Mother's Day

I love, love, love Mother's Day.  I always have...even when I was a little girl.  It's just a great day.  The earth is changing and flowers are blooming and the sun is shining more and it's just nice in every way.  I love celebrating my mom.  I have a wonderful mom who has done a really good job raising us kids.  She does everything...still.

From my earliest memories I always wanted to be a mom.  I had lots of baby dolls that I practiced on.  I love being a mom....I love each of my kids.....they're pretty cool!  I love the kids that my kids have married that also get to call me mom (if they want).  I love seeing my kids become parents and I adore the mom's that my grands call mom.  Being a mom is a glorious thing....it's the best in my opinion!

My day was wonderful.  Instead of breakfast in bed (because I'm not big on eating right away) Larry and I slept in. (that's what I wanted) We decided on just fruit for breakfast but since we slept in a little too long we had it after church.  I love fruit!

I love church on Mother's Day.  I love listening to the Primary Children sing to the mom's....it always makes my heart smile.  I remember singing to my mom and that is just part of mother's day to me.  I love getting chocolate truffles as a little gift at church.  It's the best gift I have ever received at Church on Mother's Day. Much better than flowers (that always die because I don't have a green thumb) or a CD that I might listen to once or twice.  Yes...I prefer the Chocolate Truffle that melts in my mouth!

I love visiting my mom and mom in law on Mother's Day.  We usually go visit my parents first and I always enjoy our visit with them.  They make me laugh and I'm so glad that I still have my parents to enjoy.  I love them.

I love going to Larry's mom's.  She has pizza and drinks for everyone and the rest of the families gather there as well and we always have a nice visit.  I love seeing everyone and catching up.  Mom let's the kids ride on Clark's scooters and the kids love it. Even mom took a few rides around the house with the kids this year.  We even had a few BIG kids get crazy on them.  I love this tradition.  It's relaxing for me and the other mom's and fun for Larry's mom.  I don't think she relaxes much but she said it's worth it.  I'm glad because I love it!

I love seeing all my kids and grands and receiving kisses and hugs from all of them.  Oh my family makes me smile and I'm so glad that they are mine forever!  I am blessed and thank Heavenly Father all the time for the many Blessings he does send my way.  Last night as Larry and I knelt to pray I made sure I didn't ask for one single thing....I just thanked HIM for being so kind and generous to me! I love Heavenly Father!

Ligori's

My life exists of socializing and having fun.....lot's of fun!  Oh and food....lot's of food!  Today I went with the Sista's to Ligori's for some socializing, food and fun!  We accomplished all!  We always do!
We had a pretty good size group today which is nice since it was just thrown together pretty quickly.  We went in honor of Gina and friendship.  I cherish friendship and love making fun memories together.  I love these ladies....yep....I do!

There was a big group on the other side of the wall from us and a few that I recognized.  I didn't see Charlene but see saw me and mentioned seeing me on Face Book with my friends all the time.  That's when I thought that we should have our picture together and put it on FB as well.  Charlene is such an amazing lady, and she is absolutely beautiful...inside & out!  (I know where Mindy gets her awesomeness from)  Times like today enlighten my soul....they charge me up for the following days.

These ladies are so thoughtful and kind.  It was decided that we should all do something nice for Kay Lynn since her best friend, Gina, passed away.  We know it is really hard on Kay Lynn and we wanted her to know how much we appreciated her for taking care of Gina and being such a wonderful friend to her.  We also wanted her to know that she isn't alone and that we all love her.  We went to a craft store after lunch and found a "Willow Tree" figurine about Friends for her.  Since the figurine was on sale we decided to make her a picture with a saying that had something to do with a loved one in Heaven.  The people in the store were great and let us create right there in the store.  We worked together and got it done pretty quickly and wrapped it up and hoped that we would catch Kay Lynn before she left Ogden High where she works.

We did catch Kay Lynn and she loved the gifts.  They made her cry a little....heck they made me cry a little.  I know it meant a lot to Kay Lynn.  It doesn't matter where we have been in life or what happened in the good old days....what matters is the present time....right now.  We all need people in our lives.  We need to look around and see who might need us.  We need to try to see through the eyes that Christ would.  We need to love and accept others unconditionally.  I felt that love today!

I'm glad that I was "adopted" by this group of ladies.  I'm so glad that I get to share these years of my life with them.  The are truly blessings from Heavenly Father and I thank Him continually.

I made cookies and wanted to share with all the ladies.  I bagged them up and put them in a bag and took them to my car so I wouldn't forget.  At first I had them in front of my seat on the floor so I wouldn't forget but they fell over and I didn't want to step on them so I seat belted them in the back seat.  You know where I'm going huh?  I drove to Carla's and Kathy came and picked us up to carpool.  We were almost to Ligori's when I remembered the cookies were still in my car.  Dang it!  Oh well, like I have heard many times over the years...."It's the thought that counts".....right?  I know Carla and Kathy didn't mind since I gave them the cookies to take home.  I ate one on the way home and the chocolate chips were melted from being in the sun....yummmmy...oh I love cookies!

Crystal

I love this girl and I'm glad that we are friends.  I am also glad that we celebrate our birthdays together.        I love visiting with Crystal and being around her.  Crystal is fun and positive and wise.  Today while we were talking we discussed a little bit how Satan tries to stop us from doing good.  When we notice the evil ones attempts it's a lot easier to Choose the Right and Keep Going.  Crystal was saying that at times her or Brad will ask each other if they are "hearing voices" and what are the voices saying?  That's their reminder that Satan has stepped in.   It's nice to know some times that we are so good and have so much ahead of us that Satan tries really hard to stop those things from happening.  When I recognize his efforts I try harder to do what is right and rely on Heavenly Father more....not sure that is Satan's plan....pretty sure it's not.

