Wednesday, October 8, 2014

I missed the blood moon this morning.

I heard it was quite awesome.

At 6:30 this morning I chased 16 cows off our property.  The kids wondered why I didn't wake them up.  I guess it just didn't seem appropriate.  Oh yes, Freckles was one of them but Manlady was no where to be seen.

It rained most of the day so the kids were sad that we couldn't go on a Razr ride. We played Five Crowns and played with the baby instead.  Oh yes, and we worked on Addy's puzzle.

I love this face!

Trina and the kids took dinner to Darrel instead of making him wait until 10:30 at night to eat dinner like I do.  Trina said on the way home she looked around at houses in Show Low and saw some really beautiful ones.  Hmmm, does that mean she is considering moving here?

 One more baby picture

James came home just before I had to leave for the church.  He brought Burger House burros.  On his way out of town he stopped at the Chandler Courts to pay a traffic ticket.  I guess while he was inside someone broke into his truck and took his c-pap machine. 

Tonight for Mutual we had a special program for the girls about virtue.  Bishop and Ann Miller were the speakers.  We also played a youtube video called "Virtue Makes You Beautiful."  Out of 14 girls we had 11 attend.  It was a great evening.

Part of the program included the Laurels doing a fashion show.

  Jordyn modeling school attire

with Stefani Hunsaker as the M.C.

 Trenda in her prom dress.

Shelly modeling an appropriate

and modest outfit to wear to church.

 Our three models.

Kilee getting some counsel  from the bishop.

Maddie and Shelly

Jordyn striking a pose.

Heaven, Hope, and Kelly

 Kyah

 LeeAnn

 Alice

 Millie Scott made our delicious cake!

Sister Wilhelm and Sister Lauritzen

served the refreshments.

 

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

General Conference quote

I chased cows alone this morning before anyone else was up and then when the kids got up they chased them with me.

 Thanks to Addy for taking these pictures.

We named some of the cows.  There is:

Freckles because she has a white face with brown spots,

Brownie, and Manlady.  Manlady is a cow with horns.

Addy named her.

 Ready to herd cows and chase rabbits!

We were a little disappointed because we only saw one rabbit.

We went up to the clubhouse today.  The tarp needed some adjusting and grandpa needs to reset the support pole.  We did enjoy having the two benches that grandpa brought from Chandler.

Darrel, Trina and the three older kids went on a Razr ride while I stayed home with Lola.

Addy played a game of Five Crowns with Darrel before he had to go to work.

I'm not sure but I think Addy won.

This afternoon Trina made some delicious chocolate cupcakes and the kids and I made Twinkie minions to go on top.  Addy and I bought some candy mustaches to make them mustached minions.

Ruby getting ready to make her minion.

We had a great time.

I think Ruby took a bite of hers.

The minion lineup!

Stacy called me this evening to tell me about their trip to San Diego.  They went to Seaworld and stayed at the Embassy Suites in downtown San Diego.  Michael dared Joshua to run down the hallway in his underwear and stop and tell everyone he met: "Hi, I'm the Salsa King!"  Big brothers can be such a great example.

 

 

Monday, October 6, 2014

James, Adam, Alex, and Kyle left for home this morning.  Adam was supposed to start a job at Microsoft and needed to be there at noon.  He didn't end up getting the job.  

The kids love Lola so much.  They all want to hold her and play with her.  She is in such a good mood in the mornings.

 What a sweetie!

I love this baby!

The kids also enjoy playing with the cabin toys and going on Razr rides.

  Darrel took the kids for a ride.  He watched the kids while Trina went for a run.  After Trina's run and shower I went to town with her, Addy and Lola.  Addy saw this piece of gum in the parking lot and said it was a little Java the Hut.

  We were careful not to step on Java.

Addy shopped with me.  We got Twinkies so we could make minion cupcakes tomorrow.  Trina is making the cupcakes and then we will put Twinkies on top and make them look like minions.  The kids are very excited about it.

Darrel got a call from his boss at CVS today.  They offered him the job here in Show Low full time.  The guy they were going to hire just isn't going to work out.  The problem is that neither Trina n

or Darrel want to move.  Not only does Trina not want to live here, she doesn't want Darrel driving up here once it starts snowing.  If we could open a Peter Piper Pizza in Show Low I think she might consider it.  We will see what happens.  They will pay him $10 an hour more than he would make in the valley.

Tonight's sunset.

 

Sunday, October 5, 2014

For breakfast this morning I made my famous french toast.  The boys loved it!

Conference went something like this:

Session 4

Continuing Revelation

by President Henry B. Eyring

"Human judgment and logical thinking will not be enough 

to get answers to the questions that matter most in life.  

We need revelation from God."

Sustaining the Prophets

by Elder Russell M. Nelson

"Our sustaining of prophets is a personal commitment

that we will do our utmost to uphold their

prophetic priorities."

Live according to the Words of the Prophets

by Carol F. McConkie

"To be in harmony with heaven's divine purposes, we sustain

the prophet and choose to live according to his words."

Eternal Life - to Know Our Heavenly Father and

His Son, Jesus Christ

by Elder Robert D. Hales

"God and Christ are literally a Father and a Son - separate,

distinct, individual beings who are wholly unified in Their purpose."

The Sacrament and the Atonement

by James J. Hamula

"The ordinance of the sacrament needs to become more holy

and sacred to each of us."

Ponder the Path of Thy Feet

by President Thomas S. Monson

"As we look to Jesus as our Exemplar and as we follow in His footsteps, we can return safely to our

Heavenly Father."

 Our conference visitors:

Adam, Alex, and Kyle

Session 5

Stay in the Boat and Hold On!

by Elder M. Russell Ballard

"If we keep our focus on the Lord, we are promised a blessing

beyond comparison."

Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority

by Elder Richard G. Scott

"Despite all of the negative challenges we have in life,

we must take time to actively exercise our faith."

The Lord Has a Plan for Us!

by Elder Carlos A. Godoy

"If we continue to live as we are living, will the promised

blessings be fulfilled?"

The Book

by Elder Allan F. Packer

"Family history and temple work should be a regular part of 

our personal worship."

Our Personal Ministries

by Elder Hugo E. Martinez

"The love of Jesus Christ must be our guide if we are to become aware of the needs of those we can help in some way."

Trifle Not with Sacred Things

by Elder Larry S. Kacher

"Examine your choices by asking yourself the question, Are my decisions firmly planted in the rich soil of the 

gospel of Jesus Christ?"

Come and See

by Elder David A. Bednar

"The Church of Jesus Christ always has been and always will be

a missionary church."

Until We Meet Again

by President Thomas S. Monson

"May we all ponder the truths we have heard,

and may they help us to become even more valiant disciples."

After conference was over James took Alex and Adam on a Razr ride.  Kyle said it was too cold for him.  James bundled up:

Ready to ride!

After the ride and calling of the elk the guys came home for dinner.  I cooked a roast all day in the crockpot and to go with it we had mashed potatoes, gravy, peas and homemade rolls.  It was a tasty meal.  We also played a game of Five Crowns.

 It was a very enjoyable weekend and we are glad Adam brought

Kyle.  We shared our testimonies with him and gave him a Book of Mormon plus he watched every session of conference.

 

 

Saturday, October 4, 2014

"Let us resolve to cherish those we 

love by spending meaningful time

with them, doing things together,

and cultivating treasured memories."

-Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Before conference this morning James made us biscuits and gravy for breakfast.  It's going to be our conference tradition.  All of the boys, Adam, Alex, and Kyle watched conference with us.  Kyle is a non-member but is interested in learning about other religions.  

 After Pres. Monson's welcoming address,

Pres. Boyd K. Packer was the next speaker.

 Lynn G. Robbins:

"Trying to please others before pleasing God

is inverting the first and second great commandments."

Cheryl A. Esplin:

"The Spirit heals and renews our souls.  The promised blessing

of the sacrament is that we will 'always have his Spirit

to be with us.'"

Elder Chi Hong Wong:

"In order to assist the Savior, we have to work together in

unity and in harmony.  Everyone, every position, and every

calling is important."

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf:

"Your personal testimony of light and truth will not only bless you

and your posterity here in mortality, but it will also accompany

you throughout all eternity."

In between sessions James wanted to get up on the roof and replace

a stone that had fallen off the fireplace chimney.  He caused

quite a stir and I even threatened to call the fire department.

He says I over reacted but I just had visions of last time when he fell. The boys were spotting the first ladder but the second one couldn't be secured.  Alex and James devised a rope to tie around his middle but by the time they put that in place, the mortar was too dry to stick.  Mission not accomplished.

2nd Session

Neil L. Andersen:

"Jesus Christ chose a holy man, a righteous man, to

lead the Restoration of the fulness of His gospel.

He chose Joseph Smith."

Tad R. Callister:

"When all is said and done, the home is the ideal forum

for teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ."

Elder Jorg Klebingat:

"By applying the Atonement of Jesus Christ, you can begin

increasing your spiritual confidence today if you are willing to

listen and act."

Elder Eduardo Gavarret:

"The Lord invites us using various verbs: 'Come unto me,'

'Follow me,' 'Walk with me.' In each case it is an invitation to act."

L. Tom Perry:

"It is the gospel of Jesus Christ that provides the foundation

upon which we can find lasting peace and build eternal

family units."

The Priesthood Session:

Elder Craig C. Christensen

"Learning for ourselves that the restored gospel of Jesus Christ

is true can be one of the greatest and most joyful experiences in life."

Bishop Dean M. Davies:

"As followers of the Savior, we have a personal responsibility to

care for the poor and needy."

 President Henry B. Eyring

"In priesthood preparation, 'show me' counts

more than 'tell me.'"

I listened to the priesthood session on the Mormon channel while James, Adam, Alex and Kyle went to the church to listen to it.  Afterwards they had banana splits and then came home and had the enchiladas I fixed them for dinner.  It was a great day!

Friday, October 3, 2014

"A marriage, like a human life, is a precious living thing.

Marriages are permanent and precious.  The Lord will help and heal us as we forgive, overcome, and strengthen each other.

A marriage, eternal in duration, and Godlike in quality, does not contemplate divorce."

-Elder Dallin H. Oaks

James and Alex went fishing this morning at one of their favorite spots, Silver Creek Fish Hatchery, which opened on October 1st.

Here are the pictures they sent:

 This fish was almost too big

for the picture.

Another big one.

Grandpa can't be outdone.

Adam slept most of the morning whereas his friend Kyle was up early to try and figure out where he could download the new game that came out.  He wanted to go to the Crane's at 7am but I told him it was too early and that I would call them at 8am.  Right at 8am he knocked on my bedroom door.  I was already calling Chuck.  He said he was there alone and would like to have a couple of hours to get ready but Kyle could come over at 10am, which he did.  He took over two hours to do the download.  We have some nice neighbors.

Happy Birthday

to this cute girl,

Alice W.

Birthday selfie

James and I finished reading this book today.

Ready for book 2.

For dinner I made BBQ chicken and scalloped potatoes.  The boys went crazy over the potatoes.  

We upgraded our Verizon internet plan to 30GB a month instead of 8.  Hopefully we will be able to make it through the month without any overcharges.