Felties for Festival of Trees

I'm on a committee for the Festival of Trees.  I joined a committee a few years ago and it has been a lot of work but fun.  It's all worth the time and money I spend because all proceeds from the Festival of Trees goes to the Primary Children's Hospital.  Each year as a committee member I am in charge of making 15 felties, (my leader tells us what to make) either making or getting donations for 15 items for the Gift Store and 15 items for the Sweet Shoppe.

Today my mom and sister came over and helped me make the felties. It didn't take long with their help and I really appreciated that they were willing to help me out.  I have a hard time asking for help or donations and usually end up buying & doing everything myself.  I usually post something on FB about the gift shop and I did have a few people donate some things last year that I saved for this year.  (I received their donations later than I needed them)  It's a little bit stressful sometimes but I am always glad that I am able to help this wonderful cause.  I also am asked to volunteer  two 3-hour shifts at the Festival of Trees.  The last two years I just take back to back shifts so I don't have to drive down two days.

I was quite frustrated today when I couldn't find the candy I had put away to fill the felties.  I remember where I first put it but it wasn't there.  I slightly remembered putting it somewhere else that it wouldn't be seen at all but I could not find it.  I looked everywhere I could think of a few times.  I prayed over and over....finally hours later...like 6 I went in the laundry room again and looked in all the same spots again. My laundry room is messy....it is also my craft room...and catch all room.  I had some scarfs on the counter by the box with the gifts for the Gift Shop and this time I decided to lift the scarfs up and "surprise" there it was.  Relief!  The felties are now filled and ready to deliver on Monday!  I just have to put cellophane wrap around the Gift Shop items now so they will also be ready.  Then I have to decide what I am going to make for the Sweet Shoppe so I can take it with me when I volunteer on December 4th.

Zaden's Birthday Sleepover

Since Kamryn wanted to spend the night for her birthday last April it has become a tradition for all the grands to spend the night with me for their birthday.  Zaden got to stay with us last night.  He was so excited and cute.  I think we all enjoy having the grands over.  Braxton even brought a movie over for us to watch together.  He snuggled up to Zaden but it wasn't long and Zaden was scooting away...sleeping bag and all.  He's so stinkin cute.  He woke up bright and early with the rest of us and was full of smiles.  He wasn't interested in climbing in bed with me and grandpa but he did give us hugs and smiles.

I love the one on one with the kids every now and then.  It didn't happen and doesn't happen much with my own kids and I know it won't with the grands but their birthdays are a great time to make it happen.  I hope they always know how special they are to us and how much they are loved.

Ask and You Shall Receive

I love Chocolate and usually have a stash.  I keep treats in a jar in the cabinet that is part of my bed. My grands like to getting  into it and I try to keep it full of treats that they like.  There are a few chocolate kisses in the jar but I had forgot about them.  I ate the last of my chocolate bar...and I was out of my yummy crunch & violet crumbles....in fact I was just out!  I don't like being out. I like just knowing that I have chocolate just in case I ever feel the need for it. (I'm addicted...it's true)

I posted on Face Book that I was out and I have friends that have my back.  Many were ready to come to my rescue and Amber did.  Amber has quite a goody stash of her own. (I saw pictures on Face Book)  The gal brought lots of treats to our special needs girls camp and I was lucky and she shared with me. (Amber would share with anyone but I don't think she let everyone know she had so much) Anyway since we would be seeing each other at our activity night she loaded a quart size bag up and brought it for me.  What a sweetheart!  I truly love Amber and the other ladies more than my chocolate.

There were many others that were willing to share until I could replenish my supply.  Even Shari said she would visit the Hershey Factory before coming for Thanksgiving.  I put in my request.  YeeHaw...more chocolate on it's way to my house!

