Weekly Tidbits

*Monday and Tuesday I actually was able to get some things done at home.  I did pick Ivy up from school Monday but didn't have to leave until 2:00.  Some times it is nice to be home and get things done.

Monday Night we invited Connor over to watch Elf with us.  I might or might not be able to steer a wheel chair.  Getting Connor over the little ridge by his door I thought fast would be good and nearly flung poor Connor out.  The next try I popped a wheelie and that was the correct approach to getting over a ledge.  Connor was really excited to hang out with us.  I spoiled him with his favorite treats. (butterfingers and pop)  We had lots of treats and had fun watching Elf.  (Elf is my favorite...oh wait...Smiling is My Favorite) ☺  I think Connor might invite Jared over to his house so they can hang out and he thinks Kimleighel is "hot".  The kid makes me smile!

Jared got his permit.  I was leaving it up to Larry to help with the last two kids and it wasn't working out too well.  Jared is already 16 and he might be 18 if I wait for Larry.  Larry is a great dad but he isn't in a hurry to have these last two grow up I guess.  (really he doesn't want to pay for their insurance)  There are some perks to being the last and some down falls.....the fall was long enough. The smile on his face made me so happy!  It's funny how a mom can feel the joys and pains of her kids...we are so connected always.

Every year for Thanksgiving the Day Care that my grands go to have a special Thanksgiving Lunch and the parents and grandparents are invited to share it with them. (our's was Wednesday)  It's always yummy and fun to go be with them.  This year Gramps came too but I guess I didn't get a picture with him.  I got to sit with Zaden and watch him eat his rolls.  He ate his, mine and two more after that.  That was all. (Kevin ate the other food for him)  He did get a piece of pumpkin pie and had a little of the whip cream.  The kid makes me laugh.  He's always been picky and will only try something when he is ready.

Baby Jordyn tried mashed potatoes and was so funny.  She doesn't quite open her mouth and kept sticking out her tongue to taste them.  She is such a cute baby.  I love being invited to the grands things....Grands are such a blessing and I am so thankful for each of mine!

Larry and the kids cleaned the yard on Saturday and I cleaned up the Thanksgiving Decorations and got out the Christmas ones.  I didn't get the tree up yet so I'm hoping to get that up on Monday.  I still have some big things under the stairs I need to get out too.  It's okay...I feel good about what I got done.  It's beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.....and I'm Lovin It!

Fun with the Coy Family

Sherwood Hills can be sold but our tradition of getting together with the Coy Family continues. Instead of going out for Breakfast I volunteered to have it at our house.  Breakfast is cheap and easy to make and I like the idea of visiting with each other and it's more likely to happen at my house.  I was right....we did a lot of visiting and the kids did a lot of playing.  (it was even nice outside and so they ran around and played on the playground...aka Ropelato Park)

We had french toast, sausage and breakfast burrito's and Natalie surprised us with yummy cinnamon rolls.  So the breakfast was good too but the company and visiting was better.  I think it's funny how my grands and Tonya's grands take a minute to remember each other from year to year.  We really need to start another tradition in the summer.  I'm thinking around Father's Day.

Tonya reserved her Church and we went there for Nerf Gun Wars!  My family got Nerf Guns a few years ago for Christmas and Tonya liked the idea so much that she got her family Nerf Guns last year.

 We played "Capture the Flag" a few times and went all around the church.  The Missionaries stopped by the church to have a meeting and ended up joining our fun.  It was fun having them.  I saw one Elder slide a few times and thought he might put a hole in his slacks but I think they survived.  We shot each other for a few hours.  I played the first round of Capture the Flag but retired since I can't stop myself from cheating.  If you get hit you are suppose to go to a room until someone free's you.  I would go to the room and free people and forget to stay there.  The rules were that no little's under the age of 8 could get shot except by the other little's under 8.  Well....my grand shot me and without thinking I shot him back....at gun level which was his face.  He didn't cry or act like it hurt him which I was glad about but I figured the only shooting I'd better do was with my camera.  Zaden told his mom after the games that Gramma was a "Cheater Cheater, Pumpkin Eater". ☺

After a few games of Capture the Flag we went into the gym and had another war.  This time if you got shot you were out and the winner was the last guy standing.  I think I could have handled that game a little better but still just shot others with my camera.

We didn't end up bowling this year.  Instead we went to the movies.  In years past we would go to the movie on Saturday on our way home. It was a fun filled day!  I'm so thankful for my family and for the Coy Family.  It was so much fun seeing everyone enjoy themselves.  I love traditions even if they have to be "tweaked" every now and then.

Thanksgiving

I loved Thanksgiving this year!  I wasn't hurried or stressed.  I did part of the preparing on Wednesday which really helped.   In the morning we put the turkey in and made the rolls and left while they rose to visit my mom.  My mom was making deviled eggs so she could take them to Susan's family dinner.  We had a great visit.  I think we were all missing my daddy. (it happens all the time)  We just know my mom will spend the Holiday with Susan's family.  It's been that way for over 20 years.  It works...we all know what to plan on.

