Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Happy Graduation Day!

Michael

 Alex

These boys are ready to graduate.  They both graduated with highest honors!  And better still, they both are seminary graduates!

I am so in to this book "Christ In Every Hour" I decided to make a trip to Deseret Book and get one for Sheri and a hard cover for me.  

Also read Alma 5:26-42.  This is one of the most amazing chapters in the Book of Mormon for me. 

After Deseret Book James and I went to lunch at Cheesecake Factory, using one of the gift cards that I got for mother's day from Darrel & Trina.  James loves the chicken madeira and I love the herb-parmesan crusted chicken.  I couldn't finish all of mine but I boxed it up and took it home for later.  

We went home to rest for awhile and then James went to get a door threshold and window for his shed.  

At 4pm we went to Michael and Alex's grad party at Sheri and Ian's.  I didn't stay long because Addy and I had a date to go shopping at the mall for Emmy's birthday.  Here are a couple of pictures I took:

Lola is a meat eater.  She loved the chicken nuggets

from Chick-fil-a.

 Addy and I liked the sugar cookies that

Stacy made.

Ruby is a chips and salsa girl.

Addy had seen a necklace with a soccer ball on it at the mall and we wanted to go see if it was still there.  We couldn't find it after going to three stores so I got Emmy a set of earrings, a necklace, and a bracelet with the letter E on it.  I also got her a small E purse. 

Ruby was sad I didn't invite her so I told her I would take her for her birthday.

I stayed at the party a few more minutes then left for Cathi and Terry's where James was.  Cathi and Terry were just home from Disneyland.  They took Colin and Colter and had a great time except for all of the California high school graduates who were there.

James decided we needed to go home tonight so we loaded up the car, said goodbye, and left.  It was after ten o'clock when we got home.  We missed graduation but thank goodness Sheri and Paul took pictures.

 Both Alex and Michael graduated with highest honors.

Michael has a gold tassel for being

in honor society.

Two awesome young men!

 

Michael and his cousin Natalie Johnson.

 Sheri's post.

 Paul's post.

Our friends the Jensen's.

Their older son is on a mission

in Australia.

We are very proud of Michael and Alex and Trevor too.  We wish them all the very best in the future! Hopefully they will all serve a mission.

 

Monday, May 23, 2016

We picked up 'Lexy' from Erik this morning.  He has had her for two weeks and it cost us $1,853.55.  He guarantees she will run now without heating up.  Thank you Erik.  He said there was lots of rat poop on the engine and some of the wires had been chewed so he had to replace them.  Hopefully when we get our garage cleaned out and can park Lexy inside we won't have that problem anymore.  He said that rats are attracted to dirt and be sure and get our under carriage cleaned because we had lots of packed dirt inside the wheel wells, etc.  It is so good to have my car back.  I have missed her!

We drove back to Cathi and Terry's and parked then truck and headed to our favorite breakfast spot.

I had scrambled eggs, hasbrowns, bacon, and

buttermilk pancakes.  I didn't do the patriotic toppings,

but had hot maple syrup and butter instead.  Yummy!

James always order the harvest nut and grain pancakes to

go with his meal.

After breakfast we drove to White Cap where James picked up some rebar to take out to Allen and Gail on the job in San Tan Valley.  It is quite a jog out there.  Further out than Queen Creek!

Here are some of the schools we passed on the way out:

Dr. Gary & Annette Auxier Elementary, Newell Barney Junior High, Basha High, Weinberg Elementary, and Payne Junior High.  We know just about all of those people.  We missed the new Camille Castille school, but I have seen it before.  I guess you are nobody until you have a school named after you.

This afternoon James went to Verizon to get the cover on his phone fixed and ask about cancelling the contract on our jetpacks and internet service.  Our two year contract was renewed when he picked up the new devices a few weeks ago.  He did not know that.  Anyway what it boils down to is, in order to cancel our service we will have to pay a $360 penalty.  

Here is our plan.  Tomorrow I will order our new service through Wi-Power which will give us unlimited service for $75 a month.  Once that service is up and running we will cancel Verizon and pay the $360.  With the money we are saving we will have this paid back in a about four months.  The only thing I am concerned about is, the highest speed we can get is 6mbp's.  Hailey, my friend who recommended this service says she has it and loves it.  

