Count Your Blessings

There is so much in our life to be thankful for~yet, so often our focus is on our hardship and trials.  By taking time each week to focus on our blessings I know we will notice a positive change in our lives.  Even in our trials there are blessing....we need to look for them.

 One blessing I am grateful for today. I am grateful for the Birth Days of each member of my family.  I love their "days" and love reminiscing about their life.
An experience I have had that was a blessing to me. When Trichelle came and told us she was expecting her second child.  My heart opened up more and it's as if the love I had for her grew bigger.  I think I understand "unconditional" love a bit better.  I also got a glimpse of the love our Heavenly Father has for each of us.
One Gospel Principle that is a blessing to me. Prayer!  I pray often throughout every day.  I love knowing that I am heard by my Heavenly Father.
Something I have done to bless another. Each day on social media I post a positive quote or thought.  I have had quite a few people tell me what a blessing that is to them and how it really does make a difference.
Who was a blessing to me this week? My visiting teachers were.  I love the love they have for me and that they aren't afraid to express it.

Celebrating Kimleighel

  

What a fun day it was celebrating Kimleighel's birth with her.  All Kimi wanted this year for her birthday was to spend the day with me.  She had it planned for probably a year.  She knew exactly what she wanted and I was more than happy to oblige.  We did our traditional singing early in the morning with the family and Kimleighel did get a gift.  Then while the boys went to work and school Kimi and I got ready for our day.  Kimi was so excited and I was too!

We decided to go to lunch first but needed to waste a little time first since Kimleighel did not want to be the first people in the restaurant.  We ended up at JoAnn's for awhile and then went to Chili's where Kimi had chosen to eat.  She ordered a steak.  The girl can put the food away but you would never know it by looking at her.  Kimi also wanted us each to order our own Lava Cake and I did tell our waitress that but she only brought out one.  I was so glad that's all she brought out because I knew I could never eat a whole one and really just wanted to share.  Kimi ended up being fine with that too since she was pretty full from her lunch. It was so fun being with Kimi....she was so happy and excited to be 19.  She kept laughing all day about being that old.  She talked about the next stage of her life that is quickly approaching with excitement.  She is excited to get married and start a family.  She is not excited about having to pay the bills but is very aware of all the responsibilities she will have.  It was so fun listening to her.

After lunch we headed for the Junction to watch a movie.  On our way I started laughing and said: "Hey there's Santa".  A bearded guy with red shorts and a red ball cap was walking across the street.  We laughed and Kimi tried getting her phone out to get his picture but  wasn't able to.  It was funny and I think it brightened Kimi's day even more.  Right after that though I about got us killed.  I looked at my light and moved into the intersection.  I was surprised when a truck came barreling through going the other way.  I looked up and it was me that was in the wrong.  My light was red.  It made me sick to my stomach as I backed up to where I should have been.  (our neighbor was just in a serious accident about 3 weeks ago doing the same sort of thing)  It wasn't a close call but it was scary especially since I had looked at my light and still went.  I was nervous the rest of the day and didn't trust myself but did just fine. (the thought sped through my mind of Kimleighel's birth date and death date being the same date.....not a happy thought at all)  We watched the movie, McFarland USA.  It was really good and now I want Larry and Jared to also see it.

After the movie we went to the Mall and Kimi knew just what she wanted.  She wanted some boots and jeans but ended up only getting the boots.  I got her a shirt to wear for her Senior Pictures which we are taking next week.  We looked around a few stores and then went up to my mom's to give her some candy bars that she had bought from Jared.  We had a nice little visit.

We got home the same time Larry and Jared did and only had to wait for a few minutes while Larry showered before going to dinner.  Kimleighel chose Iggy's for dinner and ordered a pizza.  Larry thought that was funny but I told him she had ate her big meal for lunch.  (we all brought left overs home)  Kimi was even okay with them singing to her.  She had told me all day not to say anything to anyone and I didn't.  However when the Hostess was seating us and asked what brought us out, I was caught off guard and so I told her I couldn't tell.  That's when Kimi said it was alright to tell. ☺ She didn't mind the attention and said that it was actually good.