Scott and Erin's family joined us this year as well and the sister missionaries.  I'm so glad they did.  Thanksgiving memories for me always include cousins, aunts, and uncles.  A few of my kids were with the other families but we enjoyed those that were here.  The Sister's were fun and we all enjoyed having them here.  I loved seeing Sister Frazier guzzle the soda from the bottle.  (she had never done that before and had always wanted to....it was funny)

I cooked the Turkey in a Roaster Oven and it was delicious.  The meat fell right off the bones.  Everything was wonderful.  Everyone brought a dish or two and so it made it easy on me and it was all yummy!  Scott had said that this was one of the best dinners he could remember.  

The guys enjoyed football, we played games, the kids took care of Jordyn and played games.  Julie took Kimi shopping and they had a good time and weren't really gone too long.  Sister Hansen ate a fourth of the lemon meringue pie...I didn't think she would be able to but she did.  The clean up was fast and simple.  It was a fun and wonderful day!  I'm thankful for this day that we have to celebrate our families and all our many blessings!  We are so Blessed!

Weekly Tidbits

Sunday I got the kids back from their dads.  I sure do like my grands dads.  They are good guys and my grands came back very happy.

Since it was our last night with the grands (on Monday) we took them to get treats for Family Home Evening.  They were so excited and cute we let them get two.  I think Zaden ended up picking three but wouldn't take the mini m&m's when we got because he knew he already had two.  These littles were so much fun to have and we really enjoyed them this last week.  

Tuesday T-J Trailers had their Christmas Party at Maddox.  Really we just go out to eat together and the employee's get a Christmas Card with a little extra $$$.  I think it's nice that they go before Thanksgiving so the employees have a little extra money to do their shopping.  I really like all the employees at T-J Trailers.  They are all good people!

Wednesday started out great.  My visiting teachers came and I had time to do things at home.  The only other thing on my calendar was piano and tending cute Jordyn. (I borrowed the pic since I didn't take one)  Well...I got distracted and forgot piano.  Larry sometimes puts me in the middle of the kids, or at least I feel responsible to make sure they do the things he wants them to do.  I made sure Jared fed the cows right after school.  I let Kimi take my car to work while I stayed home to quiz Jared on driving. (Larry said he was going to every night...I think he might have forgot)  I got a text from Natalie asking if we were coming.  For some reason I get really bugged with myself when I forget things like this...especially since I was planning on it and then forget.  It really bothers me...I have done it with ortho appointments too.  UGH!  I jumped in Larry's truck and took Jared and then we picked up Jordyn.  Larry called and teased me about forgetting and mentioned that maybe I should write it on my calendar by the sink.  I didn't think it was funny and I was still stressed about it.  So, Larry came home with a bad attitude.  I was sure he was mad at me for not thinking his teasing was funny.  Welcome Home!

The night got better because we had cute little Jordyn.  At first she was smiling and then just started crying.  I thought she was still tired since we had woke her up to bring her.  We tried getting her to sleep but that wasn't working and so even though I thought it was a little early to feed her I did anyway.  That was what she wanted.  She was hungry.  She is a cute baby and interacts with everyone.  It was fun having her and snuggling her.  I'm so thankful for my little grands!

***Thursday after bowling Larry wanted to go Christmas Shopping.  What's up with that?  The guy never wants to go shopping. We just went to a few stores and called it good.  I got the wood I need for the grands temple pictures.  We got Kimi and Jaydan each an outfit and Jared a shirt.  He's tall and thin and the store we were at didn't have his size pant.  We got Larry a pair of tennis shoes and that's about it.  I also get Larry to go in Joann's Craft store with me to pick up some beads for SNAP..I am over a craft in a few weeks.

I'm Flexible

Today I planned on getting some presents wrapped and to get things cleaned up a little.  The only think I had planned on doing was meeting Mallory at the Fairgrounds where there is a boutique so I could pay her for a piano we got from her.  Last night Trichelle called to see if I could pick up Ivy  from school at 1:00.  No problem...that would work.

I was just getting ready for the day when Larry called to see if I could take the Sister Missionaries a few Church movies.  They have been sick.  No problem...I grabbed a few movies, a soup mix, some chicken, a brownie mix, some hot chocolate and off I went.   I told them I brought them dinner with their movies but they would have to cook it.

I got a text from a friend asking me to stop by the bowling alley to check on another friend that wasn't doing to good.  Okay...I can do that.  I went up and said "hi" to everyone and got some great hugs and checked on my friend.  She wasn't doing good at all.  I suspect she took a few pills that she shouldn't have and she was really tired.  I asked her how she was feeling and if she was okay.  (My other friend was really worried about her).  She said she was ok and hadn't taken more pills than she normally does for her headaches.  I really wished that I could have stayed around and taken her home.  I think my other friend did because neither of us felt it was safe for the other friend to drive.  I said a few prayers for each of them.

