Monday, December 22nd, 2025: Wrote my message for the family party, oil changed in car, meet Gilbert's @ Maverick & give them their Nutella bars, new pj's, wrap white elephant gifts & Virgil's blanket, Sue Polar Express

 

Buenos Aires City Center, Argentina

Planning and approval phase; site location announced;

exterior rendering released; groundbreaking 

not announced.

Book of Mormon

Ether 15:1-17

Come Follow Me

Dec 22-28: "The Matchless Gift of God's Divine Son"

Christmas

Introduction

October General Conference

'Prophets of God'

Sister Andrea Munoz Spannaus

Lesson

"Lovest Thou Me?"

Elder Steven C. Barlow

This is what I wrote to share at the family party tomorrow night. 

"One of my favorite things about Christmas is the lights. It reminds me that Jesus is the light of the world.

"Jesus Christ is the light of the world because He is the light which 'proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill in immensity of space. (D&C 88:12)

"His light is 'the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world.' (D&C 93:2)

"His example and His teachings illuminate the path we should walk to return to our Heavenly Father.

"Each of you is a blessed being of light, the spirit child of an infinite God. You bear within you a potential beyond your own capacity to imagine.

"It is my prayer that in the Christmas season of light you will connect your light to His light, even Jesus Christ, whose light and love for you is infinite and eternal.

"In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

James and I left for town about 7:45 this morning for our 8:30 appointment at Walmart to get the oil changed in our car. The traffic was slow, but we made it on time. James dropped me off at the door so I could shop while he took the car to be serviced.

James ended up in the Carl's Jr. cafe with his work notebook, working on the flooring bid for Ravi Gupta's office. Ravi says he is disappointed that "nothing has been done on the house." James couldn't believe that comment. Ravi will tell him to do something and then he talks to his attorney, and his attorney tells him to back off. It has been so frustrating. James was going to start on the roof in January. Ravi had the roofer come and do an estimate on the house he is living in, something about fixing a leak. The price was way too high so now he doesn't want the roofer working on his house. James is back to square one. This is what he told Ravi: 

"Nothing has been happening because you and your attorney won't allow it." He also said he would find work elsewhere for now. If Ravi gets ready to start and wants James to work for him, he can call and let him know. I think he is still going to do the bid on the flooring for the office.

After we were finished at Walmart I called Mikki Gilbert about the Nutella bars. They were just getting ready to leave for town. We arranged to meet them at the Maverick where James took them their goodies. Mikki texted and thanked me, saying they were delicious!

I bought a pair of pajamas at Walmart, or at least I'm going to use them for pajamas. It is a soft, black stretchy top and red plaid pants which are way too long and need to be hemmed. Hopefully I can hem them before we leave tomorrow. 

We forgot to get canned milk and oil for James's gravy so we will be stopping at the store on our way in to Chandler tomorrow. 

I wrapped our two white elephant gifts and Virgil Cooper's blanket. I am finally done with all of the wrapping.

T-Bo and Barbara are going to feed our cats while we are gone. We will leave the front door open for them. They will come over tomorrow and we will show them where and how to do it. We are very grateful.

"One of the most significant of God's helps for His faithful children is the gift of the Holy Ghost."

- President Dallin H. Oaks, AGC 2025

Helaman 14:4

Therefore, there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night; and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising of the sun and also of its setting; therefore they shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night; nevertheless the night shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is born.

Elk near the Show Low stake center

Visiting the MacArthur's

Molly Jean

My friend Sue Hubble took her granddaughter's

on the Polar Express.

Sunday, December 21st, 2025: Christmas Sacrament meeting, James's steak and gravy, Nutella bars for the Gilbert's, Stacy's sad car story, "Another Sweet Christmas," a sad day for me

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Planning and approval phase; site location announced, 

exterior rendering released; proposed development

notice posted on site; neighborhood meeting

held on August 21, 2025; groundbreaking

not announced.

Book of Mormon

Ether 14:8-31

October General Conference

'Look to God and Live'

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Lesson

"Lovest Thou Me?"

Elder Steven C. Barlow 

I wore my brown dress with the white polka dots to church today. I called myself June Cleaver and James was Ward with his tan suit, brown tie and brown shoes. 

