Monday, July 20, 2015

First Day of School

Chandler, Arizona

Joshua is in the 3rd grade

Evan is in the 3rd grade and Max is in the 5th grade

Brooklyn's first day of kindergarten.

I couldn't resist.

Brooklyn was in our Primary class.

Not pictured: Ben who is a sophomore, and Alex and Michael who are seniors this year. 

 

I was up before 5 this morning to get ready to go back to the valley.  We left at 518 a.m.  We stopped at Burger House and got the Tony's Special breakfast burrito.  It was my first time and it did not disappoint!  We were home in Chandler by 8:29. 

 

James and Joel finished putting up the crown molding in the mater bedroom.  It looks very nice. 

 

News flash:  Because of flooding in California there is a bridge out on the 1-10.  For right now all traffic is being re-routed through San Diego. 

 

I visited the bank and the carwash today.  My car was very muddy from driving on Vernon roads.  For lunch I had peanut M&M's and diet Pepsi from Circle K.  I stayed in my room most of the day napping and working on my blog. 

 

For dinner James and I went to Pei Wei and shared lettuce wraps and a Pei Wei spicy chicken salad.  It was very enjoyable.

 

This evening we read from "The Tutor's Daughter" and listened to two conference talks: "Why Marriage and Family Matter" by Elder L. Tom Perry, and "Therefore They Hushed Their Fears" by Elder David A. Bednar.

 

 



Sunday, July 19, 2015

 

I am grateful to be in this beautiful place today.  I wish we could move back completely but we have to wait until we sell our house.

The view out our bedroom window and porch is so beautiful and green right now.



View from the porch

 

James put a new shower head on our shower and it is wonderful!



This shower head is the bomb-diggity!

 

James made me breakfast this morning.  His eggs are almost as good as mine!

Today in sacrament meeting we had a high councilman speak.  His name was Mike Hall.  He is Harry Lynn Hall and Geraldine Nikolaus's son.  I told James he looked like a Nikolaus.

 

Sadie Westbrook is back from her mission and will be speaking next week.  I can hardly wait!  In Sunday School today the lesson was on the Savior and the last things he said while he was on the cross.

 

The Crane's were just released from working at the cannery in Snowflake and now they have been called to work at the Snowflake temple.  That trip to Snowflake is about 40 miles one way.

 

The Ezra Taft Benson lesson in Relief Society was on marriage and family and was taught by Pam Wood.

 

For lunch we had pork chops, salad and watermelon and then we took a nice long nap. 

 

This evening we read scriptures, had a light dinner and watched Hallmark movie.  We had no internet or phone service today. We had to drive clear down to AC3148 off of Highway 60 to call Stacy and tell her that we weren't coming home until tomorrow morning. 

We had some more rain tonight while the sun was shining and we had a double rainbow.



 

 

 



Saturday, July 18, 2015

Jack and Elizabeth from

"When Calls the Heart"

 

Even though the cabin bed is very comfy, I had a restless night.  When I got up this morning I had strawberries and cherries for breakfast while reading from the New Testament and the Book of Mormon with James. 

 

James went on a Razr ride this morning even though he could not find the gas cap.  When he came back he left the Razr outside and it rained and water got into the gas tank.  While he was out for his drive he saw Jimmy Brookbank who was up in the hills for a family reunion.

 

We took a drive to the Stanford Store so I could show James the shed I want to get for the kids to use for a clubhouse.  I am not sure why I didn't take a picture.  It is painted red with white trim and a white door and two windows in the front.  He liked it but said we couldn't buy it because it cost too much and he could build one much cheaper. Somehow he talked me into driving into Show Low with him to get ant killer at Home Depot.  We stopped at Sonic for some refreshments and then I waited outside of Home Depot while James does his shopping.  

 

When we got back from town the entire house was filled with smoke.  Before we left James had put some eggs on to boil and he forgot to turn them off.  The pan was burnt to a crisp and so were the eggs.  It took awhile to get rid of the smell and the smoke.

 

It was a beautiful day today but it didn't rain until after dark.  James and I watched the finale of "When Calls the Heart."  Of course they always make the finale a cliff hanger and this show was no different.  I really do think it is the best show on T.V. 

 

I got a good start on cleaning the main floor of the cabin and James put several boxes of stuff away.  He got a call from Joel who is in Chandler trying to put up the last piece of crown molding in the master bedroom.  It sounds like he messed up.  When James hung up he told me I was right, he shouldn't have left Joel to do something he had no experience with. 

 

We finished The Secret of Pembrooke Park before going to bed tonight.  It just started to rain as we went to bed.

 

Sheri posted this picture of Lola to make me jealous.

It worked.

 



 

  

 





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!