I am grateful for the woman who praised Chris tonight. Between Ryan being gone to the Priests's Retreat and preparing to move in a handful of days and therefore having very little food in the house, we went out to eat at Noodles tonight. While I was ordering, Chris went off independently and got a high chair for Max. After ordering, I found him dragging it around trying to find a table for us which was difficult since the restaurant was very busy. He was very good while we ate and was very sweet with Max, sharing his food and such. Apparently this woman had been watching him the entire time. As we were walking across the parking lot, she drove up to us and told me that my boys were beautiful and that Chris was so well-behaved. I was so proud of Chris for being so grown-up and helpful tonight.

I'm so glad that I could go to the dentist today. That's probably a little wierd, but I really like knowing my teeth are clean.

I am very grateful for wonderful neighbors who watch my kids so I can go to the dentist and who bring me treats from Sonic unexpectedly. I really love these women.

I'm grateful for another day without Ryan being over. Only 2 more days to go!

I'm grateful that I can have the scriptures emailed to me and that I've been so much better about consistently reading them. I just feel better reading daily.

I'm so grateful that I could spend the weekend with my entire family. Everyone was there, and my parents got an awesome cabin that we could all stay in. It was so much fun. I'm also glad that my dad has put in so much work into putting all of our family pictures together. It was so fun seeing some of the pictures of my parents as chldren and as young parents.

I'm so happy that my washer is not broken! A few weeks ago, I noticed that my washer was not draining as it should be. In order for the clothes to even dry in the dryer, I would have to put it through an extra spin cycle. On Tuesday, I noticed that the sink in which our washer drains was full of water and was not draining. I stuck my arm into the cold water to dig out a small piece of plywood and some lint, but it still did not drain. I then tried to pull out all the lint that was down inside the sink drain. It still would not drain. After lots of Liquid Plumber, the sink finally drained. When I did my next load of laundry (since I had to wait to put anything through the washer since the sink was backed up), the clothes weren't sopping wet like they had been. My theory is that the drainpipe had been clogged with something, and it finally got pushed out of the drainpipe into the sink and clogged the sink. Hooray for properly working appliances!

I'm also grateful for receiving blessings for doing something nice immediately. Yesterday, I offered to watch a neighbor's kids while she went to pick up her husband from school. In return, she fed Chris, Max, and me dinner. It was so nice to be able to eat with someone since Ryan didn't come home for dinner last night. Plus, no dishes!

I am grateful for Infant Tylenol during these times of teething. It makes a night-and-day difference.

I went to my last Institute class of the year today. It was kind of sad, but I'm grateful that I've been able to go to a class and spend some time on my spirituality, especially since I don't get that stuff at church on Sundays. I've had a wonderful teacher and wonderful classmates who have had great insights into Isaiah. I have really enjoyed going to that class.

I'm grateful for a husband who knows that frozen custard makes almost everything better. He ran and got us some last night after the kids went to bed. I love it when he does that.

I'm glad that we have all been healthy amid this swine flu H1N1 pandemic. I haven't had to worry about the outbreak too much, but it is still a little scary.

I am grateful that we can have good libraries. It is so nice to be able to get new books and movies and music from the library instead of having to buy everything. I am a huge fan of the library, especially for kid stuff. It is also reall fun to have a library branch within walking distance.

I'm grateful that I could get all the laundry folded. The kids didn't even try to unfold everything all that much. Hooray!

I love making Max laugh. It really is quite easy, but it is so gratifying. Today, I was putting a block on my head, "sneezing" and letting the block fall. He thought it was hilarious. We played that game (with Chris, too, of course) for almost half an hour. Max laughed so hard every single time. It was so much fun.

I also really like having Chris play with Max and make him laugh. We 've been washing all the sheets on the beds, and the boys love to jump on the bed after the sheets are changed (off or on) and sing Monkeys Jumping on the Bed. They both get really into it and jump their hearts out. We've played it so much, my arms are quite tired.

I am grateful for good friends. Liz invited us over for lunch today, and getting out of the house and spending some time with friends made a huge difference in my kids' behavior. Chris was so wiped out that he even took a nap. Miracle of miracles!

I am also grateful that we heard from our house lady today. It sounds like we will talk about all the details for the contract on Saturday and get everything taken care of. Hooray! I can't wait to plan out where everything will go and how to decorate.

