Tuesday, December 3, 2013

This morning I read Elder Holland's conference address.  Here is a quote I especially liked:

So how do you best respond when mental or emotional challenges confront you or those you love?

Above all, never lose faith in your Father in Heaven, who loves you more than you can comprehend.  As President Monson said to the Relief Society sisters so movingly last Saturday evening: "That love never changes.  It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful.  God's love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve it.  It is simply always there.  Never, ever doubt that, and never harden your heart.  Faithfully pursue the time-tested devotional practices that bring the Spirit of the Lord into your life.  Seek the counsel of those who hold keys for your spiritual well-being.  Ask for and cherish priesthood blessings.  Take the sacrament every week, and hold fast to the perfecting promises of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  Believe in miracles.  I have seen so many of them come when every other indication would say that hope was lost.  Hope is never lost.  If those miracles do not come soon or fully or seemingly at all, remember the Savior's own anguished example: if the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong, trusting in happier days ahead."

I moved about 20 boxes upstairs into storage and worked on my Disney ornament tree.  James had a cat scan yesterday on his leg and thank goodness he does not have a blood clot.  

In the way of gospel study I worked on Personal Progress, my Sunday journal, reading from the Book of Mormon and conference talks and worked on memorizing the Family Proclamation as our stake president has asked us to do.  I made three entries in my blog and indexed 60 names.  

James moved over 30 bags of sand today at work so he was very sore tonight.  The wind blew hard today which didn't make for very good working conditions.  He brought burros from LaCasita home for dinner.

Sheri is having car troubles and was stressed about buying a new car.  Ian's mom and I talked her out of it and I think she is feeling alot less stressed.

James and I watched a new Hallmark movie called "Christmas Spirit" starring Nicolette Sheridan.  It was pretty good. 

Facebook finds:

The Lynn Jones family.

Bishop Jones was our first bishop when we moved to

Chandler and was also our stake president.

This is one awesome family!

Monday, December 2, 2013

Someone posted this on Facebook.  It is a sand sculpture of playful dolphins.  It is amazing!

James worked at Horne's most of the day today, cleaning up the mess his crew left.  My big accomplishment for the day was cleaning out the garage so I could park both my car and the Razr inside.  The high today was 55 and the wind and the cold are coming in tomorrow and it's suppose to snow on Wednesday,  so I knew this would be my best chance to accomplish this goal.  It took me three hours but I did it.  Now I have a house full of boxes, etc., to put away.  At least Lexy will stay dry.

I was pretty sore and tired when I was finished.  I took a hot shower and then settled down to watch The Voice. 

In the way of family news I spoke with Laura on the phone today.  I told her about Darrel and Trina's baby coming in early July.  She said Wendy was having a baby near the end of June.  Also, Nathan Tibbetts, Rebecca and Brent's youngest son, just got his mission call to the Paris, France mission.  Congratulations to Nathan.  He is the same age as Dallin.

We had sandwiches for dinner.  I made myself a BLT and James had leftover turkey.  Afterwards we read from Mistress of Mellyn and watched "An Old Fashioned Christmas" starring Jacqueline Bissett. 

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Well, at 7am I went outside and unloaded my packed car.  James slept in until about 8:15.  We got to church right on time.  There was no need for me to wear my sunglasses because there was a thick blanket of fog outside. 

John Wilhelm conducted our fast and testimony meeting. A new sister in our ward, Sister Tayman, bore her testimony.  James also bore his testimony.  We are fasting that we will find someone to share the gospel with before the end of the year.  This is something our stake presdient, President Williams asked us to do.  Also Elder Ballard mentioned it in his General Conference address.

In Sunday School we talked about putting on the whole armor of God.  In Young Women's Denice Hall gave a lesson about Zion.

As we break our fast I have the rest of my leftover chimichanga from Serranos.  James makes some potato patties from our leftover Thanksgiving mashed potatoes.  I admit I tasted the potato patties and they were delicious! 

James indexed 207 names this afternoon while I took a quick nap before meeting Bishop Hall at tithing settlement where we declare that we are full tithe payers.  It always feels good to do that.

