I am Thankful for Fathers!

I am so Thankful for the Fathers in my life.  I am so thankful for my sweet dad.  My dad has always been so soft spoken and gentle.  I'm so glad that Larry and I both still have our parents.  I appreciate this fact more all the time.

I am thankful for Larry's dad too.  He is such a hard worker and helps us out whenever we need.  He's fun and the best neighbor possible.  I loving having him close so my kids can interact with him more too.  He's just a great guy!  I am really thankful for the Father of my children!  I love Larry Joe!  Larry is such a great man.  He's fun, hard working, kind, thoughtful, caring, spiritual and the list could go on and on.  He is a great dad and all the kids love him so much.  He works hard so that our family can play together.  I think that is the secret to a happy family....playing together.  I don't think it really takes a lot of money either...just time.

I am thankful for my boys that are such good daddy's.  I am thankful for TJ, Daniel and Joe too who take care of my other grands.  These guys all do a great job and I appreciate their love for the little ones they are responsible for.  The world needs a whole lot more of these kind of guys!

Reminiscing about the Good 'Ol Days

I was so excited to find Lynn Halpin Skeen on Face Book,  I have good memories of growing up with Lynn.  She moved into Washington Terrace when we were in the fourth grade. (I think that is what she told me)  We decided to go to lunch and we invited Mindy Peterson Stowers to join us.  Mindy and Lynn actually played together much more since they lived closer to each other.  It's funny how close the houses we grew up in really are but for some reason it seemed further. I didn't leave my street very much...I don't think most kids did.

We caught up fast and spent 4 hours together just talking and sharing.  It's funny how friendships that were strong when you are little are still bound as you get older.  I love these two and admire them for all they have done and experienced.  It was so much fun for me to reminisce about the good 'ol days.  It was fun hearing the events that have happened in between.  I'm so thankful for technology and that we are able to reconnect with people that have meant so much to us...Life is Good!

After meeting these two  I ran home and went to our Stake Conference.  It was so good.  Elder Gay was the presiding Priesthood leader and he was awesome.  He told so many inspiring stories.  I really want to have the Faith I need to Follow our Savior and allow Him to guide my life.  Life doesn't come without trials....but we will be blessed as we trust in God and allow him to guide us.

Special Needs Girl Camp

I love girls camp!  I think it's fun!  This year I got to go with the Special Needs Girls.  We had a great time.  We did a few crafts....tie dyed shirts, made vinyl picture frames that said: "Stand Ye in Holy Places".  We made prayer rugs, and we used shaving cream to make the cover for the girls scrap books.

We played a lot.  We hiked a little.  We shot Mylar balloons with Nerf guns which was a huge hit!  We played bingo a few times because some of the girls really liked that. We even got a ride in Rita's Smart Car. (which is bigger on the inside than you would think)

And it's girls camp so we ate.....we ate a lot!  There was more than enough food and treats.  It's funny how we worry about having enough and end up having an abundance instead.

We learned and sang camp songs and laughed a lot while doing so.  "Oh Fluffy Sheep...so wonderful. Oh fluffy sheep so wonderful...they are white and they are fluffy....oh fluffy sheep so wonderful!"  Heidi went around "baa-ing" at me.  I think she liked my singing. hahaha I love camp songs!

The girls showered at night and had hot showers.  I showered in the morning and had freezing cold. Brrrr...  The Missionary said they never have problems with the showers...well....we had problems.  On Saturday I needed to wash my hair because I was meeting some friends after camp and I needed to be ready so I washed it in the kitchen sinks...that water was hot there because again...it was freezing cold in the bathrooms.

We had a devotional and Rita spoke to the girls around the fire.  It was great about being like Christ.  Forgiving others and just doing our best.  It was really good.  Then we had a testimony meeting and the Spirit was so strong.  These are some "special" girls that know about God.  They know that they are special and that they will be whole again.  They know that God loves them.  They are filled with love and express it to each other and us leaders.  These girls are kind and forgiving and so loving.  I enjoyed spending a few days with them.  I'm so happy that God knows me best and that He told me 38 years ago I would be working with this wonderful group of ladies.  I love my calling.....I love these girls!

