Celebrating Crystal

The Hooper Honey's went to lunch at Applebee's today to celebrate Crystal's birthday.  Her birthday was the 3rd but she was busy with her daughters wedding and so we waited.  We missed Tammy, who is vacationing in England.  I wonder if she even thought of us? ☺  I think Kari must have been working or tending some cute grands and we missed her too.  Those that came had a good time.  Heck, we always do.  It was fun hearing Lorraine talk about her cute missionary and some of the very cool things that have happened to her.  Crystal told us all about the wedding and the things she learned.  Kellie shared her lesson for Relief Society about a cute rag doll that she made.  I wish I would have heard the whole lesson because it sounded fantastic.  I love these fun ladies and I'm glad our birthdays are coming around again because then we make time to get together.

I loved running some errands with Crystal and getting to visit with her more.  She drove me today because I was going to drive Madi's car home from getting a repair.  The repair took a little longer than planned.  It was fun though spending a little extra time together.  I really enjoyed it.  I get to take Crystal out on Friday so that the two of us can celebrate her.  I love spending time with my awesome friends.

Kellie gave us all homemade fudge today because she is so awesome.  Then when I text her to thank her she told me that she really wanted to help with Jared's farewell.  Her and Lorraine have both offered but I really haven't thought much of it.  I should though because it's approaching soon.  I  got a little teary eyed and accepted her offer.  I'm trying to be better at receiving.  I have the best friends!

my hand

Looky....Looky....after years of peeling, cracking, itching and scratching, my hand is pretty much back to normal.  It still itches occasionally and when it does I put coconut oil or the medicine on it...depending on how bad it is.  I'm thrilled that for the most part it has healed. I'm still not sure what it was all about but I believe it was stress of things I have no control over.  I still get stressed over those kind of things but hopefully can release the stress another way.  I just wanted to document this because it seemed forever.

Mother's Day

I am one who loves Mother's Day!  I don't even get it when I hear that others don't love it.  I guess I have always only focused on the positive things about Mother's Day.  It's a celebration of all that women do.  I know for certain it was not meant to be a day to feel guilty or inadequate. I believe we all do our best and that our best is enough.  I enjoyed mother's day before I was ever a mom.  I have always loved celebrating all mother's....and we all have them.  Mother's day did change for me when I became a mom.  Being a mom was always my biggest dream.  I loved playing with my baby dolls from the time I could walk.  I always dreamed of having my own children and loving them so much.  I was blessed to have that dream come true.....seven times even!  I adore my children.  I have been the best mom that I knew how to be to each of them.  Each one of my children have enriched my life like only they could.

Today we went to Braxton's church again because he was speaking.  I loved the look on Sadie's face when she saw us at her church.  Her mouth was opened and grinning with such a look of happy surprise.  I loved Braxton's talk and poem that he wrote.  His poem was about Ninja moms and made me smile.  His talk compared women to Christ.  It sure made me feel so grateful that I am a women and a mother.

We had pizza and pop at our house.  Our kids came and celebrated with us.  Kevin and Julie chose to enjoy their day at home since it was the twins birthday.  I just loved being together.  I love carrying on the pizza tradition that Larry's mom started many years ago.  Being together is my favorite.

The Twins are 1

Taken From Julie's Face Book post: "HAPPY BIRTHDAY Briggs & Brynlie!!! These guys have had quite the first year of life. We've had life flight, ambulance transfer, 17 days in the NICU, 5 days total at Primary Children's Hospital, 12 days total at McKay Dee's Pediatric Unit, 7 ER visits, a seizure, oxygen at home, steroids, continuous suctioning and breathing treatments, and constant doctor's appointments. These kids get sick over any little germ since November. Even though it gets exhausting having two passing things back and forth, we are so grateful that they are overall healthy and will grow out of it! These kids are seriously so happy, despite the things they've had to overcome. Briggs is super busy! He loves climbing up & down the stairs. He's so close to walking. But for now he just crawls around the house looking for his next adventure. His feet are so ticklish that he doesn't care for the grass or sand yet. Brynlie is super social! She's content hanging out with people, and doesn't need toys to distract her. She's always yelling and talking loud to make sure everyone can hear her. She's pulling herself up on everything now and crawling around, trying to keep up with Briggs. We don't know what we'd do without the twins in our lives!!! They make our family complete."

