Celebrating on a Whim

Tonight Larry and Justin were asked to go give Sandy (our accountant) a blessing.  For the last few years Sandy has been in a nursing home because she had a few strokes and has Dementia.  (so so sad) Jim recently found out he has cancer and has been in Texas getting treatment. (he doesn't have much hope of getting better) Their two daughters live in Texas and so there really isn't anyone here for Sandy.  Larry and I go visit her and every time it breaks my heart.  Anyway...Sandy got dehydrated and has Pneumonia and was taken to the Hospital.  Kristen (a daughter) called Larry in a panic wondering what was wrong with her mom. Larry went right away to the Hospital and found out what was going on.  He was talking to Jim and Jim asked Larry to give Sandy a blessing and to please take Justin with him.  It kind of surprised us all since Jim has never acted like he believed in anything.  He really surprised us when he told us that he use to go around the military hospitals and give blessings when he was young.  We had no idea that Jim had been a member of our Church.  Justin was happy to go with Larry.  We all love Sandy and Jim.  Poor, sweet Sandy kept pleading for someone to help her.

Since we were already out Justin said we might as well go to dinner and count it for his birthday dinner.  He drove us to Moore's Family Restaurant and we all ordered. About the time our food came Justin got a phone call from his sister in law saying that her daughter needed a blessing really bad before they headed to Primary Children's Hospital. (her blood sugar counts were off the charts...she's 15)  We got boxes for our food and left so that we could catch them at their house before they left for Primary Children's.

I felt the spirit strong tonight for both blessings.  I know God knows us and loves us.  I know He has a plan for each of us.  I know that He  depends on each of us to help each other with His work.

I feel kind of bad that Justin didn't get a big celebration but I also know that he is so busy that this was good enough for him.  Justin is so easy going and conservative and doesn't demand or expect much at all.  I was thankful for the time we had together and that Larry and our boys are worthy to Hold the Priesthood and Act in God's name!

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.  Medicines that help us when we aren't up to par.  I am very congested and very grateful for meds that break and dry that gunk up.

An experience I have had that was a blessing to me. I had a miscarriage between Jaydan and Kimleighel.  At the time it wasn't a blessing at all but I learned that God is in charge of who comes to our family and when. 

One Gospel Principle that is a blessing to me. Tithing.  I learned at an early age that tithing is a blessing and insurance to us in our lives.  10% isn't much when we are still left with 90%

Something I have done to bless another. I served on a board for the Festival of Trees for a few years.  All the profits went to the Primary Children's Hospital.  I provided treats, gifts and my time every year while serving.

Who was a blessing to me this week? Lorraine Mead, our Primary President and my dear friend.  She has listened to me and understood me and expressed her love for me more than once this week.

A Quiet Day?

Today the only plans I had was to go visiting teaching.  At least those were the only plans until Sunday.  Kelsi asked me if I could watch Sadie on Tuesday's for her until she is able to work full time.  I don't mind helping at all and so I planned on having little Sadie for a few hours too.  Natalie called me in the morning because Parkers preschool teacher was sick and Natalie had planned on going to lunch with her mom for her mom's birthday while Parker was at Preschool.  I told her that I would love to have Parker and Macie come and play. 

I ended up visiting Crystal by myself today because schedules had been changed and things didn't quiet work out for everyone today.  I had enough time to visit Carla too before my little's would be there.  I didn't warn Carla but she didn't mind me just stopping by.  I love visiting teaching and the friendships that develop and grow from it.

I got home just in time to take Macie and Parker from Natalie.  I love that the kids like coming to my house and just wave to their mommy.  Parker headed for the lego table which is usually where he starts out.  Macie wanted me to take her outside but I convinced her to play with the doll house instead.  She likes climbing on it.  Today Macie found the sucker drawer and helped herself to a few suckers.  She was really good and ate the first one until it was gone.  (the grands have been know in the past to take one out and lick it for a bit...throw it down and get another)  When Macie went to get another sucker I told her to put it back and that broke her heart and she started crying.....I let her have it.  I'm the gramma...I can  do that!  She was a sticky mess but a happy, sticky mess.  The suckers are low so the little ones can help themselves and so there might be a few sticky spots around my house and at this point in life...I don't care!

