Thursday, April 11, 2013

Happy 15th anniversary to Dennis and Denise and Happy 22nd Birthday to Jeffrey Maxwell.

Looking outside you would never know we had 4 inches of snow on Tuesday.  It's all melted.  I got already to leave for the valley this morning.  I left the cabin around 1pm.  My first stop was Show Low Motorsports where I paid over $150 for a belt for the Ranger.  Next I went to Walmart, Taco Bell, and then to get gas.  I am stalling, waiting for James to collect money from Troy and Brenda Andersen so I can deposit it in our National Bank account.  Our vehicle insurance comes out of that account tomorrow and I want to make sure we are covered.  While I was waiting for James to call, I took some pictures of the ominous clouds in the sky.

Looks like rain doesn't it.

Finally James deposited the money in our Chase account so I could make the deposit into National Bank.  Afterwards I was finally on my way.  It was around 3pm when I left.  I went the Globe way because I heard a rumor there was 10 inches of snow on the rim.  It doesn't melt as fast there as it does here.  

I arrived in Chandler around 6pm, just in time to take Alex to dinner for his birthday.  His choice: Red Lobster.  

Alex loves seafood!

James and I went for a walk this evening to try and burn off some of the calories we consumed at dinner.  We walked in the neighborhood across the street on the sidewalk.  When we got home Joshua was watching Brave.  I brought it down for him.  The kid loves that movie!

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Sunrise and Snow:

My kind of day, although the weather has been kind of crazy!

I spent the afternoon preparing for tonight's young women meeting on Personal Progress.  I have no idea where any of the girls are on their Personal Progress, but I intend on finding out.  I made one of these charts for each of the girls:

 Shelly's chart.  She's self-motivated.

I also took brownies and ice cream for the girls after we are finished with Personal Progress.

Brother Mayfield is a real gentleman.  Not only did he open the door for me at the church but he carried my stuff down to the kitchen for me.  We had two new girls attend tonight, Kelly and Karla Reynolds.  Kelly is a Beehive and Karla is a Mia Maid.  Kelly is going to be in our ward but Karla lives with her mom in Grants, New Mexico.  She was just here visiting on spring break.  Also Cody Ianola was here and says she will now be in our ward.  Her mom is in our ward but she has been living with her dad in Linden and just visits us once in awhile.  Trenda was our only regular girl who wasn't here tonight.  Her brother Talon didn't know why she didn't come.  Mary is 18 and not interested in Personal Progress.  I gave her a challenge to read one chapter from the Book of Mormon a day.  She said she would.  

Sheri posted this picture of Max on Facebook and I just had to copy it.

Max and his fauxhawk.

Michael Gonzales

My daily dose of drugs.

That's enough random posts for now.

 

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

I woke to snow this morning.  Everything was covered and before it was finished it looked like it snowed about 4 inches.

 My favorite tree.

It looks like Christmas again.

View from the front door.

Back view.

Dining room window.

It snowed all morning then in the afternoon it began to clear up and by the end of the day all of the snow was gone.  It melts quickly in the springtime.

I began preparing for tomorrow's Personal Progress night with the young women.  I just found out I will be the only leader there.  Kaeli has to work and Natalie has an adoption meeting.  

I worked out on my mini-tramp this evening while watching Dancing With the Stars.  Brad Paisley performed.  He has a paisley decorated guitar.  Lisa Vanderpump and Gleb went home.  I liked Gleb.  He's cute.  Andre Boccelli and Jennifer Lopez sang together.  An odd combination in my opinion.  

 One more picture of my favorite tree before the snow melted.

Monday, April 8, 2013

James left for the valley at 4am.  I slept in until 6.  After my Book of Mormon study I watched some highlights from last nights American Country Music Awards.  Really, the highlights for me were seeing George Strait and hearing him sing, hearing Kelly Clarkson sing "Don't Rush" and watching Hunter Hayes perform.  I guess I'm not much of a country music person.
For breakfast I had an Eggo waffle with strawberries and whippped cream.  Not a bad way to start the day. 
It was windy and cold today with the high around 58.  We didn't get much wind in March but we are making up for it in April. 
My favorite childhood celebrity, Annette Funicello passed away today.  I used to watch her on the Mickey Mouse Club and in several teenage beach movies.  She had MS and struggled with it for years. 