While James was gone someone came to take his place.

Right where James sleeps. 

I could tell when Kiley left because Indy showed up outside my door.  I love this sweet little dog, and Lady too.  They miss their momma and pappa.

James and I went to Jersey Mike's for dinner and then picked up a pizza and salad to take out to Trina and her kids.  Lola was asleep when we got there.  I think James woke her up by rubbing her feet.  She was a little grouchy when she got up and didn't want anyone except Trina.  We gave Addy and Max a graduation card and $20 as they both graduated from elementary school into junior high.  Addy is getting her tonsils out on Thursday.  I told her I put her name on the prayer roll and that we would be praying for her.  I also asked if her dad was going to give her a priesthood blessing and she said yes.  Addy is an amazing young woman.  Whenever she gets money she gives it away to charity.  She helped me plan Emmy's birthday party at the cabin and told me she saw a soccer necklace at the Chandler mall.  We are going to look for it tomorrow when she comes to Michael and Alex's graduation party.  She ask me if she could us her mission money I sent every month for school.  She wants to be a pediatrician and knows it will require alot of schooling.  I told her I would think about it.

Rowan is a sweet boy.  Trina is concerned about him because he has three phobia's.  One is the weather.  Every time it gets a little windy he is concerned there is going to be a tornado.  The second it bugs.  I wonder if this one has anything to do with the spider like creature Trina killed last week.  I can identify with this phobia.

The last one is Lola's safety.  He is obsessed with making sure the doors and locked and knowing where Lola is at all times.  He is definitely feeling the responsibility of being a big brother.  I think this one shows what a kind and caring boy he is.  If you ever need a hug, Rowan gives the best.  He likes to "snuggle" too.

Now Ruby.  I told her how proud we were of her for returning the dime she found at school.  She gave me a big smile and a hug.  The rest of the time we were there, after she ate her pizza, she laid on the couch and watched episodes of Studio C on her iPad.  I told her I guess I was going to have to be on Studio C if I wanted her to see me.  At that point she invited me to watch with her.  

Her birthday is coming up soon and she has given out gift assignments.  From mom and dad she wants a video camera.  From Sheri an Easy Bake oven, and from us a tea set.  I am excited about our gift and will begin looking on Amazon as soon as I get home!

When we returned to Cathi and Terry's Max texted me and ask if he could come down and get his graduation card.  I don't think it was the card he was interested in.  His mom told him we were giving him $20.  We love Max!

 

 

Sunday, May 22, 2016

So true.

About 2:30 this morning I couldn't sleep in my bed because of a heaviness in my chest so I went in to sleep on the recliner for another hour or so.  I was up for good at 4 am.  The first thing I did was put a roast and some veggies in the crockpot for our lunch.  Next, a shower and then prayers and scripture study.  Today I studies Alma 4:5-20:

6 - Church members become prideful. 
9 - Great contentions in the Church.
10 - At the end of the 8th year the Church begins to fail in its progress.
13-14 - Some retained a remission of their sins.
15-18 - Alma steps down as chief judge.
19 - Alma becomes a full time missionary.
20 - In the 9th year Nephihah becomes chief judge.

5:30 am. - typed James's quotes for him to hand out to people during his lesson.
6-7:45 - Studied my lesson, packed, and folded some laundry.
7:45 - got ready to go.
8:20 - left for church.  When I got to my room someone had taken some of my things and put magnets all over the chalkboard.  James is right, I need to take my things home every week. Darn!

One of my favorite young women, Shelly Applegate was the youth speaker in church today.  She graduates on Thursday and will be moving on to college.  Kids grow up too fast these days.

Brother Jim was our high councilman speaker and his partner was Brother Thompson from Cibecue.

Paula Johnson's granddaughter, Briley, was here visiting from Snowflake today and attended my class.  She wouldn't eat any candy because she is diabetic.  She was using a pump just like Adam.
Also, Talena's brother Jarom was in my class for the first time.  I don't think he is on my roll, but I enjoyed having him.

