Thursday, February 19, 2015

Michael had a debate in his English class today. 

Should college athletes get paid?  He was on the

con side and his side won and gets lots of bonus points.

This English class teacher teaches this same class to her college students.  Michael spends hours preparing for English.

Did I mention that he is a straight A student.  I see a bright future

for this young man.  He also has read the Doctrine and Covenants this year for seminary and is now finishing up reading the Book of Mormon.  I love Michael!

 

I had cookies for breakfast and then James brought me a sandwich from Jersey Mike's.  I shared half of it with Dallin who looks like he needs it more than I do.

 

We are just about finished with Joshua's room.  All we have left is to clean the fan, the floor, and to paint one closet door and then we can start moving furniture in.  Hooray!

 

For dinner we had leftover taco soup which is still very tasty.  After dinner we watched The Mentalist on my computer.  It was the finale and Jane and Lisbon get married.  My favorite part was when Cho went with Lisbon to pick out her wedding dress.  I missed going to Relief Society because I couldn't get anyone to go with me.  I asked Cathi, Sheri and Stacy.  Laura is out of town.  I guess I could have gone by myself.  Stacy said she was too tired  because she spent the afternoon taking care of Dorothy, Sheri needed to stay home with her kids, and Cathi had a prior commitment.  Stacy said she would go next time.

 

Facebook finds:

 



 



 

 



 



Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Today I had lunch at one of my favorite restaurants with one of

my favorite people, Karen Schneider.  We are celebrating her birthday.  She will be 68th next Tuesday.  We both got the coconut shrimp and a hot fudge sundae for dessert.  We also love their sourdough bread.

I gave Karen a book by Eric Huntsman called

"The Miracles of Jesus."

 

After my nap this afternoon I picked up kids from school, first Ben at the Hamilton seminary building and then on to the park by Hancock Elementary for Max, Evan, and Joshua so they wouldn't have to ride the school bus.

 

I worked in Joshua's room by myself.  Stacy had to take Dorothy to the doctor.

 

Joshua and Evan had Scouts tonight.  Evan looked so cute in his Cub Scout shirt.  I wanted to get a picture of him but my camera was in the other room and they were running late.  

 

James and I started to watch "The Mentalist" finale but it got interrupted so we will have to finish at another time.  

Facebook finds:

  Max and Lola at soccer practice.

Everyone loves Lola!

 

 

 

 





Tuesday, February 17, 2015

These are our friends from Vernon,

Wendy and Collin DeWitt.

They just received their mission call to the Carribbean and

will be leaving in May.  Collin was our home teacher.  He and I lived on the same street in Phoenix when we were in grade school.

He was the fire chief in Gilbert until he retired in 2013.  She is an expert in food storage and has spoken with Glenn Beck and been on BYU TV.  We are very excited for them!

 

 

I started my new gospel study journal today.  I think I am going to love it!

 

I had an appointment at Dr. Douglas's this morning to get my teeth cleaned by the hygienist, Jackie.  What a relief, I don't have any cavities and don't need to come back until August if I promise to floss everyday.  Because the new insurance we have isn't very good I had to pay $136 for a cleaning and x-rays.

 

After my appointment James and I took the giftcard he got me for Valentine's Day and went to The Cheesecake Factory.  We tried two new things on the menu: The French Country salad and the Bellagio chicken.  James also got come crab cakes.  

One of our new favorite meals! 

 

 

Stacy and I worked on Joshua's room together this afternoon.  Stacy is feeling sad that none of her boys so far have served a mission and she wonders why.  I am not sure why but part of it is that the pull of the world is so strong. Also I told her that they must love the Savior and really appreciate why we need Him and what He has done for us. 

 

This evening James had to check something out at the Chandler Airport for Greg Hatch, so I went with him.  I walked around while he "checked things out."  We came home and read from "Trouble in Store." 

 

Facebook finds:

 

Lola Coca Cola!

 

This girl is going places!



 

 

 

 

 



Monday, February 16, 2015

While we are enjoying spring-like weather here in Chandler, this sister missionary from our ward, Sister Dahlia Dowdle is shoveling snow.  It seems that she has a good attitude about it though.  Sheis one of my heroes!

Today is president's day and there was no school.  I celebrated by going shopping.  I went to Sam's Club, Deseret Book, and Walmart.  When I returned James had bought me a Whataburger which was in the frig.  Stacy and Michael helped me unload my car.  We had a roomful of guests: Joe, Amanda, Connor, Alex, and Seth. 

After putting away my groceries I updated both checkbooks and paid some bills.  James replaced a piece of baseboard in Joshua's room that had warped and textured the window sill.  I did some blue touchup paint and painted the inside door casing of the closet. 

For FHE we did some studying from the JST of the New Testament.

This evening we read from our new book, "Trouble in Store."

  Sunset

Sunday, February 15, 2015

A beautiful day in Arizona!

 

"Sometimes in the harbors of our homes, we can't see that by the simple, consistent acts - including family prayer, scripture study, and family home evening - great things are brought to pass.  But I testify that these very acts carry eternal significance.  Great joy comes when those little boats - our children - grow into mighty seafaring vessels filled with gospel light and ready to embark in the service of God."

