Happy 90th Ruth

I love this young, enthusiastic, charming, funny, witty, smart, spiritual, loving friend of mine!  The list of adjectives could go on and on...Ruth is simply amazing.  I want to be like Ruth when I grow up which means I'd better start walking.  Ruth walks three miles every day and I've heard if she doesn't have anything to say then she sings.  Ruth is a good person.  Today in Sunday School the teacher made the comment that we all sin throughout the day and need to continually pray for forgiveness.  That bothered Ruth because she doesn't sin.  I am working on being like that.  I don't sin big but I do find myself asking forgiveness every now and then.  My constant prayers are more about "thanking" Heavenly Father for tender mercies.  Things that I notice and realize His hand was a part of it.  So instead praying constantly for forgiveness I pray constantly to thank my Heavenly Father. Hmmm....sounds a lot like Ruth!

Ruth had a big celebration at her house tonight!  There were lots of people coming and going and I know Ruth must feel the Love everyone has for her.  She is such a great example to everyone and we are blessed to know this wonderful lady.  Ruth is a Favorite of Mine!

Blessed Sunday

I love Sundays!  I love going to Church and feeling the Spirit.  I love partaking the sacrament and renewing my covenants with my Heavenly Father and starting fresh.  I love learning more about the scriptures.  I especially love that my kids come home on Sunday for dinner.  I love having my little grands run in to give me a hug.  I love that a few of the little ones love me to pick them up and hold them.  I love seeing my kids interact with each other and their cute families.  Tonight Natalie brought a plate of cookies with a cute note on it.  "If I'm going to get Fat, so are You!"  I thought it was cute and in my head I was thinking..."wow, she must of had a lot of left over cookies from the Bridal Shower she threw for her niece."  Justin had to help me out and say that Natalie's fat would be different from ours.  Immediately tears came to my eyes.  We have all been praying for another little one for their family.  Natalie changed doctors and had found out why she was miscarrying and having a hard time getting pregnant.  Those issues have been taken care of and now another miracle is happening.  I'm so excited and our next few grands will be a few weeks apart from each other.  Nat is due a few weeks after Kelsi!  Oh Happy Happy Day!  (March)  I made sure to hold the twins today since I didn't on my birthday.  I love how sweet and pure babies are.  I really love that our family keeps being blessed with littles.  I like what Larry and I started!

The Winters

We have been trying to get together with the Winters for a few months now.  Our schedules just haven't worked out until tonight.  A while back Sue text me and said that they felt like going to dinner with us at the Blue Dolphin in Kauai.  We decided that we would love to go and the timing worked out for us.  I was kind of shocked but so excited because we love vacationing with Alan and Sue.  Alan and Sue picked us up at our house even though they are now living in Centerville.  They thought driving down memory lane would be kind of fun.  We enjoyed a nice dinner at LaFerrovia and then they took us to their new house to show us where they were now living.  It's a very cute house...I love it!  Who'd of thought that our dear friends would leave Hooper?  Not I but they are happy and doing great.  I even think I could once we decide to downsize.

I can't remember talking much about Hawaii or coordinating anything.  I know we did decide to just roll with the flow and not really plan anything until we got there.  Oh, and I remember hearing that the condo we got has the worst view...no biggie...I think we had that room once before and it really doesn't matter.  Like Alan or Sue said..."the worst view in Hawaii beats the best view in Utah."  I'm excited!

Boating with the Sells

We took Shari's family out boating today.  Shari's funny and instead of asking Larry right off if we had time to take them boating she asked if they could rent our boat and have dad take them.  We laughed at that.  Dad had never been in our boat until today...not that we hadn't tried to get him out, he just would never go.  I guess having his cute daughter and her family pressure him was what he needed.  We had a really good time.

The weather has been hot and so the water is nice and you don't get cold after being in the water.  I didn't get in today since Larry and I were going out with friends later and Larry only plans on the time he needs to get ready.  I made him aware of that fact today but I still didn't get in.  I wanted everyone to have as much time as possible.  I don't mind though, I enjoy taking pictures and watching everyone else enjoy themselves.  My days of skiing have passed, my back can't take it.

The cousins had some good bonding time today.  They really did have a great time jumping off the tower, riding on the water weenie, wake boarding and knee boarding.  I think Jared might have got jipped today but he seemed okay with it.  Larry kept telling our kids that we should let their cousins have the time and we would take them out again later.  I told Larry that maybe it's fun showing off for cousins more than for parents.  I know for sure that Jared didn't get to wake board.  We had him jump in and pulled him up a few times to show Cameron how but as far as getting a ride...that didn't happen.  It all worked out though and I know that The Sell's had a good time.  Cameron likes trying everything.  Heck, Shari even got out there and rode the weenie and the whole family tried the knee board.

I watched dad and could tell that he was enjoying himself.  He laughed and smiled a lot...seriously we all did. I really enjoy boating with our family and including others when we can.

