Fun, Full, Friday

There are advantages of being the only close gramma around.  I get to watch Sadie more often.  I adore my grands and love having them around.  Sadie is growing and is so cute.  She smiles now every once in awhile when you talk to her.  She is a sweetheart.  I love cuddling her and watching her expressions and movements.  Sadie is a wiggle one.  She likes moving her little legs and arms.  She liked looking at things and seems to pay close attention to whats going on around her.  I like telling her to tell gramma stories and watching her respond.  She will goo as if she really is.  It would be so fun to hear all the things she could tell us.  I adore being a gramma!  I adore my grands!

I got to pick Ivy up today too.  Ivy broke her wrist earlier this week on the playground and I think she is enjoying her cast and that extra attention from everyone.  I love having her over and today it was fun having my oldest and youngest grands together.  One of the nice things about having the grands is I also get to see their parents more.  I love my cute family.

Larry was asked to speak at the Priesthood Commemoration our ward was having at the park.  He invited me to go with him and so I thought I'd better.  He said he invited me in case I was bored....just going to say I can't remember the last time I was bored.  I like having alone, quiet time every now and then and I am not bored if that happens.  He had asked Shirley to share her experience of having the sacrament brought in to her when she had her knees replaced.  Kimi came along too because she didn't want to be home alone tonight.  Afterward the meeting Larry suggested us girls go get a treat.  Kimi chose Chili's and so we walked right in and sat in the lounge and was helped immediately.  I love their desserts that are so rich and full of calories.  It was fun spending a little extra time with Shirley.  I adore Shirley....she's just a wonderful friend and person.

Food 4 Thought Friday

Food 4 Thought Friday!

A little feast without the calories!!

Feel free to play along for some yummy fun! GO HERE to JOIN IN!!! 

Food 4 Thought Friday ~ This week's questions: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ 

