Watching some Cuties

Justin and Natalie needed some time alone and so they decided to go to Jackson Hole for the weekend.  We told them that we would love to have the kids come play with us while they were gone.  Their little family has been sick for the last month and it has been exhausting for them all and they all needed a break.  The kids are always excited to come play at  our house.  I hope that they always will be.  We got them after school on Thursday and had a great time with them.  I got to see Sadie and Behr before I went bowling Thursday which is always a delight.  Larry said he would watch them Thursday while I went to SNAP but he ended up reffing a few Church Basketball games.  Thank goodness for Kimleighel because Jared had young men's and was also gone.  Kimleighel got the kids bathed and in bed. Yeah for Kimi!

Friday Larry and I had planned on going to a wedding at the Peyson Temple.  I felt like we really needed to go and support the groom and his family.  Larry was the Bishop when Zac was a priest and deciding to go on a mission.  Larry made a positive impact on Zac and a big differnce in his life.  I am also Linda's (Zac's mom) visiting teacher right now and I just felt like we needed to be there.  I had made arrangements for Gramps to drive the kids to school and Kimleighel was willing to watch the kids.  Late Thursday night I felt like I needed to stay home.  I think part of it was because the kids are still needing medicines and I'm pretty sure the rest of why I felt that way was the "spirit" telling me.  Kimleighel was okay with it especially since she was able to sleep in a little.

Justin called me when I was getting ready to take Parker to school.  The school had tried calling me but it was when I didn't have my phone right by me and I missed the calls.  Mya wasn't feeling good and I needed to pick her up.  It worked out that I was able to pick her up when I dropped Parker off.  On the way to the school I had the thought that maybe Mya just needed to go potty.  When I picked her up I asked her if she had gone to the bathroom yet and she said that she hadn't.  I really think that's why her tummy hurt because she acted fine the rest of the day.

When it was time to go pick Parker up from school, Jared called and wanted me to run to Fremont so I could sign a permission slip for him to get a physical since a doctor was there for the track team.  He also needed $5.  The timing wasn't good at all but Kimleighel volunteered to go to Fremont for Jared.  She could sign the paper and take him the $5.  I had to laugh a little and kept thinking how glad I was that I had stayed home.  I was suppose to.

The kids are so cute and it's fun snuggling with them throughout the day.  I love their cute personalities and hearing Macie say "No Way".  She is really speaking well now.

The weather is nice and so our playground was happy to have the kids running around and playing on it.  The kids will play out there for hours.  I love our playground almost as much as the kids do.  That is the one thing I would miss if we ever moved.

Saturday the kids did the things they were suppose to do. (they each have in a list in their suitcase to mark off.)  Then they got dressed and went outside again to enjoy this nice weather we are having.  Larry was out doing some yard work and I was in doing the laundry.  I always try to clean the grands clothes while they stay with us so mommy doesn't have a ton of laundry when when they go home.  It's funny that three little ones really do make a difference in the laundry loads.  I read a quote the other day that said something to the effect that we will miss doing the laundry when the kids are gone...I know for a fact that is not true!  I miss my kids but I'm glad I don't have the laundry like I use to.

We took the grands to McD's for lunch.  They were excited to go. I am glad that grandpa suggested it.  I had told Mya earlier that we would probably just have ramen noodles which they really like.  I couldn't help but add the picture of Larry sleeping to our pictures.  That is usually what he does when the kids come to play.  I remind him and actually the grands do now too, that is why they refer to our house as "gramma's house". Grandpa Larry is fun when he decides to interact.  He let Mya and Parker go feed the cows with him when we came home from having lunch.  Kimleighel took Mya and Parker for a nice walk after that while Macie had a nap. It was a great day.

We really enjoyed the kids.  They are so cute and fun to have over.  I don't mind the messes while they are here.  I try to relax and let them be little and have fun making memories.  I know they were excited when Justin and Natalie came but I really think they wouldn't have minded staying a few more days.  Earlier I had mentioned to Macie that her mommy and daddy would be home soon and she said "No, gramma's house."  She likes staying with us and that thrills my soul.  Natalie told me that when they were putting her to bed tonight she told them she wanted to come back to my house.  How cute is that?  I'll tell you.....it's Stinkin Cute!  I sure love these little people!

Food For 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!!! 

  ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ 

Breakfast ~ Post the last picture you took on your phone.

Macie girl is loaded with personality!  I took a lot of pictures of the grands the last few days.

Lunch ~ What needs fixing in your life right now?  My hands...they are still driving me crazy with because they itch and peel.  

Dinner ~ Who has been on your mind this week and why? My kids.  There is always something going on with them and they are always in my thoughts and prayers.

Midnight Snack ~ Did you set any New Year's Resolutions?  If so, how are you doing with them? I'm not one that makes New Year's Resolutions.  I just want to be a little better each year and so I just try really hard to follow the promptings I get from the Holy Ghost.  For years I have made a conscious effort to be happier and make fun happen.

Recipe for the Week ~ (instead of your recipe for life, what is it just for the week?) Slow Down and Enjoy the Journey!  Everything doesn't have to be perfect to be enjoyable.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

First Aid Tips

For our Special Needs Activity tonight we had a speaker come and talk to the girls about first aid.  I think the gal did a good job and the girls seemed to like it.

During it I was talking to our Production Specialist about the production and parts and shirt sizes for the girls.  These girls are happy to announce and tell us they are a 2x or 3x ... no shame at all which I thought was really cool.  It is what it is and that's that.

