What Do You Think?

Recently I was told that I think too Much.....which of course that got me "thinking".

I do "think" a lot.....thank goodness.  I can only imagine what my life would be like if I didn't "think" too much.  I would live recklessly more likely. (at times I "think" I do anyway)  I "think" thinking is a good thing.  I "think" I should be grateful that I "think" too much.  My "thinking" goes deep and might possibly "think" things that aren't true....I may "think" things into other things.  I "think" things sometimes that make me hurt or worry me.  My "thinking" has also kept me out of trouble since I do "think" about what might follow...the consequences you know. I don't "think" thinking is a choice...I "think" it just happens....at different levels of course and I guess I am a deep "think"er.  I remember sending my friend a message saying: "Don't believe everything you think".  I "think" that is good advice since everything we "think" isn't always the way everything really is.  Got you "thinking" huh?

I "think" I am glad for a mind that "thinks".  I "think" my mind has been enlightened and broadened because of all my "thinking"...at least that's a good way to "think" about it.  I "think" thinking is an okay thing to do and we should all do a little more "thinking".  I "think" it's a good thing even....but I also "think" it's good advice to not always believe everything one "thinks".  SO  what do you "think"?

I "think" I am glad that I was told I "think" too much.  I "think" I am glad that I do "think" too much.  That's what I "think".......at least I "think" it is. ☺

Lend Me a Tenor....quack quack quack ☺

 I get to go to the Plays at the Hale Theater in Orem with these fun ladies.  Tonight we went to see "Lend Me a Tenor".  First we went out to dinner which is always enjoyable to me.  I love going out with others and these ladies are fun!  I'm excited to be part of their group this year.

"Lend Me a Tenor" was a cute and funny play and so was the gal three chairs away from Barbie.  The gal laughed like a duck and it was loud and everyone in the theater could hear her.  It was the strangest laugh I have ever heard.  When I heard it I froze and watched the reaction of the people I sat by and also everyone in the room.  No one could quite believe what they had just heard....we all questioned if that was for real?  I don't think we even noticed what was going on with the play because we were so distracted. Quack Quack Quack!!!  Everyone was talking about the Quacking at intermission.....I think the quacking is what we will all remember about this play.  It really was hilarious! 

Before the play and quacking, Barbie showed me the names on the chairs and said that her Aunt had bought one for her group.  We decided that we would look for it after the play.....then I looked on the left arm rest of my chair and there it was....Kind of Cool if you ask me!!! A chair dedicated to Barbie and her friends! (and I'm part of it now) Awesome!!!

We got a picture of us pointing at the chair afterwards and guess who I asked to take the picture?  Nope....not the quacking girl but her date!  I think when he was taking our picture she might have quacked again or maybe Cari just thought about the quacking because the laughter started again and some pants were almost........(you know)

It was certainly a very fun night....I wasn't even tired when I got home because I was still laughing and doing a little quacking myself! hahaha.....quack quack quack!!!!

Natalie's a year older

WooHoo Natalie had another birthday!  I love this girl....I'm so glad that she is part of the Ropelato Family...she's a great addition.  I know I say it every year but I learn a lot from Natalie as I do from each of my kids.  Natalie is talented in many ways but I am most impressed with how she treats my son and their kids.  She's an awesome wife and mother.  She was taught well and is a natural.  I love watching her and admire her to pieces.  I'm thankful for Natalie!

Sister Missionaries

Larry and I to took these two cute gals to the Temple with us.  We had tried to plan a Temple Date when Jessyca Fullmer was still here but things didn't work out.  Since the Church has said that girls can now serve missions when they are 19 the number of Sister Missionaries has increased.  Our Ward has 3 now...Jessyca is already serving and Courtnie and Madi will both be leaving in a few weeks.  They are both going to Florida but different missions.  I am so excited for them to serve....it's just exciting.