Annette Funicello.

In other world news, Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of Great Britain also passed away.  She was 85.

Some pictures I stole from Facebook:

Evan in disguise.  Does he have two pair of glasses on?

Jared and Tricia.

The Wanlass Family

President Uchtdorf.

Kim and Brian say he uses a tanning booth.  

I don't think so.

Absolutely!

James's dream shot.

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Before conference started I put the ingredients in the crockpot for Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu, a recipe I got from the latest addition of LDS Living magazine.  When the first session of conference is over this morning we will have a nice lunch waiting for us.
Here are some notes from today's sessions of General Conference:

President Uchtdorf
Faith, Hope, and Charity.  Seek Him through study and prayer.  Go towards God's light.
Neil L. Andersen
Go ye unto all nations and preach my gospel.  We now have members in 189 of the 224 countries in the world.  Pray for doors to be open for the spreading of the gospel.  Hold up the light of Christ to the world.
Rosemary M. Wixom - General Primary President
Children's self-worth is established early  Children come to earth ready to listen.  To speak to a child's heart we must know his needs.  Disconnect from technology and reconnect with each other.
L. Whitney Clayton
A good marriage is built upon faith and repentance.  Humility is the essence of repentance.  Treat each other as equal partners.  Be loyal to each other.  Live together in love.  Marriage is a gift from God to us.  The quality of our marriage is a gift from us to God.
L. Tom Perry
Eternal happiness comes from obedience to God's law.
Pres. Thomas S. Monson
We can't receive a fulness of truth unless we keep the commandments of God.  Obedience brings blessings.
Jeffrey R. Holland
Acknowledge the faith you have and act upon it.  Be not afraid, only believe.
Dallin H. Oaks
"If ye love me, keep my commandments." 
Christoffel Golden, Jr.
Our quest for eternal life is a quest to know God.  He that doeth the will of the Father shall enter the kingdom of God.
Enrique R. Falabella
"In order to contend you need two people.  I will never be one of them." - Sister Falabella
Eric W. Kpoische
The feeling of being accepted by someone we love is a basic human need.  Seeking acceptance from the wrong sources can lead us on a path of destruction.  Honest hearts, contrite spirits, honoring our covenants through sacrifice.  Willing to listen to the enticings of the Holy Spirit.
Bruce D. Porter
Savior: "In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." 
A bright voice in a dark storm has become a symbol to me of what faith is all about. (First Vision, First Easter).
D. Todd Christofferson
Bring others to Christ through faith and repentance.  Victor Hugo "Les Miserables" -"Use this silver to become an honest man." Jean Val Jean's sould became redeemed from God.
Pres. Thomas S. Monson
"May we be tolerant, kind and loving.  Be aware of the needs of others.  Extend a helping hand and a loving heart."

It was a wonderful conference.  We enjoyed our lunch.  Joe enjoyed it too.  He likes my cooking! 
We were sad to see Kim, Brian, Joe, and Chloe leave.

A rousing game of Five Crowns.

Joe playing the piano.  He is self-taught.

Joe is multi-talented!!

Goodbye!

We will miss you.

And they rode off into the sunset.

James went for a walk this evening and saw a herd of antelope.  It was the perfect ending to a perfect day.

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Before conference this morning James went up on the front balcony with his binoculars to look for elk.  He found 17 on the hill across the way.  It was a great way to start his day!
Rowan and Evan had their first soccer game today.  I wish I could have been there.  I hear they were awesome and Trina was doing some coaching from the sidelines. 

Rowan the veteran and Evan the rookie.

Evan ready for action.

Here are some of my notes from today's sessions of General Conference.

Two new temples were announced: Cedar City, Utah, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The newest operating temple, number 141 is the Tegucigalpa, Honduras temple.  Darrel would love to go to the temple there.  Who knows, maybe after he graduates.

Boyd K. Packer 

Joseph Smith prophesied: "We will not always be safe from the influence of the adversary in our own homes."  The Priesthood protects the home.

Dean M. Davies

Prayer is a basic foundation to our character.  Worthily partake of the sacrament each week.

