So Proud of this Boy

Jared is such a hard working boy.  He especially likes to work side by side with Larry or grandpa.  Larry has given him the responsibility of feeding the cows twice a day.  When a few of the calves were sold Jared got paid for his hard work.  The money went in the bank.  Jared is a saver....he earns money and immediately pays his tithing and then saves it.  Because he is a saver he had enough money to buy a gun that TJ was selling.  None of the other kids had quite the opportunity to make extra money like that and so none of the other kids could have bought anything this nice at age 15.  I hope that Jared realizes how responsible and wonderful he is.  I am so proud of him and all that he does.

Jared is a wonderful kid to end with.  He is such a kind, loving child.  Every single day he tells me how much he loves me and he hugs me a few times throughout the day. I'm so glad we were blessed with him and that he has been spared a few times in his life.

Each of my babies are such blessings and were born in exactly the right order where they can bless my life and each member of our family.  I love how close our family is.  When Jared was lost it was obvious the love we all have for each other.  Oh....I am thankful for my family!

Angel Baby

Macie Marie is an Angel surrounded by Angels!  This little one continuously exceeds expectations.  She went in for surgery yesterday to have her lip and nose repaired and her uvula fused together and also to have a retainer or appliance bolted to her mouth to help bring her palate back together.  That's a lot of repairing and Macie did wonderful.  So wonderful that she is coming home today...the very next day!  She is eating great and they are able to control her pain simply by Tylenol.  Miracle...Miracle!  This picture was yesterday when she was awake for a minute.  She is a little swollen but not near as bad as I expected.  Macie is just such a sweetie and a blessing to us all!

Book Club

Today we went to Iggy's for our Book Club.  I think we talked a little about books....actually I think Suzie and Kathy talked about a few while I listened.  I couldn't remember the books I read and it seems that we are all reading electronic books these days so it's hard to share and remember if you don't take your device. Only Suzie remembered her Kindle and so that is probably why she was the one talking.☺

I grabbed a "Sunshine" bag on the way out so I could take it to Amy.  She wasn't our waitress but she got the gift because she is a wonderful waitress and gal.  I love Amy and I've been waiting to give her a sunshine bag for quite awhile.

Yesterday I noticed a lady eating by herself when I was at lunch with Carla and so I gave her a starburst with the sunshine on it. I hope it brightened her day.

I wish we still read paper books that are easier to share.  I miss checking out books from my friends.  I guess I should write down the books that they report about and go to the Library...now there's a thought. ☺

I enjoy these ladies and we have shared so much over the years.  Lot's of books and personal stuff.  Pretty much love my life!

PS ... Last Night I was called to serve as the first counselor in the Special Needs Activity Program.  I was even opposed by one of the gals. hahaha.....it made me laugh.  I really think she was opposing the release of the other leader but she did it when they asked if anyone opposed me. ☺  Funny...Funny!  I'm excited and know with all my heart that I am suppose to be serving here.  I feel very blessed!  I was also told that when the President was released I would move into that position.  This is not the norm in the Church but how they do it with the Special Needs.  It's good to be in the program for awhile since the people attending don't really like change.  So I will be serving with this group for at least another 3 years. YIPPEE!

Surprise!

These were outside my garage door when I drove up today!  I am such a lucky duck.  Larry says "I love and appreciate your support" with flowers.  I can't help but smile. ☺  I do not get tired of receiving flowers from my hubby!  I think he knows that by sending them I will support him through anything .... work and callings!  It sure is a pleasant reminder to be loving and supportive!

Taggarts

Welcome to Taggarts!  This is the sign we first saw when we pulled up to check what time they opened.  Today is April Fools however this sign is not a joke!

Taggarts is a fun place to go for lunch.  I think the peacocks are such a fun part of Taggarts.  Even the restrooms have cool rod iron peacocks in them.  I know the men's does too because it seems that I always go in the men's restroom when I am at Taggarts.  (it's the one that is empty when I need to go)  I realized that today was the first time I actually used the women's and that was after using the men's first.  The women's is a little brighter.  So there's a little info on the restrooms.

Mr Peacock was putting on quite the show today.  He was trying to impress the female peacock but she was not interested in him at all. (or so it seemed)  She kept moving away and wouldn't even look at him as he shook his feathers and  jiggled his rear.  It interested us and others from the restaurant.  I got a little crazy with my camera.  He is so beautiful and was strutting his stuff so much I couldn't help myself.  Isn't he gorgeous?

 Lunch was wonderful.  It was so cool that Kim was able to come all the way from Logan to join us. Jodi and Kim are good sports for coming our way. I absolutely love these ladies!  We will have to accommodate them again soon.

Patti taught us about a sight that guides missionary parents in their travels if they decide to pick up their missionaries.  It sounded so good.  It was good info for Jodi since she has a missionary in Brazil that she wants to pick up.

