Surprise!

These were outside my garage door when I drove up today!  I am such a lucky duck.  Larry says "I love and appreciate your support" with flowers.  I can't help but smile. ☺  I do not get tired of receiving flowers from my hubby!  I think he knows that by sending them I will support him through anything .... work and callings!  It sure is a pleasant reminder to be loving and supportive!

Taggarts

Welcome to Taggarts!  This is the sign we first saw when we pulled up to check what time they opened.  Today is April Fools however this sign is not a joke!

Taggarts is a fun place to go for lunch.  I think the peacocks are such a fun part of Taggarts.  Even the restrooms have cool rod iron peacocks in them.  I know the men's does too because it seems that I always go in the men's restroom when I am at Taggarts.  (it's the one that is empty when I need to go)  I realized that today was the first time I actually used the women's and that was after using the men's first.  The women's is a little brighter.  So there's a little info on the restrooms.

Mr Peacock was putting on quite the show today.  He was trying to impress the female peacock but she was not interested in him at all. (or so it seemed)  She kept moving away and wouldn't even look at him as he shook his feathers and  jiggled his rear.  It interested us and others from the restaurant.  I got a little crazy with my camera.  He is so beautiful and was strutting his stuff so much I couldn't help myself.  Isn't he gorgeous?

 Lunch was wonderful.  It was so cool that Kim was able to come all the way from Logan to join us. Jodi and Kim are good sports for coming our way. I absolutely love these ladies!  We will have to accommodate them again soon.

Patti taught us about a sight that guides missionary parents in their travels if they decide to pick up their missionaries.  It sounded so good.  It was good info for Jodi since she has a missionary in Brazil that she wants to pick up.

Dave told us about a lady who showed her kindness.  Dave had a few things going on and while standing in a check out line rolled her eyes because the gal checking out seemed to be taking long.  I believe it was the next lady that was just ahead of Dave that looked at her and asked how her day was. Then after Dave made a comment the lady asked Dave if she needed a hug.  That in itself is a great kindness.  The lady was walking away and stopped and came back to Dave and put something in her hand and told Dave that she believed she needed this.  It ended up being a beautiful coin that said something about God knows and will help you through.  (not sure exactly how she put it but that was the jest)

Another wonderful part of Taggarts is their yummy treats.  I usually just admire how wonderful they look.  Occasionally I order a cookie.  The cookies are huge and last a few days.  Today I bought enough for my family. I figured since it was April Fools, I'd fool them by bringing them home a yummy treat.  Talking of yummy treats.....Jodi brought us mini powdered doughnuts for the drive.  I knew better than to try one because my cute friend is a prankster and I knew she came prepared.  I was right!  Kim tried one and ended up throwing it out the window.  Tee Hee.....Jodi had dusted them all with baking soda!  She's such a funny gal!

 I didn't bring a Sunshine Bag today but I did bring a Sunshine Treat!  When the people came and sat at this table I only noticed this little boy.  I felt like he could use some added Sunshine.  He was so cute with such a big smile.....it was after I gave him the treat that I noticed he was the only boy.  I love spreading a little Sunshine every now and then.  It warms my soul as well!

 It's a good thing my soul was warm because when we headed home Mother Nature had fooled us all!  It was a blizzard!  I had a hard time seeing and my windshield wipers were noisy and not clearing my window very well.  The roads were slushy and I was a tiny bit nervous.  The gals were kind and encouraging though.  Look how white it is outside....it wasn't like that going up.

It was a fun day and the weather cleared the closer I got to home.  My family loved the cookies even though I didn't remember to give them to them until the evening.  For some reason April is a favorite month of mine.

Try #2.....Success!

Today Denise and I were on the same track and we met up for lunch to celebrate her birthday.  It was so fun visiting with her.  I enjoy this friend of mine so much.  She is so amazing and has such strong faith.  I'm so glad that when I moved to Roy all those years ago (around 30) that Denise was sent to me to be my visiting teacher.  I think we would have been friends any way but that started it.  We have shared a lot over the years and have made some great memories together.

You might think that at our age life would be easier and our trials would be less but that simply isn't true.  However our experience makes it easier to get through the challenges that come to us.  I admire Denise in so many ways.  I'm glad that we still take time at least twice a year to get together.  I enjoy my visits with Denise.

While we were visiting I noticed a few gal's from my ward come in.  It wasn't long and I got a text from Cindy telling me she could see me.  I was thinking of texting her just moments before I got her text. (she's younger & faster)  I was happy to see these young mom's getting out and enjoying each other.  I really think that my lunches with my friends over the years has been a blessing in my life.  Once a week I would meet Mallory for lunch.  Sometimes I took kids but often I had them watched so I could just have some girl time.  Girl time is so wonderful and refreshes the soul!

