Saturday is a Busy Day

Kimleighel had an Orchestra Ensemble at Northridge High School bright and early.  She loves Orchestra and I love hearing her play with the others.  Music is born in Kimleighel....she gets it and is good.  As I watched her today I thought man...Kimi is pretty good and has only learned from being in the school orchestra's.  She doesn't have her own Cello and so she doesn't practice a lot because the bus driver won't let her bring the Cello on the bus.  I thought if she had lessons and had a Cello to practice with how good she will be.  We are going to get her a Cello and she is going to take lesson's after she graduates and has more time.  She's gifted in this area of life!

We came home to cute Sadie and I enjoyed her for a minute before I had to take Jared to Larry's shop so that he could work.  Kimi got to enjoy her after that.

On my way home from the shop I stopped to watch Kamryn play soccer.  I got there just before half and it was fun watching her and Kevin (he coaches) and talking to Julie and Jordyn.  Jordyn was so tired and ended up falling asleep soon after I got there.

Larry made plans to take the Sisters out to lunch since Sister Hansen had a box she needed him to send home for her.  (I really had a conference in Brigham City that I wanted to go to but with every thing going on I didn't get to go)  The sisters chose to go to Hug Hes.  I was excited to find out that there is a Hug Hes right in Syracuse now.  I love Hug Hes even though my favorite salad gives me a tummy ache.  (I didn't order it today)  I even had the waiter take our picture and he took two and I'm not sure what happened to them because they weren't on my camera card but I know I saw them after he took them.  Oh well...I made this up with the two sisters.  I know Larry has a picture of him and Sister Hansen because I took a few on his phone when we were leaving.  Sister Hansen is Larry's favorite!

Sister Frazier and Sister Tulley had text Larry while we were gone because Sister Tulley wanted another blessing.  I thought it was kind of funny since she didn't want one the other night but got one anyway.  Maybe she wasn't listening when she got her last one.  We hurried home and the Sisters were already there.  Before we made it in our house the Hospital called and said that Sandy was unresponsive.  I was heart broken.  Even knowing that death is a good thing and the one leaving is going to be so blessed and made whole it is hard.  Sister Frazier sat by me to comfort me and Larry gave Sister Tulley another blessing.  Then we left them and went to the Hospital.

Sandy did respond to Larry and seemed okay....as okay as possible.  We knew Jim had arrived in SLC but Larry hadn't been able to get in touch with him yet.  We just kept praying that Sandy would hang on until Jim came. The nursers weren't sure that she would.  She did though.  She is strong and she is a fighter and she is still hanging on.

It has been interesting listening to the few things Sandy has said these past few days.  She always pleads for someone to "please help me".  She told us one day that she was going to die and she couldn't do this anymore.  Larry asked her if she was ready to go home and she said she was although she hadn't accepted everything yet.  Larry asked her if her parents had been there and she said that she wasn't dead yet.  So we have laughed and cried and said lots of prayers for her.  Larry is quick when she goes off in her troubled mind to other places...he just rolls with her.  I have a hard time escaping reality and the present.  I just sit back and enjoy watching my hubby visit with his friend.

Jim is undergoing Chemo to try to add a few more years to his life.  He was scheduled to have heart surgery Friday until he heard about Sandy's condition.  Jim made a few comments that made me realize blessed we are to have each other.  He told us how much he misses his wife.  Sandy has been in a nursing home for a few years.  He notices couples now all the time and even mentioned how he envied us holding hands as we left.  My heart breaks for Jim and the decisions he has right now.  He's going to take Sandy off the machines and meds and let her go.  His daughters confirmed that decision.  They know it's going to happen and so why not just let it.  I'm thankful for their friendship and the happy memories I have of them over the years as they did our taxes and were healthy.  God Bless Jim and Sandy! ♥

Hats

Life is all about hats. As a mom I have tried on and worn many hats. Some hats get more use than others at different times along our journey. Lately my taxi hat has been pulled out and I'm getting a lot of use from it. I am putting quite a few miles on my car each week picking up kids and making sure everyone is where they need to be. The gas gauge moves noticeably quicker lately. I had a neighbor once tell me that he wished he had a dollar for every time I drove up and down my road. 😄 I wish I did too.....I'd be rich!

I'm glad that I have so many hats. I have learned a lot with each hat. I am thankful that I am able to get my kids and grands where they need to be. I love my "job" and all the hats it requires. Right now I'm glad for my taxi hat even though it is worn it still has lots of use left in it. I'm thankful for my nice taxi that is dependable and comfortable....and I am thankful for the people I get to pick up and drive around.  They are the biggest blessings of my life!

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 to JOIN IN!!! 

Food 4 Thought Friday ~ This week's questions: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ 
   
Breakfast ~ Where do you most want to travel, but have never been? I am kind of interested in going to Japan or China.  I probably wouldn't even like those places though because of all the people...I really like open spaces and my space...however I love people watching so.....☺

Lunch ~  Metaphorically speaking, what is the most important tool in your tool box? Kindness immediately came to my mind.  Kindness isn't hard and it makes such positive influence on everyone.

Dinner ~ If you could be anybody besides yourself for one day who would you be? This is hard...I really can't think of anyone.  There are a few people I think would be fun to meet...Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock, Jimmy Fallon, Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres.  So maybe for a day it  might be fun to be one of them! Or possible a Broadway Singer and Dancer......***After thinking for awhile really think I would like to be the Prophet for just a day...the day he goes to the Holy of Holy's room and visits with God. ♥

Midnight Snack ~ Name something nice someone did for you today and something nice you did for someone else.  I was with Carla and so it was her that brought our bowling team little candles just because.  Carla also made some cookies and sent me home with a few. They were yummy.  I gave Carla a pizza since we just had a few delivered that we had bought from some friends.  I also showed the friend that delivered our pizza where another person lived.  I had to drive separately and have her follow because her car was full of pizza's. I helped Virginia put away all her "palm trees" after SNAP.  I gave Nikki a ride home from SNAP. I tipped the gal that makes our lunches at bowling today since I will be gone next week. ($20 because she is wonderful)

Recipe of the Week ~ (instead of your recipe for life what is it just for the week?)  Be Kind!  Be Kind to Yourself and those around you!  Kindness Really Does Matter! Also after a little extra thinking I am going to add another little recipe for just this week~Snot Happens....do what you can to get rid of it and carry on!  For a week I have been congested and coughing and hacking and blowing and wiping away tears from all the coughing, hacking and blowing.  And I thought....sometimes "snot" happens.  Sometimes our kids are snots.  Sometimes we are snots.  Sometimes are friends or strangers are snots.  We need to do what we can to get rid of the "snot" in our lives.  I have been taking decongestants and praying a lot.  Not allowing others to "snot" on us and affect us shows respect for ourselves.  My son stood up to someone that was giving him "snot" and being a super "snot" and I was proud of my son.  We need to stand up for ourselves and carry on.  Which takes us right back to my first recipe for the week....Be Kind...Kindness Matters!

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ 

Aloha

SNAP was fun tonight. A gal came and taught us about the hula and other dancing. We had so many volunteers when she asked who would read something or who wanted to try an instrument. Everyone was taught a hula dance and from what I could see everyone enjoyed it. Virginia brought a cute treat....flip flop cookies. SNAP is a lot of fun and so rewarding! 💕

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.♥