Road Trip to Vegas.....Yippee!!!

For my birthday Larry was very thoughtful and made arrangements with Julie for me to come spend time with her.  I haven't seen Julie for over three years and have really been wanting too. I was impressed that Larry remembered and gave me that "gift" for my birthday. (what a guy...love him!)

He was planning on having me fly but it was my idea to drive.  I have never drove that far alone in my life and really wanted to.  I felt confident, independent and powerful.  I would be conquering a fear and it felt good.  I left after church on the 4th and started my adventure.  Just me, a few CD's (including the Conference Talks) and my stuff.  I felt so good....so big!

I only went to Jerry and Darinda's (in Silver Reef...close to St George) since Julie wouldn't be home until late and I didn't want to drive in the dark when I didn't know where I was going.  Jerry & Darinda are so nice to let me stay at their nice house.  It was fun driving up to it and knowing it would be my room for the night.

I microwaved some corn on the cob for dinner.  It was good.  I was so pleased that I had made it this far and knew that in the morning I would be seeing my sweet friend Julie.  I was like a little kid waiting for Christmas.  I went in a bedroom and got my bed ready and guess what?  Fear hit me!  I knew I was alone in this BIG house but my mind started playing stupid games and .... well I got a little scared. Funny thing is....there weren't any strange noises...the house was completely quiet.  I had no reason to be scared and I knew it.  I said a prayer and cuddled up in my blanket and went to sleep.  (who took that picture?)

In the morning I hurried and got ready to continue on my adventure.  I had the other piece of corn I had brought for breakfast.  I'm not sure why I didn't eat my normal...chocolate for breakfast but I didn't...the corn was so good I guess I wanted the other cob.  I loaded my car, locked the house, set the GPS and was on my way.  I have to say that "Miss Navi Gator" did a great job getting me to Julie's.

The last time I used her she got me lost and I wasn't sure she could be trusted but I was totally relying on her...well maybe not totally....since I had printed instructions from the computer but when it came down to it I listened to Navi and ended up at Julies. 

Julie and I visited and then we went and met another friend of mine from High School for lunch. Deanne lives in Julie's ward and they are good friends too.  What a small world.  It was fun visiting with Deanne in person.  I see her daily on FB but real life was nice.  I invited Tashina to join us too and I'm glad she did.  She's a cute girl....just a month older that Kimleighel.

I like to be silly and so I made some silly eyes for some silly pictures.  It's funny to me that when a few people get silly others want to join in the fun.  This day it was Robert the manager of Mimi's.  He wanted some silly eyes too and wore them on his glasses.  We had a great time!  I am so thankful for friends...and silly times!  Dirk got home from a 50 miler with the scouts and so we all went to dinner. Julie and I visited until Dirk put a movie in and we watched that.  It was a very fun day.....what every little (and big) girl could every hope for.

On Tuesday Julie and I decided to go to the Temple.  While I was at Church on Sunday I had the impression to take my Temple Clothes.  I even remembered when I got home and so I suggested going to the Temple to Julie.  I know Julie loves going to the Temple and she was all for it.  I love the feeling in the Temple.  I love the tingles I get while I am there.  I love feeling and knowing that Heavenly Father loves me.  It was a good choice and a great start to our day. We heard there is a "New Movie" but we didn't see it since we had a gal that didn't speak English in our session and the "New Movie" doesn't have it translated yet.  So now I want to go again to see the "New Movie".

We had lunch after and then went back to Julie's to change and get Tashina.  We went to a place that reminded me of the Farmington Station.  You enter the stores from the outside.  The main reason for going there was so Julie could pick up the I Pad she had ordered.  I took mine with me too so I could get it updated.  The Apple Store was closed for remodeling and so none of that happened.  Julie spent a lot of time on the phone to them and will end up getting a cover for her I Pad for free....worth the wait.  I don't think Julie is much of a shopper either because neither of us really cared where we went.  We did go in a Bath and Body Works Store however and I realized when Julie asked me what fragrance I liked that it has been awhile since I have had their lotion....I didn't recognize any of the fragrances.  I ended up buying a few.  The first one I chose was a new fragrance called "Sexy" and I chose it so I could say "I have my Sexy on".  It smells good too.  Oh....Dirk found us at Bath and Body and so he hung out with us until we left.

