Firsts

For some reason in the last couple of days, I've thought to myself on several occasions that I'm doing things for the first time in my life (IML) or first time in New York (INY). Just thought I'd record and share them with you.

I bought a new cell phone (INY). First one (IML) to have a keypad and flip open the way it does.

Two week ago, I made lunch for the first time at daycare (IML)

Now, I know that doesn't sound so great, but I've helped with breakfast and snacks...I just wasn't ready to make lunch because I hadn't quite grasped how much of what to make, how exactly it was usually made, or if the meal itself took a long time for the kids to eat or just a short time.

I deposited a check for the first time in my new checking account. (INY)

In 10 days, I'll experience my first commercial flight. (IML)

But not my first time flying, thanks to my uncle Chuck who is a pilot.

I entered my PIN for my debit card for the first time this past week. (IML)

My car had it's first flat tire. (IMY)

I experienced my first snowfall! (INY)

Last week, was the first morning frost I've had to scrape off my windows. (INY)

I attended Mass for the first time (INY) with Picker Ed and James. (IML)

This was a deal Ed and I made, if we went to Mass, he'd come to a service.

I tried a Chinese fruit for the first time (IML) and I don't even know the name of it.

I bought and now own, for the first time (IML), a box of 96 Crayola crayons.

I recently (as of the last two nights) started coloring after I get home from work and seriously love it!

For the first time (IMY), I've been away from home for 7 months!

Even at 21, my life is filled with firsts! As I thought I could probably have enough to post about, I realized that my the firsts I mentioned here are all mostly positive. Which made me then realize, my life is really good these days. I've even noticed more spunk in my step, patience in my voice, passion in my day, and even excitement as the alarm goes off!

Needless to say, God is GOOD!!

Thankful Thursday

1. I am so thankful for the amazing fall weather this week. As I posted last week, it was snowing and I thought winter was here. Nope! It reached 70 once this week and has been in the mid 60's for the rest of it! Oh, how I love warm weather and I am thankful for this one last glimpse of it before things change for a while!

2. I am thankful that my cell phone is still usable after falling into the toilet. Now don't think I was texting or talking on it while I was using the bathroom facilities, rather it was in my pocket and I was helping a lil one get the training seat onto the toilet. I watched it plop and settle. Thankfully, it was just flushed after another lil one used it, so I reached right in and grabbed a paper towel to dry it off. Unfortunately, some buttons aren't quite right and it IS about time I get a new one...so I'm going to look and maybe buy another one soon.

3. I am thankful that God has been working in me. My doubts and concerns that I wrote about here have become mostly silent. He is teaching me to truly trust Him and His Word, to have patience, and to know that He IS directing my path, no matter how confusing it all seems to me. He's teaching me that it's okay to use discernment, but to grasp and hold onto the truth that I do hear. I'm so thankful God is working in me!

4. I am thankful that my car's headlights went out when they did, that I noticed it when I did, that it didn't cost me a lot to replace them, and that James knew how to install the new ones. I didn't hit a deer.
I didn't get a ticket.
I didn't brake the bank.
and
I didn't have to pay someone an insanely high installation fee.

and on this Thankful Thursday

5. I am very thankful for my job. I've said it before and I'll say it again. God dropped the best thing into my lap! It is so perfect for me! The hours aren't bad, the pay is just about right, and environment is encouraging. To top all that off, the kids are usually really good! I know my patience could be tested way more than it ever really is. I just love it and I'm so thankful to be working there!

I am participating in "Thankful Thursday"
with Samara at Simplicity in the Suburbs

for the Month of November.
Please join us during this time of thanksgiving

in the comments, if you will.
Just 5 things you're thankful for!

The Things They Say

Remi (3) said while playing "In my opinion, I am a princess..." pause as the thinks about it. "...In my opinion."

Kyla (3) said after a bowel movement "My butt don't hurt" as she shakes her head wildly

Lauren (21 months) after I sneakily ask her "Do you remember my name?" "Anna." Oh how I love that!

Jed (3) says as he changes his mind from being done to not being done, "I have to poop." Moments later... "Did you hear that?" Thankfully, I was spared.

Remi (3) said as she pulls up her shorts "I got my shorts on all by myself!" then loudly "Yah Remi!!"

Josh (4) said as he looked out the window, "It must be autumn." because the leaves were falling like rain.

Savannah (3) said to me while I was writing her name with crayons, "You have such bEEaUUtiful letters, Miss Anna!"

Jed (3) said to Kyla, "Shit! GO SHIT!" Jed can't always pronounce his S's correctly. Realizing he was saying "Sit! Go Sit!" I had to pick up my jaw. He said it several times after that, I'm not sure why he really wanted her to "shit".

I love my job, so much!

Birthday Fun!

With James turning 25 and a time to celebrate his life, we've been having a lot of fun! I didn't start planning a whole lot until Wednesday and Thursday of last week. I have a tendency to get so excited it's almost unbearable for me to not drop hits and wait, but I had developed some fun ideas!

I had to work on Friday, which was okay, it actually turned out to be one of the best days I've worked so far. Maybe, because I was so excited for the day, that I had more patience...but I think the kids were extra good AND I got enough sleep the night before.

After work I picked up a few things to hide in his Scavenger Hunt I planned for him. Oh how much fun I had! On his hunt, he was all over the house and even outside at one point. He had clues like "Mr. and Mrs. Smith ...nope, not you and I" directing him to the movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Another with only lines, where he had to play "Hang Man" to figure out what the clue was (h_ _ _ _ rger helper is all he needed). It was just a lot of fun! Also on his hunt, he found a mini cake, which I had a candle on top, so I lit it and sang "Happy Birthday" to him, 3 shirts, zebra cakes, and a desk-sized calender, which he's been wanting badly for Strawberry Planning.

A birthday wouldn't quite be complete without either a birthday meal specially made or dinner at a favorite restaurant. Since we don't eat out too often, I decided to bring him out for some Chinese, because when we do go out, he usually lets me pick the place...and that's never for Chinese food. He loves Chinese food, so why not hit up his favorite Chinese Buffet?!

With a full night's time ahead of us, I planned to go out dancing! He loves to dance, as do I, but really have no opportunities to do so, so I thought it would be good if we hit up the dance floor! I've only been to two weddings with him and both times, he never pulled out the dance moves he always claims to have!

But...after a long day of work for the both of us, the scavenger hunt, and eating until we couldn't eat anymore. We were tired. We decided to save the night of dancing for another time and just head home. On our way through town, we came near to the movie theater. I remembered that "This Is It" was playing and thought James might want to see that. He did, so we went. Michael Jackson, really has skills! His voice is still going strong and those dance moves.. they are so impressive! I guarantee better than anything James or I could have pulled of!

We must be getting old if we traded a night of dancing for a movie filled with it. But, oh well.. We'll save that for a night when we have enough energy to make the night as fun as it can be!