Sunday, November 30, 2014

I worked on my Book of Mormon journal this morning before going to church. 

Morning sunrise.

 Talon Wilhelm was the youth speaker.  He spoke on a talk given by President Hinckley entitled: "Be Slow to Anger."

Bishop Miller performed a small miracle.  He got Deana McNeil to speak in sacrament meeting and she did a great job.  She spoke on "Faith."  'Faith is about feeling and believing and relying on Jesus Christ.  Faith is about listening for answers and then acting on promptings we receive.'

 Jimmy McNeil spoke on the attributes of Christ: Charity, diligence, faith, hope, humility, knowledge, obedience, patience, and virtue.  The gospel is easy to understand but sometimes hard to follow.

In Sunday School we studied the life of Jeremiah.  James said the prayer although he told Brother Wilhelm that he had laringitis.  

Here are some notes from the third hour which was led by Bishop Miller.  He spoke on three things:

1.) Recognizing and living up to our privileges. We need to learn what our privileges are from the scriptures and through our prayers.  I need to do better in at least one thing in my life.  I chose temple attendance.

 2.) Serve today.  Don't procrastinate.  You don't know how many days you will have. 

3.) Seek for and accept correction.  We must be teachable and humble.

Be where we need to be.  There are expiration dates on every opportunity.  Choose the Lord today and everyday.  

The Holy Ghost is the great sanctifier.  He purifies us.  There is a time and a season for all things.  The Lord expects us to serve today, no matter what stage of life we are in.

After lunch and a nap James and I read from "For Elise" and then watched one of the best Christmas movies of the season: "Signed, Sealed and Delivered."  

Darrel joined us for dinner.  I made gravy with turkey and stuffing.  It was quite tasty.

This is what I am wishing for, Snow!

 

 

Saturday, November 29, 2014

James, Alex and James went out coyote hunting again this morning and came back empty handed. It is colder and windy today.  The last two days have been perfect with the high around 65-66.

 I made breakfast burritos for brealfast.  They were quite delicious with potatoes, onions, eggs, sausage, and green chilies and cheese.

James, with the help of Brian brought in the fireplace insert.

It weighs over 450 lbs.

Thank goodness Brian was here to help.

Now, how to get it in that hole.

James Hayden told us all the problems going on at his junior high in El Paso.  He said two girls were pregnant, and the ice cream man sold cocaine, just to name a couple.  I asked him if he liked living in El Paso and he said yes.  I just hope he has some good friends.

This afternoon Brian and the boys watched the movie "Big Fish."  It's a Tim Burton movie so it's a little weird but had a good message.  

Before leaving the boys cleaned up and did the dishes from the lunch they made.

Before leaving I had everyone pose on the front porch as is my tradition.

James is going home with them and Tricia will pick him up

tomorrow in Chandler.  I hope he had a good time here.

Anna and Jared had a great time at the Hunter Hayes concert!

  James and I read from "For Elise" and watched "Christmas Under Wraps."

Darrel was here this evening and will be here until Tuesday.

Friday, November 28, 2014

"We need unequivocal commitment to the commandments and strict adherence to sacred covenants.  When we allow rationalizations to prevent us from temple endowments, worthy missions and temple marriage, they are particularly harmful.  It is heartbreaking when we profess belief in these goals yet neglect the everyday conduct required to achieve them."

-Elder Quentin L. Cook

James, Alex, and James Hayden get up erly to go fishing at Silver Creek.

 James Hayden caught the most fish, 3.

 I think grandpa's was the biggest.

Alex helped James Hayden but was still able to catch one of his own.

 It was a relaxing day around the house.  Kim did my Christmas puzzle, Kim, Joe, Alex and James Hayden played Hearts, and there were a few games of Five Crowns.  I played Settlers with James H. and Alex.  Alex won of course.  I forgot how much fun the game is.

Brian and the boys watched "Heaven is Real."  Joe played his guitar, I read to James from "For Elise" and Kim made her famous homemade macaroni and Cheese.  It didn't last long and we could have eaten more.

This evening James, Alex, and James H. went hunting for coyotes.  

They got back in time to watch Chandler win the state championship football game against Hamilton, 28-7.  It kind of makes up for ASU losing to UofA.

Chandler has celebrated it's 100th year in style.  They were just named the number one school district in Arizona and now Chandler high wins the state football championship for the first time since 1949.

Go Wolves!

Facebook finds:

 Anna is having a great time visiting friends in

Frisco.

 Friends today and Hunter Hayes concert tomorrow.

 

Joshua practicing baseball with Michael.

  Queen Lola on her throne.

Some of her loyal subjects attend her.

 

Happy Thanksgiving! Thursday, November 27, 2014ria

"To be a Christian is to admire Jesus so sincerely and so fervently that the whole life goes out to him in an aspiration to be like him."

