Loss Of Sparkle

Today I spent a few hours with a dear friend of mine.  I smiled while we chatted.  I continually count my blessings and was trying to focus on all the good things happening around me.  There is so much good!  My friend looked into my eyes and said you seem stressed.  I quickly reviewed what I had been saying and wondered if I was talking louder and faster than I normally do.  While those thoughts were running through my head she said.....I know what it is.....You have lost Your Sparkle.  As if on cue my eyes filled with tears but I am strong and wouldn't allow them to flow....I blinked them back.  She then told me that for the first time ever she wasn't jealous of me having seven children.  We've talked multiple times what a blessing having seven children is.  But with everything there is opposition.  Since I do have seven children and four more added to them through marriage, and nine grands and two on the way there's a little more concern that fills me up. (I'm full)  I don't mean to worry it just happens.  I don't think I focus on the little concerns but my subconscious knows and reminds me every now and then that opposition happens, and it happens to everyone.  It's life and it's real.  I can smile all I want, and write down pages of blessings and listen and sing uplifting songs all day but deep down my soul and heart hurts sometimes.

As a wife and mom and just plain human being I want to be able to make everything right.  I want to help others to be happy and not experience trials or pain.  I plead constantly with Heavenly Father for those things.  I know His plan is best in the long run and He knows what trials we need to learn certain things.  Maybe I am being a slow learner right now.  Maybe my blood pressure medicine has crazy side effects that are not in sync with my life style and mind set.  I'm not sure what's happening or why but one thing I know for sure is I want my Sparkle Back!

I looked up the side effects of the bp medicine and they are:
cold or flu symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, fever;
dry cough; yep but just occationally 
muscle cramps; yep
pain in your legs or back; yep
stomach pain, diarrhea;
headache, dizziness; lightheaded
tired feeling; or sleep problems (insomnia). very tired
itching, hands, feet  everywhere
So I'm pretty sure much of my lack of sparkle is from my new medicine....not liking this at all.

Celebrating Kimleighel

We had a great time Celebrating Kimleighel turning 20!  She had her day planned for months and it was fun.  She slept in and then got ready to go to lunch.  We picked up Trichelle, Behr and Jaydan and went to Chili's. Jaydan and Kimi got a lunch special and Jaydan ended up paying for Kimi's as her birthday gift from him.  (I think just coming to lunch was all she cared about but I appreciated his kindness)  We waited for our food longer than normal and because we had been there so long we forgot to order dessert.  If Kimleighel remembered she didn't mention it because we left full with no dessert.

We took Jaydan back to his house and went to Deseret Book to get Kimi a CTR ring.  She chose the prettiest one.  That was our gift to her.  After getting a ring for her finger we went to Station Park in Farmington.  Kimi loves Gordman's and so that is where we spent most of our time.  She had a basket full of clothes and was all smiles. ☺  We visited a few more stores quickly and then headed over to It's Sugar.  Kimi loves sugar like her mommy does and it was as if she was in heaven.  She was so excited with the LARGE sizes of everything and ended up leaving with a big bag full.

I love candy stores too. They are so bright and cheery.  I didn't end up getting anything there but Trichelle picked up a few things for Easter.  Trichelle found a few funny items...."flinging poo" and "dingle berries". hahaha    Justin uses the phrase "dingle berry" often and Trichelle was going to buy him some but opted for a picture instead since that little box cost $15.  Fun Times!

We had a fun time shopping and being with Kimleighel.  We arrived home just before Larry got home.  We waited for him and Jared to get a lose cow back on our side of the fence and then we went to Sizzler for dinner.  I guess I didn't get a picture.  We all enjoyed the salad bar and Larry added a steak to his order.  On the way home we picked up a pie! My kids aren't big on birthday cakes and I think most of them prefer pie...at least I hope that's how it is! ☺

What a Fun Day with a Fun Girl!

Kimleighel is 20

Wow...the last 19 years went fast!  Kimleighel is so excited to leave the teenage years behind her.  She's looking forward to all that's a head of her.  Kimleighel is becoming her true and wonderful self.  I remember when she received her Patriarchal Blessing and thinking....where is "that" girl? ☺  Since Kimleighel graduated and rid herself of some toxic friends her light is bright and wonderful.  Kimi is happy more often than not and so loving.  She's a joy to have around.  Kimleighel is good for me.  She loves me and tells me all the time.  She likes spending time with me and always wants to spend her birthday with me.  Sometimes I take all that for granted but I really do love and appreciate her for being like that.