I'm grateful that the weather has turned and we have been able to spend so much time outside. It has been really fun walking to the library and playing at parks again. I love just being able to go outside and feel the sun's warmth.

I'm grateful that Chris is starting to show signs of being polite without any promptings. Yesterday, he said to some friends, "Thank you coming to my house," and he has been saying please and thank you often all on his own. I'm so proud of him!

I'm grateful that we were able to get to the grocery store and that we have milk again. Hooray!

I'm also grateful that I now have pants that are way too big. It's really nice to see that I have lost weight instead of just hoping and wishing.

I'm glad that preschool is so much easier to run when I have prepared adequately. I'm really glad that I could find enough toilet paper rolls to make Curious Georges.

I know that I haven't posted anything that I am grateful for in a long time. This does not mean that I have not been feeling grateful because it has been quite the opposite. I have faced many situations that have made me ponder on my life and what I am grateful for.

I had the opportunity to go to Alicia's wedding in Seattle. First of all, I am so glad that Ryan had me go. It was wonderful to get away from my routine and to be around some of the best people I know. I feel so lucky to have been able to go. I absolutely love Alicia and Stephanie and Lindsay; they are such fun, strong women and it is so good for me to be around them. They truly helped rejuvenate my spirit in the short amount of time I was around them.

Along the same vein, I am so grateful for all the conversations that I was able to have with Lindsay. I love talking to that girl because she brings a fresh perspective to so many issues. She is a modern, independent woman but still keeps herself grounded. Her example really caused me to think of the role of our Savior as an advocate because I felt like she was mine that weekend. And Max's. Plus, she showed me one of the best examples of honesty that I've seen in quite some time. We had parked in a parking lot to go to Gameworks but then decided that we were not going to stay. We were parked in the lot less than 15 minutes, so we were hoping we wouldn't have to pay the $7 it charged. The attendant told Lindsay to write on her ticket that the movie we were going to see had sold out and then he could let us go without charging us. This is something that I would have gladly done not to pay seven bucks; Lindsay on the other hand told the attendant that she wouldn't write that since it was not true and that she would rather pay the $7. What a tremendous example of maintaining principles even with the little things and for keeping perspective on what is important.

The next weekend, Ryan and I took the kids to visit St. Louis. Amazingly enough, we found the perfect place to live, and I think that we will be able to live there (keeping my fingers crossed still). On that Friday afternoon, we looked at SEVERAL places that had very obvious faults and problems including safety hazards, train tracks, no closets, scary neighborhoods, etc. On our last appointment of the day, which was almost cancelled, we found our potential house. We have sent in our application and we are waiting for the contract. I am so grateful that we were able to find something that fits our price range, timeline, and family situation even though it is pretty early to be looking for housing. I am extemely grateful.

Last weekend was General Conference, and today we had Stake Conference which was a regional broadcast. So, we have been able to listen to the prophet two weekends in a row. That doesn't happen very often, and I feel very lucky to live in a time when we can sit in the comfort of a home or church and listen to our prophet and church leaders.

I am grateful that Chris has been doing so well with potty training. He basically has it down now. He is even putting his underwear and pants back on himself most of the time. Most of the time his underwear is on backwards, but I think I may like that even more than if he did it the right way. It's just so cute.

I am grateful that Max's teeth have cut through and that he is subsequently much happier and pleasant. I am also glad that he can crawl now and likes to himself around.

I really enjoy new recipes (although not everyone in the house does), and this week I tried a new recipe with a completely new ingredient for me. I made a dinner with kale. And Ryan even liked it. Thanks, Food Network!

I am really glad that Ryan and I spent every night for the last few nights watching Firefly. I was definitely skeptical at first, but I ended up really like the series. We even rented the movie that was made after the tv series and watched it last night. It was really fun to watch some sci-fi.

Yesterday, I went to the gym (after a two-week hiatus due to illness) and I used my iPod and new iPod armband. It was awesome! I loved being able to do my elliptical with MY music. Now I'm very excited to create some good playlists to play while I exercise.

Chris went all day without having an accident! Hallelujah!

I got a free bottle of lotion today at the grocery store. I got lotion with cocoa butter because I kind of like smelling like chocolate all day.