Crystal is a wonderful friend and I am glad that we were able to celebrate another year of her life!

Gina

Just the two of us...........

Kamryn was so excited to sleep over with just me.  Just me and her in the trailer, watching Les Miserables and eating treats....lot's of treats.  Kam makes me smile.  We had a few visitors off and on and she reminded them all that it was just me and her and they needed to leave.  When it was getting closer to bed time we stopped the movie a few times to go inside.  I was worried this might go on all night but it was only a few times.  Once the movie was over and we went to bed I told Kam she could play on my ipad for a little while and so I think she did for about 10 minutes then she closed it, handed it to me and we went to sleep.  I was surprised....not another word was spoken and soon I heard her breathing change and I knew this cutie was asleep.

I woke up and waited for Kam to wake up.  I think the noise outside by Braxton doing something with a trailer helped her wake.  I loved watching her little head turn to me and seeing those big brown eyes look into mine.  What a fun time with Kam.  I sure do love my grands!

Parker is 3

Parker is 3 years old and such a sweet, cute little boy.  He is all boy and loves his bow and arrows.  He also loves his stuffed toys when he is ready for sleep.  When Parker comes to my house he loves playing with the lego's and building.  He will play with cars too but prefers building. (reminds me of his daddy)  Parker also loves to play with Larry's stuffed toys and he really loves hiding in the basket with all the stuffed animals.  Parker will stay there quiet for a long time until someone comes and finds him. (cracks me up) Parker has his own communication.  He hasn't chosen to use many words yet but has a unique  way of making us all understand him.  He would be good at charades.  He understands everything and is really smart....so smart in fact he doesn't need to use words.  Parker is a tender and sweet little boy. He is very loving.  He also has a strong will.  He is such a cute kid and it's so fun having him in our family.  I love Parker!

National Bowling

I went to Nationals to Bowl!  It was held in Reno, Nevada and was a fun experience.  I was so nervous the first day that my palms sweat the entire three games of team bowling.  I think it was a combination of nerves and excitement.  I also think it was ridiculous.  I didn't bowl very well that first day and decided that I was going to have more fun the following day.  Which I really did.

Of course I had to bring something to unite our team and I found glasses with peace signs on them.  The glasses made it easy for others to talk to us.  It was fun meeting other people from different states.  The first day we were the only ones from Utah.  I'm not sure about the second day because no one asked when we were all together getting ready to parade in. ☺

The Bowling Buddies invited me to bowl with them so I was their extra guy.  Usually the teams are teams of five.  Lynn didn't want to bowl with the team and that's why I was recruited.  She bowled doubles and singles the following day.  We had a good time because we made it fun.

We had fun walking around after we bowled and enjoyed the buffets.  Some of these ladies plan their activities around eating.  I think it's funny since I don't but realize I might be the odd one. I like food and it shows and maybe if I planned better I wouldn't have a roll around my middle.  I might have to think about that and possibly make some changes. (I now want chocolate...it's my comfort)

The second day we had to rise early and be to the bowling center by 7:00 am so we were ready to bowl at 8:00 am.  I didn't mind getting up and going.  Bowling is a good way to start a day.  We bowled 6 games in a row without stopping for any kind of break.  Debbie and I were partners for team bowling.

Sheryl and her mom were partners.

Julie and Lynn were partners.

We all did pretty good and Debbie got serious and bowled a 211 which earned her an award.  It was fun watching her strike frame after frame.  It was fun striking every now and them for me.  The first day my practice ball was a strike and I didn't strike again until the last game in the 7th or 8th frame.  It's fun when you can throw a strike every now and then....even more fun when they are together.

Bowling at Nationals will always be a Fun Memory.  I'm not sure I will want to pay and drive that far to do it again but who knows.....I might.

On Tuesday after we bowled and ate we went to Virginia City.  We piled into Julie's Rogue so we could all be together.  Sheryl sat in the very back so we weren't so squished.  I'm glad they didn't make me since I'm really not on their team.  They were kind to me.

Virginia City was a fun little old town with cute little shops on both sides of the road.  We took a trolley ride around the block to learn a little about the place.  We learned that there once a lady named Juliet that "serviced" all the firemen and when she died they wanted her buried in their part of the cemetery.  Who ever is in charge wouldn't allow it so they had a big parade for her and buried her on the mountain with a white picket fence around her grave.  There is even a stone memorial in town in her honor. (that cracks me up)

We met "Wild Bill" whose name is really Kevin.  He is a naughty cowboy but he did make us laugh.  In the few pictures we took there was an orb in front of him every time.  Maybe it's his mother trying to keep him in line....which surprises me that it wouldn't have been over his mouth instead of his middle.

His friend (wife....whoever) was a good sport.

Also while touring on the trolley we learned that to spite a friend one guy moved his house as close to his neighbor as possible.  I think it had something to do with liking the same woman. (me: maybe Juliet?)

It was a cute little town and fun to visit but most shops closed at 5:00 so we didn't have too much time there but really it was enough.

It was a fun experience with fun friends.  I'm glad they asked me to go with them.  I enjoyed the out and all the laughing we did.  I enjoyed visiting with Julie all the way there and all the way back.  We are a lot alike in our opinions and feelings. It was fun and I really appreciate Julie for waiting for me and listening to me and all I had to say.  It was 16 hours worth....she's a good listener.  (she talked too in case you were wondering)