City Creek

I met Pam and Lisa today at City Creek. Pam brought her cute daughter who made me laugh out loud a lot. ☺ We tried getting together in February and then again in March and things came up on their end and so today it happened. I felt bad that Kathy and Jodi couldn't make it but I knew I needed this today and it's hard finding time where schedules all match up. I needed some positive, fun and good friends today.  Pam made up treat bags for us to share.  I started the treat thing a few years back and it's fun.  It's really not in any of our comfort zones and that's what makes it even better.  We share the treat bags with random strangers to brighten their day.  In the process of brightening their day it also brightens mine.  Chatting and laughing while enjoying some yummy lunch is great therapy.  I know I've said it many times but Life is Better with Friends!  I need them in my life. My friends encourage me to be better, they accept me unconditionally.  I can completely be myself and that is a refreshing thing.

A few bad moments...but no bad days

I'm going to be super real.  Not every moment of everyday is wonderful or going to be wonderful.  A positive thought isn't going to change all things.  Others choices will affect you even when you try really hard not to let them.  We're human and it's going to happen.  There are lessons in absolutely everything and the challenging or fun part is finding them and letting them strengthen you.  The other day I had someone ask me how I was.  I told them if they wanted to know the truth then they should probably ask me in a few weeks.  This week I'm happy, I'm sad, I'm frustrated, I'm wonderful, I'm ticked, I'm blessed.....I'm up and down and all over the place.  So here's what's happening in my happy little life.

About 3 weeks ago, Jared casually informed me that he wasn't attending English because of track.  Red flags popped up immediately waving frantically in my face.  What the heck!  What do you mean you aren't going....like at all?  Then I asked what his grade was and was told that he was failing.  Now at this point I wasn't even worried about his grades because his last report was awesome and the best he's ever done.  I remember thinking, whew....we've made it...no more worrying.  WRONG!!!!  We talked about the work he's missing and I immediately became his advocate.  I love my son and so that's what you do right?  I emailed his teacher to let her know I had just become aware of my sons struggle.  His teacher called me back and we talked.  She told me how Jared had shut down.  It's true, I saw it too.  We discussed a few things that Jared could do so that he could pass her class....he doesn't have much time.  I talked to Jared and his attitude was super stinky.  He has put up some pretty strong walls and isn't willing to budge.  I have encouraged and even sat with him as he finished a few assignments.  The assignments he got finished didn't make it to the teacher.  Jared swears he stabled his notes to the paper he typed and put them in her box but he hasn't received one point of credit for it. The other assignment required talking to the teacher in person while he presented his power-point to her.  He refused to talk to her about it.  Let me just say when someone makes up their mind NOT to do something there is really nothing another person can do to change that.  I dug a little deeper and got his track coach involved.  I asked him to please encourage Jared and he promised to work his "magic" on him.  But....guess what?  Nothing was helping to motivate my son to do the simple things the teacher was asking.  He just wouldn't.

Jared has passion and when he enjoys something he puts his whole heart into it but he's as stubborn or maybe more stubborn than a mule when he doesn't want to do something.  Right now he's being a crazy mule.  I've been trying to stay positive but not far from the surface I'm super afraid that Jared won't choose to do his work.  I keep encouraging and bargaining with him but have gained little ground.  He's so caught up on the fact that he knows he has done the work and turned it in.  I am having a hard time getting him to see that, yes, that might be true but the point is that he hasn't gotten credit for it and so it needs to be redone. Jared's teacher is giving him a second chance and is willing to still give him credit if he will just redo a few assignments.  It frustrates him and I get that but this is simple stuff and I am willing to help him with it.  Failing and having to postpone his mission and pay for and do a packet would not be simple.  Jared's stubbornness and pride are dominating and winning at this point. I've pointed out that those qualities are not from Christ but from Satan.  My patience and control of my mouth are weak at this point. (also not qualities of Christ)  I have cussed more this last week that probably the last few years. (I seldom cuss)  Most of my cussing is said to just myself but a few people that have had listening ears have got to hear it and for that I do feel a bit bad.  However, those that I have shared with love me unconditionally and that is why I even shared, so I know they won't hold it against me.  I haven't cussed at Jared...only when I have expressed my frustration...I call it adding emphasis...not right I know but it happened.

