I enjoy going bowling. Not because of the bowling but because of the ladies I get to bowl with. I have become aquainted with so many great ladies and made so many new friends. That's the real reason I continue to go!
I get hugs from Sylvia and she always tells me she loves me and calls me her Dawn's early light. I love watching others make their way to Sylvia also...she gives great hugs. I "WooHooHoo" it up with Taryn. She told me I am one of her favorites. :) I laugh with Debbie, Cheryl, Julie and Lynn over anything. Tina from my Thursday team said she liked coming because I was always so upbeat and positive and she liked being around me. I am not quiet while I bowl....I make a lot of noise and cheer for everyone. I smile when I hear the same noises come from others.
I get asked to sub quite a bit these days and I think it's because I am fun.......I'm sure it's not because I am good. I can bowl good but I don't all the time. Today I was subbing and having a great time and the last game I bowled a 242! WOOHOO to ME! Funny thing is I didn't even realize I was doing so well. I knew my team mate was and I was watching her score but didn't pay attention to mine. My team mate, Janet bowled a 245! I was shocked I was so close. I guess I just do better when I don't pay too close of attention.
I know I make a difference in others lives. I don't think people are use to being around "happy" that much. I think people like "happy" though and like it in their life. I am glad that I can share my happiness with others. When I do I just become more happy! It's a win win situation!
So that's the real reason that I bowl!
Friday
Bowling "242"
Monday
From the Mouths of Babes!
I so love my little grands. They say the cutest things. A few things that I want to remember are:
A week or so ago we were sitting at the kitchen table talking after our Sunday dinner. The kids were asking Mya questions like "Who's you favorite Uncle?".....etc Then someone asked her who the prettiest one was. She looked at everyone and then said "Gramma". Oh my crud she made my day. We all laughed but I loved it! (Mya thinks I'm pretty!)
Last night Kamryn got to stay with us while her parents went to a FHE with the Young Adults. I was putting a movie in and Kimi and Jared were arguing about something. I was looking at them and probably saying "Really?" or something similar. Kamryn then says: "Gramma Dawn?" I looked at her and she said: "You are the best mom!" Oh my heck I love the grands! They love me and let me know.
Ivy and Zaden don't ever want to go home when they get to come. (doesn't happen often these days) I guess they know that they are all my favorite and I love them so much! I am glad!
Saturday
Easter Egg Dive
Weber State had an Easter Egg dive for kids 14 and younger. Kevin told us about it and Jared thought it sounded fun. It was fun! Jared had a total of 3 boys in his section and so they had a fourth of the pool to themselves to gather eggs. Kamryn's had a bunch of kids in her group. The parents had to go in the pool with them and so it was full.
Jared collected a bunch of eggs and had a great time. While they were collecting their eggs I was visiting with a cute girl from Uintah whose brother was in Jared's group. I met the rest of her family after the dive. What a great family. The girl and her mom both complimented me and made me feel good. I appreciate nice people.
Everyone had to turn their eggs in and they got prizes. I thought this was a great idea. I know I liked it because it was so different. I am glad that Kevin told us about it!
The Easter Egg Dive was the beginning of a very busy day. After the hunt I went to a bridal shower for Maggie Malone. Next we had the Baptism of my darling niece Mallory Ropelato. I love Baptisms! After the baptism we got things ready for Kimi's big Birthday Party! It was a success and she was very happy! I am glad because she had been planning it since last year! I was exhausted by the end of the night! It was all good though. I actually like these kind of days! (every once in awhile!) Friday
Movie and Dinner
I decided since this week has been so exhausting that I would check Kimi and Jared out of school a little early and take them to the movie for Kimleighel's birthday! It was a good choice. We went and saw "The Hunger Games". The kids really enjoyed it and so did I. I am glad that I did that for them. I love these last two kids of mine. They are much harder but still such joys!
