Weekly Tidbits

*Kimleighel and Jared started cross country this week.  I love that it gets them up and going.  I know it will be so good for them in so many ways.  They also started summer seminary that is once a week.  That too will be so good for them.  Good things happening this summer.

* Kimleighel went to girls camp this week.

*Jared twisted his ankle at cross country and can't walk very good so his running is put on hold.

*I baked more cookies again.  Kelsi and Braxton have an open house this week in Jerome and MaryLou liked my cookies,  so I am baking. Barbie came to help me one day. (I baked Monday and Wednesday) I enjoyed our talk time and was able to give her lots of cookies because I had enough already for the open house. Proud to say I only tried a few (seriously like 3) normal cookies....I refrained from making my usual big one.

*took dinner to a neighbor. Kathy Orrock helped me out.  I made chicken roll ups, mashed potatoes and gravy.  Kathy brought a salad and dessert.

*my friend, Susan got home from her mission and for some reason I was so giddy and excited.  I went over twice to visit her. (once I went with Larry)

*I took Jared and gramps to lunch to Tony's Burger.  It was Gramps birthday on the 10th and I thought he might enjoy lunch with us...I think he did.

*My good friend Sue stopped by just to visit!  That doesn't happen often and it was so nice seeing her and visiting.  I wish we did that more often.

*Kelsi and I went to Homemaking together.  It was on Visiting Teaching.  I have a strong testimony of visiting teaching.  I maybe should have went with Larry to the Temple so that I could talk to him and keep him awake.  He called me to tell me he was okay after jerking his head and waking up on his drive to the temple.  I'm just very thankful for the "Angels Among Us".

*I find all kinds of excuses to get to Girls Camps.  I decided that I would pick Kimi up on Thursday and bring her home so that we wouldn't be stressed leaving for Jerome on Friday.  I ended up going up in the afternoon which put me there in time for skits.  I love seeing how creative the girls can be.  I stayed until late so that we didn't miss Testimony Meeting.  I love sitting around a fire, watching the flames flicker and jump and hear young girls Bare Testimony of Jesus Christ and His Church.  I also love that around this setting often times someone will take more than one turn.  That happened a few times but was really sweet.....the girls were feeling the spirit.  I was proud of my shy girl for speaking up and baring her Testimony.

*We had Book Club and went to Breakfast.  I saw Bruce (a long time friend) and said Hi to him.  He ended up buying our breakfast.  What a nice guy!  I love my book club but didn't bring home a book to read.  I need a book to read...I miss reading real books.  I like my Kindle but I really like books where you turn pages and can see how far into the book you are and how much you still get to read.  I enjoy sharing my books and others but it's hard with the electronic books. I love my book club...it's so wonderful having Susan back with us again.

Jerome

Friday afternoon we (Larry, me, Kimleighel and Jared) headed up to Jerome Idaho for Kelsi and Braxton's Open House.  It's a boring ride....not much to look at.  We took the Conference CD's and that helped a lot. Jerome is a small town but still bigger than Hooper.  The Open House was low key and nice.  At first we had a line like we did in Hooper but that lasted for about 3 visitors.  Kelsi's parents were off visiting with friends and so Larry and I went and sat at a table.  A gal that grew up in Hooper actually lives in Idaho now and worked with Mary Lou.  It was really nice that she came because we were able to visit with her and her daughter.  Her and Larry had a good time remembering when.....

The evening was nice and the clean up was quick.  We went to Pizza Hut on the way back to our Hotel.  The kids were hungry and I just wanted something that wasn't sugar. (crazy for me...but sometimes I do like something else)

Instead of hurrying right home we went into Twin Falls.  We stopped at Shoshone Falls and visited with Kelsi's family.  It was really pretty.  When we drove past the Twin Falls Temple on our ways to the falls I took a few pictures while passing.  We enjoyed lunch together and then we headed for home.  We wanted to get back for our Stake Conference.  Funny how priorities change the older you get. 

Say What?

I can not believe that my first born grand is 9 years old already!  Seriously it happens so fast.  I have enjoyed this little one and watching her grow.  I have missed our time together since she has started school.  I can't believe she is going into 4th grade...I remember being that age.  I do love and cherish the little time we do get. (true for all the grands and my kids)

Ivy is smart.  The girl remembers the things she is taught and totally understands.  She is above her age in learning.  Ivy is fun and likes to be busy.  She loves playing with all her cousins and is such a great example to them all.  She is so kind and includes everyone.  Ivy is loving and still likes to climb on my lap so that I can hold her.  Ivy Marie is beautiful inside and out!  I love this little....that isn't so little!