I like how spontaneous Dirk is.  We got home and he asked if we would like to go to a dinner show. Julie convinced him to also come and so off we went to a dinner show called "Marriage can be Murder".  It was the kind you try to detect who is the killer and their motive.  I was very entertained and laughed a lot but I had NO idea who was killing the guests.  I thought the table right behind me had something to do with it and at the end I found out they had everything to do with it.  The gal right behind me was the killer.  I even talked to her when she asked me how I would kill someone...she was surprised when I said with my bare hands!  I stink at detective work and realize it is not a profession I should ever consider.   It was really fun though regardless if I was totally wrong and clueless.

The dinner show was right by Fremont Street and so we wondered it.  My how that street has changed since I was there last.  People are dressed up all up and down the street hoping to get paid to have a picture with them.  Some of the people had very little on and I wasn't impressed.  The over head light show is pretty cool though.  It was fun and a great way to end a wonderful day!

I love my Julie friend.  Tashina asked her mom how we met and Julie told her that I had been her visiting teacher.  Funny how you can grow such great friendships by doing your visiting teaching!  I bet that is one of the main reasons for visiting teaching.....I love the friends I have made by doing my visiting teaching.  Julie is such a blessing in my life.  She is such a great example of faith to me.  She loves her Heavenly Father and trusts Him and praises Him continually.  I always desire to try a little harder and to be a little better after being around Julie.  She inspires me!  I am so thankful that Larry was so thoughtful in giving me time with Julie for my birthday!  I loved every second of it!

Dirk got me headed in the right direction to go home on Wednesday morning and I was off.

Nanette lives around St George and she suggested we meet for lunch.  I wasn't in a hurry and so I met her for lunch.  I never hung out with Nanette but I do believe we were in band together so we did know each other in school.  It's funny how it doesn't matter to me at this point in my life what choices we made or the direction we took to get us to where we are now.  I appreciate what everyone has gone through to get them to where they are at.  Nanette has made some great progress and is a very happy lady doing good things.  I love her and I'm so glad we were able to meet for an hour or so.

This was a very fulfilling few days.  I listened to good talks and music, visited with great people and got closer to my Heavenly Father.  How blessed I am!

Bruno Mars.......Live.....Really!

When I heard that Bruno Mars was coming to SLC I really wanted to go.  I really like his music and he's pretty cute too.  Well....my sweet Trichelle knew that I would love to go to his concert and so she got me and her tickets to it for my birthday.  The other kids went in on it and so I got to SEE Bruno Mars in concert.  Such a great birthday!  I felt like a kid again going to a concert.  Ummmm.....I like Bruno even better now.....and his band....man they were energetic and very entertaining and great!  We were not disappointed to say the least.  Great Concert....Great Fun!

Trichelle took me out for dinner first and we had sushi.  There just aren't many people I know that enjoy sushi and Trichelle is the one that introduced me to it so it was appropriate that we should eat sushi.  It was such a nice evening with my daughter.

We danced, we laughed, we went coo coo eyes, we whistled and hollered, we clapped and tapped our feet, we had a great time.  I was glad Trichelle grabbed her glasses on the way out the door...they helped us both to see better. :) When the concert was over and Bruno was done we went looking for my car.  We were so excited to get a great parking spot that neither of us really paid that close of attention to where we actually did park.  Trichelle had a better idea than me but still we weren't sure.  We walked around the parking lot and I giggled at others who had also lost their cars.  It was all fine though and as the parking lot cleared a bit we were able to find my car.  Alarms were going off as others searched for their cars but when I tried my alarm I couldn't get it to go off.  It was a good way to pass a little time while everyone left.  It didn't really take us that long...maybe 15 minutes or so which I thought was good considering it "might" take me that long sometimes in smaller parking lots.

Fun.....Fun.....Fun!

More Celebrating....

