Sunday, May 29, 2016

Future missionaries!

These boys, along with 11 other children were all in my Primary class today.  They read and answered gospel questions.  I was very impressed.  They are three of the best boys I know!

 Molly ready for Church.

Ruby would not allow any pictures of her because she had to fix her dress, she said you could see through it.  Addy came to the rescue.

 We took this picture after Church with her 

Ruby shirt on.

 Lola stayed home with her dad

and Addy.  

Addy is still recuperating from surgery.

 I love this picture of Molly.

 Lola and her friends.

 Emmy was in my Primary class too.

She was the oldest and probably

the wisest.

 James went to Mel Wilhelm's class.

Brother Wilhelm was very impressed

with James's gospel knowledge.

After teaching 14 Primary children, only two who were actually part of my normal class,  I went in to sharing time and Sister Skousen, the Primary president, said I could go to the 5th Sunday adult meeting in the chapel with the bishop.  I was so happy.  

James, Jared, James Hayden, and I all sat together on the 2nd row.

The bishop gave a presentation about FamilySearch and the Find, Take, Teach program.  He said he was directed to do so by the First Presidency.  He used a computer and projected images up on a screen.  He showed us how to use the fan chart and descendency chart to find ancestors who need temple work done.  I was excited to go home and try it.  

When we got home from Church, Jared's lunch was waiting for us.  He prepared ribs and wanted to make sure we had some before we left for the valley.  They were delicious!  Thank you so much Jared!

Evan had a headache during the last hour of Church and spent his time laying down on the couch in the foyer.  As soon as he got home I fixed him, Josh, and Rowan something to eat, and he felt better.

We left for the valley at 1:35 for Michael's seminary graduation and arrived at the Ray and McQueen stake center at 4:55, five minutes before it started.  Thank goodness Stacy saved us places.

Kyle Dana was quite entertaining as he is the high councilman over seminary. Also, three of Kim and Brian's former bishops were speakers: President Campbell, President Lewis, and Brother Nelson.  Michael says Brother Nelson is his Sunday School teacher and he loves him.  He put in a plug for institute.  He actually teaches institute at ASU and Stacy encouraged Michael to attend his class.  Here are some pictures of family members who attended:

Where is grandpa James you ask.  He was in the men's room.

I love these pictures of Alex and Michael.

They have grown up together and have

been buddies all of their lives!

 G-pa and his boys!

They have outgrown him.

After graduation we went to Stacy and Paul's for dinner.  Stacy had fixed a delicious roast with carrots and rolls.  Before dinner Paul showed Elder Bednar's video about light and then bore his testimony to Michael about going on a mission and how he was prouder of him graduating from seminary than high school.  It was felt heartfelt and I hope Michael was really listening to his dad.

It was nice to visit with Cathi and Terry.  They have not been to the ROC since Tuesday because of the smell of the newly varnished floors.  Terry had a trip to the hospital on Friday because of severe stomach pains.  He also had headaches, but seems to be feeling better tonight.

Terry's son Nathan and his girlfriend, Allison came by to see Terry.  Nathan asked if there was anything they could do to help and offered to do yardwork.  I was impressed with Allison, because she was very friendly and came up and shook our hands.  She is a child psychologist and works with high risk kids.  Nathan is my favorite of Terry's boys.  I guess he and Allison met at a "bug" show.  She bought one of his butterflies.  

Lady and Indy were so happy to see us when we got here.  Lady couldn't stop barking and dancing around!

Thursday, August 27, 2015

 This is Greg and Florence Hatch and two of their children,

Alyssa and Ian. They hiked the alps from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland in 11 days.  118 miles, and an entire

bottle of Ibuprofen, and they made it to the end.  That is the

Matterhorn in the background.

James and I left for Chandler before 6am this morning.  We stopped in Claypool at a Circle K for gas and a drink for me.  We also had a short stop for roadwork.  When we arrived in Chandler we went straight to the job on Chandler Blvd and McClintock.  We were there just a few minutes before going home.

After a shower and a change of clothes James and I took Jared Ammon to lunch at Oreganos.  Of course I had the Vino Bambino salad.  I also tried their margarita pizza but it was nothing compared to Nello's.  

I love this salad so much!

James had his Oregano's Favorite salad and J.A. had wings.  While we were waiting for our food I realized I hadn't paid SRP for last month so I paid it on my phone.  Sometimes I love modern technology.  

