Tuesday, August 19, 2014

My 66th Birthday

I use this picture alot but it's the

only one of me that I even remotely like.

"Just as those who keep pedaling a bike can stay upright despite gravity's influence, those who are guided by the Holy Spirit in all they do can withstand the influence of the adversary."

-Sister Oscarson

I got so many birthday wishes today via phone calls, texts, and Facebook.  It is one of the things that I like about Facebook.  It certainly did make me feel loved. Stacy sang happy birthday to me and so did Darrel's kids. One of my favorite messages was from one of my young women, Alice Wilhelm who is a Beehive: "Happy Birthday Sister Lambson. You are one of the greatest people alive, you are pretty much perfect.  Don't change.  Just wanted to say happy birthday."  Such a sweet message from a sweet girl.    

Although James was not able to spend the day with me I know that what he is doing is for me and our welfare.  I know that he is thinking of me and would do anything in the world to make me happy.  Thank you honey. 

 It was my kind of day, overcast and rainy! It was the kind of day where you just want to curl up with a good book or in front of the TV all day, which is pretty much what I did.  I watched: Sue Thomas F.B.Eye, Stranded in Paradise, The Wild Stallion and When Sparks Fly.  I did make a trip to town to pick up my prescriptions and to get something to eat.  I bought a piece of carrot cake at Walmart but it was a poor substitute for Lois's (Jame's mom's) carrot cake.  I also got an orange chicken bowl at Panda Express.  It rained most of the way home. I stopped across from Maverick and bought some roasted green chilies from a little roadside stand.

I took this picture of Vernon's sunflower field on the way home from town.

 

  I was going along thinking how although I was alone today that it was a pretty good birthday, when a bunny ran in front of me.  I looked back in my rear view mirror to only confirm my suspicions; there was a dead bunny lying in the road.  I was feeling pretty low until I got home and realized there were 25 elk in my backyard. 

I tried to get some pictures but it's so hard to get close.  They stayed for a long time and two little calves were playing tag with each other.  It was the best elk show I've ever had in my backyard.

Jared called me to wish me a happy birthday and to tell me he sent me a gift in the mail. 

 James called to say he deposited some money in our account and to give me a weather update for the valley. "There is lots of flooding and people have lost livestock, etc.  Phoenix has had 8 inches of rain in the last 24 hours.  A whirlwind came in and lifted up and destroyed 8 sheets of siding that were tied down and weighted.  They were stacked under a roof.  A cardboard box full of trash 30 yards away was untouched.  I wouldn't have believed it but I was there and saw it happen." 

Another message from James: 

"I tore a ligament in my left shoulder and arm and it was hard to sleep last night.  It's painful to move my arm."  

My birthday is about to end.  I guess the thing that made it the most memorable was the herd of elk that came to visit me.

 

 

Monday, August 18, 2014

James had to leave again early this morning so once again I am home alone.  I am coming to the end of my 66th year and I wanted to reflect on some of the blessings of the past year.  

1.  I have a husband who had no major accidents or health issues this year.  I am so grateful for him and all he does for me.  He is the love of my life!

2.  I am grateful for my health and for the wonders of modern medicine.

3.  I am grateful to have such a wonderful family whom I love so very much.  Here is a list of my grandchildren: Adam 24, Jared Ammon 22, Dallin 19, Joseph 17, Michael 17, Alex 16, Ben 14, James Hayden 13, Anna 12, Max 11,  Addy 9 (almost 10), Emmy 9, Rowan and Joshua who just turned 8, and Evan who will turn 8 in November, Ruby 5, Molly 5, and baby Lola 1 1/2 months. 

Rowan, Joshua, and Evan will all be baptized this year! 

4.  I also love my children and their spouses.  One of the highlights of the year was getting to see Darrel graduate from pharmacy school and get licensed and go right to work with CVS Pharmacy.

5.  Jared was able to buy an optometery practice in El Paso.

6.  I am still working with the wonderful young women in the Vernon ward.  I love you so very much: Trenda, Alice, Shelly, Jordyn, Kelly, Maddie, Kilee, LeeAnn, Hope, Heaven and Kyah. I also  enjoy working with Diana Curtis, Analee Hunsaker, and Ruth Wilhelm.  We are the grandma presidency, a.k.a Young Women Presidency.

