I NEVER get tired of receiving Flowers!

I hadn't been home long from my meeting with my friends when there was a knock at the door.  I was the one who opened the door and to my surprise there were flowers for me.  I can't help but smile every time Larry sends me flowers.  I love getting flowers and I really love that he has started sending sending me different kinds of flowers.  For many years Larry would only send me roses, which I loved, but I know how expensive they are and I know an arrangement with a variety of flowers are probably less and they are just as appreciated and lovely.  I signed for these with a big smile on my face and even told the delivery guy "this is why I keep him".  Larry is a "keeper" and flowers make up for stupid things said. (although I don't think Larry even realizes he said something stupid the night before)

I know that I am a lucky girl!  One of the ways Larry shows his love for me is by sending me flowers.      He really does love me and shows it all the time.  I love him right back!

Getting Ready

Today a group of us met to plan what we are doing this Friday for "Relay of Life".  We got a team together in honor of our Beautiful Friend Gina, who passed away of Cancer.  Relay for Life is an event to earn money to help Fight Against Cancer. Someone on your team needs to be "moving" on the track all night.  This event sound really fun!

We have an assigned area that we will decorate using our Purple Toilet and the theme: FLUSH CANCER DOWN THE TOILET!  Our area "might" have a some toilet paper around it and a few plungers! (wink)  We will be selling toilet paper kits so others can toilet paper surrounding camp area's.  We will also sell tickets for toilet paper removal.  

We want to "use" our toilet so we are going to be taking pictures of others "using" it too. We will have a few trees behind it with holes for faces so more than one can be in the picture.  I think we have some good ideas and hopefully we will be able to earn more $$$ to help Fight Against Cancer!

I know this is going to be a blast and I'm excited to be a part of such a great cause because Cancer really does need to be Flushed Down the Toilet! (cancer stinks and it's crappy)

I am Thankful for Fathers!

I am so Thankful for the Fathers in my life.  I am so thankful for my sweet dad.  My dad has always been so soft spoken and gentle.  I'm so glad that Larry and I both still have our parents.  I appreciate this fact more all the time.

I am thankful for Larry's dad too.  He is such a hard worker and helps us out whenever we need.  He's fun and the best neighbor possible.  I loving having him close so my kids can interact with him more too.  He's just a great guy!  I am really thankful for the Father of my children!  I love Larry Joe!  Larry is such a great man.  He's fun, hard working, kind, thoughtful, caring, spiritual and the list could go on and on.  He is a great dad and all the kids love him so much.  He works hard so that our family can play together.  I think that is the secret to a happy family....playing together.  I don't think it really takes a lot of money either...just time.

I am thankful for my boys that are such good daddy's.  I am thankful for TJ, Daniel and Joe too who take care of my other grands.  These guys all do a great job and I appreciate their love for the little ones they are responsible for.  The world needs a whole lot more of these kind of guys!

Reminiscing about the Good 'Ol Days

I was so excited to find Lynn Halpin Skeen on Face Book,  I have good memories of growing up with Lynn.  She moved into Washington Terrace when we were in the fourth grade. (I think that is what she told me)  We decided to go to lunch and we invited Mindy Peterson Stowers to join us.  Mindy and Lynn actually played together much more since they lived closer to each other.  It's funny how close the houses we grew up in really are but for some reason it seemed further. I didn't leave my street very much...I don't think most kids did.

We caught up fast and spent 4 hours together just talking and sharing.  It's funny how friendships that were strong when you are little are still bound as you get older.  I love these two and admire them for all they have done and experienced.  It was so much fun for me to reminisce about the good 'ol days.  It was fun hearing the events that have happened in between.  I'm so thankful for technology and that we are able to reconnect with people that have meant so much to us...Life is Good!

After meeting these two  I ran home and went to our Stake Conference.  It was so good.  Elder Gay was the presiding Priesthood leader and he was awesome.  He told so many inspiring stories.  I really want to have the Faith I need to Follow our Savior and allow Him to guide my life.  Life doesn't come without trials....but we will be blessed as we trust in God and allow him to guide us.

