Gina's "Angel"versary

I am so thankful for memories...and pictures to help us remember.  I am so glad that I knew and could call Gina Talbot Smedley my friend.  Gina was a fighter....you have to be if you get cancer!  She was positive and trusted in God.  She Praised God Always!  I loved that about Gina!  She smiled even when she didn't feel like it.  She lived for everyone else!  She lived her life until the very end.

I treasure the day that Jodi and I went to visit her.  She was coherent and able to express her feelings to us.  She knew her time had come that she would be meeting our Savior...she accepted that.  We were able to express our love for each other.  I knew that would probably be the last time I would see my friend alive in this life....that day is precious to me.  I'm so glad that Jodi followed the prompting that she got and invited anyone to join her.  It worked out perfect for me and I believe that was a tender mercy.  God knew I wanted to see Gina before she passed.

I'm so thankful for God and the love He is constantly showing to us.  I am finally at a point in my life that I am able to recognize it and allow Him to guide my life.  I believe He always has but I see it now and it's easier to follow His wishes.  I know that we are guided to others so that God can bless us through them.  Gina blessed so many around the world because she shared her faith and journey.  I know that we all bless  more than we know and I am so thankful for everyone that crosses my path in some way or another.

It's so hard losing our loved ones.  Our hearts and souls ache for them....that's part of this earthly experience.   I think it's the hardest part of life....even believing (or knowing) we will see them again.  It hurts because we love.

Today a few of us gathered at Gina's grave to celebrate her life a little through our thoughts and expressions.  We as friends continue to make memories and live our lives.  We celebrate each other...we support each other....we love each other.  We are the Angels in Life!

Kamryn's Birthday

I am so glad this little one is  in our family.  Little Kamryn is such a joy and smartie pants.  She is so funny and witty and loves to have fun.  For her birthday she told her mom she only wanted to spend the night with gramma in the trailer.  We didn't get the trailer out of storage in time so I promised Kam when we did get it out she could have another sleep over with just me.  We slept in the family room instead and watched George of the Jungle and ate treats.

Jaydan took her to dinner while Larry and I went out.  Then I took her to the store and even though she didn't want a present....she picked one out anyway.  It's so fun to have a little one on one with each of the grands.  I'm glad that Kam wanted to have sleepovers with me because now it is a tradition with each of the grands on their birthdays.

I love this girl.  She is truly a blessing and a huge bonus to our family!  I can't believe she's 6!

Justin's Birthday

I sure do love this son of mine!  Every birthday takes me back to the day they were born.  There are certain memories that stand out.  I remember holding Justin with a different sense of pride and joy than with Trichelle....it wasn't better or worse but it was different.  This boy has always been a good, kind, hard working kid.  He is honest, funny, talented, and sensitive.  Justin always knew when I needed a hug and gave them to me all the time while he was growing up.

Justin is a sweet husband.  He is so good to his beautiful wife.  Justin is a fun and caring daddy.  I always knew Justin would be a great dad because he always loved little kids and was good at taking care of them.  It started when he was 4 and we had Kevin.  Justin could get Kevin out of his crib (Larry let him...I would have got Kevin out and handed him to Justin) and he would gently hold and take care of Kevin.  They would fall asleep with Kevin laying on Justin's tummy.  Justin's kids adore him which means he treats them wonderfully.

Justin is an example to our family.  I think everyone looks up to him and knows they could go to him with any concerns or problems.  I am so thankful for this son....he makes my heart smile....BIG!

We enjoy taking the kids out to celebrate their birthdays.  Justin is conservative to where he chooses to go.  This year we went to Dickey's.  I think Justin wanted to show us the aluminum he bent and helped them with.  It looks nice and YES I am proud of my son and his talents.

Cookies....Mmmmmm

Yesterday and Today I spent a lot of time in the kitchen doing something I enjoy.  I baked cookies....lots and lots of cookies. Yesterday I made a double batch of banana cookies with chocolate chips and a double batch of banana cookies without chocolate chips.  When I was done I went and got a pedicure. ☺ I love my banana chocolate chip cookies and that's why I volunteered to make some for the reception.  MaryLou is doing most the cookies but I figured I would make some too and if we have extra.....good!

Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies:
Cream: 1 cup sugar, 2/3 cup shortening, and 2 eggs.
Add: 1 cup mashed banana's, and 1 tsp vanilla and mix
Add: 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 2 tsp baking powder....mix
Add: 2 1/2 cups flour and mix then add 1 cup chocolate chips
Drop on greased baking sheet and bake at 400 for 8-10 minutes (they don't look done but are)

Today I made a double batch of Chocolate Chip Cookies from a Recipe Natalie gave me.  In fact I baked today to help Natalie out because she was going to make these along with her Swig Sugar Cookies.  I have more free time than her and so I decided to make the Chocolate Chip Cookies.

This is her recipe:
Cream: 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup margarine (use margarine not butter)
Add: 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla, and 2 TBL milk...mix
Add: 1 tsp cream of tarter, 2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt...mix and add: 3 cups of flour and a cup or so of chocolate chips.
Bake on greased cookie sheet at 325 for 10-12 minutes (these don't look done either but are so soft and good)

After I made these I ran Jared to the Ortho and went and bought a few more ingredients so I could make more cookies.  I used another recipe just for fun.  This recipe didn't flatten as much. I doubled this recipe too.

Chocolate Chip Cookies with lots of Chips
Cream: 1 cup of butter (I used butter), 3/4 cup sugar, 1 cup brown sugar, and 2 eggs
Mix in: 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp vanilla, 3 cups flour, and 3 cups chocolate chips (wow...that's three times more than I used in the other recipe....you get a little dough with your chocolate chips...I liked it)
Bake at 375 for 8 minutes

So my freezer is full of ice cream and cookies.  We are ready to party at Braxton and Kelsi's Reception.  I'm so excited for these two and glad that I am able to help out a little.

*note to self* get chicken nuggets and french fries for Kelsi and Braxton so they can have what they wanted to serve at their Reception.  Oh...and don't forget the silver platter! (sometimes mom's aren't worth arguing with....as much as I love cookies I would have served the nuggets and fries)

Mondays are Fundays

On Mondays Natalie comes to our house for piano lessons.  I am sure grateful that she does.  It's so much easier for me.  She picks Mya up from school and then comes over.  I have been picking Ivy and Zaden up from school on Mondays and then I take them to tumbling.  It is fun that the cousins get to play with each other for awhile during piano lessons and before tumbling.  Once in awhile we bring Kamryn home with us too.  The volume in our house about raises the roof but it is happy noise and makes me smile.  I love seeing these little ones interact and make memories together.  I am so glad that they are able to do that at my house.

I love Mondays and seeing my grands.  I love having cars on my floors again and purses and barbies around.  Some weeks I don't even put them away.  My house is a house to play in.  I hope my grands will always want to come and have fun at gramma's house.  Oh how I love these little ones!

Weekly Tidbits

* Most mornings I take Jared out to feed the cows before I take them to the bus stop.  Kimi usually helps him by cutting the twine off the bales.  We got a cute new calf about a week ago.  Jared loves the babies and gets upset when the big cows eat the hay that he throws over the feeding trough for the babies.  I love watching him and have helped a few times when we needed to hurry.  This week we have seen a skunk a few times.  Jared want to bring a gun and shoot it.

* At the beginning of the month when I went to book club, Suzie mentioned that her mom wasn't doing well and she expressed her feelings to Kathy and I that it would be nice if her mom could pass quickly instead of living like she was for years.  Her mom passed a week or so later.  I guess they had a memorial for her in CA where she was living but had a funeral for her here where most of the family lived.  She was buried my Suzie's daughter Shay.  I was so impressed with the talk that Suzie gave in honor of her mom.  It was like a poem...it didn't rhyme but it still like a poem.  For instance she would say: "water" and then mention the things that involved water that reminded her of her mom....like beach, swimming, etc.  I loved it and was so proud of Suzie!

* I attended the funeral of Rae Erwin.  This lady was my friend and I enjoyed hearing about her life and the things that she liked.  Rae did a lot and enjoyed her life.  She was always busy with something.  I am so glad I went and visited her the day before she passed.  Her friend that she went to water aerobics with told me that her and Rae would tease about wanting to just drop dead when it was their time.  Rae got her wish.  She was at the pharmacy getting her prescription and she dropped dead.  I'm happy for Rae and pictured her going through the veil looking over both shoulders and saying: "that wasn't bad at all."  I'm so glad that I was able to interact and spent time with Rae.  She has been a great example to me.  I sure love her! on the back of the program was this neat poem....