If we wouldn't have had more plans for tonight we would have stayed out longer.  I'm glad Shari wanted to take her family boating and that we were able to take them.  Good Time..Happy Memories!

Lunch With Teresa

I couldn't help but share all the selfies we took of us today.  Teresa was not happy with them and as I looked over them I laughed because we had such a hard time trying to get a good picture of us.  Why are we so critical of ourselves?  I think we listen to the whisperings of Satan too much.  I think Teresa is so beautiful!  We went to Even Steven's again because we kind of really like it. It was so yummy.

Teresa is such a caring person and would give her last dollar to a stranger if she felt like they needed it.  As we talked today I made a promise to Teresa that I hope was inspired. I promised her that she would always have enough since she always was giving and taking care of others.  Right now she is helping her grandson who tried taking his life last weekend.  The only way he survived was because of divine intervention...I am pretty sure he realizes it.  Teresa talked to him very openly and was gracious enough to give him a fresh start.  She took care of his debt that was stressing him out.  It wasn't huge but for a 20 year old it was overwhelming.

I love this friend of mine that I met only four years ago through face book.  She is such a blessing and a wonderful example to me.  I believe our friendship happened with the help of "angels".  We were meant to be friends.  Teresa noticed through face book memories that we also went to lunch last year on this same day.  I guess this day belongs to Teresa.  Oh how I love and adore her!

***Teresa gave me a bag of delicious chocolates!  She had quite a variety and when I stopped by Larry's shop on my way home I shared with everyone including some customers.  I like sharing...it makes me happy!  (I need to keep sharing since my chocolate stash in over flowing)

***I went with Larry tonight to return a tractor to Kevin's house and take back a trailer to the shop.  While we were talking Larry told me that he had mentioned to one of his employees that I was the happiest person he knew.  Having him say that made me extremely happy and it pushes me to keep it up.  I would love being remembered for being a happy person.  ☺

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!!! 

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Breakfast ~ What are three staples you always have in your fridge?  Milk, cheese, and tortillas (I could also add eggs) Pantry? Pasta, soups, canned veggies.

Lunch ~ What is one dinner you remember most from you childhood and why? My mom's fried chicken and fried pork chops.  Both of these dishes were so yummy.  My mom was a great cook.  She breaded her chicken with a homemade flour mixture and her pork chops were breaded with cracker crumbs. (I realize I don't stop at one)

Dinner ~ What is one thing you like to know about someone else? I like knowing about their families and I like knowing if they are honest or not. (see I did it again)

Midnight Snack ~ What was the best and worst thing of your week? The best thing was I turned 56! I love celebrating my birthday! I'm glad I'm where I'm at in life.  The worst thing was being so sick.....I don't like being sick and don't have much patience of being slowed down because of it. Another bad thing (oops did it again) is I received a phone call from the guy that is over camp Liberty asking me where I was.  I told him eating with my hubby for my birthday.  He said we were suppose to be at camp this weekend.  I am 100% positive he got it wrong...I would have remembered if I was suppose to be camping on my birthday.  I know without question we scheduled for August 11-13.  We scheduled before the boys and they were able to get the first part of the week.  I guess a Youth Conference group bumped us and now we don't have anywhere to go.  I did my best to just accept that news and roll with the huge punch to the gut.  We will be having a few day camps now instead so that we can still enjoy everything our wonderful camp director has planned for us.

Recipe for the Week ~ (instead of your recipe for life, what is it just for the week?) Eat Chocolate!  If you don't have any come over and I will hook you up!  Chocolate is good for the soul and makes you happy...or at least it does to me!

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It's My Birthday....My Mom told me I was "26"

Phone message from my mom: "Good Morning Dawn Marie Stone Ropelato. Today is your 26 birthday....26th birthday.....nope.....not 26 it's 56" ☺ I'm not going to lie I laughed out loud and gave the angels a high five.  Then my mom said she was going to sing me a song but she just said the words instead of singing them and actually forgot the words...she seriously made me laugh. ☺  Oh I love my mom and that was a fun way to start off my 56th Birthday.

Actually my birthday started off in the morning while I was in bed.  Larry got Kimleighel and Jared up and they came down and sang to me.  Larry and Jared had each got me a card and Larry had sent me flowers and got a cake the night before.  The cake was kind of funny too.  Larry had called and ordered it and he asked for different colored roses around the cake.  He was disappointed when he picked it up and almost traded it for one on the shelf.  His story made me laugh.

