Monday, January 21, 2013

Inauguration Day.  Enough said.

James is always sad when he leaves for the valley and I stay here.  I stay so I can go to Mutual Wednesday nights  I am going down on Thursday and coming home Saturday.  I will be doing this for at least the next month while we try to get our house in Chandler ready to sell.  Our goal is to put a sign up on March 1st.

Natalie Soderquist called today and filled me in on the ward happenings I missed yesterday.  The big news is that Collin and Wendy DeWitt are the newest members of our ward.  I knew Collin many years ago growing up in Phoenix.  He was in my ward and I had a crush on him.  Sadly, he doesn't remember me.  Collin is the fire chief in Gilbert and filled in as city manager in Gilbert until they just recently hired a new one.
Wendy is a food storage guru.  I have a food storage notebook entitled "The DeWitt System."  I also have a video she made that I bought at Deseret Book.  She has traveled all over the Church teaching classes on food storage.  She has taught many classes at the Mesa Cannery and I have seen here on BYU-TV.  We definitely want her in Young Women's and Natalie thinks our chances are good!

Today I studied, cleaned, and made a handout for Young Women's.  I bought each girl a candle and took off the store labels and replaced them with the First Article of Faith.  The candle represents Heavenly Father, the burning wick is the Savior, and the Holy Ghost is the oxygen.  We can't see the Holy Ghost but he has a powerful affect on us and our testimonies of Christ.

 The light of the world.

 Watched Downton Abbey this evening.  I think it is my favorite show!  I love the scenery, the costumes, the accents and the story. 

Sunday, January 20, 2013

I was up around 5:30 to type James's talk for him.  It's from a talk given by Elder Dallin H. Oaks in 2001 on Priorities and Focus.  We left for Cibique around 820.  It's 70 miles away and their meetings start at 10am.
We got there and couldn't find the church so we ask for directions.  When we arrived Alan Frost was waiting outside for us.  He is the branch president and a former friend from Snowflake High School.

James and President Frost in front of the church.

Some of the members after the meeting.

The Cibique branch only meets for two hours.  First they have an opening exercises and then they split for Relief Society and Priesthood.  I think Alan's wife Delsi took the few Primary children into the bishop's office for Primary.  Sacrament meeting is last.  I was the first speaker.  I spoke on Faith in Christ.  James thought I took a little too much of his time.  Sorry honey.  Maybe next time you will want to get someone else.  Cibique is on the Apache indian reservation and James says you have to be Apache to live there.  The sister who taught Relief Society lives in Linden and her daughter lives in Vernon.  I know her.  Her name is Sandra Kuper.  It was a good experience and I am glad I went.  

James drove the 70 miles back to Vernon and I am afraid I wasn't very good company because I kept falling asleep.  Back in Vernon we missed two things; Our ward conference and hearing the DeWitt's membership read in to our ward.  How exciting!!

Saturday, January 19 2013

Jared fixed a yummy breakfast this morning.  There was some kind of biscuit bread in a casserole dish that was divine!!  Also there was eggs, and mushrooms with meat and onions. 

Tricia went to a Relief Society, Young Women basketball tournament at the stake center this morning.  Jared and James went outside to work on the swing set and Jared ask me if I would supervise the three older kids doing their chores.  Did I mention that Anna has discovered the show "Psych?"  She loves it!

When Tricia got back from her tournament she and I took Molly to her dance class.  Before we could leave Molly had to show us some tricks:

 A snack before dance class.

A running start.

Did I miss it?

The landing was a little rough this time.

Nice!

Tricia and I went to Sprouts while Molly was at dance.  I got some beautiful avocados.  The ones in Show Low are terrible!

Back at home the guys were making progress on the swing set:

James and Jared at work.

Jared's only Saturday off in six weeks and this is what he does.

James Hayden is the painter.

Emmy was upset that Molly is the only one that got to swing!

Sorry we didn't have time to finish Emmy.

Some interesting facts about James Hayden:  He loves to play the piano.  He likes the Beatles.  He kept singing "Hey Jude."  He is reading the Book of Mormon and reads about two chapters a day.  He is an honor student at school and he takes his priesthood responsibilities very seriously.  He is a great kid!

Things I know about Emmy:  She loves mac & cheese and could eat it everyday.  She loves math games and likes to play on the Ipad.  She loves to play outdoors and is learning how to shoot her bow.  Sometimes she practices with her dad.  She is a very interesting girl and I love her!

Anna had a party this afternoon.  She had four of her friends come over and Tricia was going to take them to the mall.  Some interesting facts about Anna:  She loves Snow White and has loved her as long as I can remember.  She also loves Justin Bieber.  She is great with kids, especially Molly.  She loves to shop and likes her Mom's clothes and can wear some of them.  She loves to watch Psych!  I love Anna!

We left for home around 4:30, stopping for a Whataburger in a little town called Bayard.  We arrived home around 9:30, ready to go to bed.

Friday, January 18, 2013

We were late leaving this morning, 6 instead of 5, because I decided to order my Xoom tablet online and it took longer than I expected.  James was very patient with me. Texas here we come!

This is going to be a slow trip because we are pulling a trailer filled with pieces of a swingset.  Our first stop is at the Walmart in Silver City, New Mexico.  I needed to get some batteries and kleenex.  I must say it was one of the nicest Walmart's I have ever been to.  The shelves were full, it was clean, and it wasn't crowded.  There was a Subway inside so I got James and I a breakfast sandwich to share.

