Want to Play?

I love when Tammy sends me a text asking me if I want to play.  It always makes me smile.  She sent me a text while I was sitting in the Atlanta Airport the day before.  I text her "YES" I want to play and that I could tomorrow (which is today) after I went bowling and got my mammogram.  It was fun...it always is.  I love visiting with this girl.  We understand each other and have grown so close over the years as we have shared our lives and souls with one another.  It's so nice having friends like this.  Our lives are different but it doesn't matter.  We cheer and support each other in our own direction.  I learn so much from Tammy.  She is a great gal that has so much to offer others.  She already helps so many with the gifts she has been blessed with.

Today we went to Harmon's to get a salad.  You get to build your own and Tammy said they were really good and inexpensive.  We both just laughed when the cashier told me mine would be $17+.  I guess I made a heavy salad... haha!  I will be much more conservative if we go there ever again.

I love our play dates.  I know that we will still be making them for many years to come.  Life is so refreshing!

Peurto Rico

This Trip sponsored and paid for by STAGG.  This was suppose to be a trip for Larry and I.  Larry even added an extra day but instead of that being an extra day together it ended up being another day apart.  Because of Larry's surgery he was not able to make the show.  Jaydan got to go in Larry's place.  Jaydan was so excited and we had a great time.  When we were switching the tickets Jaydan got upgraded to first class and so from SLC to Atlanta he flew in the comfy seats.  I was happy for Jaydan.  Jaydan is the fifth child and has been so easy going that he hasn't got a lot of extra attention. He never demanded it...he just went with the flow.  I use to take the kid with me every where when he was little.  I even took him with me when me and some neighbors took golf lessons.  He wouldn't run around or get into things.  He just stayed by me and played.  Jaydan is a great kid.

We enjoyed ourselves for a few days before the Stagg Show started.  We chilled by the beach, ate on the beach, ordered room service one night, watched a few movies, and relaxed!  Jaydan likes relaxing and so that's what we did.  I wasn't complaining....it's what I wanted to do too.  Oh and just after midnight on January 13 (Mya's birthday) we experienced an Earth Quake. (it registered at 6.5)  It woke Jaydan up with a curious look on his face.  It didn't last long but shook us and rattled the door pretty good.  I was a little surprised but wasn't really freaked out.  It was something exciting to add to our adventure.

Jaydan attended classes on Monday and I went over and joined him for lunch.  He went to more classes and I went back to the Hotel and worked on my SNAP lesson.  We went back to the convention center that evening for dinner which was more like appetizers.  It filled us up though.  Most the people were there for the Rum.  Puerto Ric has good Rum I guess....as much I love Rum extract and Rum flavoring I wasn't tempted with this kind of Rum.  On Tuesday we went to the show and placed the order for TJ Trailers.  I like going around the different booths and seeing the different things.  I placed an order but it wasn't for TJ's it was for us. (toys for the grands) A guy that sells equalizer hitches wanted a few things from the booth I ordered from and so I put his order with mine. It's probably good I don't go every year.

I had a great time with my son.  I sure do love and appreciate each one of my kids.  They are truly my favorite people.  I love every single phase of their life. (junior high isn't as lovable but for the most part I enjoyed those years too)  I love seeing the people they grow into....they are good people, and fun, and clever, and funny, and smart, and kind, and simply wonderful.  I'm glad Jaydan and I were able to share this time together.  Jaydan razzed Larry about having to stay home with the kids and was so glad it wasn't him at home this time.

Mya Pearl....our pretty girl..... is 6!

I love this child!  She is so sweet and smart and kind and absolutely wonderful.  (I could have wrote that for any one of my grands because it's true for each of them as well)  Mya makes me smile.  She is always signing "I love you" which just happens to be my favorite sign.  I always sign it as well. ☺ Mya is observant and watches closely to the things happening around her.  She can keep a secret..pretty good at least...she made sure we were alone when she whispered that her mommy was going to have another baby...made my heart melt)  She is creative and draws me pictures that says she loves me. She is tender and has a strong faith already.  She believes in the Power of the Priesthood and knows that her daddy can give her blessing to heal and comfort her. (she amazes me)  She is a wonderful sister to Parker and Macie.  She truly watches out for them already.

Mya Pearl makes my heart smile.  I love this little girl and I find it hard to believe that it's already been six years since she joined our family.  What a blessing Miss Mya is!

Memory of Mine.... Valentines Day

Years ago on Valentines Day I had a wonderful Surprise.  Larry and some of the other men around our ward had planned a day of pampering for their wives.  All I knew was that I was to be ready to go at a certain time and not to plan anything for the day.  I was excited and curious of what was going to happen.  I was ready when the knock came and couldn't help from smiling as a nice looking (really nice looking) gentleman was at my door to pick me up.  I walked out and saw a limo in my driveway.  My smile was huge and I was excited and nervous not knowing who else might be in the limo and what was happening.  When the door was opened and I looked inside I saw familiar faces of some other gals that lived close by.  They too were smiling big, happy smiles.

