Wonderful Wednesday

 I absolutely love starting my day by going to the Temple.  Today I went with Janet and Cindy because the rest of their group couldn't make it.  The workers know me already and they are so kind and nice.  Today we needed Brother Peterson to get his robes on because we didn't have any men with us and you need a man to do sealings.  Thank goodness another guy felt impressed to do sealings today so that he could relive Brother Peterson.  As always it's wonderful listening to the promises and blessings of the ordinances in the Temple.  I feel like I am doing a good thing when I go to the Temple.  I know that it is where I need to be as often as I am able.  (I caught Janet's head in the pic)

My visiting teachers came today and they are such a joy to me.  I love giving them treats and had a few different ones today for them since our visit in January was over the phone.  Ruth and Jeanenne are some of my favorite people ever!

I haven't visited with Lorrilee for about a year and so we went to lunch today.  Lorrilee is a happy and positive gal that is fun to visit with.  I admire her a whole lot and I'm glad we were finally able to catch up and enjoy each others company for a few hours.  I swear Lorrilee doesn't age.  Neither does her cute hubby Ron.  She's 15 years older than me but no one would be able to tell that.  I learn a lot of good things from Lorr.

Ivy invited to me to her 5th grade History event.  All the kids were someone from History and had to do reports on their person and dress up like them.  Ivy was Amelia Earhart...I thought she looked cute.  All the kids introduced themselves and a few gave a brief report about their character.  They all sang songs and it was fun seeing Ivy enjoy singing.  We were the back row but it was fun because we could stand and wave and give thumbs up without anyone else seeing.  Ivy told us about Amelia when we got home and let me just say she knew a lot! Ivy is such a cutie.  I love that both kids wanted me to come over after the program...they love their gramma like their gramma loves them.

I saw my cousin, Kristi at the program.  Kristi's mom and my dad are siblings.  Kristi has twin granddaughters with pretty red hair that go to school with Ivy.  It was fun seeing her and we decided it was time to get together with our other cousins.  Again, because of social media we are connected and can make this happen.

Temple Tuesday

Today I went to the Temple twice.  I got up and met Kathy and Lisa there early so that we could go through a session together and then have our day to do other things.  We met early so that we could make the 9:00 session and even though the traffic was busier than any of us planned we were all plenty early and had time to relax before going to the session.  (we all thought we were going to be late...we really missed Jodi too....she didn't have a car today)  The session was nice as always.  I love listening and learning new things.  It was fun wonderful being there with friends.

We decided to go to Kneaders after for a quick meal.  Lisa and Kathy were both going visiting teaching and needed to get home.  I needed to stop by the store before heading home.  So we chose Kneaders because it is fast.  I really enjoyed seeing Lisa since I haven't for so long.  We tried catching up quickly and I think we skimmed the surface of some of the most recent things happening.

I hadn't been home long before Larry got home.  He showered and we went to the Temple again.  Since I had already done a session and we really only have one more family name to take and because there was a sign at the front desk saying they needed people to help with Sealings we went there.  It was nice and I felt "extra" people in the room a few times.  I love knowing that we are not alone and others are around us more than we know.  My friends dad was the Sealer and so he kept stopping and asking me questions that took me back in time and down memory lane.  I'm not sure how that was for the others in the room but for me it was wonderful.  I love going to the Temple and I love going to the Temple with Larry.

Larry took the kids out for dinner and I met Tonya for dinner.  We needed to talk and see each other since it doesn't happen often enough.  Tonya wasn't feeling well.  I swear the inversion made a lot of people sick and I'm glad it's gone.  I love Tonya.  I love having her be a part of my journey through life.  She always seems to say the right things.  I was thinking how cool it really is that each of us are blessed to be God's instrument when He needs us.  Friends are so refreshing and important in this life and the next!  I have some of the very best!

A Peaceful Day

I got to have Parker and Macie over to play today so that Natalie could go on a Field Trip with Mya.  Poor little Macie has been pretty sick with bronchitis but was happy to come and play.  We watched cartoons and snuggled.  Parker had fun playing on my I Pad...they only get to when they are the only ones here.  It was nice having them over and we just chilled.

Natalie was back when I got back from taking Parker to School.  She stayed and talked while Macie fell asleep in my arms.  Natalie and I had a good chat about balancing life...or at least trying to.  We talked about the struggles we all get and how we are constantly adjusting our lives to handle what we have to.

Life isn't easy that is for sure but it can be pretty wonderful when we focus on what's important and adjust so that the most important things get our attention.

I love Natalie as well as my other "kids in luv".  I think I have a pretty good relationship with them all.  I hope that they will always trust me if they need to talk.  Now, I'm trusting in the power of prayer and the knowledge of doctors to get everyone better!

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.