A New Year

I'm already looking forward to 2017.  I looked at my new Calendar I got for Christmas and the weeks are filling up.  I have a few grands that have birthdays and I don't think I will get to have them over until weeks after their special days.  It's all good things though and so we will just continue to be flexible and make things happen when we can.  I know that we are getting at least one new grand this year and that's always exciting.  I'm just going to enjoy and keep doing what I have been.  I'm going to focus on others.  I'm also going to get rid of more stuff that just clutters up the space it occupies.  No big changes because I like my life and will just continue on.  2017 is just the start of a brand new, exciting chapter!  I can't wait for it to be unveiled.

New Years Eve

I love our tradition to go bowling with the Jones family.  We've been bowling with our family since our families were small.  It's fun having our kids bring their kids now.  I love seeing everyone and being with the Jones's.  I just adore all of them.  We missed a few kids tonight.  Kevin, Julie and their kids along with Jaydan went to Bear Lake with some friends.  Ivy was spending the evening with her dad and his family.  Brooke and her cute family were celebrating Christmas with Nicks family.  We missed them all.  We meet at the lanes in Morgan at 4:30 and get to have the place until 6:30.  Then if our kids want to do something else they can and we still got to enjoy them.  Me and Vicky each bowled 3 games and Larry bowled 2.  He pulled a muscle so Parker covered for him the last game.  The machine wasn't accurate and gave us strikes sometimes when we didn't deserve them.  It gave Parker 5 pins even when he threw it in the gutter.  It didn't do that every time but enough that the scores weren't right.  I think I would have had good games anyway tonight.  We all had a good time.

We went to Vicky's afterwards and she had prepared Hawaiian Haystacks.  Braxton's family joined us for dinner.  All of Vicky's kids came over and it was fun visiting with them.  It seems like we always have so much time to kill before the New Year but we always manage to just fine.

This year we played Cover Your A$$ets!  It was a fun card game and because we liked it so much Vicky gave a game to take home.  I was just getting on line to order it and she told me not to because she had us one.  It really was fun and even the younger kids could play.  There was a  little name calling when someone would steal from you.  I might have called a few people "dirt bags".  I was told that is what made the game fun though.  Being too serious isn't as fun.  Seriously after a few games and a little visiting it was Midnight.  We went out and sent up a few lanterns.  The neighbors had fireworks and you could hear more celebrating going on.  It was another fun end to a wonderful year.

I really enjoyed 2016.  The days and months went fast because I always had so much planned.  Our family was blessed with good health and a few miracles.  I don't want to start naming them because they are already in my book and I might forget something.  We noticed God's hand and guidance though in our lives.  I felt loved and appreciated all throughout the year.  I seriously didn't have many bad moments at all in 2016.  I felt peace and happiness throughout the year. I think I served others more or at least tried to make a conscious effort to.  I had a lot of fun and made some great memories.

I'm already looking forward to 2017.  I looked at my new Calendar I got for Christmas and the weeks are filling up.  I have a few grands that have birthdays and I don't think I will get to have them over until weeks after their special days.  It's all good things though and so we will just continue to be flexible and make things happen when we can.  I know that we are getting at least one new grand this year and that's always exciting.  I'm just going to enjoy and keep doing what I have been.  I'm going to focus on others.  I'm also going to get rid of more stuff that just clutters up the space it occupies.  No big changes because I like my life and will just continue on.  2017 is just the start of a brand new, exciting chapter!  I can't wait for it to be unveiled.

My Girls Are Sweet

Today Kimi and I stopped by Trichelle's for a quick minute.  I told Trichelle about my cruddy day yesterday and we had a little discussion about it.  We decided that sometimes it's okay to have a yucky day and even wallow in it for a bit as long as we don't stay there.  Sometimes a bad day just helps you realize how good all the others are.  Sometimes a good cry refreshes your soul.  Yes, it's okay to claim a bad day every now and then.  Kimi and I sent and got Trichelle and her family some lunch and when we brought it back to them Trichelle invited me to dinner.  Of course I accepted....I don't like turning my kids down.  She later text me and told me she wanted to take me out because I of my yucky day yesterday.  She also let me know that TJ had really suggested it because he's just a thoughtful guy.  I was thrilled for any reason and I invited Kimi to come with because Trichelle said I could.  I wanted Kimi to come because she always has my back and is always saying nice things to me.  I ate light and felt good afterwards.  I love my girls and I'm thankful for the love that they show their mommy.

Possibly My Worst Day of the Year

I don't like to complain but I do like to be real.  I use to have more days like the one today but seriously I can't remember them.  Changing my attitude and focusing on the positive things in life has been magical and most every single day is wonderful.  Today I had a harder time convincing myself there was a lot of good going on.

