I need my friends!

I am so thankful that I have been blessed with many wonderful friends! Each and every one are very important to me. My friends fill my life with happiness and support me when I need to be held up. Today Kellie and Crystal held me up. Funny because I didn't really know I needed to be until we started talking. The conversation started off with Kellie asking how our ward conference went. Right away I got emotional and ending up sharing more of my life and thoughts and concerns than I planned on. My good friends listened and encouraged. I know they didn't judge me. (they might think I'm a bit crazy and delusional and I hope they are right)

Actually that is what I think I am. I hope the things I shared won't really happen. I hope I am absolutely wrong!

I wasn't the only one that got emotional and I am glad. We just had some heart felt talk going on today. I am thankful for friends you can talk to about anything. I think it shows a trust and love that is pretty special. These two friends are pretty special. I am once again so very Grateful to Heavenly Father for blessing me with the people I need. I love my friends!

Bishop Ropelato

I marvel at this guy the ward calls Bishop. I love just watching him. I sit in church and watch inspiration come to him. I can tell because he gets choked up and teary. He "hears" the voice of the Lord. I know that to be true! I love what has happened to my hubby! He has always been a great guy but is so much better right now. I can honestly say I have not met a better man! I love my sweet hubby and eternal companion.

I love watching God work with him. He is growing closer to God and our Savior all the time. I envy that just a little but must admit I don't work at it like him. Larry is reading and praying all the time. (not really all the time but often) I know God has other plans for me.....He's molding me using different techniques. I'm sure the changes in me aren't as big as the changes in Larry but that's okay....I trust God.

I love Bishop Ropelato. I trust in him to do the Lord's will. I am glad I have witnessed the change of his soul. I am glad to be his eternal companion!

good week!

This week I had a lot of fun with some of my friends and family. On Monday I went to lunch with Kellie Cooke and we had a great visit. (she doesn't like her picture taken) It was so nice just sitting and visiting. I love Kellie more all the time.

Then Larry had a day off Tuesday and we had planned on going to the Temple but he was really sick. I did what I could for him and then I went to the Temple with my kids, Justin, Natalie and Kevin. I was really glad Kevin drove because it was snowing pretty hard in the canyon and it would have freaked me out. We went to the Logan Temple because the Bountiful is closed right now. It was a nice session and I just felt good. We went to Fredrico's after for some lunch. I loved spending time with my kids......I sure do love them all!

Since Larry was sick and I didn't really have any other responsiblities we snuggled a lot. I didn't worry about getting sick. I just loved being by my sweetie. So it was nice having him home sick for a few days. On Wednesday I felt that Jen Simpson needed to talk. I was right and so I met her at Bagels & Buns and really we just talked. I brought home the bagel sandwich for Larry. (at least half of it and the chips) Jen had been down and had thought about calling Larry or one of the boys for a blessing but kept talking herself out of it. I was really glad I had that "feeling" about Jen and that she was able to get a blessing. I love Jen! (I forgot to take a picture)

Thursday I went bowling and did quite well. At least I was consistant. I like bowling because I can tell I make others happy. Some even tell me that I am their favorite and they love that I love life. I just hope to spread happiness around. I think that is my purpose on Earth.....to help others smile! After bowling I met Ann for lunch. It seems that Ann and I only see each other once a year or so and we miss each other. I love Ann and when we talk we always notice how alike we are. We think and feel a lot of the same ways. We totally get each other. It's cool to have friends that are so like me. (I have 3 that are so similar) Thursday Night Kimi and Jared had a choir concert which is always enjoyable.

Friday I was a sub for bowling. I improved each game and had a good time. (of course I did) That night Larry and I went out with the Taylors. Kim and I grew up together and she was even in my Wedding Line. Larry plays soccer with Kim and her kids so we see them every week. I am glad that we decided to go to dinner. We really did it to get our kids together. Braxton and Karleigh came too. I think they had fun together but I don't think it will ever go further than just friends.
Needless to say this was a busy and fun week! I loved every day. Larry teased me about not having to cook since I went out so much. I brought him home leftovers though and I have noticed they have been eaten. I did cook dinner a few times this week. So my family was taken care of and so was I.

