An Update

The dear, old glasses are going to cost me
SIXTY-FIVE bucks
to get repaired.

But, that's better than paying over $200 to get a new pair.
(because I would have to get an eye exam too,
and we don't have insurance...are you kidding?)

So, today I am grateful I have the $$$
to pay for those dear, old glasses.

Because, I dislike watching blurry television,
and looking at blurry children first thing in the morning.
They are too cute to be blurry!

Glasses

Today I'm grateful for my glasses.

Because they broke.

One of the arms just came right off.
(After the kids pulled them out of shape 2 or 60 times.)
And, now I remember how grateful I am for them.
Actually, my eyes are grateful for them,
because they need a break from those contacts every night.

Now my favorite shows are full of blurry people.
I guess that means I should just go to sleep,
instead of staying up way too late watching
meaningless,
entertaining,
television.

Naahh.

A Cold

Who gets a cold in July?

Me.

So, for the past three days I have been grateful for the following things, in no particular order:

Afrin. You make breathing through my nose a dream at night, literally.

Kleenex. You are so much gentler on my nose than a paper towel (because that was all I had at the cabin...did I mention I got sick just in time for our camping trip? Well, I did. And, paper towels do a doozy on the old nose when you're wiping it 100+ times a day).

Scooby Doo, on DVD. You kept my girls entertained so I could snooze the afternoon away and try to get back to my old, healthy self. Still not there yet, but it was a good attempt.

Just Remembering...

It was innocent, I'm sure.
This morning I was just folding laundry in my room,
listening to a little Pandora on the computer,
and watching my screen saver flash pictures from the past.

I really like to watch my screen saver,
weird I know.
Then this song started,
"I think that possibly, maybe I've fallen for you.
Yes there's a chance that I've fallen quite hard over you,"
(who doesn't like Landon Pigg, Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop?)
and these two pictures flashed onto the screen,
one right after the other:


(love the drool and all)

And, I remembered how grateful I am
for these little bundles of trouble.
(You see they were fighting in the other room,
at that moment.)
And, I realized how much they have us
(maybe Adam more than me!)
wrapped around their little fingers.
Because, how could you not love them?

I wish time would slow down for one moment,
because they aren't babies anymore!
But, I'm sure glad they will always be MY babies!

Nap Time

I'm grateful for nap time.
Especially on days that I babysit.
Then I only have to worry about 3 kids,
instead of 5.
Thank you nap time.
I am forever indebted to you.

2 Gratefuls...

I am grateful for 2 things today...TWO! What a day.

First, I'm grateful for the work that Adam has. And, I'm grateful that the people he is working for, recognize that he has a skill worth paying for. Lately, it seems that there aren't many people outside of the construction industry that think quality work is worth paying for. They will just go with the cheapest bid, regardless of the result of that work (which is usually pretty poor). The price of labor is going down, down, down...while the cost of everything else (i.e. materials) is staying the same or increasing. It's depressing to submit bid after bid, and never get awarded a job. Especially for Adam. I see the burden on his shoulders every day that he doesn't get a call back from someone, anyone.

It's hard to believe that people are out there , working for nothing, just to have a job. It's killing the rest of us. But, luckily...two great souls have decided Adam was the right one for the job...and we'll be busy for the next few months. Enough to catch us up and hopefully put a little away...for the winter. Which, I'm sure will take it's toll again. But...that's for worrying about in the future! Right now, I'm just happy for the present, and grateful for the upswing!

Second...I'm grateful for the awesome Dustin Dehlin (our neighbor) who totally hooked us up with tickets to see James Taylor and Carole King last night! I wasn't expecting much...but it was free, so why not? It was totally GREAT! I knew more songs than I thought, and the people there were ROCKIN' it! It was hilarious to watch everyone and fun to sing along with them! Thanks Dustin! He's always calling us with great tickets...can't wait for the next show, whatever it may be...

A Wish List & Some Other Stuff

Want to see some things I am currently coveting right now?

