Jared is 15

My baby is 15 and towers me!  Man, Jared grew a lot this past year.  He's tall & skinny, his voice is low, he has a little acne a he even has a few long whiskers on his chin.  These things are normal but affect me a little differently since this guy is my baby.  He still gives me hugs every single day though and lays his head on my shoulder and tells me I'm beautiful and that he loves me!  I hope that never changes....because I love it!

It's fun for me to look back over the pictures and see the changes in Jared.  Along with seeing the changes I think of all the things that he has learned along his journey to 15.  Jared is a smart kid, and he is kind, and sensitive, and strong, and a hard worker, and funny, and polite and respectful.  So many wonderful qualities that will get him far in life.  I'm so glad that Jared was sent to us.  I'm so glad that his life as been spared a few times.  I wonder why that is?  Probably for me.  I was telling Jared about his "birth" day and the weeks that followed.  Jared had the choice whether to stay here on Earth or return to Heaven....he chose here.  We pleaded with Heavenly Father for him to stay.  We blessed him with the Priesthood to stay and get better. When he struggles  I feel guilty.  I think how selfish it was for us to keep him here.  I guess that is our natural instinct though...we fight for life.  We loved him at birth when we had no idea who he really was.  We have a better idea now and I'm so glad he chose to stay and bless our family with his wonderful spirit!  Jared is a special kid! (they all are!)  Man, I love this handsome young man!  Happy Birthday Son!

another play....The Curious Savage

After going to Kamryn's soccer game and taking Jared shopping for his birthday I went to the play with Heather.  She's a sweetie and picked me up. I love visiting with Heather and being around her....she's so much better than she knows!  (probably true for us all) Heather is one of my hero's!

We stopped for dinner at a place that has really good peach shakes.  Oh my heck they were so good!  I didn't think I would be able to finish mine but found it wasn't a problem.  I love peaches and things made from peaches.  At restaurants I like getting peach flavored water. Peaches are the best thing about summer...or one of the best things.

Right before we left for the play I decided to grab a "Scatter Sunshine" bag.  I felt like Barbie needed to receive it today.  Barbie is always doing for others.  She is a good mom and grandma and puts in a lot of time in those two callings.  She is a good sister and has been there for her sister while she is going through rough times with her health.  Barbie just keeps going and doing.  I admire her and just wanted her to know that she is pretty awesome and scatter's lots of sunshine and hopefully my little gift will fill her bucket that she is always giving from.  I love these ladies....all awesome and wonderful!

The play was great.  It made me laugh over and over.  I loved the gal named "fairy".  Her character cracked me up. I loved her expressions and stupid jokes....seriously funny to me.  The whole play was terrific and all the characters were pretty great.  Mrs. Savage was outstanding.  Wow!  She was clever, funny, and thoughtful.  Most of the play was humorous but by the end everyone was wiping tears from their eyes and sniffing a little. I told the gals it was so hot my eyes were sweating. ☺ It was a "make you feel good" kind of play.  The ending was about love and caring for others. I loved this play.

I think it's amazing how fast we make it home....we talk so much it doesn't feel like an hour and a half.
Such good times.  I look forward to hanging with these ladies every month or so!  Again....I am so blessed!

More Birthday Celebrations!

Today is Friday the 13th and it has been wonderful!!!  I went to Maddox with my sista friends and it just happened to be Robin's birthday.  On the way to Maddox I learned that the house we lived in before we moved to Hooper belonged to Robin's in-laws, Byran and Arlene Combe.  I don't know why I never connected or asked if she knew the Combe's but I'm glad that I know now.  I have heard Robin speak so highly of her sweet mother in law,  Arlene without knowing who she was talking about.  I remember Arlene being an "Angel" lady.  She was so sweet! (she just passed away a few weeks ago) 

As always we had a great time at lunch.  I went for the fresh peach pie and ordered that first with a bowl of clam chowder.  It was yummy but I had to finish it when I got home....even that was a bit too much.  Our waitress received the "Scatter Sunshine" bag I had brought.  We thought she was a little overwhelmed and could use it.  She was extremely happy to be the recipient.  It's kind of nice scattering sunshine to others....it makes me extremely happy!  I love these ladies....always a blast hanging out with!  One of the things I like is that they invite me and I don't have to initiate the outing....that is so nice!  I always feel so loved. I hope that each of them do as well! 

Larry and I took Jared to dinner tonight to celebrate his birth since his birthday is on Sunday.  Today worked out best.  I marvel at this kid and how much he has grown and changed this last year. The kid is tall and keeps growing and he has whiskers! ☺ Jared is such a loving boy.  He hugs me everyday a few times and tells me he loves me and that I am beautiful. He is a great kid to end on.....such a joy!  I love his smile, his raspy voice, his hugs, his laugh, his chatter...pretty much every little thing about him!  Glad you belong to us Jared Ropelato.....what a blessing you are!

The Missionaries Came & Taught Us!

We had a great opportunity tonight to have the Missionaries come and teach our family.  They were showing us how they teach so that we will want to refer them to our friends and neighbors.  The Spirit was strong and the message was great.  These two Elders did a great job and I wouldn't have a problem at all referring them.  I like the way they teach these days.  Their message isn't memorized but given by the Spirit.

