Friday, July 17, 2015

Ensign article:

"Preparing to Enter the House of the Lord"

by

Elder Kent F. Richards

"Our labors in the temple cover us with a shield and a protection..."

"...If we will enter into our covenants without reservation or apology, the Lord will protect us.  We will receive inspiration sufficient for the challenges of life...."

"So come to the temple - come and claim your blessings."

 

Joel painted the master bedroom today.  Stacy and I picked out the color.  It is a pale lavender.  James worked on putting up crown molding but didn't finish before we left for the cabin.

Such an improvement!

The crown molding looks good with the blinds.

Ben came down today and spread granite.  Evan came down and vacuumed the family room for another dollar.

Adam and Kyle rode the bus and got here late after Ben had gone home.  They also worked on putting granite in the planters.

 

We took the car to the cabin, loaded down with boxes, etc.  Somehow Adam and Kyle squeezed in and begged a ride back to Adams. 

This week we were able to stop at Burger House for our mexican food fix.  We both ordered two green mixed burros and ate one on the road and saved the other one for later.

 





  We also stopped at Safeway for a few groceries.  It was dark when we got to Vernon.  We were anxious to watch the next episode of "When Calls the Heart."

Happy 60th Birthday Disneyland!





 



 

 

 

Thursday, July 16, 2015

James and I had lunch here today using the giftcards

James got from Kim and Brian for Father's Day.

 

Today for part of our scripture study we read Acts 20:1-16.  The apostle Paul preaches until midnight when someone in the congregation falls out of the 3rd story balcony and lands on the floor dead.  Paul falls upon him and says a prayer and brings him back to life.  I am sorry, but this is one of the funniest stories I have ever read in the scriptures, and one of the most amazing miracles!

 

Joel and James worked on texturing the walls in the master bedroom.  Joel had worked last night so he was tired and only stayed a couple of hours. James was also the fastest stripper...., of wallpaper that is. 



 James and I went on a lunch break to Cheesecake Factory.  I ordered fried zucchini (their's is the best!), Romano crusted chicken, and lemon meringue cheesecake, my new favorite.  Of course I couldn't eat it all, except for the zucchini, and had to take it home for later.  James had the chicken madeira.

 

Evan came down today to see Joshua who was still asleep when Evan got here so he visited with me.  He said he was trying to earn money so his family could get an Xbox One.  He said all of the kids have to earn $75 a piece to help pay for it.  He has $66 right now.  I told him I would give him a dollar if he would vacuum my bedroom. 



Evan vacuuming our bedroom

We had to rob my Hello Kitty bank to get a dollar bill out.  It wasn't easy.  We had to use an ice pick. 

 

Joel only worked a couple of hours texturing walls in the master bedroom.  James had to finish.  Adam and Michael helped. 

 

We took a lunch break to Cheesecake Factory.  I had fried zucchini, Romano crusted chicken, and lemon meringue cheesecake.  Delicious!  James had the chicken madeira.

 

While we are working on our house and enduring the heat Trina and Darrel are on vacation at the beach in California with Trina's family.

  

 

Ruby is excited to eat at Ruby's

 

 

 



Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Happy Birthday Laura!

I hope you are having a great time in Boise!

 

I am feeling better this morning!  Ben, Alex and Seth came down to strip wallpaper.  They had to wait until after 8 a.m. at Stacy's request.  I helped with the wallpaper for awhile. 

 

Today Elder Russell M. Nelson was called as the new President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. 

I listened to two General Conference talks today: "Is Not This The Fast That I Have Chosen?" by President Henry B. Eyring and "The Plan of Happiness" by President Boyd K. Packer.  I love the fact that in his last conference address President Packer declared his love for his family and wife.

 

I helped James strip wallpaper for awhile and then read to him while he worked.  For dinner we had a salad, toast and cottage cheese.

 

Michael, Ben, and Alex want to know who will inherit the cabin.  They say it is their favorite place in the world. They decided Sheri would be there choice because she would share.  Of course, Sheri would naturally be Ben and Alex's choice. 

 

Today is was 104 in Chandler and 64 in Vernon. 

 

James's leg was swollen this evening.  I think he is working way too hard and I will be glad when we are finished fixing up our house.



 

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

I love trees!

 

I took two Tramadol this morning for pain and they made me so dizzy I spent most of the morning in bed.  I am wondering when the Actemra will start working. 

 

Joel, James, Alex, and Ben began working in the master bedroom this morning.  Stacy was relocated to the living room couch.  Joel knocked down the popcorn ceiling, Alex and Ben stared stripping wallpaper.  James got them started and then went to a meeting in Mesa about doing a tenant improvement project at some medical building for Jerod Bowen. 

 

When James returned from his meeting he went and got some hot and sour soup at my request.  This seems to be my food of choice when I am sick.  Lucky we have a Chinese restaurant close by. 

 

Joel worked all day and James went in and helped him paint the new ceiling. 

 

I paid bills this afternoon including someone else's car payment.  I co-signed for this person and when they can't make the payment, I have to. 

