Yipee!

Positive Affirmations

Just Be Happy

Be Happy and the Reason will Come Along................

in Memory of......

I went up and walked around the Hooper Cemetery for just a little bit today. (in between loads of wash) There are so many friends that have been laid to rest there.  When our time is up Larry and I will also be here by Tamara (Larry's sister) and Larry's grandparents.  That is a little weird knowing that.  However, I noticed a gravestone ready for Brother and Sister Belnap who are both still alive.  I think it's kind of cool that they picked out their own headstone....now it's got me thinking.....should I?

Shay is alone on the other side of the road very close to ours.  I get a little teary remembering these people who's names are now on these stones.  It's a blessed sight though to see the graves covered with flowers and flags and even a few crosses.  I respect all those who have gone on before me.  I look forward to joining them someday. 

Camping......Fun

We were invited to go camping at North Fork by my friend Kim.  Kim and I grew up together and our kids have as well.  The day Larry purposed to me Kim had called me to see if "I needed to tell her something".  She had a "feeling" like I had a "feeling". (we were both right) We had fun growing up together and have enjoyed crossing paths while raising our own kids.

Camping with the Taylor's and their other friends and neighbors was fun and relaxing.  We had a great time.  Not all my kids were able to stay over night but all of them were able to come and hang out for at least a day.  Larry and I enjoyed having them all there for the time that they were able.  It's so enjoyable seeing our kids interact and enjoy each other.

It's so fun seeing the cousins excited to see each other.  It's so fun seeing them play together and make new friends too.  They all made new friends and got along well with all the other kids that were also camping.  Oh I love just watching the grands......they make my heart smile over and over again.

One day that will be remembered is Saturday.  Braxton and Justin had to go to work and Braxton's dogs stayed at camp and barked and barked.  They were so annoying and finally around noon one of the campers offered his "shock collar" to us.  We put it on Bridger and wow it worked great.  He only barked a few times after that.  Braxton put a "bark collar" on him for the night and it also worked great.  Bridger must be sensitive and I'll give him credit for being smart enough to know what caused the "shock".

Every day was filled with visiting and lots of playing.  There were a few organized crafts for the kids and some traditional games played by the kids and adults.....like kick ball and water balloon launching.

We got exercise by moving our chairs from the sun to the shade and back again.  The weather was nice but it would blow and cool things right off.  The wind came and went pretty quickly every day throughout the day.  Jackets were also close by to throw on during those chilly moments.  The sun was bright most of time and there were plenty of "red noses"......including mine. I also had a few other blotchy red spots that must not have got the sunscreen.

I like our new trailer.  It's nice and roomy and it's another opportunity for our family to be together.  Larry and I were talking about it on the way home.  It's worth the debt since it unites our family.  They Taylors are a close family too and I know it's because of their camping and all their together time.

My dream have always been to have a close family.  It's exciting to see my dream be true.  Everyone enjoys each other and every one adds something wonderful to our family.

My kids and grands make me smile......all the time.  They seriously crack me up so often.  I'm so glad that they are mine!

The worst part of camping is cleaning up when we get home.  The trailer was quick and easy to clean but the laundry.....oh my heck....the laundry.  I'm just glad I have a washer and dryer and don't have to beat my clothes on a rock.  The washer and dryer have been going constantly since we got home and I still have at least one more load and it's past bed time.

Larry and I ran up between loads and visited with Sandy, our old accountant.  Sandy is in a nursing home and suffers from dementia and side affects from a few strokes.  She is only 64 and it breaks our hearts to see her this way.  Today's visit was much better than the one on Easter.  She knew us and made much more sense.  I love Sandy and she told us a few times how much she loves us.  She also told us she doesn't tell many people that......I know she loves us....I feel it.  I am glad we made the time.  When we got home I continued with the laundry and Larry and the boys hauled hay!  (tiring day but fun weekend)

Closing Social with the Special Needs

I have enjoyed my calling with the Special Needs Mutual.  It's been fun getting to know everyone.  There is always a good "feeling" when I am around these awesome people.  They truly are God's chosen.

Last week we had a combined Testimony Meeting and I am amazed what these kids know.  They know that they are just being tested and that they will be whole in the next life.  They have wonderful spirits and testimonies and I am blessed to know them.

This week we had our closing social.  We just had a cook out and visited mostly.  A few of the kids played a lawn game.  It was fun visiting with some of the kids.  You learn a lot by just listening.  Brian (the one in the gray shirt with a fish on it) told me that he had died and then came back to life.  He had been in a fork lift accident after high school....he remembered the things that he use to be able to do. (made me sad for him)

We don't meet in the summer except for girls camp and the boys for scout camp.  I guess because the summers are so busy for families.  We plan on meeting in August to schedule the upcoming year.  I look forward to teaching again.  I know the girls now and I know how to include them better.  It's going to be fun.  I love this calling and all the leaders and "kids" that I get to serve with.  Heavenly Father definitely knows us better than we know ourselves.....I wouldn't have thought I'd love this calling like I have.

Book Club....

We squeezed in another get together with our book club before Susan leaves for her mission.  Susan is going to serve in the Washington DC Temple Mission and leaves soon.  We are going to miss her but it won't be for too long.  Susan has so many talents and is going to be a blessing to everyone that meets her.  Time goes quickly but I know each month when we meet for book club she is going to be missed.  (just like we miss Suzie...since she started working)  I have learned so much from Susan and all these wonderful ladies...they are all so awesome and just cool.

Today we met for breakfast and then we went to a movie.  We talked about some books during breakfast since we had an additional hour from what we thought before the show.  It's so nice associating with these ladies and super fun!

