The Grands Sleepover...Cousin Love

Conference Weekend means a sleepover at Gramma and Grandpa's. Woo Hoo! It happened last night and was so much fun.

These little ones light up my soul!  I love the ages they are at and how much fun they are.  They love doing things with me and get so excited.  They entertain themselves really well though too and don't need me to have everything planned.  I do like to plan a few things though.

Tonight we played Halloween Bingo,using very stale candy corn for our markers. (the candy corn is probably 5 years old and only for bingo) They won monster boxes to hold their winnings, pencil and erasers, pumpkin decorations, and a paddle/ball game.  Jared even joined us for bingo.  It was fun.  I had the kids each draw a Halloween Picture...which were very cute.  They put the numbers 1-6 some where on their picture and then they rolled a dice and got to mark off the number they rolled.  You won when you got all your numbers crossed off.  I had a few more things ready in the back of my mind but also promised to have the kids in bed by 10:00 and it was getting close.

I pulled out some treats and rewarded the kids for getting their beds ready, for brushing their teeth and getting in their pj's, and for cleaning up.  Their monster boxes had plenty of treats.  

I really wanted them to go to sleep good and so I told them that they could earn a book if they were quiet and went to sleep.  I have so many books and thought this would be a good way to share some since I continue buying more.  Grandpa said a prayer and we kissed them good night and seriously I didn't hear another peep from any of them until 7:30 the next morning.  Every sleepover seems to get easier...the grands are growing up.  I think Macie might be joining us next time.  We decided that when the little ones realized and cared about what's happening then they are big enough to stay too.

I made pancakes for everyone and they continued to enjoy each other until it was time for each of them to  leave.  I took Ivy and Zaden to Parkers last soccer game and Kamryn's first basketball game.  It's fun supporting the kids and seeing them grow and learn new things.  I love my life!

Celebrating Life

Today we met again to celebrate Mallory and My Birthdays.  July and August had lots going on for Kathy and so today she treated us both.  Today we talked about kids and helping them even though they are grown to be responsible adults.  We decided that as mother's if we "feel" something then we should say our piece and then step back and let them decide.  I do think it's important to say the things we think and feel though because our children might not have had those thoughts or insight...then it is important to let them choose and accept the consequences.

I love that we can share and discuss things with each other.  Someone always has the right answer or advice.  I sure do love Kathy and Mallory and respect them so much.  We are all in this "game" together and need the love and support of our friends.  Even a little cheering from them once in a while.

Food 4 Thought Friday

Food 4 Thought Friday! 

A little feast without the calories!! 

Go HEREJOIN IN!!! 

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Breakfast ~ If you could live in a book, TV show or movie, what would it be?When I was little I remember wishing that I could be a cartoon.  I'm not sure which cartoon I would have wanted to be in but maybe the Flintstones.   Now I guess I might prefer being in "You've Got Mail".  I really like that movie and the characters.

Lunch ~ What 10 things would I see when I walk in your door? (You can add a photo if you like) There's a lot you would see.  If you looked to the right you would see the picture of Jesus on our coat closet.  To the left and you would see our piano room and the married girls in their wedding dresses hanging from a shelf.  You would see a big picture of Jesus and each one of my kids when they were little. You would see a bird house that Tonya made for me and more pictures on the floor and bench.  Straight ahead you would see my wall with my whale watching picture and my curio of Disney music globes and a few precious moments that are Disney.  You would see an antique radio that was Larry's grandma's and a shelf that my dad made with pictures and nick knacks. 

Dinner ~ What was your favorite food when you were a child? Least favorite? My favorite was Spaghetti and least favorite onions. It's kind of like that now too...except any pasta and I do tolerate onions occasionally.

Midnight Snack ~ If you had to change your first name, what would you change it to? Growing up I liked the name Corinne but I really think my favorite has always been Julie.  I just think it's pretty but I like my name and wouldn't change it.

Recipe of the Week ~ (instead of your recipe for life what is it just for the week?) Be Happy....Focus on the Good Things! 

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I love this Bunch

We had a fun craft night with the special needs tonight.  Dyan was over it and she did a great job.  She talked about the pumpkin being like us..we need to get the yucky stuff out and then we can be carved so our light can shine.  Simple and Cute.  The girls covered little jars with tissue paper and got a candle to put inside.  They loved it!

A Bonus to My Days

Every day after school I get to see these cutie grands of mine.  Kimi is their nanny and gets them off to school and takes care of Behrenger during the day.  Kimi has to go to work at the school at 3:30 and Trichelle doesn't get home until 3:45-4:00 and so I go and love on these cuties for that time.  Beherenger had lots of smiles and even coos at me.  Zaden made my day a week or so ago when he told me that he just wanted me to sit on the couch and keep talking instead of going home.  It isn't very long each day but its so nice.

Kimleighel is pretty darn wonderful.  She gets up and leaves around 5:30 am and she adores he niece and nephews.  She is so patient and caring and takes wonderful care of little Behr.  Trichelle and I were talking (which is another bonus) and we have both noticed how Kimleighel seems to be happier.  I think this new responsibility has been good for her...I know that I am impressed with her.  I like what I see.  Kimleighel is going to be a fabulous mommy.

*I didn't take on the responsibility of Behr because I didn't take Sadie and have lots more grands coming that I won't be able to care for all the time either.  I like having them occasionally though...that's always fun!  I really do try to make things work so I can tend them when I am needed.  I love each of my cute grands!

A Good Place to Be

I absolutely love the Temple.  I love the peaceful feeling I get when I go to the Temple.  I love the unconditional love I feel there as well.  I love how beautiful it is..inside and out.  Today I decided to go early and do some initiatory.  I didn't have to wait at all and was done pretty quickly.  There were a few ladies in the booth I was in  but not much waiting.  When I went out to turn my names in there wasn't a single sister waiting and so I decided to do another set of names.  I was taken to the same booth and again it went fast.  Still...no sisters waiting when I came out.  I just found that strange because usually there are lots of sisters waiting.  The parking lot was full so the sessions probably were too but the initiatory just wasn't.  I really miss having family names to take to the temple.  I know it shouldn't matter but since I have been doing family names for years it seems strange not to have any...I guess it's time to take the kids to do more baptisms.

The Temple makes me Happy!  The Temple brings me Peace.  The Temple is a Good Place to Be!

Conference

I love Conference!  I love Feeling the Spirit and Receiving My Own Personal Revelation through the Holy Ghost.  Every time I hear our Prophet and Apostles I receive a Witness that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is True and Good. I Love Being a Member of It! I Know the Jesus Christ is the Head of His Church and Leads and Guides His Leaders!

I Love Our Prophet and His Counselors.  The Spirit of God Radiates from Each of Them!  President Monson gave us all a little scare as he became weak at the end of his talk...oh how He is Loved!

Three Wonderful Apostles passed away since the last Conference in April.  They are missed and loved!

Three New Apostles were sustained this conference.  The Spirit testified to Me that they are Men of God...Called of God!

Throughout the Conference I hear things that I know are for me!  We each get our own Personal Revelation which I am truly Thankful for!  I know God Knows Us and Loves Us....we are His!  I appreciate that others take the time to make a picture with some of the quotes mentioned by our leaders.  Here a few I found and saved!