Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Today's thought is from Ardeth Kapp's book "Doing What We Came To Do" p. 9.
"The adversary would, if possible, like to keep us busily engaged in a multitude of things - even good things - that would distract us from the few things that make all the difference.  Pruning may require cutting back, eliminating, and discarding distractions.  These may not necessarily be bad things.  More likely, we will find that it is some of the nonessential distractions that can weigh us down. Pruning takes careful thought concerning what we really want to have happen after all is said and done.  Ponder. Pray. Prune."
I got a letter from the City of Chandler in the mail James brought back.  It was a parking ticket for Adam's car which he got on August 22nd.  Since the car is in my name the ticket was also in my name.  When I called the city the woman said that my license was suspended.  This seemed very unfair and according to James unconstitutional.  I told her I would be down on Friday to take care of the matter.  I guess James will be driving.
James and I went to town this evening.  He came back and watched the presidential debate and I watched Donny Osmond sing on "Dancing with the Stars." 
I found this poster that Evan made while he was here.  He had posters up all over our house.  Some that said: "Closed, Keep Out."  "Come in."  "Do Not Open."  He loves to write.

At the top it says Efan instead of Evan.

I guess he couldn't find a v.

Monday, October 15, 2012

James and Alex left early this morning for the valley, so that left me home alone.  During my gospel study I found this quote about patience by Elder Neal A. Maxwell:
"If our patience is being tried, we might expect that our faith is also being tried; if or capacity for patience is increasing, we might also expect that our faith is increasing.  In the eternal scheme of things, we cannot become as God without having developed the ability to demonstrate infinite patience with perfect faith.  Therefore, it should come as no surprise that God would give us multiple opportunities to gain invaluable experience with patience and faith."  The law of the harvest is this: whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap.  Between sowing and reaping lies enduring with patience.
I watched an episode of "The Mentalist" from the new season.  I did some laundry and  started to clean the wood floor but realized I needed some more Swifer pads so I got ready to go in to town. My gauge showed I could go around 30 miles.  I knew it was going to be close but I thought I could make it when I first started out.  I got about three or four miles down the highway and I just had the feeling I needed to go back to the Vernon gas station and get a little gas.  When I got there the attendant told me they were still out of gas.  Well by this time I knew I would be cutting it way to close to get into town so I went back home.  I called James and asked him to bring home some gas.  Not only did he bring gas but he also brought me a green chili burro!  James said Alex went with him and worked all day at Yoshimine's with him.  The money he earned will go towards buying some new fishing flies.

Before James got home I watched Project Runway and Cupcake Wars because I know James does not like either one of these shows.
   

Sunday, October 14, 2012

I love Sundays.  This is the first time I have been to sacrament meeting since we went with Jared and Tricia in Texas on September 15th.  I have missed taking the sacrament and mingling with friends.  It was nice having Brian, Kim, Joe, Michael, and Alex attend sacrament meeting with us.  Westin Hall was the youth speaker.  He spoke on the 6th Article of Faith.  He has a great sense of humor.  He says: "I hope you are all wide awake cuz I'm going to put you to sleep."  A new couple who just moved here from Mesa, the Curtis's were the main speakers.  I told Natalie we should get Sister Curtis in Young Women's. 

I realized that I didn't get a good picture of LeeAnn Hunsaker at our Young Women's activity the other night so I took one of her today.

LeeAnn is our youngest Beehive.  She is artistic, sings in the choir and plays the flute and the clarinet.  She is
a very sweet girl and I love her dearly.  She and her cousin Kilee spent the night with me this summer.

After the block the young women and their leaders had a song practice with Sister Jones the Stake Young Women's President.  Next week is stake Young Women's in Excellence and we are singing the song introduced at the General Young Women's meeting this year, "Arise to the Mountain."  I'm fine with singing but I am not so sure I will have it memorized like they want us to.  After the song practice we had class presidency meetings.  I met with Shelly Applegate, the Mia Maid class president. 

Back at home James and I fixed lunch for everyone before Kim, Brian, Joe, and Michael left for home.Alex is going home with James in the morning.  James has some more work to do at the Yoshimine's.

  I marinated some chicken this morning and James grilled it while I fixed rice pilaf and corn.  It was a nice way to say goodbye to our guests and to wish them a safe trip home.

James went home teaching this afternoon while I took a nap.  At 6:00 I attended a YM/YW leadership meeting put on by our bishopric at the church.  All three members of the bishopric spoke.
Brother Applegate talked about teaching youth how to lead.  He said that we work for the youth.  He encouraged us to have our youth ready for BYC.  He also said class presidents should make assignments.  There should also be reporting on assignments given.  Advisors should be doing training in class presidency meetings.  He said as far as knowing what to teach that the Lord would tell us.
Brother Smith talked about being called but not necessarily chosen.  We are only chosen if we act as the Savior would act if he were here.  He encouraged us to read the first five chapters of the Church Handbook and he taught from D&C 121:34-46.  He said there should be no unrighteous dominion and that we should be patient and kind like the Savior.  In the Church and the family people, not some much objectives, are what' important.
Bishop Hall talked about being involved in the lives of the youth and letting them know that you love them.  He encouraged us to use technology as a tool.  He said that leadership should be united. 
This was one of the very best training meetings that I have ever been too.  I felt motivated and inspired when I left.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

I made blueberry muffins for Alex, and poppyseed almond muffins for James this morning.  Of course I shared them with everyone.  I also cooked some ham for everyone.  It was a casual, relaxing day. 
Kim and I played a game of 5 Crowns.  Brian won. 
Kim and Brian wanted to go on a Ranger ride up on the mountain to see the leaves but the Ranger was out of gas.  The boys took a few too many rides yesterday.  Brian went in to Vernon to get some gas but the station had no gas.  I told Kim they could take my car. 
Joseph and Michael were in a silly mood. 

