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!