Fun Weekend

I found out through Suzie that Tashina was speaking this Sunday.  I think Julie must have forgot about letting me know which I totally understand with all a mom has on her mind.  Suzie is in the same ward as Julie's dad and he mentioned it to her.  Suzie, Larry and I were at the Stake Offices getting our recommends signed when the conversation came up.  Larry didn't really want to go because we would have to hurry home after the meeting and so he suggested Suzie and I go together.  I'm so glad it worked out that way because the drive went fast and I don't see enough of Suzie these days.

We stayed in St George and went to the Live Nativity at the Tuachan on Saturday.  Anne Marie met us and went with us.  It was cold but really nice.  I liked starting this Wonderful Season with the Nativity.  I was happy that Anne Marie was able to meet us.  I met her from face book.  She sent me a friend request years ago and I accepted after checking out her page first.  She seemed like a good person. ☺  I am glad I accepted her request because she is a wonderful person and now a good friend of mine.  It was a delight spending a few hours with her.  I was a little embarrassed that she bought us all dinner at the Crepery afterwards.  She wanted to though and I tried to think how I would feel if the roles were reversed and so I accepted her generosity.

 

Julie's church didn't start until 1:00 which was really nice so that we didn't have to hurry. We got there in plenty of time.  We were even delayed by the "Spaghetti Bowl" which we really tried to avoid but didn't end up doing.  Julie saw us come in the door and came over with tears in her eyes.  She said she doesn't usually cry (which she doesn't) but seeing us made her.  I was so Happy that we Surprised her! I love surprises!

I love the Nelson family...every single one of them.  I know that they are fond of me as well because they are so good at showing it.  Kinndeli was so bubbly and cute and came over to us right off.  She even suggested selfies when we went to their house.  She is a beauty inside and out.  I think Tashina must have hugged me 3 or 4 times.  She kept saying: "come here...I need another hug".  Moving away from Hooper was a good thing for the Nelsons.  I know they were guided and led to Vegas.  It has been good for all of them.  They have been such leaders and blessings to so many and they have been extremely blessed.  I seriously love them all so much.

It was nice just visiting with them without feeling like we had to hurry and leave.  It was also nice just going back to St George when we did leave.  We missed all the congested traffic.  Coming and going we were blessed with good driving conditions.

I always feel so enlightened after being around Julie.  She is such an inspiration to me.  Spending those few days with Suzie was also inspiring.  I really am blessed with wonderful friends.

I put up my Christmas decorations on Friday before we left and as I do I think of so many friends.  I love having decorations that remind me of my friends.  I asked Larry if any of the decorations meant anything to him and of course they didn't.  I started pointing out who they were from and told him that is why I keep them.  It's kind of the same thing during the year...I have things around my house that remind me of my friends.  Julie had things around her house that I gave her and she keeps them for the same reason.  I laughed when I saw the paper eyes I made years ago when I went to visit her, sticking to her bedroom door.  It made me feel good.

On our way home we stopped by Darinda and Jerry's home to show Suzie.  (Darinda said I could any time) When we turned to go to their home we saw a group of Cowboys moving horses. It was fun watching them.  The drive home was good and I took pictures of all the temples and text them to Larry so that he would know where we were.  We are so blessed to have temples guiding us home.

I really enjoyed this weekend.  I'm glad that Kimleighel came with us.  She is fun to have around.  She had a great time too and I don't think she would mind moving to Vegas with the Nelson family...Logan might be a huge reason.  (I think arranged marriages would be good now that I am on the other side of the arrangements)

Food For Thought Friday

Food 4 Thought Friday! 

A little feast without the calories!! 

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

 ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥  

FAST FEAST!!!

 (Because no one has time to think too hard this week!)

Breakfast ~ What is your favorite food (or two or three) served on Thanksgiving? I love it all....the turkey, potato's and gravy, stuffing, rolls..and pumpkin pie. (I like other pie too if there are more choices)  This year Suzie brought cut up apples and banana's with a yummy dip.

Lunch ~ Name a tradition you have for Thanksgiving. Football seems to be a tradition.  Our family use to spend the weekend at Sherwood Hills until two years ago when they sold out. (we went for over 20 years)  That was the funnest tradition.  We need to come up with something else now.

