oops. it's been a while. so i'll be grateful for the things i can think of from the past month.
1) turning 30 was good in a surprising way: i am grateful for all the people that really do know me - they showed this by giving me gift cards to barnes & noble for books, or giving my my fav treats like cinnamon bears (choc. covered or regular) and cheesecake. i also enjoyed shopping and cheesecake factor (notice a theme) with mom and linds.
2) swim lessons with a GREAT teacher!
3) warm summer weather, finally!
4) beautiful island park with chris' great family
5) going to YW camp and being with great girls (although i'm a bit apprehensive about having all my older ones move on without me!)
6) Oquirrah Mtn Temple Open house and for the opp to have temples so nearby, eventhough I don't take advantage like i should
7) getting an early start on my christmas shopping! wahoo!

friends

just to name a quick few that have been on my mind:
Kelly - for making me okay with more hugging and touching for friendship - which is an amazing way to make a person feel listened to and welcomed
Jen F - for always knowing and recognizing the power of prayer and helping me be more in-tune to using it

the last day

grateful for amazing teachers that make my kids learning experiences positive: Mrs. King for Cade - who kept her cool with all the kids and was organized and appreciated Cade for Cade; and Miss Julie and her songs and play that were just what Ellie needed to enjoy learning, esp. for her 1st year in preschool!

accomplishments

whoops. it's been a while.
i'm grateful for projects that DO get done, because sometimes it seems that there are SOOOOOO many that don't! (and they get done, but sleep deprivation kicks in the next morning and so i still wonder if we're 'saving' anything by doing it ourselves!)

for Firsts

this past 3-day weekend we spent with friends in Starr Valley, WY at their cabin. while there, the moms took the kids on a walk while the dads cleaned-up dinner. i strapped Chase in the backpack, found the camera and off we went. as we were trotting along the dirt roads i whispered (as our usually token converstaion) "bubba" and he whispers back "wha" (meaning what) and I say, "I love you" to which he usually giggles and smiles at me. This time, after the giggling, he yells, "Mom" and i say, "what" and he says, "I LOVE YOU!" for the very first time ever. definately the best.

overall, a good kid

so i went to cade's kindergarten assessment/end-of-year testing the other day. not only did he get 100% on the test (i knew he was totally ready for 1st grade) but he even shocked the teacher with his sorting-skills. she had a pile of paper bugs, various sizes, shapes and types. she had him sort them by size and then asked him to sort them a different way. he baffled her (and me) by sorting them by insects and non-insects...a way that had never been done before. he is smart (a mother's boast can be truth) and he is a great student and I am really proud of him.

soreness

i'm grateful for good workouts that leave you with a good soreness that makes it feel like you did something good!