Tuesday, September 11, 2012

The 11th anniversary of 9/11.  The U.S. Embassy in Libya was attacked today and 3 Americans were killed.  There is so much unrest in the world today.  I am so grateful for the gospel and the happiness it brings.  I worked on Personal Progress today and wrote my thoughts on faith and prayer. 
It was overcast today but I was too tired to go for a walk.  I am recuperating from our trip to the valley, but this afternoon I had to get in gear and go to Walmart to do some shopping.  James invited one of his home teaching families over for a BBQ this evening.  The family is Sean and Stephanie Hunsaker and their kids Tyler, Kilee and Holly.  I love driving into town because I love the clouds and beautiful scenery. 

The sky on the way back from the store.

James cooked steaks, hamburgers, and chicken on the grill.  I made my strawberry, spinach, poppy seed dressing salad, rice pilaf, corn, and rolls.  I think you could say a good time was had by everyone except maybe Holly who was sick.  James gave the First Presidency message on missionary work and told about his experiences yesterday with Zaki. 
James and I cleaned the kitchen together after everyone left.  It was a fun evening.

Monday, September 10, 2012

I pulled weeds for two hours this morning outside on the south side of the house under the mulberry and silk 

oak trees.  

Before.  I forgot to take an after picture but all the grass,

weeds and leaves were gone when I was finished

At 10 am I had an appointment at Dr. Douglas's with Jackie to have my teeth cleaned and to have xrays taken.Things went well until Dr. Douglas came in and told me I had to have another crown and a cavity filled.  I told her I would be back in October. 

Laura and Cathi took me to lunch at Chompie's for my birthday.  What a fun place to eat.  Laura and I had the Asian chicken salad and Cathi had a chicken quesadilla.  The food was yummy.  I so enjoyed my visit with two of my besties. 

James went to see the pain doctor and to look at the results of his MRI.  While I was at Dr. Douglas's she said he needed to get permission from his cardiologist to get his teeth cleaned so I reminded him.

This afternoon I had an appointment with Tiffany at the Arizona Arthritis and Reumatology Center.  I like Tiffany.  She gave me another card to get my Enbrel for free for six months. 

On our way back to Vernon we stopped at the Bass Pro Shop so James could get some shoes with the $75 gift certificate the Braddock's gave him.  He was disappointed because they didn't have any in his size.
I bought some butter pecan syrup and a pancake mix.  We were home by around 9pm.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Today the Chandler West Stake had what they called a special stake conference.  Yesterday a priesthood leadership conference was held in Tempe and the two visiting authorities were Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder Walter F. Gonzalez of the Presidency of the Seventy.  Elder Andersen visited a stake in the area and Elder Gonzalez visited the Chandler West Stake. 
Before conference began we visited with some of our friends from the Del Rio 2nd ward; The Tolman's, the Lueck's, Adrienne Ellsworth, and Charlotte Mattice.  We sat by Charlotte and her ex-husband Roland Mattice.  The following people spoke in the conference: President Johansen, Lisa Johansen, Sister House of the Tempe, Az. Mission, President House, Mission President of the Tempe Mission, President Porter, President of the Mesa temple, and Elder Walter F. Gonzalez.  Here are some notes from Elder Gonzalez's message: "The gospel helps with life's challenges."  He quoted scriptures from Matthew 11 such as the one that says come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and find rest unto your souls.  He talked about the importance of our personal prayers and keeping our covenants.  He said if we are willing to follow Christ, our wayward children will return.  Everyone's burdens will eventually be removed.  We all will be healed.  He said the Book of Mormon is the greatest tool to convert to the Lord.

We went home and had lunch and then headed to Mesa to attend sacrament meeting in the Emerald Bay ward with Darrel and Trina.  Addy was presented for baptism and stood up on the stand.  She looked so small.  After sacrament meeting we said our goodbyes and went back to Chandler to take naps.