I'm spoiled....I know!  This week has been lots of fun and lots of lunches with my friends!  I know I've said it before but it's not about the food or the gifts....it's all about the friendships and visiting!  I love and appreciate each and everyone of my friends.  For some reason I have been blessed with many wonderful friends and I will always be eternal grateful for this blessing!

Tonya and I met on Monday and had a great time catching up with each other.  I am so thankful this girl moved close to me when we still played with baby dolls.  What a blessing she has always been in my life.  We have always been a support to each other and God speaks to us through each other some times!

Mallory and Kathy took me to lunch on Tuesday.  We always go to Applebee's at 3:00.  That way we don't have to remember or decide on another place or time.  We did not have our table today though....for some reason their was another couple in it. haha  The fun part of going to lunch with Mal and Kathy on our birthdays is we get to go twice so that we can each take a turn paying for the birthday girls lunch.  Sure does make it fun...I like seeing these friends more often.  We are enjoying growing old together!

Wednesday the Hooper Girls met for lunch.  We are not all living in Hooper at the time but that's how I refer to this fun group of ladies!  I'm glad to be included in their group...it has existed for a long time and they invited me in.  I love each and everyone of these ladies and am glad to have them as friends. They sure are good and I always feel good after spending time with them.  So much fun!

                                 

I absolutely love that Hillary always makes time for me when she is in town.  Her cute little family came in Saturday (from Texas) and will be here for a week.  When she was over Sunday for the Birthday Celebration she checked to see if I had a day that we could go to lunch together. I could on Thursday...so we did.  I just have to say that seriously it makes my day.  So thanks Hillary for giving your Aunt Dawn a little added attention....I really do love and appreciate it.  I love my sister and her cute kids and grands and it is fun getting together every now and then.  (doesn't happen enough so grateful when it does)  Hillary is a darling little mommy with two very cute little girls.  I remember so clearly when she was the little one.  It's so fun seeing my kids and my sisters kids grow up and be such cute mommies and daddies.....I love it.  Another fun day to add to my very fun week! Yahoo!

                                  

And Friday I had a great time with Teresa and Tammy.  These two build me up....heck we all build each other up.  Our chit chat is always fun and mingled with plenty of belly laughs.  Our cute waiter was so funny and he was creative and brought me a lime guy...or monster or something cool with candles in it and even sang to me.  It was awesome!  Our little lunch date lasted over 3 1/2 hours...time does fly when you are having a good time!  I don't think it was by coincident that I chose to go to Zeb's today.  I haven't been for probably 15 years and so really it isn't even on my mind but today it just popped right into my mind.  I know why....the guy with the lime had been praying for something and ta-da....Tammy had his answer.  So cool!  There is NO doubt that God knows us and loves us and talks to us through others!  So awesome!  A very splendid afternoon in every way!

Cupcakes with the Grands!

A few years ago I started a new tradition with my grands.  I have them all over and together we make cupcakes.  I let them help with everything.  So everyone gets included better we now make two different batches of cupcakes.  It works out great.  Everyone gets to add ingredients, mix and prepare pans. While waiting for their turn they played together which is a big part of the fun!  I receive such joy watching my grands take turns and help each other with this little task.  Joy to my ♥! 

They all enjoy licking the beaters and I let them! I even had to get an extra one out to dip in the batter so there was enough.  This year the first group, Kamryn, Parker, and Zadan all got into licking the bowl.  It totally made me laugh out loud....and I had to get a few pictures!

Instead of just having a bunch of decorations like the past years I thought it would be fun to make a few cute cupcakes that I have seen.  We made Cookie Monster and some Minions.  The kids make enough to take home for their families.  Each member of their family got one of each.  I thought they turned out cute and the kids had a blast making them and playing with one another.  I like including Ivy's step brother Alan too.  I invited him a few years back and he had such a good time I will invite him every year.

I had completely forgot about taking pictures with me and the grands until after the cupcakes were done and so while they were playing together we got together for a few pictures.  These little ones make my heart smile!  They seriously crack me up and make me laugh out loud some more!

 They are each so cute and expressive.  They love making silly faces and I love the silly face pictures!

Ummmmm....being a Gramma is such a wonderful thing!  Spending time with my little's is one of my favorite things to do!  I sure do love them! They brighten my life!

