Wednesday, April 1, 2015

There is something about water that is so refreshing!

 

Moroni 10:4

"And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, wit real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost."

 

Hopefully my children and grandchildren who have read the Book of Mormon are putting this promise to the test.  James and I started in 1 Nephi again today and will finish again in 90 days.  My lifelong quest is to learn all I can about Christ from the Book of Mormon.  I am also studying it on my own verse by verse and "finding" Christ.

 

James left for Jerod Bowen's this morning with Bob and was gone until early evening.  They are laying tile.  I worked on dusting and vacuuming around the fireplace today.  I was reminded how much I love my two Noah's Ark sets.

Most of the animals in this set are "shy"

and are hiding inside.

 

My visiting teacher, Laurie Jeppsen, brought me a pan of homemade cinnamon rolls last night while we were at Darrel's.  They are delicious, and dangerous, for someone who is trying to lose a little weight.

 

Dallin's performance at the Musical Instrument Museum is scheduled for April 23rd and 24th.  I really wanted to go but James says we can't afford it.  The cheap tickets are $35 a piece.  When I told Dallin he said it's because of the venue and the pianist they are performing with.

 

Stacy had bloodwork done this week and got a phone call today regarding the results.  Her sed-rate was high so she needs to go see a rheumatologist.  I feel so sad that my kids have inherited my health issues.

 

Joshua was hungry today....especially for pizza.

He ate all that by himself!

James and I started a new book today, by an author we have never read before.  Actually this is her first book.

And away we go on another adventure.











Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Lilies symbolize belief.

These flowers were the ones I got for my mother's grave.

 

Jesus is the Balm of Gilead.  His is the soothing ointment that heals the wounds of the brokenhearted.

"He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. (Isaiah 53:4)

 

" Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.

(Psalm 41:9)

 

James, Terry, and Dave left at 5 this morning to go fishing at Saguaro Lake.  They took the boat that Yoshi gave to Dave.

The lake is so beautiful, especially early in

the morning.

The scenery was nice.  James got several

pictures of this bald eagle.  Terry was the only one

who caught a fish though.

James texted me on his way home so I was ready when he got here for our Taco Tuesday date.  This is where we went:

A very good choice!  The food was delicious!

James actually had three different kinds of tacos:

fish, shredded beef, and carnitas.  They were all great.

He said he didn't think he could find any tacos better than Elmer's,

but these were just as good.

 

Last week when I was looking for some decorative items for the house Trina told me to try Home Goods and she told me there was one by Sprouts, so I went there today.  I found a centerpiece  for the dining room table and one for the coffee table in the living room.

The great thing is they only cost $25 each so I was able to stay within my budget of $50!

 

Did my weekly shopping at Walmart and as is my custom on shopping day I bought a roasted chicken for dinner.  This time I made the mistake of getting a garlic roasted one and it was so strong it's the first thing you notice when you come in.  Next time, no garlic!

 

There was a "gathering" here this afternoon: Michael, Joe, Amanda, and Dallin.  The boys were practicing for an upcoming performance at Sozo.  It was quite noisy.  Amanda sat on the couch and watched cartoons and played with Holly.

 

This evening James and I went to Darrel & Trina's for a FHE.  I prepared a little something from the Friend about the last week of Jesus's life.  The three oldest kids all participated.  James made friends with Lola and I talked to Addy about finishing the Book of Mormon.  She said her favorite scripture is Mosiah 2:17.  I gave all three kids their own Book of Mormon's and both Addy and Rowan are committed to read.  It was a relaxing and enjoyable evening.  Too bad I didn't take more pictures.

 When he first came in Lola didn't want anything to do with James.  By the time we left she was begging to go to him.

 

We finished two books today, "A Lady's Honor", and The Book of Mormon.  Tomorrow we will start reading the Book of Mormon again.

 









Monday, March 30, 2015

I miss Vernon!

I think I took this picture one day at the post office.

 

James worked at Jerod Bowen's this morning. When he got home we went to lunch at Chili's.  I was going to have what I normally have, a Carribean salad with grilled chicken, but I found a steak and salad for less calories so that's what I ordered.  It was delicious.  James had a grilled chicken salad.  We are both trying to eat more healthy.

 

On the way home we stopped to do some shopping at Winco

 

because James hasn't been there yet.  I think he was most impressed with the loose candy although the only kind of dark chocolate covered almonds he could find was the sugar free.  He bought some Jordan almonds to go with them.  We also bought some of these tasty morsels.



 

 





Only 90 calories and they are

a little bit of heaven!

I came home and ordered new curtains for the outside doors in the family room and between the two of us, James and I got our Sam's Club membership renewed.  I also figured out a budget and what I can spend each week and will begin keeping track starting tomorrow. 

 

Joshua had a very good day at school!

You can't do much better than that!

 

This evening I worked on an Easter lesson to take to Darrel & Trina's tomorrow, and talked to James about asking Dawn to read the Book of Mormon with us.  He's still thinking about it.

 

One other thing I did today was reschedule my May infusion appointment so it coincides with an appointment with Tiffany so she can up my dosage of Remicade.  I am going for the maximum I can have because I am tired of hurting.



Sunday, March 29, 2015

The Whalen family and their newborn baby boy!

 

I slept in until after six this morning.  I stayed up past my bedtime last night talking to Kim and Stacy and reading to James.  I had the bean and cheese I ordered from Elmer's last night for breakfast.  What a way to start the day!

 

I finished preparing for the Easter lesson we are giving today, and James read it through for the first time.  We are about as prepared as we can be for four year olds.

