Monday, November 9, 2015

Ruby is ready to go!

Kim and Brian get in to California Adventure an hour early today.  We have two day tickets but our are not Hopper tickets so whatever park we choose for the day is where we will stay for the day.  We chose California Adventure.  Brian and Kim met us at the Cars Fastpass station.  We all got Fastpasses for Cars between 2:30 and 3:30.  Since Soarin' over California is closed, this is my favorite ride in C.A. 

The first ride Ruby wanted to go on was Goofy's Flying School.  Brian doesn't like the ride and neither do I so we waited down on the ground.  We were going to take a picture in front of the Mickey Ferris Wheel but we were in a hurry to get to the Little Mermaid ride and we forgot to go back and take the picture once we were finished on the ride.  After the Little Mermaid ride we all went over to Tower of Terror.  Everyone rode on it except me.  Ruby knows no fear!

Kim and Brian went over to Disneyland to have lunch with the three boys.  We started looking for some lunch.  Ruby had a pretzel and then we all went on Monsters, Inc.  We made our way back over to where they sell corndogs for James's and my lunch.  While there Ruby and James went on the Jellyfish ride.  Ruby said it was like Tower of Terror only really boring.  

Ruby loves to have her picture taken.  Here she is with Mickey

and Walt Disney.

We rode on the Ferris Wheel, non-rocking thank you, and then Ruby and James rode on Grizzly Rapids.  After the ride they went in the gift shop and got Ruby an owl necklace.  She must have picked this out on her last trip because James said she knew exactly where it was. 

Throwing pennies in the lucky fountain.

Back on Main Street Ruby and I got some ice cream and watched some street performers.

 Such a cutie and so much fun!

 As close as she could get without actually being in the show.

When it was time to go on the Cars ride James realized he had lost his ticket and fast pass, so I gave him mine.  After the Cars ride James, Kim, and Brian went on California Screamin'.  Ruby would have gone too but she is not tall enough.  

As we were leaving Ruby ran in to some Disney celebrities.

 Old Mickey, I believe?

Ruby is not shy with the characters

We missed the picture when Minnie rubbed noses with Ruby.

Roaring Twenties Minnie

On the way back to the motel Ruby asked: "What's for dinner?"  We drove along Harbor Blvd. until we found a Subway and stopped for dinner.  

Back at the hotel Ruby wants to go swimming.  James took her down to the pool but soon they were back.  James said that the pool was only open from 6am to noon.  I said, "I don't think that can be right", but by then Ruby had lost interest in swimming.  Instead of swimming they went down to Happy Hour.  We wanted popcorn but got Goldfish instead.

Ruby's winning smile!

My feet really bothered me today.  I decided to take a warm bath and then James rubbed my feet with Deep Blue.  I felt so relaxed that I went right to bed after family prayer and putting Ruby to bed.

She loves sleeping on the hide-a-bed couch with her stuffed animals.

Sunday, November 8, 2015

 

Enough said.

James had to get up and go to work this morning for a couple of hours.  It's the first time I can remember him working on Sunday.  The doctor's office where he is working will be open tomorrow so all of the painting has to be done.  He finished in time to come to church with me.

All of the North America Southwest Region participated in a satellite broadcast today.  We attended in the Chandler West Stake Center.  Our little friend, Brooklyn Leib came and sat with us for awhile.  She was in our Primary class when we were here earlier in the year.

Brooklyn on a day she styled her own hair.

Before the broadcast began President Ken Johansen, the Chandler West Stake President, spoke.  His topic was "How to Worship."  He shared the example of the Zoramites and their false means of worship as recorded in Alma 31.  He then quoted from D&C 93 on how we come unto the Father and worship Him through the Savior's name.  In D&C 59 it says we must bring forth sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit as we offer our oblations unto the Lord.  Pres. Johansen also quoted from the book by Brother Callister that Laura and Cathi are reading.  It is called "The Blueprint of Christ's Church."  Brother Callister asks the question: "Do we want to be entertained or do we want to sacrifice.  Sacrifice - Service - Sacrament.

Elder Lynn G. Robbins of the Seventy: "The Virtue of Simplicity"

Elder Robbins gave examples of simplicity naming the Articles of Faith, The Family Proclomation, the Living Christ, and the Gettysburg Address.  All things should be done in wisdom and order.  We need to focus on the basics and not look beyond the mark.  We should not overextend ourselves.  We should ask ourselves, what is sufficient for my needs?  We need to be content and grateful for what we have.

Sister Linda S. Reeves, 2nd counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency: "Repentance"

Alma's counsel to Corianton.  Corianton repented.  

"Don't let your sins define who you are.  Become completely clean."  Stacy says that Joshua repents every night when he says his prayers.  What a good example he is! 

Elder Lawrence Corbridge of the Seventy: "I am the Bread of Life."

Where will I be in _____ years.  Take heed that no man deceive you... How can we avoid deception?

Five Primary Questions we must ask ourselves.

1.  Is there a God?

2.  Is Jesus Christ the Son of God?

3.  Was Joseph Smith a prophet?

4.  Is the Church of Jesus Christ the Lord's church today?

The three methods of discovery are scientific, analytical, and divine.  You can't prove a positive by discounting a negative.  Truth is established through revelation. 

If any man shall do His will then he shall know His will.

Elder Oaks: "Put the Lord first in your life."

