Sunday, October 13, 2013

I got up at 6:30 to read from the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants. 
James and I started the 40 day conference challenge today.  Everyday we will read a General Conference address or an address from the General Women's meeting. 
We took the truck because of a gas issue and left for stake conference before 9 am.  Before conference started James and Sean Hunsaker gave Lorraine Vaught a priesthood blessing.  She has a detached retina and some heart problems. 

We missed getting in the padded seats.  We sat by Rick and Rosie Lauritzen, Brother and Sister Jerry Scott, and April Allen.  Walter Denham, someone we knew in high school came up and spoke with James before conference started.  Gladys, one of my friends is his sister. 

My notes on conference are in my stake conference journal.  Pres. Williams talked about the Book of Mormon challenge and shared this promise given by Pres. Marion G. Romney in the April 1960 General Conference:

"I counsel you, my beloved brothers and sisters and friends everywhere, to make reading in the Book of Mormon a few minutes each day a lifelong practice...I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein.  The spirit of contention will depart.  Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom.  Children will be more responsive and submissive to that counsel.  Righteousness will increase.  Faith, hope, and charity - the pure love of Christ - will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy and happiness."

When we returned home Kim and Brian had lunch prepared for us.  We had nachos and then I made some corn dogs for whoever wanted one.  I visit with Kim, Brian, and the boys until it's time for them to leave.  After saying our goodbyes James and I go in to take a nap.  

This evening we had stake auxiliary training.  James is over the Sunday School.  He rode to the meeting with Owen Peeler from our ward who is also the stake Sunday School president.  I drove my car and picked up Analee Hunsaker, Kaeli Nicoll, and Diana Curtis, our young women's presidency.  

After the meeting Analee told me some sad news about Sherry Swansey.  After going through the temple two times she decided it wasn't right and that we were all being duped.  She wrote a letter to Pres. Williams, Bishop Hall, and Sean Hunsaker that she wanted no more to do with the Church.  This is some of the saddest news I have heard in a long time.  I just don't understand.

James and I watched an episode of The Walton's before going to bed.

Today was Kevin Lambson's 42nd birthday.  Happy birthday Kevin.

 

Saturday, October 12, 2013

This morning I made the Archer Farms cinnamon pecan pancakes.  They were a hit.

After breakfast the boys went on a Razr ride.  When they returned we all took a drive up to see the trees on the mountain.  James and the boys went on the Razr and Kim, Brian and I went in the car.

All bundled up.

The drive was beautiful.  James took the boys on top of Green's Peak and they had a wild ride down over the bumps.  Kim, Brian, and I drove out to highway 260.  All of us took pictures.  Kim had her camera and so we made a few stops.

Yes, that is snow on the ground.

For lunch we had leftover roast which was actually more like a stew.  Afterwards James got ready for his stake priesthood leadership meeting which starts at 4.  Chuck Crane picked him up a little after 3.

The boys played a game on the floor.

Later Kim and I played Five Crowns with Ben and Max.  Brian went to Midway Station and brought us back some candy bars and drinks.  I took a nap and then went out and washed my car.  Afterwards I went in to get ready for the adult session of stake conference. Kathy Crane rode with me.  James and Chuck saved us seats.  For notes on this session of stake conference see my stake conference journal.

I spoke with Denice Hall this evening.  She said Kendall was having a difficult time getting his passport to Argentina because of the government shut down.  Consequently he may have to serve part of his mission in the states.

Pictures on Facebook

 Rowan and Ruby at the park.

Evan and Josh at Evan's lemonade stand.

Friday, October 11, 2013

James and I fixed steak, gravy, and biscuits for breakfast for everyone.  Sheri went out for a run and said she didn't want any but when she got back she couldn't resist. 

Chef James at work.

Sheri, Alex, Michael, Joe and I got to Midway Station to get candy and ice cream for our ice cream pie.  The boys wanted chocolate ice cream with KitKats and peanut butter cups.  Sheri somehow spent #30 and I spent $17.  It was probably the most business this store had all day.

 The boys taking a walk.

Our pie turned out to be quite delicious.  These are the things I've seen Michael eat since he got here: candy, orange juice, and chocolate milk made with Hershey's syrup.

Max, Kim, Sheri, and I played Five Crowns.  Afterwards Sheri did the happy dance.