We were taken to a spa and each got to choose a few things off their menu. (menu of pampering)  I chose a facial and pedicure.  It was so relaxing and fun.  I felt very special to say the least.  The other gals were younger and so much fun to be with.  We laughed and totally enjoyed ourselves.  When it was time to leave our cute chauffeur was there to take us home.  Later that night we went to the Flint's house and had dinner and played games.  It was such a fun and thoughtful day.  

I know it wasn't my hubbies idea but I am glad that when he was asked if he would like to be a part of it with the other guys that he said yes.  Larry treats me good....he is and has always been very thoughtful of me.  I appreciate that a bunch and love him for it. 

Macie Marie's Birth Day

Little Macie was born today! We knew it would be today because Natalie was started. They were scheduled with the Hospital but when they got to the Hospital they said they weren't scheduled. After some checking the Hospital realized that when Marc and Randee went on the 5th and had Nash that they cancelled the scheduled appointment for the 7th.  Randee was also scheduled that day and whoever deleted the scheduling just deleted both Ropelato's assuming it was the same people. After that little mix up Natalie was givin the nicest room and everything went great.

At 3:55 beautiful Macie made her debut. She was 6.9 lbs and 18 in long and darling! I couldn't wait to take the kids up to meet her.  They were so cute on the phone just hearing about her birth and actually hearing her cry.  Kids take longer getting ready and so we didn't make it until close to 7:00. The kids were so excited and all smiles....the love they have for their new sister was obvious. It was so fun for me to witness that.

Macie is darling. Her hair is so pretty....it looks frosted. Her coloring is perfect and her features are so cute. What a blessing little Macie is.  Macie passed all tests and came home the next day.  Did I mention that she is named after this gramma? Yep.....her middle name is my middle name! I'm pretty excited about that. Justin and Natalie shared how they made that decision and it was personal and so kind and made me cry.  I'm so honored!

We are happy to have Macie Marie in our family. We are blessed and honored to have this little one....each little is so darn special and absolutely wonderful!

 Yeah for Babies!!!

Ouchie Mamma

On January first Larry started this year off by tearing his Achilles Tendon from his right foot.  Twenty five years ago he broke the left one and promised he would never go through that surgery again.  It's the worst thing and pain he has ever experience. (I wonder how it compares to having a baby....just kidding...I know it's worse and the pain lasts longer)  Anyway he was playing indoor soccer and it just "POPPED" and he fell to the ground.  He knew as soon as he heard the POP what had happened.  He knew he would have to have surgery or have a wimpy, limpy foot and an bulging right calf where the tendon would make it's home.  His surgery was scheduled for today....five days after disconnecting it. Larry enjoyed a few days in between the break and fix. (As much as can be enjoyed with a tendon in your calf that belongs on your heal)
The positive thing about this whole thing is he has reached his deductible already for this year....who ever wants to reach their deductible?  He doesn't have a third Achilles he can hurt. Both Achilles should last the rest of his life. He will play soccer again as well as track and field.  I have even less desire to be active....I don't want to get hurt. ( I'm kidding)

The surgery has changed a lot over the years and was out patient surgery.  He got a block in his leg that made coming out of the surgery a lot nicer.  He didn't have pain until the next day when the block started to wear off.  (I'm writing this a week later) The pain medicine helped the pain but caused an awful rash on his back that bled.  He eventually stopped taking the pain meds and just decided to deal with the pain.  I really do feel sorry for him.  He gets so bored just laying around.  I was praying for him that he wouldn't have so much pain and immediately the "thought" came to me that if he didn't have pain he would push himself too hard and wouldn't heal.  It made sense....so I pray that he will be able to endure the pain now. (Larry response when I told him of my answer to my prayer was:  we wouldn't understand the Atonement if we didn't experience pain)

I have enjoyed serving him.  I was surprised on Tuesday when I opened the door to flowers.  My sweetie sent me flowers for taking good care of him.  He was smart by doing that because the flowers reminded me to be kind and thoughtful and not to complain or act put out.  I really am glad that I can help out.  I even got to enjoy Mya and Parker for a few days while their baby sister made her entrance into this world. (that story is next)

We have had a few friends show concern.....I know others are concerned and praying but a few have shown us "love" in food, cards, texts and phone calls. The Malones brought mint brownies one night, my wonderful visiting teachers brought a yummy dinner (it was a day I had the grands and it was greatly appreciated), Paul and Debbie  had pizza delivered to us and the Primary Presidency is bringing dinner. We are truly loved and blessed. Dale Widdison's also called and wanted to bring us dinner.  The Taylor kids stopped by to visit and brought Larry some treats.  July Nauta knew I was gone and so she came over to wish him well and also brought treats.  I know there is more and every single act of love and kindness was appreciated and meant so much to Larry and I and even our kids.

TJ's Birthday

Well TJ is a year older but was too sick to do much celebrating. Him and Zaden both had the flu. So he spent the day in bed (which is kind of celebrating) and Trichelle cleaned up after Z and got both boys the things they needed!

TJ is a great guy! He takes good care of my daughter and grands. I am thankful for TJ and all his hard work and kind and giving heart!  He has successfully Wiesel-ed his way into my heart!