God Speaks to Us Through Others

Today Crystal brought me over cookies and a sweet note.  I asked her why and she said she didn't know...only that I kept popping into her head.  My eyes filled with tears and I'm not sure why...I told her I didn't know what was wrong.  I have been very emotional lately but for no good reason.....out of the blue I just tear up.  I don't feel sad or stressed or anything and I told her that.  She just smiled and told me God knew and that's why she came over.  After she mentioned that I recalled a few more things that have happened that have stuck out to me.

Just this morning a dear friend told me that when she grew up she wanted to be like me.  Funny...I want to be more like her.  Another friend messaged me...."I love you Dawn, you are so cute".    Another friend text me: "Are you okay?" and then listened to some of my concerns.  The list goes on and on.....really these are just a few of the nice things...every day this kind of niceness is happening to me and it means so much and I realize that Heavenly Father is talking to me through my friends.  He does know what is happening....I still don't but I know that whatever it is He cares about me and is speaking to me through others.  I am thankful to the "others" for taking the time to do these little, simple asks of kindness.  It made me remember the time Bryce (my nephew) called and told me that he really appreciated all that I do for him and his family including his original family.  I was struggling at that time and Heavenly Father used Bryce so I would recognize it was HIM.  I bet there were others telling me nice things that I wasn't recognizing. That is the only time I ever remember Bryce calling me and he even had to try a few times before he finally got me. (He was following the spirit...I know)  I know that God has used me in that way too....I remember the day well, and when I was trying to talk myself out of acknowledging a friend from Facebook  I was reminded of Bryce taking the time and me recognizing God's hand in it so I also followed the prompting and it felt good.  I even made sure the gal knew I had had a similar experience and that is why God sent me....He is so aware of us.

I am so glad that God has my back.  He knows when things are hard and he sends others to help.  He strengthens me continually and I am so Thankful.  My testimony is growing so much because I am being tested....again.....I hate Satan!  The one good thing though from having Satan bug me so much is knowing that I must really be worth his effort.  I must have something wonderful that he can't stand....I might help bring others to Christ and God and that just must bug him right back.  I bet he hates me too.....I don't care!  When I finally realize his efforts it is easier to be stronger.  I usually don't care about winning that much but when it is between me and Satan I do care and I will win!  Plus, God and Jesus have my back and with them I can't lose.   I love God....I love Jesus....I want to follow them and eventually be like them! 

I love Sundays....

I love Sundays more and more all the time.  I enjoy going to Church and partaking of the Sacrament and being inspired and uplifted.  But I really like having the kids and grands come on Sundays...it's my favorite time...having everyone together.

Kam was so cute and brought dress up clothes for her cousins to dress up in....thank goodness I have bigger ones for Ivy.  Ivy just doesn't fit in the little ones anymore...she's tall.  The little cousins love each other so much and really enjoy playing together at my house.  I love seeing them grow closer each week.  I love that they enjoy each other so much.  They always have such a great time.

I enjoy sitting around the table and visiting with the older kids.  It's so fun seeing them grow up into such great people.  I really do have terrific kids.  I love the kids my kids have chosen to spend their lives with.  Each person fits in well and I love them as if they were given to me from the start.  We are blessed that is for sure.

The grand sons crack me up.  Parker loves hiding in the stuffed toys basket with all the toys.  Zaden decided to join him this week and I again just laughed and laughed.  Oh my heck I love these little people so much.  They bring so much joy to life and they truly make my heart happy.

I love being a wife, a mom and a gramma.....nothing is better.....it's what I was born to be!

Finally .... Birthday Dinner for Kevin & Julie

We have had a heck of a time trying to schedule a birthday dinner for these two.  When we normally would have been taking them for dinner around Kevin's birthday these two ended up taking Larry, Me, Lynette, and Rich instead for our birthdays.  Kevin and Julie take us parents to dinner twice a year since Larry & Lynette's birthdays are close and Rich and mine are.  I like that but was feeling super guilty because we weren't finding a time to take them for theirs.  Finally though it happened.  We went to Tepanyaki's since Julie had never been there.  It was good as always.  Actually the company was good and watching the cook prepare the food was good but for the first time ever I didn't care for my meal.  I tried Halibut and it was kind of dry.....I won't order that again.  The steak and chicken always turn out wonderful so I will stick with those.

I love these two kids.  They are very thoughtful and kind.  They enjoy a busy life.  They schedule their lives in advance so they are able to get in the things that they want.  I really admire that they set a date to attend the temple at least once a month.  So proud of them and love them to pieces!

Sunshine

Today I am feeling very blessed and sweet memories of kindness are flooding my mind.

The other day when I was with Lorrilee celebrating her birthday and our friendship she told me that when I came through her door I was like "Sunshine" filling her room.  That reminded me that my mom had said something similar when I visited her while she was in rehab.  My mom has told me many times before that I was a breath of "Sunshine".  My friends from school (the younger ones) asked me if I had a middle name....or should they just call me "Sunshine".  I want to express how having that said about me makes me feel.  It makes me feel like I am doing something right.  It makes me feel loved and wanted.  It makes me feel special.  It makes me cry just a little with tears of joy.

I received a text from Karie Kennedy speaking for my cute younger friends from HS saying "You have blessed our lives....your happy spirit is contagious..."

