Sunday, March 15, 2015



Jared and his family are leaving today after they take the sacrament.  I am so grateful they came!  We had so much fun and accomplished good things!  They will be missed until they come again, which we hope will be soon.  Maybe around Emmy's birthday so I can take her to get a pedicure.

 

April St. Onge was the youth speaker in sacrament meeting.  She told us that the Atonement is central to Heavenly Father's plan of salvation. 

Mauri Waller also spoke on the Atonement using Elder Klebingat's conference address: "Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence."1.) Take responsibility for your own spiritual well-being. 2.) Take responsibility for you own physical well-being. 3.) Embrace voluntary whole-hearted obedience as part of your life. 4.) Become good at repenting thoroughly and quickly. 5.) Become good at forgiving 6.) Accept trials, setbacks, and surprises as part of your mortal experience.

Darrell Waller used President Packer's talk entitled: "The Reason for Our Hope" to base his talk on the Atonement.  President Packer gave a leather bound copy of the scriptures to an officiant at Oxford University.  He showed him the name of Jesus Christ in the topical guide and all the information in our scriptures about the Savior, thus establishing common ground.  ( John 14:16, 2 Nephi 25:26, Ether 3:14, 1 Corinthians 15:22, Alma 34:9-10, Romans 3:23-24).  Mercy is the mighty healer, even to the wounded innocent.  The Atonement purifies and brings peace.

 

We only had seven kids in our class today.  Some people are gone for spring break I suppose since Chandler has two weeks off.  Taylor's dad, Brennan Ray had surgery a couple of days ago.  Taylor was here today to tell us about it.

 

Ivy had a birthday this week and her mother got engaged.  She wasn't here to tell us about it but we saw it on Facebook and You Tube.

Ivy's mom Tasha is a dancer for the Phoenix Suns and her fiancé Trevor surprised her by proposing after a dance at halftime on Friday night.  Ivy and her mom live in the apartments on Willis Rd.

 

I forgot cookies today but I remembered the Playdough.  Sheri helped us for awhile but then she left.  The lesson was on baptism.

 

I ordered a chess set for James on Thursday or Friday and it arrived today.  I used my Amazon points and there was no shipping charges so it didn't cost me anything.  James played a game with Michael and then a couple of games with Alex.





The old guy still has it.  He beat both Michael and Alex once, and then Alex beat him the last game.

A thinking man's game.

 

Alex finished the Book of Mormon and came down tonight to share one of his favorite scriptures with me.  He shared Mosiah 4:16-23 and then we discussed it.  I asked him if he learned anything and he said he did.  I enjoyed spending this time with him. 

 

Adam texted me and said he finished through Alma 57 so I sent him $20 via Chase.

 

I was an enjoyable Sabbath day.  Jared made it home by 7:30 Texas time.

 

 









Saturday, March 14, 2015

Today was the last game for the Red Flames.

I am going to miss their games!

 

James had to go help clean the church this morning so he didn't get to go to the game.  I took Joshua because Stacy and Paul went to Justin Johnson's wedding at the Mesa temple. 

 

I saw Collin and Wendy DeWitt at the soccer fields before the game and had a nice visit with them.  They were telling me all the things they had to do to get ready for their mission, which included an F.B.I. background check.  It was so fun to see them! I introduced them to Addy because she came up to help me carry my chair.

 

 

Darrel, Trina, Addy, Rowan, Ruby, Lola, Suzy, Jared, Emmy, Molly, Sheri, Ian, Ben, Evan, Kim, Joshua and I were all at the game.  Each of the kids got a trophy and a cupcake after the game.  It was a good way to end the season. 

I hurried to get Joshua home because Dallin and Michael were waiting at home for him.  They are all going to the temple for pictures. 

 

I made a "brunch" this morning which included: bacon, eggs, cheese, potatoes and tortillas so people could make breakfast burritos.  I made them for Jared's family and for James and I.

 

After brunch Jared, James Hayden, Anna, James, Sheri, Alex, Ben and I all met at the Gilbert temple at 1pm to do baptisms for the dead.  Jared has 76 names for us to do.  We were able to do 54.  Sheri did baptisms too so Anna wouldn't be the only girl.  One of the officiators, Brother Seymore, is from Snowflake and now lives in Queen Creek.  He is also Roy Seymore's dad.  Roy is in our ward here in Chandler.  We had a nice visit with him. 

