We Choose

I invited myself to go with Jodi to Bountiful where she would be speaking to the RS sisters from the ward she lived in 20 years ago.  I have learned that sometimes if you want to do something you have to speak up. ☺  I love spending time with Jodi and so I asked.  Jodi accepted my invite and so I went with her.

It was fun meeting some of the ladies that she knew...they all love Jodi.  They had a dinner first and then Jodi spoke.  This girl is amazing.  Her talk was about choices.  We get to choose how we are going to respond to what life gives us.  And we all know that life gives us plenty....and it's not all good...but from it all we learn and get to choose how we react.

Jodi spoke of her son Tyson who they got to enjoy for 17 wonderful years.  She told how Tyson never complained about his trials with his health...never!  Tyson lived life to it's fullest and enjoyed it as much as possible.  Jodi and her family also had to decide how they would react to this trial.  Jodi chose to live a Happy life and to be Grateful for All the Good in it!  Jodi keeps a Gratitude Journal which helps her focus and find things to be grateful for every single day.  I have also wrote down things I am grateful for at times in my life and it's amazing what a positive impact that alone can make.  Jodi made a comment about how Gratitude is  almost "magical".  I believe that is true....being grateful and smiling can change a bad day or moment into a good day.  Those two things are "magical"....I know because I have chosen to focus on them and my life is good and I am happy.

I love that Jodi and I are so much alike.  It's fun!  Before we left tonight Jodi called Dick's Bakery in Bountiful and had them save her lots of doughnuts.  The girl loves sweets like I love sweets! (I'm pretty sure I eat more & I know I exercise less) However she knows a lot more places to get the best treats.  She was sweet and sent me with a container of doughnuts.....they are yummy!

I love that that Jodi and I can share our most personal feelings with each other.  We can be silly and crazy but we can also be serious and compassionate.  I'm so glad our paths crossed when they did!

For Eden and Emery!!

A few of Tonya's grands being silly and cute with Braxton!  I love you funny girls!

More "Play"ing

Before everyone had even left the Bridal Shower I had to leave so I could go to the Play.  I love going to the play and tonight we saw Big River.  I never know what play we are going to because it really doesn't matter to me.  Plus...the surprise is always nice. ☻

We went to Blue Lemmon first for dinner.  That's also part of the fun...we always eat out first.  I had a yummy salad.  It was Cari's birthday the day before and so I took party hats for everyone.  I'm a goon..I know!  It was fun watching people smile though as they came in the door.

I loved this play.  It's about Huck Finn and his friend Jim.  There was lot's of music.  There were two key boards on the stage and other instruments were also played throughout the production.  (a violin, clarinet, guitar, and percussion box)  I loved all the music...it just made the play so much better.  Huck and Jim had great voices....especially Jim. Oh My!!!

The play was in the days that the blacks were slaves.  Huck was helping Jim run away so he could work and buy back his wife and children that had also been sold. (breaks my heart)  At one point of the play there was something mentioned about the "white folk" and Karleigh leaned over to Natalie and said: "now let's not be prejudice".  Natalie shared that with Barbie a little while later. That's kind of funny because people back then were very prejudice against the blacks.....I guess some still are.  I loved that Karleigh was standing up for the whites. ☺

Fun time "Play"ing!

Showering Kelsi with Love

It was time for us girls to Shower Cute Kelsi with Lots of Love!  Tonya told me that her and her girls would have the shower but instead of letting them do it all we agreed that they could help.  I don't mind having it at my house since everyone knows where we live and by having it here no one else needs to stress about cleaning for it.  

I had gone to a shower a few weeks ago and the table was set up so cute I asked if I could borrow the material.  Better than just borrowing the material my friend Tammy T. came and helped me set it up.  I think it looked great. 

My girls helped a lot.  I love having older kids...it sure makes things like this so much easier!  Natalie made the invites and had lots of horns, and glittered some sticks that made it look really cute.  Trichelle had a cute glittery deer plague and some shiny white horns she hung pearls from and gold book ends we used to accent the food table!  All the girls (mine & Tonya's) helped with the food.  I think it turned out pretty wonderful.  I sure do appreciate my girls and Tonya and her girls. 

