This is the Life

I was at the Temple early this morning.  I left my house before 7:00 am and attended the 7:30 session.  Not too many people in that session.  Only 9 sisters and believe it or not 18 brothers.  I say that because usually there are more women than men but apparently not in the early hours.  The Temple makes me smile.  I am thankful for this time in my life that I am able to attend more regularly.  I know that our ancestors have been waiting a long time for someone to do their work.  I almost lost the card with the name on it today.  It was in my pocket and after I took this picture I couldn't find it.  I went back to my car and it had fallen down by my seat.  I was very happy to find it...I bet Maria was too. (Maria Teresa Purin)

After the Temple I had a little meeting at my house with some friends to plan a trip to Disneyland.  I love Disneyland.  Debbie Peterson who I bowl with is there this week with her family and after talking about it at bowling I decided I wanted to go.  Carla was game and so we threw it out there for others to join us.  Patti showed up for the meeting and so did Kathy.  I doubt Kathy will go though because her knee is still bothering her and it hurts her to walk and at Disneyland you do a lot of walking.  We planned the days...February 16-20.  Larry actually got the ball rolling when I told him that Carla and I wanted a girls trip to Disneyland.  He suggested the dates and a few other things.  I was excited that Larry was all for it too.  The guy loves me!  Jody and Robin didn't make it to the meeting but say they are in.  We are going to buy our tickets next week and then we will know for sure who is really in.  I had a hotel reserved but Patti got one a lot cheaper because she is a member of something.  I really hope that Jodi can swing this.  Her family has some challenges right now and so her decision will be later when she knows better of whats going on.  This was a very spontaneous decision and I know it will be lots of fun. Being with a few ladies who like to have fun always is!

Larry had invited a family over for dinner but again they were not able to make it. (this is the second time we had plans to have them over)  I guess their family keeps getting sick or maybe they really just don't want to come.  I had invited Connor too and when the other family fell through I invited Carla and Roger.  Carla hung out all day with me and it was fun.  I really enjoyed spending the day with her.  Roger and Larry clicked right away. They both have the same sense of humor.  We ate hamburgers on paper plates (I'm not fancy) and then played cards.  We had such a good time. Connor told Carla that she was Hot and 2nd to Kimleighel.  He also told her not to stare at him when really all she was doing was looking at him waiting for him to respond to a question.  Connor called Carla Robin throughout the night.  He is such a tease.  Robin had tried calling Carla once and Carla didn't answer but told us who was calling and Connor picked right up on it.  When Connor said Carla was hot I mentioned that at least she was on a list.  I asked Connor if I was hot and he said: "no...you are beautiful"! I love my friend Connor!  He is such a blessing!  

Today was just a wonderful kind of day!

Awareness

Today I wore Purple in awareness of Cystic Fibrosis!  I hadn't even heard of that until a few years ago.  My dear friend's first two sons were born with it.  Her second son passed away because of it.  Purple is also my friends favorite color and so today I wore Purple for Her and her boys and everyone with this challenge in their life.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a hereditary disease affecting the cell that produce mucus, sweat and digestive juices in organs such as the lung, pancreas and the liver. Normally, these secretions are thin and slippery, but in cystic fibrosis, a defective gene causes the secretions to become thick and sticky. Instead of acting as a lubricant, the secretions plug up tubes, ducts and passageways, especially in the pancreas and lungs. Related symptoms include excessive thick and sticky mucus production which clogs up the airway and makes it difficult to breathe and creates a place where bacteria can easily grow, causing serious damage to the lungs. Cystic fibrosis is one of the most common life-shortening, childhood-onset diseases. There is no cure according to conventional wisdom.

I didn't do much else today.  I didn't do my hair because I was called to deliver contacts to a child that left home without them.  I got to have lunch with Larry though and so that was a bonus.  Plus, while at the shop Braxton took the screw out of my tire and repaired it.  I actually finished my blog book for 2014 and worked on another book and worked on my lesson/activity for SNAP so the day was not wasted.

Alexi's Day

Today my cute niece Alexi reported on her mission to Reno!  Jaydan dressed up for the occasion..woot woot!  I am so proud of Alexi and the mission she served.  She served so well and touched many lives.  I visited with a man and his boys who were converted by Alexi because she just wouldn't give up on them.  There were a few people from her mission that came to listen to her.  She also had many Sisters come too.  It was fun seeing all the people that my sweet niece influenced for the better in the year and a half that she served.