I put alot of the things from my car away before we watch the Christmas move, "The Christmas Ornament", starring Kelly Martin and Cameron Mathison. We also watched "Will You Merry Me?"

It was a wonderful Sabbath day.

 The young women decorated trees in the Church foyers

Someone posted this on Facebook.

Kim took pictures of the Trezise family today.

The actor, Paul Walker, was killed in a car accident.

He was LDS and a friend of our friend Dave Miner.

Saturday, November 30, 2013

I finished the Book of Mormon today.  It's the seventh time this year.  I also worked on my blog and then went shopping at Target for a purple purse. I found one similar to the one the woman at the movies had but not quite the same.  After my Target trip I went with James to Sam's Club to get some metal shelves.  I also bought a cake dish and the boo by Diane Setterfield, The Bellman and Black.  It was $15.49.  It was $26.99 at Barnes and Noble.

I spent the afternoon loading up my car for the trip home.  I had pots and pans from Thanksgiving, and Christmas stuff from downstairs.  I had to put my suitcases in the front passenger seat.  I left the house around 3:20 and headed for Sam's Club for more gas.  The premium is $3.17 as opposed to $3.47 in Show Low.  James is right behind me in his truck.  We made it to the Serranos on Dobson and Guadalupe in time for our family dinner at 4pm.  Out of our 29 children and grandchildren, 25 were there, plus Jared and Tricia's new boxer puppy Penny.  Darrel and Trina had to work and Dallin and Jared Ammon were missing.  I think Jared had to work but I'm not sure why Dallin wasn't there.

  Anna holding Penny

Molly told me Penny likes Anna best.

Molly and Penny

Waiting for our tables.

I know Paul, Brian, Jared, and Darrel were looking forward to the ASU vs. UofA game.  ASU did not disappoint.

James and I headed home right after dinner.  He went the Glod way and I went the Payson way.  There was lots of fog from Forest Lakes on.  By the time we got home it was after nine and I was too tired to unload my car.  It will have to wait until the morning.

Friday, November 29, 2013

James and I had Burger King ham croissants for breakfast.  They are quite delicious, better than McDonald's bacon, egg and cheese biscuit.  I read my scriptures and worked on my blog this morning.  We had Thanksgiving leftovers for lunch.

Around 1pm I took Ben, Evan, Joshua and Rowan to Peter Piper Pizza.  Rowan had spent the night at Evan's house last night.  Trina had told Addy they would do something fun today since she didn't get to go to Utah so she chose Peter Piper.  We met Darrel, Trina, Addy, and Ruby at the Peter Piper near their house on Gilbert and Baseline.  Sheri gave me some money so Ben could get the buffet and I bought a pizza and drinks for Joshua and Evan.  Darrel bought a pizza too so there was plenty of leftovers.  The kids played while the adults visited.  I took this picture of Ruby.  She said she was an eyeball.

Ruby at Peter Piper.

I had to leave at 2 because James and I are going to a movie with Kim and Sheri.  We all rode together in Sheri's van over to Ahwatukee to see the movie "The Christmas Candle."  While we are waiting in line James gives a couple who say they are homeless some money.  He also went up to someone with a purple purse and asked her where she bought it because he knew I liked it.  She said Target.  I should have known a purple purse would be at my favorite store.  

We loved the movie!  It was moving and inspirational.  While we were waiting in the foyer afterwards there was music playing on the loudspeaker.  I thought it sounded like Keane but I didn't recognize the song.  When Kim came out of the restroom I asked her and she said yes, it was their new song, "Higher than the Sun."  I was proud of myself for recognizing Keane and downloaded the song on my phone.  

James and I snacked on leftovers when we got home and then went to Tempe to visit his Mom.  While we were there we told her about Darrel and Trina's baby.  As we were talking, I received this text from Trina: 

"Well we told the kids tonight about the baby just because we wanted to be the ones who told them.  Ruby and Rowan could care less and Addy cried because Rowan and Ruby are so annoying and she doesn't want another one to annoy her.  Did not go as planned."  Sad, but kind of funny.  I am sure Addy will change her mind.