Today was the Christmas program in sacrament meeting. It was scripture reading and singing, no soloists. James and I were disappointed as we wanted Jennifer Golly to sing. If we had stayed in Chandler, Stacy sang and Brian spoke in their sacrament meeting. 

The Spirit was still in our meeting and I loved Bishop Crane's message at the end of the meeting:

"I invite you to pray for the spirit of joy, peace, and grace for yourself and others." 

Ether 12:41 - And now, I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in your forever. Amen.

My favorite musical part of the program was Chimi Tesarek and Alexandria Dobson playing a duet of "Carol of the Bells" on their violins.

I spoke with Kerri Halcomb briefly about her mother this morning. I told her that I was concerned about how her roommate was treating her and that her roommate didn't like the TV. Catherine loves to watch TV. 

The Tignor's gave us a tin of goodies, brownies and raspberry treats. Yum. We also got a card from Mikki Gilbert. 

Today is winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. 

For lunch today James made venison steak and gravy. He is testing it out to make sure it will be good for our family breakfast on Christmas morning. It was delicious!

Stacy called and told me the story of why they won't be getting the new car that Paul already ordered and bought insurance for. She is so very upset with Paul. Chad & Nicole are giving them Zane's car as he is on a mission and will get a new car when he returns. Stacy and I both cried. She was so happy about getting a reliable new car.

I made Nutella bars this afternoon for the Gilbert's. I doubled the recipe and will take some to our family party on Tuesday. I forgot how labor intensive they are. It took me awhile to smush the dough onto the cookie sheet, spread the Nutella, and then smush more dough on top. James helped with the smushing. 

After the bars bake, they need to cool. We were going to deliver them today, but due to a bit of a late start and the amount of smushing we had to do, it was going to be too late to deliver. I arranged to meet the Gilbert's in town sometime tomorrow morning. We have an appointment to get the oil changed in our car and Mikki said they would be in town until 12 or 1. 

James and I watched a Christmas movie together this evening. It was a GAF movie starring Candace Cameron Bure and Cameron Matthison, "Another Sweet Christmas." It was good.

For some reason I was sad today and had a couple of crying spells. Hopefully I can get my act together before we go to the valley on Tuesday.

"Christ's Resurrection frees us from death, from times frailties and physicality's imperfections."

- Elder Gerrit W. Gong, AGC 2025

1 Timothy 5:8

Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

Love!!

Flowers from Ian's garden that

Sheri took to her grandmother

Benson is 5 months old!

What a beautiful family!

 

Saturday, December 20th, 2025: Painful flareup in my left knee wakes me, I struggle to get ready to go to Marvin Johnson's funeral in the valley, condolences to Darrin, Mary, NIcole, and Paul, Chandler friends, deliver gifts to Stacy's and Sheri's, James mtg at Ravi's office, Chikfila, visit with Catherine, home again

 

Missoula, Montana

Planning and approval phase; site location announced;

exterior rendering released; groundbreaking 

not announced.

Book of Mormon

Ether 13:19-14:7

October General Conference

'The Power of Ministering to the One'

Elder Peter M. Johnson

My left knee was swollen and red and hurt so much I wasn't sure I would be able to go to the valley this morning. 

I took some meds and then took a shower. I still can't bend it very much but at least the throbbing pain has subsided. 

We left around six for the valley. Marvin's funeral is at 10 a.m. in south Gilbert near Queen Creek. 

We arrived at 7361 S. Constellation Dr. around 9:30, in time to go in and offer our condolences to the family before the funeral.  Stacy was the first person I spoke to, then Darrin and his wife Theresa, Nicole, Mary, and Paul. James and I decided at our funerals we do not want an open casket. 

We sat by Kim and Brian in the front part of the overflow on soft RS seats. Others we saw from Chandler: Mitch Jones, Lynn & Kathy Jones, Birdie Speirs and her husband, Trudy Lamb, Dianne & C.T. Davis, Beverly Parris and her husband, Cathy Arnett (so happy to see her!) and Dr. Allison. There may have been more but that's all I can remember.

The place was packed. Most of the chapel middle section was family.

Here is a summary of the program:

Life History: President Scott Duncan of the Chandler West Stake Presidency. He was a counselor to Marvin when Marvin was bishop. 

* He had his eyebrows done in Mary's salon at his daughter's request before her wedding. He said it was the most painful thing he has ever experienced and doesn't understand why women do it.

* He and Mary were married 47 years ago in 1978. They raised his six kids, her two boys, and Nicole who was born after they were married.

* He was famous for his little black book where he kept the names of everyone he knew. 

* He loved the Savior and encouraged others to "stay on the covenant path."

* He loved little children and enjoyed teaching Primary to children preparing for baptism.

* All women should be treated with respect.

* Never raised his voice.

"Gethsemane" 

Special Memories by Marvin's children

Nicole - Loved the movie "The Sound of Music", when he answered the phone he said "Yello." The women at Mary's salon knew and loved him. Would hold babies in the recliner and it was always fun to see which of them would fall asleep first. Loved thrift store shopping.

Paul - Took me to work when I was sick and asked me to stay in the car. Was surprised when I walked right into his work. 

Aaron - Dad was always teaching. The most Christlike man I knew, willing to sacrifice for others, Mom always came first.

Devin - Taught me the value of service and compassion for others. When we needed a costume, or a special outfit, we knew we could shop at dad's "thrift store."

Darrin - He had a bell he would ring when he wanted us to come in. C.T. Davis and John Bear helped me through some difficult years.

John - Loved to hear stories of his dad's mission, allergic to colored socks through faith and obedience he overcame the allergy on his mission when his mission president told him colored socks were better than white ones. When he would fix things around the house I got to hold the flashlight.

Marsan - Dad taught my brothers to respect and serve me. We went on Daddy-Daughter dates and he wrote me love letters.

Michael - I was assigned to change the oil in the car one Saturday and had failed to do it. That night I had a date. Before I left my dad asked me if I had changed the oil. I had not. Not date until the oil was changed.

George - When I was struggling with my addictions, he gave me Christlike love.

"Families Can Be Together Forever" - kids and grandkids.

Closing Prayer - Dr. James T. Allison

I got hugs from all of Stacy & Paul's boys: Adam, Jared Ammon, Dallin, Michael, and Joshua. Sammi and Ellie both came to the funeral.

Other happenings today:

Because of my extreme left knee flareup I almost didn't go today. I took both Tramadol and Tylenol and put a pillow on the floor of the car for my leg. I limped into the funeral and back out. 

After the funeral we dropped off Christmas presents at Stacy & Paul's and Sheri & Ian's. I got to see Ben at Sheri's and he gave me a hug. Cayli was there too. 

I dropped James off at Dr. Gupta's office. He and Armando went in to look at what flooring the doctor wants to replace. While James was doing this I went through Chikfila and got us some lunch. 

Before leaving town we went to visit Catherine Halcomb at Brooksdale North senior living center. Catherine was so happy to see us. She is not happy in the home though. She wants to go home and I wish she could. It breaks my heart. She has a walker and is getting around fine. We had a nice visit. She does like the food but her roommate is no very welcoming. I did not like her room. It was overcrowded and cluttered. She says her roommate doesn't like T.V. Catherine loves to watch T.V. I was sad when we left. She asked us to pray for her.

There was a community Christmas party at the Vernon park tonight.

Tom was happy to see us and slept at the end of our bed.

My knee seems to be better.

Disappointed you can't see the program

Posterity

Friday, December 19th, 2025: Happy Birthday Michael! piano tuned by Deloris Solomon who knows my family, Kathy & I visit Kerri and Chelsea, lasagna soup, "The 12 Dates of Christmas" finale

 

Tacoma, Washington

Planning and approval phase; site location anounced;

exterior rendering released; groundbreaking not announced.

Book of Mormon

Ether 13: 1-18

Come Follow Me

"We call upon responsible citizens...to maintain and strengthen the family." 

October General Conference

'Adorned with the Virtue of Temperance'

Elder Ulisses Soares

Happy 28th Birthday Michael! 

Kathy and I pushed our ministering appointments with Chelsea MacArthur and Kerri Halcomb back an hour or so, so we could be here while our pianos were being tuned. 

The tuners name is Deloris Solomon and she has lived in Show Low all of her life. She says she knows the Maxwell's and that Arlee & Verdie, my grandparents were so good to her parents. She was very nice and friendly and I immediately liked her. It took her about an hour to tune the piano and it cost me $185. 

