Sunday, February 15, 2015

A beautiful day in Arizona!

 

"Sometimes in the harbors of our homes, we can't see that by the simple, consistent acts - including family prayer, scripture study, and family home evening - great things are brought to pass.  But I testify that these very acts carry eternal significance.  Great joy comes when those little boats - our children - grow into mighty seafaring vessels filled with gospel light and ready to embark in the service of God."

-Sister Neill F. Marriott

 

I studied and rested this morning before my meetings.  I messed up on my blog and had to re-do a post which is not fun when you are already behind. 

My study desk.

 

The theme for sacrament meeting today was Scouting.  I guess February is the Friend's of Scouting month.  Chris Braddock was the youth speaker and did a wonderful job.  He is so grownup from when we had him in Primary about five years ago.  Ryan Yardley, the Young Men's President was the next speaker.  He took up most of the time and then he and his wife sang "I am a Child of God."  It was beautiful.  Jon Hirt was the last speaker.  He spoke about eternal families and although his talk was short, he did a great job. 

 

James and I missed attending Sunday School today.  The lesson was on the miracles of Jesus.  We had an appointment with Bishop Lewis.  He issued a calling to us.  He called us to team teach the four year old Primary class  We are grateful for the opportunity to serve. 

 

During Relief Society I sat by Stacy, who leaves early to do singing time in the nursery, and Cathi.  It was so good to visit with Cathi. 

 

After church we had leftovers for lunch and took a nap.  James started reading from his Jon Huntsman book and is sharing things he reads with me.  What an amazing man Jon Huntsman is!

 

I spent most of the afternoon getting ready for FHE and making a notebook like this one for all of our kids and their families.

 

Boyd K. Packer told seminary teachers they should always start with a lesson on the Plan of Salvation; when they are teaching the Book of Mormon.  This next page is a partial index of the Book of Mormon.  I want each family to share something they learned from each book, a favorite scripture or their testimony, and draw some illustrations to go along with it.  I have given them some ideas but if they don't like mine they can choose their own. 

Darrel did a wonderful job of sharing stories from his mission and he told how the Book of Mormon was what really converted people.  Thank you Darrel!

 As you can see, Lola is a big attraction.

Listening to Darrel tell about his mission to Honduras.

Ben, Sheri, Stacy, Michael, and Joshua all got $20 for

reading through Mosiah 13 which is about 1/3 of the

Book of Mormon.  The goal is to finish by Easter, April 5th.

This girl steals the show!

Joshua wanted to hold her, but she was a little too wiggily.

I sure do love this family!

 











Wednesday, December 3, 2014

"Tonight I would like to consider two important responsibilities we carry: first, consistently adding gospel light and truth to our lives, and second, sharing that light and truth with others."

-Sister Neill F. Marriott

James took the kids down to breakfast and they brought my breakfast back to me.  I had an omelet with some cantaloupe, toast, and yogurt.   Disneyland here we come!

 Nightmare before Christmas Uno in our room.

 Addy took tons of pictures with her Ipod.

 These two were so fun!

We let Max choose the first ride and he chose Star Tours.  James went on it with them while I went to Buzz's Astro Blasters.  Max and James went on Space Mountain and Addy and I went on Astro Blasters.  We saw Bae Max over behind the Star Traders store.

 Addy bought a princess crown necklace in Star Traders.  I told Max I would buy him a souvenir but he couldn't decide just now.

There was a light rain this morning and then it stopped and was overcast as we made our way over to the Haunted Mansion and Pirates.  While the guys went on Thunder Mountain Addy and I walked over to the Village Haus restaurant in Fantasyland and got something to eat.  Max really wanted her to go on Thunder Mountain but she didn't want to.  Max didn't want anything at Village Haus so while everyone else went on Star Tours again I went to the Corn Dog Wagon and got corn dogs for Max and James.  James and Max went on Matterhorn and Max finally talked Addy into going on Thunder Mountain, and she loved it!  She said it was her favorite ride.  

