Monday

Christmas Card and Family Letter


Hello Family and Friends,

Wow...does the time fly by or what?  I'm not complaining though because there is so much good that continues to happen.  We are truly blessed as a family.  I love this time of the year to reconnect with loved ones and focus more on our Savior, Jesus Christ...it really is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! 

Well nothing too much has changed for Larry or I.  We still have the same callings as last year and are wearing the same clothes. (whew) We don't have any new hips, knees or teeth so I'd say we are great.

Trichelle and TJ sold their little rental in Ogden and Trichelle is working part  time from home.  Their kids; Ivy, Zaden and Behrenger are getting big and learning lots all the time.  Behr was our earliest to walk and was popping up off the floor and cruising around before his first birthday. Ivy and Zaden are doing well and Zaden can now talk to Ivy in Spanish if he wants because he knows how.

Justin and Natalie are still really wanting to build by us but for some reason they are where they are suppose to be for now. (Roy)  Their little's are doing great.  Mya was baptized and Parker is in school all day which means Macie gets all the attention and pretty much loves that.  (I forget she's only two)

Kevin and Julie built a new home in Hooper and became the proud parents of twins in May.  Kamryn and Jordyn adore their little siblings, Brynlie and Briggs.  They are both really great big sisters.  The babies are doing great and growing perfectly. Kam was baptized and for their Wards Primary Program she gave her part in Spanish.

Braxton and Kelsi stay busy chasing their cute little Sadie around.  Sadie is learning so much right now and is getting ready to be a big sister in March.  A little guy will be joining their cute family. ☺

Jaydan is on his own and living in Roy.  He is really into Crossfit.  He works for Larry part of the time and gives massages the other part of the week. He is still single and looking. (I bet he'll love me for adding that)

Kimleighel is now a lunch lady at the Jr. High and is loving it.  She recently cut her hair into a cute pixie style and looks cute no matter how long her hair is.  She still helps with the little ones when she can.

Jared is a Senior and will be able to start his mission papers soon.  He's a big help to Larry with absolutely everything.  He feeds the cows and works at the shop after school when needed.

We enjoy our time together with the family.  We try to make opportunities for togetherness as often as possible.  Our family is blessed!  We are thankful for You and glad that You are in our lives.

We pray that you will be blessed this upcoming year and that many wonderful blessings will come your way.

Merrry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Love, The Ropelato's

Thursday

Thanksgiving

I love having friends and family together to celebrate Thanksgiving.  We were missing a few of our kids this year.  They are always missed but I don't mind sharing.  We were happy to have Scott and Erin's family join us this year as well as Carla, Roger and my mom.  Larry's mom came just in time for a group picture and was able to stay and visit for quite awhile.  Her and Clark prefer going out for Thanksgiving Dinner....it's easier for Clark.  Everyone enjoyed a wonderful meal, football and visiting.  The girls played games and the babies were never left a lone.   I love watching Mallory, Hayley and even Brittney love on Brynlie and Briggs.  They love babies and are so cute with them.  I was just like them.  I have always loved babies.

Larry's football team won their game.  The Lions were behind in the 4th quarter like they have been all year and came back to win.  They have been famous for coming back in the fourth quarter which is a good thing if you are a Lions fan.

I thought today was relaxing and nice.  I started preparing in the morning but was able to take breaks in between.  I didn't feel pressured or stressed.  Everyone brought yummy dishes to share and we had plenty of pie to choose from.  I always wish I had the ability to eat like I did when I was a kid on Thanksgiving.  I get so full so quickly these days but I still manage to at least sample a few different pies.

Everyone helped clean up and so everything turned out perfect.  Our Family is Very Blessed!

Wednesday

Grateful

Today I was invited to share a Thanksgiving Dinner with Kevin's cute little ones.  I thought I would make it but wasn't able to.  I sent Ivy in my place with Gramps.  I was having my eyebrows touched up at Trichelle's along with her and Debbie.  I went last and so we hadn't even started mine by the time the lunch was being served.  I'm glad they took a picture and sent lunch home for Larry.  I am thankful I was able to get my eyebrows touched up and that she used a lighter color this time.
Sadie was still at our house because Kelsi had to work and Kimi and Jared were tending her.  I was so glad that she was still there because she lights up my life. Sadie is so cute and happy.  We all thought it was a short day for Kelsi because we didn't take time to really think about what day it was and so instead of putting Sadie down when she was starting to get tired we went outside and played.  Sadie and I wiggled around the driveway while Ivy scooted on the scooter.  It was kind of cold and I think it was while we were out there that it hit me, it was a regular day for Kelsi.  I asked Sadie if she would like to go Nigh Night and she did.  She wasn't as sure when I actually put her down but I knew she was tired and so I let her fuss for a minute.  I let her know it was alright and soon she was sleeping. She was a happy girl again when her mommy picked her up.  I'm thankful for grands and their cute parents.

