I like these two!!!

Brad and Crystal have been our friends forever and we sure do love them!  Larry and Brad's families have always been friends.  I think it's great that we get along so well.....since we are quite a bit older.  (Larry has even changed Brad's diaper)  I love going out with these two and consider them and their family.....well family!  I like that I can totally be myself with these two....in fact, sometimes I am more than myself and think and say things I normally wouldn't.  I always laugh and have a good time with Brad and Crystal.  I like that Larry enjoys them and is his self too.....he is relaxed with them and that is nice!

I love that they are spontaneous like us and will just go when we call.  Tonight we wanted to go to dinner and decided company would be fun so we called Brad and Crystal.  We went to Red Lobster because it sounded good to me. (I usually don't care)  I ordered dessert with my order because I knew I would be too full if I waited until the end of the meal.  It was a good decision.  I saved a little of my meal to bring home because Brad reminded me I still had dessert coming.  I recommend ordering that way.....if a dessert looks good at the first.

It was fun going with Brad and Crystal and Madi to the Temple a few weeks back as Madi prepares to go on a Mission.  I love watching parents when they have kids going through the Temple for the first time.....what a reward!  So stinkin cool.  I just love these two and want my posterity to know and love them too.

My Brothers

Trichelle, Ivy and I went to the Airport yesterday and picked up both of my brothers.  I was so glad that I was able to go get them.  We had some plans change that made it possible. (originally I wasn't going to be able to and so Trichelle volunteered to) I am so glad that Trichelle still wanted to go and that we had Ivy also.  So nice spending some extra time with them.  As much as I enjoy watching my kids grow up and have their families I will admit I miss them.  I miss seeing and talking to them everyday.  So, when I do get to be around them I cherish it.

Terry flew in about 4:00 pm but Bennett's flight wasn't scheduled to get in until 7:30 pm.  We decided to leave the airport and get something to eat.  We just went to a nearby Subway and enjoyed some food and music there until we needed to go back to the airport.  I loved visiting with Terry while we waited. It's so good seeing my brothers after so long.  While we were waiting for Bennett, Ivy wanted her mom to hold her hands and spin or jump with her.  Trichelle said: No Ivy I don't want to act like a 7 year old so I jumped in and told her I would.  It made us all laugh!  Terry really thought that was great!

Bennett arrived with a smile and a big hug.  He is so up beat and fun.....Oh Happy, Happy Heart!

My mom and dad were so excited to have the boys come.  They have been calling them both and my brothers have loved that too.  They were comparing who got what calls from what parent.  It made me laugh.  In fact, we did a lot of laughing.

I am so glad that after all these years of being a part and living such different lives we all really enjoy and love each other.  Who would have know that such happiness could exist?  It's hard to describe the amount of love I feel inside of me.....pure joy!

I am excited to have my kids visit with their Uncles and get to know them.  I know Ivy & Trichelle  had some good laughs and enjoyed the time they had with them.  I am going to try to get in as much time with them as possible while they are here this week.

Today (Thursday) while I was up visiting my dad needed me to move my car so he could go to the store.  I went out to move it and heard a moan....it sounded like a cat.  I looked across the street where the moan was coming from and couldn't see anything.  Then I heard it again and looked again a little better.  Thank Goodness......my parents neighbor, Mr Voss had fallen and was laying on the ground by his front porch.  It made me sick to my stomach and I ran over to see if he was okay.  I hollered at my dad to grab the boys to come help him up.  Mr Voss was fine and hadn't been there too long and told me that he could see me and "hollered". (He's too old and weak to pull himself up)  I think he heard me rather than see me and so today it is good that I am loud. (his head was on the other side of the porch and he couldn't lift it far enough to see us) His "holler" wasn't a holler at all....seriously it did sound like a sick cat.  I don't think it was a coincident that I needed to move my car and that my dad chose to go to the store when he did.  I think "angels" were watching over Mr Voss.  It makes me sick to think of what might have happened.  More snow came a bit after I left and it was cold.  I'm glad we were able to help him and that he wasn't left out in the cold.  I am thankful for the "Angels" among us!

For Me & Gina

I bought these flowers for me today.  When I saw them they made me smile and so I decided to bring them home and brighten up my home.  I love how bright and cheerful they are.  Sometimes we need to remember ourselves and do what makes us happy. (some times only we know what does)

Today I made cookies and a card for one of my sweet friends who is full of cancer.  I bought her a Willow Angel....."Angel of Miracles" to take to her too. Funny thing is ....she collects Willow Angels and has never gotten the same one twice from anyone.  I had no idea she collected them and the other ones I was debating on would have been repeats....I believe I was guided to the "Angel of Miracles". (I even stood there looking at them and said a little prayer)  She has fought so hard and so positively against her cancer but it just keeps spreading.  I wanted her to know how dear she is to me and how much I love her.  I kept remembering how nice it was when Jared was lost to actually have someone come to my home and give me a hug....so today I went and hugged Gina.

Gina is one amazing lady who doesn't give up and praises God no matter what.  She is such a wonderful example to everyone who knows her.  I am so glad that I was able to get to know Gina these last few years and have her as one of my dearest friends.  She has made me a better person because of her wonderful example.  She always compliments me and makes me feel like I am doing good things too.  Oh....I love Gina!

It happened to be Rex's (hubby) birthday and so I gave him the warm cookies. :)  I continually pray for Gina and the miracle she wants.  I believe she has had a miracle though since she is still here and able to do so much.  Her poor little body is consumed with cancer...it's everywhere and it makes me and everyone she know so sad.  Every day with Gina or any of us is a gift.....I am thankful!