Sheri and Evan came down for a visit this afternoon.  I gave Sheri season 2 of Downton Abbey to lend to Christy Wanlass.  We talked a little about our trip to Texas next week.  Ben and Max are coming with us.  We are meeting Sheri in Payson Thursday evening to pick them up.

For dinner James grilled the chicken I marinated last night.  Stacy said she really liked it.  Dallin and Michael liked it ok but Joshua wouldn't eat it because we didn't have any A-1 steak sauce.

I downloaded LDS tools on James's phone for him.  Later he went to call someone and all of his contacts were gone.  He has the worst luck.  We called both Verizon and Apple and neither of them could help.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

We headed to the valley this morning.  Addy's baptism is scheduled for 3:00.  Our first stop was at Elmer's Tacos in Chandler for lunch.  We were both excited to get machaca burros, our favorite!  James also got a machaca taco.  Yummy!
I dropped James off at the house so he could fix the leak in the pool pump while I went to do a little shopping.  I went to Deseret Book to get an Ardeth Kapp book to give Laura for her birthday then I went to Target to get Addy a Barbie suitcase and some chips for her party after the baptism.  Made it home just in time to get ready. 
One of the things that I love about the gospel is who it brings families together for special occasions like this.  Tricia was here from Texas with her four kids.  Jared had to stay home and work.  Also there from our family: Paul, Stacy, Adam, Dallin, Michael, Joshua, Kim and Joe.  Brian was in Denver this weekend.  Ian, Sheri, Alex, Ben, Max and Evan, Darrel's family, James and I, and Trina's family except for Westley. 
Darrel did a great job with the confirmation and special blessing and Addy was beautiful and glowing!

Before Baptism.

After Baptism.

She loved her scriptures.

Addy with her family.

After the baptism we all went back to Darrel & Trina's for fun and food.  We had BBQ with rolls, veggies, watermelon, chips, and yummy desserts.  The kids had a great time playing together.

Addy was so happy to see her cousins Anna and Emmy.

These two (Molly & Ruby) made friends with each other.

Love that Rowan smile.

It was a fun and special day.  Molly entertained us by doing some cheers.  She learned them from Anna and Emmy who are cheerleaders for James's football team.  She was hilarious and really quite good.  She knew the words and all the moves.  I am grateful for these family times together.

Ben and Max were so happy to see their cousin James. 

Friday, September 7, 2012

I took a picture of the sunrise and some babies breath flowers on my walk this morning.

I am currently working on my Faith value experience 1 for Personal Progress.  This morning I listened to some excellent conference talks on faith.  There are several from the October 2010 conference.  I especially enjoyed the ones by Bishop Edgley, Elder Scott, and President Eyring. 

James had a visitor today.  Bill Valentic, our friend from Chandler, came by and picked James up this morning and they drove to Bill's place in Nutrioso.  James helped him with a little cleanup and then they stopped for lunch at the Arby's in Eager.  It's always good to visit with friends you haven't seen for awhile.

I got something in the mail today from a sister I visit taught in Chandler.  Her name was Lynne Ritz.  We got to be good friends and she said to thank me for my help and friendship she wanted to make me a doily.  Her is what it looks like on our dining room table.  Thank you Lynne.

While James was gone I watched Project Runway and worked on our budgets for the month.  James doesn't like Project Runway so what better time to watch than when he is gone.  I also washed the car and colored my hair so I had a productive morning.  For lunch I made myself a turkey bacon sandwich.  

Before going to the football game this evening I studied and prepared for the Book of Mormon Sunday School lesson.  I keep a Sunday journal with notes from Sacrament meeting, Sunday School and Young Women's.

Tonight the Show Low Cougars are playing the Round Valley Elks in the "dome" in Springerville.  James and I sat by Vickie and Dennis.  I was on the end while James visited with Dennis.  I felt a little left out.  Again Show Low won 28-6.  