Yesterday I broke!  I hit a wall and lost it!  I had just helped Jared with one assignment of vocabulary and was giving it to him to finish.  He was resisting me so bad that my inner child jumped right out. I threw the paper and pencil on the floor and very loudly told him, I was done!  Then like a strong, little child I slammed my door.  It felt so good I went into my bathroom and slammed that door too.  Releasing some of my anger felt so good that I opened a few drawers and slammed them. Then I got in the shower and whipped the shower curtain so hard that I had to pull it back the other way again to cover the tub.  Then I turned on the water and cried.  While my tears joined the water falling all over me I prayed. I was feeling so guilty for losing control.  The image of Christ turning the tables in the Temple came to my mind and I was comforted a little.  I wasn't being mean...I was just being real...and frustration is real.

Jared left while I was in the shower and text me a few times.  We had an appointment to get his passport for his mission.  He said he was sorry.  I text him to come home since his appointment wasn't for an hour.  We went for his passport but I refused to have it expedited.  I figured at this point if he does make it on his mission they can wait for me to send his passport before assigning him to serve in Canada. (I was excited when he was called to serve in Alaska figuring we didn't need to get a passport....I read that part a week ago)  The very cute clerk that was helping us was so bright and cheery.  She was a gift from God for me today.  I couldn't help but feel a little better by just looking at her.  She seriously added sunshine to my gloomy morning.

The day continued but I didn't allow myself to completely drown in my fears.  I only allow moments of my day to be cruddy.  I bounced out of my yucky space and got some things done.  My cute daughter called and was the answer to my earlier prayer.  I needed to talk to someone besides myself and her insight and advice is always on target.  What a blessing she was for me.  God knew she could handle what I had to say!  I enjoyed grand babies today and they always add joy to my day. (little Miss Macie got her tonsils out and Trichelle delivered fund raiser drinks we'd ordered.)  I made dinner and added to the pile of dishes in the sink. Jared has dishes this week and he's not doing them either.  grrrrr.... One of my bribes was that if he would go talk to his teacher I would do the dishes for him. He didn't so neither did I.  (I'm not a fan of dirty dishes) I hosted our ward Book Club at my house and that was fun and light.  I love just being with good women discussing good things. I enjoy this book club.

While I was having book club, Jared was attending a banquet put on by the seminary.  He had to dress up to attend and they had a testimony meeting afterwards and Jared shared his testimony.  Jared does have a testimony of the Gospel and he loves it.  I'm so happy about that!  That matters more to me than his grades but at this point getting his diploma matters to me too.  He came home in a good mood and Larry had bought treats so we could all party together and get his assignments done.  I was the one being resistant at this point.  I said I was done and I meant it.  I'm not as stubborn as Jared though and within minutes I was also reading poems out loud with Larry and Jared. It felt good to swallow the pride I had claimed earlier.  Swallowing my pride caused the heaviness to leave and I was able to feel some light.  We worked together until after midnight. (we started late)  Now the hope is that Jared will hand his teacher his assignments and get the credit for them that he needs to pass.  I asked him to send me a picture of him handing her them but I'm pretty sure that won't happen.  I'm just praying super hard that he does his part and makes sure they get in his teachers hands.  Larry and I both took pictures of his work but Jared needs to be accountable and turn them in.  I know that is what his teacher is waiting for. Oh...and Jared did the dishes! ☺

Life is full of surprises.  Some are wonderful and usually enjoyed but some are devastating and hurt your heart.  But no matter what, there are lessons to be learned.  I know that no matter what happens life will go on.  I will always love my son.  We will support one another and make fun memories together.  We will accept and carry on.  We will smile and be happy even when things don't go quite how we want them to.  We will always continue to learn and strengthen ourselves and our lives.  God will carry us when needed and always bless us.  Those things I know for sure!

Some things happening

Good thing I didn't really make a lot of plans for this month because my calendar is pretty full without planning anything.  Cute Macie got her tonsils out on Wednesday.  She is such a trooper and so brave.  She did really well.  Mya was in a Math/Science Olympiad.  Mya and her friend took 1st place in the Tile Trials.  I'm so proud of her! (it happened this week but not today) Trichelle brought her kids out to deliver some drinks from a fund raiser and gramps got them to help pick up branches.  He had Parker working already.  Behr got right in and helped too. Behr was covered in mud but we kept visiting while it dried so it wasn't too messy when Trichelle left. Gramps gave the boys some $$$ for helping him.  They are so cute.  I picked Mya and Parker up from school so Natalie could attend to Macie.  Kimleighel took Mya to the store and to get a drink.  She didn't know that Trichelle and her kids would be here when she got home and since she didn't have a treat for everyone, she went up and found treats to share with everyone.  Kimi is thoughtful like that.  Good things are always happening thank goodness.  It helps me get through some of the rough times.

Jared's Award

I went to the school today to see Jared presented with an Academic Excellence in Engineering Design in Technology award.  Jared love designing in his 3D printing class and has created some really nice things.  I was very proud of him.  When he loves a subject he gives it his all.  I believe his printing class is his favorite since he talks about it all the time.  

While I was at the school we bought a book that will get Jared some extra credit for English...he needs extra credit to pass the class.  I think he received 25 extra points just for buying it and when he reads a few things and writes a little about them he could get 45.  The book needed to be bought and Jared tried once and the store was closed so now he has it.  I went and talked to his English teacher and made sure everything she needs was very clear to me.  I've said it for years...."I will be so glad when then child graduates."  We're almost there!  Crossing fingers, toes, arms, legs and eyes....

Jack's Blessing

Cute little Jack Braxton Ropelato was blessed today by his daddy.  It was a wonderful blessing and day. I love having our families come together for these special occasions.  Jack is such a blessing and gift to our families.  He is a sweet little guy.  He's so pleasant and chill.  It was nice going to Braxton and Kelsi's after the blessing for some lunch and visiting.  They served a nice potato bar with salads and cookies.  The weather was really nice...good it was like yesterdays.  Everyone seemed to enjoy hanging out together and enjoying each other.  I love their backyard.  It's right by a river and sounds so relaxing.  It reminds me of camping.

I thought it was nice that Kelsi and Braxton wanted Carla and Roger to come, and that they did.  They like hanging with our family too.  My heart is filled with gratitude for all that I have!

Picture Day

 When Jared received his mission call we decided to have our family pictures takes before he leaves.  We set this day right away.  It's hard getting a day when everyone can come and so rain or shine we were taking pictures.  Well....guess what?  The sky was dark and in some places it was raining and the wind....oh the wind was blowing so hard.  It blew one of our trees over at our house.  It was fierce.  A few kids called to see what we were going to do.  I told them all to pray for a window of good weather.  We had about 20 minutes.  That amount of time would have been good but Jaydan lost track of time and was late.  By the time he got there (we met at Jerry and Darinda's and walked to the dam) the wind hit and a few rain drops sprinkled on us.  We just held on and did the best we could.  Trichelle was really sick and wanted to take everyone's picture first so she could leave.  It took a little longer than she hoped.

We never seem to get all the pictures or poses that I want but that's okay...we got enough for now and there were a lot of fun candid shots.  Roger and Carla came up to take our pictures this year and Roger is great at getting candid ones.

 This is the best of our whole group and far as being serious.  The spacing was off a little in my opinion but not bad.

 I love our fun pictures and those are the ones I was trying to create.  I had seen a picture on the internet and the one I saw was a fun one.  I love fun ones because it doesn't matter who is looking or if their hair is blowing in their faces or anything else.  However I did want to make sure everyone was at least seen.  There were a few that had someone hid. (Macie)

 I adore my crazy, fun family.  They are so great and awesome to make the time to come play for a bit so we can capture a few memories together.

 here's a few more fun shots

SNAP Production

It's that time of year again.  We are performing at Special Needs.  The production is "Hats". The music is so fun and the message is wonderful.  What really matters is what's under the hats we wear.

I missed a lot of practices this year and so I don't know all the songs and I can't see the words in the dark while I am moving and so I hope that I am not being watched. haha  The participants love doing production and are so proud of themselves for doing their parts and participating.  I'm so proud of them too.  They each add so much happiness to my heart.  I can't help but smile when I look at them and see their bright spirits shining so bright!

I'm not sure how I will react when I get released.  So for now,  I will just continue to bask in the greatness of being involved with this sweet group.  I'm glad that Carla and I left the Awaken Seminar a little early so we could participate both nights.  It's so much fun and very rewarding.