Saturday, March 21, 2015

 

"The very beauty of the word repentance is the promise of escaping old problems and old habits and old sorrows and old sins.  It is among the most hopeful and encouraging - and yes, most peaceful - words in the gospel vocabulary."

-Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

 

Today is the second day of my "diet", which is mainly keeping track of what I eat and limiting my calories. 

 

James asked me again today to go with him to Jared Bowen's office.  We read from our new book "A Lady's Honor" on the way there and back.  We are both excited about this new book and how it captured our interest right from the beginning.  It is interesting how you become familiar with an author's style of writing and start trying to predict who is going to do what based on the last book you read.

 

For lunch we went to the drive-thru Panda Express and I got my teriyaki chicken bowl only this time I also got a side of beef and broccoli.  James ate the beef and I ate the broccoli.  We also picked up an orange chicken bowl with noodles for Stacy per her request.

 

I needed to go shopping this afternoon and decided I would go to Winco instead of Walmart.  When I got home I realized the reason I needed to go to Walmart was to pick up my prescriptions.  Duh!  I guess I will have to wait until Monday. 



Winco has the finest display of Little Debbie cakes that

I have ever seen.  It reminds me of my good friend Kay who had Little Debbie cakes just about every day.

 

James picked up the new windows for the house today and realized that two of them were wrong so he had to take them back.  He was not happy either with himself or with the guy from Lowe's who he placed the order with.  They are low-e double insulated windows.

 

Dallin and his Harrison Fjiord band friends made a trip to California this weekend to practice with the piano player they are performing with at the instrument museum in Phoenix.

 

 

 

We missed Max's first tackle football game today.  He came home just as we were leaving for Michael's track meet to tell me he finished reading the Book of Mormon.  I gave him his $50 and told him he would need to come back tomorrow to share his favorite scripture with me.  He agreed. 

 

Chandler Rotary is the biggest track meet in all of Arizona.  With schools competing from all over the southwest.  Michael did very well in his event, which is the 800 race.  He got 11th out of 40-60 participants and was 2nd in Arizona.  Alexis got 5th, so we are confident they will both go to state. 

Two super nice and talented kids.

It was a beautiful night to be outside and was so fun to watch Michael run.  James and I took Joshua with us and brought him home so Stacy and Paul could stay a little longer.



Friday, March 20, 2015

 

"A soft heart has nothing to do with being a coward.  In fact, the bravest people I've ever known have had the softest hearts.  I've known of situations in which the Lord's servants have put their lives in jeopardy because of their love for God and his children."

-Henry B. Eyring

 

The Chandler Rotary track meet starts today.  It is the biggest track meet in the state of Arizona.  Participants come from Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Nevada, California, and Arizona.  After playing a little soccer and Batman on the X-Box, Michael spent the day at the track meet, even though he's not running until tomorrow. 

 

Jon and Jamie are here from Boise.  Jamie's parents are having their 50th wedding anniversary. 

 

James started Jared Bowen's job today.  He took Seth and Alex with him this morning to work. 

 

I started tracking what I eat today and limiting my calories to 1600 a day.  I need to feel like I am exercising some control in this area of my life.

 

Kim wanted to go to the temple today so we went to do initiatories.  Stacy took Joshua on a little date to the Dollar Store and McDonald's.  Spring break will be over soon and she wanted to spend some time with him. 

Thanks to Jared for preparing all of these

family names for us to do.

 This evening we went to a Navajo taco dinner at Kendall and Kristy Thomas's.  It was a fundraiser for their son Edward for his mission.  While there we also saw Sarah and Alea Cruz and Walt Turley's wife Rosalie.  The Navajo tacos were delicious!  I am so glad we went.

 

Kim took a picture of the sunrise this evening.

This picture was posted on the channel 12 website:

 





Thursday, March 19, 2015



One of the books I am reading right now.

 

Stacy wasn't feeling very well today so we did not do initiatories as we had planned.  Maybe tomorrow. 

 

I worked in the kitchen today.  I removed things from the counter and scrubbed it with Softscrub.  I also wiped down the backsplash on the walls.  There is still lots to do, but at least I got a start. 

 

For lunch I was craving Chik-fila chicken strips with honey mustard sauce, so that's what I got.  When James returned from the cabin, which was nearer dinner time, he brought me a mixed burro.  I lost control of my eating today and I don't want to do that anymore.  Tomorrow I am going to start keeping track of what I eat and the amount of calories I consume.  I would like to lose at least 25 lbs. by my birthday which is five months from now.

 

James had to go to Jared Bowen's physical therapy office in east Mesa where he is starting a little remodel job tomorrow.  He asked me to ride over there with him so I did.  We started reading from a new book:

Another Laurie Alice Eakes book.

 

As I was waiting in the car for James I rolled the window down.  It is so beautiful in the evenings this time of year.  There are lots of Brazilian Palo Verde trees in Jared Bowen's parking lot.  I love them with their green trunks and branches and yellow flowers.

 





 



Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Happy St. Patrick's Day

There are two things wrong with this shirt I bought for myself for

St. Patrick's day.  #1.  I bought the wrong size and it was way too small.

#2.  There are snakes on the shirt!! How did I not see that?  I hate snakes!!

Does anyone want a black shamrock shirt that says Ireland and has snakes on it?  Oh yes, it's a medium, hahahaha!

 

Because of the mishap with my "St. Patrick's Day" shirt, I had to dig my only other green shirt out of the dirty clothes.  It's a good thing I wasn't planning on going anywhere today.  I actually spent a pretty relaxing day at home catching up on some of my gospel studies. 

 

James, Alex, and Seth left for the cabin this morning around 6am.  They are going fishing and to do a little work around the cabin.  I hope they don't get too wet.  It's supposed to rain.

 

I was Sheri's taxi today.  I took her to work this morning, picked her up this afternoon, and took her to Erik's this evening to pick up her van. 

 

Evan came down this afternoon with his journal because I said I wanted him to share some things from it with me.  It was a good time to spend some time with him because Joshua was gone to the zoo and out to lunch with his other grandma and his cousins, Cannon, Zane, Brig, and Nixie.  

 Having lunch at Casa Reynoso in Tempe

after going to the zoo.

Evan got his journal for his baptism in November from Nancy Van Vleet.  I expected he would have a few entries, but it is almost entirely filled.  This kid loves to write and not only does he have a good memory but he has a good imagination. He read the entire journal to me.  I especially enjoyed his entry about our trip to Disneyland a year ago in November.  He wrote that we stayed at the "Mbc Sweets" and he had the best breakfast of his life.  We did stay at the Embassy Suites.  I love this kid!  He is a good writer and he reads with such feeling!

Evan and his journal.  Did I mention he has artwork throughout the journal.  Not only is he a good writer, but he is a good artist too!

I suppose he inherited his ability to write from his mother and his artistic ability from his father.

Evan reading to me from his journal.  I wonder if Nancy knew

what a great gift she was giving to him.

 

The Trezise boys swam again today.  I am glad someone is getting some use out of our pool.

 

Since it is Taco Tuesday, I had to have Mexican food for dinner.  I chose Someburros.  I got a pollo fundido and a shredded beef taco.  I did not like the chicken filling in the fundido.  The taco was good but a little plain.

 



 

 

  

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

I guess the big one got away.

My fish is bigger than your fish!

Fishing on upper Silver Creek before it closes on April 1st. 

 

"And it came to pass that when he had thus spoken, all the multitude, with one accord, did go forth with their sick and their afflicted, and their lame, and with their blind, and with their dumb, and with all them that were afflicted in any manner; and he did heal the every one as they were brought forth unto him. 

And they did all, both they who had been healed and they who were whole, bow down at his feet, and did worship him; and as many as could come for the multitude did kiss his feet, insomuch that they did bathe his feet with their tears."

