a M of M that I REGRET!!!

Have you ever done anything that you truly regret and wish you could go back and redo?  There are many things but one in particular that I would redo if I could.  It happened on Christmas Eve many years ago....I can't remember that  but I do know the Trichelle and Justin were still young enough that they liked sneaking down and peaking at the tree and seeing if Santa brought them anything.

I being "clever" and thinking it would be "funny" talked Larry into sleeping in the hall outside our bedroom door so the kids would have to climb over us.  The kids all sleep upstairs over the garage and our room is at the bottom of the stairs. I was looking forward to seeing how "clever" the kids would be to get around us.  I wondered if they would just tippy toe around us or climb over us walking on the walls.  Neither happened.

I heard them very quietly coming down the stairs.  They saw us blocking their way to the room that Santa had visited and instead of trying to get around us they went back up stairs and to my knowledge never came down early again.  That didn't go quite like I had planned and I have regretted that decision ever since.

Justin was telling Mya the other night how him and Trichelle use to come down and sleep by the tree....that is until the "hall" incident.  That is something I will never forget and I will forever regret.  However....on a happier note I remember Braxton and Jaydan as teenagers trying to catch Santa.  They would hide behind decorations and wait.  Not sure they ever caught Santa because I usually caught them hiding before Santa came.

I hope my kids have happy memories of Christmas.  I love it but have realized I love preparing for Christmas more than I love the actual day of Christmas.  Preparing is so fun and the actual day can be a let down and even disappointing if a child is unhappy.  My kids don't ask or expect too much and so for the most part I think they have always been happy.

I love putting out the same decorations year after year and the memories of those who gave them to me.  Christmas is such a wonderful time of the year and I love it!

I know that God lives & Jesus is HIS Son!

I was resisting going to the adult session of our Stake Conference yesterday.  I don't know why except that it was exactly where I needed to be and Satan (bless his heart) knew it!  I knew I was going to go because it was the right thing to do and no matter how much  I talk about being rebellious I'm really not.  I love feeling the "Spirit" and seek after it and I did feel it last night and today.  I love that warm, tingling feeling when the Spirit touches my soul.  My entire being feels wonderful and good.

Today during the Conference I was thinking how perfect the Holidays are lined up.  In November we have Thanksgiving which prepares us for Christmas.  So many people are very mindful of their blessings in November and even write them down and share with others.  The spirit of Thanksgiving is contagious and others start recognizing and acknowledging their own blessings.  I love that and today thought what a perfect way to prepare us for the Celebration of the Birth of our Savior and Redeemer, JESUS CHRIST!!!

I love Christmas time.....I love everything about it.....the music, the lights, the parties, the decorations, the gift making and buying, the traditions of family, the LOVE spread throughout the world by everyone.  More people think of Christ and act like HIM.  We tend to focus more on others and giving to others than we do ourselves.  For a month we act more like Deciples of Christ.  We give more to others than any other time of the year.  We express our love to others.  We Celebrate Christ.  I love Jesus Christ and I can honestly say that I KNOW He loves me too. He knows me and I am certain of that.  I have felt HIM with me as I have struggled with my own little problems.  I am thankful for my challenges because I am closer to Him because I have needed Him more.  I recognize His hand in my life......He has sent me friends and given me a great family.  He knew I would need them all and He even knew that I could also and would be a blessing to them as well.  I like that it works both ways and that I am not being selfish in my relationships....for that I am thankful.

When I feel the "Spirit" I always desire to live better. I want to be more like Jesus.  I want Him to know that I do love Him by my actions and not just my words.  I am thankful for Sundays and the chance I am given to try again for another week to do His will before I am energized again.

I am thankful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  I know it is the one true church on the earth today.  I am glad that I can see past the members and enjoy the gospel in spite of how others may act.  I am thankful for good people outside of the Church that love Christ and believe in Him. (they strengthen me)  I believe that our lives are between us and Heavenly Father and it is Him that we need to please and make happy and not anyone else.  I have found that when I keep that focus I am so much happier and free.  He loves us for who we are and even for where we are.  There are not conditions for His love......He loves each of us unconditionally and complete.  I am thankful for my Heavenly Father and His son, my brother, Jesus Christ.  My heart and soul know!!!

