Book Club Christmas Party

 I think the Christmas Party with my book club is always so much fun!  We exchange "white elephants" and there is always something given that makes us all laugh.  This year it was the gift Shanna got....an extra pair of "boobies".  Oh the things you could do with them.  She tried a few and I laughed my guts out!  You could use them for ear muffs, or ear rings, or bunny ears, or elbow or need pads, or instant bum lift (I helped her out with that one), or book ends or.........(many ideas)  It was especially funny since it was Shanna who is the most reserved of our group.  She wasn't even shy about having a picture taken with them. hahaha

I liked the gift I got and plan on being a little creative after Dave's funeral is over. (wink)

We enjoyed a potluck breakfast and then visited and laughed for a few hours.  Shanna hates when we all leave early and was proud of us for spending 3 hours together.  I wouldn't have left but needed to get some vinyl for the pictures I'm making for the Jones family.  It was fun....I love my book club.  It was great that Suzie was able to join us. (she works a few jobs now)  For the next few months we might only have three of us because Loretta is leaving for her mission at the end of the month.  Before we know it though we will all be back together....the older I get the faster the years go!

I love the Holidays and All the Fun Parties and Get Togethers that happen because of them.

More Girl Time

A week or so ago I had invited Kellie to join some of us girls for breakfast.  She seemed so pleased but wasn't able to make it.  I really believe she liked the invite most and so I kept in touch with her.  (Kellie lived by me when we were both really little and I have always loved her and her family)  She told me she was feeling depressed and sad because her and her hubby would be moving to St George in January for a few months...which means away from her kids and grands.  I asked her if she would like to get together and she jumped on the idea.  I love this gal!  We planned a lunch date and then I let Kathy and Jodi know too and they were both able to make it!  Nice Surprise!  It was so fun....it's always so fun getting together with friends.

Eclipse Concert

Tonight we took went to the Eclipse Christmas Concert.  I am so glad I bought tickets a while back. This was a good concert to go to.  I love Eclipse.  They are good men with good standards and they sing so well....no band...just their voices!  I love Christmas Concerts because they are always good. Christmas music just calms the soul and makes me feel good all over. Isn't it cool the effect music has on us?  That is why it's so important to listen to only good music...it really does speak to our soul.

It was fun taking Kimleighel and Jared and they both loved the concert too.  We ran into the Moyes family which was really nice.  The group before Eclipse was a young group of boys called Beyond Five.  My kids really enjoyed them....they were good!  It was a fun evening.  Funny...how it's possible to still enjoy life when your heart is broke.

Merry Christmas Sista

The party was at my house....I had to carry on.  I felt guilty because I had just learned that Dave had passed on.  A piece of my heart was broke...I was in shock.  I realize that the party being at my house wasn't a coincident.  Carla was planning on hosting and things came up so that she couldn't.  We talked about meeting at Rainbow Gardens and I mentioned I could do it here if the others wanted.  That idea was jumped on right away.  I truly believe Heavenly Father helped that to all happen.  He knew it was Dave's time to return to Him...he knew I would be sad and would need a distraction.  He sent me my family and friends.  I had Parker and Mya and TJ came over with Zaden.  Poor TJ was the one I leaned on for comfort.  He immediately called Trichelle to come and be with me.  Trichelle ended up taking over my responsibilities of Mya and Parker.  Larry was planning on helping me with them during the party but he was needed at the Jones home.  I was so glad he had the day off so that he could be there for them.  I know he was a comfort to Vicki and her kids as they were to him. I am so thankful that Trichelle and TJ were here and that my friends were on their way.  I truly needed the distraction!

I learned that life continues and that even though sad things happen we still need to be happy and enjoy our life and the moments we have.  I know I would have been miserable and depressed if I hadn't had my "sista's" coming.  I love them and truly know that they are Heavenly Father's gift to me.  I am happier than I have ever been and I have always been a happy gal.  I feel my saviors love through my family and friends.

We did have a great time.  We ate and laughed and got crazy.  Our tropical theme turned out wonderful and fun.  Thank goodness I have connections....my house looked festive and felt that way too.  We exchanged gifts which is always fun...however I think the best gift is having each other.  It's true....our loved ones are the best gifts!  God really does love us so much!

I learned a few things today.  I learned that the more you love someone and share your life with them the more it hurts when they pass on.  I learned that Heavenly Father is always blessing us and preparing the way for us.  I don't think I use to recognize His hand so much...I do now.  I learned that in spite of our sadness it is okay to be happy and have fun.  Our loved ones who pass on want us to live and be happy.  I learned that life is fragile and change in an instant but that it is good!  I learned (I really already knew this) that laughter is good medicine and heals a broken heart.