To Those I Love

When I am gone, just release me, let me go so I can move into my afterglow.  You mustn't tie me down with your tears; let's be happy that we had so many years.  I gave you my love you can only guess how much you gave me in happiness.  I thank you for the love you each have shown, but now it's time I traveled on alone.  So grieve for me awhile, If grieve you must, then let your grief be comforted with trust.  It's only for a while that we must part, so bless the memories within your heart. And then, when you must come this way alone, I'll greet you with a smile and a "Welcome Home."

* I enjoy picking Ivy and Zaden up on Mondays and bringing them home to play with Mya and Parker for a little while before I have to take them to tumbling.  I am glad that Natalie doesn't mind coming to my house for piano.  It saves me from driving and the grands get to play with each other which they all love.

 * Macie cried when I held her on Sunday and Monday.  I need to work on getting her to smile and coo at me again.  I hope this little phase doesn't last long.

*I went to my mom and dad's on Friday and my sister came just after I got there.  I love bumping into this gal.  I love her and hope good things happen for her.

* Kamryn had a birthday party at Get Air bright and early on Saturday morning.  It was a pajama party which was perfect.  It was so much fun watching the kids jump and enjoy themselves. (even my big kids jumped and enjoyed themselves.)  I jumped a little and jumped into the pit and had a hard time getting out.  My bravery and coordination have gone.  I know I looked like a goof.  I'm glad only a few people even saw.

 * Larry and I went to dinner with the Malone's to discuss our plans for our cruise that is coming up.  I'm getting really excited and think it will be fun.  We are going to Alaska and we are all hoping that we see whales....actually we are expecting to see some.  Larry bought me some super nice binoculars to make it more enjoyable.  He said they are my mother's day present, and birthday present, and Christmas present for a few years! Larry is so sweet and knows how much I enjoy whale watching.  I told him he could go on the hike he wants to the next time we go to Hawaii and I will sit on a beach and watch whales.

Rise and Shine

Kathy had to work this afternoon so we decided to go to breakfast before she went to work.  Jodi and I got there before Kathy and had a little fun being silly while we waited for her.  We went to  Kneaders in Ogden.  They have some pretty yummy food.  I love just looking at the pastries and treats behind their counter....I splurge occasionally but not today.  I just window shopped today.  Depending on who is reading this...like maybe if you are my great grand or something....you may have no idea what window shopping is.  It's when you just go and look at things without the intent of purchasing anything.  People use to do that more often than today.  I still like to just look at things and dream of them knowing that really I will never get them or even want them for reals. The treats looked really good and because I didn't purchase anything besides my breakfast I can still dream of them and believe that they are delicious.  Well actually I did buy a little wall hanging that said: "Funny thing about Joy, is that you only really find it when you are too busy having fun to go looking for it." It was a little pricey but I really liked the saying so I bought it and hung it in my kitchen.

We had such a great visit today....we always have great visits. I learned a lot about running today.  Jodi told us about preparing your body for a run.  I had quite a few questions and had no idea there was so much to running.  I can totally understand how someone could hurt themselves because of their ignorance before a big race.  I admire runners but I will never be one.  I admire everyone that works out and has that kind of discipline.  Kathy just got her a bike and is going to ride for her exercise...I think that is so great.  I will continue just going to the gym and using their equipment and barely do what I need to so that I feel like I am doing something.  I don't have the drive to really push myself hard...plus I don't want to have to exercise hard the rest of my life to stay in shape.  I don't want my body to expect that....a little is fine with me.  I love these gals and I will say it over and over....I am so glad our paths crossed.  I really can't imagine them every separating but I know there might come a time that they will.  I just feel very blessed right now!

While we visited and enjoyed our yummy french toast  I saw a few ladies I knew.  Jill, the owner of Dilly Dally's was right in front of me and then my cute friend Stephanie saw me and came over to say HI.  She made my day.  I love Stephanie and cherish the years we sat at dance and got to know each other.  I miss this girl and wish we could get together more often.  Maybe in the future that will happen.  A season for everything right?  So I enjoy the ones that I do get to spend time with at this time of my life just like I have always enjoyed each season of my life and all those that have been a part of it.