Tuesday, January 20, 2015

 

"Irony and contradiction are two of the best descriptors of Gethsemane's bitter cup, causing thoughtful disciples to reflect on the nature of tests and trials in mortality and how the lessons of the bitter cup can have profound meaning in their lives."

-Andrew C. Skinner

 

James got locked out of his truck three times this morning.  If he leaves it even for a minute it locks.  He was so frustrated!

 

I had my own frustration this morning and ended up cutting almost an inch off my hair.  James helped me with the back but he kept saying that I cut it too short and I kept saying, "It will grow back."

 

 

We went to Olive Garden for lunch today.  In keeping with our "diet" I had no pasta or breadsticks.  I had a new lo-cal chicken dish that was quite tasty. 

 

After lunch I went over to visit with Dave and Laura.  They are concerned because Laura seems to need oxygen more than she did before her surgery.  Hopefully that will get better with time. 

 

 

Gas was $1.68 for regular at Sam's Club today.  We haven't seen it that low for years. 

 

 

James got a call from Debbie Holyoak, the postmaster in Vernon.  They have been trying to forward our mail to Chandler but the Chandler post office keeps sending it back.  I made a trip to the post office here in Chandler this afternoon to straighten things out.  I filled out a form for Lambson Construction and for our personal mail. 

 

Made a trip to Costco to get some groceries and while there I saw my friend Shellie Seymore.  We had a nice visit. 

 

James painted at the Willis's today and while he was working Janis came out and sat in a chair and visited with him.

 

James and I had Chili's leftovers for dinner. 

 

Evan wrote a story and had me read it.  I didn't tell him this, but it was a little disturbing. 

 

Joe and Michael practiced their songs for the big show on Thursday.

 

My big accomplishment for the day was doing laundry.

Monday, January 19, 2015

 

Today is Martin Luther King Day so there was no school.  Here is one of my favorite Martin Luther King quotes:

"Education without morals is like

a ship without a compass,

merely wandering nowhere."

 

James worked at Reed and Janis Willis's today.  I had a doctor's appointment with Dr. Allen.  He wants me to start on my second hormone, Estradiol.  After my appointment I went through Sonic and got a chicken sandwich and a drink. 

 

Sheri and Trina took their kids on a hike this morning.  Afterwards Trina and her kids came out for a visit.  At one point Ruby came to Sheri to report that Ben was taking Sheri's chocolate.  Sheri posted this on Facebook:

 

 

Rowan had a great time playing with Joshua, Evan and Max, but Addy and Ruby were a little bored so Sheri, Trina and I took them to Bahama Bucks. 

 





Yummy!

Ruby is amazed!

Ruby needed a little help. 

Poor Lola, all she got was an empty

water bottle.

 

I had a little talk with Addy about reading the Book of Mormon by Easter.  She said that reading 5 1/2 pages a day was just "too much" for her. 

 

James and I had cooked cabbage for dinner.  We watched a Hallmark movie called "Wedding Bliss" and read from our book "Necessary Deception." 

 

Laura is feeling a little better today.



 

 





Sunday, January 18, 2015

 

"There are very few big and spectacular miracles in most of our lives.

But it is a quiet multitude of little miracles that makes life sweet

and adds to our testimonies."

-Marjorie P. Hinckley

 

Today is what is being called "Honoring the Sanctity of Life" day.  It was 42 years ago since the Roe vs. Wade decision was made.  I pray everyday that abortion will be stopped.

 

Stacy and Paul went to John and Shelly's ward for their son Preston's mission farewell.  He will be leaving soon to serve in New Jersey.  Stacy was very impressed with his spiritual maturity and how ready he is to serve.  Three Johnson cousins are now serving missions. 

 

We had a missionary who just returned from his mission speak in our ward, Cameron Payne.  He gave a great talk.  I was impressed with how well he knew the scriptures.  We know his sister, Rebecca Silva and her husband Tony.  They were in Del Rio 2nd ward with us. 

 

James and I met with Bishop Lewis during Sunday School.  We told him that we were going to be here until around the first of July and would like to serve in the ward, especially as home and visiting teachers.  It was a good visit.

 

Amber Reyna gave the second Ezra Taft Benson lesson on prayer today in Relief Society.  She started out by casting a fishing line with a gummy worm on the end of it into the audience.  It hit Robyn Rogers' mom in the chest and she called out: "Oh, don't worry there is no hook on the end of that line."  Pretty funny.

 

I made chili for lunch and then we took a nap.

 

Stacy had a little fender bender in Tara's red car today.  Nothing too serious but it will need to be repaired.

 

Sheri came over this evening for a visit.  We played a game of Five Crowns with here.

 

Laura came home from the hospital today.

 

 



Saturday, January 17, 2015

 

Happy Birthday to our oldest granddaughter Anna

who turned 13 today!

 

We love you Anna!