Sleep Over with the Grands

I love Sundays.....especially every other Sunday when ALL the kids and grands come over.  I love having the family together and Sundays it happens!  Last night everyone was here and our house was "buzzing".  There are always a few conversations going on at the same time.  I quite enjoy the buzz....if this happened every day it wouldn't be as enjoyable but since it doesn't I love it.  I love my family!  I love that we are close and care about each other.  I love that my grands love coming to our house and that they all love each other and really get along so well.

I love that my grands can write notes now....we get them once in awhile and they always make me smile.  I received a note from Ivy last night asking if she could please spend the night...then at the bottom she wrote: "I haven't asked my mom yet."  I couldn't help but laugh and share it with the others.  Why not?  Why not let all the grands sleep over?  It's spring break so there wasn't school....so we said "Yes"!  Boy, that shot a burst of energy into the grands.  They were so excited they were bouncing up and down.

So the parents wouldn't have to come back down Jaydan was kind enough to find shirts for them to wear.  Jaydan also brought down blankets and Jared and I had a few extra pillows.  We were set! Since it was already kind of late when the others left the grands got ready for bed right away.  They brushed their teeth and went potty and then we went in to watch a movie.  Before the movie though we said prayers.  That's right....prayers!  Every grand likes to say their own prayer and so I let them.  It's one of my favorite parts of sleep overs.  I love hearing these sweet little ones pray to Heavenly Father.  They are all so cute in the way they express themselves.  Oh they make this heart of mine sMiLe! ☺

We watched Ice Age 3 and when it was over they all went to sleep really fast.  Sleep overs are getting easier.  I love each of these little's so much.....I can't even comprehend loving them more.

Most of them prefer pancakes for breakfast when they sleep over and so I made pancakes.  It's such a joy to wake up to these cute faces.  Oh the Joys of Grands!!!

General Women's Conference

Many daughters of God all over the world, eight years old and up, gathered tonight for a General Women's Conference.  It was an awesome meeting.

Me and my girls went to our Stake Center to listen to the words prepared for us.  Our wonderful Stake Leaders decked the halls of our building with beautiful decor and filled many rooms with sweet treats that we were able to enjoy before the meeting.  It was like heaven on earth...especially the rooms filled with treats.  Kimi and I checked out at least four of the different rooms to see if there were treats we wanted more....I found an eclair that over ruled my mint brownie that was on my plate.  I put the mint brownie on another tray and so it was the only mint brownie in the room for a minute or so.  Trichelle, Ivy and Natalie all came moments later to join us.  It was so wonderful having them there with me....I was especially proud that Ivy was able to come...she's getting so big.

I love feeling the Spirit of God and it was felt at this meeting.  So many amazing talks and music. Having my girls with me increased the spirit and I was filled with Joy!

A few things that were said tonight were:
"We are daughters in His Kingdom"  "Strength in Unity" "Here I am, Send Me"  "Covenant Keepers"

"We as Women can be particularly hard on ourselves"  "Relax and Rejoice in our Divine Differences"

"We should not only Love Each Other More, but Love Each Other Better."

"We need to STOP beating ourselves up because we are not perfect.  The root of the word "perfect" came from Greek origins and means "complete".  Be Ye therefore "Complete" has a totally different meaning."

From Elaine Dalton at a previous meeting:

As daughters of God we are each unique and different in our circumstances and experiences.  And yet our part matters---because WE matter.  Our daily contributions of nurturing, teaching, and caring for others may seem mundane, diminished, difficult, and demeaning at times, and yet as we remember that first line in the Young Women theme....."We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us"....it will make all the difference in our relationships and our responses.

City Creek with some Cute Chicks

Pam and I have been trying to get together for a long time....like 10 months.  We finally got a day set on the calendar about a month or so ago.  Pam talked Debbie, Julie and Lisa into joining us.  I asked Jodi if she would like to join us too.  It worked out for everyone but Julie...she had some problems with her home that needed immediate attention....we missed her.

We met at City Creek which is about 1/2 way for us.  I thought it would be fun to do something for others while we were together.  I had come across some cute jar toppers and decided to fill the jar with "s'more love".  I used teddy grahams, mini marshmallows, and m&m's.  They turned out pretty cute. I gave one to everyone to keep and then an extra one to give away.  I realize this is going out of our comfort zone but still thought it was a good idea.  I found some cute (or funny) chick head bands for us all.  That way whoever received "s'more love" from us could say some cute chick, or some crazy chick gave it to them.  I said a little prayer that we would know who needed "s'more love" today.  I trust the Lord guided us.

