On Your Mark....Get Set.....GO!!!

I love working with the Special Needs Mutual.  It is so much fun and these wonderful people love and get excited about everything we do.  Tonight we had a young man put on a Pinewood Derby for our group...it was his Eagle Scout Project.  (such a great idea!)  The group loved it.  They had so much fun making their cars and getting ready for this night.

Jim Edwards helped the girls out.  He loves making cars and truly has a talent for it.  He cut, sanded and painted everyone of the gal's cars.  Jim is the guy in the scout shirt in the corner next to the young man who hosted this.  Jim is good and went to so much work so all the ladies had nice looking cars. We had planned on painting them ourselves one week but I think Jim wanted to make sure they looked professional....it's a good thing too because it still took us all night to just tell Jim what color of car each gal wanted.  He had stickers and windows and designs on a lot of the cars when he brought them for the race.  Every gal's name was on her car.  Jim had a great time using his talent to bless these girls...he was almost giddy at times.  We had more stickers that everyone could add to their cars if they wanted...some covered their cars. ☺

I wan't going to have a car but when I saw how cool they were I decided to get one too.  I don't really like the style I chose but it's beautiful none the less.  My favorite was the bus Jim made and a little Herbie car one of the leaders made.

I loved watching the group race their cars.  There was a lot of jumping and cheering as their cars raced down the track.  I couldn't help but giggle at the excitement and fun everyone was having.  Probably the most excited racer was Deann.  She's in a pink shirt with a gray sweater.  She would run down with her car and meet it at the finish line.  She would shout out what place she came in which was first most of the time.  Most of the people only raced their cars a few times....but Deann raced her car over a dozen.  Deann is about 79 years old but her spirit is one of the youngest in the group.  She is such a cutie.  Such Fun Times....with Wonderful People!  God knew I would love this calling!

Fun Days

Trichelle is finishing up her schooling.  This is her last semester of school and she will graduate. Since she's finishing up she doesn't get to pick the time of her classes and has to take the one's she needs when they are offered.  She has to stay late on Monday's and Wednesday and so I get to pick the kids up from school on those days.  We all love that!  My kids at home miss the grands and the grands miss us as well so it's fun having them over.  Any time any of the grands are over it's fun.  I love having their cute little faces around.  I love that they get excited when they see me come to get them.  My what a good thing that does to my heart. ♥

I never cease to marvel at how stinkin cute and smart they all are.  I love just watching them...it's great entertainment and makes me smile from the inside out.  I'm so thankful for each one of my cute grands...and for their cute aunts and uncles who are so cute with them.  Jared is the real reason I think the grands love coming to our house so much.  He has always made them laugh and is still so cute with them.  Life is better with grands!  Awww...they make my heart smile!

Court....I don't care for it!

Today we went to court to support Kevin and Julie in getting Kamryn adopted.  I think the court system is such a joke...not funny though.  Landon (the birth dad) said he had a few seizures this morning and felt foggie and so wanted to post pone everything. (so everything was) Julie and her family predicted he would do something like this.  They were even joking that maybe he would come with both feet wrapped and seriously that is how he showed up.  He hurt his foot last March and mysteriously that same foot continues to get hurt but for some reason both were hurt today.  I kind of feel sorry for the guy...he has problems.  I feel even more sorry for Landon's dad.  He was a nervous wreck and doesn't want to have things settled in court.  I don't blame him.....he's kind of stuck in the middle.  Right now Julie allows Kamryn's papa to be involved in her life and he is and he loves it.  He wouldn't want to do or say anything that would jeopardize his time with Kamryn.

We are really hoping that Landon will just sign the papers and let Kevin and his little family be united as a family.  Landon has never been very involved in Kam's life so I'm hoping he just signs and lets Kevin be fully responsible for her. Kamryn wants to be a Ropelato (she has Julie's maiden name...not Landon's)  She is planning a big party for when that day happens.  I hope that it will happen soon and won't be stretched out in court for months or years like I have seen happen in other cases.