I am very grateful that I found my long-lost iPod Touch today. It has been missing for a long, long time, and I am so happy that it finally turned up. I had honestly given up hope, and then I found it in the bag I brought to Institute today. I guess those are the blessings I get from going to Institute.

I am also grateful that everybody in this house is on the mend. Chris has gotten over his ear infection and (mostly) his cold. Max is still fighting his cold, but it seems to be getting better. Ryan was feeling well enough to go to work today, so that's progress. I am feeling better and energetic, even. I think it helps that it's around 50 degrees today.

I am grateful for our new lamp. It gives off so much more light than our old one that we might even be able to talk on the webcam with our families on Sunday nights and have them see us.

I am very grateful for such great health insurance and the ability to get in to see a doctor when we need to see a doctor. I am also grateful for antibiotics.

I'm grateful that we could have dinner with friends on Tuesday night. It was really fun to just sit and talk with the Chastons. We laughed a lot, which was nice after a hard day with sick kids.

Ryan went above and beyond this weekend. First of all, he unburied my car. With the snow that dumped on us yesterday, that was really appreciated when I went to go to church this morning. Yesterday, he also brought me flowers (white roses - they are lovely), very thoughtfully bought me some books (short stories so that I can continue my non-fiction library obsession and still read short stories for sanity), and took me out to Sonic after the boys had gone to bed for some frozen treats. I have the most wonderful husband!

We played hide & seek tonight with Chris, and it was really fun. We found some really good hiding places for Chris, like in the laundry hamper and the hall closet. Chris was so happy and cute playing and calling out to us to come find him, giving away his perfect hiding place.

I'm grateful for the internet and it's ability to connect old friends. Things like blogging and facebook have let me reestablish friendships with people.

Both boys took naps today. At the same time. Monumental!

We got to go to Ryan's work and have lunch with him today. It was really fun to see him in the middle of the day. Plus, Chris was extremely excited about seeing Ryan's workplace. He was exclaiming every chance he got: "These are great stairs!"

My kitchen floor stayed clean today. Hooray!

Today was just an all around good day.

I am grateful that we get to go to St. Louis. I'm glad that Ryan was accepted to all of the schools he applied to, but I'm also glad that scholarship offers made the decision to go to St. Louis easy to make.

I am grateful for the internet and the ability to search for apartments in St. Louis from Madison.

I am very grateful that I could try a new exercise class today. I went to Zumba for the first time and although I didn't get all the latin-dancing moves right away, I did have fun.

I'm grateful that Chris could dance with me in the kitchen today. I have a lot of fun with that kid, and he helps me be happy and energetic.

I'm grateful that I could really clean my kitchen floor today. I love having clean floors.

I'm grateful for Chris's innocence. Today, Max was sitting on the floor and had an explosive poop. It was quite loud for such a little baby. Chris looked at Max with mouth agape and then looked at me and said, "Mom, Max sounds like lightening." He was right, but I couldn't help but laugh.

I'm really grateful that Ryan is coming home tonight. I always miss him when he is away.

I'm grateful that Chris was relatively easy today. He didn't even have to go in timeout once. Way to go, Chris!

We went to the library today, and I checked out Charlotte's Web to read with Chris. Since I haven't been able to get him to nap using our typical reading routine, I thought I would change it up with a longer book with a few pictures. It didn't so much work like I had dreamed, but he was interested in the story and wanted me to keep reading. We got through four chapters, which I thought was quite a bit. It's such a cute story; it's fun to read out loud.

I'm grateful that I have multiple pairs of glasses so that when Chris steps on one pair, I have another ready to put on my face.

I'm grateful that I could make a real dinner tonight. I think it helped Chris have a sense of normalcy since Ryan is gone.

I'm glad that both Ryan and I get to watch Lost tonight, even if it is not together.

I'm really glad that we could have clean coats. I washed them last night because they had gotten nasty, and it was really nice to have nice-smelling coats without any grime from rubbing against any cars.

I am grateful that I have a husband who will turn down a night with the guys watching a baseball documentary to have a night with me. I'm glad that I didn't have to spend another night alone. Thanks, Ryan.

I'm glad that we figured out a way to make a decision about school when we have all the infromation available. Hopefully this plan to wait until Friday will work, meaning I hope that we will get the information we need on Friday.