Kathy and I had a prayer in the car before leaving, I offered it. It was almost 3 when we left and she said that Chelsea had to leave at 3, so we hurried over. Chelsea and her kids had walked to the end of the drive with two dogs and a cat. They have a new dog, a St. Bernard puppy named Emma. Chelsea says that Ernie, their other dog, who is half sheep dog and chases car, is a little jealous of the new dog. Boone was holding the cat they got from Kathy. The kids call the cat Catzilla. Kathy doesn't like that name. Chelsea says she calls her Princess. I gave Chelsea the bag with their family card and JOY ornament and a birthday gift for Boone and Scotlyn. I told Peyton I knew her birthday was in February and asked her what day. She says it is on the 10th. We didn't really get to have much of a visit because of Chelsea's appointment. The appointment is with someone who wants to sell some things in their store, Arizona Meat Market, which is also a little boutique. Kathy is giving everyone a card and a loaf of her cinnamon bread.  On to Kerri's.

We aren't really Kerri's ministering sisters. Wendy DeWitt is assigned but Wendy isn't here in the winter anymore. We are going to tell Cheryl Sedig, the RS President that we would like to have the job. I gave Kerri a blanket and set it under her tree which isn't decorated. Kathy had a small loaf of bread for Kerri and for Catherine. I took Catherine because I am going to see her tomorrow. 

Kerri gave us a report on her mom. She is not happy at the care facility and Kerri said yesterday when she was teaching school her mom texted her between 9:30 and 1:00, constantly. She wants Kerri to come and get her and take her home. I know Catherine has Alzheimer's and Kerri says that is what is hard for her and why she struggled to care for her Mom. This situation is breaking my heart. I hate to see Catherine so unhappy and I wish I could go get her and bring her home, but of course, I can't. I am taking her a Santa and an ornament of Mary, and Joseph with Joseph holding the baby Jesus. She is constantly in my thoughts and prayers. 

Back at home I made some lasagna soup, without the noodles, of course, It made for a tasty dinner for James and I.

Afterwards I watched the finale of the Hallmark series "The 12 Dates of Christmas." It had a good ending and I ended up really liking it.

Tom is with us again tonight.

"The most important and glorious 'good news' is the message that the Lord Jesus Christ has restored His gospel and Church in the latter days."

-DAB, AGC 2025

D&C 68:25

And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents.

I love Addy's cabin gingerbread house

Congratulations!

Love these two.

I wonder if they are at a concert.

Thursday, December 18th, 2025: Another beautiful, dry day in Az, Kathy and I visit Cindy Brown, Pat Tedder, and Janna Grombach, piano tuner tomorrow and more visits, Shipley dies

 

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Planning and approval phase; site location announced;

exterior rendering released; groundbreaking not announced.

Book of Mormon

Ether 12:22-41

October General Conference

'Go and Do Likewise'

Elder James E. Evanson

I ordered a couple of things from Amazon this morning and they were paid for with a gift card. I thought I had used up all my gift cards so I proceeded to ask all of my children if they sent me a gift card. No one had. It was a tender mercy.

Today was another beautiful, dry day in Arizona. We are praying for moisture. 

James worked on the railings today while I went on ministering visits with Kathy Crane. We drove out to see Cindy Brown. It takes about 40 minutes to get to her house, plus we had to stop for road construction. This time we did not pass up the turnoff into her place. 

I always feel like I'm in a model home when I am at Cindy's. Everything is so perfectly in place. She has the most beautiful hand-carved nativity set she bought in Israel. It is gorgeous! No tree because they are leaving on a cruise tomorrow for the Bahamas. This is what they are doing with their kids and grandkids for Christmas. 

This afternoon after we leave Cindy and her husband Doug are attending two basketball games in Eagar, one for a grandson and one for a granddaughter. Cindy's husband Doug is 6'8" so they have a lot of tall grandkids who like basketball.

We got to talking with Cindy about the ward party and somehow the topic got around to the pies that Sister Stevens brought to the party. She brought three pies. One was a banana cream pie and Cindy says it is one of the best pies she has ever eaten because the crust was so delicious. Sister Stevens uses a water whip pie crust recipe. I wonder what makes it so good. The water? Whipped water? I looked up the recipe, and it seems it's been around since our grandmothers were making pies. I made a copy of the recipe and put it in my pie crust folder.

Cindy and Doug are going back to China for training in January and then to teach in February for about four months or so. We will miss them.

Our next visit was with Pat Tedder. Her daughter Janna was there with her and Pat had her oxygen on. Pat seemed a little subdued and I thought it was because of the oxygen. Janna told us the story.  About an hour or so ago she tripped and fell over the tube to her oxygen mask and hurt her shoulder. Janna wants her to go to the doctor but Pat says she doesn't want to go. She did promise Janna she would go tomorrow if her shoulder wasn't better. 

Pat had a gift for each of us. This is what she gave me:

This is the gift I gave to everyone, along with a

Christmas card:

My friend Kerri Halcomb gave me this ornament a year or so ago. I loved it so much that when I saw them hanging in Deseret Book, I had to get some to give to my friends. 

We had a nice visit with both Janna and Pat. Pat's son and granddaughter from Colorado are coming for Christmas. Kathy said a prayer before we left and we all hugged each other. True friendship is the best. 

On the way home Kathy mentioned that she had the piano tuner coming to her house tomorrow. I said I needed my piano tuned and Kathy said she would ask if Deloris, the piano tuner would have time to do our piano too. Thank you Kathy. 

James and I went to town when I returned from my ministering visits. Gas is 40 cents off a gallon at Circle K. Our first stop was at Goodwill where James and I both had a bag of clothes to donate. Next James dropped me off at Walmart while he went to Home Depot to get some floor samples for Ravi Gupta to look at. He is redoing the floors in his office exam rooms. James made it back to Walmart in time to help me check out.

Back at home I made James a ham sandwich for dinner. He said it was delicious. 

It was another sad day for Stacy's family. Joshua's dog Shipley passed away while she was napping on the couch on a blanket. Joshua found her. I remember when Joshua got Shipley. James and I had taken Max, Evan, Rowan, and Joshua to go shopping for one of their birthdays at the Chandler mall.  We went to the pet store and Joshua saw Shipley. She reminded him of their dog Holly who had recently passed away. He brought Paul back to the pet store the next day and Shipley was theirs. She had her quirks but she was always sweet to me and followed me around for some attention when we stayed at Stacy & Paul's. She will be missed, especially by Joshua.

Tom spent the evening in the house with us but when it was time for bed, he wanted to go outside.

LeeAnn Hunsaker's 2nd wedding

Bishop & Alicia, LeeAnn & her husband

Stefani and Alicia happy to find DPZ cream soda.

Bryelle is still looking.

LeeAnn with her four sisters: Kaylynn, Hailey, MaKenzi and Bryelle

and two friends that I don't know.

Colter Hunsaker, the last big guy on the left is LeeAnn's only brother.

Wednesday, December 17th, 2025: Flat tire, donut gets us to AARA, Dr. Gupta's office, Kim's cookie plates & decorations, Sheri @ Chandler Eyecare, Costco, Trina, Rowan, Ruby, Lola, new tire @ Walmart,

 

Springfield, Missouri

Planning and approval phase; site location announced;

exterior rendering released; street and sidewalk

improvements underway; installing underground utilities;

groundbreaking not announced.

Book of Mormon

Ether 12:1-21

Come Follow Me

"Follow Him"

October General Conference

'And Now I See'

President Jeffrey R. Holland

We planned on leaving for the valley at 7 a.m. for my 11 o'clock appointment at AARA. James came in around 6:45 and said we had a flat tire and he was going to try and fix it. He pulled the screw out that was causing the flat and tried to fix the hole but wasn't sure he was successful. Looking back, he probably should have just left the screw in the tire after adding some air. We had to stop just outside of Pinedale and put the donut on. The tire last less than 60 miles.

I put 11 of the 23 valley gifts in the back of the car and arranged them very carefully. When James stopped and had to get out the donut and jack he piled them on top of each other. 

In Payson I called AARA and told them I may be up to 15 minutes late. James drove full speed, even though we were driving on a "donut" and we arrived right at 11. I was taken right back by Frances and my infusion was started by Amanda at 11:15. My blood pressure was 109/62. 

My infusion was complete at 11:45. James was outside waiting. He is supposed to be at Dr. Gupta's office at noon. Coming from Mesa to south Chandler we were a few minutes late. James went in and I drove over to Kim's. Kim had a cookie plate for me and one for James. Her house is decorated so cute!

These pictures really don't do justice.

7, 700 lights on this tree.

I went back to pick up James and we headed for Chandler Eyecare. Everybody is gone to lunch except Sheri. She took Ben's card and Ben and Cayli's gifts. 

We went across the parking lot to Michael's work, but they must have been gone to lunch too because the door was locked. We texted Michael, but no answer, so we left his birthday card with Sheri. His birthday is on the 19th. 

We headed back north on Arizona Avenue to the Costco on Baseline and Country Club. We bought Pom Juice, apples, three cases of protein shakes, two containers of Perk, a box of crackers, a sticker book for Boone MacArthur, and a coloring book for Scotlyn because they both had birthdays in December, and a shirt-jacket for James. We spent $220. It goes fast!

Next stop, Darrel & Trina's to drop off Christmas gifts. Rowan offered to help James but James ended up bringing the gifts in by himself. He ripped Trina's wrapping paper and had to ask for tape to "fix" it. 

James tried to put air in the flat tire but ended up popping the tire. Also the donut looks like it is losing tread. Trina suggested we go to Walmart and get a new tire.  Good idea. I didn't want to chance driving home on a worn donut. 

Rowan took James to the nearest Walmart to get the tire. They came back to wait and then Rowan took us to pick up the car when it was finished. Thanks Rowan. He drove Trina's car and Trina ended up with a flat tire too!

Trina, Ruby, and Lola were making sugar cookies. I joined in the fun by helping them frost the cookies when they were done baking.

Ruby & Lola with their cookie making hair-dos

I haven't had this much fun in quite a while.

We went home through Globe and Salt River Canyon. It felt like James was in a hurry and I was so glad to arrive safely. We got home around 8:30. Tom had been inside all day so he went outside after James gave him his treat. A little while later he was back inside.

We got Christmas cards today from the Wanlass's, Lueck's, and Sue Hubble.

The kids and grandkids went caroling to Mom, Dawn, Cathi, Terry, and Wendy this evening.

Darrel, Trina, Addy, Rowan, Ruby, Lola, Michael, Stacy, Paul, Adam, Kit (and baby), Kim, Brian and Joseph.

Paul got this picture of Cathi and Mom's

response to the caroling.

Tuesday, December 16th, 2025: Happy Birthday Ben! Prayers are important! elk @ the Crane's, 13 pairs of socks, Stacy's call, Kacey's text, finished wrapping family gifts, OT, Family Proclamation, Organ Stop

 

Des Moines, Iowa

Planning and approval phase; site location announced; 

exterior rendering released; groundbreaking

not announced.

Book of Mormon

Ether 11:1-23

Come Follow Me

"The family is central to the Creator's plan."

October General Conference

'The Atoning Love of Jesus Christ'

Elder Neil L. Andersen

Lesson

"Lovest Thou Me?"

Elder Steven C. Barlow

James wrote this in my notebook under today's date:

Top of the list for today: Kiss my wonderful, amazing husband and give him a big hug. He is so in love with me!

One of the reasons I am still here, besides being a companion to James, is to pray for others and put names on the temple prayer roll, and to teach my RS lesson. 

James saw a bunch of elk over at the Crane's. He went upstairs out on Sheri & Ian's balcony to get a better view, but he said that too many trees were in the way.

James puts his dirty socks on a cubicle container at the end of my dresser so he can take them to the laundry room on his next trip down the hall. He has been complaining that his socks are disappearing and wondered if maybe the washer or dryer was eating them. The other day he happened to move the cubicle and was shocked at what he found. Thirteen pair of dirty socks! Today I washed all 13 pair.

I got a call from Stacy this afternoon to let me know that our deal would not go through before Christmas. She was pretty disappointed. I told her I may need my investment money back because we are running short on cash. Although James has two jobs but neither one of them is paying anything right now. 

I also got a text from Kacey with good news. Tanner went to rehab and the state will pay whatever their insurance doesn't pay.

I finished wrapping all of the family gifts today. Over 30 blankets wrapped and ready to go. We will take half of them down tomorrow to deliver. Of course, the Texas gifts have already been mailed. 

I am getting excited about studying the Old Testament in a couple of weeks. Right now, we are studying The Family: A Proclamation to the World this week in "Come Follow Me."

Tonight is Organ Stop Pizza on the family calendar. Here are some photos:

Happy Birthday Ben!

Organ Stop Pizza 

Ales with his friends Nick & Chelsea

No pictures of Kim & Brian, but they were there!