Tuesday, September 18, 2012

My face looks worse today but I am not going to post any pictures.  Kathy Crane called this morning and said she was going in to town and did I need anything at the store.  I am grateful for good neighbors. 
Instead of pictures of myself I will post a picture Alex sent me of a fish he caught at Discovery Park.

 The kid is a fishing genius.

He used bread for bait because he knows that's what the fish are fed.

Remember how I said yesterday was a recovery day.  Well it looks like I am going to have alot of recovery days this week.  The side of my face is so swollen that I can't see out of my right eye.  It is nearly impossible to read, but watching television is okay.  Today I sat at my favorite place on the couch and watched the finale for "America's Got Talent" and "So You Think You Can Dance."  Who knew that America's greatest talent would be a bunch of jumping dogs.  I was very happy with the SYTYCD finale.  Eliana and Chehon were my favorites.  Two ballet dancers!!  I like Chehon  as much as my favorite dancer of all-time, Danny Tidwell from season 2.

James went in to town again today and brought me a green chili burro from LaCasita.  Yummy!! 

James also finished reading our Victoria Holt book "The Captive" to me.

On a side note, James is hilarious with Suri on iphone.  The other day he said to her: "I don't need your help."  I think she is getting a little tired of his sarcasm because she said back to him: "Who said I wanted to help you?"

Monday, September 17, 2012

This day started out pretty normal.  I am not yet back on my schedule of getting up at 4am, studying and then going for a walk.  Today is what I call a "recovery" day.  I got up and did some reading and started a load of laundry.  James got up and after scriptures he decided to go into town and get his truck registered in Apache county.  He went to Desert Title which is located in the old bank building in Show Low and is the building where he had his carbon monoxide episode in July.  He also went to Walmart and got some ink for our printer and then came home. 

I did some chores around the house and watched a little television.  By evening we decided to go for a Ranger ride.  It was after 6 when we left.  James had his elk call with him and every once in awhile he would stop and blow on it.  He did have a couple of elk answer him.  We started out on 61 which goes to Green's Peak and then turned on to Porter Springs road.  We saw a guy hunting in a white pickup.  As we rounded a curve I thought we were going a little fast and then we began to slide and before I knew it we were tipping over.  James went flying over me and landed on the ground.  I hit the right side of my face on the roll bar.  It hurt bad.  Within five minutes the side of my face swelled up to the size of a baseball.

I call myself "two-face."  

The swelling and purple around the eye got much worse.

After walking 3 miles in the dark I suggested to James that we needed to call our neighbors the Cranes since I didn't feel like walking another 7 miles in the dark.  I think he was embarrassed to call, but he did.  Cathy said Chuck wasn't home but she would come and pick us up.  About 30 minutes later she came with Brother Peeler.  Brother Peeler and James gave me a blessing.  When we got home I sent out a text to all my kids and attached this picture.  Before I could sent it Sheri called.  She has good timing.  She was helping Evan to do an assignment for school.  He asked both James and I what we like to do.  We both said we liked spending time with our grandkids.  I told Sheri about the accident and then sent out the text.  I heard from all of my kids except Stacy.  I don't even know if she received the text and picture.  Went to bed and slept soundly.  It is a bit of a shock to look in the mirror and not recognize yourself.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

James's alarm went off at 5am.  That's 5am in El Paso, but 4am Arizona time.  I tried to go back to sleep but it was no use. I normally get up at 4am at home, but not on a trip when I've stayed up late the night before watching a movie.  Thanks honey, I am glad I am not driving home.

Jared and Tricia belong to the Mt. Franklin 5th ward in El Paso.  Their block started at 9am.  The theme of the meeting was "The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn."  A couple on a family history mission spoke and a high councilman spoke.  The highlight of the meeting was Tricia singing "Through His Name."  It was beautiful and James said it was the highlight of his trip  (He got a little teary-eyed).  She sounded beautiful and it was a touching song about the Savior.  The lesson in Sunday School was taken from Helaman 13-16 about Samuel the Lamanite. Sister Bowden, the teacher made the lesson interesting.  She had one of the Primary boys dress up like Samuel the Lamanite and another boy in the audience as one of the hostile Nephites.  We also played $10,000 pyramid.  The title of the lesson was: "Repent and Return unto the Lord."