Merry Christmas Everybody!!!

Our Friend Dave

Today I was getting ready for a Christmas Party with my "sista's" when Larry called me with the alarming news that our dear friend Dave had a heart attack this morning and died.  I was in shock...a guy was at our house looking at improving are furnace filters...a few of my grands were here and I was standing in the kitchen in disbelief crying and shaking my head.  OUCH!!! I felt sadness for Vicki and her kids and grands.  I felt guilty for having a party when they were heart broken....when we all were!  I felt for my sweet hubby who just lost his best friend.  I couldn't help but think that just a few years ago I thought Larry would be the one to pass and it would be Dave speaking at Larry's funeral...now Larry would be the one speaking at Dave's.

I can't help but think of all the good times Larry and I have shared with Dave and Vicki.  Our families have shared so many fun memories.  We trusted and respected Dave and Vicki so much we had our kids "willed" to them if something ever happened to us.  They are the truest of friends!  They are the friends we chose as family. (we have a few friends we consider family)  I can't imagine life without Dave but as even today proved....life continues on.  I am thankful for our friendship and all the memories we have.  We are better people because of Dave.  He brought out the good in others...he only saw the good in others.  We are going to miss this gentle giant.  We will still go bowling this New Years Eve but boy there is going to be a huge void!  Dave was our leader....Larry has some big shoes to fill!  Larry has already stepped up and been there for Vicki and the kids.  So good things have already happened.  I know it is an honor for Larry to speak at Dave's funeral.  One of my favorite things that I heard when I went up to see Vicki and the family was when Dave's nine year old grand daughter asked her mommy if Larry was Grandpa's brother.  They were closer than brothers.  They shared much more than many brothers share.  They truly were best friends!  I love this man!

Being Festive

I was posting a picture of us on Face Book and called my friends "My Home Town Honey's".  No idea where that thought came from but I'm keeping it. (we live in Hooper, except Tammy who use to live in Hooper) These ladies are honey's and I love being around them.They make me laugh and feel loved.  In fact Kellie said it was going to be a sad day when I died and she hoped she would die before me.  I know it was a compliment but I would be sad if Kellie died...many would. We are all loved so much more than we realize.  Then we mentioned how nice it would be if we could see ourselves the way others see us.....why is that so hard?  I guess because we focus on our weaknesses and others might know of them but look past them.

We missed a few of the Honey's today.  It's so hard picking a time that works for everyone.  In fact, Kellie and Tammy both had appointments after so we didn't get to hang out long.  I'm just glad we got a little time together.  I enjoy laughing and being silly. I enjoy sharing our lives with each other.  I enjoy our little "secrets".  I enjoy having such awesome friends.  Another group of ladies that Heavenly Father blessed me with.  Sharing Larry for 5 years has been worth it.  I feel that is why I was blessed with so many more friends and for that I will always be grateful!  Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas!

Cock-a-doodle-doo

It's fun waking up knowing you get to go meet some beautiful friends for breakfast.  Have I mentioned what a blessing these ladies (and the rest of the gals) are to me?  They came into my life when I was praying for something new to fill my void.  Larry was consumed in his responsibilities and I was feeling .........(fill in the blank)  I needed these ladies and they have been such a blessing to me.  I literally felt my soul light up by having them include me!  I have grown so attached to each of these dear friends and I worry about them when I haven't seen them for awhile.  I also worry when they aren't able to come to our outings because they have to work.  So I suggested we get together on a Saturday.  It was nice hearing what's going on with their lives a bit.  I worry about Karie.....it's a blessing she is still here with us.  She has been fighting cancer for years and there isn't anything more the doctors can do for her and she is tired of the fight.  She's amazing and has such a great attitude.  She will just continue with the things she is doing and hopefully be with us for many more years.  I love her....and all my friends.

I find myself listening to Satan....he whispers in my ear "you shouldn't call the shots....remember they let you in their group."  "the others didn't come because you are taking over" and on and on....but then I think...there might be a reason you are thinking of them...maybe they need an out and are just waiting for someone to ask them or get one going.  Today with all those thoughts going through my head I remembered a quote I have read..."No matter how good a person you are, there will always be someone criticizing you."  I'm trying so hard to please the Lord...He is my TOP priority!  If he prompts me to do something I am going to try to be strong enough to do it and try to be strong enough to know that those negative thoughts are from Satan. (and not real)  Plus, if Satan is trying to get me not to do something I must really be meant to do it.

Sometimes it is so hard to balance life...friends...family....everything!   Focusing on the Lord helps so much...HE is the ONE that matters!