Thursday, September 6, 2012

On my walk this morning I saw these two trees growing together.  I thought it looked like a "Tree Skirt."

A tree with a skirt.

Right now I am reading a book my friend Karen Schneider gave me last spring by Ardeth Kapp.  It's called: 

Subtitle: Living a Life of Love

Karen and I are big Ardeth Kapp fans.  She was on our Harry Potter tour in England and was the nicest, friendliest person we met.  We loved her and she truly does live a life of love.  Sheri Dew was on the tour also.  Here is a quote from Ardeth (Sister Kapp's) book:

"The trials and tests in our lives are not to discourage us but to refine us,

 teaching us that we must call upon the Lord.  

They are not to weaken us but to strengthen us.  

They are not to destroy us but to sanctify us, to help us become more Christlike, more loving, more forgiving, and more optimistic. 

 The more hope we feel, the greater our faith.  The stronger our hope, the greater our charity."

This afternoon James and I went in to town to pick up a prescription.  While I was there I stopped at the Book Barn to look at scriptures and a tote for Addy.  I found these two totes.  The scriptures are inside the CTR quote.  I couldn't pass either of these up because Addy loves purple as much as I do.

 She can use one of them for a purse.

On the way home from town we got rained on.  It had also rained in Vernon while we were gone.

Look at that sky.

Alex went fishing today in the valley and sent ut some pictures.

I like the fish you caught in Chocolate Lake better Alex.

James and I started a new Victoria Holt book.  This one is called The Captive.  James did not like the one about Marie Antionette.  It was too sad for him.  He likes a good mystery but he is tender hearted, especially when it comes to women.

That's all for now. 

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Happy 34th Birthday to Darrel.  We love and appreciate you so much Darrel!

No walk this morning.  I guess I was too lazy.  I probably needed it too because I am struggling to lose another pound. 
James and I have made the decision to sell our home in Chandler.  We told Stacy and Paul that they should find another place to live by October.  In October we plan on going down and fixing things up and moving things out.  It is going to be alot of work.  Today I worked on unloading boxes in the entry closet.  I unloaded 4 and I have 6 more to go.  When I am finished there are still boxes downstairs in the storage room and in my bedroom closet that need to be unloaded.  My goal is to have them all done before October.  I won't be available to work outside with James much.  I hope he doesn't mind. 
This afternoon I baked cookies for mutual.  This time I made Mrs. Field's chocolate chip cookies and then I made some oatmeal scotchies.  The youth are helping Kendall and Westin Hall with their project at the Angel Wings assisted living home here in Vernon.  The boys are building a ramada for outdoor relaxing and BBQ's.
The beams that were suppose to be put up were not because the wrong size was sent.  Instead the youth moved a pile of cinders around the outside edge of the sidewalk and concrete patio.  I was impressed with Trenda, LeAnn, MaKenzi, Jordyn, and Shelly.  They have quite a work ethic.  We also had the Lootan girls Hailey, and Hope, and China, and Kilee who helped.  Mary was at a cross country meet so she didn't attend.

There were lots of supervisors, including James.

That's Westin in the black with the blond hair.

Kendall is in the maroon shirt with the black hat.

Before the girls got involved.

Westin and ?

Brother Allen carrying the ladder.  He is the

Young Men's President.

Shelly, MaKenzi, and Cory McNeil.

Shelly, LeAnn, and Westin.

Once Trenda picked up a shovel she never put it down.

She is singing at the county fair on Saturday.

I am sorry I won't be here.

China is the girl in the black with her arms folded.

She gets in on the action in a minute.

The cowboy is Wayne Todd.  I don't know him but everyone else seems to.

Here comes the girl power, LeAnn, Trenda, and Jordyn in the pink.

All girl power when China joins the group.

Hailey, Kilee, Shelly, and the little one is Hope.

Trenda in the stripes and Jordyn in the pink.

Taking a break.

LeAnn deserves a rest.  She worked hard.

That's Teresa Smith too.