Sunday, August 28th, 2016

She's 12!

Happy Birthday Addy!

As she came in to Young Women's on the red carpet they played her favorite Primary song, "Teach Me To Walk in the Light."

Alma 57:17-36

17 - Another battle ensues.

18 - The men sent with the Lamanite prisoners return and save the Nephites in battle.

19 - Helaman's 2060 fought valiantly.

21 - They did obey and observe to perform every word with exactness.  Even according to their faith it was done unto them.

22 - The Lamanites were driven back to the city of Manti.

23 - The Nephites retain the city Cumeni.

24 - The Nephites dress the wounds of their injured.

25 - 200 of the 2,060 fainted because of the loss of blood.  Not one of them did perish.

26 - And the Nephites ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe.

27 - They are young and their minds are firm and they do put their trust in God continually.

28 - After burying the dead, they ask Gid about the Lamanite prisoners taken to Zarahemla.  

32 - The prisoners rose up in rebellion against their Nephite guards.

33 - We did slay many of them and the remainder of them broke through and fled from us.

34 - We returned to Cumeni and helped to save our brethren.

35 - Behold, we are again delivered.  And blessed is the name of our God; for behold, it is He that has delivered us.

36 - When I Helaman heard these words of Gid I was filled with exceeding joy because of the goodness of God in preserving us.

GC: "The Power of Godliness" Elder Kent F. Richards.

At 11am we attended the McQueen 2nd ward with Stacy, Paul, Adam (we picked him up), Michael, and Joshua.  Bishop Devrin Day use to be James's executive secretary when James was bishop of Del Rio 2nd ward.  Jerod Bowen, someone James has done work for and who also use to be in Del Rio 2nd ward is also in this ward.

After the block other family members gathered for Michael's ordination.  From our family: Kim and Brian, Sheri, Ian, Alex, Ben, Max, and Evan, James and I, and of course Stacy, Paul, Adam, and Joshua.  From Paul's family: Mary and Marvin, Chad and his three older boys, Devin, Kim and some of their kids.  

Paul gave a nice blessing along with the ordination.  

Maybe a haircut will be next.

When did Alex get taller than Michael?

Group hug

We are proud of Michael and hope he will realize what a privilege it is to hold the Melchizedek priesthood and that he will use it to serve and bless the lives of others.

Trina and Darrel and their kids were not able to attend the ordination because their church is from 1-4.  We missed having Jared and his family here too.  We went out to see Addy for her birthday this afternoon around 4:30.  Darrel was gone to get his temple recommend renewed.  We gave Addy her candy bar and I don't know why I didn't get a picture.  I did get some pictures while I was there.

Lola loves Grandpa

Ruby playing with the farm book.

Cute little Lola

More craziness

Grandpa was the center of attention.

Trina and Rowan

The book Addy is holding is one her class did in first grade.

Their teacher ask them to be super heroes.

Addy was Fire Girl.  She spelled it:

"Fir Grill."

Caution, enter at your own risk.

I showed the kids several club/guest houses while I was there

and this one was the number one choice of everyone:

I guess this is the one James will need to build.

I just need to convince him to put in a bathroom and kitchen.

Back and Cathi and Terry's Cathi showed me how to do zoning for index preparation.

Monday, May 23, 2016

We picked up 'Lexy' from Erik this morning.  He has had her for two weeks and it cost us $1,853.55.  He guarantees she will run now without heating up.  Thank you Erik.  He said there was lots of rat poop on the engine and some of the wires had been chewed so he had to replace them.  Hopefully when we get our garage cleaned out and can park Lexy inside we won't have that problem anymore.  He said that rats are attracted to dirt and be sure and get our under carriage cleaned because we had lots of packed dirt inside the wheel wells, etc.  It is so good to have my car back.  I have missed her!

We drove back to Cathi and Terry's and parked then truck and headed to our favorite breakfast spot.

I had scrambled eggs, hasbrowns, bacon, and

buttermilk pancakes.  I didn't do the patriotic toppings,

but had hot maple syrup and butter instead.  Yummy!

James always order the harvest nut and grain pancakes to

go with his meal.

After breakfast we drove to White Cap where James picked up some rebar to take out to Allen and Gail on the job in San Tan Valley.  It is quite a jog out there.  Further out than Queen Creek!

Here are some of the schools we passed on the way out:

Dr. Gary & Annette Auxier Elementary, Newell Barney Junior High, Basha High, Weinberg Elementary, and Payne Junior High.  We know just about all of those people.  We missed the new Camille Castille school, but I have seen it before.  I guess you are nobody until you have a school named after you.

This afternoon James went to Verizon to get the cover on his phone fixed and ask about cancelling the contract on our jetpacks and internet service.  Our two year contract was renewed when he picked up the new devices a few weeks ago.  He did not know that.  Anyway what it boils down to is, in order to cancel our service we will have to pay a $360 penalty.  

Here is our plan.  Tomorrow I will order our new service through Wi-Power which will give us unlimited service for $75 a month.  Once that service is up and running we will cancel Verizon and pay the $360.  With the money we are saving we will have this paid back in a about four months.  The only thing I am concerned about is, the highest speed we can get is 6mbp's.  Hailey, my friend who recommended this service says she has it and loves it.  

While James was gone someone came to take his place.

Right where James sleeps. 

I could tell when Kiley left because Indy showed up outside my door.  I love this sweet little dog, and Lady too.  They miss their momma and pappa.

James and I went to Jersey Mike's for dinner and then picked up a pizza and salad to take out to Trina and her kids.  Lola was asleep when we got there.  I think James woke her up by rubbing her feet.  She was a little grouchy when she got up and didn't want anyone except Trina.  We gave Addy and Max a graduation card and $20 as they both graduated from elementary school into junior high.  Addy is getting her tonsils out on Thursday.  I told her I put her name on the prayer roll and that we would be praying for her.  I also asked if her dad was going to give her a priesthood blessing and she said yes.  Addy is an amazing young woman.  Whenever she gets money she gives it away to charity.  She helped me plan Emmy's birthday party at the cabin and told me she saw a soccer necklace at the Chandler mall.  We are going to look for it tomorrow when she comes to Michael and Alex's graduation party.  She ask me if she could us her mission money I sent every month for school.  She wants to be a pediatrician and knows it will require alot of schooling.  I told her I would think about it.

Rowan is a sweet boy.  Trina is concerned about him because he has three phobia's.  One is the weather.  Every time it gets a little windy he is concerned there is going to be a tornado.  The second it bugs.  I wonder if this one has anything to do with the spider like creature Trina killed last week.  I can identify with this phobia.

The last one is Lola's safety.  He is obsessed with making sure the doors and locked and knowing where Lola is at all times.  He is definitely feeling the responsibility of being a big brother.  I think this one shows what a kind and caring boy he is.  If you ever need a hug, Rowan gives the best.  He likes to "snuggle" too.

Now Ruby.  I told her how proud we were of her for returning the dime she found at school.  She gave me a big smile and a hug.  The rest of the time we were there, after she ate her pizza, she laid on the couch and watched episodes of Studio C on her iPad.  I told her I guess I was going to have to be on Studio C if I wanted her to see me.  At that point she invited me to watch with her.  

Her birthday is coming up soon and she has given out gift assignments.  From mom and dad she wants a video camera.  From Sheri an Easy Bake oven, and from us a tea set.  I am excited about our gift and will begin looking on Amazon as soon as I get home!

When we returned to Cathi and Terry's Max texted me and ask if he could come down and get his graduation card.  I don't think it was the card he was interested in.  His mom told him we were giving him $20.  We love Max!