Car Wash

I needed to post this event all by itself. It happened on Wednesday before I met up with Jen. I had gone to the store to get some medicine for Larry and decided to stop for gas and a car wash. I was going through a car wash like the picture. You put your car in nutural and enjoy the ride. Right away I noticed water dripping from my sun roof. I was trying to see if it was open and about that time water and suds came right in the passenger window which was completely open. I just bust up laughing as the inside of my car got soaked. I was trying to get the windows closed and noticed the back passenger window was also opened a little. I am not sure how the windows got opened but I was laughing my guts out. Seriously it was so funny to me. Have you ever laughed hard by yourself? I think it makes it even funnier. I couldn't stop laughing. I pulled out of the wash and was really glad that this place had towels to dry your car. I needed a bunch. I grabbed the towels and wiped the inside down first. Water was pretty much everywhere. The back mat was pretty soaked but I was able to get it all wiped up.

My car ended up being a little (or a lot) cleaner than I had anticipated. I was still laughing and decided to share why with the girl wiping down her car. I asked her if she wanted to hear something funny and shared my story. She laughed too and I told her it was okay to share but I didn't want her saying "some old lady" went through the car wash with her windows open. I told her I blamed it on being 50 but she didn't need to share that part. Her mouth dropped and her eyes went wide and she said she thought I was only in my 30's. (like her) Right on baby! It was totally worth going through the car wash with my windows open. The girl made my day! She also wanted to know what creams I used.....I wish I would have been quicker and told her it was the wax from the car wash. hahaha

My Favorite Song Right Now

I love this song! My whole life I have struggled with believing I was enough. Deep in my heart I believed it but I always let others influence me and chose to just not believe it. I still question this at times but am much better at believing that I am amazing just the way I am. I try to help others realize that too. We are all amazing just the way we are! We are different from each other for a reason and that doesn't make one of just better or more amazing than the next! I know Heavenly Father thinks we are Amazing Just The Way We Are! Heck and who else matters? (no one!)

"Just The Way You Are"
[Verse 1:]Oh, her eyes, her eyes Make the stars look like they're not shinin' Her hair, her hair Falls perfectly without her trying She's so beautiful And I tell her everyday (yeahh)
I know, I know When I compliment her she won't believe me And it's so, it's so Sad to think that she don't see what I see But everytime she asks me "Do I look okay? "I say

[Chorus:]When I see your face (face face...) There's not a thing that I would change' Cause you're amazing Just the way you are And when you smile The whole world stops and stares for a while' Cause girl you're amazing Just the way you are

[Verse 2:] Her lips, her lipsI could kiss them all day if she'd let me Her laugh, her laugh She hates but I think it's so sexy She's so beautiful And I tell her everyday Oh you know, you know, you know I'd never ask you to change If perfect's what you're searching for Then just stay the same So don't even bother asking if you look okay You know I'll say

[Chorus:]When I see your face There's not a thing that I would change' Cause you're amazing Just the way you are And when you smile The whole world stops and stares for a while' Cause girl you're amazing Just the way you are The way you are The way you are Girl you're amazing Just the way you are

[Chorus:]When I see your faceThere's not a thing that I would changeCause you're amazing Just the way you are And when you smile The whole world stops and stares for awhile Cause girl you're amazing Just the way you are Yeah

Bazaar but Funny

So Sunday morning I put in a new contac lens and threw my old one down the toilet. I couldn't see with the new lens and so I opened another one and tried it. I couldn't see with it either but left it in thinking it was better than not having one in. I use a contact for my left eye to see far away. Needless to say everything was mostly blurry on Sunday and when we got home I took it out. So my lens case now had two new lens since I had tried two that day. I got the others lens out and was going to take them back to the eye doctor since I was sure I had the wrong prescription. On Monday when I woke up I could see pretty good and even when I went outside I could see as far as when I had a contact in. I thought it was weird but also awesome! (a miracle) This went on until today when I woke up and thought it really feels like I have a contact in. When I forget about them and sleep in them my eye is a bit blurry and watery in the morning for just awhile. So I went in and pinched my eye like I would if there was a contact in it and I was getting it out......and guess what? There was a contact on my eye! That's what is so bazaar~ how in the heck did I have a contact in if I still had the two from Sunday! My guess is that there were two in the new container and when I couldn't see and went to replace it one came out and the other one stayed in place. hahaha No wonder I couldn't see on Sunday. I was wearing two contacts without knowing it! And the reason I could see Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday was because I had a contact in without knowing it! Crazy and Funny!

Best Valentine! Happy Birthday Jaydan!