-Sister Neill F. Marriott

 

I studied and rested this morning before my meetings.  I messed up on my blog and had to re-do a post which is not fun when you are already behind. 

My study desk.

 

The theme for sacrament meeting today was Scouting.  I guess February is the Friend's of Scouting month.  Chris Braddock was the youth speaker and did a wonderful job.  He is so grownup from when we had him in Primary about five years ago.  Ryan Yardley, the Young Men's President was the next speaker.  He took up most of the time and then he and his wife sang "I am a Child of God."  It was beautiful.  Jon Hirt was the last speaker.  He spoke about eternal families and although his talk was short, he did a great job. 

 

James and I missed attending Sunday School today.  The lesson was on the miracles of Jesus.  We had an appointment with Bishop Lewis.  He issued a calling to us.  He called us to team teach the four year old Primary class  We are grateful for the opportunity to serve. 

 

During Relief Society I sat by Stacy, who leaves early to do singing time in the nursery, and Cathi.  It was so good to visit with Cathi. 

 

After church we had leftovers for lunch and took a nap.  James started reading from his Jon Huntsman book and is sharing things he reads with me.  What an amazing man Jon Huntsman is!

 

I spent most of the afternoon getting ready for FHE and making a notebook like this one for all of our kids and their families.

 

Boyd K. Packer told seminary teachers they should always start with a lesson on the Plan of Salvation; when they are teaching the Book of Mormon.  This next page is a partial index of the Book of Mormon.  I want each family to share something they learned from each book, a favorite scripture or their testimony, and draw some illustrations to go along with it.  I have given them some ideas but if they don't like mine they can choose their own. 

Darrel did a wonderful job of sharing stories from his mission and he told how the Book of Mormon was what really converted people.  Thank you Darrel!

 As you can see, Lola is a big attraction.

Listening to Darrel tell about his mission to Honduras.

Ben, Sheri, Stacy, Michael, and Joshua all got $20 for

reading through Mosiah 13 which is about 1/3 of the

Book of Mormon.  The goal is to finish by Easter, April 5th.

This girl steals the show!

Joshua wanted to hold her, but she was a little too wiggily.

I sure do love this family!

 











Saturday, February 14, 2015

Happy Valentines Day

Since it is Valentines Day there were no soccer games this morning.  Here is Joshua reading his scriptures.  He wants to finish through Mosiah 13 before FHE on Sunday so he can earn $20.

 

 I just had to share these posts from Sheri!

Stacy and I finished taping in Joshua's room and Paul came in and put a second coat of blue paint on the walls.  It looks really good!

 

 

Kim came by with Valentine gifts.  Stacy and I each got socks and a sugar cookie.  She also had something for Joshua and mini Martnelli's for Michael and Alexis.  Michael and Alexis had just returned from an 80 minute run.

 

Sheri came by and brought candy for James and I from See's.  I got a scotch mallow and he got dark chocolate covered almonds.

 

For dinner Stacy and Paul used the gift certificate I got Stacy for her birthday and went to Longhorn Steakhouse.  Dallin watched Joshua.  James and I used a gift card for Whataburgers and I had a green chili cheeseburger for dinner

 

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Friday, February 13, 2015

 

"In a world threatened by a famine of righteousness and spiritual starvation, we have bee commanded to sustain the prophet.

As we give heed to, uphold, and affirm prophetic word,

we witness that we have the faith to humbly submit to the will, the wisdom, and the timing of the Lord."

-Carol F. McConkie

 

The four hours in the morning, from 4am-8am, that I spend in gospel study is my favorite part of the day, but it goes by too quickly.

 

I got a call last night from Nadine Moses.  Nadine bought Adam's PT Cruiser from the guy Adam sold it to.  She needs to get the title in her name and my name is still on the title so she asked me to meet her at the DMV this morning at 10am.  She paid $2,300 for the car only to find out it had many expensive problems.  The guy who sold it to her was not honest.  Now she wants to sell it. She has a buyer but is selling it much less than what she paid for it.  She is 25 years old, has three children and lives in Globe with her husband.  The were driving an old beat up pickup and I felt sorry for her.  Hopefully she learned a lesson about buying a car on Craig's List.

 

On the way home I stopped at the Dollar Store in Tempe but they had no bubbles.  I also stopped at Costco and got some new sheets.  James said they could be our Valentine's gift to each other.  I also got some chocolate covered strawberries, Honey Crisp apples, fudgsicles, and some delicious frozen burritos that I got to sample. 

 

I went home for lunch and then went to the bank to get some cash for FHE on Sunday. 

 

I wanted to paint this afternoon but instead Stacy and I mainly did prep work for painting.  I finished getting all the wallpaper out of the window well. 

 

James bought me a Valentine's Day surprise:



Along with the flowers and sweet card there was a gift card for

Cheesecake Factory.  I am so grateful for such a dear sweet husband.

 

This evening on the way to Sozo to listen to Michael, Joe, and Dallin sing, we stopped at Carl's Jr. to get a Santa Fe chicken sandwich.  Chicken, cheese, and green chili, these sandwiches are delicious.  Oh yes and bacon too.

 

The Scuba Steves and Affinity, Dallin's barbershop quartet:

Joe's solo

Michael + Joe=Scuba Steves

Affinity

They are great together!