After the movie I went and met Mallory and Kathy for a late lunch.  I love Mal and Kathy too and I'm glad that we try to meet often to stay connected.  Mal has had a lot happening in her life and I'm glad I can support her.

I love days like today when I am surrounded by great ladies that I learn so much from.  I am truly blessed!

I Won This Monument!!!

I bought some raffle tickets from my little neighbor a long time ago and I won this monument.  It was delivered to my driveway over a month ago and I was promised that some guys would come back out quickly to position it in my court yard where I wanted it.  The guy over the job left the company I guess and so Larry asked his priests to come and move it since they were out in our field shooting.  Also, because they are young and strong and there are a lot of them.  They were awesome and had it placed within a short amount of time.  If it wasn't so heavy I would move it slightly. They put it exactly where I thought it would look good and really it does but still I would turn it slightly if I could!

I will be making some treats for next Tuesday when the Priests meet again.  Right now they are some of my favorite guys!

Tonya Lyn

Tonya has a Birthday shout Hooray!....HOORAY!!!  The best part was I got to take her to lunch on this very day!  That never happens because she is always busy at work this last week of school. (she works at Weber High School)  For some reason today her boss told her that she could leave at 1:00.  I was so excited when she called me telling me what her boss had said.  I text her this morning a birthday greeting along with a fine song that I "talently" sang.  She text me back and I ended up calling her and I knew I wasn't going to be able to see her today because she also had a lot of running around for the school that she needed to do.  We were just planning on getting together next Friday...so yep when she called saying she could really go today we were both so excited.  Each phone call I wished her a Happy Birthday and we laughed.  I'm pretty sure Tonya knows that I hope she has a great Birthday.....I told her close to a dozen times.

Oh my, I love this girl! Tonya and I are truly a blessing in each others lives!  It's so awesome cool that God sent her to me so many years ago.  I have loved growing up with my sweet friend.  I love all the memories we have together.  I am enjoying growing old with her too.....we are continuing to make more fun memories.  This time of life is just fun!  YEAH FOR BIRTHDAYS!

Fun Time with the Widdison's

Debbie's niece, Kari....married my nephew, Jace and so we got to spend time together today.  Yahoo!  It's been awhile since any of us have seen and visited with each other.  We had a great time....at least Debbie and I did.  I know the guys did too.  Debbie and I started off first thing in the morning texting each other on the way to the Temple.  Then at the Temple we continued on.  It's probably a good thing we were sitting on opposite sides of the room from one another especially when Grandma Cora dropped her cane and whispered "Sh**" really loud.  We all lost it and I had a really hard time stopping my laughter.  I looked up and Debbie and Paul were also having a hard time.  It was memorable!

I loved hanging out with Debbie.  We laughed during the pictures and I decided to be in both family pictures.  I have always claimed Debbie and Laverna as family and they have claimed me as well so there I was .... standing in both.

At one time Debbie's girls commented how it was funny to watch us and what good friends we were when all we had to do was look at each other and we would laugh without speaking a word.  Debbie and Paul asked Larry and I to help in the kitchen and of course we did since it meant more time with them.  I think Larry and Paul did a great job while Debbie and I visited with family and friends most of the time. hahaha

Oh I enjoy my friends and I really enjoyed this day with Paul and Debbie!

Gramps is awesome

I went bowling today.  I am only subbing this summer but have already been asked a few times.  I love not having to pay and visiting with different teams each week.  Plus, I get a free lunch....yep, it's fun! When I got home I was putting things in the trailer for camping.  The second time out of the house I was surprised by Trichelle and Zaden.  I love being surprised by my kids and grands.  Zaden had been begging Trichelle all day to go to Great Gramps to ride the four wheeler that Gramps bought for the grands.  What a cool grandpa!  It was fun watching Zaden ride up and down the road. He had such a great time.  I also enjoyed seeing Trichelle and Gramps visit....made my heart happy!

Mrs. Hyde

Ok....I've reached the time in  my life that funerals are becoming more common.  (not sure I like it)  I'm always happy for the ones that pass because I truly know that the other side is so wonderful and there are lots of friends and loved one there as well.  I always feel broken for the family and friends that get left behind.  It's hard losing a loved one.

Mallory's mom, Afton passed away after struggling for about a year.  Mallory was valiant in serving and taking care of her mom.  I marvel at the strength of my sweet friend.  Mallory is one of my hero's.  She took care of her mom without a whole lot of help. (Mal's sister & brother live out of State)  Mal's life is super busy yet she made time to add more and gave her mom the care she needed.  Mal spoke at Afton's funeral and did a great job.  Man, I admire Mallory.  (she's awesome)

Mrs. Hyde's funeral was a great celebration of her life.  I sat by Kathy and we smiled and laughed at little at some of the silly things Mrs. Hyde did.  We'd look at each other and say that is so how she was.  We cried a little too.  It's hard not to when someone so close is gone.

I love Mrs. Hyde and I really love the sweet daughter she raised that is my dear friend. Life is good!

Time with Zaden

Zaden got to come over for awhile today.  I love when the grands get to come and play...sometimes  I remember to get my camera out....most times I don't.  Today I remembered but only when Trichelle came back to get him.

Trichelle and I were laying on the bed talking and Zaden decided he wanted to come lay in the middle of us.  Things got silly as soon as he got his spot.  We had a great time lovin on Zaden.  I think it ended Trichelle and my talk but that's ok....it was fun.

I love that the grands like coming to my house.  They usually don't want to leave when it is time.  They like being in the same room as me or having me in the same room as them.  I never get anything done when they are here and it doesn't matter. I have learned that nothing is as important as spending time with the little ones.  We are busy making memories and playing together.  I cherish the times with my grands.  I love having their cute little faces at my house making my life brighter!