M&M.....Car Hop

When I was in High School I had a job as a Car Hop!  It was on Riverdale Road and was called Maddox Drive Inn.  For the most part it was fun and I made a lot of tips.  I didn't have to wear roller skates or wear a uniform and so that was nice too.  I just had to remember who ordered what so when the food came out on a revolving belt I could get the orders to the right cars.  If the order went back in we got in trouble.  For the most part I didn't have much trouble.....but there was one night that I remember being a nightmare.  

Weber State had a game and everyone decided to stop by Maddox after for a treat.  The problem with that was I think I was the only one working outside because it had been slow.  Needless to say things went back in and I was flustered to the max.  I think the owner was working the inside and instead of getting mad at me I am sure she was laughing at me running around like a chicken with it's head cut off.

When I remembered this memory I thought I'd better write it down.  Not too many people even know what Car Hops are now a days and I am sure my grands don't have a clue.  It's a fun memory of mine!

Festival of Trees

I am privileged to be on Heather Whites Committee for the Festival of Trees.  She asked me last year and since I like her so much I couldn't say no.  I am so glad I said yes.  The Festival of Trees is for such a great cause.  All the money  is donated to the Primary Children's Medical Center.  It's a HUGE event and so a lot of volunteers are needed.

By being on Heather's committee I have to make 15 felties, (snowmen made out of felt and filled with candy) 15 crafts for the Craft Boutique and 15 treats for the Sweet Shoppe.  I also have to sign up for 2 shifts to help with the entertaining.  This year I signed up for two shifts back to back so I didn't have to drive down again. (saving a little gas)

I got to work with the people that entertain.  We had a lot of little dancers and singers.  I checked them in and took them to the stage and greeted the audience and took them back and rated each group.  I also had to police a door so only people that should go through it (like the performers) did go through it.  We had plenty of help which was nice and I even got to leave and look around the last 1/2 hour of my second shift.  I was there from 9:35 am-6:00 pm.  I was tired when I got home and my back was hurting but I felt good on the inside.

I am thankful that I have the opportunity to serve with Heather and help with the Festival of Trees.  I don't like asking for help each year with the donations and so I do a lot of them myself.  It costs a little and so I think since I don't plan on quitting I will make things a head and be ready for next year.  I love serving!

Dancing with the Stars

It's the end of the Dancing with the Stars for this season and so Kathy O threw a party.  Her parties are fun.  She has trivia questions, name that tune and an award for the best dressed. (which we all vote for)  She even gives prizes.

There are a few stipulations for going to the party.  #1 you are suppose to watch the show. #2 you have to dress up.  This is her 3rd party and the other one I went to (her first) I had never watched one show and I wore a sweat shirt and jeans.  The party I missed I watched every show either on the TV or the next day on the internet and I took notes.  This year I only heard about what was going on from friends.  I just acted like I knew what was going on.  I really tried not to ask any questions and just agreed with the others. (I don't think Kathy really cared.....she would have invited me anyway)  So since I didn't watch I thought I'd better at least dress up.  Thank goodness for Trichelle and her help.

When Kathy called to invite me she said we needed to dress up and I told her I didn't have anything fancy that I could wear.  She suggested I wear one of my old Prom Dresses.  Seriously that made me bust a gut laughing so hard.  Really?  I am just a TINY bit bigger than I was in High School....however I could have wore the dress upside down.  I think it might have fit that way.  Ha ha ha too funny!

Trichelle has a few wigs and so I ran over to her house.  I chose the black wig since it was the most drastic. She braided the bangs and put in the glamorous feather accessory. Trichelle also did my make up and let me borrow her jewelry, leggings, and high heeled boots.  I did have a fancy shiny jacket and black shirt of my own.  It was fun dressing up!

We took snacks to share and we all watched the last show together to see who won this season.  The winners weren't the ones I voted for......oh wait that's right......I never voted even once!  I have no idea the names of the winners or the other contestants even though we talked about them.  I didn't do very good on name that tune either.  I knew a few of the songs but had no idea what the name of the song was or who it was sung by.  I'm glad Kathy likes me or I am sure I wouldn't be invited.  My brain is full at this point in my life....I don't care to remember things like I use to.  At least everyone else had a better chance at winning something.

I Smiled!!!

Today I received this cute quote through text......it made my day!!!  It also said....."I thought of you when I saw this".  I like being thought of this way.  I do love to smile....it just makes me feel good.

In the evening another friend came over with warm, yummy cinnamon rolls.  She said it was because I am nice to her.  She's easy to be nice to because she is so nice to me!  These two friends of mine totally made my day......they each took the time to let me know that they thought of me.  I like that!