Lexi was very humble in her talk and didn't want to come across as being the one that made the difference.  She totally gave all credit to the Lord....Father as she referred to Him.  Her talk was simple but powerful.  The spirit was so strong and I know that everyone in the meeting had to have felt it.  There were a few there that aren't members and I know they "feel" the goodness that the Spirit brings.  She spoke of prayer, reading the scriptures and attending our Church meetings.  If we do those 3 simple things we will feel the difference in our lives and our lives will improve for the better because we will draw closer to our Heavenly Father.

I love the analogy's she used in portraying a few points.  Like the visual of us going to Church in our Armor that is all banged up and smashed and dirty because of what the world does to us each week.  But while at church we fix those dents and polish it back up and are ready for another week.  She gave a few more and I think the way she put things others were able to relate and understand what she was talking about.  

I really loved how she shared that if she could take us all back to just one point of her mission it would be the time that she was really struggling.  The time that she felt like giving up. The time that she wasn't sure she could do this. The time that she was being broken and made humble so that Father could strengthen her and teach her.  That's what happens in life...we are broken and stretched to our limits and that is when we are teachable. (interesting)  She shared a poem by CS Lewis about building our home.  How Father took down the walls and redone the plumbing or whatever He needed to so that He could change our little Cottage to the Palace that He had planned for us.  That's what Heavenly Father does....He makes us better!  He knows our potential and helps to reach it.

“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.” C.S. Lewis

 I had a few thoughts come to me while Alexi was speaking.  I was thinking back when I heard one of our leaders say he always loved when challenges or storms came into his life.  He even got excited about them because he knew that blessings or rainbows would be following.  I bet he was about my age when he said that and I was a good 20 years younger and didn't quite get it.  But, as I thought today I realized I am getting it.  Some challenges or things that would have been challenges to me even 10 years ago don't seem like a big deal.  I can see deeper now and understand so much better.  I can actually visualize the Rainbows ahead.  I really do like where I am in life!  I have had my fair of struggles and challenges but because of them I am stronger and better and so I am thankful for each of them so much.

I am thankful that we got to hang out with the Coy family today and bask in their goodness.  I love them all so much and each of them have made me a better person.  I watch them and learn from them and respect them all.  They are the family I chose for myself.  God knew exactly what He was doing when he sent Tonya's family to our neighborhood.

As Alexi said "We are all Fathers instruments".  He accomplishing His work through us!  I know that to be true.  I have felt it, seen it and experienced both sides of this plan. What a beautiful, wonderful, spiritual day!  A great way to end one week and to start another!

Spreading a Little Sunshine!

This friend has been on my mind for quiet some time.  I've been wanting to go and visit with her.  So much is going on in her life and her sweeties that is challenging.  Denise shared a little with me in a sweet card and I heard a little more from another friend.  I just haven't taken the time to get to her and when I have planned a time to go I had interruptions and haven't made it.  I'm hoping that the reason for those delays is because now is the right time.  I took a Scatter Sunshine bag with me today when I went to Alexi's mission report.  I was really hoping Denise would be there so I could give it to her and to my pleasant surprise she was.  I literally got tears in my eyes when I looked behind me a few rows and saw her and her hubby.  I gave her the bag today but still plan on going and sitting and visiting so she can tell me all that has been going on for the last year or so.  In the meantime I hope the little quotes and treats remind her that I love and care about her.

I love Denise so much!  From the time I moved to Roy (!984) she has been my friend.  She started out as my visiting teacher and from that we bonded and continue to be great friends.  Denise is sweet and kind and very loving.  She is a terrific mom and grandma and her family has always came first.  She has always had some strange health challenges that she mostly just laughs at even though they are very painful and challenging.  Denise manages to smile through her trials and enjoy the good things in her life. Denise is and always has been a wonderful example to me!  I ♥ her!

a "Grand" Week

                                 

Well this week was FUN and EXHAUSTING!  We had grands the entire week...I'm not complaining...I loved it!  It's just funny how exhausting it is when it's not the constant. ☺  Ivy and Zaden came on Monday all day.  They love coming and have a wonderful time.  They really like it if Kimleighel and Jared are home.  They were home since it was Martin Luther King's Day and No School anywhere.  Monday Night Lynette (Jordyn's other grandma) brought us Jordyn.  We were all excited to have this little one with us for a week.  She is so dang cute and good.  When I laid her down the first night I couldn't believe that she just snuggled in her blanket and went to sleep.  Not a peep out of her and she sleeps 12 hours at night.  Jordyn is six months old and so I think that is quite wonderful. She did that every night!  She wakes up talking and smiling.  What a joy she was to have!  She only cries when she is hungry or tired.  