I woke up with a gut ache.  I'm not sure if it was related to stress but I was thinking so.  I worry...it's the human thing to do.  A few of our family members have been sick and it concerns me.  I worry about my kids and the things going on or not going on in their lives.  I pray with all my heart and soul to understand and trust in God and His will.  I'm usually good at it. Today I struggled, and complained and expressed all my negative thoughts. (never about God's plan...I do totally trust Him)

On the way to bowling I unloaded on Carla.  She listened and said she was glad I could unload since she did a little the other night at dinner.  I'm glad I can trust my friends with all my concerns.  The one good thing that happened from being up tight and stressed and having a woozy tummy is that I bowled really good the first game.  As I loosened up my bowling went down.  By the third game I was barely getting the ball to the pins.  I was in the potty room a lot.  My tummy did not let up.  I was a bit miserable.  

I came home and went to bed.  I knew I needed to get up and go get Parker a balloon.  I promised him that I would after his popped last night.  It popped because he let it go in the fan and watched it twirl around getting tighter and tighter on the blade until it started losing air.  I think that's funny and probably very fascinating to a child.  I retold Natalie the things bugging me and she listened.  All my kids are good listeners. I bet my grands were glad when I left.  My tummy hurt the rest of the night and I could feel my body was tense.

Larry slept out in the living room just in case I was contagious.  I'm not going to lie...having the bed to myself was another good thing that happened today. I wouldn't enjoy sleeping alone all the time but tonight it was good.  I had my space and sometimes I just need it.

I think about my worst day and have to laugh out loud.  Today really wasn't that bad but when you get use to wonderful days it seemed like it was.  I know that stressing and worrying about things doesn't help anything.  I also know that things always work out in the long run.  For days like today its important to remember to "Breathe"....Big, Deep Breaths.

It's Larry's Birthday

It's Larry's birthday! Larry is my Favorite!  I'm so glad he was born and that we found each other and decided to experience life together!  We've learned a lot over the years.  We've had a lot of fun and made it over and through some "rough" times.  Larry is adventurous and I can honestly say that we have enjoyed our adventure.  Larry makes me smile.  He is so kind and cares about others and is always doing things to make others lives better.  Larry is a giver and had given the jacket he was wearing to someone that needed it more.  He's just that way.  What an example of Christlike love. Larry is gentle and kind.  He is also a great big tease.  Sometimes he might tease the wrong people and tick them off but that is never his intent.  He is sensitive to others feelings and has a sensitive soul himself.  Larry is a hard worker and gets things done.  It usually takes him longer than he tells the kids and maybe that's on purpose...but maybe it's not.  He has a heart of God and it belongs to me!  I adore this cute guy that I said "yes" to.  I'm so glad that he is mine and I am his!

We prefer having the kids over for dinner instead of going out.  It's just another good reason to spend time with our kids.  Larry picked up pasta and chicken from LaFerovia and then came home and made caprese.   I picked up balloons but only because Larry had reminded me.  I made sure there were enough for each of the grands to take one home.  I brought in the clowns and we were ready for the kids to come. 

The food was yummy and there was just enough for the guys to take some to work for lunch tomorrow.  The kids played together which is always a delight for me to see.  They truly love each other.  The little ones are even getting better at interacting with each other.  Oh my word...how I love them all.

When we took the picture of grandpa and the grands we didn't get Brynlie or Briggs in it.  Brynlie was asleep in her car seat still and Briggs was in the hospital.

(this picture was taken on Monday)

Our poor little guy got RSV that turned into pneumonia.  He struggled breathing and had a lot of mucus.  When Kevin and Julie noticed his oxygen levels dropping (on Tuesday) they took him to the doctor and was admitted to the hospital.  He's had a bad cough and so I was glad that he was getting some help.

(I took these pictures today after going to the Temple)  Briggs was doing much better but still spent a few more nights in the hospital.

Temple, Hospital and Mom's

I couldn't wait to get to the Temple today.  I had several names I wanted to add to the prayer rolls.  I added Briggs twice. ☺  The temple was beautiful.  The big picture was when I got there. The little one in the corner was when I came out.  It's always beautiful.  I love our Temple.  I always feel good for getting up and going to the Temple.  I think it's a good way to start the day.

I went to the Hospital after leaving the hospital.  I just wanted to see Briggs and how he was doing.  I had experiences a little anxiety the night before and just needed to check on him.  Julie was just getting through feeding him.  He smiled and coo'd and acted like his cute self.  I could still hear his congestion and could see that his breathing was labored but it was a relief to see him.  I watched him get his bath and be checked over.  His nose got cleaned out and he did not like that at all.  I spent a few hours with Briggs and Julie but when Julie laid Briggs down to rest I decided to leave so Julie could hopefully get some rest too.

I went to my mom's after the hospital to return a pan I had of hers. We visited and while I was there some guys came by that Larry had sent. We are having railings put on both her porches to help her from falling.

Trichelle and the kids came over since they didn't make it Christmas day.  I stayed and visited with them all and left a little before Trichelle did.  I learned that after I left that my mom told Trichelle she liked her being a little "fluffy".  My mom must need glasses because Trichelle isn't fluffy anywhere.  Why does she say things like that?  My girls are both so slender...even skinny.  Oh well...Trichelle said it really didn't bother her like it might have a few months ago.  My mom is a nice person and has a bunch of wonderful qualities but sometimes I just don't get her at all!

White Christmas

We got our White Christmas and I think it is absolutely Beautiful!  I love seeing the snow cling to the branches on the trees and cover the ground.