Monday, April 13, 2015

Wednesday, April 8, 2015



I'm feeling a little squirrelly today.
 
Today I had a doctor's appointment at Allen's Family Medicine with Dr. Allen.  We went over the results of my blood tests.   My progesterone levels should be between 10-20 and they were at 5.  And Estrogen should be between 50-100 and I was at 20.  I have a was to go!  In other news my blood pressure was 114/64 and I lost 3 lbs. since I was in about 3 weeks ago.
 
I have some Evan news to share.  He was sad that his mom and dad didn't get Easter baskets so he made one for them.
What a sweet boy!
 
Also, he finished reading the Book of Mormon and was so happy to get his money.  His favorite scripture was Moroni 10:4-5.
 Way to go Evan!
 
Tonight Michael was inducted into the National Honor Society.  We are very proud of Michael.  He is a well-rounded young man.  He does track, sings with Joe, and does well in school and seminary.
 
 
We are proud of you Michael!
After taking his shower at night, Joshua likes to comb his own hair.  This is the result:
So serious!
 



Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Tuesday, April 7, 2015


James says these are Eastern bluebirds.
They are "twig" sitters just like the birds in Vernon.
 
Jen, the realtor, wasn't scheduled to come until 1 o'clock this afternoon, which means James and I had all morning to get ready for her.  James finished up outside and did some chores for me around the inside of the house.  My main focus was cleaning and polishing the wood floors.  Funny that both our vacuum and our lawnmower are broke down.  Not funny in a good way though, but we did make do.  Here are some of the results:

I love how the floors look when
they are polished!
One of my favorite views.
Even the "degreased" kitchen looked good.
I love the new dining room rug.
The living room is pretty bare, but I love
how comfortable this furniture is.
We got it from Karen Schneider when she moved.
Jen was right on time.  She had been here before and Stacy showed her the house.  She was amazed at all we had done.  She said it looked ten times better.  She stayed for over an hour and we both really liked her approach.  Now we have narrowed it down to two: Kent Van Vleet or Jen MacClay.  We are going to need to pray about this.
 
Jared Ammon went with James this afternoon to do some final work at Jerod Bowen's.  He told his grandpa that he's going to go back to school because he can't really do much with his degree otherwise.  Good idea Jared.
 
I took my vacuum in to Oreck to be serviced and got my car washed at Neat Freak's and then went to Winco to get four cases of water to take to the church for one of the scouts in our ward for his Eagle project. 
 
Oh!  I almost forgot that today was Taco Tuesday.  Because we were so busy James and Dallin went to Senor Taco's and brought back lunch.  I had a shredded beef taco and a carnita taco.  Delicious!
 


Monday, April 6, 2015

Today is Jesus's birthday.
James's cousin Hayden Lambson
drew this portrait of the Savior.
Happy Birthday Jesus.
 
I started to "stress out" this morning when I looked around and saw all the things we need to do before the realtor comes tomorrow.  One of my main concerns was getting the southside of the house cleaned up.  I should have taken before and after pictures.  I solicited James's help and we went to work.  We got "rid" of all the junk, putting in the storage rooms.  James did some weed and grass eating and I did some sweeping.  I also swept and knocked down cobwebs off the front porch area.  We were tired and dirty by noon but had accomplished a great deal.  This afternoon James and Alex took a load of trash to the dump and James had a few more items to put away to be complete.



You really can't appreciate how good this looks if
you didn't see it before we started.

 As soon as Michael is finished sanding this door,
this will be my next project, re-staining it.
 
James took Alex over to Jerod Bowen's to do some work this afternoon.  Jared Ammon was here this afternoon looking a little forlorn.  I think he is struggling financially right now.  I feel sorry for him.
 

African daisies James planted by the mailbox.
 
Ben, Max, Evan and Joshua swimming in our pool.
I don't think Evan got in the picture.
 
When James got home this evening we went for a bite to eat at our favorite sub place, Jersey Mike's. 
Tonight is the college basketball championship game against Wisconsin and Duke with Duke coming out on top, 68-63.
 
For FHE we listened to President Eyring's conference talk:
"Is Not This the Fast That I Have Chosen?"
 
To bed early.  We still have lots to do tomorrow to get ready for Jen MacClay, the realtor.

 

 


Monday, April 6, 2015

Sunday, April 5, 2015

I got a call from Anna and Emmy this morning.  They both told me they had finished reading the Book of Mormon, which made me very happy.  When I asked them to share their favorite scripture,
Emmy shared the one that goes with this picture:
"Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world."
-3 Nephi 11:14
Thank you Emmy for sharing this scripture with me on Easter morning.
 
Entire 185th Annual General Conference
General Women's Session
Cheryl A. Esplin
Carole M. Stephens
Bonnie L. Oscarson
President Henry B. Eyring
Saturday Morning Session
President Henry B. Eyring
President Boyd K. Packer
Linda K. Burton
Elder Dallin H. Oaks
Elder Whitney Clayton
Elder L. Tom Perry
Saturday Afternoon Session
The Sustaining of Church Officers
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Church Auditing Department Report, 2014
Kevin R. Jergensen
Statistical Report, 2014
Brook P. Hales
Elder David A. Bednar
Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Elder Wilford W. Andersen
Elder Dale G. Renlund
Elder Michael T. Ringwood
Elder Quentin L. Cook
General Priesthood Session
Elder M. Russell Ballard
Elder Ulisses Soares
Larry M. Gibson
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
President Henry B. Eyring
President Thomas S. Monson
Sunday Morning Session
President Thomas S. Monson
Rosemary M. Wixom
Elder Jose A. Teixeira
Bishop Gerald Causse
Elder Brent H. Nielson
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Sunday Afternoon Session
Elderk Robert D. Hales
Elder Kevin W. Pearson
Elder Rafael E. Pino
Elder Neil L. Andersen
Elder Jorge F. Zeballos
Elder Joseph W. Sitati
Elder Russell M. Nelson
 
Elder Richard G. Scott did not attend or speak at any sessions.  He was sick and watched the conference from home.
 

Three new temples were announced: One on the Ivory Coast, one in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and one in Thailand. 
 Joshua and Paul listening to conference.
 
Today was a wonderful Easter for me. In January I invited James, our children and their spouses, and all my grandchildren that can read to finish the Book of Mormon by Easter  The response was greater than I anticipated.  Each of them also shared on of their favorite scriptures: James-Alma 34:32, Michael-Alma 32:32, Joshua-Helaman 5:12, Kim-Ether 12:27, Sheri-Alma 32:27, Alex-Mosiah 4:16-26, Ben-Alma 7:14, Max-2 Nephi 31:20, Evan-Moroni 10:4-5, Jared-Omni 126 & Helaman 3:35, Anna-3 Nephi 27:9, Emmy-3 Nephi 11:14, Addy-Mosiah 2:17, Stacy-3rd Nephi 13:28-32, and myself-Moroni 10:32.
The best Easter I have ever had.  Thank you everyone who participated!!
 
After conference we spent some time cleaning since Darrel and Trina are coming up this weekend.  We left for home around 7 and arrived at 10.
It was a good weekend and I realize how much I have to be grateful for.  I am grateful for the Savior, and His Atonement and His Resurrection.
 
 

 

Saturday, April 4, 2015

We got up early this morning and drove to Lakeside to attend the funeral of my cousin, Carol Anne Heath Seay.
It was held at the Calvary Chapel of the White Mountains in Lakeside, which is also known as the Cornerstone Community Church.  I am not sure if it's related to the Cornerstone church in Chandler or not.
 
 
It was apparent that Carol was well liked because the little church was packed.  I took notes at the service and will share them here.  First of all, it was apparent that Carol was cremated because the urn was at the front of the chapel. 
"Carol was born again to see the Lord God.  She will pass through the portals of glory. 
Nancy Stidham, wife of Pastor Stidham gave a bit of a life history. 
Carol was born January 1, 1952 in Phoenix, Arizona.  When she was a little girl she wanted to be a cowboy.  She graduated from Washington High School in the valley in 1970.  She married Jimmy Seay on April 7, 1972.  They met while they were both working at the J.B.'s restaurant in Show Low. 
In 1993 she gave her life to the Lord.
In 1998 she directed the children's Cornerstone church and ran the vacation Bible school.  She was known for her fun crafts and great cooking.  One summer they had 98 children in the vacation Bible school which meant Carol made 100 snacks a day for five days for these children. 
She loved nature and camping near Sheep's Crossing near lower log.  She also loved her family, especially her husband Jimmy and their children Michelle and Jason, and her four grandchildren.
Her faith never waivered.  She had the ability to show unconditional love and she thought more of herself than she did of others. 
When Carol was nursery director she would prepare every week for children but for two years none came.  When asked why she kept doing it she replied: "They will come, and I want to be ready."
She was a great party planner and was famous for her diaper cakes.
It's a Girl!
It's a Boy!
Carol was also known for her thoughtful cards.  Several people mentioned this as they spoke of her.  Dennis, Harold, and I always received a Christmas card from her every year.  I wish I would have taken the time to get to know her better. 
Carol had a servants heart, a gentle spirit, and loved the Lord and her family.  She now has victory through Jesus Christ.
 
