I "thought" this

"Smiling is like medicine.....it makes you feel better!"

Mallory's Birthday Month

We have decided that Birthdays need to be celebrated longer and so we started today to Celebrate Mallory's which is on the 26th.  The plan was to go today and I would buy (or Kathy) and then we would meet again and the other one of us would pay.  Well Mallory surprised us and said that she had already ate with her work.  The great thing about that is we are going to get together again next week and still 2 weeks later on her Birthday!

It all works for me!  I love getting together with these two!  They are great pals and we always have a great time visiting.  Mal and I would meet every Monday when we were raising our little families.  Kathy would join us occasionally when she could.  So many fond and wonderful memories with my friends that I met in Jr High!  

I found a few editing programs and had a little fun playing on them.  I like how white our teeth are...so real looking. ;)  I know I have said it before but these two our family!  They just are!

More Fun and Food

Shirley and I got together for our birthdays.  Our birthdays are a month apart and so we figured it was a good excuse to get together.  Funny how we think we need an excuse.  Shirley and I haven't went out for a year or so and so it was time!

We went to dinner at Rainbow Gardens and then had a bit of fun in the shop.  The first bit of fun was when I went to take a witch hat off of a broom and the broom started talking and moving around the floor.  We burst out laughing. (we were a bit surprised)  There were a lot of things that kind of surprised us....I kept touching the things that talked, sang and moved! (maybe I should keep my hands to myself)

After awhile Shirley decided that taking a picture would be okay.  Once we started we had a great time.  We laughed a lot and started looking at everything for that special Kodak moment.

Shirley even mentioned that she was liking the camera thing!  Oh the simple joys even a camera can make happen.  I love my friend Shirley!  I cherish all we have been through and shared with each other.

Earlier today I laughed at a few "old" guys!  One had a pretty spiffy mohawk  and the other a pretty bush long mustache.  Then the thought came to me that I was getting old and did things that made others probably wonder and laugh at me too!  Laughing is good so it's all good!

Cockadoodle Doo

Another get together with my buddies from High School!  I love our little get togethers!  Really I love my buddies!  What a fun bunch of women that enjoy laughing and having fun!

 Oh my and we do have fun!

I admire each one of these ladies and learn so much  from them.  I think this time of life is great because we do have time for each other! (facebook is also great because that's how we all became connected again)

Kathy decided she wanted to have her picture taken by Lisa and the other ladies so she moved and told everyone to move in....that is everyone except me and Jodi!  We just looked at each other and laughed!

Then we put on our best "sad & rejected" faces for our own picture! Hahaha.....

I always look forward to getting together with my friends.....any of my friends......each and every one are very important and special to me! There is no such thing as too many friends!   I love them ALL!

Kevin's Birthday Bash

Today is Labor Day....also Hooper Tomato Days...and Kevin's Birthday Bash!  I asked Kevin what he would like me to bring to his BD Bash and he requested a layered jello!  Since he suggested it and it was to celebrate his birth I agreed!  It takes hours to  make but he was happy and so I was happy!

 

Larry and I went to the Hooper Tomato Days Celebration and hung out there for a bit.  Our kids had gone over before us.  We mentioned how we didn't have any grands there and before I knew it Kamryn was running towards me and jumped into my arms.  We took her to ride the train and play on the playground for awhile. Kam asked me if this was her daddy's birthday party and when I told her No she asked why we were there then. (cute kid)  After playing with Kam we were found by Ivy.  Trichelle had brought her kids too and so we hung out with them for a bit also.  It was getting hot and I still had a few more layers to get done on the jello so we went home.  Larry worked hard outside and I finished the jello and then took a nap. (I need naps)

    

The  Bash was fun.  Julie loves throwing parties and goes all out!  The kids enjoyed the pool and a few adults did too!

 After swimming the spread of food was put out and we all feasted!  The kids enjoyed the other play toys that are every where.  I loved watching the kids enjoy themselves.  I loved watching Kevin enjoy himself.

 Kevin had quite a few friends show up to help him celebrate his Birthday.  It was fun seeing them all.

Julie was concerned whether we should sing Happy Birthday to Kevin or not since we have had some not so fond memories of singing to Kevin on his birthday.  We decided it would be okay and ended up singing to him a few times.  (the candles weren't lit the first time)  I think Kevin was fine with it.  I am pretty sure this was a good day for Kevin.

Divine Intervention

It's been a year since Jared's "little journey".  Since the time that Jared took a different trail Larry has wanted to go back to the Mountain and walk where Jared walked.  So we all had it planned to go to the Uintahs together and I would visit with Natalie and her family while the boys hiked. (I knew I would cry remembering back on that day)  I didn't go when I found out about Kristen's death.  I felt like I needed to stay and support Jim &  Mesa since I remember seeing them on this Mountain supporting us a year ago.

 Larry and the boys took off on Saturday morning and didn't get too far when they decided it was enough.

 Larry and the boys had seen and "felt" enough of what must have happened last year on August 12.

Even though we knew there was divine intervention......Larry absolutely knew it when he saw the thickness of the trees and many fingers that might have lead our son away into another direction and place.

Jared was told by a leader to follow the river and that the river would lead to the lake.  Jared has said many times that was a "freaking lie".  I pointed out to him that it was that knowledge ....to follow the river...that led him to safety even though it didn't lead him to the lake.  We are so thankful he knew that and had been taught that piece of information.

Larry said these pictures still didn't do the experience justice.  Larry said he would still like to take me but I don't have any desire to see the place of my worst nightmare.  The pictures alone make me cry! :'(

I know it was good for Jared to return to the Mountain.  When it was first mentioned he said: "No...I'm not going".  That has been the only time I have heard fear or resistant come from Jared since this all happened.  I knew that he needed to go back there and face his fears.

 Jared came back with big smiles!  I think he appreciated his dad and brothers seeing what he was challenged with.  It would have been easy for anyone to take the wrong path and to get lost.  We feel so very blessed and always will be for all the prayers and miracles that happened those days.