Friendship....one of the best gifts!

I'm not going to lie....this week has been fun going to lunch with more of my friends to celebrate my birthday.  I feel very loved and spoiled.  I told Carla that she couldn't take me but she is persistent and talked me into it.  I wanted to go to lunch with her but didn't want her paying because she has done so much already but she won.  It was nice seeing my friend again since it's been a few weeks.  We both have new grand sons (Carla's is 2 days older) and we have both missed each other.  It's funny how you get attached to people to get to see often.  I'm glad that Carla and I see each other a few times a week because she's such a good person.  I admire her "push" and enthusiasm for things.  She decided to make a quilt a few months ago and has made over 30 now.  I saw a few that she got back from the lady that does machine quilting and oh my they are beautiful.  She reminds me of a Christmas Elf.  I'm so proud of her and all that she is accomplishing.  This girl is amazing and makes me want to be better and improve myself.  I'm so thankful for such good friends that are truly gifts from God.

Lucky Me

I didn't have to cook today which always makes me happy.  There was plenty of leftover meatloaf for the kids to have while Larry and I met the Monson's for dinner at LaFerrovia.  We haven't visited with them for over a year and so we had some catching up to do.  We stayed in the restaurant until they needed to clean up our table.  The rest of the place was clean.  We stood outside and visited some more and even watched the employee's leave.  They left smiling as they saw us still visiting.  We love Tanna and Eric and their cute family.  I'm glad that Eric and Larry set this up....we needed each other tonight.  I love our friends and the great examples they are.

Life is better when you have Good People surrounding you.

There's a Monkey in the Tree

Happy Birthday to Me....again

I'm thinking the waitress at Applebee's might think that I am taking advantage of their free birthday sundaes. ☺  Kathy and I went there today and she told them that it was my birthday but I quickly said "we are celebrating my birthday".  Not everyone knows that I kind of celebrate my birthday all year until another one comes along.

Kathy makes me laugh and I have missed her this summer.  We've both been so busy and even though Kathy called me before my birthday to try to set up a lunch date with with between both our schedules this was as soon as we could make work.  I smiled really big when Kathy picked me up and told me that she had thought about inviting another friend to join us but didn't want to share me.  She said she was being selfish but I loved it and I enjoyed our one on one time. (selfish, selfish Kathy...haha)  Kathy always finds the funniest cards that seriously make me laugh out loud.  One time she even drew me a card in church because she had forgot...that also made me laugh.  This year the card said: Remember, You're not old if you can still touch you toes....(inside) using your boobs doesn't count."   Kathy said it wasn't that funny but to me it was hilarious. ☺  Being with Kathy is always so much fun...I'm not sure why we don't hang out more. (because we both stay pretty busy that's why).  I'm so thankful for this friend...she has always been so good to me and for me!

The Kid is Back in School

Sending this kid back to School isn't as exciting for me this year.  I guess it's because my kids have got up early all summer to go to work.  There wasn't fighting, being bored or many messes which are usually the reasons that getting them back in school is nice.  Jared doesn't love school and I think he would prefer getting up and going to work than going to school and so we are counting down.  Just two more years...just two more years.

It's nice having older kids that get themselves up and ready.  I like that they are responsible.  Last year Kimi got herself up and then woke up Jared.  All summer though Jared set his alarm and got up when he needed to and plans on doing it this year for school.  Yeah!!!  Jared even had his backpack filled and ready to go without asking me anything about it.  He found a backpack in the lost and found during track and was told that he could have it because it was going to be thrown away anyway.  I'm glad my kids don't mind hand me downs or seconds....so nice!

I love my baby and have enjoyed watching him grow up.  I look forward to this year and I hope that he will have fun and learn the things he should.  Looking at these pictures make me smile....my heart isn't sad that Jared is growing up but is very happy because the journey has been good. (it will be sad in a few years when I'm not taking pictures though I'm sure.  However, like today I will just ask my kids to send me the grands first day of school pictures...those make me smile too)

Priesthood Blessings

I'm so thankful for the Priesthood of God.  I'm so thankful that my hubby and son's are worthy to act in God's name and give our families blessings.  Before Trichelle went to the hospital to have little Behrenger she came down and asked her dad for a Priesthood Blessing.  TJ and the kids were there as well and we all listened to the wonderful words and felt the spirit.  Trichelle was able to deliver her sweet baby easily and she knows it was because of the blessing....TJ knows it too. (she didn't have a blessing before delivering Zaden and there was a huge difference)  At the time we asked Zaden if he needed a blessing and he said: "Yes, but not right now."

We decided to go see Larry's mom tonight and asked her if she would like us to take her to Trichelle's so she could meet Behrenger. I was glad she wanted to because I wanted to see him again too. (they change so much from day to day for awhile) Zaden had just been asking Trichelle to call his grandpa because he wanted a blessing before going to school.  Larry gave Zaden and Jared blessings tonight for this coming school year.  In Zaden's blessing he was blessed that he would have fun and at that point Zaden laughed out loud but then was quiet for the rest of his blessing....the kid was paying attention. ☺  I'm so thankful for all blessings and love that the kids are given them when they start school each year. (a fabulous tradition)

I looked up a little more information on Priesthood blessings and want to share. ☺

In a priesthood blessing a servant of the Lord exercises the priesthood, as moved upon by the Holy Ghost, to call upon the powers of heaven for the benefit of the person being blessed.  A Priesthood blessing is a conferral of power over spiritual things.  Though it cannot be touched or weighed, it is of great significance in helping us overcome obstacles on the path to eternal life.

It is a very sacred responsibility for a Melchizedek Priesthood holder to speak for the Lord in giving a priesthood blessing.   The Lord has told us, "My word...shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." (D&C 1:38) If the priesthood holder speaks as he is moved upon by the Holy Ghost, his words are "the will of the Lord, the mind of the Lord, the word of the Lord, and the voice of the Lord" (D&C 68:4)

I'm so thankful we are blessed with the Priesthood of God in our Church.  It is real and powerful!

Back to School Night

Last week Karleen asked me if I could help at Hooper Elementary's Back to School Night.  I thought it was a wonderful idea that she was having us "older" moms help out.  I loved serving in the PTA and helping out tonight was really fun for me.  I loved seeing all the kids and their excitement.  I really loved seeing my cute grands!

I told Karleen that I would love to help out more throughout this coming year.  I think I am going to contact Freedom Elementary and let them know that I would like to help them out as well since I have three other cute grands going there this year.

The lunch room was so cute last night.  I think I might copy the fun decorations for our Opening Social with the special needs group. (I might even borrow some of these)  When I walked in I couldn't help but smile because it was so cheery and fun.  The PTA group this year are pretty awesome!