Our next stop was in Demming for a short visit with James's Dad.  He always wants to meet us at Denny's.  Since we had already eaten we met in the parking lot.

James and his Dad.

George is quite feeble.  He says that the "bushes" James gave him in December saved his life.  They are soldier berry bushes that grow around Vernon.  George uses them to make tea.  If you need any further details you will need to talk to George.

Next stop was for gas and then on to Jared & Tricia's.  The kids were all there to greet us when we arrived.

I brought Anna and Emmy each one of my porcelain dolls.  Anna has had her eye on Snow White for several years now.  Emmy chose Jill from the Jack & Jill set so she got Jack as an added bonus.  Molly did not feel left out because she says she already has a doll.

Molly with her gumballs.

We got Anna a few small gifts which she opened.  A light desk with patterns to trace, a manicure set, and a small notebook to write and draw in.  

Since Jared was at work James and Tricia helped James unload the trailer.  James and Tricia had to make a trip to Home Depot for replacement parts

This evening we all went to Golden Corral for Anna's birthday dinner.  The best story of the evening is about Anna and Molly.  Molly refused to eat so Anna took her through the line and let her pick whatever she wanted.  She picked some broccoli and other assorted veggies which Anna proceeded to feed her.  Molly was so happy because now she could get dessert.  Thank you Anna for making Molly so happy!

The Birthday Girl.

Molly reading a book with me.

In spite of the look on Anna's face she really did love

Golden Corral.

Anna feeding Molly her veggies.

 Dessert #1.

One bite.  She doesn't like the ice cream.

Vanilla ice cream cone.  

Much better than peach flavored.

Ice cream beard.

Cotton candy on the way out the door.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Today is Anna Lee Lambson's 11th birthday.  She is our oldest granddaughter and we paid $1000 for her.  She is a very sweet girl and makes new friends easily.  I love her very much.  I called her this morning to wish her a happy birthday.  Afterwards I got to talk to Molly.  The first thing Molly said to me was: "I want to talk to grandpa."  Sorry Molly, grandpa isn't here, you are stuck with me.  Molly told me all about her green pants and blue shoes and then she said she had to go.  Molly is 3 but if you ask her how old she is she will say: "I'm almost 4."  Molly and Anna have a strong bond.  Anna is very good with Molly and can get her to do things that other people can't.  I love them both.

James came home early today.  Originally he told me he wouldn't be here until around 9pm.  When he told me he was coming home early I got ready to go to town so I would be here when he got home.  I left at 11:45.  I went to the post office, to get gas and wash my car, to Book Barn to get Linda Diewald a birthday present, to Walmart, and then to LaCasita to pick up lunch.  I brought home two green chili burros, enchilada style for James and I.  He made it home before I returned. 

I was so upset when I got home.  I had spent good money to wash my car and because of the last mile and a half of road to our house it is now muddy again.  It's the one thing I hate about living here!  After I ate my green chili burro I felt a little better.

This evening James and I worked on the talks we are giving on Sunday in Cibique.  After trying unsuccessfully to find someone to speak with him I told him I would do it.  It made him very happy.  For my talk I am using the talk I gave in the Vernon ward in June entitled "Faith in Jesus Christ."  Since it's already prepared all I have to do is read through it a few times. 

We are going to Texas tomorrow!

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Trina said we could have James's birthday party next week at her house.  I have invited everyone Friday, January 25th to have chicken sandwiches and Eagle Brand pie for he birthday.  Also told them to come prepared to share a memory.

I had a presidency meeting at Natalie Soderquist's this morning at 10.  One the way out the guy from Sierra Propane stopped on the road near the Hunsaker's.  He was lost.  I had to draw him a map and tell him the name of the roads to get to our house.

I was home from my meeting by 12:30 but the guy didn't finish until after 3.  He found 4 gas leaks!  Wow, no wonder we have used so much gas.  Before leaving he lit both hot water heaters for me.  It cost us $250 for him to do these repairs, but it will be worth it I am sure.

This evening the Young Men and Young Women went sledding at The Pit.  Here are some pictures:

The gathering.

Everybody is cold.

Tyler and LeeAnn.

Brother Pope chopping wood for the fire.

Who wants to be first?

Up the mountain.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

James worked on the heater while he was here and tried to find the gas leaks.  I think he may have been successful with the heater but not with the gas leaks.  He is going to call Sierra Propane in Springerville to come out and see if they can find the leaks.  We bought 500 gallons of gas in December and we are now below 20% which means around 100 gallons.  Yikes!

I took my car out for a drive to see if the unbalanced tires problem was resolved.  Now instead of shaking at 40 mph it shakes at 65. 

James left this morning and I was home alone again.  I studied, paid bills, and worked on undecorating the tree.  At 5pm I had a presidency meeting with our Mia Maid president, Shelly Applegate.  We talked about the 5 inactive girls in our class.  We decided Shelly would fellowship Arizona, Hailey, and Alex and she would ask Trenda to work with Katelyn and Natasha.  I told her I would be available to help in any way she wanted me to. 

After taking Shelly to the library where here mom works after our meeting I came home and watched a little TV before going to bed.  Kim has got me hooked on the show Parenthood.