-L. Tom Perry

James helped with the turkey this morning.  He seasoned it and prepared it, and had it in the roaster oven by 7:21.  

Jared got a call at 6:30 this morning.  Tricia, Molly, and Emmy were on their way to the Wallen's for Thanksgiving and were in a rollover accident just outside of Deming.  Everyone is okay but Tricia is stranded in Deming where there are no rental car places open.  Jared and Anna have to leave to take her to Tucson where her dad picks her and the girls up.

 The van is totaled

Tricia fell asleep at the wheel.  Thankfully no other

vehicles were involved and the girls were safely buckled in.

 Molly and Emmy were excited to ride in an ambulance.

I sent Anna off with her chocolate pie.  I also made croissant sandwiches with ham and cheese for them to take on the road.

They ended up traveling 775 miles today by the time they got back to El Paso.

 James and Brian watching a Hallmark Christmas movie while James plays the piano in the background.

 Joseph playing the guitar while Kim works in the kitchen.

Joseph is actually an awesome guitar player!

 Alex finally got someone to play Settlers with him.

James carving the turkey.

 Kim whipping up the mashed potatoes.

They were yummy!

 Brian was the punchmaker.

 The boys are ready to eat.

 We have much to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving Day.  

I am most thankful for my family and for the gospel.

I am thankful that Tricia and the girls are safe.

I am so very happy and realize how truly blessed I am.

After dinner James and Brian did all the dishes and cleaned the kitchen.  James said it took them two hours.  Kim and I went in the bedroom and watched a couple of Christmas movies:

"What I did for Love"

and "Christmas in Palm Springs"

Kim, Alex, and Joe taught James how to play "Hearts", or as I call it "Be Nice to Your Neighbor."

 Does James look confused?

 

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

"The color purple symbolizes spirituality, nobility, royalty, honor, richness and power..."

 -Cloaked in Purple

James and I were home alone today.  I made Food Nanny rolls but there wasn't enough.  I overbaked the first batch, so I decide to make Cathy Arnett's rolls which makes anywhere from 48-64.  The first two times I found weavels in the liquid and then realized they were in my powdered milk so on the last batch I used fresh milk instead.  I must have forgotten to put the salt in the recipe because they turned out very bland but I am too tired to make anymore.  

I also baked the pies, or should I say I put the frozen pies I bought into the oven to bake: Apple, pecan, and pumpkin.

I cleaned and changed sheets upstairs in preparation for our company.  

Our guests: Kim, Brian, Joe, Alex, Jared, Anna, and James all arrived late after we went to bed.

Facebook finds:

This is Brother Tom Baker from the Vernon ward.

He was mistaken for Santa while shopping at

Costco this week.

 Sheri posts pictures of Lola to make me jealous.

It works!

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and...set at liberty them that are bruised." Luke 4:18

 James took my car to the job this morning.  He gets home in the late morning and we go to Greg Hatch's office to pick up a check.  We were going to get the oil changed in the car but we ran out of time.

We picked up Adam from the job and took him to lunch with us at the Hangar Cafe.  

 

The guys had the turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy and stuffing special.  I had the chicken and bacon croissant sandwich.  Everything was very tasty!  After lunch I took James and Adam home and I went shopping at Walmart.  

We loaded up two ice chests and a cold bag and all the food, gifts and luggage into my car and there was no room for anything else.  

I left a gift for Tricia at the house because she is picking up James there on Sunday. 

On the way home we stopped at Burger House.  James got a mixed green burro and I got a bean burro.  

When we got home we unloaded everything and watched a great Christmas movie, "The Christmas Shepherd".  I also checked in to see who won "Dancing with the Stars."  Alfonso and Witney win!

Facebook finds:

 This jaguar was found near Alpine, Arizona.

Monday, November 24, 2014

St. George temple

"I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep...."My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." 

(John 10:14, 27).

When we left for the valley this morning at 5am it was 14 degrees.  We stopped at the Subway in Globe for breakfast.  

The pavers were already on the job when James got there.  He went back home and I went shopping at Costco and Deseret Book.   Later this afternoon I went shopping with Sheri at Fry's and Sams Club for Thanksgiving.  We both bought turkeys for 1/2 price at Fry's.  She is having dinner at her house for the Trezise's.  

I bought new sheets today at Costco and put them on our air mattress.  They are divine!  

I missed watching Dancing with the Stars this evening but heard that Bethany and Derek are off. 

We had dinner and FHE at Sheri & Ian's.  The burgers were good but the best part of the evening was Evan's FHE lesson.  He read a story from the Friend and then tested how well we were listening by asking questions.  I was so impressed with how well he read with great expression.  He is one special kid!

Evan loves pumpkin pie so I gave him the one

I bought at Costco today. 

Facebook find: