Braxton is "25" WooHoo

I love this boy of mine!  Braxton is such a fun, loving, hard working, wonderful kid.  He makes me smile. ☺  He is such a joy and has always made me smile...he has also made me want to pull my hair out but that was my problem not his!  Braxton is talented and loves life.  He works hard and he plays hard.  He is clever, witty, funny, fun and very spiritual.  He's just a well rounded kid.

I love thinking back over the years and can't help but smile.  Braxton has always been a good kid and I never worried about his choices.  (at least between right and wrong)  He has always been a spiritual kid and has never wavered in his testimony.  His first word was Jesus and I truly feel like Braxton has always followed Jesus and done his best to be like Him.

Braxton enjoys life to it's fullest and is always ready for adventure!  He adds so much to our family and I am so blessed to call him son and be his mom.  Braxton Bennett Ropelato we L♥VE YOU!!!

Easter Dinner & Easter Egg Hunt

I love Easter and Our Family Traditions.  It's so much fun for me and I know that my family enjoys it too.  Me and the kids color Easter Eggs...this year it was just Jared and I.  We tried using shaving cream and food coloring (we also tried ink) to get a pretty, swirly, marbled look.  It didn't work for us.  It works great on shiny card stock but wiped right off the eggs.  So we just put the coloring on a paper towel and smeared it all over the eggs. It worked just fine!  I decided that this year we wouldn't hide the hard boiled eggs and we would just enjoy them with our dinner.  I know Mya liked that idea...I heard her tell her daddy she ate three. ☺  Besides we had 350 plastic eggs to hide...a dozen more wouldn't make a big difference.

We don't have a traditional dinner but I liked this years.  I went for Easter colors for our meal.  We had chicken roll-ups, pink mashed potatoes, purple gravy, corn, pastel deviled eggs, bunny bait,  and an orange salad.  Natalie made a yummy dessert. (have I ever mentioned that Natalie is a great cook and so nice to always offer to bring something)  We ate dinner before the hunt so the kids would eat good.  I think it worked.  I think my grands are so dang cute.  I point my camera at them and they either "cheese out" or make the funniest goofy faces.  Oh they make this gramma's heart smile! ♥  Macie is healing so nicely from her surgery and was all smiles today.  She is so cute!

We let the little's go out first and hunt on the North side of the house.  That way they get plenty of eggs before everyone goes hunting.  I love watching them run around the yard collecting eggs.  It's one of my favorite things.  They're just so cute!

I get the biggest kick out of watching my older kids go hunting for Easter Eggs.  This year the older boys held Braxton down so that everyone else could have a head start.  I think they know that Braxton is fast.  It made me laugh but I didn't realize Braxton couldn't breathe...they didn't hold him down long. He didn't pass out before they let him up...thank goodness.  Everyone runs around and I run around chasing them with the camera!  Oh Happy...Fun Day!  Gramps even collected a few eggs for baby Macie...how cute it that?

Usually we hide money in the eggs to get our big kids out there.  This year we surprised them because we didn't hide any money.  With Larry's surgery we just didn't have extra.  They all understood completely and said it wasn't about the money anyway....but I know that's what gets them out there....you just never know how clever Larry might be.

One year Larry marked a  few eggs and had some big prizes to go with them.  He made sure there were enough marked for everyone.  I know at least one of the kids had two of the marked eggs which meant one of the kids didn't get one and because the one with two was willing to share they were rewarded extra.  It was a fun year!

My family is the joy of my life.  From the time I was very small I always wanted to be a mommy and have my own family.  I was so glad that Larry felt the same.  We have such awesome, fun kids.  They warm my soul and continue to make me smile.  I am such a better person because of each one of them.  They have helped me to recognize my strengths and weakness.  They have filled my heart with love and helped me realize we are capable of loving much more than we can even imagine!  There is always more room for more love.

I love being Larry's wife!  I love being a mom!  I love being a gramma!  I love our family traditions!  I love Easter!  I love all the fun things about Easter but I also love the "sacred" part of Easter.  I love thinking about Jesus and His life.  He lived for others always!  His life was all about serving others...His death was all about each of us.  His resurrection brings Joy and Hope to my soul.  I know because of Him we will all be resurrected too and be able to be with our Heavenly Parents again.  I really am Trying to Be Like Jesus!

Christine was Kind

For my talk I wanted to display a picture of the 10 Virgins and I just couldn't find one.  I asked a few people in my ward but didn't have any luck.  So, I posted a little message on fb that I was looking for the 10 Virgins picture to borrow.  Christine said that she had the picture and that I could borrow it from her.  Bless her heart!  Kindness Inspire Kindness and so to let her know that I really appreciated her I took her a Sunshine Bag when I returned the picture.  I truly appreciated Christine for letting me borrow her beautiful picture.

I did it!