When we returned to Chandler Stacy told us an experience she had while taking Joshua to Hobby Lobby.  She said as she was pulling out in to traffic she saw in her minds eye a silver car coming towards them.  She immediately pulled over, and sure enough a silver car went by and would have hit them if she had not pulled over.  She started to cry and when Joshua asked her what was wrong she told him what had happened.  He response was: "Oh Mom, that was the Holy Ghost!"  When they got out of the car she noticed Joshua with his arms folded saying a prayer thanking Heavenly Father for sending the Holy Ghost to save them." 

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!

I wrote notes to all my kids and grandkids expressing my gratitude for them, and they all got delivered!  Adam even told me thank you!  

In the way of Thanksgiving dinner I am responsible for turkey, gravy, stuffing, corn, corn casserole, yams, and pumpkin dessert and banana cream pie. (Thank's Marie Callender for your help with the pie.)

I got up early to get started on my preparations so as to not interfere with Stacy and Paul's cooking.  They are having all their boys over, and Tara and Trisha.  Paul had to work but he prepped the turkey and then came back on his lunch hour and put it in the oven.  

I cooked our turkey in my roaster oven and it turned out beautiful.  We took everything down to Sheri's a little after noon as dinner was scheduled for 1.  Darrel and Trina were late so it was almost 2 when we ate.  Their kids missed going to Utah with their other grandma so they were a little sad for awhile.  Trina brought cranberry celebration, green bean casserole and Japanese water to drink.  (I loved it!).  Sheri made homemade rolls which were a huge hit, and mashed potatoes.  Everything was delicious!

Last minute preparations.

 Enjoying the feast.

After dinner James, Addy and I started a game of Five Crowns.  We weren't able to finish before it was time to go to see the latest Disney animated movie, "Frozen."  We did finish after the movie  James won and Addy got 66 points and I got 65.    We all enjoyed the movie, even Alex.  James sat by Ruby and had to comfort her when she was afraid of the snow monster!

We came back home and had dessert, and watched David Blaine on TV.  It was a wonderful day spent with family and the weather was gorgeous!

Celebrating Tara's birthday on Thanksgiving.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

I ran errands this morning.  I picked up James's suit, washed my car, and headed to Walmart to finish shopping for Thanksgiving dinner.  Afterwards I met Sheri at the mall for lunch.  I had a teriyaki chicken hibachi bowl at Hibachi San - It was delicious!   We did a little shopping at Barnes and Noble.  I found the Diane Setterfield book I was looking for, The Bellman and Black, but decided to get The Book Thief instead because Kim says it's one of her favorite books.  Sheri says she doesn't want to read it because she heard it was sad.  

James is in Show Low pouring concrete in 21 degree weather.  Kip Hunsaker showed up to help and James says he was awesome.  When he offered to pay him, Kip said no, he enjoyed doing it.  Sometimes he reminds me of Gail.  

Since Darrel and Trina's kids may be going to Utah, Westley's wife Lacey is being baptized, I decided to go over this evening and visit with them.  I take the ingredient to make my pumpkin dessert, and Addy ends up making it for me.  

 Addy loves to bake.  Help from Trina.

James makes it back from Show Low and he brings burros from Burger House!  Here are some fun pictures I took of the evening.

 Ruby made two turkeys in her preschool.

 Rowan made me a friendship bracelet.

He asked me what my favorite color was so the bracelet has lots of purple in it.

We played restaurant.  The kids took ornaments off the Christmas tree 

and served them to me as treats.  They are so fun!!

Addy showing her crabs to Grandpa.

Addy won a prize at school for her

patriotic turkey.

Tonight's sunset in Chandler.

Found this on Facebook.

I want James to build us one!

Trina and Darrel had some news to share with us.  Trina is expecting and is due in early July.  That is the best news I've heard in a long time!  Also, Darrel had a job with CVS when he graduates at the end of May.  He will start out making $130,000 a year.  That will help pay off those student loans!