 

Joshua, Evan, and Rowan's soccer team had pictures this morning at 7am in Gilbert.  Ian took Evan and Stacy and I took Joshua and of course Trina was there with Rowan.  After the team pictures their game started at 8. 

The three amigos!

Here they are again.

Thanks to Paul for the great pictures.

 

Those who attended the game besides those who came for team pictures: Darrel, Addy, Ruby, and Lola, Paul and James, and Trina's mom.  Sheri had to work.  Evan was sad after the game because while he was playing goalie the other team scored.  The same thing happened when Rowan was goalie but it didn't affect him like it did Evan.

 

After the game I cam home and fixed James and I eggs, potatoes, onions, and green chilies.  We watched a nap and then watched a Hallmark movie starring Jenny Garth called "The Last Cowboy."

 

For dinner we met Kim, Brian, Stacy, and Paul at Zinburger.  We Sheri and Ian and Trina and Darrel but they didn't come.  James ad a chicken sandwich and he said it was okay.  My burger was absolutely delicious, probably the best I've ever had!

 

After dinner James and I drove to the hospital in Mesa and visited Laura.  She is in a lot of pain and won't know the results of the biopsy for a week or so.  She was coughing and having a difficult time breathing so we didn't stay long.

 

Came home and read from our book "Necessary Deception."

 

Dallin didn't come home tonight.

 

Facebook find:





Cute picture of James Hayden taken

at his grandma Wallen's house.





 



 



Friday, January 16, 2015

 

"I have noticed children quite naturally possess

attributes that we sometimes end up missing in our adult lives: an inner desire to do right, a sense of worth, the ability to be happy, a capacity to love, an innate sense of wisdom, and a deep and trusting faith."

-Brad Wilcox

 

I was up at 4:30 this morning to study.  Today was a very productive day for me.  I caught up on all the Lambson Construction bills which took a few hours  I finished cleaning out the closet downstairs for Michael.

 

In case you forgot what Michael looks like here

is a picture of him with his friend Alexis.





I went shopping and got the rest of the supplies I needed plus a few groceries  I came home and worked on my blog. 

 

I wanted to go visit Laura but David said she was not feeling well and it would be best to waiting until she was doing a little better.

 

Addy and her cousin Kayla and Kayla's dad Bryce (Trina's brother) getting ready to board the bus for their oceanography trip to San Diego:

I'm not sure who is he most excited!

Addy and a baby ray

 

 









Thursday, January 15, 2015

Salt River Canyon

 

We left for the valley around 6:15 this morning and arrived at the house at 9:15. The drive through Salt River Canyon is always thrilling with James at the wheel. We are fasting for Laura today.  Her biopsy is scheduled for 1:30. 

 

We unload the truck at the house and James goes to his job while I put the kitchen, downstairs, and bedroom "piles" away.  It took me a couple of hours. 

We now have a new foam pad on our bed.  I also put my sewing machine downstairs and I brought some of my favorite kitchen pots and utensils. 

 

At 3pm I got a text from Cathi saying Laura's surgery went extremely well.  By 4pm James and I were at Pei Wei to break out fast. 

 

Michael and Joe had band practice here today for their gig next Thursday at SoZo.  Jared Ammon, John and the drummer Matt were here to jam too.

 



 I forgot to mention that Connor was there too.

 

While the big guys were jammin' downstairs Evan and Joshua were playing Legos upstairs and James and I were reading from "Necessary Deception."

 

Addy is leaving for California tomorrow with her school class to go on an oceanography trip to San Diego.  I visited her tonight and took her the book she left at the cabin.

 





Wednesday, January 14, 2015

The scene outside this morning, but it didn't snow during the night.

 

"One of the most meaningful things we can do as parents is teach our children the power

of prayer, not just the routine of prayer."

-Tad R. Callister

 

While James had his appointment with Doctor Memon I went shopping at Walmart.  While there I saw Vickie and Dennis.  Dr. Memon scheduled a stress test for James on January 28th back up here.  I guess our running up and down the road continues.

 

 

We were a little early for our lunch date at Licano's with the Curtis's, so I read to James from "Necessary Deception." 

Blaine and Diana Curtis our two of our best friends here in Vernon.  Diana has been the Young Women's President for the past year and a half so we have worked closely together and have become good friends.  We had a nice visit while we ate and I wish I would have taken a picture but I didn't.  When it came time to pay Blaine insisted on picking up the check.  It was over $70.  I felt a little uncomfortable with that. Next time it will be our turn.

 

Back at home I start gathering up things to take back to Chandler, I had a list, and sitting everything by the garage door.  I also did most of my packing tonight because we are leaving quite early in the morning, around 6. 

We had salad for dinner and watched "The Mentalist."  I started watching a really good Hallmark movie called "Love Letters" which I didn't get to finish.  I will have to finish it the next time I come up because it's not taped in Chandler.  Did I mention how much James loves building fires.   Hopefully it is saving us on our propane bill.

 

We are fasting for Laura tomorrow.  They are doing a biopsy on her lung to see if she has idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.