Monday, April 7, 2014

Sheri with baby Benjamin

Gospel Study

Matthew 11:28-30

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto our souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

James left this morning which is always a sad thing.  I love him so much and I am so grateful for all he does for me.  

I watched a 12 year old girl on YouTube talk about why abortion takes away the rights of the unborn child.  She did such a wonderful job.  I hope what she says will make a difference in someone's life.

I took a hydrocodone 5mg for my knees and a few minutes later I felt pretty darn good.  I called the AARC and asked for some help.  I spoke to Theresa.  She took notes and she said someone named Rosie would be calling me back.  I never got a call today but if I don't get one by tomorrow I will be calling back.

 Love this picture!

Diana said she would teach for me on May 4th so I can attend Alex's ordination.  I am so grateful.  I love working with her.

I did some vacuuming today, got out my Easter basket and plastic eggs, and worked on finances.  At 5:15 I decided to make a quick trip to town to deposit a check and get a burrito supreme from Taco Bell for dinner.  On the way home I stopped at the post office and Kaeli Nicoll and Joelle Miller pulled in behind me.  Kaeli asked me if I was going to the Relief Society dinner tomorrow night.  I said I would for her.  

My mailbox was packed full and my lightbulbs from Hobby Lobby came so I had alot to carry home. 

Back at home I watched Dancing with the Stars.  Katherine McCormick from SYTYCD did a Macy's Stars of Dance special with Derrick and some other male dancers.  It was amazing.  Also, Meryl Davis danced with Val instead of Maks because it was "change up" week and was phenomenal.  She got 3 10's.  

James said our air mattress has a hole in it which means I am going to have to buy another one.  

 

 

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Dandelion Sunset, Tuscany, Italy

Gospel Quote:

"When a woman is called to preach the gospel she is given priesthood authority to perform a priesthood function.  The same is true of a woman set apart as a teacher or in a presidency."

-Dallin H. Oaks

Priesthood Session of 184th General Conference

 Balintore Castle, Scotland

I woke up with my lower jaw on my left side swollen.  I ate a lemon and drank some lemon juice.  It didn't seem to help.  Did I mention that I was up before 4am.  I spent the last four hours of the night on my recliner. 

I fixed our "conference" cinnamon swirl pancakes for breakfast. They were yummy, but I think they made me tired.  I kept nodding off during the first session of conference this morning.  I even had James stop the recording for awhile so I could take a nap.  We had an hour for lunch before the start of the next session.  I made BLT's for lunch.

Baby Polar Bear

The next session was even worse as far as my sleepiness.  I could not stay awake.  Luckily I will be able to look at all the talks online in a couple of days.  

For dinner I made a salad and brownies and we finished off the chicken-stuffing casserole I made yesterday.  

After working on my blog James lit a fire and we sat by it while I read from The Book Thief.  World War II is kicking into high gear.

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Addy, Ruby, Max.

Got up and took some Naprosyn and then got sick to my stomach.  I went back to sleep on the recliner until just before conference at 9am.  I loved this first session!  Here are a couple of quotes:

"Remain steadfast in the faith.  At sometime you

will be called up to defend your faith."

-Jeffrey R. Holland

"Pure Christ like love flowing from true righteousness can

change the world."

-Jeffrey R. Holland

"We need to value what the Lord values."

-Ronald A. Rasband

"The Savior has the power to heal and cleanse you."

-Linda S. Reeves

 Lake Side, Styrn, Norway

For lunch I made a chicken, onion, green bean, gravy, stuffing casserole.  James loved it and so did I.  We were ready for the second session when it was time.

"Keeping divine commandments 

brings blessings every time."

-Elder Russell M. Nelson

"We must sincerely love those we

want to help in righteousness."

-Elder Richard G. Scott

"Through our obedience we show our love for God."

-Elder Robert D. Hales

 The Johnson-Gonzales family

a few years back.

After the second session we took a nap and then I cut James's hair.  I made us some strawberry shortcake before he left to pick up Chuck Crane and go to the priesthood session.  I discovered the priesthood session was on here so I watched it too.  I especially enjoyed Elder Ridd's talk on technology.

Great Market, Brussels, Belgium

When James got home I finish watching President Monson's talk while he does some paperwork for his job and then we watch last week's The Mentalist.  

Love this mountain!

I found a way to keep my tooth in during the day.  It's called cinnamon Trident gum.  I works better than anything else.  I still take it out at night and when I eat.  