It was overcast today and we got some rain.  I got a call from Kilee Hunsaker this evening.  Her parents are gone and I think she was hoping I was in Vernon and could come and get her.  I told her I was in Chandler getting ready to go shopping and I wished she were here to go with me.  I guess her grandma on her mother's side is dying of cancer and Stefani, Sean, and Tyler, Alicia, and Kip went to see her.

I went shopping at Hobby Lobby and Walgreen's for Addy's candy cake.  I got a couple of puzzles for Stacy at Hobby Lobby.  One is a 1,000 piece donut puzzle which she has been looking for, and the other a puzzle with several different gingerbread houses.  I liked both of them and so did she.

Speaking of donuts, I found this donut chart on Facebook.

 

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Gilbert Temple

President Ezra Taft Benson taught that those who strive to become like Jesus Christ achieve true greatness:

"That man is greatest and most blessed and joyful whose life most closely approaches the pattern of the Christ.  This has nothing to do with earthly wealth, power, or prestige.  The only true test of greatness, blessedness, joyfulness, is how close a life can come to being like the Master, Jesus Christ.  He is the right way, the full truth, and the abundant life."

Thanks Sheri and your work friend Rachel!

I am obsessed with tiny houses

right now!

 

We left around 6am for Chandler this morning, reluctant to go.  We have no spare, only a prayer.

James stopped at McDonald's for me so I could get a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit so I could take my pain meds.  It was dried out and I didn't end up eating all of it.  James is my "cleanup" man.

Just before Hagan Hill there was a big rock in the road.  James stopped and moved it so no one would have the problem we had Saturday night.

My cold and cough are still with me and now James is getting sick too.  I warned him, but he didn't listen.  After stopping at Burger House for Tony's Special, I called Dr. Douglas and told Chris I had a cold.  We both thought it was a good idea for me to reschedule my appointment.  I rescheduled for 1pm on September 9th, the same day I have an infusion. 

According to Discount Tire we are lucky we made it here on our spare.  They said it's the original spare, which is now ten years old, and it's not even legal to drive on because of the chance of delamination.  Thank goodness we said a prayer!  Two new tires and a new wheel are going to cost us between $500 and $600!

We started my birthday celebration a little early. 

For dinner we went to Oreganos and then afterwards we went to see the new Meryl Streep movie, "Rikki and the Flash."  It isn't a movie I would recommend but it ended up having a pretty good message.

We read our scriptures and a chapter from "The Silent Governess" before going to bed.

 

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Salt River Canyon

 

We left for the valley around 6:15 this morning and arrived at the house at 9:15. The drive through Salt River Canyon is always thrilling with James at the wheel. We are fasting for Laura today.  Her biopsy is scheduled for 1:30. 

 

We unload the truck at the house and James goes to his job while I put the kitchen, downstairs, and bedroom "piles" away.  It took me a couple of hours. 

We now have a new foam pad on our bed.  I also put my sewing machine downstairs and I brought some of my favorite kitchen pots and utensils. 

 

At 3pm I got a text from Cathi saying Laura's surgery went extremely well.  By 4pm James and I were at Pei Wei to break out fast. 

 

Michael and Joe had band practice here today for their gig next Thursday at SoZo.  Jared Ammon, John and the drummer Matt were here to jam too.

 



 I forgot to mention that Connor was there too.

 

While the big guys were jammin' downstairs Evan and Joshua were playing Legos upstairs and James and I were reading from "Necessary Deception."

 

Addy is leaving for California tomorrow with her school class to go on an oceanography trip to San Diego.  I visited her tonight and took her the book she left at the cabin.

 





Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Some quotes from my gospel study:

"Be still and know that I am God"

From Rescuing Wayward Children:

"Every effort that we make to increase our own level of sanctification has a direct redeeming effect on those for whom we are praying."

"When a seal is put upon the father and mother, it secures their posterity, so that their children cannot be lost, but will be saved by virtue of the covenant of their father and mother." - Joseph Smith

Such is the power of the temple!

"Though our children may seem lost today, they are not permanently lost.  If they are sealed to us in the temple, and if we keep our temple covenants, they will return after they have received the Lord's correction." - President Boyd K. Packer, February 9, 2008.

I love this book because it brings so much hope!

We left for the valley this morning around 8:15.  We stopped in Payson for gas and then when we got to Chandler we went straight to Jersey Mike's for lunch.  When we got to the house Adam was there and we had a nice visit with him.

Skittle, Adam, and James.

I carried up 100 #10 cans from the basement this afternoon.  I was pretty tired when I finished.  I will do more tomorrow.  Michael came to my rescue with his candy bars.  I bought one of each from him.