I Dream......

This is a little thought that I had in my head.  It's only my thoughts and my deepest desires. It always has been....I really don't like sharing my hubby.....it's hard on me!

I dream.....I dream of ONE!  Together we are ENOUGH! There are no others distracting us from each other....no other voices, no other images.  We are enough and can love each other completely, however and whenever we want.....never having to worry about another!  Feeling complete, whole, and exceptionally special!  I dream that one is possible but wonder if my dream is really only that.....a dream!  My heart aches for oneness.....I wonder if it will ever experience it's desire!

TJ's Birthday

Hey Hey Happy Birthday to TJ!!!  I like this kid.  He has weaseled his way into my heart and I think he's a keeper.  I really like the way he takes care of Trichelle, Ivy and Zaden.  His kindness to them is incredible and very unselfish.  He's a great guy and it's fun having him in the family and watching him play with our family. TJ is a tease and fits right in with us Ropelato's.  TJ is a hard worker and rewards himself by playing golf.  He loves golfing.  He has bought Trichelle and her kids their own clubs so they can all go together.  I like that about him ....he loves spending time as a family.  TJ is just a good guy and I love him!

Books & Slippers.........

Shanna gave us all cute slipper for Christmas and so I thought it would be fun if we all wore them to Book Club this month....cuz you know.....slippers can be so fun. hahaha

It was fun seeing them all and watching them become friends. (I know I'm stale and should stop) At least our feet were warm and cozy and looked cute.

Everyone liked the lunch I prepared. Oh...because we have lunch at our book clubs.  I served Chicken Noodle Soup and Caesar Salad with a roll and Strawberry Cream Pie for dessert. (that I bought)  It was good and I believe I am done for the year with hosting. (yahoo!)

We discussed our books and made a few exchanges.  I didn't borrow any books this time though because I have bought a few that I want to read.  The two books I read this month were both really good.  "The Boy in Striped Pajama's" was a true story and really good and also sad.  It was about a little boy who's dad was a big guy for Hitler.  The dad moved the family right by a camp for the Jews. It was a lonely and terrible place for children and nothing for them to do. The little boy walks down the fence line because he see's something down there.  The dot he was watching gets bigger and actually finds a little boy about his age sitting on the other side of the fence in striped pajama's.  They become great friends and one day the little boy gets brave and goes on the other side of the fence with his friend.  I will leave it at that ...... I think by exploring on the other side of fence it woke his dad up.  I liked that book.

The other book I read was "Banana Split".  This book is in a series and I enjoyed this book better than some of the other ones.  It's about a lady just a bit older than me that always seems to find herself in the middle of a murder.  She likes to play detective and seems to pick up a few things the police miss.  It's adventurous and was staged in Kauai which might be why I liked it so much.  It was a light read and I enjoyed it.  I also started a book Shanna suggested I read.  It is called "The Harbinger" and I strongly suggest it.

I also started a book Shanna suggested I read.  It is called "The Harbinger" and I strongly suggest it.  I am half way through but this book makes you think.  It's fiction but I think it is based around true facts.  It parallels  the time of Isaiah to our time now. (starting with 9-11)  It's scary how we are repeating History again....Pushing away God.  Even the words being said are the same.....good book.

I like my book club...they're fun and smart and talented and wonderful.  We missed Suzie and Shanna today.

Multi Tasking like a scatter brained maniac

I had three hours before Book Club.....Plenty of time until I started getting ready.  First I thought I'd hurry and clean the bathrooms.  I always like to clean the bathrooms a little better when people are coming over.  That was going good until I went out of the bathroom to get the mop and I passed the laundry room.  Better put a load of laundry in and fold the load that is dry.  I fold laundry on my bed and thought today is a good day to change the sheets.  So I change the sheet so I can fold the clothes on my bed.  I am right by the bathroom and decided to hurry and shower so at least I am ready. Before blowing my hair I remember I was getting the mop but think it would be good to start the chicken since I am making Chicken Noodle Soup for lunch.  I start the chicken and put some veggies on to cook too. Then I go back to blowing my hair and notice the laundry that needs folding...oh ya and I forgot to grab the mop.  I fold the laundry go back to the kitchen for the mop and decide to hurry and sweep the kitchen floor.  Before getting the mop I go back to the bathroom and dry my hair and get out the straightener and plug it in so it can heat up.  I change the laundry again but leave the big basket of dry clothes on my bed.  The vacuum was in the laundry room and I remember I didn't vacuum the family room so I pull it out and start vacuuming down the hall and into the family room.  I check the chicken and the veggies and notice the sink has dishes in it so I clear the dish washer so I can load it with the dirty dishes.  I go back to vacuuming and remember I still haven't mopped the bathroom.  I think I finally got the mop and pushed it across a few of the floors.  The chicken is done so I pull it out and start the noodles.  I wipe a few counters and look for a table cloth before I cut the chicken.  I am unable to find a table cloth that is clean or long enough so I bag that idea.  I go back and cut the chicken, check the noodles, get the dishes out, make a mental note about the other things I need to do to complete the meal.  I get the butter for the rolls and move the rolls over so I won't forget.  I pull the pie out of the fridge so it will be thawed. (yep...I bought it)  I remember I haven't done my hair but hurry and finish the soup and have it on simmer and clean up the rest of the dishes that I have used.  I go in and do my hair and think wonderful I have just enough time to make the salad.  I start making the salad and just about have it ready when I hear a knock at my door.  It's time for Book Club!  I closed my bedroom door with the load of laundry sitting on my bed and grabbed my slippers....I was ready!