Dinner ~ Where did you eat your Thanksgiving feast this year and what dishes did you make? I had it at my house this year.  I think I will for years to come as well.  I cooked the Turkey in a Roaster and it was so juicy, moist and good.  We also had a smoked turkey that I heated up in the crock pot.  I made deviled eggs because I make yummy ones.  I also did the potatoes and gravy and yams.  Larry peeled and cut up the potato's and Ivy made the stuffing.

Midnight Snack ~ Do you go BLACK FRIDAY shopping? I have before but it isn't my favorite thing to do. Why or why not? I don't like competing for things.  I would rather wait.  I usually have my shopping done before anyway and am not influenced by adds. Plus, I like my sleep and don't enjoy long lines.

Recipe of the Week ~ (instead of your recipe for life what is it just for the week?)  Be Thankful for Every Little Thing.  Look around and pay attention to all we have.

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Happy Thanksgiving

I learned today that Thanksgiving is Jared's favorite Holiday.  I like it too.  I like the memories I have of past Thanksgivings involving family, extended family, lots of food and love! I think for the next few years I will be cooking Thanksgiving dinner.  For years Darinda and I switched off but since they got their home in St George we decided that  we would just celebrate with our own little families.  I don't mind that but to me Thanksgiving means extended family too.  The more the merrier in my opinion.

Earlier this week I felt like I was suppose to invite someone to our dinner.  I didn't know who but couldn't shake the feeling.  I was talking to Suzie Arave on the phone about this coming weekend and asked her what she was doing for Thanksgiving.  She said her and Duane were going to the movie later but didn't say anything about dinner.  I quickly invited her to our dinner.  One of her sons was going to his wife's family, the other was working and her baby is on a mission.  She wasn't planning on any kind of dinner for her and Duane.  I was so glad that they accepted my invite.  I also posted a message on face book hoping that if anyone else was in that predicament that they would also join us.  I think I was too late.  A friend of mine commented that she had done that same thing and had 8 others joining her group. I didn't get anyone else.  I found out later that my sister went to Chuck a Rama and didn't seem real thrilled about it in the text she sent.  I wish she would have called and joined us.  I just assume that her kids and my mom will have a dinner.

I stopped having Thanksgiving Dinner with my family many years ago.  It was easier to not be included.  After a few painful Thanksgivings I started the tradition of taking our family to Sherwood Hills after our Thanksgiving Dinner.  The Coys joined us the second year and the only reason we aren't doing it still is because Sherwood Hills is no longer a hotel. They sold out two years ago.  We have so many fun memories there.  It sure changed our Thanksgivings into something fun and wonderful.  I bet that's why it is Jared's favorite.

The Sister Missionaries stopped by and spent a few hours with us before going to another dinner.  It was fun having them over.  They are so cute.  They like to visit with Trichelle and her family.  Missionaries are pretty wonderful.  It's a joy having them over!

It was truly a blessed day.

Thanksgiving Lunch with a Few Cute Grands

Kevin and Julie are in Thailand this Thanksgiving along with Julie's brothers and Jaydan.  That didn't stop Gramps, Me and Julie's Parents from going to eat with our cute grands at their daycare.  Every year the daycare invited the parents and grandparents to a nice Thanksgiving Lunch.  It's always yummy but being with these cute girls is the best.  Gramps has been missing these cute faces since Jen (Julie's sister) has been watching them.  Jordyn seemed to be having a little separation anxiety and only wanted Jen. However, she did take turns going back and forth to each of us grandma's.  She kind of fussed at gramps....I wonder if she thinks he deserted her too.  It was nice spending a little time with these cuties and their other grandparents and cousins.  I must say...I sure do like the families my kids have married into.  They are all wonderful families that I love and respect

We took some food over to Larry and saw his new toy.  I really like it.  Larry has been looking for this style of truck for many years and finally found one that he wanted.  The one he actually found was in New Jersey and needed to be completely restored.  He was ready to drive back there but then TJ started looking around the internet some more which made Larry look around and he found this 1959 Chev in Casper, Wyoming.  He decided on this one since it was finished and close.  I think it is a great choice.  So this Blue Beauty is Larry's Christmas and Birthday present.  I'm excited for him to have this.  Larry is so kind and thoughtful of everyone else and deserves a little spoiling too.  Happy~Happy Day to My Cute Hubby!