I went home and wrapped a few gifts since that was on my to do list.  I also did a little more laundry.  Ivy called when I was getting ready to go pick her up.  She asked me to pick her up by the Junior High school by the side walk between the two schools.   When she finally got to my car she had a little friend with her that she wanted to come with us so they could play.  I feel bad sometimes that she is split between houses and doesn't get a lot of play time with friends and so I agreed.  The little girls mom works at the Junior High and so we went to ask her if she was okay with it.  She was and so off we went.  I had thought that the girls could stay home while I ran to meet Mal  but Jared stayed after school and so I told them they could just come with me.  I was on my way when Jared text and said he was done at school and ready to be picked up.  Okay...I switched my plans again.  At some point I told Ivy girls need to learn to be flexible.  It's a requirement to be a mom.  She laughed and said we weren't Elastic Girl.  I told her we needed to be because things are always changing from the original plan.  I think it probably happens more with stay at home mom's since we just stay at home (wink)...we can add stuff to our day...we're not that busy! haha

I picked up Jared and was able to meet Mallory and pay her.  I didn't get charged for any of the kids to go inside the boutique which was really nice.  I got a few gifts even and enjoyed the little time we were there. On the way home I was going to stop for gas and TJ called to see if I had Ivy.  I told him yes and I even had Audrey. ☺  He wanted me to bring them home which is kind of on the way.  I told him I was going to stop for gas and asked him to ask Zaden what kind of treat he wanted because I was letting the others pick a treat.  Zaden went into a meltdown.  I wasn't sure why and thought that maybe he wanted to come with us to pick his treat.  I kept passing the gas stations waiting for him to decide.  We ended up stopping and just getting him a treat and I took the girls home.

Today I was able to laugh at the confusion and changes in my plans.  I still got plenty done because I am flexible like that. ☺

We Have Talent!

We had a talent show for our Special Needs Group.   I love how excited they are to share their talents with the others.  I didn't get a picture of everything...one guy builds really cool things with legos.  We had Elvis again with his back up dancers. Kyle loves Elvis.  We also had Johnny Cash.  I get a kick out of these people.  My favorite singer was Levi.  This kid is amazing at the piano and also singing.  He is very talented.  I heard that something happened when Levi was little that changed him.  He's awesome.  

 We had a kid tell a joke.  Jessica  played Jingle Bells on her clarinet.  We had a karate demonstration, and Steve sang Once there was a Snowman while a little guy acted out the motions.  It love seeing the talents and watching the kids participate.

Some talents were displayed.  I had no idea that Lisa could paint so well.  It's  fun learning more and more about each of these people and I constantly do.

Connor wanted me to sit by him and hold his hand.  My heart goes out to Connor with the passing of his mom.  The kid is so full of love!  He kissed me a few times while we watched the talent show.  It took us a few tries to get a picture of us without Connor blinking.  I love this kid and the rest of them.  I am so blessed to have this calling.  I am mingling with the pure in heart every Thursday!

Cousins

It's interesting to me how a funeral of a loved one can cause good things.  My cousin Mike passed away Oct 13 and my cousin Kay called my mom to let her know.  While we were talking to her I told her that my daddy (her uncle) would be joining Mike soon. (he did 3 days later)  Kay told me that she was on Face Book along with some other cousins.  I was able to find Wendy and through her find others including Kay.  Many of my cousins came to my dads funeral...in fact I saw all that are living that week.  Jennifer left before the funeral but stopped by my mom's to visit with us.  It is great reconnecting at this point in our lives.

I made a special group called "Cousins" on Facebook so that we can stay connected and share with each other.  Kristy told me at the funeral that we needed to get together.  I have learned that saying it just isn't enough and so I started the group and threw out a date.

Today a few of us cousins went to lunch.  Starting on the left is Lana, Kristy (Aunt Cleo's daughter), my mom, Linda, Julie, Karen (Aunt Cleo's daughter), me, my sister Susan, and Wendy. (Aunt Venyle's daughter and Mikes sister)  Lana and Linda are sisters and they are Julies cousins.  We are distant cousins and always saw them at the reunions when we had reunions.  It was really wonderful getting together and seeing everyone and being able to visit.  We noticed everyone is shrinking and getting shorter. ☺

Karen noticed that a few of us have similar smiles and chins. Karen also mentioned that she just found out a few years ago that Susan and I aren't twins.  Another cousin, Mindy, who wasn't able to make it mentioned that our Mothers would be so happy.  I hadn't thought about that but when she said it I knew it was true.  My dad and his sisters are all together and I am positive they are happy that we made time to get together and get reacquainted with each other.

I am happy that my mom is still here and was able to come and enjoy her nieces that I know she loves so much.  I have a deep love for families. I am thankful for my cousins and the great ladies they are.  I'm glad we are all pieced together.

(I called my mom's brothers a few years ago and reconnected with them after a very long time...maybe 30+ years....I just think families should know each other)