Last night was the night that I was asked to speak about the 10 Virgins and preparing to meet our Savior.  This was truly something out of my comfort zone.  I don't really like preparing talks and I'm so not confident in doing so.  I have only had to prepare a few talks to speak in Sacrament Meeting..15 minutes top.  Tonight I had the whole meeting.  I prepared a talk but really didn't know how much time I would take.  I think it ended up being about the right amount of time. (I love being guided by the Holy Ghost....He knew how long it would take and guided me in writing my talk)  I really did feel like I was guided in writing my talk.  I had a basic outline just days after being asked. I even had the handouts made up and ready to go.  I searched and read and added to my talk and then deleted from it and it wasn't long before it was done.  I really wasn't nervous about it until it was actually time to speak. Then I was a little nervous for a minute or so.

It's kind of funny that the other day I was reading over my talk again and I felt like I should have the ladies help me out with the first part.  I was going to read the artists comments about the picture of the 10 Virgins I took to display.  I had the sisters do that instead and it was a blessing.  During the time they were reading about each Virgin I had time to calm down.  I was calm by the time I gave my talk.  I am so thankful for the Holy Ghost and the guidance he is.

I am thankful that I was able to conquer another fear.  I am thankful that Heavenly Father prepared me for it before I was asked.  I am thankful that I am able to recognize HIS hand in my life. I am also thankful for my friends that are so loving and supportive.  Sweet Jodi came and got to see how her example helped me.  (she is used to speaking and I have been able to hear her a few times..she's good) Tonya made the time to be there too.  She helps her parents every week and told her mom she just couldn't stay as long because she wanted to come support me.  Tonya even invited a few of her girls and Amity was able to make it.  I know it's hard to arrange schedules with kids and it's not always possible which is why her other daughter wasn't able to make it. (it's okay)  Denise is also in this ward and invited Emily to join her.  It was so fun seeing Emily and her cute baby, Nora.  I forgot to get pictures with them darn it......so I added some. (hope you don't mind Emily)

Now is the time to prepare ourselves...it has always been the time.  We should live each day as if it is our last...who knows one of these days it will be.  We need to forgive others, repent, be kind, serve others, pray always, attend the Temple regularly, smile and be happy!  Life is to be Enjoyed and by doing those simple things it will be.

As a Thank You Diane gave me some Bright, Pretty Flowers.  Jodi brought me a cute Easter Treat!

Bowling Buddies

This year for the Winter Season I was asked to bowl with the Bowling Buddies.  It's actually the team that got me bowling again about 9 years ago.  Debbie and Lynn were the only two original bowlers from the team and Shirley joined them when she started subbing for her daughter Sheryl while Sheryl went to school.  (it's the team I went to Nationals with) So this season we started out with  Debbie, Lynn, Shirley and Me.  My friend, Carla, wanted to join our league and there was actually a spot for her on another team.  However when Lynn heard us talking about it Lynn decided that she wanted to quit and felt like this was her opportunity.  So Carla ended up on my team.  It has been fun spending time with Carla and the rest of the team every Thursday morning.  We have a lot of fun.  Carla and I usually go out to lunch after just so we have a little extra time together.  Next year Sheryl might be back and so I might be joining another team. I don't really care which team I am on.  I have bowled on quite a few teams now and have enjoyed getting to know other ladies.

These make me smile ☺

I have recently received a few cards in the mail that have brightened my day and made me smile! ☺
I don't think this is very common these days for someone to take the time to actually mail another a card or letter.  I like it and have decided that I want to start sending some again too.  I use to drop little notes or cards in the mail often but haven't for years.  There is something about having the card or note. For one thing....I save them and read them when I come across them again.  I smile every time that happens.  It's nice being thought of and thanked.  This reminds me of the quote: "Acts of Kindness Inspire Kindness"  Kindness doesn't have to be a big deal to actually be A BIG DEAL!!!

I feel blessed......

Today I met Teresa and Tammy for lunch.  We introduced Teresa to Lava Cake which she has never had before.  I am pretty sure she will try it again some time.....because it's delicious.  I love these ladies and I'm glad that they have become friends as well.  I listened to them today and couldn't help but feel very grateful for my life and my problems.  I really do know that I am so blessed.  Don't get me wrong either....these two were not complaining about their lives at all.  They know that they are blessed.  We just all have different paths and journey's and usually we are happy just taking our own path.

As one reads my blog (or book) you might think that all I do is play.  Just so you know that is not true.  I do clean my house and prepare meals and every day I do laundry.  I watch the grands and help with them when needed.  However at this time in my life I do play a lot.  I have always played but it has been with my kiddo's in tote.  I am enjoying this time in my life.  It's fun and I love having fun.  I was asked if I wanted to work part time and my answer came without thinking...."I don't have time."  I don't want to make time for work either.  Yes the extra money would be nice but quite simply I have never had much extra money and have learned to survive without shopping and spending much.  I would much rather continue bowling, and meeting my friends for lunch and helping with my precious grands and being home when my kids get home.  I am still a mom with kids that love having me home when they get home.  So there you go....in case you were wondering...and even if you weren't! ☺