Monday, June 16, 2014

Ammon to the Lamanite King:

"I will be thy servant."

James left around 6:30 am for the valley.  He has a huge pour (20 loads of concrete) around midnight tonight at the Chandler Airport for Hatch Hanger.  He left with no simvistatin and he also forgot his computer.

My blood pressure was a little high today.  I took a walk and check it again and it was much better.  

Congratulations to Wendy and Shaun Kellar.

This is baby Kaytee.  Wendy is Dave's daughter.

Audrey Guerrero made me a cheesecake today.  I picked her up and we went to town around 4pm this afternoon.  She said she needed to pick up some medicine and I was making a trip to Walmart to buying the groceries for the dinner I am fixing for the missionaries on Sunday.  I knew I would be pretty busy the rest of the week.  After our shopping we stopped at Panda Express and got some dinner to take home.  When I dropped Audrey off I picked up my cheesecake and cinnamon rolls she had made for girls camp.  The cheesecake was delicious with Heath candy bar crust.

Sheri, Ian and their boys made if safely to California today.  Tricia is there with Emmy and Molly so they all had dinner together at Seal Beach.

Sheri and Molly

When Sheri told Molly that I said hi to her Molly said: "I don't say hi to her, I say I love her."  What a sweet thing to say.

Group picture on the pier.

Molly and Evan.

Kim, Brian, Joe, and Michael seem to be having fun in San Diego.

Not sure what that is on Michael's head.

This evening I wrote a letter to Michael, Joseph, and Alex.  I have not yet mailed it.  Most of it is based on Brother Ridd's talk from General Conference.

 Happy Anniversary to

Terry and Evans Farnsworth.

Terry was my secretary when I

was the Stake Relief Society President.

 

Sunday, June 15, 2014

 Alma 17:3

...they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.

Happy Father's Day!

James got: new shoes, two new pair of jeans, two new shirts, Nutella, a Bass Pro shop card from me and Kim and Brian, candy and a sweet card from Sheri, and a book from Jared about Abraham Lincoln and the Book of Mormon.

Sy Westbrook, Collin DeWitt, and George Wallace were the speakers in sacrament meeting today.  We especially enjoyed Collin's talk as he interviewed several of the children in our ward about their fathers.  It was quite entertaining.  After sacrament meeting the Relief Society handed out bags of cookies to all the men and young men too.

In Sunday School we learned about Ruth and Hannah and Sandra Wilhelm gave the lesson in Young Women's on the keys of the Priesthood.  We also had setting aparts for our new class presidencies for those who were here.  Alice Wilhelm is the Beehive class president and Heaven is her secretary.  Kilee Hunsaker is the Mia Maid class president and Maddie Carroll is her secretary.  Trenda Wilhelm is the Laurel class president and Jordyn Applegate is her secretary.  Kilee, Maddie, and Trenda were not here today.  

I sold my iphone 4 to Alice Wilhelm for $10.  She is so excited about it.  I know it's worth alot more than that but it was worth it to see her so happy.

James's special meal for today consisted of potatoes and eggs. I wanted to stop on the way home yesterday and get some steaks but he didn't want me to.  He was very happy with the meal.  Sometimes the simple things are the best.  We had a long nap today.  It was wonderful to be able to spend the entire day with my sweetheart.  He is such a good husband, dad and grandpa and I love him!

A couple of other great dads,

James's brother Gail and his son Aaron.

Molly's in California, can you tell,

she's gone gangsta.

Saturday, June 14, 2014

And Ruth said,  "Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God."

-Ruth 1:16

Happy Birthday to Brian and Dallin, and to Ruby too even though it's not officially here birthday until the 18th we had a party for her today.

 This is the cake I want for my birthday.

Brian, Kim, Joe and Michael left for San Diego.  That's a nice birthday gift from Brian to Brian.

I am ashamed to say that I had ice cream for breakfast.  I studied and cleaned the condo and then took a nap at 10am.  I did my hair and makeup at 10:30 just before Sheri, Ian, Max and Evan arrived.  Alex and Ben are still on their trip to Havasupai.  They will arrive home later today.  Next to arrive were Bryce, Lexi, Kylie, Kayla, and Kreed.  Finally Darrel, Trina, Addy, Rowan and Ruby were here.  They had to stop and get pizza.  All of Darrel's kids gave me a hug. 

James calls and says he's knocking the door down because he forgot his key.  I open the door and no one is there.  He's on level two!  Oops!  Lucky no on was in that unit.

Here are some pictures I took at the party before everyone went outside to go swimming:

 I love the look on Evan's face.

 So many gifts for such a little girl.

The Tangled doll Sheri got her was beautiful!

She got lots of dress-up clothes.

  Showing Rowan the Calico Critters.

Does he look impressed?

 I think the Tangled doll looks like Ruby.

 More dress-up clothes.

 What should I play with first?

 Love that smile on Ruby's face.

 Kylie showing Ruby the book they got her.

 Blowing out the candles.

Grandpa gave Ruby this ice cream.

After the pizza, cake, ice cream everyone went out to swim except James and I.  I had already done all of my packing and while James was loading up his truck and my car I went down to say one last goodbye at the pool.  

We love to go home to Vernon and plan on making a stop at the Taco Bell on Shea Blvd. but it has closed down.  Who ever heard of a Taco Bell closing down?  We went on to the Taco Bell in Payson.  James is shocked at how fast I drive but I remind him that we arrived at the same time.  

At home we unpack and I put all my things away.  Afterwards I clean the wood floor.  It is dirtier that I've ever seen it.  James and I watch a Hallmark move and then on to the comfort of our own bed.  My pillow seems awfully small.  I did love those pillows at Sheraton Desert Oasis.  

Stacy, Paul, and Joshua spent the night at the condo.  Stacy said they had a blast swimming with Joshua.

Friday, June 13, 2014

I took this picture of the moon from our condo balcony.  It is what is called a blood moon.  It is the first full moon on Friday the 13th in 99 years.  

I got a text from Stacy at 5:30 this morning which is an unheard of time for her.  We have a water leak somewhere near the main bath in the house which has caused water damage under the bathroom floor and now in the bedroom closet that is adjacent to it.  Adam and James are there working and she is wondering why they have to be there so early.  Why she is asking me, I don't know.  James thinks the leak is coming from overwatering the outside planters.  Stacy thinks it is coming from the laundry and so the debate goes.

Just a pretty picture to add some color to my blog.

I do wish I lived close to this though. 

I did my gospel study this morning and then got ready and left for my appointment at the arthritis center.  My appointment is at 11 o'clock for a Remicade infusion.  About half way there I realized that I had forgotten my phone.  Oh well, I'm not going back. 

My infusion took a good two hours so it was almost 2 o'clock when I returned, starving.  I was ready to go to Pei Wei for some lunch.  When I entered the condo I saw James cooking eggs and potatoes.  He had already eaten and was offering a plate to me.  I couldn't be too upset because I was the one without a phone and no means of communication.  Pei Wei will have to wait until dinner.  
After helping James learn how to use his phone to find a concrete cutting company I headed out to do some shopping for Ruby's birthday.  Her birthday party is here tomorrow at the condo.  She likes dressup clothes and something called Calico Critters.  Trina says she likes the bunnies.  I found her a couple of dress-up outfits at Walmart but they did not have or had the girl ever heard of Calico Critters.  I texted Trina and she said they had them at Barnes & Noble so I left Walmart and headed down to the B&N on Shea Blvd.  I love Calico Critters.  Oh why didn't I take a picture.  They are the cutest little animal families and they even have houses for them.  My favorite were the squirrels but I got the bunnies for Ruby.  They were actually called the Hopscotch Rabbit family.  While I was there I went to the cafe and got the best brownie I have ever eaten!  Back to the condo.  It was almost time for our dinner date at Pei Wei.  James was complaining about his shoes so I gave him the new shoes I bought for him for father's day.  

Pei Wei was yummy again for the second time.  I shared lettuce wraps with James and this time we both got the Pei Wei spicy chicken salad.  On the way home we stopped at Sam's Club to get a case of water and bought the Jack Ryan movie starring Chris Pine and Kiera Knightly.

Back at the condo the first thing I did was try to use my computer which James brought back from Joe Johnston.  It was still not recognizing my phone.  I did learn something from the Apple Suport people today.  I went to Control Panel, Device Manager, USB and found Apple iphone.  I updated Apple iphone mobile device and then tried again.  This time the computer recognized my phone and I was able to download pictures.  Problem solved!  Thanks Joe!
I was also able to get all my contacts and restore my old phone as well as the new.

We watched the Jack Ryan movie.  It was a little violent but I liked the characters.  James liked it too.  It was a fun date night.  

Friday the 13th turned out to be my lucky day.  My mom always said it was hers, of course her birthday was on September 13th.

Eric and Ian Wanlass at Havasupai.

This is where Alex and Ben are too, only

they didn't take any pictures.

I guess they had a great time.

 

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Happy Birthday Ian!

"The spirit of Elijah as Elder Russell M. Nelson has taught, is 'a manifestation of the Holy Ghost bearing witness of the divine nature of the family.'"

A raised planter I found at DSO.  I wonder

if James would build me one.

Adam needs a job.  He no longer works at Gamestop.  He called James and asked him for a job last night so James picked him up on his way in to Chandler.  

Max brought his Cookie Crisp cereal with him but he refuses to use my skim milk so I went to Fry's to get him some 2% milk.  On the way back to the condo a coyote crossed the street right in front of me.  This is on Hayden road north of the 202.  He looked a little lost. 

When I got back to the condo the dozen donuts I bought yesterday were all gone.  That means these boys ate 11 donuts in less than 24 hours.  Yes, I had one.  While I was shopping at Fry's I got some things for James: a Bass Pro shop card, Nutella, Chunky Monkey ice cream and cranberry celebration.  I must really love him!

As soon as I get back the boys want to go swimming but first Max has some cereal.  We went to the big pool but the waterfall wasn't on yet.  Max said he was pretty sure it came on at 10:00 so the boys kept asking me what time it was.  Right at ten they were standing under it waiting for it to come on and sure enough it did!  We went to the little pool afterwards but there were some older people there so I told the boys they had to be quiet so we didn't stay long.  Before going back to our room they played on the playground for a short time.  I bribed them to go in by saying that I would take them to lunch at Peter Piper Pizza.  I got 40 tokens so we each got ten.  I used all of mine on skee ball.  

I know it's a bad picture but it's all I've got.

When we got back to the condo James and Adam were there.  They had just got back from working on our bathroom, taking old tile out and putting in a new shower head.  I was so grateful to Adam.  He took the boys swimming.  

 When the boys return from swimming we all sit down and watch the movie Frozen.  Sheri picks everyone up before 6pm, including Adam.  I am exhausted and veg out on the couch and watch Foodnetwork while James works on the computer.  They extended the deadline for his hunt and so he was quite happy about that.

 Rowan, Addy, Kilee, Kayla, Kreed and Ruby

Addy surfing

 

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

"A soft answer turneth away wrath;

but grievous words stir up anger."

I left Scottsdale a little after 7 this morning.  I dropped checks off for James and then went to Sams Club to get gas and to wash my car.  I was at Dr. Cullimore's by 8am for my consultation.  I have been feeling apprehensive about having this abscess in my gum area removed but after talking to Dr. Cullimore again today I decided that I am going to go ahead with the proceedure.  I am scheduled for Tuesday, June 24th at 8am.  

My next stop was the Chase Bank in Chandler to get money for birthdays: Ian, Brian, Dallin and Tricia all have birthdays within the next week or so.  So does Ruby but I didn't get money for her.  I also got 25 ones so while the boys are at the timeshare this week I can encourage them to learn some Articles of Faith.  Yes, I am bribing them with money.  I did some shopping at Walmart and Kohl's.  I got shoes and clothes for James at Kohl's for father's day.  I saved $142 by opening a Kohl's charge account.  I got to see Kim while I was there.  She is getting ready for Brian's birthday, father's day, and their trip to San Diego on Saturday.  It was so nice to see her.

Next I had an appointment at Dr. Douglas's to get my new crown put on.  Afterwards I met James for lunch at Elmer's.  

After lunch I picked up Joshua, Evan and Max and dropped birthday cards off for Dallin, Brian and Ian.  Evan and Max were hungry so we may a drive through In-n-Out Burger for lunch.  They really do have the best burgers and fries although this time I didn't eat any.  Oh I also dropped my computer off at Joe Johnston's and told him about my problem.  He was pretty sure he could fix it.

It is almost exactly 30 miles from our house in Chandler to the timeshare in Scottsdale but it is freeway the entire distance.  

I put the groceries away that I bought at Walmart and the boys got ready to go swimming.  They were excited that I bought them a dozen donuts. 

 Such a fun time!

While the boys were at the pool I told them I would pay them a dollar a piece for each Article of Faith they could recite.  Joshua earned $2, Max $3, and Evan $4.  Way to go Evan!  He is very motivated by money.

 They used their money to buy snacks.

For dinner we got pizza and garlic knots from NYPD pizza.  After dinner the boys wanted to go swimming in the small pool.  It was fun to have the entire pool to themselves as they swam after dark.

 

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

"It would be wonderful to have a desire deep in our hearts to keep the commandments without anyone constantly reminding us and to have a firm conviction that if we follow the right path, we will have the blessings promised in the scriptures."

-Elder Zivic, "Let's Not Take the Wrong Way"

Serenity now

Today is the anniversary of Carly Elmer's drowning in our community pool in Chandler.  I believe it was 19 years ago.  Such a sad day.

James left early so I had the morning to myself.  I prayed, read my Book of Mormon, Conference talks, from the Old Testament and posted on my blog.  I am in Scottsdale and he went to Chandler to work.  He was back by 11:30 and brought me a sandwich from Jersey Mike's for lunch and a bag of Almond Hershey Kisses.  I am afraid that they are a binge food for me.  After eating I took a nap, watched Food Network and listened to the Old Testament on my phone.  First Chronicles is so far mainly a genealogy.  

James spent the afternoon trying to register for a hunt on the Arizona Game & Fish website for him and Alex.  He struggled for over two hours and was never successful.  Today was the last day to register.  Both he and Alex are quite disappointed.  Finally around 7:30 we headed out for dinner.  I had seen a Pei Wei when we were out and about last night.  We finally found it on the corner of 87th and Raintree.  We ordered lettuce wraps which we shared, I had a spicky chicken salad and James had the chopped chicken salad but decided he liked mine better.  I also had a diet cherry coke.  Every thing was delicious!!

Back to the condo to fall asleep watching Chopped.

Sad story