After church James, Adam, and I went home and enjoyed having our dinner.  James called it a stew and that was fine with me.  It was pretty delicious.  James cleaned the kitchen and we left for the valley around 1:30.  We took Adam to his apartment on Southern and Dobson and then we headed for Sheri's for dinner.  Sheri had prepared ham, rolls, scalloped potatoes, and asparagus.  It was all delicious.  After eating we went to Cathi and Terry's and unloaded all of our things and got ready for seminary graduation.  It seems funny to be staying at Cathi and Terry's while they are at Disneyland.  Kilee is taking care of the dogs and other pets.  We went to bed before she got here, so we didn't get to talk to her.

We were at the stake center by 6:30, early enough to help Sheri save seats for Kim, Brian, and Stacy, Paul, Joshua, and Michael.
Ian's parents came too and sat next to Sheri and Ian.

Alex did an amazing job speaking.  He is a natural.  I was very proud of him.  

Taller than his mom and almost as

tall as his dad.

Alex with the other priests in his ward

who graduated.

 

Saturday, May 21, 2016

The Snowflake Temple

Scripture study before we leave for the temple.

Alma 3:20-4:4

What changed in the land as a result of the wars with the Amlicites and Lamanites?  Sadly, the fields of grain were trodden under and had to be re-planted.

My notes:

24 - Nephites begin to establish peace.

25 - Wars in the 5th year of the reign of the judges.

26-27 - Book of Mormon Student Manual p. 174:

"Eventually, the choices of a lifetime will reveal whom one has chosen as an eternal employer.  President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, taught this truth when he declared: 'Our lives are made up of thousands of everyday choices.  Over the years these little choices will be bundled together and show clearly what we value" ( Ensign, Nov. 1980, 21).

Alma 4

1 - No contentions in the sixth year of the reign of the judges.

4 - And they began to establish the church more fully; yea, and many were baptized in the waters of Sidon and were joined to the church of God; yea, they were baptized by the hand of Alma, who had been consecrated the high priest over the people of the church, by the hand of his father Alma.

On the way to the temple we listened to Sister Oscarson's talk, "Do I Believe?", and Brother Waddell's talk, "A Pattern for Peace."

Today James went through for the second Henry Strickland and I went through for Mildred Reynolds.  Not sure which line Mildred is from.  Jared found her.

After the temple we went to El Cupido's and got a mexican pizza and two Big Jake burritos to take home for lunch.  The pizza was for James and the burritos for James and I.

I hate to be wrong so I am not very confident.

This afternoon I took a nap, worked on my blog, wrote missionary savings receipts for the grandkids, and worked on my Primary lesson.  James worked on the shed and Adam planted flowers.  Oh yes, I also prepared two pies for tonight's YM/YW fundraiser dinner.

James and I made a showing at the dinner, I ate a little spaghetti, and we took two plates home for Adam.  We did not stay for the dessert auction, I just left a donation instead.  I heard later that Wayne Todd Mayfield is a pretty awesome auctioneer!

Jared texted me these pictures of Emmy and her soccer team.

I don't think Molly is on the team, but she does

like to eat.

This was an intense tournament and out of 12 teams, Emmy's team came in third.

I spent the evening working on my lesson and so did James.  We went to bed a little after nine because I plan on getting up at 4.

 

Friday, May 20, 2016

This quote is from Sheri Dew's book, "Amazed by Grace."  Jared told me about it, and he also told me how convenient ebooks are.

Thank you Jared!

I finished my gospel study and morning chores before James said it was time to go to town.  I told him to give me fifteen minutes and I would be ready.  

Vickie called and said she would come out this afternoon and program us a new remote.  I told her I would call when we were leaving Show Low coming back to Vernon.  

Just as we were loading up the truck and getting in, I saw Harold and Vickie coming towards the entrance of Walmart.  They were going in to get graduation cards and said they would be coming out to our place as soon as they were finished.  

When we left Walmart we went to Panda to get some lunch.  By the time we got home and were less than half way through our lunch, Harold and Vickie showed up.  I had groceries sitting all over the counter still.

They programmed two new remotes for us and brought two HDMI cords in case we ever need them and didn't charge us anything.  You can't ask for better service than that.

Speaking of Maxwell's, Jeffrey, Harold and Vickie's oldest grandson, will be going through the temple on June 4th.  James and I plan on being there with him.  