This afternoon around 5pm. Kim, Brian, James and I went to the Vernon Park for an advertised Navajo Taco dinner.  Brian paid for us.  Thanks Brian.  The tacos were delicious!  Afterwards Kim, Brian, and I got fry bread with honey and powdered sugar to take home.  The perfect dessert!
Alex and Grandpa went out looking for coyotes this evening.  They shot one but it was too dark to find so they are going back in the morning.
Kim and Brian watched the movie The Avengers.  James and I watched the first episode of the new season of The Mentalist.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Colder today with the high around 55 degrees. I had to take a picture of the clouds because we haven't had any for so long.

  I guess everyone heard the rainstorm last night except me.  The boys went on a long Ranger ride.  They played ball games on the porch, rock band, Hearts, and 5 Crowns. 

Kim and I watched the best 3 episodes of The Mentalist EVER!!  I think she's hooked now.
We also fixed a spaghetti dinner for everyone.  Cody and Dallin ate with us before they left for home.  I don't think they wanted to leave but Cody had to work at Harkin's tomorrow. 
Brian got here around 9pm.  Kim mentioned that she would like a cookie so he brought her a dozen from Paradise Bakery.  He also brought her a bag of chocolate candy.  On Tuesday when I went to the store I bought $35 worth of Halloween candy but between the boys, Sheri, and I, and the young women, it's all gone.  

Thursday, October 11, 2012

James and Alex went fishing again today.  Yesterday James didn't have a license but today he did. 

Nice "Catch and Release."

Alex's smaller fish.

Alex's big  fish.

It was a great day for the fishermen.

Sheri, Kim, Evan and I took a ride up the mountain to see the fall leaves.  Kim, Evan and I started out on the Ranger and Sheri was in my car.  It started to rain so Evan decided to ride with his mom in the car.  Kim and I stayed on the Ranger a few more miles and then we stopped and got in the car too.  

A carpet of leaves.

When we got back to the cabin it was time for Sheri to go home.  Alex asked to stay and go home with grandpa on Monday.  So when it was time to go Sheri, Ben, Max, and Evan left and Alex stayed. 

Sheri had to watch a couple of episodes of The Mentalist before she left.  I have her hooked on the show now.  I am going to miss her and her boys.  We had alot of fun the last couple of days.  I am grateful that Kim is still here and I'm looking forward to spending more time with her.

Kim and I both went shopping at Walmart and then we came home and fixed tacos for dinner.  The boys, Cody, Dallin, Joe, Michael, and Alex went to Native New Yorker and got wings.  James, Kim and I enjoyed our "nacho" tacos.  (We used chips instead of taco shells.)

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

James and Alex went fishing today at Silver Creek by the fish hatchery.  I guess they had a great time because they want to go back tomorrow.

Back at home Sheri, Ben, Max, Evan and I went on a Ranger ride.  We drove up the side of the "Pit" and parked the Ranger and walked to the swing.  Ben and Max have been looking forward to the swing. 

This swing goes out over the hill and it looks

like about a 30 foot drop to the ground.

 Max is flying.

Safely back on the ground.

Evan pushing Max.  

Gee I wonder what Sheri's doing?

Ben's turn.

I wonder if she can text and swing at the same time.

 Hanging on with both hands.

I think she had texting withdrawals.

Evan posing on the swing, but not swinging. 

No way!!

Evan kept asking to go down the pit.  So we finally left the swing, which he did not like, and Sheri took us for a ride down the pit on the Ranger.  It was fun because this time we didn't go from the top.  Last time I went from the top and it was too scary.

Evan loved it!

Cody and Dallin arrived this afternoon and so did Kim, Joe, and Michael.  Kim is helping my young women make cake pops this evening.  Sheri made 3 cakes and I made one to use for tonight.  

We had a house full of seven boys.  Some of them enjoyed playing Rockband.

Michael, Dallin, Joe, and Cody Miner.

The music put Evan to sleep.

After the young women got here the boys moved over to the other couch and played their guitars and sang.

MaKenzi, Trenda, and Kilee.

Trenda and Kilee.

Taking a bite.

Spooky cake pops.

Cake pops and Evan.

Sister Nicoll (Kaeli), Jordyn, Hope, and LeeAnn.

Working on posters for the Halloween party.

Kim and Jordyn. That's Mary by

the dining room table.

Hope, Trenda, Kilee, Mary, Paris, and Hailey.

Mary.

Shelly and Sister Soderquist working on posters.

Spooky bouquet we made for Sister Miller who was

released as a YW counselor last month.