More fun and games:

When Joe is here there is always some guitar music.

A game of Jenga.

For dinner we had roast, potatoes, and carrots.  The perfect dinner on a cold evening.  After eating, Sheri, Alex, Michael, and Evan left for home.  Ben and Max stay here to keep Joe company.

Kim and I watch the movie "First Daughter" starring Katie Holme.  It was funny because her body guard and the guy she turns out liking was named James Lambson.!  Now that's never happened before in a movie!

Thursday, October 10, 2013

There was rain, lightening, and thunder today.  It was also cold and windy with the high around 48.
I made buttermilk pancakes for breakfast.  They were so yummy!

 Enjoying their pancakes.

  After breakfast Sheri, Ben, Evan and I went to Walmart.  I bought some chicken to make for dinner.  I came home and marinated it so it would be nice and juicy when it was time to cook dinner. 

Ben looked for a new Minecraft game but they didn't have one.  Sheri said she would order it for him on Amazon.  We stopped at Circle K for drinks on the way home. 

 View of Green's Peak on the way home.

Back at home Sheri and Max and I played a game of Five Crowns.  James took Ben on a Razr ride.  No one else wanted to go because it was so cold.  James said he had the need for speed and Ben said he doesn't get cold.  When he got back he was freezing.  I guess grandpa went too fast.

Evan has quite a personality.  He has an imaginary friend whose name is Jimmy Flipkins.  Isn't that a cool name!!  I bought a Jenga game at Walmart and he played with the blocks.  He made a robot then he came up with the idea that he was going to open a store and sell lemonade when he gets home.  The name of his store will be "Robo."

The boys played Zombies, Jenga, ping pong, and went on short Razr rides.

We watched The Pioneer Woman.  She made homemade pizza and ice cream pie.  Michael and Alex decided we should make an ice cream pie.  Maybe tomorrow.

Tonight for dinner we had honey lime chicken, broccoli and roasted potatoes.  Everything was delicious. 
The boys did the dishes.

Kim, Brian and Joe got here around 11 pm.  Yeah!  Now the party really begins.

I finished the Book of Mormon for the sixth time this year.

I got these pictures off Facebook:

Tricia found a stack of her favorite treat at Costco.

It's James's favorite treat too.

Trina and her friend on the soccer field.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

I woke up to see James's sleeping face in Addy's bed.  He looked so peaceful.  I have to tell you a story about Addy and her sweetness.  She and her cousin Kayla sold lemonade to raise money for one of their friends who has cancer.  They raised $14.00.  I love that girl, and her cousin Kayla too.

We said goodbye to Addy this morning who was the only one up when we left.  We are headed back to Chandler to load up the truck before returning to Vernon.

Since the kids are out of school for fall break they help us load up the truck.  Our helpers were: Alex, Ben, Max, and Michael.  I think Joe came over for awhile too.  Max is by far the best helper.

I loaded up alot of my Halloween stuff to take to the cabin.  Joshua asked if he could have a skeleton so I left one for him.

Relaxing

Oh, did I mention that Sheri came down to help too.  She and Max loaded up most of my books on the fireplace shelves.  

 Michael makes himself a costume

James tries to fix the sprinklers but can't.  He is going to call Brent and ask for his help.

We leave for Vernon around noon, behind Sheri, her boys, and Michael.  I told Max he could choose where we stop for lunch in Payson.  He chose Pizza Hut.  We had the buffet.  It was quite expensive so Sheri helped pay for it.  

Our next stop was Safeway in Show Low.  As I am coming out of the store with my groceries Michael comes up beside me and scares me.  He looked like this.

I guess he went around the store looking at people and trying to pick things up with his short arms.

Evan put this headstone outside.

 

When we get home everyone helps unload the truck and then James and Alex cook dinner.  They made pork chops and rice pilaf.  I don't have time to eat before I go to Mutual but I tell them to save me something.

I had to be at Mutual at 6 for presidency meeting.  The only problem was that no girls showed up.  Jordyn came late.  Kaeli was there with Natalie Jo.  She is so darn cute!!  Our mutual activity tonight was making flower arrangements and posters for Young Women in Excellence.