 Holly, this one's for you,

just a reminder as to what can happen.

 On the edge, Pulpit Rock, Norway

 Zakynthos, Greece

Friday, April 4, 2014

Joshua chillin' at the Arizona 

Grand Resort.

I was up early with a surprise in my mouth as I take a bite of the second Big Hunk bar I bought yesterday.  I lost my upper right, second from the last crown.  Oh dear, I knew there was a reason not to eat Big Hunks.  Around 5:30 I slipped out to Walmart to get some dental adhesive.  James waited for me to get back before he left for work so he could help me re-insert my crown.  The adhesive did not work.  I was frustrated.  I got another adhesive at Walgreens and it didn't work either.  Dr. Douglas isn't in her office today so I will have to wait until next week to get it replace but in the meantime I have to figure something out or I will have crooked teeth.  

The great city of London.

I arrived a little early at the Arizona Arthritis and Rheumetology Center for my infusion appointment.  I wanted to make a doctor's appointment, which I did for May 9th with Tiffany.  I certainly hope this Remicade infusion helps me with the pain in my knees.  I was there for over two hours.  

On my way home James called and asked me if I would go by Elmer's and pick up some lunch, which I did.  Two machaca burros and two machaca tacos.  We ate lunch together at home, and then I went out to do some errands while James went back to work.

Here is an interesting lunch.

Redneck Calamari.

I went to the Oreck store and bought some pre-treatment spray for the carpet and ended up spending over $50.  I stopped at Karen Schneider's for Beanie Babies and games.  She's moving and is getting rid of the things she doesn't want or need. She also has a bedroom set and some couches and chairs she wants to sell.  I would love to have them, especially the bed, so I told her to figure out a price and let me know.  Next I went to Deseret Book to get me a new General Conference and Stake Conference journal.  

I went back home to take a nap before leaving for home, but my knees hurt too badly so I got up an packed.  I had Stacy and Joshua help me carry my things upstairs.  Joshua was so cute, he carried out three bags of garbage. I said goodbye and went to Sam's Club for gas and CVS for more adhesive.  I also went to Kneader's for dinner, a chicken salad croissant and a chocolate eclair.  Boy that eclair was good!

Saw this car at the temple yesterday.

It made James, Kim, and I laugh.

A truck and trailer almost ran me off the road on the way home.  I am so grateful that someone was looking after me.  It shook me up for quite awhile.  James was about thirty minutes behind me.  

We went to bed as soon as we unloaded and put things away.  My right knee hurt so badly I slept on the recliner after James gave me one of his pain pills.  He came and slept by me.  What a sweetie.

   Val di Funes, The Dolomites, Italy.

(I'll dream about this place, that

should relax me.)

Thursday, April 3, 2014

I was right!  It did snow last night.

 I love the trees with snow.

 Quick, before it melts!

 My tree.

There was 2-3 inches of snow on the ground when I got up this morning.  I had to take some pictures before it all melted.

I had my regular gospel study this morning except in place of conference talks I ran off all the talks from the General Women's Meeting so I can start reading them tomorrow.  Also, I am almost caught up on my blog!

Today's Quote

"This is the promise of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Atonement: . . .that ar the end of our lives, we can go through the veil having repented of our sins and having been washed clean through the blood of Christ."

-Boyd K. Packer

I left the house later than planned, around 11am.  Before leaving James had me turn off both the well and the pump.  Yes, you guessed it, I'm going to the valley.  I made it to Payson where I got gas, washed my car and had some lunch.  I was pretty sleepy coming down the rim but felt revived after lunch.  By the time I got to Fountain Hills I was drowsy again so I stopped at a Circle K and got a Big Hunk bar.  It worked!  The chewing kept me awake.  Gum just doesn't work nearly as well as a Big Hunk.  I arrived in Chandler, unloaded the car and settled in for a short nap before James got home.  

We picked up Kim to go to the Gilbert temple around 4:45.  We thought we were going to the 5:30 session but sessions only start on the hour at this temple so we were the first ones seated in the chapel for the 6pm session.  Here are some of the people we saw that we know: Nancy Brimhall, Carol Tolman, and Mark Saxy who were all temple workers.  Brad Holm and John Myers were in our session.  I could have sat in that celestial room a little longer but James was anxious to go.  It was a wonderful way to spend the evening!