I'm grateful that Chris is feeling better and that he has overcome his resistance to go potty. I think the resistance may have come from feeling a little sick.

I'm grateful for preschool. I really enjoy having some time just with Max and having some time that I can work on a project.

Last night, Ryan and I made some healthy milkshakes (pomegranate swirl frozen yogurt, blueberries, banana, and milk) and watched the Mormon version of Pride & Prejudice. I had a marvelous time. It was so fun to just sit and watch a fun movie and eat delicious treats with the man I love.

I'm grateful that our cars are clean. The weather last weekend was beautiful, so we got the chance to wash off the filthiness that was on our cars.

I also took the kids to the zoo. Chris had a blast jumping in all of the puddles, and Max enjoyed his stroller ride. All in all, a great trip to the zoo. Plus, we got to see the new tiger.

I'm glad that I got to go to Institute today. It has given me a lot to think about, and it's been a long time since I've gone to the class - I've been in the nursery since we started this year. It was good for me to be there.

I'm glad that I went grocery shopping today. I feel better about cooking meals that are planned out in advance instead of figuring out what I can make with whatever ingredients we have on hand.

I love watching Lost with Ryan. It's a fun show, and we have fun watching it together.

I am grateful that I could laugh so much tonight in our Primary presidency meeting. It felt really nice to laugh.

I am grateful for youtube. It allowed me to have a great time with the preschool kids doing the hokey pokey and the bunny hop with minimal effort and preparation. Technology makes so many things easier, and I'm glad that I live in these times.

I am grateful that Ryan got a raise. Way to go! It helps us save more money for when we won't have a job.

I'm grateful for wonderful friends who came over to watch the superbowl last night. We had a great time and had wonderful food. I'm also grateful for both bowls of guacamole that people brought. I love that stuff. I also am very grateful that some people stayed and helped clean up after the fact - how nice is that. It makes me want to do nice things for other people.

I'm grateful for Ryan taking out the garbage. It seems like we have SOOO much more garbage these days, and I'm glad that Ryan takes it out most of the time. Keeps me inside where it is warm.

I'm grateful that Chris wanted to cuddle with me this afternoon so that we could both get a little nap in.

I love having new pictures of our family around the apartment. I put up some of our new pictures, and it's fun seeing both kids' faces.

I am glad that potty training has been going better than expected. Chris has been cooperative and easily motivated. He has really caught on to the whole peeing in the potty thing very quickly. I feel like he just needs more practice and time. He even woke up dry this morning. Wow!

I am grateful that we could see Ryan for lunch before he left out of town.

I'm grateful for facebook and the chance to catch up with old friends and distant family members.

I am happy that the flowers Ryan bought me are blooming now so that I can have a reminder of him while he's away. Plus, they are absolutely beautiful and smell heavenly.

I love going to bed late and going to bed early. And I've been able to do both the last two nights (one each night). I love getting more sleep than usual, but I also love hanging out with Ryan without the kids.

I am very grateful for friends who invite us to do things. Today, we were invited to a Summer in the Middle of Winter party. It was so fun - everyone wore summer clothes, we ate barbequed hot dogs, played limbo and twister, and fought with swords. We had so much fun. They even had some beach video off of youtube playing with the waves crashing on the beach.

I love the library. I am so thankful we can go to the library and check out 40 items and not have to pay anything. How awesome is that?

I am grateful that Max did not have a blow-out today. This has been the first day in over two weeks.

I am grateful that Chris could poop on the toilet last night. A huge feat of endurance, strength, and emotional control on my part. And on his. I am also grateful for children's laxatives.

I am grateful for sandwiches with tomatoes and lettuce. The extra effort to slice the tomatoes and get out the lettuce was totally worth it.

I love Chris's enthusiasm for doing fun things. We played in the snow today, and he was all smiles, until the snow got on his face.

I am grateful for stuff being organized in plastic bins. I don't know why I feel better when things are in bins, but I do.

I am grateful for free stickers in the mail. Especially the Disney ones.

I love the smell of homemade cookies. And I love that I could make homemade cookies this afternoon to occupy Chris because I had put our dinner in the crockpot this morning. I love crockpot meals.