Special Needs Girl Camp

I love girls camp!  I think it's fun!  This year I got to go with the Special Needs Girls.  We had a great time.  We did a few crafts....tie dyed shirts, made vinyl picture frames that said: "Stand Ye in Holy Places".  We made prayer rugs, and we used shaving cream to make the cover for the girls scrap books.

We played a lot.  We hiked a little.  We shot Mylar balloons with Nerf guns which was a huge hit!  We played bingo a few times because some of the girls really liked that. We even got a ride in Rita's Smart Car. (which is bigger on the inside than you would think)

And it's girls camp so we ate.....we ate a lot!  There was more than enough food and treats.  It's funny how we worry about having enough and end up having an abundance instead.

We learned and sang camp songs and laughed a lot while doing so.  "Oh Fluffy Sheep...so wonderful. Oh fluffy sheep so wonderful...they are white and they are fluffy....oh fluffy sheep so wonderful!"  Heidi went around "baa-ing" at me.  I think she liked my singing. hahaha I love camp songs!

The girls showered at night and had hot showers.  I showered in the morning and had freezing cold. Brrrr...  The Missionary said they never have problems with the showers...well....we had problems.  On Saturday I needed to wash my hair because I was meeting some friends after camp and I needed to be ready so I washed it in the kitchen sinks...that water was hot there because again...it was freezing cold in the bathrooms.

We had a devotional and Rita spoke to the girls around the fire.  It was great about being like Christ.  Forgiving others and just doing our best.  It was really good.  Then we had a testimony meeting and the Spirit was so strong.  These are some "special" girls that know about God.  They know that they are special and that they will be whole again.  They know that God loves them.  They are filled with love and express it to each other and us leaders.  These girls are kind and forgiving and so loving.  I enjoyed spending a few days with them.  I'm so happy that God knows me best and that He told me 38 years ago I would be working with this wonderful group of ladies.  I love my calling.....I love these girls!

Me & Jared

It's just Jared and I for a few days and so we decided to go to the show.  We thought about hitting a bucket of balls together but the hot tempts decided for us. (it's hot) I let Jared choose which show he wanted to see and he chose Iron Man 3.  It was so much fun going with him.  Jared is such a polite young man and silly.  He teases me every time we go in my car together.  He loves turning my seat warmers on and commenting on how hot it is...sometimes I catch on quick but sometimes ....well not!

I bought our tickets in and Jared decided he would get the treats.  I believe we spent about the same and the reason I even let Jared  get the treats was because I saw the amount of money in his wallet. (he has money)  We came home and I helped him with his room a little more.  We threw away more garbage.  His room looks much better now and I think the "feeling" there is also better.  I can't help but think: "Cleanliness is next to Godliness".  Order is good and the spirit can be felt better than in a place of clutter.

I enjoyed the last few days with Jared.  He is very appreciative of everything which also makes it all so nice.  Yeah for one on one time!

Ivy Marie is Eight!!!

Boy does time fly when you are having fun!  This little lady has been loads of fun and I have enjoyed every minute with her.  I can't believe she is so grown up and tall!

For Ivy's birthday we decided to have a sleep over like we did for Kamryn's.  I like the idea of having some individual time with the birthday child.  Ivy slept over on Sunday and we played on Monday so her parents could enjoy her on her actual birthday.  We had a good time together.  I love how crazy Ivy  is.  Ivy is very smart and such a nice girl.  All her little cousins adore her and love being around her.  She is really a good example.

I took Ivy to Hobbie Lobby because that is where the gift that she wanted me to get her was.  She went right to it and after getting a few more things we went to Subway for lunch.  Jared came with us since he has been wanting some drawing books.  Kimi stayed home and mowed the lawn.

We wore Ivy out!  On the way home she feel asleep.  It was so much fun spending a little extra time with our Birthday girl.  Zaden was missing her so we had to return her.  I love celebrating the birth of those I love so much!

Happy Birthday Miss Ivy!