Since Kim has work tomorrow we took her home and then we went to Chili's to get something to eat.  I had the tilapia with mango salsa, broccoli and rice.  It was perfect, not too heavy but very tasty.

 

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Japanese squirrel.

Love the big eyes!

It's 4am and the wind is howling!  My weather app first said 60% chance of rain today.  It doesn't look like rain outside at all, hardly any clouds, and now it says snow.  The wind howled all day and it stayed in the 40's most of the day.  Maybe a storm is blowing in and will arrive after dark.

 Quote for the day

"As you keep your covenants you draw upon priesthood power to bless your home and family."

-Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson

New Era, April 2014, p. 10-11.

 Mr. Joshua in a Superman shirt.

I wanted to watch the movie Austenland while I was cleaning the wood floors today.  At first I couldn't get the input button to work on the remote.  I finally went to the top of the TV button and got on HDMI3 the place where I am supposed to be able to watch movies from my VCR.  All I got was fuzzy, irritation audio.  That's when I figured it was the 3-pronged cord from the VCR to the TV.  I called Vickie to see if I could get some new remotes. I told her my problem and she said I could pick up some new remotes at the office tomorrow on my way to the valley.  Then she called back and said she and Harold were on their way out.  I did need a new 3-pronged cord and Vickie brought one.  When Harold came in from walking his dogs we had to move the TV off the wall and set in on the floor in order to plug the cord into the back of it.  There were two other cords that needed to be plugged in and it's a pain to get back there.  We need a new wall mount!  I was so appreciative of Harold and Vickie coming out.  They are always so anxious and ready to help other people.  

 This is Harold & Vickie's granddaughter

Kaytlynn throwing the discus.

Tonight I attended the General Women's Meeting Rebroadcast at the stake center Diana Curtis, Shelly Applegate, and Coty Iannoli.  Diana made it back from California just in time to go with us.  Here is a picture of all the girls from our ward who attended the meeting:

Kelly Reynolds, Alice Wilhelm, Shelly Applegate, Coty Iannoli,

Trenda Wilhelm, Kyah Westbrook, LeeAnn Hunsaker and Maddie Carroll.

The jean jacket girls:

Maddie, Trenda, and LeeAnn

It was freezing cold as we left the meeting.  I told Shelly, Coty, and Diana I thought it was going to snow tonight.

James did not have a good day because the concrete pump broke down.  He stayed until after dark putting water on the concrete.  It will be so sad if he has to tear it out.

 Niagra Falls.

I like to close the day with a soothing scenery picture.

 

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

A man in Germany attached 10,000

Easter eggs to his apple tree.

Gospel Quote:

"Do you believe in Jesus Christ and do you follow Him and the Father?  How powerful are the words: 'I believe in Jesus Christ!''

Elder Russell M. Ballard

At 6 this morning I looked out the window and saw 8 elk.  I immediately called James and he asked me if any of them had horns.  I had to go get the binoculars.  No, honey, I'm sorry they don't.  This is one of the reasons I open the blinds early in the morning.  The other reason is to see the sunrise. 

I didn't get a picture of the elk but this

picture of a heron was taken in

Arizona.

Jared sent me an email this morning in response to yesterdays family letter in which I asked for ideas for my talk on coming unto Christ and if anyone had ideas for family scripture study that they would like to share.  He gave me a link to a talk by Jeffrey R. Holland entitled "Come Unto Me", and he shared this idea for family scripture study: This was Tricia's idea and comes from her love of music.  They study a hymn along with their scriptures.  He says the kids are much more involved as a result.  What a good idea!

Also Trina set me Ruby's favorite colors which are: rainbow colors, black, pink, and purple.  I think she's got most of the colors covered.  Her favorite dessert is lemon cake but Trina can't recall when she's ever had it.  

 I love this picture of Cathi's daughter Wendy and her son Colter and Sheri and Max taken almost eleven years ago.

Colter was born on June 30th and Max on July 1st.

Don't you just love Max's sweet little face and his chubby cheeks!

James had a meeting with Greg Hatch today.  It looks like his job will be starting in the next couple of weeks.  We have been waiting since November to here that news!

I stayed home all day but I also stayed busy all day.  I paid bills and brought our financial records up to date.  At Diana Curtis's request I called the young women about the women's broadcast tomorrow night.  Most everyone will be going with their Mom's except Shelly (who went with her mom on Saturday), and Coty.  They will both be going with me.  Diana will try to make it back from Disneyland but might be too late.