I also really appreciate everyone that was able to make it to the shower.  I know Saturdays are busy and we all have so much going on.  I felt loved and loved introducing Kelsi to my great friends that are like family to me.  Most have been my friends for most of my life.  Each have loved and supported me and my family!  I love them all!  Larry & I have great families who are always there for us too!

 It was fun showering Kelsi with gifts.  She got a variety of things that will help her and Braxton start their life together.  Kelsi and Braxton are going to start their married life by living in the cute little white house at the corner...I'm excited to have them so close.  These two are so cute together!

 I always love including the kids in our celebrations.  My grands quickly made themselves comfortable in the living room.  They carried out the doll house and a bunch of dolls and had fun together.  I love watching them enjoy each other.  They were cute watching Kelsi open her gifts.  They were close to her being excited for her as she opened each gift....they all love Kelsi!

 We all love Kelsi.  She is such a good girl.  She loves Braxton and I think they will both enjoy spoiling each other.  I'm so happy to have Kelsi join our family and claim her as mine! ♥

My Ride for a Few Days

A month ago I got rear ended and it's finally time for my car to be fixed.  While it was in the shop I got to drive this nice Chrysler 200.  It was awesome!

I just want to say that working with Farmers Insurance was my pleasure.  The agents were so nice to me.  I had our friend, Dennis Kendrick bid my car and take pictures for the insurance company.  He did such a good job that the insurance company didn't send anyone to come and look at my car. They said that they could tell what needed fixed by the photo's.

I got a call from Steve, the agent handling my case, when I landed in Baltimore.  He called me "Dawn Marie" when he spoke to me and told me that it never happens.... for the insurance company to  bid higher than the shop fixing it but it happened and Farmers would just send me the check for their bid which was a couple hundred dollars higher than Dennis's bid.  The check actually beat me home.

Dennis actually ended up fixing my car quicker than he expected and so charged us less than his original bid. So....that little inconvenience was well worth it.  I got to drive a nice car around for a few days and came out money ahead.  I also liked hearing "Dawn Marie" again and so I added Marie to my name on Face Book.

WooHoo Lorell!

Lorell is 100 today!  I bet she would have never dreamed such a day.  In fact I asked her in Church if she ever thought she'd be celebrating her 100th birthday and she just laughed.  I think it's great that her family celebrates her birthday every year with the community.  I bet they're thinking....this could be her last.  Of course that is true for each of us....this could be our last....so celebrate....make each year memorable....enjoy the days we have!

I admire Lorell.  She is still sharp as a tack and lives by herself.  She does need a walker to get around but that's all....she is amazing.  I bet we will be celebrating a few more birthdays with her!

I think it's cool that Lorell is so healthy and doing great and was able to celebrate 100 birthdays...however I really hope I don't have that same opportunity.  But....if I do I will celebrate and blow my party horn and wear my party hat and laugh at all my wrinkles!

Kathy Jo

It's been awhile since I have seen this girl and so we decided to go to lunch.  It was fun catching up with Kathy.  Her holidays were put on hold while she waited for her new grand to enter this world.  Her daughter started showing signs of labor months early and Kathy was just waiting to go when she was needed.  I believe the baby actually waited until her due date or close anyway.  Kathy has missed a few of our girl outings so I wanted to at least get her out for a little bit.  I would have tried to plan a get together with the other gals too but with so many schedules that is difficult sometimes...this was quick and easy.  I just want to say that Kathy makes me smile....after receiving a "scatter sunshine" bag she has been making up some and giving them out to others that she feels needs them.  I love it!

I can't believe how busy life is these days and how fast time really does go by.  In ways I am glad but in others I'm not.  I enjoy all that is happening but I'm one that wishes or would like to be involved in more.  By that I mean with my family and friends.  I enjoy having fun with the ones I love but have realized that it's impossible to spend the time I would like with everyone.  I guess if I gave up some friendships it could happen but I am not willing to do that.  I love all my friends and I'm just glad for the time when I do get to be with them.  Lunch is an excuse....a yummy excuse...but really it's about the visit.  My mom and her neighbors use to have a "Pepsi" visit where they would sit and visit at their own house while they enjoyed a drink.  Funny how times change. ☺

I'm thankful for "lunch dates" and friends and family and life and time!