Natalie came for her kids about the time Kelsi was bringing me Sadie.  Sadie is getting bigger but is still so tiny.  She will smile at you now and even coo's.  It's so fun watching the little's change and do more.  They are just so cute and melt the hearts of our entire family.  The little's are always welcome to my quiet days....they add extra Sunshine to our Home!

Kimleighel had her last concert tonight....so did Quall's.  Quall's is retiring and was a little emotional about it.  It was a great concert.  Trichelle and Zaden came tonight too which put them at the top of Kimi's favorite list...at least for a night. ☺  I think Zaden enjoyed the foyer more than the concert.  He counted over 40 pictures of wolves for something to do.  Orchestra has been such a blessing to Kimleighel.  The cello connects with her soul and makes her glow and shine.  Being in the Orchestra has been a bright part of her schooling....it's her favorite!  I'm glad she found her talent and something that makes her truly happy!  I love how happy it makes her.♥

3 Bags Full

I keep too much stuff.  I get that from my parents.  I need to get rid of stuff and today I filled three  bags of stuff to send to the DI.  I went through my clothes and shoes.  I bet I could have gotten rid of more but that was a good start.  (I've already went and got one of the shirts back out of the bag)  I don't know why it's so hard for me to get rid of things I don't need or use but it is.  Kimi even noticed that my closet looked better.

I treated myself to a pedicure....my guilty pleasure!  I was going to get a pedicure today anyway and the closet ended up being a bonus.  The place I go to wasn't busy today and the gal working on me spent a lot of extra time rubbing my feet.  I think I might have had a knot or something because she kept working an area on my right foot.  I was hoping it might have something to do with my congestion that I have this week.  What ever it was I was enjoying it.  I was also enjoying the massage chair.....oh my heck.....talk about relaxing!   I never get flowers or anything extra but decided to today because it would take even longer and the gal was doing a great job.  I told her I didn't want flowers but swirls or something and she came up with a little design that suited me fine.

I was finished in time to go to the store before having to pick up Ivy from school.  When I picked Ivy up she asked me to take her to Walmart to get her and her friend matching shirts for "Twin Day" that is tomorrow.  We did and while we were shopping TJ called and said that he would be home with Zaden and so I could just take Ivy home.  She was okay with that which kind of surprised me.

We took our kids to see Free Town tonight for FHE. It was a movie about the Missionaries in Africa and their trials during a war going on over there.  A couple in our ward served there and know the real people that were in the movie.  I watched the movie on the front row because I had a coughing attack and ended up gagging a little too much and needed to be close to the restroom.  I must say that I am grateful for the good health that I always enjoy.  I have always been really grateful and knew that I was blessed but this crazy cough as reminded me of how very much.

Book Preference Meme

Book Preference Meme found Here

Science Fiction, Fantasy or Horror? Fantasy...however I'm not against reading the others.

Hardback or Trade paperback or Mass market paperback? I like paperback since it is lighter and less expensive if I am buying.

Amazon or Brick and Mortar? I love Amazon

Barnes & Noble or Borders? Barnes & Noble....it pulls me in like a chocolate shop does!

Bookmark or Dog-ear? I prefer a bookmark but have been known to dog-ear if I don't have one handy.

Alphabetize by author, Alphabetize by title, or Random? Random...my books are in a few places with no rhyme or reason why they are there.  I know I have a book but often times it's impossible to find if I want it.  Maybe I should Alphabetize.

Keep, Throw away or Sell? I keep...but should probably give away.  I seldom go back and read a book again.  I have thrown away one book while I was in Hawaii years ago.  It wasn't worth saving for anyone else to read.

Keep dust-jacket or Toss it? I keep them but take them off to read.  I have made a few of my own books and never order them with dust-jackets.

Read with dust-jacket or Remove it? oops...I just answered that.  I remove the dust-jacket so it doesn't rip.

