Zoo For Jordyn's Birthday

Normally I avoid being out in the hot weather.  It makes me sick...it really does.  However, when Kevin mentioned to me the other day that they were going to the Zoo for Jordyn's birthday and invited me to join them I decided that I would.  That is, if they had room so I didn't have to drive.  They did and so I went.  I haven't been to the Zoo since Jared was in first grade and boy has it changed.  I had a good time remembering how it was but really enjoyed the changes.

I was really grateful that they had huge misting fans around the park.  Holy Cow it got hot!  Julie said that this is probably the hottest day they have ever gone to the Zoo.  (lucky me)  I took advantage of the fans and let my makeup run and my hair do whatever it wanted.  The coolness was much more important.  We got to feed the giraffes.  Jordy was really looking forward to that. She told me they were going to get to before we even left.  She loved it and showed the giraffe her long tongue too.  She does have a long tongue.  The twins seemed to enjoy the animals too.  Briggs wasn't too sure about getting too close to the giraffe though but didn't cry....just held back as far as he could.  I love that Kevin and Julie take all the kids with them most of the time.  They are so family oriented which I admire so much.

I mentioned to Kevin how cool it was for me to see him with his cute little family.  Kevin and Julie are great parents (all my kids are...I'm so blessed)  They are making a great life with lots of fun memories for their children.  I love observing.

We stopped at Golden Corral for dinner.  That's another fun tradition Julie and Kevin do for their kids.  They spend the day with them and then go to dinner.  They always text the families to join them if they want and are available.  This year only Lynette, Rich and Kimleighel joined us.  Lynette told me that I looked like I had gotten a little sun today.  She's right...just a little!

Fun day with a cute family.

Jordyn is Three

Jordyn Jo is three years old.  What a cutie pie this little one is.  She's such a sweetie. Jordyn loves dolls of all kinds.  She will entertain herself for hours with her dolls.  Jordy is very girly.  She loves fancy clothes and princess things.  Her favorite color is pink.  She recently told her mom and dad that she doesn't like getting her hair done and would rather be "died" or move. ☺ Even though she doesn't like the process of getting her hair done she does like it to look pretty.  Jordyn is a smartie and very polite.  It's so much fun have Jordyn is are family.  She adds so much sunshine to our lives.  Jordyn is very cute with Briggs and Brynlie. She's thoughtful and kind.  We're so blessed to have this little one in our family!

A Fun Thursday

Kimi was watching Trichelle's kids today.  I didn't have anything going and so I got to enjoy them too.  I was happy that Ivy chose to hand out with us today.  She is at the age that friends are usually first but today we got her.  She was fun and a joy have over.  Ivy wanted to make some "slime".  I didn't have the ingredients and so I took her to the store and we got them.  She is so thoughtful and kind to her brothers and made sure we included them.

"Slime" is made with glue and a little bit of diluted borax.  The kids all had a good time with their slime.  I'm glad that she thought of it.  I love having little ones in my home.  I think it would be so lonely if they weren't always coming and going.

I love seeing their cute faces, and getting their squishy hugs.  I love hearing them giggle and scream with excitement.  I love watching them grow and learn.  I'm so thankful for each of my little's who bring so much happiness to my world.

Larry and I met Tanna and Eric at LaFerrovia for dinner.  We haven't visited with these two for a few years.  We've bumped into one another here and there but haven't really got to visit until tonight.  I love these two.  They are so strong and I learn from them.

They are going through some pretty challenging times but are hanging in there.  I can see their testimonies growing because of their challenges.  Challenges really are a gift.  Through our challenges we are pushed closer to our Heavenly Father.  We need Him more to strengthen us and enlighten us.  I am also learning things because of their challenge. The rippling effects of ours and others trials stretch so far.  God is so wise in teaching us the things we need to learn.

I'm really grateful for these friends.  I'm so thankful that we have grown close over the years.  I love them so much.  I adore each of their kids and grands.  The Monson's are a blessing to our family.  I know that a few of my kids have been blessed through them.  I'm so thankful for friends!

Cindy Nurr's Event

One of the ladies that I have met through Awaken did a seminar tonight and so I attended it with Trichelle and a few other ladies.  It was at Cindy's house and was about hypnotherapy.  Cindy has always enjoyed helping and teaching children.  After she retired from teaching preschool she felt  the need and desire to go back to school.  She earned a degree but then was introduced to Hypnotherapy.  She feels like she will be able to help others with her knowledge and gift.  I do believe that hypnosis is a powerful way to heal some things from our past.  I had a session years ago with a friend and it was amazing.