Kimleighel chose to go to The Golden Corral for her birthday dinner. I won't lie I was missing Tepanyaki's. (she has chosen Tepanyaki's the last three years) It was funny too see her choice of food....mac & cheese was the main thing I saw~I know there was jello too. Oh Kimi is a silly girl for sure!
I love our tradition of taking the Birthday Child out for dinner. I love spending that little bit of time with the Birthday Child. I love my kids birthdays! I always reminisce and try to remember every little wonderful thing. I know that's impossible but I can remember a bunch and it always makes me smile and so happy.
Kimleighel is growing up so nice. I think she is a beautiful young lady. Kimi has had her fair share of struggles and is working her way through them. She's really quite amazing! I love being her mom! (at least in this life.....I think Kimi is the real mom in heaven......or should be) Sweet 16
How can this be? Kimi is 16 years old today! My how the time has flown. I remember how happy our family was when we found out we were going to have another little girl. I remember I was the only mom at the hospital having a healthy baby that day. There were two other moms giving birth to still borns. :( I knew both those ladies and my heart was so sad for them. I remember Kimi being hard and crying a lot. But during those times I was just grateful we had her....that I was the lucky mom.
It's been fun watching our Kimleighel grow up. She is a talented child. She was born to dance! Since Kimi could walk she has also danced. It's just something inside her. She is so observant. She watches people and can tell alot about them through just watching. She has an ear for music. Last year she learned to play the Cello and the Piano. She is good at both. She hears the parts in music and can identify the instruments.
She is a determined soul. It really bothers her that she has a hard time with some learning. She likes to figure things out for herself. She is a problem solver and very independent. (I like that)
Kimi is a great kid. We've all learned a lot from having her in our family. She loves her family and especially her little nieces and nephews. We all love her!
Thursday
Cupcakes 4 Kimi's Birthday
The Grands knew that Kimi's birthday was coming up and so they thought it would be a good idea if we made cupcakes......spider cupcakes to be exact! (have no idea where that idea came from...silly kids)
We wanted to do it on a day that all the grands could come and so we did it the day before Kimi's birthday. It was fun having the grands over. They all got into making their cupcakes. It was messy but really fun.
Ivy thought bunnies would be better since Easter is coming up! I think a few of the other grands caught onto that idea too and made their own bunnies. Some of the grands just used as much as possible to decorate their cupcake. It made me laugh out loud! So stinkin cute these little ones are.
It ended up being a fun night at Gramma's House. After the cupcakes were decorated the kids played with each other. I love seeing my grands enjoy each other. They all get along so well and there is lots of love shown! Oh....I LOVE them all so much!
By the time the night was over I had cleaned cupcake and frosting off the floor a few times. Wiped faces and hands and laughed and smile quite a bit! Oh I LOVE the grands!
Being a mom has always been my dream come true but being a gramma is something extra special! It has to be experienced because it's impossible to explain.
I love their faces! I love their voices! I love how they express themselves! I love how they love each other! I love how they think! I love how they laugh! I love how creative they are! I love how kind they are! I love how helpful they are! I love how amazing they are! I love how stinkin cute they are! I love that they belong to me!
I love that Heavenly Father blesses me so much! (I must have done something good!) My heart smiles just thinking of my kids and grands....Oh Happy Heart!A Mother's Instinct
Oh what a week! It all started last Thursday when Kimi asked if she could go to "H"'s house. I told her No....I don't have a good feeling about "H". There's just something about the girl I don't like or trust. I have told Kimi to be nice at school but we were done letting her go over there. Thursday was not good from that point on. In fact when Larry got home I left for a few hours. I couldn't handle Kimi or her attitude another minute. Even after scriptures and prayers that night instead of Kimi giving us hugs she walked out of our room. I said "Kimi?" and she turned around and said "Dawn?" So not acceptable! (I so wanted to smack my child)
Friday was as if nothing had even happened. We even let Kimi have her friend "K" over and even spend the night. The girls laughed and played all night. Saturday morning Kimi comes and tells me that they had been texting "H" the night before. She said that "K" had told "H" that she needed to leave Kimi alone or "K" would take care of her. "H"'s mom responded because the texts weren't nice apparently. The mom said if the girls didn't stop she would involve the police. They shut off their phones and left it at that.