Last week Dallin and two of his bands, Harrison Fjiord and Flower Cult, performed at Mesa Community College with the world renowned pianist, Alpin Hong.  Since we weren't able to go, I appreciate these pictures:

Dallin with Alpin Hong

He really is a performer

Joe was in the choir in the background.

Dallin with his indie band, Flower Cult.

James and I watched a good Hallmark mystery movie before going to bed tonight.  

I am going crazy trying to get James and Adam to put their dirty dishes in the dishwasher!  

 

Thursday, May 19, 2016

I love our views!

After my morning prayers I was looking at my emails and came across one from Meridian Magazine about Trump's 11nomination ideas for Supreme Court judge.  One is Tom Lee, Supreme Court justice in Utah.  He is Rex E. Lee's son.  Rex E. Lee is former president of BYU and served as U.S. solicitor general in the Reagan administration.  Rex Lee is from St. Johns, Arizona.  If Trump would nominate Lee, it would definitely be a reason to vote for him.

General Conference address: President Monson, "A Sacred Trust."

Alma 2:19-38

What did the Nephites do to gain victory over the Amlicites?

Answer: It's all about prayer and perseverance.  The Nephites were prayerful.  Alma cried out in faith for deliverance and for the ability to help those around him.  The Nephites didn't just rely on prayer, they went to work.  They were diligent in pursuing the enemy because they knew, if they let them get away, they would have this repeated cycle of them coming against them again.  They wanted peace.  

My notes on this chapter:

24 - The Amlicites join the Lamanites.

28 - The Nephites being strengthened by the hand of the Lord, having prayed mightily to the Lord, ..., the Lord did hear their cries and did strengthen them.

30 - Alma's cry: "O Lord, have mercy and spare my life, that I may be an instrument in thy hands to save and preserve this people."

31 - Now when Alma had said these words he contended again with Amlici; and he was strengthened, insomuch that he slew Amlici with the sword.

35 - And it came to pass that when they had all crossed the river Sidon that the Lamanites and the Amlicites began to flee before them, notwithstanding they were so numerous that they could not be numbered.  

In the Book of Mormon Student Manual I read an excerpt from the conference talk President Hinckley gave about tatoos and piercings. ( See Ensign, November 2000, 52.)

This was in reference to the Amlicites marking themselves with red in their foreheads after the manner of the Lamanites. (Alma 3:4).

Darrel sent me a recording of Ruby's school principal talking about Ruby and her good citizenship.  Ruby found a dime on the ground at school and carried it around in her pocket until she could take it to the principal's office.  When asked why she didn't just keep the dime, she said: "Because it wasn't mine."

I love it!

2:

Ruby with Lola, a couple of cuties!

I am so excited to have a visiting teaching partner, and the Relief Society President to boot.  Kaeli and I developed a friendship when she was called to be the 2nd counselor in the Young Women's when I was the 1st counselor.  Our president moved and we were pretty much left to run the show.  She has only been a member a few years and is 27 years old, but we are good friends.

We visited Hailey Chaffin and we went in my truck.  Kaeli's two year old daughter Natalie came with us.  It was a very bumpy ride part of the way, but we made it and had a good visit with Hailey, Taylor who was home from school and baby Huntleigh.  

Hailey gave me the name of an internet company who provides unlimited internet to rural areas.  It's called wi-power.  When I got home I called them and they are available.  Now I just have to see if we are under contract with our jetpacks to Verizon.  $75 is so much better than $170!

Hailey's baby has droopy eyelids and will have surgery on July 1st in the valley.  

Here is what we gave Hailey:

The jar is full of "hugs and kisses"

We read a quote by President Uchtdorf:

"Our Savior, the good shepherd, knows and

loves us.  He knows and loves you.

He knows when you are lost,

and he knows where you are.  

He knows your grief, your silent pleadings.

Your fears and your tears.  It matters

not how you became lost ... what matters is that

you are His child and He loves you.

Because He loves you, He will find you.

He will place you upon His shoulders,

rejoicing."

We were supposed to visit Jean Howard after Hailey, but she called and said she was still in the valley.  We will try again next week.