I think that sometimes the court system is just a big game...some of the players know how to make stretch it out.  Some of the players find twists to lengthen it even if they know they aren't the truth.  I don't think some players really care if the truth wins...remember it's just a game.  The longer it goes the more money some get in their pockets while others lose lot's of money.  Justice doesn't prevail...not always! I'm hoping this time it does....for Kamryn's sake.  That's who it's all about anyway...I hope the players remember that!

third times a charm

Finally Kimleighel has her drivers license.  Now just to be clear it was not totally her fault it has taken her so long to get it.  Larry and I both need to take credit for the delay.  Kimleighel took drivers ed when she turned 16 and was ready to get her permit and drive.  I guess we weren't ready since we didn't encourage or take her...oh wait I was totally encouraging and wanted her to take the test while everything was fresh in her mind.  Larry said she needed to study more....I wonder if all those months was what he meant.  To credit Larry, he was the one that took her in for her test and the guy over the DMV gave Kimleighel her test verbally so she could understand the questions.  So she got her permit and it was clipped in my visor for over a year (well over)....we did have to go update it a few times.

I encouraged her to practice driving so she would be ready for her road test.  I guess she wasn't in a hurry because she declined many opportunities. (I didn't quite get that)  My anxiety level increased quite a bit.  I'm not a very good passenger these days especially with new drivers.  I asked the family to help and I think a few of the kids took Kimleighel out driving once or twice and that's all because Kimi didn't like being told how to improve and she wasn't nice to those trying to help her. (bless her heart ♥) So....time kept passing and my anxiety kept rising.

I turned her over to Larry and told him I helped the first five and so he could help the last two.  He didn't quite help the way I wanted and it stressed me out.  Finally on July 26th we scheduled her for her road test. I think it was me that scheduled her even though I turned it over....I guess I was getting to the point that enough is enough.  (I know Larry just didn't want to pay insurance and that is why he kept delaying things...I get that but didn't think it was fair)  Kimi was feeling confident when she went out to test...nervous but good.  Her tears told me right away she hadn't passed.  Her first words out of her mouth were: "mom, I wrecked your car."  I was calm and more concerned for Kimi and asked if anyone was hurt and was happy to hear that no one else was involved...just someone's mailbox.  The instructor had told Kimi to make a U-turn (a worry of hers) in a residential area.  Kimi knew she should stop and back up but thought she must be able to make the turn if she was told to do it right there.  She scraped my bumper on a brick mailbox.  I'm really wondering what the heck the instructor was doing....shouldn't she have told Kimi to STOP?  She only told her to stop after scraping up the bumper and failed her.  The instructor didn't talk to me at all when they came back but had another lady who wasn't there come and explain things to me. (weird)   The more I thought about it the more ticked I was.  I don't care about my car....I'm leaving the scratch....give's my car character and reminds me that people are more important than things.

After that I wasn't in a hurry to go again.  I really wasn't feeling a lot of trust for those at the DMV. Larry worked with Kimi a lot after a few months of delaying again.  This time the instructor was great and complimented Kimi on everything...however, Kimleighel failed to yield at one intersection.  In fairness to Kimi some of the signs are hard to see and they are in unusual spots.  I told Kimi to look at every intersection always....sign or not....it's just better to know if there are other cars coming and what they are doing...just in case they aren't paying attention or miss seeing a sign.  So, once again she went for her road test...we requested the nice instructor and guess what? She passed!!! She was awesome and now has her long awaited licence.  I think I am the happiest!!! Now we get to work with Jared because he is old enough now too.  (this is about as fun as potty training...not my favorite)

"Senior Moments"

So Kim asked me and Jodi if it was time to go to lunch again?  She suggested we meet in Brigham City at Idle Isle this time on a Monday since she doesn't have school until later in the evening.  I suggested we go today since last Monday I was in Puerto Rico.  We were all excited and it was a go. I know I had talked to Jodi about it and so I didn't even think to remind her but when she wasn't there by ten after twelve Kim and I began to wonder if she had forgot.  I text and called her and didn't get a response until almost 12:30...I could tell she didn't remember so I called her.  She was in Ogden but coming home very soon to get her son to work.  Kim and I laughed so hard because we have both forgot things too.  We were still visiting when Jodi got there and we enjoyed ourselves a bit more. I saw a few people I know....a few ladies from bowling and Larry's Aunt and cousin.  I thought that was a little funny and I bet they were just as surprised to see me.  It was so enjoyable meeting Kim and Jodi.  I love this time in my life and so glad that I have been blessed with friends to occupy my time.  It is lots more fun than cleaning and more rewarding.  It's fun having more birthdays....