   ~~~MOTHER'S DAY EDITION~~~

Breakfast ~ What name did you/do you call your mother?  If you are a mother, what do your children call you? I always called my Mother...Mom!  My kids usually just call me Mom as well but when they do call me Mommy it melts my heart.  I have been called Mommy Dearest but it was to get my attention.  My son was on his mission and he had maids until his birthday and they stopped having them.  He wrote "you got your wish mommy dearest".  I wanted my boys to do for themselves and never think that women are here to pick up after them.  That son is very helpful to his wife.  It made me laugh when he wrote that and I wished him a very Happy Birthday!
Lunch ~  What do you admire most about your own mother?  My mom is a very hard worker.  She doesn't stop.  She is also very talented and can do many things.   My mom is generous with God and others.
Dinner ~ Name a mother you admire more than any other mother (besides your own) and share why. Sharon Bagley just came to mind.  Sharon is one of those "Angel Women" here on Earth.  When I was young and living in Roy I remember a Young Women speaking of her mom.  She told how she had never heard her mom say a bad word and was always kind and patient.  She was speaking of Sharon...her mother.  Sharon has eight children and never lost it in front of her children. (that might not be completely true but to my knowledge it is) I remember hearing that she would go into her room to vent or calm down.  I always looked up to her and thought it would be wonderful if at least one of my children could say that about me.  As hard as I tried it didn't happen.  But I do know that Sharon's example made me a better mom.
Midnight Snack ~ If you are a mother, name what you feel is the hardest part of being a mother for you.  If you are not a mother, name what you think is the hardest part of being a mother from observation.  The hardest part is allowing your children their free agency.  Sometimes you know they are going in a different direction and even though you talk to them about it they get to choose and it's hard when they choose a different path than the one you would have chose for them.  When I had "little" ones I thought potty training was the worst, most frustrating thing....now I would say that wasn't a big deal at all.
Recipe of the Week ~ (instead of your recipe for life what is it just for the week?)  Celebrate Mothers!  We all have them and should be grateful for the things they have taught us... good and bad.  Mother's sacrifice so much for their kids and love them more than can be imagined.  Motherhood is a Spiritual Experience....God is their teacher and confident.  I'm so thankful that I am a Mommy...this calling in life has taught me amazing things.  I am a better person because I am a Mother!  I love the ones that call me Mom, Mommy, and even Mommy Dearest.

Woo Hoo Kimi

Kimleighel is a thinker and when she started thinking what a vacation with me and Larry would cost she made a proposal.  With the first five kids we gave them each a trip for their sixteenth birthday.  It was suppose to be a trip with just the parents and them to have that one on one time that they seldom got because they have so many siblings.  For Kimi and Jared that need isn't as strong....they get us to themsleves!  Anyway she told us that she would rather have a Cello of her own.  It's been three years and today she finally got one.  She was so happy and excited.  Kimleighel loves the Cello....it speaks to her soul.  The Cello we found was in Logan and so we stopped and had some yummy crepes on the way home at the Crepery!  We need to replace a string on the cello that sounds yucky but after that this cello should be good for Kimleighel until she decides to upgrade.  Oh Happy Day!

Sandy

Sandy was Larry's accountant for 30 years and over the years they became such good friends.  A few years ago Sandy started showing signs of Dementia and then she had a fall and experienced a few strokes.  I didn't see Sandy often but when I saw her strapped to a wheel chair it broke my heart.  Sandy was too smart and classy to be in that situation.  (those were my thoughts) 

Sandy passed away on Justin's birthday, April 30...the same day my friend Gina passed away a few years ago.  It's hard losing someone.  I wasn't around Sandy a lot over the years but she made an impact on me the times I was.  Even when Sandy was in the nursing home and her mind was all over, Sandy would find something to compliment me about.  She was so kind, smart, talented, and wonderful.

I loved watching Larry visit his friend.  Larry was able to go on the journey's with Sandy as her mind switched around.  He just went with her flow and would talk to her in her moment.  I loved seeing them joke with each other even when the times were hard.  Larry was amazing with Sandy.  Sandy loved Larry (and our family) and expressed that over the years.  She knew she could always count on Larry....and she could!  Larry was the one the family called when Sandy went to the Hospital a few weeks ago with phenomena.  Larry went to the Hospital a few times a day to be with Sandy....every day she was there.  He had the privilege of being with her along with her family for her last breath in this life.  I'm glad that Larry had that opportunity and was there to show his love and support to Sandy, Jim, Kristen and Keri.  I know they all appreciate Larry and consider him family.  They had chosen to take Sandy off her oxygen and let her go and Larry was invited to be with them. (I was attending Women's Conference~the perfect place for me to be at that time)

Larry spoke at Sandy's Service as a friend and did such a wonderful job.  It's hard knowing what to say and what others might need to hear and he was right on.  I'm glad that Sandy has graduated from this life.  She is in a better place, whole and healthy.  It won't be long before Jim follows her since he is battling cancer...it will win but he is hoping for a few more years.  These two have blessed our lives in many ways....so very thankful for the people that cross our paths!

Early Birds...

Jared has started drivers education at the school.  It starts at 6:00 am and so we have to get up earlier to make it there.  Have I mentioned how mixed up I think drivers ed is these days?  It's one of my pet peeves.  You might not want to read anymore.  It is required to have a learners permit before you can sign up for drivers education.  Drivers Education is where you learn all the things you need to know to pass the test to get a permit...or so I thought.  Now...the kids have to study on their own and with their parents so they can pass the test to get their permit.  Then you get to pay to have them go learn the things they just did because it is required that everyone take the course before you can take the driving test to get your license.  It is also required that the child drive with a parent for 6 months before getting a license.  So it makes me wonder why in the heck do they even need to take drivers education anymore...why not just let the parent teach them like they are already doing.  Oh well, sometimes things don't make sense but we are required to do them anyway...it's life.

***I went to a parents meeting with Jared a few days after this post.  It helped me to understand the logic behind this new way of doing drivers ed.  The extra time and parent involvement is to protect the kids and have them more prepared to be on the roads.  The drivers ed course educates the kids and shows them the "Reality" of important do's and don'ts.  My attitude was adjusted! ☺

I decided that since I was up I might as well go to the Temple.  I got up early and showered and the plan was to drop off Jared and then go directly to the Temple.  While we were going to the school it occurred to me that I didn't kiss my hubby goodbye.  I'm not use to leaving first in the mornings and so it isn't a habit for me like it is him.  I debated with myself....should I go home or just stop by his work after the Temple?  Since it was early and the first session wasn't until 7:00, I decided to buzz home first and give him a kiss and then go.  I think Larry was a little surprised that I came back just to kiss him goodbye!

I love our Temple and appreciate it so much since the remodel.  I probably took it for granted before but after having to drive a little further for a few years I am very grateful for it now.  We are so  blessed to have a Temple so close....in fact, we are so blessed to have so many Temples so close to us.  As I was leaving the Temple this morning I felt that same satisfaction I would coming home from the gym.  Even though it's not easy getting there it's so worth it.  I just felt so good about going and helping someone get their endowment.  In my mind I thought: "I can do this....I can take time to go to the Temple and help those on the other side of the veil."  I need to do it more and even allow a little more time in the Temple.  I know the work that goes on inside those beautiful walls is much more important than the things I let occupy my time.  I know that going to the Temple often is what I'm suppose to do....it's my season for it!

More Cute Grands

Tonight Kevin and Julie swapped me kids.  I took Kamryn and Jordyn and they took Kimi and Jared.  Every once in awhile the dentist Julie works for will rent a movie theater when a new movie comes out.  Tonight the Avengers was the Movie they went and saw.  Julie gets free tickets and so it was a fun night for my kids.  I love that Julie and Kevin always seem to include extended family in their fun.  They are really good at that.

I loved that we got to watch the girls.  We don't get these two that often and so it's fun when we do.  Jordyn loves Kamryn so much.  It's obvious that Kam is really good to her.  I'm so glad they have each other.  I'm so glad they are ours.  We watched movies tonight, ate popcorn and cereal and played beyond being tired. (Larry was the only one that got a nap)

The girls were tired when Kevin and Julie came to pick them up.  Heck....we all were. ☺  Life is great and it's best with so many cuties surrounding us.  Oh how I love them all!

Happy Cinco De Mayo...Happy Birthday Crystal

Crystal has the same birthday as Parker (May 3) and today The Hooper Honey's celebrated her.  She loves the cabbage salad at Melina's and so that is where we went....quite fitting for the day since it is Cinco De Mayo!

Today it seemed that there is a lot of good going on in everyone's life. Of course there always is but some months are harder than others.  We're all at a pretty good place right now. Crystal and Lorraine are both getting their daughters ready to serve missions.  In fact the girls speak on the same day but leave a week apart.  How exciting for them and the families!  Tammy's daughter in law is going to go through the Temple soon so that is very exciting.  Kellie's kids are doing good and their houses are selling so quick that Kellie might just be sharing her house with a few families soon. (that might not be as exciting as it might be overwhelming)  I love sharing our lives with each other...the good times and the hard times!

I love this group of ladies and I love when March comes because that means we start celebrating each others birthday's monthly.  There isn't a birthday with this group in April but Lorraine's is the end of March and so it's not noticeable.  These ladies are sweet, kind and funny!  I love spending time with them!  I love our Monthly Celebrations.  Kellie is next!