James and I sat by Harold, Dennis, and Denise.  Vickie was sick and wasn't able to come.  After the services there was a luncheon at the Blue Ridge Elementary School.  The chocolate cake I brought from Costco was a big hit and disappeared quickly.
 
Stacy's family colored eggs last night.  We saw them sitting on the table when we left.  They were beautiful.  This picture doesn't really do them justice.


Michael is quite the artist.
 
For the first time ever there was a dissenting vote during the sustaining of Church officers.. 
There is a group called "any opposed" who somehow got tickets into the sustaining session of General Conference.
I am not sure what their beef is, but President Uchtdorf told them
to make an appointment with their stake president
 
Molly had her first soccer game today.  She scored two goals,
one for each team.  Way to go Molly!
 

 James Hayden and Jared went to Red Lobster after the
priesthood session of conference.
James just watched it here at the cabin with me.  Afterwards we watched a couple of Hallmark movies.
 


Saturday, April 4, 2015

Friday, April 3, 2015

I am so grateful that my sweet daughter Kim invited me to go to
the temple with her this morning.  It was a wonderful way to start the day and to commemorate Easter!
I love you Kim!
 
We got home in time to have a little lunch and then prepare for our next activity, our family party which included swimming, eating pizza, dyeing eggs and an Easter egg hunt. 
Miss Ruby wanted her egg to be two-toned.
She was very happy with the results!
Rowan checking out one of his eggs
It's always fun to see all of the different colored eggs.
Max's favorite egg
So many choices
 
Rowan and Sheri's favorite eggs
Cash only wanted his eggs to be one colored.
This little girl brightened our day.
I love this baby!
Everyone is an artist at Easter time.
Alex, who hid the eggs, told the kids there was one by a sign in the yard so away they all went.
Joshua, Max, and Evan had a blast playing in this box today.
 
 
Another big part of Easter is the Easter Pageant at the Mesa Temple.  This year we know the family of the baby who played the baby Jesus.  Meet Brady Whalen.
 



Friday, April 3, 2015

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Vernon ward young women at the
March 2014 General Women's Meeting
re-broadcast at the Show Low stake center.
Kelly, Alice, Shelly, Coty, Trenda,
LeeAnn, Khaya, and Maddie.
I love these girls!
This picture came up on my Facebook newsfeed this morning and it reminded me of how much I miss these girls!
 
Michael did well in the track meet yesterday in Casa Grande.  He got first in the 800 out of about 11 runners.  His time was 1.59.  To automatically qualify for state he needs 1.57.  Way to go Michael!
 
Evan and Joshua are going to play another season of soccer.  Paul took Joshua out and bought him cleats and some fancy socks so he is good to go!
 
This past week Evan has really picked up speed on reading the Book of Mormon.  He is on track to finish by Sunday.  I am so excited for him!
 
I put up new curtains today on the outside back doors of the family room.  They are sheer and it is freaking Stacy out.  She stays up late at night watching TV and doing her jigsaw puzzles and she is afraid someone will be peeking in at her.  I apologized for my thoughtlessness in buying sheer curtains and told her to turn on the outside light, which would scare anyone away that might be tempted.
 
Darrel posted this cute picture of Lola on Facebook today.
This little girl has so much personality!
 
James and I had lunch together at home today and then we did errands together.  First we had to go to Mesa to pick up some part he needed for some piece of equipment and then we got water at Circle K.  He dropped me off at Walmart while he went to the bank.  I got some black ink for the printer to replace the colored ink I accidentally got the other day.
 
While we were gone Kim came by and left us a package of homemade sourdough english muffins from LGO.  Brian actually bought them.  He also got a package for Stacy & Paul, and Sheri & Ian.  They are delicious!  Thanks Brian & Kim!
 
Alex and Seth worked today.  They finally finished painting the fence around the pool.  They are both interested in making money and are talking about these entrepreneur's they are talking to online.
 
Jared Ammon was here this evening and Sheri came to see him.  I told her I was jealous because she never comes to see me.  They talked about working out and music, two things they have in common.  While Sheri was here she said that Alex's behavior has improved by 200% since dad has been here.  That is nice to hear.
 
Stacy took Dorothy shopping today.  They spent 2 1/2 hours shopping in Target and also had to go to Albertson's.  Dorothy bought 8-12 packs of soda and lots of Kleenex.  I think she is OCD.
 
This evening I made a pot of chili for dinner and filled plastic Easter eggs with candy for tomorrow's egg hunt.



 
James had an assignment at the Gilbert temple tonight to clean it.  He was gone from about 9pm to 12:30 am.  He worked with Dave Miner and Kyle Tolman.  He also saw Tim & Karen Bland while he was there.