3 Nephi 17:9

 

 

This was part of my scripture study this morning.  All of the prophets in the Book of Mormon looked forward to the time when Christ would come.  It is the culminating event in the book.  37 pages are written about that one year, 34 A.D.  It gives us a glimpse into what it will be like at His Second Coming.

 

I went to Circle K to get gas because Sam's Club gas station was closed down.  I got a Polar Pop and I hope it is my last one for awhile.  I went next door to the Neat Freak carwash to get my car washed at Michael's suggestion.  It cost me three dollar which included a vacuum and a cloth to clean my dashboard.  I loved!  I probably will never go back to Sam's carwash again.  I pay $6 there and they don't have a vacuum.  When I got home Stacy asked me why I washed my car when it's supposed to rain.  I got it washed because it was driving me crazy, especially the windshield and the dirty carpets. 

I made it to the MVD to get a duplicate driver's license around 11:30. I tried to get on online but you have to fill out the form exactly as on your original and I couldn't remember how I put my middle name: I tried Karen Lambson, Karen L. Lambson, and Karen Lee Lambson and struck out.  Three strikes and you are out and have to go in to the MVD.  I put our Vernon address on the new license and the clerk told me they would send it to Vernon and that it couldn't be forwarded.  I called James and asked him if he would talk to someone at the post office in Vernon and ask them to please call us when it arrives.  He said he would.

 

I stopped at Costco on the way home to get fudgsicles, Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches, and dark chocolate covered frozen banana slices.  I had a $15 coupon so I came out only spending around $7.

 

I came home and put my "treasures" in the freezer and then headed to Winco.  The sky is dark and it looks like rain. 

There is one thing Winco has more of than Walmart; Little Debbie Cakes!  I never knew there were so many varities!  I was tempted to try the cream cheese cakes but I abstained. 

 

After a short nap when I got home I began cleaning the window sill and blinds in our bedroom.  I also vacuumed and dusted around the edges of the walls and even moved James's desk and the furniture in the little alcove.  I love a clean room!

 

I went to take some things out to the recycle and it was raining.  Stacy was right.  Oh well, it only cost me $3 to wash my car, and it looks so much better when it's vacuumed.

 

Joshua's friend Bryce came over to play today, along with Evan.  The three of them played nicely together all afternoon.

 

Tonight Joshua and Evan went to Scouts.  Stacy took them and I picked them up for Sheri.  She was stuck at Max's football practice which she thought would be cancelled because of the rain.

The boys were excited because they got to learn how

to write with invisible ink.

 

When I picked up Josh and Evan at the church I dropped off Ben for Mutual.  Tonight is their combined activity and they are all playing indoor soccer.  Later I asked Michael how it was.  He said it was great and that Alexis came.  He said there were four teams and his team won the championship.  Ben was on Michael's team.



 

 

 

 





Monday, March 16, 2015

These boys are enjoying the 91 degree weather.

 As far as I am concerned 91 degrees is too hot for March.

 

James, Alex, and Seth are going to the cabin to work and go fishing at Silver Creek before it closes on April 1st.  They are leaving tomorrow morning.  James took me out to lunch at Cheesecake Factory and then we went to see Cinderella afterwards.  He liked it, as I knew he would.  I wouldn't recommend it for every guy, but James is a romantic.

One of the best parts of the movie.

 

This afternoon James prepares for the Jared Bowen job he is going to do. 

 

Stacy and Paul went to Justin Johnson's reception this evening at the Elegant Barn in Gilbert.  I guess Joshua stole the show with his dancing.  I am sorry I wasn't there to take pictures.



It's Chanelle and Justin.

Justin's mission president was at the wedding and he said that Justin was a very obedient missionary and he knew he would be very successful in life.  Chanelle is a return missionary too.  When she left on her mission her family stopped going to church so she had no family members at her temple wedding.  It reminded me of when James and I got married.

 

I picked up Sheri, Alex, Max and Evan at Erik Lambson's tonight.  Sheri dropped off her car for him to work on.  





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.