I never get tired of these!

Knock Knock.......

I love going to the door and seeing flowers being delivered to me.  It never gets old and it always makes me smile.  Larry knows it and I guess that is why he keeps sending them to me.  I love how cheerful these flowers are and the vase is even cute!  I hate to say it but I set them down for a second  and they fell off the table and a few stems broke a little. :(  oops!  My hubby is a thoughtful guy more days than not and I need to be reminded every now and then.....flowers are good reminders! Booyah!

sometimes you receive the answer, sometimes you are the answer

I went bowling yesterday and had a great time. (I usually do) The ladies that have me sub for them are always so kind to me and compliment and encourage me.  They are all old enough to be my mom and so it makes me feel good when they say nice things. (they're experienced & know what's important & good)  Being kind is such a simple thing and also so meaningful.

After bowling I went up to Weber High to visit my sister/friend, Tonya.  I could tell as soon as I saw her that her life was being challenged. (I know the Lord sent me) She shared her concerns with me and then I told her about the things going on in my life.  We all have stuff and Tonya and I have stuff at the same time.  Life isn't easy but if we watch and listen we will see the hand of the Lord in our lives.  He is always giving us tender mercies.  Today I received more answers to my stuff but I also know that I was the answer, or had the answer to some of Tonya's stuff.  There were a few things that I said that I know were not my thoughts.  I know God was using my voice to talk to my sweet Tonya.  I love when that happens. It just feels good.

We get knocked down and we get back up......that's life!  When we are up we need to look for opportunities to be Kind to someone else.  Kindness is a two way blessing.  You will not ever go wrong by choosing kindness.  Kindness Matters!

It's a Miracle!!!

Miracles still happen and we have received a few in the last couple days.  Since the other day when I talked to my friends and felt like the "spirit" was guiding them and me I have seen the hand of the Lord making things happen in our behalf.

Yesterday I called LDS Social Services about 11:00 am and talked to the gal about getting Jared in for some counseling.  She knew exactly who she thought Jared should see and said that they had a cancellation and that if it were at all possible Jared could meet with him at 12:00 pm.  We needed to be there about 11:30 to fill out paper work and that was exactly the amount of time I needed to pick Jared up from school and get him there.  It was perfect in every way.  Todd (the counselor) was great.  Todd is a Bishop and has kids Jared's age.  He also has a child that has required special testing for educational needs. (the testing we need to get Jared help in school)  Anyway I know that this didn't happen by coincident, I know it was a miracle and God made it happen.

Earlier in the day I had also made some calls about the testing that Jared needs to get a 504 in school.  I had to leave a message at U of U where students do the testing for a lot lower price.  However, Todd had told me of some other guys that are really good and well known.  I called one of them because I had his number which was given to me by a nurse that has been a huge help to me.  The price is $150 an hour and it would be at least 6 hours total when it was all said and done.  Oh, and we don't have any kind of insurance that will help out because our rates are ridiculous and we can't afford better coverage.  We also have a $5,000 deductible on each person....yeah I love paying for insurance that really doesn't help us out. (boo!)  So we figured it would be around $1,000 to get the tests we need so that the Principal  will even look at giving Jared a 504 to help him succeed. (I'm bugged about that too....I thought there was a "No Child Left Behind" policy but my child is being left behind. (stinks)  Anyway today my call from the U of U was returned and the sweet gal started off by telling me she had some good news and some bad news.  The good news was that they do the testing (by students) for only $175 (Yeah) but the bad news was that they have a list already and Jared wouldn't be able to be seen until January. (we need it before school starts)  After chatting for a bit and telling her what we have done so far and a little about Jared and his situation right now a Miracle Happened.  Instead of giving me others places to call for testing she decided that Jared was in a position to be seen sooner than January.  In fact they start testing in May and she is certain he will be seen in May or at least by June.  MIRACLE!!!!  Did you to the math?  That is at least a savings of $700 and 7 months sooner!!!

I am so glad that I have been guided by the spirit and through others and that I have taken action again and NOT STOPPED!  I am feeling so very blessed.  I can see a  slight change in Jared since we have been addressing his issues.  He is happier and knows that he is not the only one that has challenges.

A bit more about yesterday morning......I took Kimleighel to school because she received a few VERY INAPPROPRIATE texts from one of her guy friends on Sunday.  It is sexual abuse and had her shaking and scared to death to even go to school.  Since he goes to the same school we decided to show the Officer there and also the fact that it is illegal to send that kind of text.  We ended up talking with the Vice Principal and he took down the texts and everything.  I was proud of Kimi for showing us and the rest of the family.  She told the "Bishop" since she had an interview and since it was abuse he had to report it. She also told her Seminary Teacher and so he also reported it.  I am pretty sure Mr. Boy Friend won't be texting Kimleighel any more....and I hope words gets around that she is not someone to mess with! (she tells...Hooray!)

