Saturday, April 27, 2013

I was up at 4am to get ready to go to the temple with the young women.  We met at the church at 5:30.  Here is a list of all those who went: Adults: Bishop Hall, Brothers Applegate, Dewitt, Miller, Mel Wilhelm, and Blaine Curtis, Diana Curtis, Alicia Hunsaker, and myself.  Young women: MaKenzi Hunsaker, Mary Swift, Trenda Wilhelm, Jordyn and Shelly Applegate, Kilee and LeeAnn Hunsaker.  Young men: Westin Hall, Aaron Windsor, Tyler Hunsaker, Talon Wilhelm and Jace Applegate.  Shelly and Jordyn rode with me.  Shelly had a church music CD she had gotten for her birthday that she played for us on the way. 
The first thing we always do when we get to the temple is have a devotional with one of the couples in the temple presidency.  This time it was President Johnson and his wife.  Sister Johnson told a story about President Johnson loving her homemade tacos.  One day they were going home to make tacos when they got a call that their great grandson Camden was in town.  They had to make a choice: go home and make tacos or go see Camden.  They chose Camden.  The moral of the story: Camden is always better than tacos, which translates to: Going to the temple is always better than something else we could do on a Saturday morning.
Of course after the temple Shelly, Jordyn and I had to go to El Cupido's to get something to eat.  Others from our group who were there: Bishop and Westin, Mary, and the Curtis's.
When I got home I took a nap and then got up and made white chocolate macadamian nut cookies for our ward party tonight.  Neither James nor I felt like going to the party but James delivered the cookies.  The Primary sponsored this party.  They are playing kickball and having a picnic at the park.
I got a call from Tina Allen this evening.  She is scheduled to teach the lesson in Young Women tomorrow but her mom is going to have a triple bypass so she is going to the valley and would like me to teach.  Well I guess it's a good thing I didn't go to the ward party.  Spent the evening preparing for a lesson on the apostasy and restoration.  Went to bed early and decided to finish my lesson prep in the morning.
In other news, I finished the Book of Mormon today.  This is the second time through for this year.  I love that book!
Today was prom here in Show Low.  Here are some pictures of Mary Swift, one of my young women, and her date Dallin Crandell, Kaytlynn Maxwell and her date, and Colby Maxwell and his date.

Mary and Dallin

This was Mary and Kaytlynn's group.  Kaytlynn is

Monte (my nephew) & Tasha's daughter and she is standing 

next to Mary. Her date was Josh Larsen.

Colby and his date.

Colby is my nephew Brian's son.

Vickie said he was a little upset because he had to 

wait for his date so long that they missed 

their reservations for dinner.

Friday, April 26, 2013

My visiting teacher, Alicia Hunsaker came by for a visit this morning at 9am.  We had a nice visit and then I had a meeting with Diana Curtis and Kaeli Nicoll about Young Women's.  Diana is the activity chairman for the Relief Society and we are scheduled to have a Relief Society, Young Women activity in May.  Natalie had wanted the RS to help make frozen dinners for a fundraiser.  This is the first that Kaeil and I had heard of it.  We weren't sure that's what we wanted to do.  We scheduled a time, May 22nd, and then told Diana we would get back with her about what the activity would be.  We need to meet with Brother Smith first and find out what our budget is and how much camp is going to cost.  Kaeli and I met after Diana left.  We made a Sunday teaching schedule and talked about plans for camp.  All of this is a bit overwhelming considering I have not been called to be the Young Women's president.
After everyone left James and I made a trip into town.  Of course we stopped for lunch at our favorite restaurant, La Casita and then James went to Home Depot and I went to Walmart.  While shopping in Walmart I ran in to an old Chandler friend, Pam Lucas.  Pam now lives in Snowfake and owns a home in Queen Creek.  She has at least ten kids.  Several years ago she and her husband Dale were in a car accident and Dale was killed leaving her with 6 kids still at home.  Well now she has only two kids at home, twins, a boy and a girl, who are seniors in high school.  She says that once they are gone she will probably move back to the valley to be closer to her kids and grandkids.  She has 39 grand children.  She makes 3 or 4 trips to the valley each month just like I do.  Kim was friends with her daughter Shawna, Darrel knew Tanner, and Sheri her daughter Becky.  A really neat family.  I went to Dale's funeral and it was one of the nicest tributes to a Dad that I have ever seen.  Those kids loved their Dad.  It was so nice to reconnect with Pam and we exchanged phone numbers. She lives in the subdivision near the Snowflake temple on the golf course.
Here is a picture of James's reloading table he made:

A nice addition to our deck.