THANK YOU MY FRIENDS!!!

My Favorite Tradition

I love Family Traditions and Thanksgiving Weekend is my absolute favorite tradition.  For over 20 years now we have taken our family and gone to Sherwood Hills....The Coy Family goes with us!  It's so much fun.  It all started with a huge trial in my life but has ended up being a huge blessing.  We use to go up on Thursday after dinner but the last few years we have made some adjustments and now meet on Friday.

This year instead of meeting in Logan to bowl we met in Brigham City since it's on the way to Sherwood Hill and not past it.  It ended up being really fun....good idea!  The kids that could make it did and we missed the others until they showed up.  My whole family was there (except TJ who was golfing) and that was nice.  (TJ met up with us later) 

I enjoy watching my kids play together and have a great time.  I also enjoy watching and visiting with Tonya and her family.  The kids seem to really like this tradition too.

We bowl two or three games depending on what everyone wants.  My favorite release this year was by Kamryn as she rolled the bowling ball and then gave it a little kick.  She did that a few times and even had a table full of men laughing their heads off. It was so funny!

Kimleighel was just mentioning how some Aunts and Uncles acknowledge her and others don't and so I tried to make sure I acknowledged all my little nieces and nephews by name.  I want them all to know how much they mean to me and hopefully they will feel special and loved.  Kasen never wants his picture taken so I had to sneak to get him which I was successful at a few times.  He is a silly kid!

After bowling we headed up to Sherwood Hills and immediately went swimming.  The kids love swimming and will stay at the pool as long as we let them.  It's a nice pool with a kids pool and a hot tub with a water fall.  I have pictures of my big kids in the kids pool when they were little.  I love the memories we have made at this fun place.

Usually we have the place pretty much to ourselves but this year another large group was also staying there and so the pool was packed.  It was still a lot of fun and I ended up knowing family & friends of the people there.  Julie also knew the people.  It had been their tradition years ago and they decided to start it again.

Over the years a lot of crafting and projects have been done on our weekend get away.  This year Trichelle worked on some curtains for Ivy's room.  It's nice that we can visit and accomplish things while we do. This year I didn't bring anything and that was fine too.  I enjoyed visiting and watching.

We love and support each other.  Tonya had her grands while Kalie & Brad went to Italy and she was a little exhausted.  We talked and shared with each other which always seems to lighten the load.  I love Tonya...she inspires me and I know I inspire her too which is a nice thing.

We ended swimming so we could go eat.  We like to get pizza and this year we decided to go out for the pizza instead of bringing it to the Resort.  We went to Fredrico's in Logan and they hid us in a back room with another big party.  We waited for quite awhile but it was okay since we don't see each other often enough.  It's fun watching everyone interact with each other.

After dinner we went back and played games.  Tonya had everyone bring a lunch sack with 3 things in it that described you.  Then we all guessed who the sack belonged to.  It was fun and even though we know each other really well we still all learned a few things.

We couldn't get the regular game room since others were already in there so we took over the Basketball court.  It echoed too much though and so we moved into the exercise room..It was tight and cozy.

Tonya had treats for everyone after their bag was opened.  I am glad Tonya took over and did something this year.  I didn't even think about doing anything extra this year since the months seem to fly right by.  I don't feel like I even have time to think.   I am on auto pilot and just do what needs to be done.

I picked up finger lights for everyone (because Tonya asked me to) and the little ones had a great time with them.  We had quite the light show.  It was really fun.  After the light show there was more visiting and then most of the kids went to bed.

Bryce and Tessa usually have fun games that we play together and they did again this year.  We played Werewolf....which is a lot like Mafia.  And if you don't know what either are it's a game where you sit and are told a story and you have to figure out who the killers are.  We each get cards with different people on them and the narrator talks everyone through.  I am not even going to try to describe it more.  It's fun and we had a great time.  I stayed up and played even though I was sleep deprived.  It was fun hanging with the adult kids and debating with them.  I laughed at all the different scenario's that happened and the people involved.  Julie had such a good time that she went and bought the game.

Needless to say I slept well when I finally hit the bed around 1:30 am.  In the morning some of the kids got in a little more swimming and we left so Larry, Kimi and Jared could go do Baptisms for the dead in Brigham City with our youth.  Later that day we all went to the movie.  A movie together on Saturday is usually part of the tradition.  Oh......I love Thanksgiving Weekend!  I love this time of year and all the thankful awareness that everyone has.  It's my favorite!