After dealing with Kimi's ordeal I went to the Jr High and was planning on giving the Principal a little piece of my mind.  It ticks me off that she requires a Doctor who doesn't know my kid to give her a note before she will help him.  Who am I?  I am the one that knows my child better than anyone else.  I was also going to ask her opinion about the "No Child Left Behind" policy since the school is failing with my child and likely plenty more.  She had a meeting though and so she left just after I arrived.  It was a good thing and instead I talked to a counselor that has been working with Jared.  I have talked to the counselors a few times and yesterday I spilled my guts.  I told him all the steps I was taking but how I felt about being pressured to do so.  We came up with a game plan and a support team for Jared.  I feel great about it and really do feel like we will be able to help Jared succeed academically and also increase his self esteem.  I want Jared to feel good about himself and consider that much more important than a silly grade.

I feel very blessed in the things that are happening.  I feel stronger for taking the steps that I felt so inadequately taking.  I pushed  past my comfort zone and it feels good as things are falling into place now.  Everything is going to be alright and I will be able to help others that will go through this.  I know this is a common thing and like me others just might not know where to turn for help.  I am so thankful for the help that has been given to me!  This life isn't easy that is for sure!

Braxton's Birthday Dinner

I love taking our kids to dinner for their birthdays.  I always love it when they introduce us to new places.  Tonight Braxton took us to a new Pizza place that has thin pizza's like they make in Italy. (I forgot the name)  It's in Farmington and I know Larry & I will be returning because Larry loved the pizza.....I did too.  I loved visiting with Brax and just admire what a great young man he is.  Braxton is so talented and loves life. Kids grow up so fast.  I have enjoyed the journey with each one of my kids.  I'm so glad that I was the chosen one to be their mommy.

Hey Hey It's Braxton's Birthday

It's Braxton's birthday and I just want to say I love being this kids mommy.  He cracks me up and all the gray hairs that are credited to Braxton are worth it.

I love Braxton's enthusiasm for life.  He is always going, creating, and living.  I am proud of the things he has accomplished this far in his life.  I loved watching him as "Waldo" the Wild Cat the last few years.  It was so fun knowing it was my kid in there making others happy.

I admire that he still plays the piano every once in a while when he is over.  I never thought he would continue on but I'm so glad he has.  I am proud of him for getting help with his finances. (love Natalie for helping him)  I love that he always seems so happy and positive and that he doesn't mind be goofy and not too serious.  He has fun and I like that.  He's always been a spiritual giant and I love and respect him for his wonderful example.  I'm glad he was sent to our family.  He's the perfect middle child!

Theater...Civil War

We went to the play, Civil War,  tonight and it was awesome.  It was sad because war is just sad.  I even cried but at least one time I laughed when Barbie and I looked at each other with the exact same thought about a statement.  Even Cari who was sitting across the isle from us noticed us laugh at that part. (it had something to do with 20 shades of gray.....yes 20....but of course we both thought 50 would have been a better number) There were a few songs that were fun when the blacks were gaining freedom and I was appreciative of them.  But the whole play was just a lot to think about and be grateful for.  We are blessed and I honor and respect all men and women who have fought for this countries freedom. I am glad that the blacks received their freedom as well and I'm glad I didn't live in the era that they were slaves.  I'm not sure I could have accepted that at all.  I am blessed to be part of this group of wonderful women.  We laugh together and share our lives with each other and are supportive of each other with the things we all are going through.  I feel blessed indeed!

Puzzle Pieces

I made up this saying today after meeting a few friends for lunch.  This lunch was decided just a few days ago and I was able to go without knowing it would be an answer to some of my prayers.  I thought I'd only be able to catch the last of the lunch because I was bowling today for a friend.  However since I bowled for another team Wednesday for this same league my scores today didn't count.  We thought about this a few frames into the first game.  So I bowled 2 games just for fun anyway and then went to lunch with these sweet gals.  They all had a piece to my puzzle that I needed.

Kathy was inspired to throw this lunch together and I am always glad when I get to rub shoulders with these dear friends who are in my life....on purpose.  Kathy was inspired & I bet she doesn't know it.

After a great lunch and sending Kathy back to work I felt like I needed to share my concerns about Jared with these sweet friends of mine.  They each had comments that I needed to hear.  I have a plan of action and I'm working on making life more enjoyable for my son but I had crossed off something that at first I thought needed to happen.  I had called and put forth some effort on the topic and since it didn't happen I just thought it wasn't suppose to.  Well....it is suppose to and I now know where to go for the answer and help.

The final thing Davaleen said was don't stop doing what you are doing!  I needed to hear that because that is exactly what happens.  I get going and then I stop because I hit a bump and I'm not sure how to get over it.  It has happened all year......I need to do whatever it takes to get past the bumps and I really needed to hear it.  I came home and wrote down the things I needed and especially DON"T STOP!

In life we all need others to help us get to where we need to be.  No one is here on their own.  I called each of these gals and thanked them again and Jodi told me that it was good for them too and they also needed to hear some of the things said.

I can see the hand of the Lord in this task.  I feel His help along the way.  I pray constantly that I will be able to do all that is needed to help my son succeed and feel happy about life.  I know that I carry a few pieces of Jared's puzzle and I'm trying to make sure I supply the correct ones.

Life is NOT easy however once over the tough things I really do see how important those times are and how I am strengthened  as I get through them.  We need the challenges so that we are stronger for the things that will come to us in the future....It's life....more will come!