Monday

Gratitude Tea

We had a Gratitude Tea Party at Carla's today and it was fun.  We all brought a treat to share and as we enjoyed our hot chocolate and Russian tea (wassail) we shared our gratitude with each other.  It's cool to share gratitude and it always reminds us that there is so much more to be grateful for. Saying or writing the things we are grateful for is kind of powerful and more thoughts of gratitude always appear.

I shared some of the experiences I had at limitless and we did the Angel Walk.  We took turns closing our eyes and walking down the little line of friends and listening to each other whisper our individual strengths in our ears. I think this is a great activity.  It just makes you feel good to have your greatness acknowledged.  It even makes you start to believe in yourself.  It's just awesome!  I'm going to write down what I remember and put it in the little book that Carla and I got for everyone.  We just got a folder and put plastic sleeves in them so we have a place to save the fun that we have together.  I made a picture collage to slip in the front.  I'm going to put the letter that everyone wrote on last year in it too.
I love November and how so many people focus on their blessings.  I think it's the perfect way to prepare for Christmas.
When everyone left the Gratitude Party, Carla and I stuffed the pillows that we are giving the girls at Special Needs for Christmas.  We stuffed them and sewed them up and got them bagged and ready to take on Dec. 1.  I feel a relief!

Saturday

Catch Me If You Can

When I got home from Limitless Larry had a Big Kiss waiting for me!  His work party was on Thursday and instead of driving back and forth from Provo I just stayed where I was and missed the party.  Everyone that came to the party with an employee got a big chocolate of some kind.  I love the Kiss and was happy that it was saved for me.  Larry ordered them from Hershey's and so I know they are fresh!
Tonight we had a play and it was Catch Me if You Can!  Such a cute musical.  I really like the movie too and am impressed that someone could get away with all the things that Frank Abagnale Jr did.  The guy was smart and fooled so many people.

I loved spending time with Barbie and the other gals.  I enjoy our visits and just spending time with them.  I told them a lot about Limitless.  We shared a lot with each other and it was a great way to end an awesome week.

Limitless Conference

I had the opportunity to go to Limitless with Kimleighel.  I knew it would be wonderful and awesome because Kimleighel, Trichelle and Jared all have enjoyed attending.  I knew it would be something that I believe in and I was not disappointed.  For three full days we learned to acknowledge our beliefs that are limiting our progress.  Every single speaker helped someone with a break through.  It was that same process no matter the topic.  After listening to speakers and doing interactive activities throughout the day we had the opportunity to break through a few of our limiting beliefs by breaking through a board with our bare hands, by walking on glass in our bare feet and by breaking an arrow held by our neck and leader and walking towards are leader until it broke.  These were all amazing and I felt a burden lifted after each activity.  Each time we identified a limiting belief and manifested our new belief with conviction and then just did it.  I had a harder time with the arrow and I know it was because I could have been more convicted in my new belief.  I should have worded it differently.  The wording makes such a difference.  How we talk puts beliefs in our minds and so if we can consciously speak more positively our lives would just be better.  

Some people are questionable about these kind of seminars.  Now that I have been to this one I can honestly say it is good.  No one promises that "they" can cure or change you.  This seminar helps the individual learn how to help themselves.  Yes, it's a business and you pay for the training but you pay to go to school where you also learn.  You pay for other seminars that just tell you how to improve your life.  The church offers Ed Week and Time Out for Women and you pay.  This is a business for Chris Crone and he is wealthy but he is not caught up in himself.  I truly got the impression that he cares about others and is simply sharing his knowledge and learning with others.  I felt angels around us every single day.  I felt the spirit of Christ...this is a good program.  This group is unconditional and accepts and loves everyone.  I could feel the powerful love every single day and it was awesome.
I fell in love with some of the staff.  They are genuine, kind and compassionate. I would love spending more time with them and the rest of the group choosing honor and positive things all day long.