I was glad our family had this opportunity.  It was also neat to watch at how my kids reacted and their responses.  I love listening to Braxton.  I can tell that he was an awesome missionary by the things he says and they way he says them.  That is true with the others boys too however they weren't here tonight and Braxton was.  I appreciate the missionaries stopping by our house and sharing their spirit and the gospel with us.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is True!!! I'm so thankful for the "good feeling" (the Holy Ghost) for letting me know that!  We are extremely blessed!

Celebrating a Few of My Kids!

I love celebrating my kids birthdays!  I love thinking about them on their birthdays.  I have such great memories of each one of my kids....they are each my favorite.  This weekend we celebrated with Trichelle and TJ and Kevin and Julie.  We take each of our kids out for dinner on or around their birthday.  It's a special time to visit and spoil each child individually....that is until they get married and then we celebrate their spouse with them.

On Friday we took Trichelle and TJ out and had a great time with them.  I love the individual time and always look forward to it.  I marvel at my kids and how wonderful they are.  They teach me so much and I can honestly say that I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey with them.  The difficult times were few and well worth going through. (I need to remember that right now with Kimi & Jared...it will be worth it...it will be worth it)

Saturday we enjoyed being at the Temple with Whitney Winter and her great family to witness her marriage in the SLC Temple.  What a day of reward for the Winter's.  We have always loved each of their kids and love seeing them grow and succeed.  Not many were invited to witness the sealing and so we felt very blessed to be there.  Larry was a witness which was really special.  Whitney has always loved Larry.  When she was a toddler and Alan was the Bishop, little Whitney would find Larry and come sit on his lap. ☺  Larry had the privileged of being Whitney's Bishop when she had some struggles.  Those times are priceless.  It was so much fun celebrating with them.  We even went to the Wedding luncheon which was a little too good....and we ate a little too much.  Needless to say we weren't very hungry when we took Kevin and Julie out for their birthdays that evening.

I thought I would be able to fake being full and at least eat a salad and some soup.  Nope....I couldn't even eat my salad. The luncheon filled me beyond full and I didn't have any desire to eat anything else. It didn't really matter though.  Kevin and Julie enjoyed their meals and we had a great time visiting with them.  Kevin and Julie had realized that Saturday was exactly in the middle of both their birthdays and so it was the perfect day to celebrate them.  They told us that the papers are being started for Kevin to adopt Kamryn.  We are so happy about that.  Kamryn is Kevin's and should legally have his last name.

Larry found a few cute little wood plague's with perfect sayings for these birthday kids.  Trichelle's said: Mom is a title just above Queen, and Kevin's said: We interrupt this marriage to bring you the Football Season.  I thought it was cute that Larry saw those plagues and thought of the kids...it doesn't happen all the time.          9/9/13                                                                          

I Am Who I Am

Last night I was talking to a friend.  Some how the conversation turned so that I was admitting to
being rebellious.  I'm really not rebellious it's just that "I am who I am".  I was told when Larry was made Bishop that people would be watching me and expect more.  That's not fair!  Because of that awareness I purposely started drinking drinks with caffeine.  I guess I thought if I put it right out there for others to see that I am just a normal person they wouldn't feel like they needed to look deeper for my weaknesses.  I think it worked.  I believe I have been accepted for just being me.  The reason I wanted to write about this is because everyday I do try to be better.  I am always trying to improve who I am and my actions but it is not because I am a Bishop's wife, or my parents child, or my children's mom.....it is because I am a daughter of God! (all the other reasons help and do influence my choices too)  My life is between me and the Lord and it is what he thinks about me that matters.  He knew why I chose caffeine and he accepted and loved me anyway.  He also looked past the caffeine but instead of looking for my weaknesses He saw my strengths and showed them to me so I could strengthen them even more.  I am a better person than I was five years ago. Each of us should be because we are all children of God!

I have learned a lot about who I am.  I am a daughter of Heavenly Father who loves me.  I am a mother to seven wonderful children who also love me.  I am the wife to a great man who strengthens me and loves me.  I am a true friend and I care about everyone.  I am human and will always make mistakes and have weaknesses.....that's reality!

Scattering Sunshine

Recently I thought about making little treat bags to "scatter sunshine".  I put a cute quotes on a few treats and put them in a bag.  My thought is to give these to others while I am out and about with my friends.  I made one up today and took it to Carla.  So Carla is the first to receive a "Scatter Sunshine" treat bag.  I made it simple...no ribbons or frills....I want it to be simple so that hopefully it will get copied in some form or another.

I decided to take one to Carla because I am not able to make the baby shower for her cute daughter, Sara.  I feel bad.  I missed Sara's wedding too because it was on my birthday last year and I spent the evening with my family.  I didn't want to miss Sara this time or just drop off a gift.  I messaged Carla last night to make sure they would be home today.  It was fun visiting with Carla and her darling girls. They were decorating for the shower and so I was able to see how cute it will be.  I would like to be there but we will be at Whitney's Wedding which is wonderful and great and where we need to be.

I'm excited for Sara to be a mommy.  I'm excited for Carla to be a grandma.  I'm excited to make more "Scatter Sunshine" bags!