Monday morning "K" and Kimi are both called into the office at school. "H" had went in and told on them hoping to get them in trouble. Well it worked...."K" was suspended. I was upset when I found out because as far as I was concerned "H"'s mom had taken care of it. Later that night I found more things out about "H" that made me sick! She had touched Kimi innappropriately at times and done things girls just shouldn't be doing. Ummmm no wander I had that "feeling" about her! Kimi understood now and I think she realized that even if I don't really know all that is going on the Lord does and he lets the moms know by giving them a "feeling". Man......I kept thinking I hope the next 6 years go as fast as the last 6 have. I am tired of this crap.
Wednesday I get another call from the school. This time I am told that Kimi is crying and upset and that a boy "D" has touched her where he shouldn't. GEEZE!!! This boy got in trouble for touching Kimi last year and I had no idea he was even around her anymore. He harrassed Kimi all morning. They had assemblies or something and he kept following the girls to their different areas and was not being nice at all to Kimi. He had put his hand down the back of her shirt and even undid her bra along with undoing her shirt and reaching up it. YA I'm ticked! Kimi told us that another time he had grabbed her and put his hand down her top onto her bare breast. I asked Kimi why she even let the kid close to her and she said that he just comes up behind her and grabs her and she can't get away. I guess "D" talks nasty to the girls too. The kid has major problems......my kid probably does now too.
I'm so mad and frustrated and plain sick. I called the school to ask how they handled it and they said they couldn't tell me. I went and checked on Kimi and she seemed okay...thank goodness she has friends that care about her. I have thought about this over night and plan on going to the school and talking to the Police Officer that works there. My daughter has been violated and the kid should be punished. His behavior is not appropriate at all and needs to be stopped.
I feel sick for Kimi. She will turn 16 tomorrow and has experienced more than necessary. I think of how I would have reacted at that age and I would have been a mess. Kimi's struggles are so different than mine. She is a good kid though. I am proud of her for telling us all that has happened......that alone is a great step. She doesn't mind others knowing. I think she hopes it will help us to understand her and help her more. As a mom I feel like I have let her down. No parent wants their child to be mistreated ever and we can't stop that from happening. :( DANG IT!
I am just so thankful that I have a huge support group. I am so thankful that I have a loving Father in Heaven that I can pour my heart out to. I am so thankful to know that He is in charge and things will work out! I will trust in Him! I believe all things happen for a reason and we learn from all experiences. I am going to be such a scholar by the time this life is over!
PS I did go to the school and talk to the officer and decided to press charges! I hope in doing so it will scare "D" enough to think about his actions. His actions are not appropriate for school! (not appropriate for anywhere in my oppinion) I didn't do it to cause problems but to stop them! The kid was warned last year but chose to do it again.....If he hurt someone else I would feel sick for not pressing charges. I feel like it was the right decision.
Saturday
Happy St Patricks Day
I love Holidays and Fun Traditions! I still wear green on St. Patricks Day and still pinch those who don't. Today was busy but we still had a bit of a green dinner! I didn't do as much as I usually do but honestly I don't think anyone else cares quite like I do! We had cream of brocolli soup in green soup bowls and green kool aid. I had more planned but didn't get any more done so that was it for this year! 
I like that I could "livin" up Jared's picture by making it green. (I think it's funny) All day I kept thinking about the saying "Kiss Me I'm Irish" but I added "Who cares that I'm Not....Kiss me anyway". I didn't express those thoughts out loud but smiled all day thinking them!
Oh a bit of a funny! When I pinched Larry and reminded him to wear green he said something along the lines....."I didn't know that today was St. Patricks Day.....I thought it was on a Tuesday or Something." Ummmmm Honey......it's always on March 17th! hahaha (I have had kids say similar things and now I know where they get it)
A Little Girl is Here!