What a blessing these two littles are to our family.  They are so dang cute and if they feel well they are usually smiling.  They sure bring lots of joy to each of us.  I have enjoyed watching them grow up.  They have had so many miracles and blessings in their short little lives so far.  They have such good parents that just take such wonderful care of them.  They are adored by everyone.  I can't believe it's been a year.

The Business Continues

Braxton is helping Larry with a sprinkler project for a friend that lost her hubby and so he brought his cuties over for me to watch while they did that.  Sadie is so cute and has such a fun personality.  She's so full of life and is such a happy little girl.  Jack is as sweet as he can be.  He coo's and even smiles.  We snuggled before he fell asleep and it was nice just holding him.  I was glad that I was her because I originally was going to take Tonya her pampered chef.

Our duck is gone but all the eggs didn't hatch. I hope that a few did and that the mommy duck has a few babies after all her devotion to those eggs.  I enjoyed checking on her whenever I came or went.  The kids found another nest on the playground of smaller bird eggs.  The momma bird chased the kids if they got too close.

I traded Jared cars today because he was suppose to have a date.  The date was cancelled but not before I had to leave to meet Barbie to go to Heber Valley Girls camp.  When I got in Jared's truck I saw the assignment for English that he was positive he turned in. (crazy eyes)  He had it right there so he wouldn't forget.  His truck was clean other than that paper.

I was glad we went to Heber to check out the camp again.  Dale (our cook) and Barbie's hubby came too so they would know what to expect.  It's going to be so much fun!

As soon as I got home we went to with our mom's a Happy Mother's Day.  We figured it would be easier to get them on Saturday than Sunday.  This year I got our mom's Minky Blankets.  They are so soft and cozy.  I decided I needed one too.  I love soft blankets! They both seemed to love them.  Larry's mom had bought Clark one last year for Father's Day and so she knew how nice they were.  My mom just thought it was a nice blanket so I filled her in a little about them.  I don't want her giving it away.

While I was gone to Heber, Larry went to the store and had everything bought for tomorrow.  Bless his heart!  I'm thankful for him.  He also went and visited John and LaDawn Hunter who just lost their son yesterday.  He was found on his bathroom floor.  So sad!  I'm so glad for the fun memories we have with the Hunters.

Sister Wright's Wedding

Johnny and Julia were sealed today for time and all eternity.  Larry and I were invited to share their special day with them.  While Julia was waiting for her visa so that she could serve in Brazil, she was assigned to Hooper.  She wasn't here long but we were able to enjoy her while she was here.  We had no idea that we had made such an impact on her until she gave us a call after her mission.  She brought Johnny to meet us.  Our hearts were touched and she became even more dear to us.

These two are so cute together.  They met in a dance class at BYU before Julia's mission.  I think they knew from the beginning that they would be together.  I remember Julia speaking of Johnny and just beaming.  It think it's wonderful that everything worked out for them.

We took Shelly Eskelson with us to the Temple and the luncheon at Johnny's parents home.  We were flattered to be a part of it.  Shelly didn't want to stay for the reception because she had a lot that she needed to do and so Larry and I ran her home and went back to SLC.  We made a day of it.  We went to the Spaghetti Factor for dinner and then to the reception.  I know Larry really likes these two because this is so not normal for him.  He doesn't usually like to stay for pictures or luncheon's.  We did it all.

We stopped by the Winters home on our way back to Hooper.  We had a really nice visit with Sue while we waited for Alan to get home.  It was getting late when he did make it home so we just visited for a short time and left.  I sure miss our good friends.   I think it's time to plan a vacation with them.

and then this happens

So yesterday Jared finally turned in his English assignments and will be graduating. (his teacher emailed me because she knew I was anxious) Woot Woot....Happy Dance! Relief! Then today he brings home an award for his excellence in his 3D printing class.  He even earned a rope to wear at graduation. I can't believe the contrast in the days this week.  These last few weeks have been a roller coaster ride and in the end I can say whew...glad that it's all over.

I love that Jared does have passion for some classes.  I'm pretty sure he will have that kind of passion on his mission. (I hope)  One day when I was talking to him, I reminded him that he would be studying for hours on his mission and his reply to me was: "I understand and love the gospel."  That statement right there was very comforting to me.  I might not get much information from him in letters but I really believe he will enjoy the work he's headed for.  I think he will be a great missionary.

I'm so glad this chapter of life is almost over.  No more kids in school is going to be nice.  College...if chosen will be different....my kids do that because they choose it.  They also pay for it which is a huge incentive to do their best.