Fun with Ivy

I love celebrating birthdays!  I had a great time celebrating Ivy today.  Ivy got to spend the night and I was looking forward to watching movies and sleeping on the couch.  Ivy decided that she wanted to watch Net Flex with Kimi in Jaydan's room and so I thought why not?  I think it's great and important for my kids to also have a special relationship with my grands.  Ivy slept with Kimi too.  I got to enjoy her in the morning after sending Kimi to girls camp and Jared to cross country.

I made Ivy her favorite breakfast....big pancakes.  Then we got ready and went shopping.  I asked Ivy what she wanted.....clothes, shoes....toy?  She told me a toy.  She likes a lot of things and had a hard time deciding but finally ended up with a Ever After High Doll.....the daughter of the Mad Hatter.  When Ivy saw that doll she got so excited that I told her that was the one....she didn't get that excited over anything else.

We went to lunch at Chili's because Ivy thought her mom (Martha) was working.  She was right and so Martha served us even though we weren't in her area.  I love Martha and she is a great 2nd mom to Ivy.  We shared a meal that Ivy chose.  Then we went to the Mall and looked around.  I think Ivy was hoping for more gifts and was maybe even a bit disappointed but I reminded her that we had got her gift and that was all I could do.

We were planning on going home for a bit to swim before she went with Julie and Kevin to the splash pad with Kamryn and Zaden but we didn't have time since we stopped by my friends house (Susan's) real quick (and it really was...maybe 15 min) to say hi since she just got home from her mission.

I had a great time with my sweet grand. I love our time!  I love making fun memories.

*Hopefully they will remember the good times...I thought my kids would too and I know they do but they also remember and tell me about the things I didn't do.  I have to remind myself I did my best under my circumstances.

Ivy's Carnival Party

Nine years....it just doesn't seem possible.  My kids and grands are growing right up.  It's weird because I don't feel older but can see them getting older.  (I look in the mirror and see it but that only happens in the morning while I get ready...and then I forget) I'm excited to see them all grow up and a little sad at the same time....can't quite describe the feeling.

Trichelle called me to see if I could help with Ivy's party.  I was glad to help and even volunteered Kimi and Jared to help out too.  It was a fun party....a carnival like Ivy requested.  Everything turned out great and so cute.  The kids had a wonderful time and left with awesome treats and prizes.  Ivy was happy and had fun celebrating her 9th birthday that is just days away.  I loved being a part of the celebration.  Times like this just make my heart so happy!

I love life and the one I was given!

Weekly Tidbits

*Kamryn's new Birth Certificate came in the mail.  I won't lie....I cried just a little.  So awesome seeing Kevin's name as the father.

*Took Kimleighel and Jared to see Maleficent....it was magnificent!  

*Got away for a little pampering.  I love getting pedicures and so I made time to go get one. I love the message chairs and just chillin. (my middle toe on my right foot use to be smaller than the toe by my big toe...weird that it grew a little)

*Took Jared and Kimleighel to Julie's parent's to swim with everyone.  I love their nice big pool and I think it's cool that they share with us.

 *Enjoyed Doughnuts on National Doughnut Day (June 6)  Bought a few in the morning for the kids and was glad that Kam stopped by so I could share mine with her.  I actually gave it to her but it was so big she gave me a little back.  I bought more for dinner and to give to some neighbors who's mom just got home from the hospital.

*Fun night at the play, Peter Pan.  This was such a fun one...one of my favorites for sure!  We laughed and had such a good time.  Good thing it was good because we almost got in a wreck on our way down.  I'm so glad that Barbie has good reflexes and that she just got a new suburban that is hard to flip.  An old man was coming right into us and she reacted fast and everything turned at well.  WHEW!!!  The play was worth the scare and continuing on.  I love this group of people....so fun!

Happy Birthday Teresa

I can't believe how fast time goes.  It seems like just a few months ago I was taking Teresa to lunch for her birthday.  Well I took her again today since her birthday is tomorrow.  I invited Tammy to join us since Tammy and Teresa are friends now too.  It's always enjoyable meeting my friends and visiting with them.

I was really hoping that Teresa would open up a bit more about her last guy but she is much more private than Tammy and I and she didn't.  Teresa did say that she wanted to celebrate for next years birthday since she will be 60.  She looks so much younger to me...she's so beautiful.  So with a year to save we are planning a girls get-a-way to celebrate Teresa next June!  It will be here before we know it!

I love celebrating life and I think every single birthday is a big deal!  I love my life.  I love my friends. I love birthdays!