I loved being able to go to the Temple with these two.  It's so cool and rewarding to see the young women that I've worked with choose good paths.  We did initiatory which I always just love.  I always feel so loved while doing that ordinance.  I love hearing that my sins are forgiven if I do my part.  It's just refreshing to go to the temple and it was really cool going with our newest Sister Missionaries.  I love them both so much.

We went to the Spaghetti Factory after for some dinner so we could enjoy our time with them a little longer.  I know that having missionaries leave the Ward is one of the nice things for Larry as a Bishop. He loves the Youth and they know it.  He really does make them feel special.....like taking them to the Temple and Dinner.  I know he hasn't done it with any of the other missionaries but having these young sisters go is just super special.  I'm glad Larry felt that it was important to do and I'm glad that every once in awhile I get to share some of these special times with him.  We are blessed!

(I took pictures with the girls and us but for some reason my camera card said there weren't any pictures....weird because I reviewed them after we took them.  I threw that camera card away...dumb thing)

California Vacation

This could possibly be our last big family vacation together.  I say that only because the family continues to grow and it is hard to arrange everyone's schedules.  I hope it's not but if so let's just say this vacation was fantastic!  This was our Christmas Present to the family.....however we couldn't afford to pay for it all and so the kids paid for their passes and lunches and extra's.  It worked out well since the married kids had wanted to take their families at some point any way.  I am just glad that they agreed to share their time and vacation with all of us.  I love having the family together......absolutely love it!

Everyone drove except for Larry and I, we flew.....I guess we deserved that. (wink)  The kids all spend the night or two in Saint George before heading to California to meet on Sunday, January 20.  The timing was perfect....we got to the house that we rented just before the first car load of kids.  The house we rented was nice and such a great idea to have the family together.  Everything was pretty great.....however the flu did get a hold of a few of the family.  Ivy was sick at Jerry & Darinda's then Kamryn was sick on the drive to CA.  Kam was riding with Trichelle and TJ and so they had the privilege of catching the throw up and cleaning it up. (yuck) Kimi also felt crapping when they reached CA.  Trichelle and Zaden also had a little episode of not feeling good but neither of theirs lasted too long.  The first night Julie, TJ, Kimi and Kevin all fought for the bathroom.  Kimi was fine in the morning but the others were still punk.  They all toughed it out though and went to Disneyland weak and feeling yucky. (Kevin even carried a bag just in case)  The park was crowded on Monday because of Martin Luther King day and so we took it easy as far as rides go.  We watched some parades and even went to the Aladdin Play in California Adventure.  It was a great day to do all those things.  The day was enjoyable even with the crowd and some not feeling up to par.  I was a little concerned that the sickness would spread but we were blessed and no one else got it while we were there. (Justin got it when we got back home & Natalie got like a cough and head cold one day)

Tuesday was wonderful.....everyone felt good and the crowds were gone.  We played all day and Larry even surprised us all with lunch at Ariel's Grotto.  Larry really does know how to make us all smile and me wonder how he can swing all this.  I don't worry too much though....things always seem to work out.  Larry is one to make Dreams Come True....especially for me.  I love the man!  The new Cars Land in California Adventure Land was awesome.....everyone loved it.    We played hard. I ached every night but felt good to go every morning. (I am so out of shape but look good for being 50+ & having 7 kids~it's a joke but I do get told that)

Wednesday Kevin, Julie, Kam, Braxton, Ivy, and Jared went to Universal Studio's and the rest of us stayed at the house.  Justin took his family to the beach and they had some family time.  Trichelle and Justin worked on their homework and we just chilled.  The plan was to swim that day but the pool was too dirty to get in. (sad)  To our pleasant surprise the pool guy showed up in the early evening and by Thursday there was a note on the door saying the pool was ready.  Believe it or not we swam a few nights after going to the parks.  The kids loved it....I loved it too.  I loved looking down from the room we stayed in seeing the whole pool with the kids.  It was glorious!