Tuesday Ivy came back and spent the day with Jordyn and I.  Ivy didn't have school and so we played.  We started off by going to the Doctor so I could get my Thyroid medicine filled.  I really do not like going to the Doctor especially just to get a prescription filled...such a waste of time and money.  But I need it and so I went. My Doctor is cute though and so that makes it better than if he wasn't.  When I started going to him when I called to get a doctor the receptionist asked me who I wanted and I just told her to give me a cute one....that she did.    

Later Ivy decided to fix herself a tuna sandwich which I'm all for letting them do it themselves. (I have learned it's good for them)  I laughed though as she brought the bowl and bread in by the TV and continued to make it right there on the floor.  I reminded her that we keep the food at the table and she told me she was just making it not eating it.  That is something I will never quite figure out.....our TV can be seen from the kitchen table and our bar but the food still gets carried over to the couch.  Oh well....I just don't fight it like I use to.  It happens regardless so instead of nagging I just go with the flow. (most of the time...I still do plenty of reminding)

Wednesday I got right up and took care of Jordyn and then left her with Kimleighel so I could go to the Temple.  I got home in time for my visiting teachers to come.  I was wondering why they were late and then Ruth knocked on my door.  She had been waiting for Janean but she must have forgot because she wasn't home and didn't come home in the fifteen minutes that Ruth waited.  After visiting with Ruth, I took Kimleighel and Jordyn to my mom's to visit.  It was fun seeing her and I believe she enjoyed our visit.
                                 

I am very thankful for my kids at home and the help they are with the littles.  I'm not sure why but taking care of my grands all day kills my back.  I've always had a bad back and really need to find some exercises to strengthen it.  In the evenings the family really helped out.  On Wednesday Larry took me and his dad to the movie, Taken 3 which was really good.  I love going to the movies with Larry every now and then.  Thursday I had SNAP and while I gone Larry dressed Jordyn up in his Lion gear and sent a picture to Kevin.  Jordyn had worn in her Dolphin shirt all day but Larry didn't even know that because I had her in her jammies by the time he got home.  When Kevin got the picture he told Larry that was child abuse. ☺  Jordyn didn't seem to mind.  Thursday I had also taken Jordyn to the Day Care so I could go bowling.  Julie and Kevin pay regardless if she is there or not and told me to take her if I had something.  Since Jordyn was at Day Care, Carla and I decided to go to Farmington Station and do a little shopping.  I was looking for something for Natalie since her birthday is at the end of the Month.  I did find her a few Valentine Decorations at the last store we visited.  My back was really sore on Thursday.  I even noticed it while bowling but after shopping I was feeling pretty miserable.  I try to push it but have found out that when I push too much and let my back get to the point of miserable it actually makes me sick.  Darn Back....I found myself a few times this week saying I have a dumb back.  Immediately the thought comes "it's not dumb....it still allows me to walk and for that I am grateful".  I had SNAP Thursday and a Ward came and played Bingo with all our participants. 

When I had gone to bed with my back hurting I have noticed how much back muscle it takes to turn and move.  I'm grateful my back doesn't hurt all the time and usually feels much better in the morning.

                                     

Friday Lynette came back to get Jordyn and brought Kamryn with her.  I was so happy to see that little one.  I really missed her this week since she was the only grand I hadn't had.  She was staying with her Aunt Jen since Jen runs the Day Care that Kam and Jordyn go to.  Kam goes there before and after school and they drive her to school.  I loved seeing Kams bright, shiny face.  She gave me a few big hugs but couldn't wait to go wake up her sister.  While they were here and before Jordyn was even in her car seat Justin brought his kids.  Mya was so excited to see Kamryn too even though it was for just a minute.  Right after Justin and Natalie left a few packages came in the mail.  Larry was home because he had the day off and he was really excited for me to open the package.  He told me he decided not to send me flowers this month and thought that this gift might last a little longer than the flowers.  Holy Chocolate....5 lb Chocolate bar and big 7 oz Kiss!  Yes I believe it will last longer than the flowers...if I'm not careful my muffin top might hang on to it longer than either of us would want. We broke a few pieces off for the kids a few times and then I put it away up in my closet. ☺It was packed with ice to keep it from melting.  I don't think that was necessary for this time of year.  The chocolate was really creamy tasting....Mmmmmmm!

