating.  My husband is on late shift, so he rarely gets home before 11 (last night it was after 1 this morning... and I was still awake), so I generally get up with the baby in the morning at 7 or 7:30.  Or 8, when she woke up this morning. 

And I usually don't take a nap when she does (that's my "getting stuff done" time :)).  But today I was just totally bushed.  So when she went down for her morning nap... so did I!

And then she only slept for 50 minutes.  But my husband got up with her (though he didn't get to bed until after 4 this morning... playing with the new tablet...) and let me sleep.  I kept telling myself I should get up.  I didn't listen.  I slept another hour!  When I was finally able to force myself out of bed, it was going on noon.  Yikes!  Haha...

Oh but I needed that sleep.  And I'm so grateful my sweetie took on our little one and let me sleep -- he even took her outside and let her explore inside the van while he was doing all the check-ups on it for our upcoming trip.  Which meant I had completely uninterrupted sleep!  Ahhhh, so refreshing :).

What are you grateful for today?

Olive Garden Lunch with Lea

Today was an all-around awesome day.  Productive too.  Although I did learn a lesson about how it's not exactly wise to go shopping on the 1st of the month when it's a Friday.  I think everyone got paid today.  Because they were all out at the grocery stores!

Ah well.  I'm sure I'll forget that lesson the next time the first of the month falls on a Friday. 

As part of the fun, Munchkin and I went to Olive Garden with Lea.  Then we hit Costco.  And it was all 100% awesome good times.  But there's just something about that soup, salad, and breadstick lunch that make that the absolute highlight :). 

It was a good day.  And this pretty much makes me grateful in a lot of categories!  Because it's only fun when it's fun.

What are you grateful for today?