Tuesday, May 31, 2016

This morning's sunrise
My favorite time of day.

Alma 9:7-18

11 - Yea, and if it had not been for his matchless power, and his mercy, and his long-suffering towards us, we should unavoidably have been cut off from the face of the earth long before this period of time, and perhaps been consigned to a state of endless misery and woe. 

12 - Behold, now I say unto you that he commandeth you to repent; and except ye repent, ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. 

13 - Behold, do ye not remember the words which he spake unto Lehi, saying that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper in the land? 

Taco Tuesday at Alibertos:

Quite delicious

My main reason for coming to town, besides to get tacos, was to get floor cleaner and polisher.  When I went to Walmart I discovered they don't carry the Shark brand anymore.  Other strange things going on in Walmart:

At first I thought they were completely out of
canned tomatoes and tomato sauce kind of 
like they were out of lemons a couple of weeks ago,
and I panicked.  When I went around the corner towards the meat
cases, I saw shelves with the tomatoes and tomato sauce.  I guess they are just rearranging.  I didn't stop to read the white papers place up and down this aisle of shelves.  

James did some shopping at Home Depot and then we drove home.  On the way we read from Alexandra, our sweet and clean novel.

On the way home it looks like it's raining all around us, especially out towards St. Johns.  It always seems like we are "on the edge."  I think we should name our place Edgewood Estates.  We are at the edge of the woods and also the edge of the weather.  Edgewood sounds better than Edgeweather.  

Look what came in the mail today:

It's George, or the monkey as Lola calls him.

I can hardly wait to give him to her on her birthday.

For my rest and relaxation time this afternoon I watched an episode of "Chopped Allstars."  Ann Burrel, Claire Robinson, Duff from Cake Boss, and Robert Irvine.  The two finalists were Robert Irvine and Ann Burrel.  Ann ended up the winner.  She was "amazing!"

She gave her winning to the juvenile diabetes foundation, another reason I wanted her to win.

I went in to my bedroom to send out a family email and was going to watch another episode of "Chopped" but I couldn't find the remote to the TV.  I am sure it will show up eventually.  

I talked James into going to the Taylor Walmart this evening to look for my floor cleaner.  They didn't have it either.  

Emmy had her guitar recital this evening.  

  There is just something about a girl

who plays the guitar!

The photobomber is Molly.

Monday, May 30, 2016

Finally got a picture of Addy!

Joshua is holding Larry the Lizard.

James Hayden was on a Razr ride.

 When I woke up this morning in Chandler at 5:50, James was already up and dressed and he said to me: "I'll be waiting out in the car for you.  He was ready to go home.  Thirty minutes later I was ready.

We started a new book called Alexandra on the way home.

It's called a sweet and clean

Regency romance novel.

  We got back to Vernon around 10, and our company was still there!

Addy started a game of Apples to Apples.  I forgot

how much fun this game is to play with kids.

Hey who went to Maverick?
I guess it was Jared when he got gas for the Razr. 

More random pictures.

We have some posers in our family.

Things I didn't get pictures of that I wish I had:

Darrel vacuuming.

The kids have a "candy fest" eating all the candy I usually save for my Primary class.

More pictures of kids on the Razr.

More pictures of James and Addy.

Evan learning to drive.

Both cars left a little after noon. Molly came and sat on my lap and ask if she could live with me.  That melted my heart.
  I hope Darrel doesn't get caught in the Memorial Day traffic.  The house was very quiet after everyone left.  I sat down and watched an episode of "Chopped."  James took a two hour nap.  He was up awfully early this morning.

Some random pictures I want to post.  I showed this first one to James Hayden and he said it looked like "marshmallow clouds."

Toasted marshmallow clouds.

I would love it if James could build a clubhouse that looked like this:

We could paint it purple and plant it by a

red tree and put up a colorful fence!

Sunday, May 29, 2016

Future missionaries!

These boys, along with 11 other children were all in my Primary class today.  They read and answered gospel questions.  I was very impressed.  They are three of the best boys I know!

 Molly ready for Church.

Ruby would not allow any pictures of her because she had to fix her dress, she said you could see through it.  Addy came to the rescue.

 We took this picture after Church with her 

Ruby shirt on.

 Lola stayed home with her dad

and Addy.  

Addy is still recuperating from surgery.

 I love this picture of Molly.

 Lola and her friends.

 Emmy was in my Primary class too.

She was the oldest and probably

the wisest.

 James went to Mel Wilhelm's class.

Brother Wilhelm was very impressed

with James's gospel knowledge.

After teaching 14 Primary children, only two who were actually part of my normal class,  I went in to sharing time and Sister Skousen, the Primary president, said I could go to the 5th Sunday adult meeting in the chapel with the bishop.  I was so happy.  

James, Jared, James Hayden, and I all sat together on the 2nd row.

The bishop gave a presentation about FamilySearch and the Find, Take, Teach program.  He said he was directed to do so by the First Presidency.  He used a computer and projected images up on a screen.  He showed us how to use the fan chart and descendency chart to find ancestors who need temple work done.  I was excited to go home and try it.  

When we got home from Church, Jared's lunch was waiting for us.  He prepared ribs and wanted to make sure we had some before we left for the valley.  They were delicious!  Thank you so much Jared!

Evan had a headache during the last hour of Church and spent his time laying down on the couch in the foyer.  As soon as he got home I fixed him, Josh, and Rowan something to eat, and he felt better.

We left for the valley at 1:35 for Michael's seminary graduation and arrived at the Ray and McQueen stake center at 4:55, five minutes before it started.  Thank goodness Stacy saved us places.

Kyle Dana was quite entertaining as he is the high councilman over seminary. Also, three of Kim and Brian's former bishops were speakers: President Campbell, President Lewis, and Brother Nelson.  Michael says Brother Nelson is his Sunday School teacher and he loves him.  He put in a plug for institute.  He actually teaches institute at ASU and Stacy encouraged Michael to attend his class.  Here are some pictures of family members who attended:

Where is grandpa James you ask.  He was in the men's room.

I love these pictures of Alex and Michael.

They have grown up together and have

been buddies all of their lives!

 G-pa and his boys!

They have outgrown him.

After graduation we went to Stacy and Paul's for dinner.  Stacy had fixed a delicious roast with carrots and rolls.  Before dinner Paul showed Elder Bednar's video about light and then bore his testimony to Michael about going on a mission and how he was prouder of him graduating from seminary than high school.  It was felt heartfelt and I hope Michael was really listening to his dad.

It was nice to visit with Cathi and Terry.  They have not been to the ROC since Tuesday because of the smell of the newly varnished floors.  Terry had a trip to the hospital on Friday because of severe stomach pains.  He also had headaches, but seems to be feeling better tonight.

Terry's son Nathan and his girlfriend, Allison came by to see Terry.  Nathan asked if there was anything they could do to help and offered to do yardwork.  I was impressed with Allison, because she was very friendly and came up and shook our hands.  She is a child psychologist and works with high risk kids.  Nathan is my favorite of Terry's boys.  I guess he and Allison met at a "bug" show.  She bought one of his butterflies.  

Lady and Indy were so happy to see us when we got here.  Lady couldn't stop barking and dancing around!

Saturday, May 28, 2016

The Snowflake temple

I took this picture of the temple on Thursday evening on our way to our cleaning assignment.

Alma 7:14-27
14 - Now I say unto you that ye must repent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.
23 - And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.
24 -And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works.
Alma's blessing to his people:
27 - And now, may the peace of God rest upon you, and upon your houses and lands, and upon your flocks and herds, and all that you possess, your women and your children, according to your faith and good works, from this time forth and forever.  And thus I have spoken. Amen.

I made blueberry muffins for breakfast.  Molly said she doesn't like them so she had Honey Nut Cheerios.  Jared, James, and Molly waited around all morning for Darrel and his kids to get here so they could go to Greer with them.

Playing a game while waiting.

  Finally, around 1:30 they decided to go without them.  Emmy said she wasn't going anywhere so she stayed home with us.  It looks like Molly and James had fun in Greer.

 Darrel got here about an hour later with a boat-load of kids: Addy, who did not feel well and went directly to the couch to lie down, Rowan, Ruby, Lola, Joshua, and Evan.  Emmy made immediate friends with Lola, and carried her around everywhere.  Ruby and Molly were inseparable when Molly returned from Greer.  Molly is quite a bit taller than Ruby now.

   Ruby explained that she comes from a short family.

When Ruby saw the new storage shed she asked me when grandpa was going to build the kids clubhouse.  I told her when we got some more money.

Finally when Addy took her meds and started feeling better she and Emmy "hung out."  Rowan, Joshua, and Evan spent most of their time outside getting dirty and playing imaginary games.  

Of course, everyone wanted to go on a Razr ride, except Lola.  It took her awhile to get used to it.  

Everyone wanted their turn to drive.

I spent much of the afternoon working on my Primary lesson about Korihor.  This evening after dinner we had a birthday party for Emmy.  She will be 11 years old on June 4th.  First we had to sing happy birthday and blow out the candles.

Poor Addy, was still not feeling too well.

A soccer cake with chocolate, and mint chocolate

chip ice cream.

These are some of the gifts that Emmy received: A RipStick from her dad, and a pair of new shoes.  I forgot to take pictures so for those of you who don't know what a RipStick is I took a picture at Walmart:

James was riding it all over the house.

It took Emmy a couple of days to learn how to use it.

We gave her money, a potholder loom, and some peppermint body wash.  Addy and her family gave her a design coloring book and some paper clips and colored tape to make bracelets with.  

After the party we went outside for fireworks.  Everyone who wanted to got to hold and shot off a Roman candle.  Lola loved the fireworks.  Of course there were sparklers for everyone too.  Emmy got to hold the "big one" and fire it at the end of the show.

Ruby wore her lightup bow for the occasion.

Sparklers make you smile.

James looking for a good one.

I think that's Emmy in the background shotting

a Roman candle.

Sorry I didn't get more pictures.  Here are a couple of Lola inside

the house.  

At Emmy's party

She loved our rocking chair.

Friday, May 27, 2016

I love to see the temple
and I went there today.

I was up at 5:30 this morning and left for the temple by myself at 7:15 for the 8:30 session.  Brother Peeler from our ward arrived at the temple the same time that I did.  He is a temple worker but today he was a patron doing an endowment session just like me.

I went through for Margaret Eaton and the name of the officiator for our session was Brother Eaton.  Also, I saw a friend from high school working at the veil, his name, Alan Frost.

After the temple I stopped at El Cupido's for a drink and a bacon breakfast burrito.  I ordered it to go and my next stop was at the Taylor Walmart where I shopped for groceries and Emmy's birthday.  On to Show Low for gas and a carwash and to pick up Emmy's ice cream cake at Dairy Queen.  The only problem with their cakes is, they don't have any cake, just ice cream.  

When I returned home I unloaded the car, put groceries away and sat down to rest and watch an episode of "Chopped."  James was outside putting a door on his shed.

 It looks so nice!

Now all we need to do is plant some grass or build a sidewalk so our floor won't get so dusty.

I couldn't resist taking this picture of the birdhouse.

He made the birdhouse for the humming birds,

so the hole is a little small to get inside.

James says we have apples growing on one of our trees.

 Does that look like an apple to you?

It looks more like a pomegranate to me.

This afternoon I made a meatloaf to go with our scalloped potatoes.  Just as we sat down to eat, Jared and his kids arrived with an Arby's bag.  All the kids are here except Anna who went to Disneyland with Tricia.

Earlier this month Trina and Stacy both killed spiders.  Trina's was in the garage and Stacy's was in the house.  Which would you rather face:

Stacy's

Trina's

Sorry Stacy, put Trina wins this one for the grossest looking spider!

 

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Alma 5:53-6:8
55 - Yea, and will you persist in turning your backs upon the poor, and the needy, and in withholding your substance from them?

James had a discussion with Wes Smith about helping the poor.  Wes thinks it's a copout to say, "If I feel inspired I will help them."  He says it's a commandment and we are not to judge.  Wes says he breaks down $100 into fives and gives them away and somehow his pile keeps getting bigger.  James wants me to get fifty dollars worth of five's so he can do the same thing.
I actually gave away $5 the other day to someone in Chandler.  He had a purple shirt on and when he turned around to walk away it said: GSU on the back, Grand Canyon University.  That's where Michael is going to go.

LaVerne and Shirley were back this morning right outside our bedroom window.

LaVerne is with child, or children,

antelope usually have twins.

I went out this morning to look in the car for my present to Emmy, hoping it had fallen under the seat.  No present, but I did find my debit card.  I had to call Chase and have them remove the cancellation.  James told me he looked everywhere in the car.  That's a man for you.

James called to get an appointment with Dr. LeSueur about his ears and they said they had a cancellation today at 3:45.  We were going to leave for the temple at 3 and do a session before we clean tonight, but I guess we will have to wait until tomorrow.  I don't want him to have to wait until the middle of June to get his ears cleaned.  Dr. LeSueur also wrote him a prescription for a hearing aid and now we need to make an appointment at Cosco for a hearing aid.

Addy had her tonsils out today.  I kept texting Trina to see how she was doing.  She said the surgery went well, but she is pretty sore and can't talk.  

We left for the temple around 6.  Again we had to stop at Maverick for Icebreakers because I didn't think I could make it through the night without them.  

James can't find his temple recommend so he had to wait at the front desk while I went back to change clothes and start my cleaning assignment.  
I worked until about 7:40 and then went down to the chapel to wait for our ward members who were coming to help.  
We were so grateful to have so many people come: Chris and Becky Skousen.  Chris postponed his fishing trip so he could be here.  Wes and Theresa Smith, Blain and Diana Curtis, Ed and Wes Miller, Virgil Cooper, Jerry Scott, Judy Hunter, Lorraine Vaught, Dave and Rosa Westbrook, Fred and Barbara Klug, and us.  We had four people who didn't show up, but with us we had 20 that did.  We were so grateful.  We were finished around nine and home by 10, an hour earlier than I had figured.  It was a good experience!

Molly had her first grade play this evening.  It's the bug play that I have seen but is always so cute.  Thanks Jared for sending the pictures!

Molly was a bumblebee

Such a cutie!

Tonight was Show Low High School graduation.  Shelly from Vernon graduated, and Madison, Monte and Tasha's daughter.

Maddie has a scholarship to UofA.

She wants to be a veterinarian.

Shelly is the blonde and was one of

my young women.  She is going to

be going to EA in Pima.