Food for Thought Friday...Answered on Sunday

Food 4 Thought Friday! 

A little feast without the calories!! 

Feel free to play along for some yummy fun! Go Here JOIN IN!!! 

 ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥  

Breakfast ~ What was the happiest thing that happened to you this week?  everyday plenty of happy things happened...I got to see and watch some of my cute grands this week and am thrilled when they squeal for me and run to hug me or lunge for me.  I am happy when I get a text from a child or two telling me they love me and that I am beautiful.  The texts from Larry also make me very happy.  Spending time with my friends always makes me happy and that has happened a few times this week.  Also getting pedicures makes me happy and I got one of those this week.  But, since I am answering this Sunday and just spent Friday and Saturday at Time Out For Women I am going to say that was my Happiest Thing this week.  For two days I felt the Spirit and Heard the Promptings of the Holy Ghost.  I heard wonderful talks, laughed a lot, and listened to some very inspiring music.  I was with beautiful women who call me their friend. My soul was filled with Happiness.  Saddest? Saturday Night, Braxton posted a picture of cute Sadie with a breathing mask on her little face.  She has croup and her face was flushed and it broke my heart.  I actually cried looking at the picture.  Another time was when I was watching Jordyn Wednesday.  When I changed her diaper her little bottom was bright red and it hurt while I got her cleaned her up.  That also broke my heart.

Lunch ~ Where in the world have you been that you thought was most like paradise? Probably Kauai.  I think that Island is so beautiful and peaceful.  When we vacation there we are able to relax and just enjoy the beauty around us.  It feels like paradise to me.

Dinner ~ What compliment do people give you the most? I get a lot of compliments about my smile which makes me happy.  I like smiling and try to smile a lot. (I smile so often that when I don't my lips wrinkle...I don't like wrinkly lips) I also get compliments about how Happy and Positive I am which inspires me to continue working on being Happy and Positive. (it does take some effort)  One more compliment that I get a lot is about how many friends I have.  I am truly blessed with wonderful friends and a lot of them.

Midnight Snack ~ What famous person you would have loved to be born as? There are many famous people I admire but I can't think of any right now that I would have loved to born as them.  I know I could have answered this better years ago because I struggled with my self esteem and thought most peoples lives were so much better than mine.  However now, I realize that for the most part we are all so similar.  Everyone has their struggles and challenges.  Some succeed and the world see that success.  I'm content where I'm at and also how I got here. I know I didn't really answer this question but skirted around it. ☺

Recipe of the Week ~ (instead of your recipe for life what is it just for the week?)  Trust God and let Him direct Your Path.  His plan might not be our plan but it will make us the Happiest and be a Blessing to Us and Others.

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Time Out For Women

I was so excited when Barbie asked me if I wanted to go to Time Out For Women with her.  I have heard good things about these conferences but have never went.  I loved it so much I want to go again and I think we will in February.  I loved that everyone met together and everyone got to enjoy all the good speakers and music.  It was pretty perfect.