Twenty one years ago our family got the best Valentine ever! Jaydan John Ropelato was born. Thank goodness for Doctors and nurses and monitors and oxygen. If I wouldn't have been in the Hospital getting started this boy wouldn't have made it. I decided to get started so my Doctor could be the one delivering this baby. I really wasn't in a hurry to get this guy here because life was already so busy. Thank goodness I did make the decision to be started. Our Jaydan had a square knot in his umbilical cord which was also wrapped around his little neck. Needless to say the baby wasn't getting enough oxygen. I knew we had a problem when the nurse came in and put an Oxygen Mask on me. (hadn't had that with the first four births)

The Doctor came in quick and was able to get Jaydan delivered. The little guy was as blue as the Doctor's gown. I remember the nurse or Darinda taking him over and putting Oxygen in his face. He pinked up pretty fast and has been pretty healthy and happy since!

Jaydan has always been such a joy! Easy, easy baby for sure. I could take him anywhere with me and he just played where I put him. He wasn't a busy body....thank goodness. (I already had a few of those) Jaydan was just my buddy! I thought having a birthday on Valentines was very appropriate for him since he was and is such a love.

Jaydan has always been so easy going and good. I don't remember ever getting mad at this kid. (he swears though that I broke a yard stick on him but I can't even imagine that. Plus I can't remember having yard sticks and using them on the kids) The only time I remember being really frustrated with this cute kid was when he was in 8th grade. He had hit puberty and didn't care about his grades. He said he cared but didn't have the drive to do much about it. I went to school with him a few times and even sat in a class with him. At that point I figured he would have to decide how bad he wanted to graduate. I wasn't going to go to school again. That's really the only time though I really remember getting after this kid.

Jaydan is such an awesome, fun, loving, tender, funny, kind son. I am so glad he's mine! Jaydan really is the best Valentine!

caught ya

Larry and I went into Dilly Dally's today to pass a little time before we went to visit our friend at the prison. We were going down the aisle with all the St. Patrick decorations. I put a hat on Larry as I said "kiss me I'm Irish". We kissed and right then the owner of the store walked by that aisle and said "caught ya". We just laughed and chatted with him a minute. He asked if we were embarrassed but we weren't. He said he would have been and is when him and his wife get caught in the back sharing a kiss. It was even funnier when Larry got a text from another friend saying he heard we were kissing in the store. hahaha I told Larry we probably made their day! I know it made mine! I love sharing kisses with Larry even if neither of us really are Irish!

I BELIEVE IN CHRIST

Today I taught Relief Society and the lesson was on our Testimony of Jesus Christ. How well do we really know Him? We know so many things about Jesus but how well do we know Jesus? I know that through my experiences in my life I am getting to know Him better. I am thankful for all the experiences that bring me closer to Christ. They are usually the hard times that do it but oh so worth it. I love my Savior! I know that He lives! I know He knows and cares about each one of us on a personal basis! (it's true!) I know that because of Him I can return home to my Heavenly Parents. I love Jesus! I am trying to be like Jesus! I want to help others to know Him and trust Him! I am so thankful for Jesus, for his example, his life and his death. He is my King, my Hero, my Friend! Oh my I love Him so much!

A Day with the Girls & Roses

Today was the Janice Hayhurst Memorial Girl & Women in Sports Day! My girls and I started bowling on it a few years back. We think it's a fun out and always have a good time visiting and laughing and enjoying each other. I like little traditions because it means it will happen again. I love spending time with my kids. I think I have some of the cutest and nicest ever born! So in LOVE with all of them!

Trichelle made us laugh the first game. She would walk right up to the lane and roll it in the gutter. Not on purpose of course but it just took some time to figure out what to do. She even switched hands. (she just needed a bigger ball that wouldn't fit in the gutter) She started grannying the ball and that worked better. The first game was so funny she wanted a picture. You might notice we all got strikes in the 3rd, 6th and 9th frames.....everyone does. It makes it go faster and helps the scores. :) I continually look forward to being with my girls and kids and grands. I love our traditions!

After bowling I went crafting with the ladies! I really don't care about the crafts even though they are cute and fun it's the socializing I like! (of course it is) I just enjoy doing things with my cute friends. I always feel so happy when I am around others having a good time. I'm addicted to FUN!

When I got home I was pleasantly surprised by my thoughtful hubby. He sent me rose for Valentines. He sent them early so I can enjoy them now and so that they will be open and full on Valentines Day. Dang I married a cool guy! I Love him completely!

I love getting roses from Larry. I never bore of it and they always make me smile and feel so very loved! Larry just keeps getting better! Dang I look forward to every single day ahead and of course I enjoy each and every day now! I'm such a lucky girl!

