Ice Cream Dessert.......DONE!

I spent most of the day mixing ice cream for Braxton and Kelsi's Wedding.  It's a great feeling to have it in the freezer....DONE!  I made 10 batches.  (one more bucket is on the lowest shelf)  MaryLou gave me this recipe and it seems pretty good.  You mix 1 carton of vanilla ice cream with 1 carton of pineapple sherbet.  You add 12 oz of frozen raspberries (thawed) and 4 banana's cut in cubes.  Mix it really good and put in a container and freeze.  Not hard at all but a little time consuming and a little hard on my back.

I want to brag about my girls for a minute.  I have been blessed with some great girls....all with different talents.  I called Trichelle to help decorate a little where the gifts are going.  She has such a knack for decorating and putting things together.  We aren't doing much but I know that with Trichelle's help it will be perfect.  Natalie is the go to gal if we need something baked or cooked.  She made such yummy cookies for Kelsi's shower that she was asked to make more for the reception.  She is also making chocolate chip cookies because she has a good recipe that doesn't go flat.  Natalie is always so good to help out with dinners and is so gifted when it comes to cooking and baking.  Julie is an organizer and cleans up automatically.  I needed lids for the buckets and she found me a bunch.  Julie is also very good at thanking us for anything.  If we support them in anyway she will thank us...she's just very thoughtful that way.  I love these girls so much!  I love how they are all so different.  I am constantly learning from them and admiring their goodness. Kimleighel is like an extension of me. She helps me out how ever I need her to.  She is really good at cleaning things up good and quick.  I count on her a lot.  I look forward to getting to know Kelsi better and finding out her strengths.  She's a sweet heart.  I know I am blessed!

I've talked to a few of my friends that have had a few problems with their daughter in laws.  Some like to stir things up a little.  I am so happy to say that all mine get along and love and support each other.  I think they all respect each others strengths and don't compare....I'm so glad.

♥ I'm really excited for Braxton and Kelsi's marriage!  ♥

Easter

Easter Sunday is my favorite Sunday.  (I do love Mother's day too)  I love the feeling I get on Easter Sunday when I think of all the our Savior did for each of us individually.  His life was all about us!  His life was one of service.  He was always serving others. His life was about love.  He loved His father so much that he did His will always.  He loved us so much that he atoned for each one of us individually.

Because of Jesus Christ we all get to see our Heavenly Parents again.  Because of Him we will be with our families forever.  Because of Him we get to repent and start over as many times as we need. Because of Him there are no endings.  Because of Him no good-byes are forever.  Because of Him my life has meaning and purpose and I am happy.

I am so thankful for Jesus Christ and his life.  I am so thankful for the primary songs that taught me about Jesus when I was little.  I still love singing them.  I am so thankful that I continually get to know Him better as I live my life and depend on him.  I have learned He is always there for me and each of us.  I am thankful that He lives.....I testify He does!  I testify He loves us and is with us! (always)

I do focus on Jesus but still enjoy the celebrations and traditions that go with this Holiday.  I love filling these cute buckets for my kids.  I love being creative with the things that go in these buckets.  This year I was pleased that Salami was left in them...so were the kids.  I love our buckets!

Since the whole family was together last week we didn't see everyone this week.  I am glad that Justin and his family were able to still come.  I look forward to Sundays and being together.

I loved hearing the excitement from my grands as they told me about their Easter.  Mya was so excited that she was talking so fast it didn't make sense.  She was so excited to show me her sandals that are high heels.  She is growing up so fast and is so cute.

Parker told me how he picked matching ties for him and his daddy.  Natalie had tried to convince him to get a tie that was pastel so they could also wear them to the wedding.  She couldn't so she had Justin take him to the store to pick out their ties.  He looked at the ties and said no, no, no, no, yes, no, no.  He picked the exact tie Natalie had tried to talk him out of.  It was black and gray I guess. So cute....he knows what he wants.

Macie looked so cute in her purple dress.  Macie didn't want to smile or talk to me today so when I held her I mostly had her looking away.

Oh it's so fun seeing my kids as parents.  They are all such good parents.  I love them all....I love the little's that join their families....they are the cutest!

Celebrating Gina

Today is Gina's Birthday and it is also Easter.  Last year it was so important for Gina to celebrate Easter with her loved one's even though she was really sick.  She also put on a smile for her birthday and enjoyed her family.  Because her birthday landed on Easter this year Rex knew that he had to do something special.  He wanted to have a celebration in honor of Gina and send her 53 balloons.  The time that was set worked out so that I could attend.  I left church a little early and was home in plenty of time to help get dinner ready for the family.  I'm so glad that I was able to go.  I could feel Gina's sweet spirit on my way there.  Of course she was there for her celebration.

Rex talked a little about some of his memories and let anyone else that wanted to share do so.  Not many spoke up but I am sure they were remembering like I was.  I had known of Gina since Junior High School but I din't know her until a few years ago when our paths crossed.  I met her and her daughter at a crafting day at Kathy Moore's.  She was all smiles and so fun.

Me and my friends were able to follow her journey while she fought the cancer that was taking her life.  Gina never complained and was always expressing her faith in our God.  I admired that about her.  I loved how she wasn't afraid or shy about talking of God and His love for us.  She truly left her life in His hands and knew that whatever His will was she would be fine.  Gina was a wonderful, positive example to everyone.  She influenced many that she only knew from the internet...her strong spirit was felt and loved by all.

She never quit fighting. Even when she knew that the cancer was stronger than any medicine she continued to try them all.  I know she did that for her daughter and her grand...so they would know that she never gave up.

I love this dear friend of mine.  I am so glad that she came into my life before hers was complete.  She inspires me still.  I am a better person because I have known Gina and got to rub shoulders with her.

Weekly Tidbits

Scattering Sunshine is Fun to Do!

I like when I have Sunshine Bags ready to go.  Then when I feel impressed that someone needs one I have it and can take it to them.  Last week when I took the kids to Tumbling Dana asked me if she was going to get her own Sunshine Bag.  I thought about it and thought heck YES if she asks then she probably needs one.  Dana is always doing for others and sometimes people like Dana get over looked.  Dana is a great gal and has helped my daughter and grands out at times and so it was fun to give a Scatter Sunshine bag to Dana.  Actually I let Ivy take it to her because I was at  Braxton and Kelsie's Birthday Dinner with Larry.  I bet Ivy enjoyed giving it to Dana too!  There's something about giving to others that just feels good!

I took a Sunshine Bag to Crystal today before she went in to have surgery on her thyroid.  This girl has brought lot's of sunshine to my life.  She was my friend when I pulled away from others.  She kept calling me and including me which was a huge blessing to me.  I love Crystal.  She is one of the kindest and purest of friends.  I feel blessed to know this gal so well.  She is a friend that I also count as family.  Larry has know Brad since he was born and so the bounds there are great.  I have loved Crystal since I met her.  She is such a great example of "good".

Birthday Dinner for Braxton and Kelsi

Tonight we took Braxton and Kelsi to dinner for their Birthdays.  They chose to go to Famous Dave's.  I love the smell of Famous Dave's....the food tastes pretty good too.  I love these kids.  They are so cute together and such a great match.  It's so fun adding to our family.  I like the choices my kids have made.  Some times I hear people say they really don't care for the ones being added to their family but I guess I have been blessed because I have loved every single one.  I still love and care about the ones that aren't officially ours anymore....but will always be a part of our lives because of the grands.

I love spending the time with our Birthday kids at dinner.  It isn't often we have one on one time with them.  I cherish these times....and I cherish each of my kids and my sweet hubby that makes it happen.

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!!!