I love watching Max in his little jumper/exersaucer toy. He loves jumping in it which is so cute. I also love that when I am holding him, he will squeal and move his head into my line of sight to get my attention. And then he's give me a huge grin. Priceless.

Today, I spaced. We went to Target, and Chris was a little tantrum-y, so I was a little unhinged and forgot my purse in the cart. Thankfully, it was still in the cart when I remembered and drove back to get it. The amazing thing was that the cart and the purse were still in the cart corral and had not been moved. I prayed the whole way there that it would still be outside because both boys had fallen asleep in the car, and I really didn't want to wake them up and deal with the rudely awakened toddler and baby problem. So, I am especially grateful that nothing had been moved.

I am grateful that Chris *seems* excited about his big boy underwear.

I am grateful that Max took two good naps today (even with the falling asleep in the car business).

I'm grateful that I could go to the grocery store by myself (no kids) yesterday. It was so much easier to get what we needed without the distractions that two kids bring.

I'm grateful that Ryan came home from work with a flower for me. I really love having flowers on my kitchen table. Especially in the middle of an arctic chill.

I'm grateful for the CD that Matt made for us. There are a few songs on it that I really love, and I must remember to ask him who the artists are.

Along the music lines, I love "Nessun Dorma" from Turandot. We have had it playing on and off all day today, and I love it.

I'm glad that the dishes got done - thanks to Ryan.

My feet have been buffed and slathered with cream, and it feels soothing and tingly. Hopefully, my feet will soften up a bit now.

I'm glad that I could go through the boys' clothes today and get out some bigger clothes for Max. I'm really glad that I won't have to struggle to snap his clothes on now (at least for another little while).

I'm especially grateful that Ryan took Chris to his church meeting tonight. I needed some alone time after 3 straight days in the house with the boys.

I'm grateful for ice cream, and I'm glad nobody was at home to see how much of it I ate.

We got 3 packages yesterday! It was like Christmas all over again. My mom sent me a much-needed foot cream set that smells wonderful. Thanks, Mom! We also received a package from my in-laws with more presents, including an incredibly cute homemade purse. My sister also sent a package with lots of puzzles and boots and a coat for Chris.

We got to see some friends, eat cake, and talk and laugh. Much appreciated socializing when it's been too cold to do anything.

Chris has been much more cooperative when it comes to nap and bedtime. For a while, he would refuse to take a nap unless I was in his room taking a nap with him. Now, I can get through the naptime routine and leave him in his room to fall asleep on his own, and he won't get up even when Max is screaming (happy or sad screaming). It's been very nice t have naptime back again.

I am grateful for The Office and the TBS reruns of previous seasons on Tuesday nights. I love that show.

I am grateful that we could stay inside today when the weather was so bitter cold, but more importantly I am grateful that the kids were relatively good even though we didn't get out of the house.

Chris makes me laugh every day. Today, he was spinning for about 30 seconds. He stopped and said, "Mom, what is our house doing?"

I'm glad that I called and found out how to stop the monthly $12 service charge on our checking account.

I love hearing Chris learning grammar - he has very funny usage, where you can tell he's trying to figure out the rules of the English language. For example, he often asks, "Is this mine's?" He also said this morning, "He wake up'd." I think this language exploration is a lot of fun.

My friend Liz fed me lunch today. I am always grateful to have someone who is over the age of 10 to eat lunch with. Mealtime is definitely the time when I want company, and it is nice to have someone different to talk to and discuss things with. Plus, Liz always has great food.

Max went down to sleep tonight very easily. My nerves appreciate a night without crying.

I mdae cornbread muffins tonight for dinner and they turned out very well. I haven't eaten cornbread in a long time, and I had forgotten how much I liked it.

I know that I haven't posted anything for a while, so I wanted to get started again. I have missed too much to think I can catch up in one night, so my plan is to list several things I'm grateful fo every day for the next while.

I'm grateful that out of two major falls in church today, all Chris has to show for it is a few bumps and a little blood. No trips to the hospital or even trips home. I've got one tough kid.

I'm grateful that Ryan got home before we did and that he did all the dishes. I'm always grateful when I don't have to do dishes.

It made me really happy when Dora told me that I looked "elegant" today in church. Sunday is the one day I really try to look decent, and it's really nice when someone notices and comments.