Short story or Novel? It doesn't matter to me.  I enjoy all kinds of reading.

Stop reading when tired or at Chapter breaks? Both....or when I need to move on to something else.

“It was a dark and stormy night” or “Once upon a time?” Both pull me in!  I'm a gal of many likes.

Buy or Borrow? Both.  I buy books and borrow them to others. I also borrow books from others. I prefer borrowing because then you know the book is a good one.

Buying choice: Book Reviews, Recommendation or Browse?  All.  I bought Ellen DeGeneres book because her recommendation on the back was hilarious.  Usually I wouldn't care about the reviews...only the ones promoting the book are published right?  I prefer recommendations and have done okay with browsing. 

Collection (short stories by the same author) or Anthology (short stories by different authors)? It doesn't matter

Tidy ending or Cliffhanger? Tidy ending...I like a book that finishes even if it is in a series.  

Morning reading, Afternoon reading or Nighttime reading? More in the evening when the family is watching TV and I have down time. 

Standalone or Series? It doesn't matter but I guess I would prefer standalone.  Over and Done is nice.

Favorite book of which nobody else has heard?  Left to Tell is one of my all time favorites.  Coming out of the Ice was a real eye opener/educator book.  I also really love Gifted Hands, and Mutant Down Under.  All are true stories.

Favorite genre series?  I use to prefer mystery and love stories.  Now I really like true stories.

 Currently Reading? I need a new book....I'm not reading right now.  It's time for Book Club!

The Sisters

The Sister Missionaries visit us quite a bit.  Larry has made Missionary Work his new hobby.  He works hard at finding people for the Sisters to visit.  He tries making the mission fun for the sisters.  The sisters like and trust Larry and ask him for help when they need it.  He got a text from Sister Frazier late on Friday night asking him for a Priesthood Blessing.  She has gotten to a point of not feeling needed or useful.  Sound Familiar?  We all hit that point every now and then right?  Satan uses the same old tactics with us all because they continue to work.  Anyway tonight I felt impressed that the Sisters needed a Sunshine Bag.  (I still have a few made up)  It did make them both smile!

I'm impressed with all the missionaries do.  They work hard and you know it isn't easy.  I am really thankful for the sister missionaries that like spending time at Trichelle's house and for the things they teach my grands.  The work they do and the time they spend does make a difference even if they don't see it.  They are doing exactly what the Lord wants them to do.

I'm thankful that we are able to enjoy the missionaries in our home.  They have great spirits and encourage good works.  I enjoy playing games with them every once in awhile too when they have extra time.  Sister Frazier loves games.  It's fun sharing others kids like we have done with ours.

We Have a Runner!

Jared had a track meet this morning and since Larry wasn't working we decided to go to it.  It was past Smith Field so it was going to be a day long deal.  Jared was excited and anxious.  Today he was running a relay race and was the third receiver.  His race was way late in the day.  We had been there for hours. The first runner out was fast but had a terrible pass.  He practically stopped before passing the baton.  I'm not sure if it's because the second runner didn't start running or what but I do know it was terrible and put the second runner way behind the other teams.  Jared missed his pass....he took off and was out of the passing lane before he got the baton.  Larry and I felt so bad for him and we talked about learning from the experience.  Now he will know exactly what arrow to step back from and what arrows to stay between.  I made sure Jared knew that his pass wasn't the only bad one...it just wasn't a good day for the entire team!  The fourth receiver was the only one that didn't mess up. haha  It was fun watching the other events and Larry and I enjoyed ourselves.

Jared enjoys being involved in track.  He is a fast runner and for the most part only has to worry about improving himself.  He likes doing the long jump too.  He competes in different events at different meets but he enjoys it all.

Before going home, Larry went to help Kevin with the playground that Santa brought the girls.  Julie's brothers and Braxton were there helping when we got there.  Jaydan came before we left.  It was a big project and we couldn't stay long because we had a reception we needed to go to.  Larry was still a big help....they all were.  Julie text me a picture later that night and it was almost done!  If the little ones only knew all that parents go through to make their life enjoyable and fun.