They are on my always changing "Wish List", and they are fabulous.

My vacuum died last week,
amongst smoke and sparks.
I'm thinking this one would be nice:

This would be the Hoover Platinum Lightweight Upright Vacuum

And, my camera is on it's last leg also...so I've been eying this little gem:

It's the Nikon D3000, and I can't afford it, but I can dream.


Have you read this book?



If not, you should.
Because its sequel came out yesterday,
and I want it!



You will want it too, after you read the first one.

In other news...

We ate at this fabulous cafe in St. George:

TwentyFive Main Cafe

You MUST go if you haven't been,
it is quite quaint and has GREAT food!

If you haven't seen this movie, you need to.



I loved it.
And, I've been to lots of the places in it,
so that made me love it more.

Did you know that St. George has the best Children's Place in the state?
I'm not kidding.
I've never found better deals at another location.
It's worth a stop if you're driving by. I'm just sayin'.

I'm Back...

...and I'm in the thick of it.

The good thing about vacation is the time you have all to yourself,
and the fun people you get to hang with,
and all the good food you eat,
and the movies you watch,
and the great shopping deals you find.

The bad thing about vacation,
is the hangover the next day.
I just can't get into the swing of anything today.
I'm tired,
and ornery.
I should be happy,
recharged,
and ready to go.
Don't get me wrong,
I'm grateful to be home
with my cute kiddos and hubby.
But seriously,
what is wrong with me?

On a brighter note,
the fabulous Mo,
(my BIL's sister)
posted some great pics from the 4th.
Here are a few fav's:


Miss Audrey



The Always Cute Edie


The Seriously Adorable Kai


Painting Our Patriotic Nails


The Always Awesome Steph

And here's to a more energetic tomorrow.

I'm Looking Forward...

to spending a little "girl time" with some of my favorite ladies this weekend. I wish I could be with ALL my favorite ladies, but there's just too many of you. So, with quite a bit of gratitude in my heart to everyone helping to make this possible, I'll enjoy this short time off from being a mom and get back with you on Sunday. Toodles!

Glad For This

I woke up this morning with Lauren at my bedside saying these words, "Mom, I have a 'pider' on me." And what did I find? Not a spider, but a little, black ant. "Uh, oh." There's always more than one when it comes to ants. And, sure enough...there was a small colony taking up residence in Lauren's room. Feeding on the pieces of cold cereal that were in the corners of the room. (I really do clean)

I'm grateful someone smart invented this stuff:

No more ants, and I can sleep better at night knowing there are no more 'piders' on Lauren.

4th of July

I'm fairly certain that my very first post on our blog was about the 4th of July, 2 years ago. So, happy anniversary to you blog! I don't know if anyone even reads this thing, but it's been a great 2 years.

As tradition holds, we spent our 4th in Huntsville...and it was awesome, as always. Activities were as follows...

• Ran the 10K with Steph (my sis-in-law). We didn't finish under an hour, but we did finish. 66 minutes. I really don't think I'll ever get faster. And, my hips hurt. I'm getting old.
  

• Breakfast in the park, while watching the parade. My favorite part was Security. Aaaahh, Security. For those not in the know, Security was two strapping young men, shirtless, with SECURITY painted across their backs, running around the parade. Did I mention they were strapping? Because they were. What does that mean anyways?

• Sand Volleyball. Enough said.

• Playing in the lake with the girls.

• Eating delicious food.

• Dancing in the park...always one of the highlights of the day.

• Fireworks right over our heads. Lauren was completely enthralled with them this year. She told us she liked every one. "I like that one Dad!", "That one pretty Dad!", "Oh, no I like that one!"

The Harper's are always so accommodating, opening their home to everyone (it was seriously a small city this year) and we are so grateful for their kindness! You are the best! Thank you, thank you!

I'm so grateful to live in a country where we have the freedom to live, worship and believe however we choose. And, I'm grateful for those who fought and still fight to keep that freedom for all. I am truly blessed to have so much!

Happy 4th of July!