7.  I am grateful for good friends.

8.  I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and for all the many blessings I enjoy.  I am grateful for the blessings of the temple.  It is wonderful to have a temple in Snowflake and I have also enjoyed attending the beautiful new Gilbert temple which was dedicated earlier this year.

9.  I know that the Lord is watching over me.  I feel His protective hand in my life and know that when I fall short He is there to make up the difference.  

10.  Some of my favorite foods and drinks: Dr. Pepper 10, LaCasita's green chili chicken enchilada and their refried beans, mixed burros from The Burger House in Miami, lemon meringue cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory, coconut shrimp and sour dough bread from Firebirds.  Some of my other favorite restaurants are: Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Chili's, and In N Out Burger.

11.  Some of my favorite things to do: Go on Razr rides, hold Lola, play with my grandkids and go on dates with them, read to James on the porch and watch Hallmark movies and Sue Thomas F.B.Eye with him.  I love to take pictures of clouds, sunsets, and sunrises, and enjoy the beautiful views from my porch and windows.

12.  Attend the temple with the youth and with James.

13.  Get pedicures and go shopping with my daughters.

14.  I am grateful I had the opportunity to visit with my Aunt Gene and listen to her share stories with me about her parents, grand parents, and herself and my dad.  Thank you Aunt Gene!

15.  I have a desire to do more family history and missionary work, and to teach the gospel to my grandchildren.  The gospel and my family are the greatest blessings in my life.

 

Life is good!

The storm is coming

 This is the note Evan wrote to the 

"Tooth Fairy."  

I love Sister Hinckley!

 

 

Sunday, August 17, 2014

"The primary place of teaching and learning

is the home."

-Bishop Gary E. Stevenson

"When learning and teaching are centered in the home,

they carry power that can lead to conversion."

-Ensign, Aug. 2014, p. 28

 The Gilbert temple,

taken at Discovery Park.

McKay Mills was our high council speaker today.  James got to hear him speak because he isn't speaking until next week in the Sierra Pines ward, which happens to be McKay's ward.  He spoke on the power and authority of the priesthood and did an outstanding job.  He is the youngest member of the high council but he seems very seasoned in the gospel.  His speaking companion was older and his name was Brother Emkey.  I guess he was the principal of the school where Bishop Miller attended.  Brother Emkey and his wife just returned from a mission in Spain so he spoke on missionary work.  It was a good talk and you could feel the Spirit.

In Sunday School we talked about Elijah passing the mantel of authority to Elisha.  Sandra Wilhelm gave the lesson in Young Women's on the divine role of women.  All of the lessons this month are on marriage and family.

Since Diana is not here today, she's at a family reunion in Utah, she asked me to go to BYC with our class presidents, Alice Wilhelm, Kilee Hunsaker, and Trenda Wilhelm. Trenda saved the day and made the young women look good.  She conducted the meeting and read the minutes from the last meeting.  She was awesome!  I didn't even need to be there.

James took the Wilhelm kids their birthday presents this afternoon.

Andy just turned 11 and he got a knife.

Zemira is 8 and he got a journal and Legos.

 Ruthie just turned 4 and she said she

got what she always wanted.

It's a purse with a little lamb.

For dinner we had steaks, baked potatoes, asparagus, and salad.  I knew James wasn't going to be here for my birthday so I wanted this dinner to be kind of special, and it was.  After dinner we read from our book and watched Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye.  James had a priesthood leadership meeting so I was home alone for awhile.  I took a nap.

 

Saturday, August 16, 2014

"Continue in patience

until ye are perfected."

-D&C 67:13

 This boy was baptized today

and we are so proud of him!

 He was beaming!

 Paul, Stacy and Joshua

We are the proud grandparents!
Joshua and grandpa have a special bond.
Joshua takes care of grandpa for me
and gives him hugs when he comes 
down to work and I am at the cabin.

 Joshua with some of his cousins.