Some how we got talking about our ages and Channel was teasing me and said I looked like I was 88.  I hope that when I am 88 if I make it that long I look like I do now.  Lizz had my back and said I looked more like 35.  Ahhh.....these girls.....they make me smile and laugh out loud!

WooHoo Jared's about through!

This morning I got up and went to the Temple with Lisea and Cindy.  We do sealings and today one of the Sealers, Bro Van Orton shared some thoughts that he had earlier in the morning.  Bro. Van Orton was at the alter in an earlier session and had the thoughts of how much Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us.  He has provided a way for each of us to return to him through the blessings of the Temple.  Even those who have passed on are given the time without being rushed for their sealing.  Each couple is promised wonderful blessings and are sealed together in a beautiful environment that each of us get to help pay for.  While he was sharing his thoughts the spirit overwhelmed me.  Our ancestors marked the path for us and we in return get to help them by going to the Temple and doing their work and paying our tithing so we can have such elegant Temples all around the world.  It was an awesome thought that touched my spirit and I'm thankful that he shared with us.

A few of the women's names were rather interesting today.  Three that I remember are Morning, Delight, and Content.  I leaned over to Lisea when Delight was mentioned and said that it would be hard to get too mad at someone you had named Delight. ☺  Today when I woke up the word Delight/Delightful was the word on my mind.  I had to smile.  ☺  It was a wonderful morning!

The rest of the day I helped Jared with his Eagle Scout Project which was a Blood Drive.  He had friends over last night that helped him call everyone that had signed up and those who have donated before.  It was enjoyable having teenagers in our home for a few hours.  Jared has worked hard for his Eagle and so has Larry.  Larry has been more involved with Jared with his scouting than the other kids and I guess that is because we are older and take more time.  (it might also be because I told him he needed to take a turn since I was the one so involved with the other kids)

We had a few of our kids come and support Jared by giving blood.  I love that our family is so supportive.  I have to say that Braxton wanted to fill his bag faster than I filled mine which was under 5 minutes.  Braxton won but winning had a price.....he almost passed out. ☺ I won't lie....I got light headed when I was through but no one could tell.  We all knew Braxton wasn't well by the color of his face.  (I thought he looked green and others said he was grey) So for the books....competing isn't always a good thing.

Jared had a goal of getting 60 pints of blood.  He was a little shy of that but he did better than the last blood drive.  The gym the blood drive was held at was busy the whole time and so I consider that a success.

Now Jared just needs to schedule a Board of Review and submit everything and have his Court of Honor!  Woo Hoo!

An Extra Day...Some Extra Kindness

Today is Leap Day...We get one more day of the year and so I decided I would take advantage of my extra day by showing some extra kindness. A few days ago I took my "chocolate money" that I save in my chocolate fund bank and bought lots of chocolate.  Like $58 worth of chocolate.  I just have to say...I share!  I put an assortment of chocolate in a few cute bags and made a little card for them.

One was a thank you for always being so thoughtful and kind to me.  The other was to brighten a friends day that has been going through a rough time.  The bag had "bigger" chocolate and was for a friend that is always there for me and others.  I also took a little gift to another friend who's mom passed away.  This gal always has lots of candy and chocolate around her house so I didn't take her more. I did take some of hers with me after we visited when I was leaving. ☺

The kindness and chocolate might have brightened those friends days but it for sure brightened mine.  Kindness is kind of like preparing a lesson in church.  The giver gets a lot more out of it.

Talented Kids

My niece started a photography business about a year ago.  Randee is very talented and I have loved the pictures she has done of my kids and grands. Randee puts a lot of thought into her sessions and the results are fabulous!

Braxton is an adventurous kid and likes to do fun things.  He built this awesome airplane for his cute Sadie.  I think they both love it!  Braxton is talented and likes creating fun! No wonder Sadie is such a happy little girl!

The Circle of Life

As I started this post the thought "Out with the Old...In with the New" popped into my head.  It fits...that's kind of how the day went.

Maxine Muir Van Rensselaer (Grandma Lowe's Sister) was put to rest this morning.  She lived in California along with her two children for many years and so they had her funeral services there and then brought her body to Ogden as her resting spot.  I always admired Maxine and thought she was so classy.  She was happy and wonderful and as I listened to her kids, Francine and Bob speak of her I smiled because we are similar in a few ways.  Maxine had different groups of friends that she liked going to lunch with.  She was a lover of friends and family....they are most important to her.  I liked her white casket and told Larry that I would prefer one just like that.  The graveside service was short and sweet.  Maxine was always concerned about others being hungry and so after the service upon her request everyone went to lunch.  (we left and went to Behr's blessing)

It's always nice seeing extended family and it was that way today.  I really love Larry's relatives and appreciate the little opportunities every now and then to say Hi to them and get a hug.

Behrenger Scott Barrow was blessed today by his Grandpa Ropelato.  It was an honor for Larry to give this cutie a blessing.  It was awesome to see the love and support of both families.  This happened on a Saturday because a lot of TJ's family had to drive far and it just worked out better for them.  It was nice and we had a yummy lunch afterwards at the church too.

Jaydan didn't realize Behr's blessing was on a Saturday and so he missed it. (darn)  The rest of our family was there and my mom came too. (actually Braxton and Kelsi brought her)  It's always a wonderful day when our family is together.

I met more of TJ's family and they are really nice.  It was fun to watch TJ.  He is such a proud daddy.

Later in the day Larry took me to our friends (the Hunters) for a baby shower.  It was fun visiting with the Hunter family.  We use to go with them boating when our kids were little and it was easier to schedule things.  Now we hardly see them but we will forever love them.