By this time it was raining really hard.  Max had wanted to go on Splash Mountain but decided no because of the rain.

 I love this picture!

We bought umbrellas while we were in Adventureland but Max only kept his for a few minutes.  I think he didn't want grandpa to think he was a wimp.  Believe me, grandpa would never think that about Max!

 Jack Sparrow grandpa style.

 Autotopia with Max driving.  Addy gets to drive in

Carsland tomorrow.

We stopped at Village Haus again, this time for

hot chocolate and churros.

Addy wanted to go on Small World but Max didn't so he and grandpa went back to Star Tours.  Space Mountain was too busy.

Decorated for Christmas

I think this was my favorite ride today!

We rode the train back to the front of Main Street.  James helped me get off the train and Addy asked him to help her but he didn't hear her so Max helped.  What a gentleman!

 We got back to Main Street just in time for the tree lighting.  I was the only one who saw it because everyone else was in the restroom.  We shopped at the Emporium and again Max couldn't find anything.  We had shopped at New Orleans Square for a pirates gun but they were all out.  Unbeknownst to Max I ordered him one on the internet and will give it to him for Christmas.

Addy and I got charm bracelets.  She got a Minnie Cupcake on hers and I got Minnie Mouse and we both got Tinkerbell.  They are so cute!

We went to the World of Disney Store in Downtown Disney but Max still couldn't find anything.  Addy tried on some hats.

 She looks good in anything!

We found a Pizza Hut on the way home and ordered a couple of pizzas.  James dropped us off at the hotel and went back to pick up the pizzas.  Max and Addy love taking the stairs instead of the elevator.  As soon as we got in the room they changed into their swim suits and went down to the pool.  

I noticed as Addy was eating her pizza a big pile of cheese on the side of her plate.  When I asked her about it she said: "I always take the cheese off my pizza."  Maybe next time we should just order crust or breadsticks.

Even though it rained today we all decided it was a fun day and we had a great time!  It certainly wasn't as crowded as it normally is so that was a plus.

My feet hurt and I was exhausted.  James and I finished "For Elise".  Mr. Cane, the accountant was the murderer.

 

Friday, November 7, 2014

"We must stand firm in our faith and lift our voices to proclaim true doctrine."

-Neill F. Marriott

James and Adam went to work for awhile this morning.  I stayed home and visited with Stacy and packed to get ready to go home.  

One the way home we went back to the airport job, then on to the Wallen's to drop off the helmets Jared left at our place this summer.  We had lunch at Firehouse Subs:

James waiting for his sub.

Notice the dalmation table.

A friend from Chandler, Tim Glemser came in and we visited with him for a few minutes.  He has a Christmas album out.  He plays the piano and is very good.  

We went next door to Deseret Book and bought 3 more Sarah M. Eden books:

This is the one that we will be reading first:

 This book is about Philip Jonquil and 

Sorrel Kendrick, two characters we have

already been introduced to.

We got gas at Costco and then drove out to Dan Taylor's cabinet workshop.  He is making some drawer covers for two of the drawers in our Chandler kitchen.  Finally, on to Burger House in Miami where we picked up burros.  My favorite are the bean burros and James's are the green mixed.  We were in Show Low by 4pm.  We stopped at Chase bank and made a deposit for the Maple Chase house in Queen Creek that we sold.  We also made a deposit at National bank and then finally, home!!  

After unpacking I read to James and did some Book of Mormon study.  This evening we watched "Snow Bride", one of my favorite Hallmark Christmas movies.  

We went to bed and left two burros for Darrel, one bean and one mixed.

Evan had his birthday party today.  

His party was at Flipside.  

Addy and Ruby are the two girls.

At Flipside the kids got to bowl, play laser tag and arcade games and there is also a play area.

Evan loved the art supplies that Kimmy gave him.

Paul and Sheri both posted pictures of their family during scripture study.  I can't help but smile at the contrast.

Gonzales family scripture study.

Trezise family scripture study.