Complete Happiness

Have you ever noticed that some days are easier to be happy than others?  Right now...today....I can't even imagine being Happier!  I feel so blessed.  Being happy doesn't mean that life is perfect by any means.  Just the other day I was feeling stress and anxiety over a few things that I had no control over. I didn't have control over others choices or decisions but I did allow their choices to affect me to the point of feeling sick and anxious.  It wasn't a big deal (the thing causing me stress) .... I just put too much thought into something that couldn't be changed.  Even feeling that way for a few hours that day I still feel the Happiness in my life.  There are so many good things going on....there are always so many good things going on and I am at a point in my life that it is easier for me to see the good over the not so good.  Having this ability truly brings me Happiness!  A good reason to be glad for the numbers on our Birthday Cards...each year brings experience and insight that can be gained no other way!


I remember a just few months ago that I was completely unsettled in my life.  I was struggling pretty hard with who I was and what "I" wanted.  Maybe....actually I believe that hard time has helped me get to this point in my life.  All things for a reason....we grow from our trials.

 I choose Happy!!!

It's My Birthday!

I love birthdays!   I love my birthday!  I have always loved celebrating birthdays and I just feel so special when it's mine.  I love that I get to start celebrating early and continue celebrating even after my birth day.  It's just so much fun!

This morning I woke up to many birthday greetings on the internet and through text and they continued through out the entire day.  Larry and the kids sang to me while I was still in bed and I couldn't help but laugh. Singing together always brings a smile to my lips and laughter follows. (we might not be the best singers)  Church was great and more wishes there.  A smile was stuck to my face all day.  (I usually try to smile but today I didn't have to think about it)

We had corn on the counter from gramps to go with our dinner and it had been strategically placed all over the counter.  Thank goodness Braxton clued me in that it might say something because since I am shorter I didn't notice the message right off.   It was a little "corny" but was cool enough for me to grab the camera so I would always remember it.  I love that my kids are creative!

I love that my sis and I have Birthdays back to back.  We celebrate together and I'm pretty sure we wouldn't all get together is they weren't.  My mom and dad do most everything but the last few years we have held the party here.  It's a lot easier for us to have everyone over and we fit better.  I think it helps mom and dad out a little.  They say it does.  I really appreciate my parents for working so hard to celebrate Susan and my birthdays!  It's a fun time for me being together with everyone.

The day was long and it was fun and when we went to bed I couldn't sleep.  I got wondering if there was caffeine in the pop I had even though I purposely tried choosing a drink without it. I stayed in bed for about three hours and couldn't handle it any longer.  I got out of bed at 1:00 am and finished off my birthday cake that I remembered was just sitting on the counter without being wrapped. (I found out my pop didn't have caffeine so not sure why I couldn't sleep...maybe just like a little kid still on a high)

I can't help but laugh because some times I wonder why I can't lose weight. hahaha  Oh well....I look pretty good for my age and having seven kids right? (I started being told that about ten years ago...cracks me up but I accept it)

Cherry Hills...The Greatest Fun Spot You'll Ever Know

We just spent a fun week at Cherry Hills.  I had never been before and it was a lot of fun.  The camping spots were tight....reminded me of sardines, squished in a can.  It wasn't noisy though and so if you didn't look around it was fine.  Scott and Erin and their cute girls also camped with us.  It was so much fun being around them.  I know Kimleighel and Jared had a great time playing with their cousins.

On July 24th Trichelle and Justin and their cute families came and spent the day at the water park with us.  I really enjoyed the park and thought it was really fun. I really enjoyed having my family there too.  I want to go again sometime.  Everyone had fun together and it was just nice being together.  Kevin and Julie and Kam were visiting Julie's dad in Wyoming and Jaydan was studying so we didn't see them.  Braxton did show up for a tiny bit and it was nice having him there for a little while.

I am thankful for my family.  I am thankful for Holidays and Family time.  I am thankful that we are blessed and can do some extra things.  I am thankful for relaxing times.  Looking around makes me realize how blessed we are!  So thankful for Everything! (family, freedom, religion, friends, fun, food, etc....the list goes on and on)