Friday, September 14, 2012

It's was around 7:40 when we left for Texas.  We had a prayer and read Alma 8 in the car.  After scriptures we listened to an audio book the boys brought with them called "Peter and the Starcatchers."  It is the prelude to Peter Pan and is very good.  We stopped in Springerville at McDonald's and got the boys something to eat at McDonald's.  Max got pancakes and Ben got three orders of hash browns. 

We took the 180 through Silver City, New Mexico and stopped there for some lunch at Taco Bell.  We drove on in to Demming and stopped to see James's Dad.  Cindy came out and gave the boys a hug.  She said, "Oh these are Sheri's boys."  When I asked her how she knew she said she had seen pictures.  While James and his Dad visited the boys went outside to throw the football around and to pick some apples.  We stayed about an hour and then we were on our way.  It's only another 90 minutes to El Paso from Demming.  Molly called.  She is excited for us to get there.  When we arrived at Jared and Tricia's it had just rained and was around 60 degrees. 

Unloading at Jared and Tricia's. Molly greet Max and Ben.

Our home away from home.

Fun in the backyard.

60 degrees and the boys wanted to swim.  

Jared turned on the jacuzzi but it took awhile to heat up.

Molly jumped right in.

The jacuzzi finally warmed up.

After swimming Tricia fixed us a nice dinner.  After the kids went to bed we had a nice visit with Jared and Tricia.  It was a fun day.  James was so happy to see Ben and Max!

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Today would have been my Mom's 82nd birthday.  I still miss her everyday.  In celebration of Mom's birthday I made chocolate chip cookies.  We can take them with us on our trip to Texas tomorrow.

James and I left for town a little after 4.  We stopped and made a deposit at Chase bank and then went to Walgreen's to pick up a prescription.  The prescription wasn't ready so we went to LaCasita to get something to eat then went back to get the prescription.  We also stopped to get gas and then drove to the Show Low Park to read until we got the call from Sheri that she was leaving for Payson.  We are meeting her there to pick up Ben and Max.

We picked up Ben and Max and turned right back around and came home.  It was almost 11pm when we got here so we went straight to bed.  Ben and Max are excited to be at the cabin even if it is for such a short time.  They both slept on the family room couch.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

No walk again today.  I just haven't got my groove back yet.
  James and I are really enjoying our new book, "The Captive."
 The insurance on our vehicles expires today so James spent the day getting us new insurance.  We leave for El Paso on Friday and we definitely need insurance before we leave.

This evening for Mutual we had another session at Angel Wings Assisted Living.  This time Brother Allen and Brother Hunsaker put the beams up and the rest of us mostly stood around. I wish we could have had a planning meeting with the girls instead.  Hopefully we won't do this again next week.  I was not happy because I felt like it was a waste of time for most of us, especially the girls.

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.