Super Fun Day with this 19 year old Daughter of mine!  My how fast the time has gone!

Kimleighel is 19

Woo Hoo Kimleighel is a year older.  Her last year of being a teenager!  Those years seem to have gone fast now that we are where we are.  It's been an adventure with this girl as it has with every child.  Kimleighel is fun and talented and feisty and enjoyable and so loving.  This year all she wanted for her birthday was to spend time with me.  I'm not gonna lie...that totally made my day.  She has had it all planned for months, maybe even a year.  We are going to go to lunch and shopping and a movie and then to dinner with Larry.  I reminded her that there is a limit on what I spend and she said she'd pay for the extra's.  What a kid!  I'm looking forward to our day together.  I hope it's everything that Kimleighel has dreamed of.  I am so thankful for this daughter of mine that love's her momma.

I Meme

I am... A Daughter of Heavenly Father

I want... My kids and grands to be healthy and happy and to always be treated nicely
I have... the best family and friends
I wish... Insurance didn't cost so much and covered more
I hate... being around negative people
I fear... my kids or grands being mistreated
I hear... an airplane flying over
I search... the scriptures for answers to my prayers
I wonder... when our Savior will come again
I regret... a few things I have done even though I have learned from them.
I love...being around my family....and chocolate....and smiling. 
I never... want to be remembered for my faults and mistakes
I ache... literally...my back aches often
I always... try to do my best.
I usually... eat chocolate every day.  It just makes me happy from the inside out.
I am not... a mean person and I don't like to see others be mean 
I dance... whenever I hear happy music
I sing... most days.  I find myself humming or singing to myself all the time.
I sometimes... wish things were different..but remind myself...everything for a reason
I cry... when I feel the spirit or see someone else sad.
I am not always... in a hurry to go or do something...just a lot of the time. 
I lose... my mind when I over think things
I am confused... about Braxton's panic attacks
I need... to get off the computer and go to the store
I should...be ready for the day yet I'm not...blogging got me today.
These questions and meme came from HERE

Celebrating

It's the Relief Society's birthday and our Stake had a little celebration for it. We learned a little about each member of our Stake Presidency which was really fun and were able to do some service projects.  Kimi and I helped make book marks so that the missionaries can give them to investigators and new members.  It reminded me of when I was in Italy with Justin and his friend a member there gave me a metal book mark so that I would remember her.  They also had some other entertainment throughout the day while we worked on the service projects.  I was asked to be a part of a line dancing group but I was in Hawaii when they practiced and  and the next time they practiced I couldn't go either.  I'm glad I didn't because Kimi had planned some things that took time and we ended up sneaking out after making some bookmarks.

Kimi got her hair cut before the Relief Society party.  We went and bought dye so I could color it after attending the party. We also went to the credit union so Kimi would have money for her California Tour next week.  We came home and I dyed her hair before she went out with a friend to the movie.  I love that Kimleighel knows that Birthdays are to be celebrated...not only on the day of the birth.    It was fun spending the day with Kimleighel. It's fun for me that she likes spending time with me. It makes this mommy feel good!

Kathy O

We were suppose to have Book Club today but the others couldn't come and so Kathy and I decided to go play anyway. We kept our playing on 25th street today. We had lunch at LaFerovia and then strolled down 25th street looking for the building where Kathy's grandpa had a pharmacy.  I knew it had to be on the corner right by Wall Avenue since the address was 108 25th street.  The problem was that the building had been completely remodeled so it wasn't feeling familiar to Kathy at all.  We ended up stopping at pawn shop and talking to a guy I grew up with and he knew a lot about the stores on 25th street.  He even thought he might be able to find an old medicine bottle from Kathy's grandpa's pharmacy....she's hoping!  We went into a store where they do paint parties on canvas.  I like the idea but think it's a little pricey.  There is a place you can do ceramics too and I know a lot of mom's and kids go there.  Trichelle has taken her kids there but again I think it's a little more than I want to pay.  Kathy pushed me into an Adult Novelty shop and I spun myself around so fast and exited as Kathy stood there and laughed.