Elk in our yard.  Can you see them?

Tonight's sunset.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

I got up this morning and watered the back yard again.  I just hate the fact that I fertilized it and no one has been watering.  Around 9:30 Sheri picked me up and we went to the new Phoenix Outlet Malls on the other side of interstate 10 near Wild Horse Pass.  Very close if you live in Chandler or Ahwatukee.

Fashionista and superb shopper Sheri.

I bought a new black purse at Nine West that cost me about the same as if I had bought it at Target.  I also bought some luxury Egyptian cotton sheets with 1500 thread count for half the price of the ones I like at Sams Club.  It was a good shopping day.  I want to come back though because all of the stores weren't open yet.

 The Nine West plate is on the other side.

We were tired and hungry after our shopping adventure so we went to Firebirds for lunch.  I got my usual: the coconut shrimp appetizer with mango coleslaw.  We ordered chocolate sundaes for dessert and thoroughly enjoyed their delicious sour dough bread.  I am so glad I got to spend some time with Sheri!

The rest of the afternoon I did a few chores around the house and waited for James to finish taking care of the plumbing problem at Andersen's.  He offered his services for free today just because that's the nice kind of guy he is.  We didn't leave for home until after 7pm.  We tried to order from Burger House but we missed their closing time (8pm) by 15 minutes.  What restaurant closes at 8pm?  I guess one in a small town.

We had to settle for Taco Bell.  I didn't enjoy my crunch wrap as much as I thought I would.  I guess I was thinking about green chili burros from Burger House.

We got home around 10:30, unloaded the truck and went to bed.  Here is a picture of the full moon I tried to take as we were leaving Mesa.

The real thing was very grandiose.

Wednesday, April 24th, 2013

We were off to Phoenix before 8 am.  James had to stop off at Troy Andersen's on our way to the surgery center.  The Andersen's are having plumbing problems.  They have no hot water in their kitchen.  Since James did no plumbing in the kitchen he doesn't think that it is something that he did.  He had Rick the Plumber follow us over and asked him a couple of questions.  James will be back tomorrow to see if he can fix the problem.  The Andersen's bought an older home and perhaps something was done on the last remodel to mess up the plumbing.
When James was being admitted at the surgery center in Phoenix we found out he is not actually scheduled today to have his nerves clipped.  They will give him several shots today to determine if the nerve clipping  will help him.  (We are a little embarrassed because we have family members prayers and concerns.)  Anyway after the check in proceedure we were only in the family waiting room for a few minutes when they called James's name.  He was back in ten minutes.  The doctor did six injections in his back.  He wants him to give his back a workout for the next three hours.  He says if James feels no pain that means they will be successful in getting rid of the pain when they clip his nerves.  The sad news is that the injections did not get rid of any pain, not even for a minute.  Now what do we do?  Very disappointing.
We went to Olive Garden on the way home to drown our sorrows.  Good food is such a comfort.  Went home and did another of our favorite things, took a nap. 
I called Trina to see if we could come over this evening and bring the move "Arthur and the Invisibles" for the kids.  She said yes, and would we like to come to dinner.  Of course.  Trina is always so thoughtful.  The dinner was so nice, pasta salad, chicken salad and flatbread and fruit and avocado.  Healthy too! 
There was also an after dinner show.  We all went outside.  Rowan dressed up with a jacket and sunglasses and danced on the trampoline while Addy played her guitar.  She played the piece "Ode to Joy."  Very nice.  I tried to take some pictures but it was too dark outside.  What an enjoyable evening!

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

We left the house at 4:30 am.  James is getting ready for a concrete pour and has to be in Chandler around 8.  We stop for gas at the Conoco in Show Low and James realizes he doesn't have his wallet.  I pay for the gas and then we head back to Vernon.  He can't do his medical proceedure tomorrow without I.D.  He called and postponed his concrete for an hour later.   I could have slept an extra hour!!  We made it to Chandler in time for the pour and then James was worried that he forgot his meds.  Yikes!  I'm worried about alzheimers.  (Come to find out he didn't forget his meds.  Thank goodness!). 

Work at Zaki's.

 

When I walk in the door Josh asks for my phone.  For some reason he didn't go to school today.  The older boys have a late start and Dallin is downstairs in my old office recording some music. 