Thursday we all went to San Diego to visit Sea World.  Our timing was perfect and Jaydan met us right by our cars in the parking lot.  Jaydan flew in on Thursday since he had school that he wasn't able to get out of.  It was fun having him join us.....the Whole family together at last!  We pretty much had Sea World to ourselves.  Hardly anyone was there and it was fun.  The best part for me was being "Surprised"  by getting to swim with the Dolphins.  That was on my bucket list and Larry made it happen.  I was wondering why we were going into the Interaction Shop and was Pleasantly Surprised when Larry said we were there to check me in.  I couldn't believe it.......really?  The kids all knew but hadn't let on.  Trichelle even packed an extra bag with my make up and stuff for afterwards.  Oh my word....I was so excited.  I think I might have appeared to be nervous by the other two that were also doing it because they asked me a few times if I was nervous.  I think I was just in shock....I was so excited and not nervous at all....except to put on the wet suit....that made me nervous. It was awesome swimming and interacting with the dolphins and having the family there to watch and cheer for me.  Mya was so cute and told me that I did really good.  Dang, I am thankful for little ones who make my heart smile so big.

Our last day was back to Disney Land.  It was sprinkling off and on but Larry had bought us all umbrella's and so we were ready to go.  I think the rain kept the locals away.....it wasn't bad at all.  We did everything we wanted on both sides of the park.  It was so much fun but I will admit I tired quicker on Friday.  I think it's because we weren't as busy and I was able to notice it.  

We had reservations for Goofy's Kitchen at 5:00 and I was excited to go there to relax and enjoy watching the grands with the characters.  It was delightful and so much fun.  The food was really good too except I wasted some space in my tummy with mac & cheese pizza.  I wanted to try it just because and ended up eating the whole slice (small) even though it wasn't that good to me.  Oh well....we were all full and happy.

We split up and shopped or went back to the park for Fire Works.  (I was with a shopping group....I watched them shop)  

 This vacation was so much fun and I wasn't ready to come home.  Course back home they were experiencing "Ice Storms" and "Snow" and lots of "Cold"....plus I had my family with me and that is the reason I usually can't wait to get home.

The kids all got up early on Saturday and headed home.  Larry and I went to the Airport and gave up our tickets so we could get some flying vouchers ($500 each) and so we got home a few hours later than we planned which turned out to be good because the weather cleared up and wasn't bad by the time we did fly in.

I will cherish this vacation forever!  It was perfect except for the flu distraction right at first.  I love my sweet family.  I love watching them interact with each other and have fun together.  I love being Larry's wife and Trichelle, TJ, Justin, Natalie, Kevin, Julie, Braxton, Jaydan, Kimleighel, and Jared's mom.  I love being the gramma to Ivy, Mya, Kamryn, Zaden and Parker.  I am truly blessed and so very grateful to God for such blessings!

Friends that are Family

Boy oh Boy this family has endured much.  We love them all so much and I'm always so happy to be able to have these cute little faces over to brighten our home and life.  I love having Isaac and Luke come play and they like it here too.  They are such cute "little" boys. (not too little)  They make my heart happy and so do their parents.  Larry and I love them all so much.  We do consider them family!

Life is interesting how people are brought into each others lives.  God knows who we need and when we need them and for how long.  I like when they are forever.....that's my favorite time.  These guys are forever!

We can learn so much from others and grow stronger because of their trials.  I guess that is how it is meant to be.  We don't need to all experience everything directly but can learn and grow as we rub shoulders with others.  I am happy that this little family is taking their next step in life.  I hope they will be blessed abundantly for their patience and desire to hold on.  They are stronger than they even realize....it's easy for me to see from the back ground.  They are incredibly strong and wonderful. I love them so much!

Because of this little family I have gotten to know their extended family better and feel so blessed to have them in my life too.  I can't say it enough.....GOD IS GOOD!!!  I LOVE the Lord!  I LOVE our Savior!  They LOVE us more than we can even comprehend!  IT"S TRUE....I KNOW IT!