I came home and took a nap and then got up and got ready to go out again with Kaeli.  This time we visited Joell Miller and Randa Covert who are both inactive.  Joell is Kaeli's best friend so they are very close.  They allowed me in to their circle of confidence today.  Now I know and understand Joell so much better.

Randa is a young married.  She worked with Kaeli and I in the Young Women's and even went to girls camp with us.  Before we left to go down to sell our house she and I were visiting teaching companions.  She and her husband just went through the temple a year or so ago.  When I got back from Chandler last July I didn't see her or her husband Justin at church.  I thought they had moved but found out later that was not the case.  Something happened to offend them but I have now idea what it was.  I think Kaeli may know but is not at liberty to tell me.  We had a nice visit and it was 7 o'clock when I got home.  I was exhausted.  Thank goodness I marinated some honey lime chicken before leaving this morning.  We had chicken, corn, and left over chili for dinner.  It was yummy.

The remote in the family room doesn't work so James and I went in the bedroom to watch our movie, "At Home with Prudence," starring Jane Seymour.  

In other news, here are some posts from Facebook:

Michael

2016

Dallin 

 

Jared Ammon

2010

 

Joshua during a Cub Scout skit

with 

"Elephant Repellant"

As Kim says, the kid can act!

 

 

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Alma 2:1-18.  Amlici seeks to be king nd is rejected by the voice of the people - His followers make him king - The Amlicites make war on the Nephites and are defeated - Alma salys Amlici.

 Notes:

4 - Amlici's intent was to destroy the Church of God.

5 - For or against Amlici division causes 'wonderful' contentions.  I think 'wonderful' contentions could mean, an opportunity to share and defend your beliefs.

16 - Alma goes at the head of the army to battle.  (To me this shows what kind of a leader he was.)

18 - The Lord did strengthen the hand of the Nephites.  (Remember the promise, keep the commandments and prosper in the land.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke

Listened to President Eyring's conference address, "Eternal Families."

Study Primary lesson about the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. 

James has a new 'concoction' with lemon, cinnamon, vinegar, etc.

It tastes nasty but it helps the laryngitis.

I saw eight bunnies outside this morning.  When they saw me they ran and hid.

Jared texted me this morning and said Enbrel was not working for his arthritis anymore.  His doctor is putting him on Remicade.  I told him it worked for me a few months and then I was miserable.  I am now on Actemra.

Adam is trying to paint the trim on the shed before it starts to rain.  He is concerned because it is supposed to be brown but it look purple.  James told him not to worry because purple was my favorite color.  Yeah, but I'm not sure how it will look on a brown shed.

 My view of Adam painting.

I was too lazy to go outside.

While Adam was outside working, James was inside working.

Now I know why he wanted Adam to come.

The rain finally did come, at least for a little while.  I couldn't even see my mountain.

 Mount Mentosa disappears

Here is the birdhouse James built and hung.

Right outside our bedroom porch.

 Here is a strange bird we saw today.  Maybe he will live in our birdhouse!

For lunch today I made calico beans and rolls.  James and Adam both love the beans.  

After lunch I read two chapters of "A Lady's Favor" to James.  This is his kind of book and mine too!

My project this afternoon was to plan my menus and shopping list for next week.  

Around six o'clock we left for the temple.  Just before we left we both saw a young bull elk in our backyard.  Actually I should say I saw him and told James.  It was funny to see one elk all by himself.

On the way to the temple we stopped at Maverick to get some water and Icebreakers.  

Brother and Sister West meet us at the temple and show us where to get our scrubs, and then we go to work.  We are being trained as the temple cleaning co-ordinators for the Vernon ward.

Tonight is the Snowflake sixth wards turn to clean.  I was so surprised and happy to see our friend from Chandler, Ruth Gale.  We visited for awhile and then I saw another friend, Jani Huso Johnson.  They are both members of the Snowflake sixth ward.

Sister Raylene DeSpain Perry and her husband were the co-ordinators.  They live in Heber but had traded with the Snowflake sixth ward co-ordinators.  Raylene went to school with Dennis and Randy, and of course Vickie knew her. (I called and asked Vickie later).

We didn't get home until after 10.  We were both tired but we visited with Adam who seemed lonely and we both had a snack before going to bed.