I came home and was telling Larry all about it.  I learned so many good things.  Thank goodness I took a few notes because after just two days I had forgot some of the first talks and even one of the speakers completely.
Here's a few of the notes I made:
"If it's important to you, then it's important to God!"
*Mary Cook---God provides miracles everyday.  Matt 17:20 For verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Sometimes our world stops (especially with a death) but we need to move forward with faith.  Our trials are to teach and strengthen us.  2 Nephi 31:20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.  Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have Eternal Life. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  We are surrounded by Angels on both sides of the veil.  We need to believe in and support our husbands and sons.  If you need a testimony, you'd better put yourself in a place where you can find one.  Just do your best...God acknowledges our best efforts.  We are Angels to many.
*Studio C...Sheri Dew interviewed Natalie and Mallory.  A few things I jotted down. Comparison is the thief of Joy. Don't let fear dictate your actions.  Validate each other for our brains and hearts instead of our looks all the time.  Have faith in Jesus Christ not circumstances.  Our trials can be blessings.  Everyone gets hurt but can heal through Gods love.  Have faith to follow God's plan for us.
*Mary Ellen Edmunds-- Secret Services make others think good of everyone...it could have been them.  Luke 4:10 For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee.  Angels show how instead of showing off.  3 Nephi 18: 32 Nevertheless, ye shall not cast him out of your synagogues, or your places of worship, for unto such shall ye continue to minister; for ye know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal them; and ye shall be the mean of bringing salvation unto them. We should never give up on our friends or family...but must keep loving them.  We can't do everything but we can do something.  We need to turn ourselves over to God.  D & C 84:88 and whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up. Everyone can be an Angel.  God notices us and watches over us and usually it is from another mortal being but sometimes He comes Himself.
Mosiah 24:14 and I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that y may know of a surety that I , the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.
*Gentry (gentlemen trio)--  Guys need permission to be gentlemen.  Sometimes they need reminded.  One righteous woman has the power to the change the world.  One voice can make a difference.  Our qualities are unique and wonderful.
*Lisa Valentine Clark--- Be YOU! We don't need to be like everyone else...our strengths are our differences.  Be grateful for the gifts we have and quit comparing.  Write down what you are good at.  Be Happy with Your Choices and Gifts. Our expectations are in our heads, are they kind and realistic?  We need each other and our differences to survive.
*Tim Ballard--- Shine a light in the darkness. (we are the light)  Pray to know when we are needed by others and pray to recognize it.  Be brave.
*Hank Smith---God has a plan for us.  Our plan of Happiness may change because it might not be the same as God's plan of happiness for us.  One fourth of the people are depressed and we all need to be kinder to those that suffer from depression.  Happy people: spend money on others.  They surround themselves with happy people.  They find reasons to be happy and to smile.  They listen to good music, and exercise and eat healthy.  The spend at least 20 minutes outside, get enough sleep, and also meditate for 5 minutes each day. Accentuate the positive and live with eyes and heart wide open. God has a Plan of Happiness for each of us and no matter what happens in life nothing can change a Happy Person.
*Amy Freeman---Jesus is real and helps us in our lives and we need to recognize His help and thank Him for it.  We don't always see God's hand in our lives so we should at least look for his fingerprints.  We are more similar than we are different.  How is the Lord preparing you?  Keep track of your journey in a journal. God's fingerprint can be in the lion....our challenges.  Reflect Righteousness.  Be Articulate.  Be Happy!  Be a Difference Maker!  The Lord exceeds promises one by one.

The Spirit was strong and my heart was touched over and over.  The message I heard over and over is God has a plan for each of us and it might not be the plan we have for ourselves.  Be prepared to accept His plan.  We make a difference...each and every one of us.  We are His and He loves us.

TJ Trailers Christmas Party

Tonight was the Christmas Party for the Shop.  We went to Maddox again....it's getting to be a tradition having our dinner there. We were put in a room that was private and nice.  The gals serving us were the best and the food was wonderful.  TJ's has done well this year and the employees were blessed with some nice bonus's.  I think it's great that Scott and Larry give back to their help since they are all beneficial in making the company succeed.  When I sold for Lunds Lite Candles they did the same thing...everyone shared the wealth.  This year Larry handed everyone their cards as they came in and that's when I had them stop for a picture. I bet they were all surprised when they went home and opened them.  I bet there were lots of smiles and maybe even a tear or two.  It's been a good year.

Larry wanted to do a little more than just eat and hand out cards like they have done in previous years.  I was glad about that.  I think playing games adds to a party since it is called a party.  I had bought our family a bingo game for Christmas and even had it wrapped.  I told Larry and we decided to use it.  I got to open it since I knew where it was and I ordered a few more cards and markers so we would have enough.  Larry bought all the prizes.  They were all really good prizes and Braxton made the comment on the way home that there wasn't a bad choice and how everyone was happy.  There were separate prizes for the employees and their guests.  We played a few games before our orders were taken and I was the very first to win a prize.  I chose a 16 oz Snickers bar.  It was kind of funny to watch this game play out.  It seemed that most the guests were winning and the employees weren't.  Good thing the gifts were separated. ☺  Playing Bingo made the night go quicker and it was fun.  We played until everyone won.  I thought it was a fun night.  I think everyone enjoyed it.

TJ Trailers is a good business with hard working employees.  They are all good people.  It's been fun watching it grow and change over the years.  We are at a good spot and I hope the business will continue to be blessed.