Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Italy

 



Dallin and his band, Harrison Fjiord, will be performing at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix in April with a pianist who will be playing a two million dollar piano that is interconnected with thousands of pianos around the world for an around the world exposure.  Dallin is very excited and you can't help but be excited for him. 

 

I had errands to do today.  My first stop was Chase bank where I wanted to withdraw about $200 for FHE on Saturday.  I needed my driver's license for I.D. and that's when I discovered it was missing.  I was quite depressed until Stacy told me I could go online and get a duplicate.  Luckily James has some cash I can use for FHE and Book of Mormon pay up.

 

I did the rest of my errands: Deseret Book, National Bank, and CVS while James met with a realtor from Keller-Williams named Wes.  I just caught the end of the tour with Wes but from what I could see he was nonstop talking, talking, and talking.  Stacy didn't like him but James was impressed with him.  He gave us a big list of things we need to do.  I have a new name for him: Mr. Clean.  I also think he chased our other realtor from Keller-Williams away.

My vote as of right now is to go with Kent Van Vleet.

 

James and I had lunch at Jersey Mike's and then we went with Stacy to do initiatories at the Gilbert temple.  James did seven names and Stacy and I each did five.  We were home in a little over an hour. 

 

 

I panicked when we got home because I couldn't find my phone when I got home.  I couldn't handle the fact that I lost my phone and drivers license all in the same day.  James was going somewhere but he wouldn't leave until my phone was found.  He finally found it on the dry sink, which is funny, because I certainly don't remember putting it there.  I was very grateful to him for finding it. 

 

Paul was making teriyaki chicken for his family which put me in the mood for it. James and I drove to the drive-thru Panda Express in Gilbert and got teriyaki chicken bowls.  We ate in the car but next time we are going to Discovery Park.  The weather is gorgeous in the evening!

 

We came home and setup and made beds for Jared and his kids.  They are set to arrive around 10:30pm.  We were already in bed but Stacy said she would tell them the sleeping arrangements.

 



Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Marvel Lake, Canada

 

"The advent of the fall season here in the Rocky Mountains brings with it the glorious colors of leaves transforming from green to blazing oranges, reds, and yellows.  During the fall all nature is in a state of transition, preparing for the cold, austere beauty of winter."

 

We thought Michelle, a realtor from Keller-Williams was coming today at 11am but no one ever showed up.  The frustrating thing is she called James yesterday to verify the appointment.  He didn't get her number so we can't call her back.  We waited until after 12 and then went to lunch at El Pollo for Taco Tuesday.



I had two Baja shrimp avocado tacos which were very tasty.

James had chicken and he got an order of chicken enchiladas to share with me but I had to save mine for later because I was too full.

 

We finished our book "The Line That Divides".  We both really liked it. 

 

James spent the day finding and organizing pictures of the cabin on his computer.  He had some problems and Joe, our computer guy had to help him.  It's a good thing that Joe is also our neighbor.  Connie asked when we were there last night if she could see some pictures.  He went over this evening and did a slide show on his computer for Connie, Cal, and Lois.  Lois kept saying we should open a bed and breakfast and charge $4,000 a night.  I just laughed, especially at the price.  James told her we like the peace and quiet too much. 

 

The back side of the cabin.  It's really the best view.

 

Stacy, Paul, Michael, and Joshua went to Kneaders.  It was their first time as a family.  They also did some shopping at Deseret Book. 

Evan and Max came down for an evening swim.  They didn't last too long.

 



 

 



 

 



 

Monday, March 9, 2015

Spring flowers, spring break!

 

"Be cheerful in all that you do.  Live joyfully.  Live happily.  Live enthusiastically, knowing that God does not dwell in gloom and melancholy, but in light and love."

-Ezra Taft Benson

 



We spent the morning getting ready for our next realtor, Kent Van Vleet, who just so happens to be an old friend.  We were in the same ward when our kids were growing up.  His wife Nancy and Sheri work together at Chandler Eye and Sheri is the one that told us he was a realtor.  He came with a notebook filled with information about our house.  I really liked him but James is worried about his success rate.  He thinks we should start out by asking $460,000.

After Kent left James and I went to lunch at Jason's Deli.

I had the California club with a side of veggies

This is what James had:

It's called a muffaletta and is

famous in New Orleans.

 

We came home and took a nap and I worked on my blog.

 

James's sister Connie and her husband Cal are here for spring break.  They brought their son Tim and his fiancé Gretchen and five grandkids with them: Emily, Callie, Brodie, Bentley, Mike (Gretchen's son), and Gracie.  I didn't get a picture of any of them because I am just too forgetful but their 43 ft. long motorhome looked something like this one:

They parked it in the Walmart parking lot overnight.  No one had any place big enough for it anywhere else. It was nice to see Connie and her family.  After they leave here they are going on to the Grand Canyon and then back to Texas.

 

While we were gone Stacy and Paul had FHE with Joshua, Michael and Michael's friend Alexis.  Michael gave Alexis a copy of "For the Strength of Youth."  I guess she already has set pretty high standards for herself and is already doing most of the things outlined in the pamphlet.

 

 

Our friends Curtis and Hillary Whalen had their baby boy today:

Meet Brady Curtis Whalen.  He has four big sisters to help take care of him.

Here he is a few days old.

 

 

 



 

 

 



Sunday, March 8, 2015

Back to 2006 at Joshua's baby blessing.

My favorite part of the picture is Anna and Addy in the front row.

 

Today was our ward conference.  The theme was being temple worthy according to the standards listed in "For the Strength of Youth."  Bishop Lewis, Sister Hirt, the Young Women's president, and President Johansen were the speakers in sacrament meeting. 

The Primary children sang: "I Love to See the Temple" and did a wonderful job.

 

Primary was a little stressful.  Malachi was having a bad day and insisted on sitting on me and playing with my necklace.  He was all over the place.  Finally Sister Scatena took him out and when he came back he was a little better. The most enjoyable part of Primary for me was Max's talk in opening exercises.  He talked about following the prophet and told about Darrel's mission president and how he listened to President Hinckley and was prepared when Hurricane Mitch hit Honduras.

 

Our class cannot stay in their seats and 10 kids is just too many when they are four and their teachers are 66 and 67.  We are exhausted when it's over.  We go home and fry up some mac and cheese with bacon, which, by the way, is delicious and then we lie down for a nap. 

 

At 5pm Kyle Tolman comes home teaching and brings Nancy with him.  Nancy says this will count as my visit to her as I am her visiting teacher.  We have a nice visit with them in the living room.  The home teaching message is about being encircled in the arms of the Savior and the visiting teaching message is on patience and long-suffering. Nancy is the Sunbeam teacher so she had our kids last year and knows all of their personalities.  She says she uses Playdough during class time and I think that is a great idea!

 

James and I fixed dinner for everyone tonight.  He make steak and gravy and I made homemade biscuits.  Stacy and Michael loved my homemade biscuits.  Michael got a special treat delivered to him from Alexis.  She brought him stromboli from the pizza shop in the mall food court.  He ate it after returning from missionary prep.  He also ate three of my biscuits. 

 

I promised Joshua I would play Clue with him today so after dinner we set it up.  Michael and James joined us. 



 

 Before Joshua won last night he was pretty confident in tonight's game.  At one point he made an accusation and when it proved to be wrong he was out of the game.  He was a good sport about it but Stacy was upset we allowed him to do it.  I, on the other hand, think it was a good learning experience for him.

Michael ends up winning the game.

 



 





Saturday, March 7, 2015

My good friend Betty Bogle is having this "ark" built in her

backyard for her grandkids.  I love it!  James could do this at the cabin!

 

Joshua getting ready to stop the ball at this morning's soccer game.

 

James went to the game this morning with me.  Afterwards I wanted to go to El Sol and get a breakfast burrito but unbeknownst to us today was the Ostrich Festival Parade.  I didn't realize this because the Ostrich Festival itself isn't until next week.  We had to go to Filiberto's instead and although their breakfast burrito was good it wasn't as good as El Sol's.  James and I bought one and we each had half. 

 

Michael and Alexis went on their Saturday run this morning.  Afterwards I told Michael he could have a bottle of our Smart Water.  Alexis got first and second in her two events yesterday at the track meet. 

 

James spent the day building a bed frame for Michael.



 



 

I missed Sandra Wilhelm's DoTerra party today.  I messaged her that I do want to buy a physician's kit from her though.  I was busy shampooing the carpet in the living room and washing baseboards in the hall and entryway. 

 

I also worked on my blog and then fixed some homemade macaroni and cheese with bacon for dinner.  It was actually very tasty. 

 

This evening Joshua, Stacy, and I played a game of Clue.  Paul helped Joshua and he ended up winning.  He guessed Mustard, Dining Room and Pistol which was right. I had thought it was Green, Dining Room and Pistol. 