Before I left for SNAP I grabbed a Sunshine Bag for Peggy and that's when I realized I wasn't really out of chocolate.  I have chocolate for the Sunshine Bags.  I was relieved to know that I really wasn't out completely like I had thought.  But  now I won't even need to take from my Sunshine Supplies. (haha.....I like the Sunshine Bag Supplies)  Chocolate just makes me Happy.....A little a day keeps the grumpies away. ☺

SNAP

It was my turn to teach tonight.  I prepared a lesson on Lehi's Dream and The Tree of Life.  We talked about the symbols and how they pertained to us.  The girls seemed interested.  At the end of the lesson I had the girls come up and put the word strips I had with the symbol that it represented.  We used the process of elimination for most of them.  I love these ladies!  They are so pure and good!

My friend and neighbor Peggy Saunders has been saving her cute little animals that she borrowed from her sister for our wards mutual activity to share with the special needs.  The girls loved it.  I had them tell me something they learned tonight and if they couldn't think of anything I had a bowl with some help.  Most everyone told me something and only a few used the help.  First they putted through the giraffes legs, then they got to toss a hula hoop over an elephants trunk.  Then I had them go to a table that had their books for their handouts.  They glued their handout in the book and went to the last place where they got to throw small balls through a lions mouth.  It was a great night.  (better because of Peggy)

I love this calling more than I would have thought.  I know that I have been preparing for it my whole life.  I have taught so many different ages and classes throughout my life and have a bunch of experience which is a huge advantage for me.  This is fun for me.  I like presenting a lesson and then playing a game reinforcing the lesson.  What a blessing this calling is.  I'm pretty sure I will be serving here for a few years and I am just fine with that.  These ladies love me and I know it.  Heck Amber even brought me a bag of chocolate because I mentioned I was out. (next post)  I love them all and it's fun getting to know them all better.  I found another "Happy Place"

Scattering Sunshine

I had to give a Scatter Sunshine bag to Peggy! She has been saving her sisters Wooden Zoo Animal's for me for a few months so that I could use them with the Special Needs Girls.  What a sweetheart Peggy is.  She even insisted on coming with me...in fact, she picked me up and took me to SNAP.  I enjoyed hanging out and visiting with Peggy on the drive to and fro.  I have always loved Peggy and remember her from when I was a young girl in YW...I remember her being a youth leader at our Stake Girl's Camp...she hasn't changed much and is still just as fun.  The picture kind of  backs that statement up.  Peggy was the Girls Camp Director a few years back and I was low man on the Totem Pole that year (beehive teacher) and had such a great time.  Peggy is just fun and wonderful!

Grands truly are Grand!

My fridge is never clear of pictures or reminders.  I am use to it being covered and sometimes I don't pay attention to what is there.  Today I noticed this cute picture that Ivy drew for me.  It made me smile.  I think she might have done this while I was in Kauai.  I love having grands and I love seeing them grow and learn and become themselves.  I love their little ways of showing love to their grandma. I had some art work from Kamryn too that I wanted to share....little artists!

The other day I was going to watch Mya and Parker while Natalie went to the Doctor.  I told them I might not be here when they came but I would be home in time for Natalie to leave on time.  I was home and I heard the garage door open...then the I heard this: "Grandma's here, Grandma's here!"  My grands all make my heart smile.  I love every thing about each one of them.  They are all so different and cute and I love them to pieces!

Company Party!

Tonight for TJ Trailers Company party we went to Tucano's at the Gateway.  It was a little longer drive but we were eating almost immediately.  It was fun and good.  You could tell who the youngest one there was....the one eating the most. (Jaydan)  The place took his plates from him and decided he was done. Crazy!

I like that TJ's has their work party early so that the employee's have their bonus's for Christmas.  The Company did better this year which we are all thankful for.  It's been down for many years and is slowly picking up.  I like everyone that works at TJ Trailers....they are all great people.  We missed Chris, Cindee and Evan tonight.  Not sure why Chris didn't make it but Evan had surgery and Cindee is the best wife and probably didn't tell anyone when this date was being set that her hubby was having surgery. (lot's of times the party lands on Evan's birthday...this year it was Ken & Carols Anniversary)

I got full pretty quickly but knew that I would be bringing some Chocolate Cake home with me.  Their cake is the best I have ever had....and huge! (breakfast for me...and probably lunch too)  Usually I can say No Thank You to cake but not here!

I'm thankful for this Company and hope that it will continue to do well for many more years.  They are honest and do good work.