Another friend send me this..."You like to compare yourself to others.....want to be enough....but you are much more....don't compare.....there is none.....You are More!"

Then I get comments on FB about how my "Light" is spread to many.....many more than I will ever know.  All this kindness makes my heart burst with happiness.  I love being seen this way!  Even TJ was talking to Trichelle and their friends saying how he appreciated me for accepting them the way they are and not criticizing or judging them.

I was at my friends house last night with Kimi, Jared and Larry.  My friend has been sick and has had a lot of challenges and needed a blessing.  I volunteered my sweet hubby.  While we were there Kimi said: "I am so cute....look how cute I am".  She had just performed her Orchestra Concert and was feeling great about herself.  My friend and I laughed and wished that we too could be so confident and happy with ourselves.  I wonder why we don't see ourselves as others do?  Teresa and I talked about it for a minute.  Others see the good in us....our "Sunshine" and focus on that.  They know the weakness is there also but that's not where their eyes look.....the eyes see and focus on the good.  We, however know the weakness oh so well and that is where our own eyes seem to look and stay.  Why is it so hard to accept our goodness and our own "Sunshine"?   I wonder if somewhere along in life we are told we shouldn't....that if we do we our prideful.....or vain.....or wrong.  I wish that didn't happen.  Because of others love and kindness I am getting a glimpse at who I really am....through the eyes of others.....and my eyes are actually seeing it too.  I like what I see....I like how it makes me feel....I know that I am loved.....that I am special.....that I "Shine"....that I am more....much more than I have given myself credit for.

I believe we are all very similar and that this experience isn't unique just to me.  We are all special....and wonderful....and awesome......and enough.....and cute.....and loved!  Loved by our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ....loved by our family and friends.  What more could we ask for?

Zaden

I get to see this little guy on most Thursdays.  He goes to the day care in the morning and I usually get to pick him up for a little bit since Trichelle has a night class on Thursdays.  I say usually because there are weeks that TJ get's there before me to pick him up.  I think TJ enjoys this little one about as much as us.  Last quarter Zaden and I enjoyed spending our Mondays together and I will will just say I enjoy the time I get with the grands.

It's so fun watching their little personalities develop.  I love listening to them express themselves.  I just love everything about these little ones.  They are all so amazing and wonderful!

Have I ever mentioned that I love being a Gramma. (wink)

Kathy .....

Kathy and I planned a whole day together.  We decided to go get pedicures, try on wigs, and have lunch and maybe squeeze in a movie.  We were a little early for our pedicures and so went and got a drink and treat to enjoy while we got pampered.  I love getting pedicures.  I love the massage chairs.....oh I really love the massage chairs.  I love having my feet rubbed & fiddled with....it tickles but I love it!  However today the lady kind of hurt me with her little scissors.  She was digging a little deeper than I think necessary. I even made a face that Kathy picked right up on....It hurt....

After our pedicures we went out into the cold with our flip flops so our nails could dry before putting socks on them.  For some reason they didn't dry very well and both of our socks stuck to our polish.  So are nicely pedicures toes don't really look so nice.  I can't help but notice the bruise still on my leg.  I slipped off of Kathy's porch 3 weeks ago and still have a bruise and a little bump.  It's almost better though and so that is good.

The wig shop was closed when we got there.  It's closed every Monday....now we know!  We just thought it would be fun to try on wigs and Kathy is even thinking of getting one to wear.  Her daughter in law's mom wears a wig and always gets compliments on her darling hair so Kathy thinks it might be nice to have one.  If I got a wig it would just be for fun.....you know dress up parties and girl time.

Since the wig shop was closed I dragged Kathy with me to the Monument Place so I could get the Monument I won many months ago.  I'm kind of excited to get the big rock actually.  They are engraving the saying: "Out of the DREARINESS, into it's CHEERINESS, come we in WEARINESS, HOME!"  It will be in our courtyard just outside our front door.  Trichelle suggested this saying and I really liked it.

We were both starving after ordering the monument and so we went to Zuppa's.  I love Zuppa's !  It was yummy as usual.

Since we were by the Dress Barn we went in a did a little shopping.  We each only spent like $11 because we had some coupons.  Kathy did better than me though because she was able to get earrings and a shirt and I just got a shirt.  It was a fun day with my friend.  I love goofing off with my friends and I am very thankful for this time in my life where I am able to.  I am a blessed girl and I know it!

Mya and Parker

I look forward to seeing Mya and Parker every Sunday.  I love that they usually come on Sundays to have dinner with us.  These two little's make my  heart smile.  I also love it when I get to watch them so their parents can have time together.  They are good kids and very sweet and funny.

Parker loves Larry's stuffed animals and usually runs right in our room to pick out a few to play with.  He usually picks the big dog and the elephant.  I think he likes how soft they are and he likes to lay on them.  Lately he has been climbing in the basket with them and hiding.  Today he was in there hiding for at least a half an hour.  He makes me laugh.  Parker now wears Big Boy undies. We are all very proud of him for being so Big!

All the grands are so completely different and so darn enjoyable.  I marvel at how smart they all are and how stinkin cute they all are.  I think I have some of the cutest grands made.

I love being a gramma ..... it's just the coolest thing ever!