I can't believe how fast the time always seems to go when we get together. I can't believe how blurry my pictures always seem to be.  Either my camera doesn't focus quick enough or the person taking it moves....I did buy a cheap camera and might need to go get a nicer one soon...blurry pictures bug me just a bit....so does flying time. (wink)

I ran home and got Kimi to take to Larry's so that he could take her driving.  He was showing kindness to me by taking her.  Kimi was in a mood though and Larry is now done with her.  I just hope she passes her driving test tomorrow....I want this to be over.  Larry hasn't wanted her to get her license so he wouldn't have to add her to the Insurance.  I have thought that she should get it since she took the class almost two years ago and driving on a permit. I guess she hasn't needed to drive so it's worked out.  However if she drove she could get a job. (keep her busy)  Jared is now right there too and is old enough to get a permit.  It's times like this I'm sure being the last of seven stinks....because the parents aren't in any hurry...and we even pull the reins and hold them back.  (a little bit of a pet peeve for me)

While Larry and Kimi were driving I stopped by Justin's to see the new baby and the others.  I was holding Macie and got to feed her and burp her. (she is doing so good) When she was full she was just looking around.  Mya looked over and said "Grandma, Macie is looking at you".  I said: "ya, I think she is looking at my scarf"...Mya: "or your cute face".  I'm glad my grands think I am cute...that about makes my heart explode with pure joy!

Good Morning

I'm always glad when I get a text or call that it's time to get together again.  Karie was feeling the need and got a breakfast scheduled.  Saturday works best for those that work.  Today it was just the three of us....Me, Karie and Davaleen.  As long as there are two I am good. ☺  I think you can get a little more personal when there are less people.  It seems the conversation is more vague when the group is larger. (I like either kind of group)  So today we shared some good stuff with each other.  We talked about our bodies and how remarkable they are.  Isn't it interesting that when there is something off with our body it let's us know?  We might not be able to think happy, or we may have a pain, or we get tired, or our weight changes.  Our body let's us know though because it likes to be balanced and perfectly united.

We talked about Dave's art class and her experiences there.  I loved watching Dave's expression's as she talked about her experiences....so funny!  We laughed and had a great time.

We talked about my blogging and leaving my story for my family.  Karie had a wonderful idea about leaving something with our voice for our loved ones.  She told of her own experience with her dad in his last years and how he was unable to talk and they missed hearing his voice.  I think I will record a message about my blog book for the year and put the CD right with my book.  I love the idea of having our voices recorded. Our voices are such a huge trait of ours.  I remember a gal hearing my voice in a store a few years back and recognized it from when we were young.  So a wonderful idea it is.

I gave Karie a "Sunshine" bag.  The thought came to me as I was leaving so I felt that I was prompted.  Karie is one amazing gal.  She has an incurable cancer and deals with that daily and with such a great attitude.  Karie is so kind and caring and smart.  Karie scatters her sunshine to me and I appreciate it so much and she really has made my life brighter.  God Bless Karie!

I love getting together with my friends.  They brighten and enlighten my life.  My days are always happier when I get to interact with my friends.  My friends bring out the good in me!

Kiss & Tell

I love going to the Plays and I am so glad that Barbie and her girls take me with them.  We go to the Hale Theater in Orem.  Barbie and her girls have been going for years and they love this theater...I do too.  It's small and cozy and always have good performances.  The drive goes by quickly with all our chatter which is also part of the fun.

Tonight the play was so fun.  Maybe it was a bit better because I was sitting by 15 year old Carleigh who was loving it too.  She was into the little romances going on and anticipated the "kisses".   The actors were all so good.  I do not know how they can keep a straight face when funny things are happening and being said.  I guess that's why I'm not in the plays...I couldn't do it.

I have enjoyed getting to know Barbie and her girls better.  I have known them for many years but haven't spent a lot of time with them until the last few years.  It's funny how friendships develop when they are most needed and appreciated.  Such fun times!