Me & Jared

It's just Jared and I for a few days and so we decided to go to the show.  We thought about hitting a bucket of balls together but the hot tempts decided for us. (it's hot) I let Jared choose which show he wanted to see and he chose Iron Man 3.  It was so much fun going with him.  Jared is such a polite young man and silly.  He teases me every time we go in my car together.  He loves turning my seat warmers on and commenting on how hot it is...sometimes I catch on quick but sometimes ....well not!

I bought our tickets in and Jared decided he would get the treats.  I believe we spent about the same and the reason I even let Jared  get the treats was because I saw the amount of money in his wallet. (he has money)  We came home and I helped him with his room a little more.  We threw away more garbage.  His room looks much better now and I think the "feeling" there is also better.  I can't help but think: "Cleanliness is next to Godliness".  Order is good and the spirit can be felt better than in a place of clutter.

I enjoyed the last few days with Jared.  He is very appreciative of everything which also makes it all so nice.  Yeah for one on one time!

Ivy Marie is Eight!!!

Boy does time fly when you are having fun!  This little lady has been loads of fun and I have enjoyed every minute with her.  I can't believe she is so grown up and tall!

For Ivy's birthday we decided to have a sleep over like we did for Kamryn's.  I like the idea of having some individual time with the birthday child.  Ivy slept over on Sunday and we played on Monday so her parents could enjoy her on her actual birthday.  We had a good time together.  I love how crazy Ivy  is.  Ivy is very smart and such a nice girl.  All her little cousins adore her and love being around her.  She is really a good example.

I took Ivy to Hobbie Lobby because that is where the gift that she wanted me to get her was.  She went right to it and after getting a few more things we went to Subway for lunch.  Jared came with us since he has been wanting some drawing books.  Kimi stayed home and mowed the lawn.

We wore Ivy out!  On the way home she feel asleep.  It was so much fun spending a little extra time with our Birthday girl.  Zaden was missing her so we had to return her.  I love celebrating the birth of those I love so much!

Happy Birthday Miss Ivy!

I love Sundays!

I love Sundays, especially every other Sunday when everyone is here.  I love having the family for dinner and I really love watching my grands play with each other.  The grands always go off away from us gabby adults and have a good time.  Usually they play in the Piano Room but today it was on my bed.  I can't help but smile all over!  I absolutely love these little ones!

Today was a day of celebration!  It is Kevin and Julie and Kamryn's 1 year Anniversary!  I think this year went fast!  We also celebrated Ivy's Birthday which is Tuesday.  We had left over cake and today she was able to blow out the candles because we did it inside where there wasn't a breeze.

It is also Gramps birthday tomorrow and so it was a great day to recognize all these wonderful people.

I can't believe Ivy will be 8 all ready.  The time goes faster and faster in my opinion.  It was a fun day. I always think it's fun when our whole family is together.  I hope we will continue to love being together and take time to make it happen.

I seriously didn't know that life could be so good.  It just keeps getting better and better!  Good Times!

Through Others Eyes!

Today at Church I thought this a few times.....Wouldn't it be nice if we could see ourselves the way others do.  Others or at least I look at someone and see all their fabulous qualities.  I might notice a few weaknesses but my eyes do not stay on the weakness it focus's on the strengths and good things.  That's who I see when I look at others....I see their Best!

For some reason I don't think we are as kind to ourselves. (I know I'm not)  We or at least I tend to let my eyes linger on my weakness and quickly look past my strengths.  I know I have mentioned this before...I guess it's something I am learning and so it is on my mind.

I believe we would all be happier and better if we could see ourselves the way others do....through their eyes.  It would really be something to see ourselves through our Saviors eyes.  I'm not sure we would recognize ourselves because we are much more amazing than we let ourselves believe!  hmmmm.......