I took this picture of Evan and Max helping Joshua do his homework.

Evan, Joshua, and Max.

Facebook 

I love this quote that Sheri posted!

Alicia and Stefani Hunsaker in the early years.

Stefani is now our ward choir director and

Alicia is the ward Relief Society president.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

I stayed up late last night paying bills and now I am up early getting ready to go to the valley.  We left the house around 6:20 and arrive in Chandler in plenty of time for James's 10am dental appointment.  He is getting his teeth cleaned.  I dropped him off while I went shopping at Target and Hobby Lobby.

After James's appointment we went to Elmer's Tacos to get our machaca tacos and machaca burros and strips.  We barely get out of there before the Chandler high kids get there.  We went to Sheri's to eat.  No one else was there.  Sheri came in while we were taking a nap.  I go with her to pick up Evan and Max from Bright Beginnings.  Max seems agitated, and grumpy.  A stop a Sonic for some food and drink helped.  Max likes to tease Evan when he is in one of his moods.  Sheri takes Max with her to pick up Ben while I help Evan with his homework.  Evan is so much happier when he is not being teased.

When the older boys got home from school, Alex, Michael, and Joe they sing accapella for us, along with Dallin.  They are really good.

Alex, Michael, Joe, and Dallin

We have a domino effect when we stay with Sheri.  We sleep in Ben's bed, Ben sleeps in Max's, Max sleeps in Evans and Evan sleeps with his parents.

A cute picture of Joshua and his pets.

Skittles, Joshua, and Holly

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Well I got up this morning not feeling so well and pondered for awhile whether I should go to Chandler or not.  I got a call from Karen Schneider and she tried to convince me to stay at home and take care of myself.  When I called James and told him I didn't think I would be coming he seemed sad.  I ate some breakfast and watched part of the movie "Suddenly Last Summer" starring a young Elizabeth Taylor and Katherine Hepburn and decided I would take a shower and see how I felt.  The movie was boring me.
After my shower I felt better so I decided to get ready and go.  Because the weather is warmer I don't have to winterize.
I stopped at Arby's in Show Low for lunch and then on to Safeway for gas at 3.69.  I had a coupon for 10 cents off a gallon.  My next stop was the Walmart in Payson for some Krud Kutter and a few other things and then on to Circle K for a drink. 
It was after 4 when I got to Chandler.  James was happy to see me.  He wanted me to do errands with him.  We went to Erik's work to look at a truck Erik's friend has for sale for $7,000.  The problem is it's a 1996 and James just doesn't want one that old.  We stopped by Sweet Tomatoes for some dinner but they were closed for remodeling so we had dinner at Outback.  I had the 6oz. Victoria steak which was a little dry. Also, my baked potato was overcooked.  The salad with honey mustard dressing was good though. 
James is still looking for something he needs  for his ammo reloader so we went to Dick's and then to Sportman's Warehouse.  Sportman's Warehouse said they got some in at 2pm but they were all sold out by 2:30.  Not good.
James had a doctor's appointment today to get something for his sinus infection so we stopped by CVS to get his prescription filled.  Also he had to pick up something at Home Depot.  Back at home I went to bed and James went to Terry's to have a meeting about his Dad's estate.

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Because I am going to the valley with James I had to get up bright and early to get ready, 4am.  At least I didn't have to do the winterizing.  We stopped at the Subway in Globe for breakfast sandwiches.
I dropped James off at Enterprise in Tempe to get his rental truck.  It is a brand new Ford Ranger and would cost $50,000 if he was going to buy it.  On my way back to Chandler I got my car washed at the Sam's Club on 54th st.  I stopped in at Deseret Book and picked up 3 values bracelets for Trenda, Mary, and Kilee who have birthdays in March.  I also did some shopping at JC Penney's.  I bought two pair of jeans and two tops.  I met Sheri and James at Pei Wei for lunch.  I love their spicy chicken salad!
I worked in the yard for an hour or so and then went to my dentist appointment with Dr. Hillary Douglas.  She put on my crown. 
After my dentist appointment I came home and went through some old files and listened to Kevin and Dallin practice for their performance tomorrow night. 
When James got home from work we picked up Joe and took him to Red Lobster for his birthday.

He got the dish with mussels, scallops and lobster.

I can't believe he is 16!

James and I slept downstairs on one of the air mattresses I bought for the cabin.  It wasn't too bad once we put some more air in it.