Saturday is a Busy Day

Not all Saturdays are as packed and busy as today was...thank goodness.  We usually start the day off with a basketball game and piano lessons but today we had forgot about piano lessons and Jared went to work.  Natalie wasn't feeling very good and text us to say we would wait...whew! (we forget a lot)

Durk and Robin Bailey celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary and their kids planned a great party for them.  We knew about this for weeks and were excited to attend.  I really felt special because the kids mentioned a few times that the people invited were their dearest friends.  Durk and Robin are wonderful people and neighbors.  When we first met they volunteered to stay with our five kids so we could go to Italy.  Robin is one of the kindest people I know.  She's an "Angel" on Earth.  Robin and Durk have style.  They are funny how they handle things some times.  Robin has taught me so much over the years and I am a better person because of her.  I admire her so much.  She is just so kind and is always serving others.  Durk and Robin get credit for the way my kids turned out.  They let them come to their house to play and both taught them valuable things.  Robin taught a few of my kids how to tie shoes, how to make rolls and even pies.  I know she taught them more and was always nice to let them come and play.  Even my grands ask if they can go to Robin's to play.

I enjoyed hearing the things Corrie, Bill and Jameal shared about their parents.  The video they made was really cute.  It was fun watching Durk and Robin grow up.  As I watched  it was fun to see that a few of their grand kids take after them.  It was a great celebration.  It was held at the Maddox Lodge.  I love Durk and Robin and their cute family!

While we were at the Anniversary Party, Lori Brinkerhoff's kids were throwing her a surprise party since she is now 50.  At about the same time Tammy Nye was having a baby shower for her daughter, Stephanie who is expecting their first.  I ran over a gift since I couldn't make it.

 As soon as we got home from Durk and Robin's we had enough time to pick up Jared and Kimleighel and go to Sadie's birthday party.  It's fun going into that cute house that started out as Trichelle's.  (Trichelle still owns it)  It's fun having family fill it again to love and support each other.  Sadie was playing on the floor when I walked in and she wanted me to hold her.  That simple little act just lights up my heart. The house continued to fill as more cousins came.  I feel bad that Kelsi's parents and sister weren't in any of my pictures...I only got Kelsi's grandma.  Kelsi has a great family and I really love them all.  All my kids married into good families.

Everything looked so cute.  I really liked that Kelsi put up Sadie's cute pictures she has done at Day Care.  Cute little hand and feet print pictures.  Her little prints are so small and cute.  Braxton decorated Sadie's cake that she got to dig into.  He did a great job and again I had a proud moment.  My boys are talented!  Sadie was careful with her cake and it took her awhile to really get much of it but by the end she had it picked up and was eating it.  She actually ended up sitting on it. ☺  What a cutie!  I love Sadie and it was fun celebrating her year of life with her.

Braxton made Sadie a cute airplane.  It has brackets on the wings so it can be hung.  Braxton is a talented and creative kid that isn't afraid to try anything.  I love seeing all that my kids do...they are pretty awesome!

Behrenger enjoyed his cupcake while Sadie enjoyed her cake!

Kent Widdison

Sadie came to play again today so that her mommy and daddy could go to the Temple.  I had forgot to put it on the calendar and was kind of embarrassed that I hadn't remembered even when Kelsi said something about it Thursday morning. (I thought Kimi was watching her again)  I did remember once we started talking about it.  I had planned on watching Sadie and then going to lunch with my Hooper Honey's.  We had a change of plans though after Kent Widdison passed away.

Kent passed away on Valentines Day after fighting cancer for nine years.  We all knew his time was limited.  On Fast Sunday, Dale Widdison had shared with our ward that he had gone to Kents and gave him a blessing to release him from this world.  Kent waited two more weeks before taking that step.  Kent was a great man with a great family.  It was mentioned over and over again how smart he was even though "he forgot" to attend school.  He was known for wearing Sun Glasses to church.  He said it was so people couldn't see him cry. One of his sons said maybe it was also so no one could tell if he went to sleep.  The family had a darling picture of Kent and his twelve grand kids all wearing sunglasses.

I think this picture might have been taken one of the last times Kent came to church.  I remember Kent sharing his testimony just a few months ago.  I also remembering standing by Kent's hospital bed a few years ago as I watched the Bishop Ropelato give Kent a Priesthood Blessing.  Kent was a fighter and kept fighting for years.  He was a happy man with a strong testimony.  I'm glad I knew him. 

To show my appreciation to Kimleighel for taking such good care of my grands and having my back so I could go to Kent's Funeral, I took her to lunch and then shopping.  Kimi is so good and has chosen to let go of her friends since they are on a different path than her.  She doesn't really like being home so much and would really enjoy going out with friends but she really wants to do what is right and her friends pull her the other way.  Kimleighel is radiant and her countenance is so good.  She is happy more than she isn't and portrays happy even if she's sad.  She asked if anyone wanted to hang out on Friday and two of her sister in luvs replied and invited her to join them in their plans.  That made Kimleighel so happy.  We talked about how family should be the ones always there for us and how ours always is.  We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family. I had fun shopping with Kimi even though shopping isn't really my thing.   We made plans to shop together again on her birthday....that's what she wants to do and so I will.

Good/Bad/Good

Today started and ended great but the middle was a little rough.  Sadie Lou came to play with Kimi.  I love that Sadie likes this gramma and always reaches for me.  It just warms my soul.  It was fun seeing her and holding her for a bit before I went bowling.