Debbie Peterson went to Ed Week in Idaho and asked me sub for her at bowling.  I decided that would be fun to do on my birthday, surrounded by beautiful, fun women and so I did.  Shirley had surprised me with balloons, a birthday centerpiece, party hats and a gift.  Carla made brownies with chocolate frosting for everyone.  They were so yummy.  I took the biggest piece and it lasted the whole time I was bowling.  Since I am born on National Milk Chocolate Day (I know, perfect day for me to be born) I took all the other teams Hershey bars with a little note on it.  I like sharing chocolate with others as much as I like enjoying it myself.  I really had a great time and felt so loved when everyone sang to me.  It sounded like a medley but really wasn't...that too made me laugh out loud! 

Carla and I stopped by my mom's before picking Robin up for lunch.  Carla enjoys my mom and I know it's because she misses hers so much.  Carla is so sweet and my mom adores her.  My brother and his girlfriend Carrie came back while we were there and Bennett gave me sweet card a little $$$.  He's so thoughtful and kind and I'm so glad he is back in our lives.  I love everything about my cute brother.  He's fixing my moms backyard up and it's looking so wonderful...he's a good guy.

Robin and Carla took me to the Greenery for lunch.  I love going there and these two gals make it really fun.  Carla spoiled me with a few nice gifts.  She told me she got me things I would like and a few things she liked.  The things she liked are the picture frame like she has and the cheese grater.  The things I would like are the bag with "make your soul happy" printed on it and a bracelet that says "positive mind, positive vibes, positive life."    I loved everything.  Robin paid for our lunches.  I love these two gals and I'm glad that we ended up being such good friends.  I'm not even sure how things fell into place the way they have but it's fun.

When I got home Kimi had a cute gift waiting for me.  Mountain Dew and two Almond Joys.  I have been craving Almond Joys lately and she just knew.  I appreciate Kimleighel so much.  Kimleighel always has my back.  If I am tending the grands and have something like "going to lunch" or "being sick" she is happy to take over.  Kimi is one who compliments me on a daily basis and is very affectionate. She makes me smile. ☺

Larry took me to dinner but I really wasn't very hungry and so chose to go to Applebees.  I knew I could have something light and Larry could fill up.  I ended up ordering a meal that Larry could enjoy for lunch the next day.  I ate the shrimp off the chicken and had a bit of chicken and a bite of the potatoes and called it good.  That's one thing about me going out so much....Larry likes my left overs.

We invited all the kids over for ice cream and cake.  I got lucky and Natalie brought the left over, homemade ice cream she had from giving her niece a bridal shower the night before.  Everyone had a good time and some even stayed until after 10:00 playing games.  Kamryn, Mya and Parker all made me cards that I will put in my memory book.  I think the parents have given up on making memory pages but I'm still hoping that I will get more over the years...because I love them. (I found 3 from Julie in my emails..woot woot)  Trichelle's family brought me a bag of some of my favorite candy bars and Natalie's family had the same idea.  They brought me a cute tote full of candy bars and different types of yummy chocolate.  I have enough chocolate to last until my next birthday.  I love the note on the tote, it say's "We Love You more than You Love Chocolate and that's a whole lot of Love."  I couldn't help but smile.  Kevin and Julie always take us out to dinner for our birthdays and we will be doing that in a few weeks. It works out that her parents birthdays are very close to ours.

I played games with the kids for a while and then I tried to reply to the birthday greeting sent to me on face book.  Every message made me smile.  I wasn't able to respond to everyone that night since it was so late.  I realized I didn't even hold the twins tonight but I did soak in there cuteness by looking at them.  I enjoyed listening to Natalie and Julie talk while the others were at the table playing games.  I love that my kids all get along so well.  I did hold my cute little girls a few times.  Jordyn loved being held tonight and a few times Macie wanted to be as well.  A few times I had them both in my arms at the same time.  It's funny when I pick one up the others cries until I am able to lift her up as well.  If Sadie would have been there (she was feverish and stayed home and we missed her and her cute mommy) I would have the three little girls in my arms again.  I think they might compete a little. ☺  I love them all and I'm glad they enjoy having me hold them.  I hope they always feel the love I have for each one of them.

So turning another year older wasn't so bad. In fact, I enjoy each new year.  I'm thankful for all of my blessings: my health, good neighbors and friends, my faith, my "gifts" which I am finally recognizing, my extended family and mostly  my wonderful family.  I am one very blessed Birthday Girl and I am constantly thanking Heavenly Father....He really does love me which means He really does love you too!

(A few of this sweet greeting was sent to me today!) 

I want to save this greeting from cute Tammy G since she took a little more time with it than I ever do.

"Happy, Happy Birthday my beautiful friend!

Dawn I hope you realize what a bright light you are and how your heart shines out and truly touches so many!  Take some time today and celebrate YOU and all of your awesomeness!!!!!  I am grateful to have you in my life, and blessed to call you my dear friend!  I hope you have the best Birthday ever....and an amazing year to come!  Mwahhhhh!!!!!!!"

***Larry asked me if I had heard from everyone that I had expected to and I replied "no."  My sister didn't contact me at all today.  One of her daughters and both of her son-in-laws did but not her. :(