I know that Kimleighel is going to blessed for her goodness and pure heart.  I'm excited to see what's in store for her.  It's fun being a part of her journey.  I love all her excitement and silliness.  Kimleighel has her focus where it should be.  She has some wonderful goals and is learning more and more the power of thinking positive.  I sure do love this beautiful daughter of mine.  I'm lucky to be her mommy!

Temple Tuesday or Tuesday with Larry

The Ogden Temple is closed for cleaning  and so tonight at 9:00 pm Larry and I went and helped clean.  I wondered why they have cleaning shifts so late but it's because they are repairing things during the day.  The temple looked like a home tonight with cleaning supplies everywhere and vacuum hoses strung all over the halls.

Larry and I and three others were assigned to clean some stairs wells. (4)  That included dusting the walls and then mopping them.  Cleaning all the brass rails and hinges on the doors.  Cleaning all the doors first to get the dust off and then drying them.  It also meant cleaning all the marble baseboards and wiping the front side of the stairs and then mopping the stairs.  It was a lot of work.  We kept moving from one set of stairs to another doing each step of the cleaning check list.  It was a great work out and my body held up.  I was worried because I was sore from working out the day before and could hardly move.  I took some pain reliever and that with being blessed got me through.  I really enjoyed being able to help.  We were the last group to finish up and everyone got an ice cream cone before we left.  We got home just after 1:00 am.

Green Dinner

Our family wasn't together on St. Patricks  Day and I kind of felt bad that I didn't get to do a green dinner so I made it today.  It was simple but it was really green!  I was really green and today I even had a green thumb.  Our green food coloring was dried up and so I added a little water.  Those little flecks on the bottle get everywhere and the more I wiped them up the greener everything got.  So yep...even I was green for dinner! ☺

The Provo City Temple Dedication was today.  I took Kimleighel and Jared to the early session and Larry stayed home and watched Behr.  (who by the way is a fun, easy baby)  I enjoyed the service so much that I went back to the second session with Larry.  I love the Temple!  We are so blessed to have them all over the world.  We here in Utah are so blessed to have so many within a few hours of our homes.  The Temples truly are the House of the Lord and if you want to walk where He does then go to the Temple.

Mallory told Kathy and I about this yummy ice cream. It took me a few shopping trips to find it but when I did, I splurged and got some.  I would dare say this is the best ice cream I have ever had.  Every bite has ribbons of marshmallow and caramel and every few bites you get a fudge fish. YUM!  I only eat a few bites at a time and so it is lasting.  Who'd have thought?  I'm glad I don't go searching for these things on my own.  I'd be in BIG trouble!

We're Back

Larry was craving a Chicago Dog and so we returned to Freddy's so he could satisfy his craving.  I wasn't hungry so I just nibbled on a few of his fries.  I like those little shoe string fries but Larry prefers big steak fries!  I love this guy!

Cousins Breakfast

A few of my cousins met for breakfast this morning.  It's so good seeing them and catching up and learning more about each other.  I was happy that my mom was able to make it too.  I think my mom is the last of her generation in our family still alive.  

Lana Dean in on the left and her sister Lynda MacKenzie is next to her and by me.  Wendy is on the end by my mom.  Lana and Lynda's mom was the cousin to mine and Wendy's parents.  Wendy's mom is my dad's sister.  I had to come home and message another cousin of ours that lives in Idaho how it worked because none of us could remember exactly how we were tied together.  Lynda and Lana's mom was a Stone and proud of it.  Lynda told us that when her kids said they were Brown's (because that was their last name) their mom would correct them and tell them they came from the Stone line.  They came from both and so they were all right. ☺

Today we noticed we all have short waists. So I get that gene from both parents...lucky me!  We've all lost some height but I think I have lost the most.  I admire my cousins and I'm really glad for social media so that we were able to find each other and connect every now and then.  I for one think it's wonderful to have such great people as part of my family and I'm glad that we are all friends.