Just need to start by saying that Alaiya made my day! I went to Davaleen's girls bridal showers today with Kathy. When we got there Alaiya went into to her mom and said: "a little girl is here". Her mom told her to go greet her and Alaiya said she was too shy. Then Kathy and I went in and Jaymie told us the story. Alaiya had thought that I was a little girl! She was kind of embarrassed when she heard us talking about it but then I asked her who she thought was the little girl and she pointed right at me! (Woot~Woot) Sweet, darling Alaiya!
When us girls get together we always have fun! (especially when a camera is close by) I so love these friends that I can act like "a little girl" around. They are so fun! 
Davaleen's son and daughter got married with no time for showers or receptions. Davaleen was upset because she wanted to celebrate with them so she had this shower for her two daughters and it was fun. Davaleen cares about everyone and so I make it a priority to be there for her today. I even brought "bubble wrap" for everyone to add to the fun! (talk about bringing the kid out in a person)
This was our girl get together for this month. It was fun as always. I miss the gals that don't make it though. I have really grown attached to all the fun ladies I have been reacquainted with.
I love President Hinckley's quote: "Life is to be Enjoyed, not just endured!" It's easy to do that with family and friends! I am so thankful for the ones I have!
Wednesday
Awesome Youth!
I can't believe how awesome the kids are today! Larry challenged the kids to read the Book of Mormon in just 60 days and there were 28 kids that did it! He told them that he would reward them by taking them out to dinner. (ouch to the wallet) I don't think that he really believed this many kids would take him up on the challenge though since the last time he made the challenge to a group of youth only 2 completed it. That challenge was made about 10 years ago and the kids had 90 days to read the Book of Mormon. There were only two young ladies that finished that time. This time though families got involved and so did the leaders. It was so awesome to see and hear everyone talk about the challenge.
It was a great experience of our little family. Every night Larry, Kimi, Jared and I would read together. It was nice spending that time together. It was incredible to see the change in our kids reading and the spirit of our home. We do read scriptures together every morning but this was different and so rewarding. Since the challenge we have continued reading together and we are now reading the D&C. So we read in the morning together and at night and our home is a much happier place.
By reading the scriptures and attending the Temple regularly it is easier to feel "the spirit" and choose the right. It makes a huge difference and I know that is why Bishop Ropelato is always encouraging the ward to do these things. I have noticed a change in myself and quite like it!
Monday
98 Birthdays
How many people get to celebrate 98 birthdays? Not many that is for sure. Our sweet Lorell just celebrated her 98th birthday today! WOW what a gal! Lorell is my visiting teacher and still likes to come to my house to visit. She's a trooper. I love that she still sings in the ward choir and comes to church every week. I bet she will live to see 100. Lorell is incredible and such a smartie. She knows all the answers in Church. Her mind is still as sharp as a tack. (not sure that expression gets used much these days but I am talking about Lorell and I bet she's used it over the years)
Her family gave her a big birthday party at the Hooper City Building. She called me this morning to make sure I knew about the Party and so Larry, Jared and I ran over to wish her a Happy Birthday. It was fun seeing so many of her family. I know it meant the world to Lorell. She is so proud of her family and loves them all so much!
What an incredible woman! Happy Birthday my Friend!
Saturday
Friday
Wiggle Wiggle
Today was a nice day and so we enjoyed it just a little. (ok....more than a little) I got to watch Zaden for awhile today and when Trichelle came to pick him up I got to enjoy her. I miss not seeing and chatting with them all the time and so it was extra nice.
We played with the wiggle cars and laughed a bunch. These cars are fun! I have some fun ideas in mind for these cars. (I think I will be taking them with me to lunch once in awhile)
Zaden was loving that his mom and gramma were outside playing with him. It was just very enjoyable. Not sure why Zaden chose his little bike instead of his wiggle car.
I love spring time weather. This week it was so cold but today was wonderful and enjoyed. As we rode around and laughed Jared shot his BB gun.
The nice thing about wiggle cars is you can talk on the phone and even text while driving them. 