Right away Pam ran into a returned missionary.  A young man who returned just last night from the Dominican Republic and who also is from Jodi's ward.  When I first was giving everyone their jars a lady and some kids walked through the door.  The thought crossed my mind that maybe someone in the group needed one.  I didn't think more of it other than we didn't have enough for all of them.  While Pam was giving her's to the returned missionary I notice a young gal looking at some books.  I felt like she was the one I was suppose to give my jar to.  I did and she lit right up.  I love the picture of her because it shows her excitement.  I got chills while I talked to her for just a second and told her God loved her. (I kind of got a little teary.....again while typing this)  Jodi found her recipient as we were walking.  When Jodi handed the lady "s'more love" the lady told her: "You don't know how much I needed this today."   Lisa found her's when she decided to step out of Sephora for just a minute.  Her gal just happened to look just like her sister who has passed away.  She talked to the gal and said there were so many similarities and common connections between them. (cool beans)  I'm not sure who Debbie gave her's too unless it was when she was talking to Michelle King and the other Anchor Lady getting their autographs and Pam grabbed a jar and took it over to them.  That jar of "s'more love" was either Debbie's or the one Pam was taking to Julie.  I also gave one to one of the ladies helping us in Sephora. Someone had complimented this gal and she thanked them and said she really needed that today....that's when I felt like if she needed a compliment she probably also needed "s'more love".  My second jar was actually the one Julie would have given if she would have made it.  I still had my own jar in my purse and when I was leaving the Blue Lemon after lunch I noticed a gal eating alone.  I had actually walked past her and remembered my experience from yesterday of just sitting alone and I looked in my purse and got my jar out and went back in and gave it to her.  It sure was a simple thing but it made me feel so warm inside.  Little acts of kindness make a difference.  They make a difference to the recipient and the giver.  Service & Kindness are Magical like that!!!

We had a great time playing in Sephora.  It was Debbie's idea to go in and instead of just looking around Debbie asked to try a few things. (neck cream, and hair stuff, and even some make up)  I loved how outgoing Debbie was.  Pam and Lisa both said she is usually not like that.  She wore her Chick headband the whole time and even asked for autographs. What a fun chick she is....what fun chicks we all are!  Jodi and I tried out some sprays that lifted our hair and nourished it.  It was really fun just playing around in there.  I want to go back some time and have my make up done.

The day went quickly....like always when you are having fun.  I had to laugh again after getting our parking tickets validated at Sephora only to find out we only got $1.00 off!  So NOT a good deal!  I called Pam to see how they reacted when they found out it was only for $1.00 and she made me laugh some more.  They couldn't find her car when they left and walked around clicking her keys trying to find it.  That is so funny and reminded me of the few times I have also had that experience.

I enjoyed visiting with Jodi on our drive....visiting with friends is always so wonderful!  I was relieved that Jodi's car was still where she left it and that is didn't have a boot locked on it.  The restaurant had a sign in the back saying you could get towed or booted up at your expense if you weren't a customer.  I wrote a note that Jodi left in her window...it might not have even been seen....but was there just in case.

Oops....Sometimes my Brain is Off Track

So here I am....alone....at Applebee's.....wondering why?  I had it on my calendar that I was taking Denise to lunch today for her birthday.  I get a table and wait....and wait.....and wait.  Where is Denise?  after about 10 minutes I call her home phone (I left her a message)...this is not like her to be late.  No answer...good that must mean she is on her way....so I wait a little longer....then a little longer.  I am confused and wonder what happened?  I hope Denise is okay and that something hasn't happened to her suddenly.

I enjoy watching the storm outside my window as I wait.  I saw a black streak surrounded by blue sky and clouds...then suddenly the sky turned to gray and then black.  The restaurant darkened quickly.  My cute waitress kept checking on me.....we had big plans for Denise.  My waitress about jumped out of her skin when the sky burst with a BOOM....I couldn't help but laugh!  I couldn't help but laugh at this whole situation.  Something was wrong and I wasn't sure exactly what?

I finally ordered take out and went home.  A while later Denise called.  Whew....she was okay!  So what happened?  It was me....in my head we had confirmed our lunch date.  Denise even had it on her calendar.  Problem is I had mentioned that I might invite Tammy G to join us since it was her birthday.  That thought never crossed my mind again after talking to Denise.  So......really.... we had never set a place or time for our lunch.  Hmmmm.....I thought Applebee's at 12:30 ☺ not exactly sure why I thought that.  None the less.....it's funny!  I sat alone and waited for someone to join me....I'm so glad there wasn't a rose sitting on my table!