YUM & FUN

I love going to lunch with my friends. It's what people do to get together and visit and enjoy each other. My mom's friends use to get together and play cards or sit in the front room and visit with a Pepsi. I rather like going out to lunch. It's how I spend my money. I enjoy my new/old friends so much and can't get enough of them! Just looking at our pictures makes me smile and even laugh out loud just a little. We have such a good time! I'm happier because of my friends. They just enrich my life so much. I love this time of my life. (I've loved all the stages of my life though)

Today we chose Taggarts because of the desserts. Oh my heck....YUM! We got the desserts to GO though since we decided to eat healthy first and then there just wasn't room. Even the display is so satisfying!

It seems we usually make a new friend when we are together. I think it's because others enjoy "Happy" and that's what we are. Today we met Tony.

Tony caught me in the Men's room. I was hoping to be out before a man needed it but didn't quite make it. So that's how we met Tony. He took a few pictures for us and we had to get one with him. Even his little boy took one of us outside. It's fun bringing smiles to other people too!

Did I mention we always laugh when we are together! I love laughing it truly is one of my favorite things to do. I still remember in 7th grade in a music class the teacher, Mr May, asking us to tell about ourselves. I remember telling the class even back then that I loved to laugh. (laughing of course) We really do laugh more than we consume! We just pay for the food and box it up and take it home.

I swear the more I get to know Jodi the more we realize how much a like we are. One of the only things we differ on is our love for cats. (or lack of love) Jodi loves them and me.....well I don't. Jodi came up with a little thought about her and I. She said: "we are twin sista's seperated at Earth." hahaha I think she is right! So glad we found each other after all these years.

I enjoy all the ladies I have been reconnected with. They are all so fun and kind. Have I ever mentioned how blessed I am? (I know I have...but can't quite seem to express it enough)"The sign of a beautiful person is that they always see the beauty in others" These ladies are beautiful.....inside and out!

They Build Me UP!

What a blessing to have friends that build you up! Right now these three women do that for me! I am very thankful for each one. They make me laugh! They make me feel good about myself! They make me want to be better! They encourage me! They make me smile! (I like smiling)

Since the Shannondoah Ward was organized and Larry became Bishop these women have held me together. Not sure that they even know what a huge impact they are in my life. I have needed them and again God Knew! I am so glad that Heavenly Father sends me such wonderful people to help me through.....everything! Thank you Cindy, Crystal and Mindy! Love you all so much!

(Hope none of you care that I "borrowed" your pictures)

My Mom is 75

Today is my mom's 75th birthday! I went up to visit her and take her a little gift. My mom was so happy today. I had a great time visiting with her and my dad. I love my parents and I am very glad that they are still around.

My sister stopped over too and it was nice seeing and visiting with her too. I'm not very good at getting over to my parents very often but when I do I am always so glad. We have lots of good memories and it's always fun to reminisce.

My mom has taught me a lot and I sure do love her. She is such a good person and cares about others. Today is her day and I know she was loving it. I love her!

"Bud"dies

I Love my Friends! I Love spending time with my Friends! I Love that I am blessed with so many wonderful Friends!

I am so thankful for these two beautiful ladies! I became friends with them both when Larry and I moved to Hooper. (20 years ago) They have loved and supported me through everything and still do. I love how positive and upbeat Judy and Tammy are. They build me up whenever I talk to them. I am so glad that we were able to get together tonight and enjoy each other a little bit more! I admire each of them so much. These are some very talented gals!

I think it's kind of funny how quickly time flies and all that we have been able to share with each other. True friends are forever! The time lapse between our visits doesn't seem to matter....we pick right up and carry on. My heart is happy! I cherish my friends and thank Heavenly Father daily for all of them.

I'm not going to school so why all the homework?

Every day between 3:00 and 6:00 (or later) I am a bit ornery. (some days more than a bit) Jared has homework every day and won't do it without my help. I didn't help him last year hoping he would take some responsiblity and trust himself and just do it. Last year he was better about doing things himself. This year he expects my help on everything. I will say it again: "I hate homework!" I shouldn't be doing it. I don't even know the answers anymore. I would have to read the book or sit in class. I get so darn frustrated with Jared. I told him that one of the things we learned from his "little scouting experience" is that he could think on his own and trust himself. I'm not nice about it at all. If I don't help him he just doesn't do it. Part of me doesn't care because he is learning the same either way. I know he can do it! (I really do care)

Today I am looking forward to the next 6 years flying by! I got my diploma and don't need another one with Jared's name on it. This last year I have thought a lot about helping my kids and how it might not really be helping them like I had thought. I might have to let him fail before he realizes it is him who needs to understand and finish the work. He needs to be responsible for him. I don't know how to help him understand because I'm not the one in school studying that stuff. Geeze being a mom is really hard at this time of day! I prefer summers! (no school)