Mya, Parker and Macie are a delight as well as the others.  They play hard and are so fun to watch.  Mya and Parker enjoyed the nice weather we are having. They played out on Friday and Saturday.  Each day they visited Gramps to say Hi and snag a few treats.  I love having Gramps next door and so do the kids.  Mya enjoyed her comfy pj's all day Saturday.  I asked her to change a few times but she didn't want to and so I didn't care.  Macie likes me best....she just does!

My niece, Lexi got home from her mission on Wednesday and so Larry and I went over to say Hi late Friday Night.  Kimi and Jared took care of the grands and as always did a great job.  Macie was asleep when we got home and slept well into the morning.  I love good sleepers. ☺  Kevin stopped over with the girls and a few of their cute cousins on Saturday and Mya and Parker enjoyed them.  We all did...it's just fun having these cute spirits in our home.

I have a few more grand "kids" that make me laugh every now and then.  Braxton and Kelsi's goats are so cute and very playful at times.  I love seeing them on their little house that Braxton built for them and stopped to take a picture one of the days.  Tyler jumped right off but didn't shy away. Instead he ran around and jumped all over everything.  Dale was busy head bumping the brush Braxton has on a post for him. I love passing these cute "kids" every time I come and go. They really are so cute!

Nerd Alert Meme

1. Favorite childhood book? Dr. Seuss Books...I really liked them all but remember One Fish, Two Fish right off.

2. What are you reading right now? The Elizabeth Smart Story.  I really enjoy reading autobiography's now. 
3. What books do you have on request at the library? I don't get books from the Library but share with my book club.  I'd like to read another Nicolas Sparks book.  

4. Bad book habit? hmmmm...maybe laying down while reading?  I'm not sure I really have one.

5. What do you currently have checked out at the library? I have Kathy Orrocks...The First Call from Heaven by Mitch Albom

6. Do you have an e-reader? Yes but prefer a real book 

7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once? I prefer one but have been know to have several going at a time.  I guess I always have another going if you count scripture reading as well.

8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog? No but they have since joining a Book Club.

9. Least favorite book you read this year (so far)?  I can only remember one book that was terrible and it was years ago.  I ended up throwing it in the trash so no one else would read it.

10. Favorite book you've read this year? Journey to the Veil was really good.  Left to Tell though is one of my very favorite.

11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone? I guess never.  I use to only read mystery or love stories but as I have been introduced to other books I have enjoyed them.  I have found that my comfort zone has only been expanded.

12. What is your reading comfort zone? I like reading books I know others have read and that they like.  I wouldn't read a book with bad language or any that were naughty. 

13. Can you read on the bus? I could read while traveling unless the roads are too bumpy.

14. Favorite place to read? In my front room where the window is uncovered and lets the light shine in.  It's also a room that is away from the tv room.

15. What is your policy on book lending?  please return it.

16. Do you ever dog-ear books? If it's my book but since I have been sharing books over the years I seldom dog-ear books but use a book mark.

17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books? not so much but I have highlighted a few books.

18. Not even with text books? no

19. A book you didn't expect to like but did? Coming Out of the Ice by Victor...something

20. What makes you love a book? When it keeps me wanting to go back to see what is next.  I like books that teach me about others as well.
Questions from HERE

Another Pie Party

Larry had another pie party for a few more widows.  This time they lived in the first ward which is the ward Larry is over right now as a High Councilman.  I think the Sisters enjoy these little gatherings because Larry always gets each of their favorite pie to share.  (Triple Berry for Sister Frazier and Lemon Meringue for Sister Hansen)  Again, Larry asked the older sisters to share stories of their favorite Prophets.  I have enjoyed listening to their memories.  I really like older people!  It's fun to think about all the prophets and how they have influenced our lives.  Each one has added their own special thing to building up the Kingdom of God.  I am very thankful for all the prophets.  I am very thankful for this church...The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ makes me Happy!