 The three amigos who all turn 8 this year.

Joshua and his dad.

Joshua's brothers and his parents.

Alex, Joe, Michael, and Dallin

 Baby Lola was there too.

Paul performed the baptism.  Michael and James were the witnesses.  Grandpa Johnson gave a talk on the Holy Ghost.  Nickie played the piano and Joshua's mom, Stacy, sang: "I Wonder When He Comes Again."  It was beautiful!  It was nice to have Cathi and Terry and Laura there.  They all love Joshua too.  

After the baptism Joshua had a party at home.  Max, Evan, Rowan, and his friend Bryce from school came to swim and play Legoes.

The Lego room

Michael and his friend Alexis were there too.

They did homework in the pit.

Ruby had to try out the rocking horse

grandpa made for Adam 20 years ago.

I got to celebrate my birthday today too.  I went to lunch at Cheesecake Factory with some pretty awesome people:

Kimmy and Addy

Sheri and Alex

Trina and Ruby, 

and of course Lola.

James was there too.

It was a great lunch.  I got to try the new lemon meringue cheesecake and it was divine!  Thank you Sheri and Kim.

After lunch I took Addy shopping for her birthday.  She wanted to go to the Lego Store.

 The Lego Store on a Saturday is pretty crowded.

Addy made three Lego characters:

Her, Rowan and Ruby.

We also went to Barnes & Noble where she got a white stuffed owl to sit on her shoulder when she plays Harry Potter, stuffed animals for Ruby and Rowan, and a Harry Potter book.  On the way out we stopped at the See's Candy Shop for lemon truffles and a sucker for Ruby.  It was a fun date and Addy mainly wanted to get something for Ruby and Rowan.  She is so very thoughtful of her sister and brother.

On my way out of town I took Addy and Rowan home.  Rowan told us about a funny dream he had.  He said:  "You know how Joshua is always saying, 'Hey guys, you're leaving me in the dust.' I said No, I didn't know Joshua said that but Rowan said, "Well he does."  "Well I dreamed that Max was driving a car and Evan, Joshua and I were riding in the back seat.  All at once Max said to Joshua and Evan, 'Push Rowan out', so they did and I went rolling in the dust.  When I got home I told them: "Hey, you guys left me in the dust and Joshua said," "Hey, that's my line."  Funny story, Rowan.

I left for home after 5, stopping to do some shopping at the Basha's in Payson.  I got home a little before 10 and James was about 30 minutes behind me.  It was a fun couple of days but it's good to be home.

 

Friday, August 15, 2014

"Don't do dumb things with your smart phone."

- Brother Ridd

"If you chase two rabbits,

you won't catch either one."

-Brother Ridd

This morning I studied, prayed, and watched Sue Thomas F.B. Eye

before getting ready to leave for the valley.  I left the house at 11 am just as storm clouds were coming in.  In Show Low I stopped at the bank, gas station and carwash, CVS to get James's prescription and Arby's for some lunch.  I got the BBQ brisket sandwich and it was quite tasty.  It rained on the rim but the time I got to the valley things were dry and sunny.  

I went straight to Kim's house to pick her up and we went to Toys R Us.  Kim was looking for something for Rowan and of course I was trying to get ideas for Joshua.  They have lots of Legos which is what both boys like.  Kim was looking for something Harry Potterish for Rowan though and we couldn't find anything.  I didn't buy anything because I am going to bring Joshua back to go shopping so he can pick out what he likes.

On the way home Kim and I stopped at the Fractured Prune, a new donut shop in Chandler.  I bought six donuts and it cost me $12, so they are a little pricey.  They make the donuts while you are waiting and then add delicious toppings or a glaze.  I at the lemon one and it was delicious.  I left the donuts at the house and Adam and James pretty much finished them off.

Stacy came with Joshua and I on our date to Toys R Us.  She bought him a Super Heroes Lego set and I bought him one with a cool red dragon.  Max and Evan came over to help put the Red Dragon set together.

 That is one cool dragon!

After shopping at Toys R Us we went on over to Deseret Book to get Joshua's scriptures for his baptism tomorrow.  He picked out maroon scriptures with gold trim and a black tote.  He also got a tie with Noah's Ark animals on it.  All in all it was a very productive shopping trip.  