For some reason I am not motivated to do much today.  I get Hulu plus on my computer and watch some TV until James gets home then we go to Chili's to get something to eat.  I have my Chili's favorite, the Carribean salad with shrimp.  I have a coupon for a free dessert so I order the cheesecake with strawberry sauce.  James takes a couple of small bites and then guess who eats the rest.  Chili's cheesecake is delicious!

Back home to water the yard and plants.  This evening we watched part of The Voice with Stacy and Paul.

 Jammin' with the Gonzos.

  I make some phone calls about getting sisters to go with the youth to the temple on Saturday.  Thanks to Alicia Hunsaker and Diana Curtis for saying they would go.  The temple always wants three sisters and since I am the only one from the YW's going I was grateful for their willingness to serve.

Don't you think Holly dog would look good with a wig:

Monday, April 22, 2013

James is home for the second Monday in a row!!  I did my Book of Mormon study and some laundry while waiting for James to finish on the computer. 
I have to share one of my favorite Nephi scriptures:

2 Nephi 33:3

I Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people.  For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry.

I love how Nephi is always thinking about his people, both day and night.  I love that he cries for them on his pillow at night.

 

Around lunch time we made a trip to town and stopped at Licano's for lunch.  James likes La Casita better but they are closed on Monday.  I had my carne asada burro with green sauce which satisifed my craving.  Afterwards we went to Walmart and Home Depot.  James got some mulch and some potting soil at Home Depot.
We came home and took a nap and then I had my turn at the computer where I did some catchup on my blog.  We watched a cute Hallmark movie, one of our favorites, called "Flower Girl."  I took this picture of the sunset:

We went to bed early because James says we are leaving by 4:30am for the valley tomorrow. 

Sunday, April 21, 2013

I was up at 3 am.  I new I had to get up early to finish preparing for my lesson.  I couldn't sleep, so I got up an hour earlier than planned.  I studied and prepared to give each girl these for a handout:

The Book of Mormon is pocket-sized.

Rusty Allen and Collin and Wendy Dewitt were the speakers in sacrament meeting.  Collin and Wendy spoke on fast offering and tithing and Rusty talked about agency.  In Sunday School we discussed the scripture legacy left by Joseph Smith.  For the first time in I don't know how long, all of the Young Women leaders were in attendance today.  It was Natalie's last day so there were a few tears shed, mostly by her.

We have another new girl: Maddie Lynch,  She is Rosie and Dave Westbrook's granddaughter.  The other girls seem to already know her.  After the lesson I challenged all of the girls to read the Book of Mormon by our next stake conference which is October 13th as our stake president, President Williams challenged us.  They all raised their hands and said they would.  I told them they would have to read at least 3 pages a day.

I passed around a pile of pictures of Book of Mormon stories and told each girl to chose one of her favorites to tell about.  Shelly chose Abinadi, LeeAnn - Samuel the Lamanite, Maddy - the Savior teaching the Nephites, Kilee - Lehi and his family sailing to America, Trenda - King Benjamin, Mary - the conversion of Alma the Younger, and Jordyn - the brother of Jared.   

After the block I attended BYC while Natalie and Kaeli attended a camp meeting with Julie Wilhelm, the camp director, and Randa Covert, her assistant.

When I got home from church I barely had time to grab a bite to eat and change my clothes before our home teacher, Chuck Crane, and his wife Kathy arrived for a visit.  The message this month is on the resurrection and life after death and the gratitude we should feel for the Atonement.  It was a wonderful message.

The Crane's are going through a trial in their life right now.  Their only daughter, Joanna who recently divorced her husband because he was unfaithful, has decided she and her son are going to be baptized into another church.  She invited them to come to the baptism but Chuck says he just can't go.  Kathy isn't sure.  My heart goes out to them and I tried to offer some comfort.  I know Kathy fasts every Sunday for her family.

After the Crane's left James and I took a nap.  James's nap was shorter than mine because he had to attend a church court in Show Low.  He called to tell me that on his way into town, near the airport, he saw 29 elk cross the road.  I guess that made his trip into town worthwhile.

Taylor Wanlass opened his mission call this evening.  He is going to the San Antonio, Texas, spanish speaking mission and will leave September 4th.  

 We are proud of you Taylor!

I had to post this picture of Brian, Kim and Joe after the Ragnar run in California.

Saying goodbye to Mission Beach before heading home.