 

Jana and Logan Hancock were the speakers in sacrament meeting.  Sister Hancock shared a quote, and I didn't get the source, but I loved the quote:

 "Having the Holy Ghost as our constant companion is the ultimate indicator that we are acceptable before the Lord."

 

Here is a quote I liked from Brother Hancock's talk:

"The Savior suffered so that we could be together."

 

Stacy did the music in Primary today and Joshua gave a talk about prophets and he said three of his favorite prophets were from the Book of Mormon: Lehi, Nephi, and Abinadi.  He also finished reading the Book of Mormon today and so did Addy.  I am so proud of them!



Joshua

A picture of Addy will be forthcoming.

 

Our Primary class was exceptionally good today during singing and sharing time.  Taylor came in crying because she misses her mom who is home taking care of her dad so she had to sit on Brother Lambson's lap for awhile but the she was fine.  Malachi was an angel and Shade was so much better than last week.   Isaiah was a

 problem in class and I wanted James to take him to his mother but we held off and he got a little better.  I was ready for a Dr. Pepper Ten when I got home. 

 

Michael went to a fireside tonight and wore one of James's shirts his mother got him for Christmas.  It's dark blue with long sleeves and a button down collar.  It looked very nice on him.  Don't ask me why I didn't get a picture.

 

 

 

 







 



Saturday, March 28, 2015

Payson, Utah temple

 

"Only by regular attendance at the temple can we remember the importance of the commitments we have made to serve the Lord

with all our heart, might, mind, and strength"

-Theodore M. Burton

 

James worked all day long today, mostly at Jerod Bowen's.  He also finished putting the window in the family room.  It looks so nice.  Alex and Seth went with him to work at Jerod's. 

 

I worked on my Primary lesson, took Dallin to work, and went to A.J.'s Fine Foods.  I have been craving a lemon square since I got their advertisement in the mail.  I waited in the line for baked goods for about 15 minutes to get my lemon square and then I was off to get rootbeer and ice cream for after women's conference tonight.  I also got James some frozen crab cakes which he loved!  He said they were as good as the ones he gets at Cheesecake Factory.

 

I came home, took a nap, and worked on my blog.  Around 4pm Sheri picked me up to go to Heather Lambson's baby shower.  She and Patrick are adopting a baby girl.

 Ashlyn is the birth mother and she was at the shower.  She

picked the name Raelynn Rose for the baby.  What is interesting is that Heather's maiden name is Ray and her middle name is Lynn.

 

 

Stacy, Kim, Sheri, and I watched the General Women's Meeting at our house.  We also ordered Elmer's for dinner.  Afterwards we had rootbeer floats. 

 

Facebook finds:



True Love

 

Coty Iannoli,

one of the YW in Vernon.

 







Friday, March 27, 2015

Mesa, Arizona temple

Gail is in town for a couple of days.  He drove 1250 miles down from Oregon to surprise Seth for his 18th birthday on Thursday and to do his dad's temple work on Friday.  We had thought someone else had done the work but Jared found out they just had his name reserved.  Jared sent us the name and the brothers agreed that Gail should be the one to do it.  Those who could,  met at the Mesa temple for the 5:30 am session.  Here are a couple of pictures of our group:

James, David, Gail, Terry, Brent, Rebecca, Erik

James, David, Gail, Terry, me, Brent, Rebecca

 

We were hungry when we got home so James made us some ham and cheese omelets with toast.  Very tasty.

 

Brent came out and walked the yard with James.  We are totally re-doing our sprinkler system and getting new plants and granite in the planters.  My big concern is getting rid of all the grass in the planters.  It may come down to getting a shovel and digging down three feet to get it out.

Gail came by for a short visit on his way out of town.  He thinks nothing of driving the 1250 miles between here and Oregon straight through without stopping to sleep.  I don't know how he does it.

 

After a nice nap I went downstairs to work in the year's supply room.  It was a little gross but I am not going to mention why on this G rated blog.  James spent a few hours working at Jerod Bowen's.  

 

James did a nice thing tonight.  Last night when we were at Sheri's I could tell she was a little stressed and needed a break.  I asked James if he would take Max to his two hour football practice this evening so Sheri and I could go see "Cinderella."  He said he would be glad to.  We left him Sheri's car and he and Ben took Max to practice at Discovery Park while Sheri and I saw "Cinderella" nearby at Crossroads Theater.  Evan went to Trina's to hangout with Rowan.  After the movie Sheri and I stopped at the park.  She stayed with Max and Ben and James came home with me.  

I got to see Prince Charming again.

 

 

 





 



 

 



Thursday, March 26, 2015

Throwback Thursday to this picture of

Paul & Stacy

 

I cleaned in the living room today.  The ceiling fan and the silk plant took the most time.  The carpet needs to replaced or professionally cleaned. 

I also picked up Ben, Max, Evan and Joshua from school because Sheri had to be at work. 

 

I got a call from my brother Dennis today.  He said that our cousin Carol Seay passed away either during the night or early this morning.  She had been complaining of her legs hurting but I am not sure what the cause of death was determined to be.  He is going to let me know when the funeral will be. 

 

I was doing a little shopping this afternoon and got a call from Trina and the kids.  They invited me to meet them for ice cream at the DQ in Santan Village. 

What a fun way to spend part of my afternoon!

 

Sheri invited us down to her house for dinner tonight.  She was supposed to feed the missionaries but one of them was sick so they didn't come.  We had ziti, salad, garlic knots, brownies, and a small meatloaf from Safeway which was my contribution.

 

 

The high today was around 90 degrees.  A little too hot for March.  The evenings are still nice though.

 

Kaitlyn Booth was in a car accident tonight.  She fractured her nose sprained her ankle, and busted her lip.  This is what her car looks like:

Adam is very worried about her!