Everyone had the opportunity to work with an "angel" for a personal break through.  I wasn't going to but I had something surface and decided that since I was here I would accept the help offered.  I had an amazing experience.  I know who I can trust and who has my best interest at heart.  My subconscious showed me and let me hear their words.  One was my daddy.  I know that he took a little time out from what he was doing and joined the other angel and guided the words for my angel session.  I could hear my sweet daddy talking to me and reassuring me of his unconditional love for me.  Me, daddy's little princess!
 Each day we shared with strangers.  We looked into a strangers eyes and told them the greatness we saw in them and they in return told us. (I shed a few tears) This was another activity I could truly feel the presence of the Holy Ghost.  I don't know these people at all but I was able to identify their greatness and the same was reciprocated.  One day it was the opposite.  We were blindfolded and had a partner and we each shared the greatness we saw in ourselves and our partners told us the greatness they heard and felt.  It was remarkable.  One more activity that was similar was called the "Angel Walk".  We gathered in groups...again with strangers.  Not the tribes we had selected to have breakthroughs with but different people we did not know.  We lined up in two lines facing each other.  We took turns closing our eyes and walking down between the people leaning our head from side to side while the ones on the side whispered a message to us.  It was amazing that different thoughts came to my mind about each individual.  Kimi has been uncomfortable in the past with this because she wasn't sure what to share.  This time if a thought didn't come to her mind she just reached in and gave that person a hug.  I think hugs have a language of their own and are powerful and mean a lot.  I know I loved the hug she gave to me with her words of love.  I know that God was speaking to me through these strangers and friends. I could feel it and I know.
The days started at 9:00 am and ended around 9:00 pm but it didn't seem long. We had breaks for lunch and dinner but I never felt hungry.  I loved all the information I was receiving.
 Kimleighel had the opportunity to join a leader on the stage.  It was the best thing for her.  Her confidence jumped and even flipped.  Her countenance changed and sparks of the real Kimleighel burst out.  I was thrilled that she was seen and acknowledged...she was too!  Kimi went up when they had a Representative from each personality type join the stage. Kimi is a Warrior.  She knows what she wants and will find a way to get it.  I am a visionary and love to have fun.  It was funny when he asked us who the visionaries were and we all cheered and whooped it up. ☺  The other two types are Healers and Oracles.  We all have some of each personality type in us but some are stronger.  My healer side is very close to my visionary side.  Healers are more quiet, reserved people that care about others.  The Oracles are about numbers and getting things done.  They are the ones we thank for our electronics.
 All the speakers were great and gave us steps that were easy and simple to improve are life and break through our limiting beliefs.  We had a little lesson on meditation that was very relaxing to mind, body and soul.  We had a few talks on money and $100,000.00 was brought up on the stage twice.  Once he had people up on the stage and gave them each a bundle of money and asked each one how they felt about it.  There wasn't one who said what I would have.  I would have said I love money and money makes me happy.  Depending on their responses they were either able to take the money or the money was taken from them and redistributed.  One gal who felt "guilty" had money piles up to her neck.  I was very tempted to go help her hold all that money.  I really, really wanted to but knew I would embarrass Kimleighel so I stayed seated.  I know I will be blessed with money and then I will bless others.  I can't keep the smile off my face as I even type this.  I LOVE MONEY.  One gal got to go sit in a pool with all that money and touch it and then she was able to throw it in the air like confetti.  Over and over she threw it up letting it fall back down all around her.  I think money will be finding it's way to her.  I talked to her a few times after her experience.  I felt connected to her from her experience.

One exercise was having four small girls lift a big guy named Kevin (we shared a greatness I see in your experience)off his chair by using only four fingers each.  Each gal broke through a limiting thought first and Kevin was asked to think "light, positive" thoughts.  (Helium)  Before the breakthroughs the girls tried lifting Kevin and didn't make him move at all.  After the breakthroughs and his positive thinking he was lifted right out of the chair.
When we were in our families, or tribes we had an activity where we were given stickers.  We each wrote something about each person on a sticker and put the sticker on them.  This reminded me of Sneetches from Dr. Seuss.  We all had stickers on us declaring our greatness. These are the words from my stickers that I found on me: Fun, Loving, Glorious Brightness. Humble & Joyful & Charismatic. A mother to everyone you meet, loving. Loving, Wise, Kind and Beautiful. Caring, Patience. Sacrifice for the love of family. Caring, A Mother, Loving. Caring. A beacon of light and love for everyone.

We danced and shouted and repeated positive affirmations.  We were silly and had fun and I loved it.  Those are not the things Larry would love.  But those are the things that brought energy into the room quickly.  Larry would enjoy the speakers though and the conservative things.  The great thing about this conference is you are never expected to do something that makes you uncomfortable.  There is no judgement...only love and acceptance.

Oh and One More Thing.......I.....AM......LIMITLESS!!!!!


Friday

Food 4 Thought Friday

Food 4 Thought Friday! 

A little feast without the calories!! 

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 JUST ONE THING
Breakfast ~ Describe your week in one word. Uplifting

Lunch ~ What one thing can always put you in a good mood? a baby
What one thing can always put you in a bad mood? another bad mood

Dinner ~ What is one thing that must be on your Thanksgiving menu? Homemade Rolls....I love rolls, especially homemade

Midnight Snack ~ Name one of your Thanksgiving traditions. My favorite Thanksgiving Tradition has ended but it was taking the kids to Sherwood Hills with the Coy Family! 
  
Recipe for the Week ~ (instead of your recipe for life, what is it just for the week?)
Think Positive Thoughts and Tell Yourself Positive Affirmations Every Day!

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