Dinner at Carla's

Carla and Roger couldn't be nicer if they tried.  Carla loves having people over for parties and dinner and that is one way that she shows her love to others.  Even though I had the kids we decided that tonight was the only time we really could get together.  Actually Ivy and Zaden went with their dads and so it was just Behr that we were leaving.  Kimi loves watching him and so it worked out great.  Carla also invited Barbie and Scott.  Carla met Barbie through Special Needs and our camp and really likes her now.  Roger met Scott at our camp too because all our wonderful men helped out.

Carla prepared a yummy dinner and then we played 5 Crowns.  Larry won I think (maybe Roger) and I was happy that he had good hands.  I think he gets frustrated when he looses.  It was such a nice night and we all had a great time.  Carla had gifts for me and Barbie and I tucked a gift for her under her tree.  I gave Barbie hers as we were leaving.

One of the things that makes this time of year so wonderful is that we do take the time to be with those we love.  I love my friends and I'm glad that my friends become friends with each other.

Bowling and Book Club

Today at Bowling we celebrated Shirley's birthday that is happening soon.  This woman is amazing.  She is gentle, funny and so very thoughtful.  Shirley loves making things for everyone.  She is always coming up with some cute gift to give away.  It's been so much fun for me to get to know her over the last few years.  She is a great friend and I have learned some positive things from her.  I made a chocolate sheet cake to share with everyone.  Debbie, Carla and I all brought her gifts because she just deserves to be spoiled. (usually we all go in on one)  I got her some cute ear rings.

I made two cakes while I was baking because I also needed to take dessert to book club.  Our Christmas Party was right after bowling. I love Book Club and I really enjoy our Christmas Party.

We always exchange white elephant gifts and have such a good time doing it.  This year we passed gifts around as a story was read that had the words "right" and "left" in it.  When the story was over you got to keep the gift you were holding.  Kathy had told me earlier in the week that she hoped that I would get her gift.  Funny, but that is the gift I ended up holding.  I laughed so hard when I opened it.  It was a picture of me and Larry that I had given in 2011.  I got it back with a pair of monster slippers. I had given out pictures of Larry and I a few years in a row and had received the other back from Loretta the next year after she had changed it a little and make Larry and I look like some dancers from Dancing with the Stars.  All by chance which makes it funnier to me.  I gave the peacock purse again.  The peacock purse has been going around for years.  I kept it for years but decided it was time to move it along.  The chicken hat that Loretta brought had us all laughing out loud.  Susan has her choice of many headbands to wear all season long, and Loretta gets to enjoy a steamy romance novel.  Shanna doesn't love the white elephant exchange and so she didn't participate this year.  We all give gifts to each other as well. I gave everyone the book I put together about Jared's experience.  I gave Suzie a different book about Filling Your Bucket since she bought a few of Jared's books.

I always have such a great time when I am with these ladies.  I had to leave before anyone else because I had to pick up grands from school.  I didn't want to leave and I must say that I am thankful to Natalie for watching Behr today so I could participate in these fun times at all.  I was grateful for the time I had. 

Breakfast at Kellie's

Kellie invited the Hooper Honey's for a yummy Christmas Breakfast.  I had Jared stay home with Behr for a few hours so I could go.  I made everyone a caramel apple and brought some hot chocolate to share.  Kellie had made a yummy breakfast casserole and cinnamon rolls.  Tammy brought a fruit salad.  Everything was so yummy and it was just plain fun being together.  It was a pajama party and yes  I bought new pajama's for it.  I wanted something festive and I think my Santa jammies did the trick.  These gals are so wonderful and I feel so blessed to have them as my friends.  I love spending time with them and sharing our lives with each other.  I really appreciate Kellie for being so gracious and putting this breakfast together.  Gathering with friends is one of the things that makes this time of year so wonderful.  It makes me very grateful....I have the best of friends!