 

This evening James and I read from our new Julie Klassen book, "The Secret of Pembrooke Park."  I felt better this evening and I am looking forward to a good night's sleep.

Bishop C.T. Davis and Dianne with President Uchtdorf.

Bishop Davis was a flight trainer for President Uchtdorf

years ago in Texas.  How fun for them to have their picture taken with him!

 

 

 



Monday, July 13, 2015

Mario and Carol Ray and their

5 boys, Brennan, Peter, Andy, Tim, and Matt.

It was 25 years ago today that Mario was killed in a

small plane crash leaving behind Carol with 5 boys to

raise on her own.  She has done an amazing job!

 

I had an appointment today at the Arizona Arthritis and Rheumatologist Associates in Mesa today for my second Actemra infusion and to see Tiffany, the PA that works with Dr. Caldron.

Kawanda set my infusion and drew blood.  She was very good!

 

Afterwards I had lunch at Whataburger.  When I returned home I was still hurting.  I took two Tramadol and an aspirin.  Tiffany insists I stay on Methotrexate and limit my aspirin intake to 2 or 3 a day.  I told her than Tylenol does nothing for me. 

 

Today was the grand opening of Xavier's Casa Reynoso's new location in Mesa.  Mary Johnson recommended it and said they were giving away free cheese crisps so James and I went there for dinner.  I had a mixed green chili burro and was disappointed that it was not as good as Burger House's or Irene's.  I am not sure we will be going back because it is located on Southern and Higley which isn't that close. 

 

When we arrived home Adam and Kyle were waiting for a ride to Adam's new "digs."  We took them to Guadalupe and Dobson and dropped them off at the new house only to leave and 5 minutes later receive a call from Adam saying he forgot a piece of his desk and could we bring it.  We ended up making two trips. 

 

For FHE we listened to Elder Whitney L. Clayton's General Conference address: "Choose to Believe."



Sunday, July 12, 2015

We miss this cute face!

 

Kim, Brian, Joe, Michael, James, Joshua, Evan, Max and I all attended the Vernon ward sacrament meeting.  Our good friends Blain and Diana Curtis were the speakers.  After sacrament meeting everyone went back to the cabin except James, Joshua, and I.  Joshua said he wanted to stay to learn more about Jesus.  We were very proud of him.  He went into Primary and said: "Hi, I am Joshua and I am 8 years old." 

 

It felt like home to be back in Brother Wilhelm's Sunday School class.  Our lesson today was on the Atonement. 

Marci Westbrook taught the lesson in Relief Society about the temple.  Brooklyn Carroll is the regular teacher but she was gone to Mexico with Dave and Rosa Westbrook to pick up Sadie from her mission. 

During Relief Society it started to rain.  I love hearing rain on a  tin roof. 

Back at the cabin there were lots of choice leftovers for lunch.  Spaghetti, Kim's homemade mac & cheese, Sheri's chicken tacos, and KFC chicken. 

After lunch Kim, Brian, Joe, and Michael reluctantly left for home and the heat of the valley.

The lineup!

These two are hilarious!

 

James and I took a nap and then prepared to leave for Chandler.  We left at 4 p.m.  Joshua rode in the front seat, and Evan and Max in the back.  Max got a little queasy so we made a couple of stops at the side of the road.  Because it was Sunday we didn't make any stops for food or drink.  We arrived at 108th Way at 7:15.



 







Saturday, July 11, 2015

Michael, with Sheri close behind, on their morning

run down Vernon Road.

Great running weather!

 

We fixed steak, gravy and biscuits for breakfast.  The Cameron's also left us two dozen donuts, and Brian fixes Kim a gluten free breakfast of eggs, sausage, and potatoes.

 

Sheri and I went to the Stanford store to get gas for the Razr. 

While there I happened to see this in the freezer and decided to buy it because James loves passion fruit.  It did not disappoint!  

 



My new favorite frozen dessert!!

 

Sheri, Ian, Alex and Ben went home today.  Max and Evan stayed with us to play with Joshua. 

Michael says that Razr rides are the most fun thing about the cabin.  The Razr is extremely muddy because of all the rain.  We also play 5 Crowns, Hearts, take walks and watch the clouds, mountains and rain.  It is so gorgeous and green right now and the wild flowers are starting to grow.  I can hardly wait for the sunflowers.  Oh yes, we also like to read on the porch and make smores on the campfire.  The boys also like to loo for lizards, but no snakes, please!

 

They boys wanted Little Caesars for lunch so James and I made a trip into town.  We also got gas since we are probably going home tomorrow and some KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken). 

 

After the boys ate their pizza and chicken James took them for a ride to the pit and the swing.  I told them I hoped they didn't get sick to their stomachs, but sure enough, Max did.  Joshua was so sweet to stay with him during the night and kept coming in to give me updates. 

 

I got a little dizzy myself, probably from my meds.  Kim came me two kinds of DoTerra oils that really helped and I was able to go to sleep.