Natalie Jo Nicoll

It was cold today in Vernon.  I took this picture of the sky.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

We were up early this morning to leave for the valley.  We are going in James's truck and he is driving.  We didn't make any stops until the McDonald's in Fountain Hills where we stopped for some breakfast.  From there we went on to Smile Imaging where James gets his x-rays done.  After the x-rays I dropped James off at Dr. Ortegas while I went to CVS to get cards for Dawn and Lois and then to Chase bank for some cash to put in the cards.  I made it back to Dr. Ortega's just as James was coming out.  He actually got to see the doctor this time.  He said when James comes back for his appointment on November 26th, he should be walking without a walker.  A cane is the next mode of assistance.

I called Dr. Caldron's and found out that he was in the Paradise Valley office today.  James drove me there and I went in and got his signature on my Encourage Foundation papers.  I hope this works because I have been out of Enbrel for about two weeks now. 

James stopped at Lake Park Village to look at a little job they want him to do.  I got to meet Don and Tom.
Our next stop was Elmer's in Chandler where we picked up lunch for us and Dawn and Lois.  They were both at home when we arrived so we got to have lunch with both of them and enjoy their company.  When we left I told Lois that she was my hero.

At 2:00 James had an appointment to get his teeth cleaned at Dr. Douglas's.  While he was there I went shopping at Target and Sam's. 

We are staying at Darrel & Trina's but Trina has to work tonight so we made sure we got over there before she had to leave so we could visit with her a little while.  She told us about how their chickens all died while they were transporting them to their new home.  She tried to revive one of them and was almost successful.  After the kids stopped screaming she told them that the chickens had definitely gone to a better place. 

We had to go back to Chandler because James had a short meeting at the Chandler Airport regarding the project he is doing for Pres. Greg Hatch.  I stayed and visited with Sheri while he was gone. 

On the way back to Darrel's we stopped at Target and got the kids some personal pan pizzas.  Here is a picture I took at the dinner table.

Ruby, James, Addy, and Rowan

Here are some of the things we did this evening while at Darrel's:  I played Addy a game of Five Crowns.  She beat me 71-70.  James made us some chocolate covered strawberries.  Rowan and Addy are so excited to teach me about their Minecraft game.  I got stereo instructions while Ruby was sitting on my lap and I was trying to read her a story.  

Thanks to Ruby and Addy for giving up their beds for us.  They slept on the floor in their parents room.

Stacy and Paul went to a Depeche Mode concert with Tara and Jared Ammon this evening.  I guess they had a good time.  Stacy said it was the best concert she has ever been to.

Monday, October 7, 2013

My insurance company for my Enbrel, Right Source, has just informed me that my co-pay is $873.94.  When I told the agent I couldn't afford that she put me in touch with the Encourage Foundation.  I filled out all the forms, now I have to get Dr. Caldron's signature whne we go to the valley tomorrow.

James and I went in to town to get his truck washed since we are taking it to the valley tomorrow.  As we drove up to the High Country Carwash which is owned by Jim Brookbank, Jim walked up to us and asked us to go in the other wash stall because he had just installed new brushes.  I have known Jim (better known as Jimmy in high school) since his family moved to Show Low back in the 60's.  I spent many hours at his parents house because his older sister Polly was my best friend in high school.  Any way, back to my carwash story:
We went through and Jim was waiting at the other end when the dryer started blowing trash and leaves out of the back of our truck.  How embarrassing.!! Oh, did I mention that Jim is the stake executive secretary and works very closely with James on the high council. When we finished he said: "Well, I didn't know that was going to happen."  James just smiled.

After the carwash we went to Subway to get something to eat.  I tried their chopped chicken salad because Marci Coombs said it was delicious.  She was right, I loved it! 

On the way home James discovered that his phone was missing.  On the way to town we had dropped off garbage at the dump and he had leaned over the back of the truck to toss the garbage.  We figured that was where it was so we stopped there on the way home.  When we got to the dump we explained to the attendant what we were doing and he wished us luck.  As soon as James got out of the truck he noticed a metal sign in the back of the truck.  He picked it up and there was his phone, no worse for the wear.  Thank goodness!  At least this time if something had happened to it we have insurance.

This evening we watched The Voice and Dancing with the Stars.  Julianne Hough was the guest judge as Len was gone this week.

Aaron Lambson posted this beautiful picture on Facebook today: