Friday, July 11, 2014

"Once any of us conclude: 'That's just the way I am,' we give up our ability to change."

-Elder Donald L. Hallstrom

Ireland

I was ready to leave for town by 9:40 this morning.  I get a text from Sheri who is on her way up with Christy Wanlass asking me if I could pick up Ian (Wanlass) and Ben from football camp in Show Low.  I guess everyone else left early and the coaches wife is waiting for someone to pick them up.  I was happy to oblige.

 Football camp was held at the Nikolaus

Homestead School in Show low.

I picked up a few things at Walmart and then Ben, Ian, and I met Christy, Sheri, Max, Evan, Megan and Brayden at Pizza Hut in Show Low.  Afterwards Christy had to take Brayden to McDonald's because he didn't get enough to eat at Pizza Hut.  

Ben, Evan and Max ride with me to the cabin and the rest follow in Christy's Suburban.  There are dark clouds hanging over Vernon.  this is the first time Megan has been to the cabin and she was quite impressed.  Ben gives Razr rides, but Brayden is not happy.

Brayden is not a happy camper.

The only time it really rained today was when I took Ben, Max, Megan and Ian to Buckelew Springs to see if the falls were running.  They weren't, but we got wet with raining spraying in our face all the way back to the cabin.

Christy, Sheri, Megan, Ian and Brayden leave to go home.  Ben, Max, and Evan stay here with me.  Sheri, Ian, and Alex are coming up tomorrow afternoon and staying until Tuesday.  

I fixed macaroni and cheese and hotdogs for dinner.  After dinner James and Joshua arrive and the boys all play Bionicles together.  They all insist on sleeping with Ben in Darrel and Trina's room.  Ben loves the new bed in there.  

James brought bean burros and a mixed green burro from Burger House.  He told me he had some interesting conversations with Joshua on the way up.  Joshua said: "I can't lie anymore because my dad gave me a priesthood blessing." And one more Joshuaism:
"Grandpa remember last year when you had your broken leg and you gave me a ride on the Razr.  I thought, "Man this old guy has a broken leg but he can really drive fast."

Thursday, July 10, 2014

"There exists today a great need for men and women to cultivate respect for each other across wide distances of belief and behavior and across deep canyons of conflicting agendas."

-Elder W. Craig Zwick

It was 59 degrees when I got up this morning.  I love sleeping with the windows open!  Two bunnies, one chasing the other, were playing outside the dining room window as I did my morning study.  

Max and Evan finally got to meet Lola.

Max loves babies!

Precious baby girl!

I cleaned upstairs today and found Ruby's 

pink elephant Peanut.

Trina says Ruby has been worried about Peanut

and that she will be so happy.

Just as I was leaving to go visiting teaching around 3:30

there was a downpour of rain.  I took pictures of some of the

runoff from the mountain on ACR3261.

This is why we did the sandbags.

By the time I got to Rosa Westbrook's at 4pm the rain had 

stopped.  I met my partner Rosie Lauritzen and we had a nice

visit with Rosa.  July 2nd was her birthday so I brought her a gift.

Rosa always gives us a report on her daughter Sadie who is serving a mission in Mexico.  Sadie has been promoted to a leadership position and on the funny side she was served ants to eat at a members home.  She said she ate one.  Luckily there were other things to eat too so she didn't go hungry.  

Linda Diewald was supposed to be our next visit but she had to cancel so we went to see Barbie Shumacher.  Barbie always has lemon water prepared for us to drink.  Her three dogs had to greet us and then they went outside to enjoy the nice weather.  I always smells so good after it rains!  

This evening I finally caught up on So You Think You Can Dance.  I pretty much like all of the contestants this year, even the tappers.  Stacy said Joshua just sobbed when he thought he wasn't going to get to come up this weekend.  She was supposed to come today but for some reason she changed her mind.  The reason he wants to come this week is because the Trezise boys will be here and he loves Max and Evan.  I told her to have him come with dad because she didn't want to ask Sheri.  It's all set, he's coming with James.

I got a call from Randa Covert asking me if I would teach the young women's lesson for her on Sunday because she has an exam to study for.  It's on the importance of temple ordinances.  

I finished the Continuous Conversion book by Brad Wilcox and I'm ready to start the Continuous Atonement.  

I love my new purple earbuds!

 

 

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

"Conversion is an offering of self, of love, and of loyalty we give to God in gratitude for His gift to us."

-Elder David A. Bednar

I am absolutely loving this weather.

I love the monsoon season in the mountains.

 The county dug big trenches on the sides of 3261

in case of flooding.

Sandra Wilhelm came over this afternoon to give me some information about doterra oils.  When I knew she was coming I cleaned myself and the house up.  I vacuumed and picked up in the family and living room and cleaned and polished the wood floor.  I also made my bed and made the bedroom presentable so I could leave the door open.  I had a nice visit with Sandra.  She is one of my favorite people in the ward.  She said that Trenda and Talon who are in Washington working for their uncle, are working 60 hour weeks but they are making $600 a week.  She is anxious for them to come home but John wants them to stay until school starts so they can make as much money as possible.  

After Sandra left I went in to town to wash my car, get gas, deposit money into National Bank and do a little shopping at Walmart.  When I left Show Low it was 84 degrees and by the time I got to Vernon it was 72 degrees and overcast.  

Trina posted this adorable picture today of Lola. She looks much older, than 5 days old:

 

This evening for Mutual we had a combined service project with the Young Men filling sandbags at the park. 

Watching Collin DeWitt give a demo on how to 

fill a sandbag.

 

That's Kelly on top with the shovel.

Ruth and John Wilhelm tying bags

and on of the Westbrook brothers loading

the filled bags onto a pallet.

LeeAnn discussing something with Maddie.

Leaders attending: Collin DeWitt, Jim Diewald, Jimmy McNeil, John Wilhelm, Diana and Blain Curtis, Ruth Wilhelm, and myself. 

Youth: Sy and Cody Westbrook, Maddie Carroll, LeeAnn Hunsaker, Alice Wilhelm and Kelly Reynolds.

James had another mishap at work today.  Here is the text I received: "I had a close call.  When cutting iron pipe my grinder kicked back and ripped my pants and cut a little slice in my leg above the knee.  It was a close call, and could have been serious.  It was my large grinder with a 7"blade.  I feel like my garments protected me."

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Jesus expressed His commitment to obey, saying,

"Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever."

Throughout His ministry, "he suffered temptations but gave them no heed."  Indeed, "he learned obedience by the things

which he suffered."

Happy Birthday to grandson #2,

Jared Ammon, who is 22 years old today.

James left with the kids around 6am this morning.  I am home alone and I must say I am going to miss these sweet kids.  I studied, prayed and finished watching Master Chef.  While I was out sitting on the porch around 11:30 it started to rain and it rained for 3 hours.  

I did some major Lambson Construction bill paying today and then I made a trip to the post office.  Came home and did some "So You Think You Can Dance" catchup.  Also I noticed that Kim taped several Christmas movies that I am excited to watch.  

I had no diet soda today  but I drank Kim's caffeine free Pepsi.  I heard some sad new.  Bonnie Holland who was scheduled to be baptized tomorrow evening has cancelled.  

James went in to Verizon in Chandler to get a charger and wound up buying a new phone with a protective cover.  

Addy was so excited to go home to see Lola.  I'm glad Trina posted this picture of the two of them.

 

Monday, July 7, 2014

"I know of no single practice that will have a more salutary effect upon your lives than the practice of kneeling together as you begin and close each day.  Somehow the little storms that seem to afflict every marriage are dissipated when, kneeling before the Lord, you thank him for one another, and then together invoke his blessings upon your lives, your home, your loved ones, and your dreams."

-President Gordon B. Hinckley

 Yosemite

Kim, Brian, Joe, and Alex left around 5am for home this morning.  Brian has to be at work by 9am. Alex and Joe said they really enjoyed hearing some of the stories from his life that grandpa told and they think he should write a book.  I didn't get a picture of them before they left but here is a picture of Joe and Amanda.

James had an appointment with Dr. Moffat today.  The doctor says his voicebox is still swollen and he has polyps that may need to be removed.  James came home a little discouraged but he also brought two Pappa John's pizzas for lunch.  Addy says she doesn't like Little Caesar's.  

James went up to help the kids with the clubhouse.

These three have got big plans for the clubhouse.

Rowan says Addy gets the best chair because she is the president.

Another favorite pastime around here is looking for lizards.  Well, at least for Rowan it is.  Addy goes with him to be supportive.

 And, of course, Ruby has to come too.

The kids and I took the Razr in to the post office to mail Jared Ammon's birthday card.  Afterwards the kids wanted to chase jack rabbits but we were completely out of gas.  James tried to syphon gas out of his truck but just couldn't do it so I went to Stanford and got some gas.  

All of the firemen and their equipment are gone from Vernon.  All that is left are the Thank You Firefighters signs.

James takes the kids on a rabbit hunt but they don't see any.  James says they are hiding because of the rain and cool weather.  

The kids had hotdogs and mac and cheese for dinner.  No one wants to take a bath so we pack their suitcases.  They are leaving early in the morning for home with grandpa.  Rowan was being silly.

  The underwear outfit.

Addy and Rowan watched Harry Potter 6 while Ruby and I watched Tom and Jerry in the bedroom.

These boys are at football camp in Show Low right now.

Ben and his best friend, Ian Wanlass.

Sunday, July 6, 2014

"The commandment 'thou shalt not kill, nor do anything like unto it' is founded upon spiritual law that protects all of God's children, even the unborn.  Long experience suggests that when we ignore this law, immeasurable sorrow results.  Yet many believe it is acceptable to terminate the life of an unborn child for reasons of preference or convenience."

-Elder Robert D. Hales

Ponytails by Addy

Our fast and testimony meeting was mostly gratitude that the fire was out and that the rains have come.   Shelly and Tamara Applegate talked about their trip to Palmyra and doing family names at the Palmyra temple.  Our bishop has been gone for over a month now and we all miss him.  Oh yes, we sat in the very front row while Kim, Brian, Joseph, and Alex sat in the very back row.

 My new book and sacrament journal

Wendy DeWitt was the teacher in Sunday School today.  Brother Wilhelm is on vacation for the third week in a row.  The lesson was on the friendship between David and Jonathan.  

Sandra Wilhelm gave the lesson in young women's about ordinances and covenants.  Those attending: Alice, LeeAnn, Shelly and Jordyn.  We also had two visitors from Gilbert, Olivia and her sister Vanessa.

Back at home the kids were excited to go up to the clubhous and go on a Razr ride to chase rabbits.

 The clubhouse needs alot of work.

Addy is hopeful that Emmy and Anna will be

here later in the month to help clean it up.

 Ruby is ready to go, goggles and all.

The weather has been rainy and cool and so enjoyable.  

Addy and Rowan watched Harry Potter 5 today.  Not exactly a Sunday movie but Addy has been reading the books and Rowan was so excited to watch it with her.

For dinner we had steaks and burgers.  Brian cooked a burger for Addy and we cooked a steak for him.  Of course Ruby had mac and cheese and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  After dinner grandpa made a fire for them to cook smores.  We used the giant marshmallows but they were so messy and gooey.  

The kids all took a bath in our big tub, first Rowan and then Addy and Ruby together and then I read them one of my favorites stories about two little pigs named Toot and Puddle.  Rowan and Ruby watched the Curious George movie.

Alex took us to the girls(Michael's cross country team) clubhouse.  It was really cool but too far away.  I need to go back in the daytime and take some pictures.

Saturday, July 5, 2014

"Harmony, happiness, peace, and love in the home can help give children the required inner strength

to cope with life's challenges."

-President James E. Faust

 Trina and Lola

I stayed at the hotel after James left to go work at the house.  Around 9:30 I checked out and drove to Sheri's.  We are picking up Darrel's kids in Queen Creek at Trina's parents house and we are scheduled to be there at 10.  We dropped Rowan off at Sheri's to play and then Sheri, Addy, Ruby and I went shopping at the Chandler mall.  

I bought "Lambie" a stuffed animal at the Disney Store for Lola.  Sheri and I kind of went crazy at the Baby Gap store and then we had lunch at the foodcourt. 

Lambie and the stash

We dropped Ruby off at Sheri's because she was through shopping while Sheri, Addy and I went to Target where we found more baby clothes we liked.  Back to pick up Rowan, Ruby and Stacy and head for the hospital.  This is what was going on at Stacy's:

Paul teaching Michael how to be a mechanic.

When we got back to the hospital baby Lola was having her picture taken.  Darrel is there too.  Trina loved all of the gifts we got for the baby:

The quilt on top is from grandmother Lambson.

This baby is going to be well loved.

For some reason Rowan didn't want to hold her today.

Stacy holding Lola

 Sheri, Lola, and Ruby

 Lots of Love for Lola

 So sweet!

 Ruby is so proud of her new purple

shoes and socks.

I took Addy, Rowan and Ruby home with me to Vernon.  They were very talkative on the way but there was no fighting.  Ruby kept asking me which mountain the cabin was on.  We stopped in Payson at the Basha to pick up a few groceries.  I had bought steaks, fruit, and mac and cheese at Sam's Club before leaving Chandler but we thought of some more things we needed, like stuff to do smores.  It rained on us as we ran back to the car.  Also had to stop at Safeway in Show Low because Kim said we were out of toilet paper.

The kids did some artwork while I fixed them dinner.

Ruby's designs, Rowan's mailbox and letters,

and Addy's picture for Lola.

  James was gone on the Razr with Joe and Alex.  The kids, Addy, Rowan, and Ruby all slept upstairs together in "their" room.