 

I went with James to get water at Walgreen's because the distiller is still not working.  Afterwards we went by to check the church.  This is the last night he is assigned to do this, at least this time around.

 

 

 



Friday, March 6, 2015

Bishop and Cheryl Horne

Years ago I worked with Cheryl in a Relief Society presidency.  Stacy was about 8 or 9 and I didn't have a Halloween costume for her. Cheryl went home and made her a princess costume.  Some things you just never forget.  Thank you Cheryl. 

Bishop Horne

 was our bishop when I came down with rheumatoid arthritis in 1984.  He called a ward fast for me.  Like I said, there are some things you just don't forget.  Thank you Bishop Horne.

 

My study time was cut short this morning because of my appointment at the arthritis center.  I did have scriptures and prayer with James and was WOWED by Helaman 5. 

During my infusion I had an appointment with Tiffany the physicians assistant.  She upped my Remicade dosage from 400 to 500mg.  We decided to keep my Methotrexate at 6 a week but that may change if I don't start feeling a little better. 

 

I was home by noon thinking that James and I would have lunch together.  He had said he had a realtor coming at 1pm.  Well, Natasha from Home Helper showed up at noon.  I leave to go shopping and stop for a burger at Sonic.  I shopped at Office Max for notebooks and then went to the Walmart on Market St. in Gilbert.  I really enjoyed shopping at this Walmart.  Afterwards I went to Costco to get walnuts, Honey Crisp apples, and fudgsicles.  When I get home James immediately has an apple, some walnuts and a fudgsicle for a snack.  He also loves the new shirt I got him at the "nice" Walmart. 

 

Sheri came over with pies this afternoon.  She got them on the way back from science camp on the other side of Phoenix.  She had blackberry, lemon meringue, pecan, and chocolate cream.  They were all delicious but I think the pecan was my favorite.

  Rock Springs Pie Company

James left to go do some repair work at the Chandler airport.  He actually left without telling me where he was going because he knew I would object.  He fixed a leak in the roof of a 29 foot building and who knows how he got up there. 

 

Sheri stayed and told us some of her experiences at science camp.  She said it was 17 degrees at night and she about froze.  She was appalled at the behavior of some of the girls and their mothers, one girl and mother in particular.  It was quite a harrowing experience for her. 

 

Stacy loves reading from the Book of Mormon on her phone because she always has her phone with her and if she has a free moment she can do some reading.  She says she had developed a real love for the Book of Mormon.  I am so glad.  Here she is asking her dad a question:



James remembers the history and details

of situation in the Book of Mormon.

 

Joshua got out of school early today and went to an Angel's spring training game with Jared Ammon.

Jared bought him a #1fan finger, a hat and a ball.

Thanks Jared!



Thursday, March 5, 2015

"The Son of Man came to save that which was lost."

-Matthew 18:11

 

I polished the wood floors in the kitchen and family room and ran out of polish when I got to the entryway.  I made a trip to the store to get some more polish but when I got home there were too many people home to finish polishing so I just gave it up. 

I had a short nap and then on to pick up Ben, Evan, and Joshua.

 

When I came back into the neighborhood I noticed that James had dropped a bucket of paint and a florescent lightbulb in the road.  The lightbulb had shattered so I grabbed a broom, dustpan and garbage sack to go clean it up.  Sal Jiminez's son, Christian, who is a junior in high school saw me outside working and he came out to help,  which I thought was very thoughtful.  I had a nice visit with him and then I told him I would finish up.  It took me awhile to get all the glass I could see.  I also swept up a lot of dirt and rocks along with the glass.  When James returned from the dump he said he didn't even realize he had lost any of his load.  

 

Stacy is doing a good clean of her room this afternoon.  I cleaned the Christmas closet and the downstairs office.  

 

Bishop Lewis took Paul, Dallin, and Michael to see the movie  "McFarland USA" and then they all went out to dinner at Olive Garden. 

 

James and I had Pei Wei for dinner.  I love their lettuce wraps ad spicy chicken salad.

 

My hands hurt so bad tonight.  I was pretty miserable.  Thank goodness I am getting a Remicade infusion tomorrow.  

I read to James from "The Line that Divides."

I usually don't like books about war

but this one is good.

 

James had to go check the church around 9:30.  Sorry, but I was just too miserable to go with him.  He was pretty sad when he left because he wrecked his truck today at the dump.