I bowled really good my first game and then Julie called.  Julie had just got back the results of her 3-D ultrasound and the doctor had just called her to let her know that their baby girl has water on her brain.  Any kind of unexpected news is hard and this was not what any of us wanted to hear.  My heart went out to Kevin and Julie...it broke a little because I knew their's were breaking a little.  Julie is so wonderful and tried to be positive...it might not be too bad, we can handle and do hard things, our families are so supportive and everything will be okay.  She's right everything will be okay but that doesn't take away the hurt or disappointment.  I struggled my second game because my eyes kept leaking even though I was trying to be positive.  I really do know that things happen for several reasons.  I know that miracles still happen and maybe we will get one.  I also know that God has a plan for each of us and some times a miracle isn't part of that plan.  (I really want the miracle)

I am not one to keep things to myself.  I need the love and support of family and friends.  Once Julie sent a text to each of us I shared the news with my team.  Later I let a few other friends know what was happening asking for their prayers.  I know God hears and answers prayers.  Even if we don't get our miracle we will be blessed by the prayers.

The Special Needs group put on a Fireside Tonight and it was fabulous.  The spirit was so strong and I felt so much peace.  I love this group of people.  I was so impressed with the talks they shared and the music.  It was such a great program that us leaders want it to be an annual event.  My heart was filled with joy as I drove home.  I was so pleased that Braxton, Kelsi and Sadie came to the meeting too.  They came to support me since I always support them.  It was so thoughtful and I really appreciated them for taking the time.

The intensity of my prayers increased today.  Isn't that how it goes?  I pray all the time but not all my prayers are as intense as they are right now.  We want things to turn out a certain way...but we trust in our Father and will accept His way.

Women's Club

 A few weeks ago Ann asked me if I would speak to her Hooper Women's Club about Jared's book and experience.  I told her that I'd be honored to do so.  I wasn't nervous at all which is quite unlike me.  I think I must be being blessed.  I was asked to take 30-40 minutes and when I noticed the time was up everyone said to keep going.  So, I shared more experiences that happened because Jared took the wrong path first.  Jared's adventure triggered more stories and experiences for many more people.

There really is so much more that happened than just having a lost boy scout.  Testimonies were strengthened, prayers were answered, and miracles happened.  I am grateful that I had the opportunity to share some of those experiences with women that I admire and look up to.

Ann's introduction was so sweet and wonderful.  She sure made me feel like I am doing something right.

Fun Bunch Lunch

 I have more pictures with this group of ladies than any other group.  It's because we look for "kodak moments" or maybe we just create "kodak moments".  The Hooper Honey's don't mind getting pictures either which I think is fun.  I like having all these crazy fun pictures because it helps me remember all the fun we have....and we DO have a lot of fun!

Jodi and I had talked about going to lunch this day but we had forgot to make up an invite and so Jodi just posted a message about it.  We had as good (or better) turn out than we normally get.  We went to the Greenery.

Kathy noticed that it was National Random Act of Kindness Day and so she brought us all a few treats to give away if we wanted to.  I gave mine away as we were leaving the table.  Mandy Allen and Morgan Toomer were there eating and Mandy was excited to see me. (she is special needs and went to camp with us once)  Morgan is Mallory's daughter in luv and was taking her sis to lunch.  I figured they would love a treat.  They were very happy to get a treat. Carla preferred keeping her treats and decided to pay for my lunch as her act of kindness. (what a sweetie)

I didn't realize that it was National Random Acts of Kindness Day but did a random act of kindness on my way to pick up Carla and Kathy.  I noticed a stalled car off the side of the road with the hood up.  I stopped and turned my car around and tried "jumping" the lady but my jump didn't work.  I was glad that I had taken the time to try though especially when I found out what day it was. We should be kind every day though because being kind is being like Jesus. ☺

My battery was charged today by my fun friends.  All my friends make my life brighter and happier.

Temple~Good Morning

Last month at the Daughter of Utah Pioneers club, Lisea Allen invited me to join her and a group of friends who attend the Temple every Wednesday morning to do sealings.  I went last week too and am planning on going every Wednesday.  We are done early enough that it doesn't interfere with the day.  I love going to the Temple and figure I can use all the blessings I can get.  I know those on the other side of the veil are with us and help us and I need to do my part as well.

Sealings are nice because they are a bit more informal and we can chat a little.  I also like that we can move around.  I love hearing the promises and blessings too.  I love feeling the spirit and knowing that there are angels among us.

I'm so glad that Lisea invited me to join her and the others.  My days are just better when I start them at the temple.

Tuesday with Larry

I actually started the day by taking my friend to the doctor. Susan had surgery on her shoulder and needed a ride to the doctor.  I was thrilled that I was able to help her.  Both her girls are in Hawaii and her other kids and siblings had things.  I was glad.  I know it was hard for Susan to ask for help and she kept apologizing to me for taking up my time.  I asked her if she liked helping people and she smiled and I said "Me Too!".  I loved the time we had.  I loved visiting with Susan.  Susan is such a great friend and person.  I'm so glad that today I was able to serve her.  

Larry has been sick with a cough so we didn't think it was a great idea to go to the Temple.  Besides, Larry made us both appointments at the Dentist to have a cleaning.  It's been three years since either of us had one. (oops)  I guess our insurance actually pays for cleanings now and so maybe I won't be such a slacker about going.  I found out why my bottom teeth are turning grey....they have cavities.  I have a bar/retainer behind my bottom teeth which makes it hard to floss and that's where the cavities are.  I'm just glad that my teeth can be fixed and that they really aren't just rotting away.  I have decided that I will ask Nate (our dentist and nephew) to take the bar off.  I think I will go have a plastic retainer made to wear at night instead.  I think it will make a huge difference.

After the dentist we went to Red Lobster because we had a gift card.  It was yummy and it was fun being with my cute hubby.  I only ate part of the coconut shrimp I ordered and so Larry had lunch for the next day.  Now a days I can only eat about half  of my meals which is nice because Larry does love the left overs.  I just think I should be getting thinner since I am consuming less calories...oh well.