Dave told us about a lady who showed her kindness.  Dave had a few things going on and while standing in a check out line rolled her eyes because the gal checking out seemed to be taking long.  I believe it was the next lady that was just ahead of Dave that looked at her and asked how her day was. Then after Dave made a comment the lady asked Dave if she needed a hug.  That in itself is a great kindness.  The lady was walking away and stopped and came back to Dave and put something in her hand and told Dave that she believed she needed this.  It ended up being a beautiful coin that said something about God knows and will help you through.  (not sure exactly how she put it but that was the jest)

Another wonderful part of Taggarts is their yummy treats.  I usually just admire how wonderful they look.  Occasionally I order a cookie.  The cookies are huge and last a few days.  Today I bought enough for my family. I figured since it was April Fools, I'd fool them by bringing them home a yummy treat.  Talking of yummy treats.....Jodi brought us mini powdered doughnuts for the drive.  I knew better than to try one because my cute friend is a prankster and I knew she came prepared.  I was right!  Kim tried one and ended up throwing it out the window.  Tee Hee.....Jodi had dusted them all with baking soda!  She's such a funny gal!

 I didn't bring a Sunshine Bag today but I did bring a Sunshine Treat!  When the people came and sat at this table I only noticed this little boy.  I felt like he could use some added Sunshine.  He was so cute with such a big smile.....it was after I gave him the treat that I noticed he was the only boy.  I love spreading a little Sunshine every now and then.  It warms my soul as well!

 It's a good thing my soul was warm because when we headed home Mother Nature had fooled us all!  It was a blizzard!  I had a hard time seeing and my windshield wipers were noisy and not clearing my window very well.  The roads were slushy and I was a tiny bit nervous.  The gals were kind and encouraging though.  Look how white it is outside....it wasn't like that going up.

It was a fun day and the weather cleared the closer I got to home.  My family loved the cookies even though I didn't remember to give them to them until the evening.  For some reason April is a favorite month of mine.

Try #2.....Success!

Today Denise and I were on the same track and we met up for lunch to celebrate her birthday.  It was so fun visiting with her.  I enjoy this friend of mine so much.  She is so amazing and has such strong faith.  I'm so glad that when I moved to Roy all those years ago (around 30) that Denise was sent to me to be my visiting teacher.  I think we would have been friends any way but that started it.  We have shared a lot over the years and have made some great memories together.

You might think that at our age life would be easier and our trials would be less but that simply isn't true.  However our experience makes it easier to get through the challenges that come to us.  I admire Denise in so many ways.  I'm glad that we still take time at least twice a year to get together.  I enjoy my visits with Denise.

While we were visiting I noticed a few gal's from my ward come in.  It wasn't long and I got a text from Cindy telling me she could see me.  I was thinking of texting her just moments before I got her text. (she's younger & faster)  I was happy to see these young mom's getting out and enjoying each other.  I really think that my lunches with my friends over the years has been a blessing in my life.  Once a week I would meet Mallory for lunch.  Sometimes I took kids but often I had them watched so I could just have some girl time.  Girl time is so wonderful and refreshes the soul!

Sleep Over with the Grands

I love Sundays.....especially every other Sunday when ALL the kids and grands come over.  I love having the family together and Sundays it happens!  Last night everyone was here and our house was "buzzing".  There are always a few conversations going on at the same time.  I quite enjoy the buzz....if this happened every day it wouldn't be as enjoyable but since it doesn't I love it.  I love my family!  I love that we are close and care about each other.  I love that my grands love coming to our house and that they all love each other and really get along so well.

I love that my grands can write notes now....we get them once in awhile and they always make me smile.  I received a note from Ivy last night asking if she could please spend the night...then at the bottom she wrote: "I haven't asked my mom yet."  I couldn't help but laugh and share it with the others.  Why not?  Why not let all the grands sleep over?  It's spring break so there wasn't school....so we said "Yes"!  Boy, that shot a burst of energy into the grands.  They were so excited they were bouncing up and down.

So the parents wouldn't have to come back down Jaydan was kind enough to find shirts for them to wear.  Jaydan also brought down blankets and Jared and I had a few extra pillows.  We were set! Since it was already kind of late when the others left the grands got ready for bed right away.  They brushed their teeth and went potty and then we went in to watch a movie.  Before the movie though we said prayers.  That's right....prayers!  Every grand likes to say their own prayer and so I let them.  It's one of my favorite parts of sleep overs.  I love hearing these sweet little ones pray to Heavenly Father.  They are all so cute in the way they express themselves.  Oh they make this heart of mine sMiLe! ☺

We watched Ice Age 3 and when it was over they all went to sleep really fast.  Sleep overs are getting easier.  I love each of these little's so much.....I can't even comprehend loving them more.

Most of them prefer pancakes for breakfast when they sleep over and so I made pancakes.  It's such a joy to wake up to these cute faces.  Oh the Joys of Grands!!!