(I bought Honey Comb...there's a reason it's called that!  I love this candy it reminds me of my grandma Bessie and mom.)

I love Kathy so much....she is so much FUN!  When we first moved to Hooper, Kathy was the RS President and came to visit me.  I liked her right away.  I'm glad that we became friends.  We have so many fun memories together.  We have traveled to New York City a few times and have many memories that crack us up from those vacation.  We have played racket ball and tennis together.  We have went and supported our guys in the Senior Olympics and had a great time together at those events.  We have attended the Black Foot Fair together for over 17 years and have lots of fun memories there.  We both rode a Mechanical Bull one time at the fair and even had a video to remember it.  Kathy started a Book Club and invited me to be in it.  She also did a dancing with stars party for many years.  This girl is just fun!  I love spending time with Kathy...always so much fun!

Food 4 Thought Friday

Food 4 Thought Friday!

A little feast without the calories!!

Feel free to play along for some yummy fun!  Go HERE

Food 4 Thought Friday ~ This week's questions:
   
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ 

Breakfast ~ If today was your last day on earth, what would you do right now? I would write my hubby, kids and grands a note expressing my love for them.  I would also want to write notes to my friends that matter so much to me.  I would leave a list of my passwords for my family so they could get on my blog, face book and email.  I would blog one last post expressing my love for life and God.  I would share some of the important things I have learned...the easy things that make life more enjoyable like: simplifying, smiling, positive thinking, trusting the Lord in all things, keeping the commandments and how they aren't restricting but freeing.  I would share about families and staying close to each other and always loving and supporting each other and honoring our differences instead of making fun of our differences.  I would pray for peace as I leave this world and enter the next. I would be Happy!

Lunch ~ How do you deal with stress?  It depends what is stressing me.  Sometimes I get frustrated and angry and no matter what is stressing me I usually cry.  I always pray and pray hard that I can find the positive and focus on the good...that I can accept the now and still feel peace.  Most of the time I eat...I'm a stress eater!  Usually the things I eat, my comfort foods are full of calories and not good for you but for some reason I find comfort in food.  I always talk about the stress in my life.  I'm sure when the stress involves my family they don't appreciate that I talk but I never try to put them down and will even express that.  I also feel that sharing the stress with others helps them realize that we all have "stuff" that stresses us out and no one is alone no matter how wonderful my life might appear to others.

Dinner ~ Name your top pet peeves.
*Dog Poop on our lawn since we don't own a dog....grrrrrrrr
* I despise chewed gum...it totally grosses me out. 
* LDS Immodesty...when leaders preach about modesty but aren't
*When others don't clean up after themselves.
*The garbage left on the counter right above the garbage can (how hard is it to open and drop?)
*Letting stinkers in the bedroom.
*Being interrupted when I am reading or blogging
*Laundry not being brought down every day
*"poop" talk (any kind of talk about poop gags me)
"Being punctual
*Meaning what you say and being Honest (11) 

Midnight Snack ~ When was the last time you did something just for yourself and what did you do? Monday I went and got a pedicure.  I just went by myself and enjoyed every minute of it.

Recipe of the Week ~ (instead of your recipe for life what is it just for the week?)  To Appreciate the Past and cherish all the wonderful memories.  Be glad you had the time with others that you did and the experiences that you had.  Even be glad for the challenges and the things you learned from them.  Cherish the Present!  Enjoy the ones you love and the health you have because things change so quickly. Make Fun Happen Every Day! Accept the Future....things will be different and maybe not like we planned (probably not) but we need to accept the things in store for us trusting in the Lord.