Helping our eternal family grow James, Anna, Sheri, Ben, and Alex all did baptisms and confirmations for 54 deceased family members.  The boys did an additional 22 names for the temple too.

We all went to Frost afterwards to celebrate.

 

Back home again where we grab a bite to eat, at least I did, and then Sheri, Anna and I were off to get pedicures. 

Can you tell which foot belongs to which person?

 

Tonight we had our combined FHE with Jared telling experiences he had on his mission to: Ecuador, Chandler, Globe, and California.  It was awesome!  I really felt the Spirit.  He told some amazing conversion stories and how the Book of Mormon changes lives and gives people hope.  

The evening started out with Stacy singing "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" to the tune of "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing."  It was beautiful!

  Those who attended: Stacy, Adam, Michael, Joshua, Kim, Brian and Joseph.  Brian was pretty sick so James and Jared gave him a blessing.  Sheri, Ian, Alex, Ben, Max, and Evan, Jared, James Hayden, Anna, Emmy, and Molly.  Darrel took his kids camping this evening and Trina stayed home with Lola. 

 

The only pictures I took.  Sometimes I am so forgetful.

 

It was a great evening, but we did miss Darrel's family.

 









Friday, March 13, 2015

Anna's Artwork

What animal do you see?

 

Emmy and Molly spent the night at Trina's and James spent the night at Sheri's.  I guess James and Alex are having a little chess tournament.  It was just Jared and Anna here.  Anna "slept in" until almost 10 and then an hour or so to get ready to go to lunch with Jared and James Hayden.  They went to Red Brick Pizza for lunch, just for old times sake.  Anna says they used to go there when they lived here. 

While they were gone I went to get candy at Walmart for the movie.  I also got another bathroom rug, cinnamon rolls and ranch dressing. 

At 1pm Kim came over and she, Anna and I drove to the Harkins at Santan Village mall.  I bought tickets for everyone, including Molly, Ruby, Addy, and Emmy.  (Trina later insisted on paying for her girls). Trina dropped the four girls off and then Rowan decided he wanted to come too. This is the movie we saw:

Cinderella was played by Lily James from Downton Abbey.  In Downton she plays Lady Rose.

Helen Bonham Carter was hilarious as the Fairy Godmother and I loved Richard Madden as Prince Charming.  Kate Blanchett did a good job as the evil stepmother and Anastasia and Drisella were ridiculous.  Sophie McShera who plays Daisy on Downton Abbey was Drisella. 

We loved it!

Rowan did not want to be in the picture.

James and I watched Emmy and Molly this evening while Jared, James, and Anna went to The Box Escape with these crazy people:



Jared said it was a lot of fun and he would do it again!

 

After Peter Piper Pizza Emmy, Molly, and I came home and watched Night at the Museum Secret of the Tomb.  Molly fell asleep so James put her to bed. 

It was after 10pm when Stacy, Paul, and Joshua got home from Michael's track meet.  Stacy insisted that Emmy go to bed.  I went to bed too.  Jared got home around 11pm.  They went to Oregano's after The Box Escape.

 

It was a fun, but long day.







Thursday, March 12, 2015

I got some one on one time with Emmy this morning while I was doing my gospel study.  She got up a little earlier than usual and we had a nice visit. 

 

Jared and his kids left around 10am to go visit the Wallen's and their Barney cousins. 

James and I had lunch at Elmer's and then he took Alex, Michael, and Alexis to Bass Pro Shop.  Joe, Amanda and Connor just happen to be there too. 

 

I went to the Walmart on Market St. in Gilbert and did lots of shopping, including buying a new air mattress for Anna because the one she is sleeping on went flat.  I also bought five new towels for Jared's family to use while they are here. 

 

I came home to fix dinner for everyone.  Stacy is upset because I missed going to "Feed My Starving Children".  I told the Relief Society president on Sunday that I wouldn't be there.  I decided to stay home and feed my son and grandchildren instead.  Emmy and Anna had asked for white spaghetti which turned out to be macaroni with alfredo sauce.  We also had garlic knots and a salad.  After dinner Joshua, Jared and his kids all went to Darrel and Trina's for a game night

Sheri and her boys were there too!

 

Today was the grand opening for the new Winco store across the street.  Michael and Paul went this evening and they loved it.  Michael was excited because he said they had four aisles of candy.

The only drawbacks are: you have to bag your own groceries, and you have to use cash or debit cards, as credit cards aren't accepted.





 



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.