Guys and Dolls

I love going to the plays and I am really glad that this group of ladies invited me to join their group.  It has been so fun getting to know them all better.  Barbie told her sister that they invited me because I was fun and believe me so are all of them.  I'm happy that I add to their fun.

I love the whole experience.....riding together, eating together and laughing together.  It's just a lot of fun.

I enjoyed the play tonight.  It was "Guys and Dolls" and was fun and upbeat.....a bit of a difference from "Urine Town".  I was glad Barbie leaned over and asked me if I wanted to do this again with them next year.  "Heck YES"  I love girls night outs.....they are just fun!

Barbie and I had the same color combo going on tonight and so I figured we should get a picture. Things like that "call" out to me. ha ha ha

A Tree for Gina

In memory of Gina....our little group of friends planted a tree for her.  It was a fun and awesome experience.  These women are such a blessing.  In fact, Rex told Karie that the timing for Gina to be united with them again was perfect and a blessing in her last years of life.  I believe being together with friends and family is a blessing and makes living and passing easier.  It's nice hearing that we were a blessing to Gina because she was such a blessing to each of us.  Each and every friend is missed when they can't be with us.  We are all important.....that's the truth!

My favorite part of the whole tree experience was when it was planted and the dirt (mud) was put back into the hole and the ribbons were tied on it with each of our names and we held hands forming a circle around the tree and Rex (Gina's Hubby) offered a prayer to God.  We all had tears in our eyes....it was so sweet.  He blessed that the tree would provide shade for those that came to it.  If only those that will come to this tree in years to come knew why it is here.....they would feel a little more than the comfort of being shaded....might even happen without knowing.  It was truly a spiritual experience.  No doubt sweet Gina was there to witness this and I believe she brought some friends with her.  One of the pictures has a bunch of "angels" in it!  They really are so close!

I loved that Mr. Talbot (Gina's daddy) was also there.  He is such a remarkable man and I have grown to really love him.  It must be so hard to have a child go first.  He's so sweet.

Afterwards we went to breakfast at Kneaders.  I always say it isn't about the food but maybe it's a little about the food since that is what seems to keep us together just a little bit longer.  I love these ladies and will help plant a tree for each and every one as they to pass.  I'm certain I will be the last standing because I am so willing to go.

I notice my blessings, I really do and each and every friend is right there under my family.  Life is better because of each of them.

the Celebrations Begin

I love celebrating Birthdays with my friends!  This month it is mine we are celebrating!  This month has been busy with our camping trips but this week a few of my friends took me to lunch.  Each luncheon date was really fun and meant a lot to me.  I appreciate my friends, Crystal, Cathy and Kellie for taking time to spend with me.  I love spending time with my friends and it is fun celebrating each of our births.

One of the nice things about getting to go to lunch with friends is sharing thoughts and feelings and laughing and bonding.  Each of my friends are great examples to me and I always want to be better because of them.  When it's my turn to be celebrated I am reminded of how truly blessed I am.  I have the best friends!  I am happy that another Birthday is approaching and for all I have learned and experienced to this point!

Last night Zaden spent the night with us and I was in the other room and heard: "gramma come here"
I went into the front room where Zaden was playing and he jumped up from behind the couch and shouted: "Happy Birthday" then he went over to the cups he had stacked and told me that he had built a castle for my birthday because I was a Princess.  He said it over and over and was so cute!  Totally made my night.  I sure do love my grands and so glad that they love this gramma!

I Thought This

Lately I have been thinking about grudges....because I have had some lately.  I heard of a gal saying something that wasn't true about me and it made me kind of mad...especially at her.  I didn't even know her but have since met her and when I did meet her I wanted to turn my head and puke.  Then I got thinking.....that kind of behavior is not like me and I don't want it to be.  So I decided to let it go and be me regardless of what others want to say or believe.  I even had a few thoughts for quotes and ended up with this one.

Mmmmmm......I LOVE COOKIES

I can say NO to donuts, cakes, pie, and even ice cream but I have a hard time saying NO to cookies!  I love cookies....especially homemade cookies right out of the oven.  Every once in awhile I'm forced to make cookies...that's right forced.  Our family loves banana's and why we ever have any left long enough to really ripen amazes me.  However, every now and then it happens and so I make cookies...banana chocolate chip cookies.  I usually make a batch or two without chips for those that prefer no chips (crazies)  but rest get chips....plenty of chips.

Today I decided that I should limit myself to one cookie.  I scraped the bowl and plopped the remaining dough on the cookie sheet and even spread it out a bit.  Nine minutes later my one and only cookie was done! Yummmm....I added a few more chips since it didn't look like there was enough.  Now that is my kind of cookie and the perfect size.  It kind of makes me feel better knowing I only had one.

Truth is I ate one normal cookie (before mine was done) and only had one bite from mine.  I think my cookie might just last me a day or two or three.

Being around others makes me happy!

Today was such a great day.  My morning started off with a young gal from another country stopping by to sell me some educational books.  I didn't want the books because even though we mean well I just know we wouldn't use them.  Google is great and doesn't cost anything and doesn't take up space on a shelf or counter.  I always feel kind of bad saying no but it has gotten easier.  I sent the cute gal off with a giant Symphony Chocolate Bar.  At least doing that made me feel a little better.  

Then I went visiting teaching which I just love.  I love visiting with the sisters in our ward and really love the sisters I go to (always do)  When I was through visiting Rae and Cathy I decided to stop and visit a few friends that have had surgery and take them a little treat. (I also took Rae and Cathy a little treat)  I visited with Shirley (Stokes) first and really enjoyed sitting in her back yard enjoying the breeze and just visiting.  I know it's not fun for Shirley to be laid up but it's kind of nice for me to know that she is and that I can stop by anytime and I won't be interfering with things.  I love Shirley and our visits.

Next I went to Judy"s (Nauta) and visited with her.  The nice thing about real friends is you can say whatever you want and feel and know that it is okay.  I can express my feelings and I know that these friends don't mind and can also do the same with me.  I felt so good about my day and had some thoughts that came to my mind that I know where from Heavenly Father.  I love how that happens as you open up and discuss things.  Man I was feeling great....so happy!

The weather wasn't great today but we had planned on going boating and taking the Anderson Family and so we went anyway in spite of the weather and had a great time.  It was so wonderful having them all together.  The wind blew and the boat rocked and Larry didn't even have to try to make the water weenie roll over because the wind and waves took care of that very easily.  The wind and waves also kind of made me dizzy and a little light headed.  We stayed for almost 2 hours and then decided to get off the water since it was starting to rain and the sky continued to get dark.  I love the Anderson's and I'm really glad we got a little time together with them all.  This little family has become an extension of our family...we love and care about them so much!

Then to top off a wonderful day we received a nice card from Tonya and Lexi!  Dang! Life is Good!  

we did it for Kimleighel....

Since Kimleighel's friend (Trevor) couldn't go boating with us Saturday because of the weather & his work, we took the boat out again today.  Thank goodness Kevin is a good sport and sacrificed his time to help us out. It was a great day.  I wish I could take the boat out during the day more often.  There aren't many people out and the water is so nice. (if only I was brave enough) hahaha

Everyone wake-boarded (except me) and Kamryn was pulled on the knee board and then we tubed. The time flies when the weather is nice and we didn't have time to do any thing else other than swim a little. The kids always enjoy just jumping in the water and swimming.  In fact, boating is how each of my kids have learned to swim.  We play in the water a lot so they aren't afraid and when they feel like it they quit using life jackets or floaties to swim and they just swim.  It's a wonderful perk to having a boat.

I have enjoyed our week of boating.....it's so fun!