Cindy started her presentation with a prayer which I thought was really cool.  She was hesitant but was encouraged by Amber since this was her event and she felt the need.  It was awesome.  I know that God had provided many different ways of helping his children to heal and better their lives.  I know that Cindy has been directed to this path and that through her others will be healed and brought closer to our Heavenly Father.

It was a great night.  I love the friendships that I have made in the past several months. I love seeing how supportive everyone is to each other.  We are all important in God's plan...plain and simple!

Lagoon?

Today Kevin came and got the Air Hockey and our Pop A Shot.  We are trying to simplify our lives and we feel like these toys have served their purpose in our home.  Even though we have grands that enjoy them, we also have little ones that are too little who also want to play.  We just feel like these things will be enjoyed at another house more.  Having them gone feels so good.  The room feels lighter.  I was glad he brought his little gang and that we got to have them come inside to play while he took things apart.  I love these faces.  I love how Kevin just continues on with his kids in tow.  It makes me smile.  I'm happy that our Hockey table and Pop A Shot will be enjoyed by our kids and grands still.

Trichelle takes her kids to Lagoon on Wednesdays and she invited me to go with them. She told me that I would really enjoy hearing them laugh and even scream.  It sure brings joy to her and she knew it would me as well.  We thought I could get in and just watch....wrong!  I needed to buy a pass as well which I wasn't willing to do for just a few hours.  The kids were looking forward to it and so I told them to just go and I would wait.  Trichelle gave me her keys so I could go to Station Park.  I found a cool spot under a tree though and was planning on sitting there and watching people.  I had barely positioned myself when I got a call from Ivy.  They thought it was mean to leave me and so they came back out.  I really didn't mind waiting because I knew it wasn't going to be long.  We went to Station Park together instead.  We just walked around.  We went in Build a Bear and as cute as though bears are, they can get expensive.  That's when I realize how conservative I am.  If I got a child a bear from there it would come out naked.

We got us a drink at Fiiz and sat by the fountain and visited while the boys threw pennies in the pool.  I'm sure they didn't make any wishes but they enjoyed throwing away our pennies.  I had fun and I hope the kids didn't mind too much.  Next year I think I'll just get a pass so I can go watch.  (maybe even this year)

Temple

The Temple is one of my favorite places to go.  I'm so glad that Cindy and Lisea invited me to join them each week.  I was doing a good job of attending on my own but it is really nice to be able to rub shoulders with these sweet ladies once a week.  I also love the Sealers and other Temple workers that we see every week.  I truly feel loved on Wednesdays.

We noticed that there are tomato plants by the east doors on both sides.  There are also some poinsettias right now.....interesting to me.

Our groups was split up today and so I thought we'd get to the alter a few more times but I still only got there two times.  I know it really doesn't matter how often I kneel at the alter since the amount of work being done is the same.  I love hearing the blessing of the sealings.  I'm reminded how blessed I am to have those blessings.

Bowling with My Boys

Tonight I went Bowling with my Boys!  I sure do love these cute guys with all my heart.  I really missed TJ and Jared but it was still fun and wonderful.  My boys make me laugh.  They are all so funny in their own way.  I admire my guys. They are all hard workers and such great men.  I marvel at how well our boys turned out in spite of Larry and I...Oh and because of us.  I know we taught them a lot of good and we also taught them things not to do.  They are better than we were and that is exactly what we hoped and prayed for.

Bowling was fun.  My scores weren't great but I had a good time.  I did't get a strike but picked up an awesome split.  My first balls were good and there were so many times I thought all the pins would fall but they never did.  Larry and Justin had great games. The other boys did well...I think.  I don't really care about the scores.  I just go to have fun.  Braxton likes to bowl tricky sometimes and he challenged me to be like him.  He was throwing the ball between his legs from behind.  I did it once and it was hard to do.  My boys thought I was cool though for trying and my ball did stay on the lane. haha

I bought everyone a drink, fries and scones.  We really did have a fun night together.  I like Bowling with my Boys for My Birthday!  I love each and everyone of them.  (Larry was a good sport and came even though it was the one night he had set aside to watch a ball game...it was on at the bowling alley but no noise)