James is worn out when he finally gets home from work.  He showers and goes downstairs to bed before I even realize it.  I got busy cleaning the pit and by the time I looked at my phone he was already asleep.  Sometimes I am not very thoughtful.

 

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Happy 8th Birthday to Joshua.

Here he is at the Lego Store playing with

Evan and Max.  Joshua is smart, witty, 

kind and thoughtful and I love him!

I called Joshua this morning just as he was walking out the door to go to school.  I told him I hoped he had a great day and his response was: "Oh, I will grandma!"

Joshua's baptism is this Saturday.  I was going to come down today and take him on his birthday date but Stacy said that tomorrow would be better, so I decided to wait until tomorrow to leave.  I think James was a little disappointed.  His pour at Hatch Hanger for tomorrow was cancelled which means he wouldn't be going to bed at 6pm as originally planned.  I hope he will forgive me.

President Hatch and his family are flying to an island in the Caribbean to go scuba diving.  They leave tomorrow.  James presented him with a bill and he left James a check in his office to pick up when the next pour is done.  He is such a great guy to work for.

I had a nice talk with Jared this morning.  I left him a message last night and he called me back.  His positive attitude and testimony are very refreshing.  

James took Joshua out to eat tonight for his birthday.  I think he was hoping Joshua would chose Golden Corral but Joshua wanted to go to Florindino's to get back ziti.  I am sorry that James didn't get a picture.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

"It is better to prepare and prevent than it is to repair and repent."

-Ezra Taft Benson

There was so much fog this morning I couldn't see the sun or my mountain, Sierra Montosa.

  

James has got some major truck problems.  I think he may have gotten a lemon.  He needs new brakes, a new radiator, and something else.  Erik is going to put in new brakes this week and the radiator next week.  I wish we could afford to buy a new truck but it wouldn't be a good idea right now.

There were lots of clouds today but not much rain.  There has been some flooding in the valley.  

Our young women's president, Diana Curtis is gone to Utah for a Curtis family reunion so that means I'm sort of in charge at Young Women's  Tonight we had: Kilee, LeeAnn, Hope, Heaven, Alice, Trenda, Shelly, Jordyn and Kelly.  I missed Maddie but later I found out her dog Bumpy got hit by a car.  I also found out Hope is in a relationship (she's too young!), and Arizona is practicing with her bow so she can go archery deer hunting next week.  I got all of this information on Facebook.  I made Rice Krispy treats for the girls but they were too hard and crunchy.  I think I put too many Rice Krispies in them.  Tonight we did a little Personal Progress working on the value Good Works and then I turned the time over to Trenda so we could plan next week's combined activity.  We are doing something called "A Minute to Win It."

When I got home from Mutual I tried to call Jared but he didn't answer.  

Watched "So You Think You Can Dance."

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

"God's law of the harvest is that

if we want something later, we 

have to work for it now."

- President Uchtdorf

First Presidency Message

August 2014 Ensign

 

Good morning sunshine!

I waited for the rain all day.  It finally came and rained most of the night.  Darrel said they got some hail in Mesa.  This storm was widespread throughout the state.

 Those clouds better mean rain!

I love this view but that grass needs to be green!

James sent me this picture from Troon North Golf Course where he was working today.

 Poisonous but slow.

He's definitely not someone you want to mess with.

Let me tell you why this is my new favorite crime fighting drama.  

There is no gore and very little violence.  I love the actor's who play the main characters.  It's a drama, a comedy and heart-warming all at the same time and it's based on a true story.  Sue is deaf and the F.B.I hires her to read lips.  Levi is her number one guy, Levi is her dog, until Jack comes along.  Jack is dreamy and everything you want in a main character.  I look forward to seeing this show everyday on the BYU channel!

I stayed at home today and started scraping the polish off my wood floor.  It became overwhelming and I decided rather than scrap the old polish off, I would just polish over it.  The floor looks great!

I look forward to James's texts everyday when he is out of town.  He really is a romantic kind of guy!