James's ordination took place during the 3rd hour.  We all gathered in the classroom where the Deacons meet and Jared ordained James and gave a wonderful blessing.  He talked about the importance of serving.
Afterwards we all went to our classes, including Max and Ben.  Tricia went with Jeanie and I to Relief Society.  The lesson was taught by Sister Geneice Ford.  It was on faith.  I can tell that there is a special bond among the sisters of this ward.  It was a good meeting. 

 The most handsome deacon in the Mt. Franklin 5th ward.

The bishop wants all of the deacons to wear suits.

Tricia made the ASU tie from one of Jared's old ties.

 Jared made a delicious breakfast and for lunch we had homemade chili.  We have been treated so well on this trip by both Jared and Tricia!  The kids were awesome too.  Anna begged us to stay longer and I wished we could have but we needed to get the boys home for school tomorrow.

We left for home a little before one and decided to take the boys directly home to Chandler.  We arrived around 7pm and stayed less than 5 minutes and then we were on our way back to Vernon.  We arrived a little before 11.  Thanks James for getting us safely home!  It was a wonderful weekend!!

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Happy 12th Birthday to James Hayden Lambson!!

This is one of the greatest 12 year old boys I know.  (The other one is his cousin Ben).
James is fun-loving and serious all at the same time.  He loves to play football but when it comes to choosing between football and going to do baptisms for the dead, he will miss the football game.  He has a desire to please and to do the right thing.  He has a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and tomorrow he will receive the priesthood, something he has been looking forward to for a long time. He is a good student, good brother to his three sisters, and an obedient son.  One of his goals is to go to West Point Military Academy and he watches military documentaries. I know that when the time comes he will be prepared and ready to serve a mission.  He has a kind heart and is always ready to give hugs.  I am so proud to be his grandmother.  I Love You James!! 

James's birthday gift, a mountain bike.

James and I had errands to do this morning.  First we found a Chase Bank and made a deposit.  On the way here the check engine light on my car came on.  I had not realized it had been 5000 miles since my last oil change.  We found a Sears at the Cielo Vista Mall clear acroos town where we went to get an oil change and the tires rotated.  While we were there we had lunch at Subway.  Thanks to Jared and Tricia for letting Ben and Max stay at there house and for feeding them.  We got back just in time to follow Jared over to James's football game.  Tricia had already left with Emmy who cheers  for the minor league team.  The Wallen's, Tricia's parents came in this morning from Gilbert.  It was great to see them.

The name of James's team is The Tribe.  Their jerseys are red and James is #33.  Anna cheers for his team. 

Molly likes to cheer too.  

Tricia and her Mom made a shirt for Molly that says Tribe Cheer.

Molly and Emmy ready to cheer.

Molly and I made a couple of trips to the bathroom.

Afterwards she had to play on the playground.

Molly stretching out with Anna and her cheer team.

Although James's team won I noticed when we got home that he was a little sad.  When I asked him why he said because he missed the only pass that was thrown to him.  I told him that the ball went way over his head and there was no way he could have caught it and he said: "Yes, but Grandma, I ran the wrong pattern."  At that moment I was proud of James for admitting his mistake and not trying to make excuses.  I love this kid.

Tricia had a wonderful meal prepared for us when we got home.  She has six extra people in her home and she fed us all everyday.  Thanks so much Tricia and Jared for your wonderful hospitality.  I know I speak for Ben and Max when I say they had a blast!

My two favorite 12 year olds a few years back on one of

our trips to Disneyland. 

Two of the cutest faces I have ever seen.  I just want to pinch those cheeks!

We ended the day singing happy birthday to James.  When the kids had gone to bed Jared, Tricia, James, Jeanie, Mike (the Wallen's) and I watched the movie "Bernie" starring Jack Black.  It was based on a true story, a little bizarre, but I liked it.

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.