Elaine S. Dalton ( She was released today as the General YW Pres.  I will miss her!)

"Where ere thou art, act well thy part."  Sister Dalton's mother kept her covenants and called dow the powers of heaven to direct their home.

Craig A. Cardon (Pres. Ted Dana's brother-in-law)

"We overcome the world thru the enabling power of the Atonement.  Faith unto Repentance!

Forgive 70x7.

M. Russell Ballard

"The priesthood is a sacred and essential gift of God.  The powers of heaven are tapped on the basis of personal righteousness."

Pres. Henry B. Eyring

Quoted the Savior: "I will encircle thee in the arms of my love."  As we are faith to Him our love for Him will increase.

Richard G. Scott

Create a refuge and center your home on the Savior.  Satan is no match for the Savior.

Quentin L. Cook

Peace: An abiding deep happiness and spiritual contentment.  Peace comes as we acknowledge God's power and authority.  The Savior is the source of true peace.

Stanley Ellis

What happens inside the home is critical.  How we live is more important than where we live.

John B. Dickson

Christ's direction to His apostles stands today: "Go ye therefore and teach all nations."  Brother Dickson lives in west Africa and he says people are coming into the Church by the hundreds.

David A. Bednar

The natural man is overcome through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. (Mosiah 3:19)

Obedience to the law of chastity will increase our happiness.

Russell M. Nelson

"Catch the Wave" in the sacred work of rescuing God's children.  We have a growing army of missionaries.  Today it is over 65,000.  Seek to know the truth through earnest prayer.  "Catch the wave" of righteousness moving across the earth!

The guys, James, Brian and Joe left for the priesthood session a little after 4.  They have to go into Show Low because the satellite in Vernon is down.  Kim and I have the house to ourselves.  We watched a couple of episodes of season one "Once Upon a Time."  

When the guys got home we had dinner. Ribeye steaks for James and I and chicken fried steaks for Kim, Joe, and Brian.  Wait, I'm not sure what Joe ate. 

Friday, April 5, 2013

I awoke to a text from Trenda Wilhelm at 5:50 am.  She was going to bring her registration form by last night after her mom got home but she says her mom didn't get home until 2 a.m.  I guess I'm just curious but I wonder where Sister Wilhelm was until 2 a.m.
I'm so happy that Trenda woke me up.  If she hadn't I may have missed the 7 elk grazing just outside my bedroom window. 
I just thought I would give an update on James and his "new" truck.  He took it to Erik and Erik did something to it to keep it from shaking every time he hits a bump at high speed.  James also traded in the sports tires that were on it which made a huge difference.  Now he's pretty happy with it except he still sounds like a drag-racing teenager when he starts his engine.  He needs a silencer on his muffler.

I met Sandra Wilehlm and Natalie Soderquist at the church today at 2:15.  Sandra gave me Trenda's Youth Conference registration form and Natalie gave me a blank one for Mary since we never could track down her other one. Sandra also gave me $25 cash for the rest of the registration fee for Trenda.  The stake paid the other $20 per youth.  Next I went into Show Low and met Mary at the Dominoes Pizza.  We filled out her form and she gave me $25 in cash.  I walked down to Baldwin & Jones Accounting and gave both envelopes with the girls names on them to the only person I saw in the office.  I didn't know her but when I told her the envelopes were for Fawne Jones she went in to a room and came back without them.  I called Fawne later on and she said she would be sure and pick them up.  Glad that's done and over with.
I continued with my errands.  I picked up prescriptions at Walgreens and did some grocery shopping at Walmart.  I got stuff to make Pioneer Woman's chicken and noodles and I bought steaks for dinner tomorrow and the ingredients to make crockpot chicken cordon bleu for Sunday.  I went home, put things away, made my chicken and noddles which were quite tasty and sat down to relax. I used a rotisserie chicken I bought at Walmart instead of boiling a chicken. It was the quick and easy choice and was very delicious.  I spent the rest of the evening waiting for Kim, Brian, Joe, and James to arrive.  They all got here at the same time, around 10:30.  Kim, Brian, and Joe came up to watch conference with us.  Now it's time for bed!