Angels Among Us

Yesterday I got really sick after our Conference.  I wasn't sure that I would even be able to make it through Conference but some how I was able to.  As soon as I got home though I was confined to my room so that I was close to the bathroom.  I was so sick.  I kept praying that no one else would get sick this week.  I really didn't want this to go through our family and grands.  Larry gave me a blessing and blessed me that the sickness would leave my body quickly.  I know when that happened. It was later in the day and all at once my body was burning up.  I was so weak but knew I needed to be in the bathroom.  I mustered up enough energy to get there just.  I was sure I was going to throw up but I also needed to be on the toilet. I grabbed a grocery sack that was in a cupboard and about that time I saw black...I was passing out but was able to get to the floor gently.  I laid on the floor and it felt good...it was so cold and I was so hot.  I breathed deep and hard. I feel asleep and when I woke up (when Larry came to check on me) I could tell whatever had been making me sick was gone.  I felt weak but I knew I was going to be better.

Larry gave everyone a blessing that night.  We taught Zaden a little about the Priesthood and blessings since he didn't want one at first.  After our little lesson on them he agreed to have one too.  I still kept praying that everyone would be fine.

Today when Kimi was leaving Natalie came in.  I was feeling pretty good and was getting Behr breakfast.  I was still a little weak but would have been okay.  Natalie just told me that she was there for an hour and I could shower, rest or do whatever.  I decided to shower.  (I was planning on showering when Behr napped)  Natalie had brought me soup too.  She is such a sweetie.  While I was showering she picked up and vacuumed.  It is so hard for me to accept help from others.  I held the little's while Natalie served me.  I am in awe of how she serves others.  I really haven't met too many people that just come in and do.  I think I cried off and on the rest of the day.  My kids continue to teach me so much.  Natalie was sweet and told me that we all serve differently and she pointed out a few ways I serve.  That did make me feel better but I still want to be more like Natalie.  Natalie was truly an Angel to me today.

Super Saturday

Today is my Daddy's birthday.  I like thinking about my daddy and his life.  I like thinking about how his love and example were so meaningful to me.  He is a big reason why I even turned out.  My daddy believed in me and I always felt his love.  I loved being by my dad when I was growing up.  I would do the things he did....I ate frenchtoast with ketchup on it because he did.  I fished and even gutted them because he enjoyed it.  I loved watching TV using my dad's rear end for my pillow.  I loved just sitting with my dad and spending time together.  I feel my daddy close and I am so thankful that I do.  My daddy truly is my first and biggest hero!
Twins
Ivy singing,
Susan's Party
Ward Conference

I heard my phone vibrating at 6:30 am and it was Kevin calling me to see if I could come and get the twins.  Kevin and Julie had both been up all night from being sick.  They were hoping for a little rest.  I was glad to go get the twins.  I brought them home and Kimi and I enjoyed them all day.  They are so stinkin cute and like to smile a lot.  I liked snuggling with them. They are such good babies and simply adorable.  I took them home so that I could go to Ivy's little concert.  Her school was singing at the corner of Hooper Elementary where Santa would be coming.

I really thought more schools would also be singing but it was only Ivy's.  The music didn't work and so they sang acapella and did a wonderful job.  Ivy left her hat at school and so she was the only one up there without one.  I have plenty that she could have borrowed but didn't know in time.  I love Ivy and I could hear her singing at times.  She has a great voice.  Between songs I shouted "Ivy is my favorite" and she got a little embarrassed.  She looked from side to side but avoided looking at me. We laughed about it afterwards.  TJ stayed in the Santa line with Zaden and Behr.  They were close to the front.  It was a fun gathering.  There was free hot chocolate and cookies.  I loved seeing all the children excited to see Santa.  I still get excited to see Santa myself.

Larry and I had time after listening to Ivy sing to run to Susan's surprise birthday party.  It was so fun seeing her come in and she truly didn't have a clue.  She had been at her house hosting a dinner for some of her siblings. (They all knew about the surprise party)  Blake, her son, was able to get her away by saying that his son had a scout meeting and Susan really needed to be there because he was going to honor her.  Her grandson, Cooper had his scout shirt on and asked her lots of questions on the way to the church.  Blake, Cooper and Susan's siblings played it perfectly.  I was right by the door that Susan came through and could see the wheels moving in her head when she opened the door.  It was so much fun seeing her so surprised.  I am so glad that her kids honored her because she truly deserves to be honored.  Susan does so much for everyone and has been a wonderful example to me in many ways over the years.  I love her!

We couldn't stay long because it was our Ward Conference.  Larry had to leave immediately because he had to go help get things set up. I got to visit for a bit.  Our Ward Conference was so good.  It was about trials and how we will all get them but how we can get through them.  It was about joy, hope, understanding our eternal worth, finding joy in small everyday experiences and never giving up!  It was one of my favorite conferences.  The spirit was strong and I learned a lot.

I went home to my cute grands.  Trichelle and TJ dropped them off after visiting with Santa.  Behr had been put to bed but wasn't happy about it when Larry and I got home and so we got him up for a little while.  I love having the grands over...they are just so cute and bring life and laughter to our home.  I'll be waking up to them for a whole week.

Ward Party

We had a fun Ward party tonight.  Everyone brought something to share and Dale Widdison cooked up some yummy turkey.  Michelle Jones volunteered to put a program together and it was fun.  She included all the organizations.  The Weavers were dressed up like Santa and Mrs. Claus and they read the story of the Night Before Christmas that had been tweeted to fit our ward.  The Elders rang bells to a song or two, the primary sang, the ym & yw sang and so did the ward choir.  The gym was decorated so festive and lots of people dressed up.  It was really a fun evening and most of the ward showed up.  Kimleighel was told how pretty she was more than once.  I even heard someone tell her that she was voted as the prettiest gal there.  I know Kimi loved all the compliments.  We should all give more compliments...they are free but very powerful and will be remembered.

A Magical Activity

Tonight I was over the activity for Special Needs.  I had everything prepared and was excited.  Before the activity I let the girls know that I had been released and that Barbie was the new President.  I then let them know that I was called to be the new Camp Director and so I would still be around.  I know they liked that as much as I do.

I had kits placed around the tables and ready for the activity. We were making a cute Nativity to start this Season off.  Carla and I had spread the big pillows we made them for Christmas around the room and they were excited to put claims on theirs. (these gifts were from all the leaders...everyone went in on the stuffing)  We painted first and then they got to pick a pillow.  While we were painting we had a few issues come up.  Right away a new gal named Amy said she didn't feel good.  She took a pillow and laid down on the floor. Then on the other side of the room another gal, Jessica said she was going to pass out and so she was on the floor.  Everyone else pretty much continued making their craft.  I am so thankful for all the leaders that help ... everyone gets in and does what needs to be done. The leaders really help things run as smoothly as possible. We were getting to the end of the night and Holy Heck...Things shifted gears.  We had the men in assisting the girls on the floor. (I didn't realize they needed assisting)  Soon a call to 911 was made because Amy was having a seizure. WHAT THE HECK?  I was being asked personal questions about her...how old is she?, what are her special needs?  I didn't know the answers.  I only knew her name.  I looked around the room and realized I couldn't answer those questions for any of the girls.  I don't know their special needs...I just love them.  During all the commotion, Kay ran out of Oxygen and was having a hard time breathing.  I was frantically trying to find her inhaler.  Oh my....this was not how I pictured this evening ending.  It wasn't as magical as I had imagined or hoped it to be. It was crazy! I teased that this is what happens when we make changes.  (this has never happened before...tonight was the worst)

I was really thankful that the men leaders were there to help.  The old leaders would have left after their activity and we would have been on our own.  This group of men always come to see if we need any kind of help before they leave.  I was so glad they were there tonight and were able to help us with the girls that were having problems.  They took right over and handled things great.

I'm a little worried about what might happen at girls camp.  I might have to talk to a few gals and make sure they are prepared to have a caregiver come with them.  I might even have to talk a few out of coming.  The last few months this kind of thing has happened five times and I'm pretty sure it has been with the gals.  I think it was a good time for me to be released.

(I didn't take pictures because I forgot and was pretty busy)