The strength of the Church is found in it's individual members.  

Jesus's way is Heavenly Father's way.  

Do not neglect temple work.

Moroni 10:4 - with real intent and a sincere heart is critical.  Ask questions with a desire to follow through with commitment.

Befriend nonmembers.

Youth are the future of the Church.

Basics - Scripture Study, Prayer, partaking of the sacrament and keeping our covenants and the commandments.

Are we active in the gospel or just active in the church?

We should be so very grateful for the Restoration.  

Love the sinner, not the sin.  Ended with his testimony.

We came home and ate some lunch, went by James's job then headed to Mesa to pick up Ruby for our trip to Disneyland.

Ruby was so excited.  Here is how she entertained herself during the long drive to California.

Using my new selfie stick

She also watched Cinderella on my phone until the battery died.

When my phone was available she used James's phone to watch segments from Studio C.  She also looked through his pictures.

 Every few minutes she would say: "Are we almost there yet?"

We stopped at the Sizzler in Banning for dinner.  This is one of the reasons I don't like to travel on Sunday.  Brian, Kim, Joe, Alex, and Michael stopped too.  

Brian and Kim are surprising the boys by staying at the Grand California Hotel which is a part of the Disneyland Resort.

 If you get tired you don't have to leave the park

to go back to your room.

Take the monorail to the hotel

Rooms with a view

We stayed where we always stay, Embassy Suites, Anaheim South.

Not too shabby!

The atrium where breakfast is served and

the lion roars every hour.  The lion was

right outside our room.

Ruby loved the hotel and was pretty excited about the lion.  I was so impressed with Addy!  She packed Ruby's suitcase and had all of her outfits in baggies labeled: Monday's clothes, Monday's pajamas, Monday's swimsuit, etc.  Amazing.  I want her to pack for me!

 Such a good idea!

   

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Sheri's quote of the day:
"It is our duty to improve each day.  And look upon our course last week and do things better this week; do things better today than
yesterday." 
-Lorenzo Snow

 Switzerland

James has to be finished with the doctor's office he's working on, on Monday.  He has very little help, right now just Lauro and Bob.  

He is a little concerned because we won't be here on Monday so he can finish up.  

I went to Ruby's last soccer game this morning and then afterwards went to Joshua's, Rowan's, and Evan's game.  Both of our teams lost.

 Ruby on the field

 Ruby with her trophy

Unwrapping the trophy

Lola goes exploring

Ruby went with me after the game to take my car back to Cathi's and leave it so James can take it in to get the tire fixed.  We rode back with Sheri and the boys, Rowan, Evan, and Joshua, for their game.  Rowan and Joshua spent the night at Evan's and I don't think they got much sleep.  They all looked a little tired.

Darrel, Addy, and Lola joined us at the game.  Trina has been called at a counselor in the Relief Society and she had to go to a funeral.

After the game Sheri dropped me off at Terry & Cathi's.  

 1533 S. 108th Way, our new home

away from home.

James and I went to pick up my car at Discount Tire.  They couldn't fix the tire so they gave us a new one.  We drove the car straight to Sears to get the oil changed.  It took over three hours.  

I took a nap and James went back to work because he is under a deadline.  Lauro and Bob were both tired and left.  James took Alex and Ben to help hi for awhile.  

At 5:30 we went to pick up my car.  The guys at Sears say I am missing a motor mount but we don't want the to fix it, we will take it to Erik later this month.  

We stop at the Jersey Mike's on Chandler Blvd. for dinner.  We both go to Sam's Club to get gas and then while James goes back to work I go shopping at Walmart for our trip.  

James comes home and says he didn't finish and will have to go back in the morning.  I cannot remember a time he has had to work on Sunday.  He also had to email a bid to Darrel before he could go to bed.  

A picture of Alexis and Michael at a Cross Country meet.  Alexis got first place and Michael got fourth.

 

Friday, November 6, 2015

Happy Birthday Evan!

Posted by Sheri on Facebook

He looks so handsome and grown up!
Today is also President Uchtdorf's birthday.

 

The big news on Facebook today is the controversy over the Church's new policy regarding children of gay couples.  They can no longer be given a name and a blessing and in order to be baptized and receive the priesthood their bishops have to write a special request to the First  Presidency.  Some people have jumped to conclusions and are not supporting the new policy.  Elder D. Todd Christofferson held a press conference to explain the policy.  James and I will support the First Presidency in whatever policy they establish because we believe they are inspired of God.  Some members are so upset they are asking for their membership to be removed from the Church.  This is a real challenge and only time will tell what will happen.

I had leftover tortolenni for breakfast  It was delicious!  

James and I went to Arby's to get brisket sandwiches for lunch and then we ate them at the park across Willis Rd.  It was a beautiful day to eat outside.  

I picked up Alex at school today and then went shopping at Walmart.  I went to Chase and National Bank to make deposits and then James took my car to Erik so he could replace the tail light that James broke.  

This evening Alex and I went to Peter Piper Pizza to pick up pizzas for Evan's birthday party.  

Evan working on his Star Wars ship

Ice cream eating contest with weird utensils.  

Rowan won! Bryce, Joshua, Evan, Rowan, Gavin, 

and Grandpa.

Happy Birthday Evan!

Just like Rowan and Joshua, Evan

loves the chocolate cake from Costco.

 Ben carrying his mom around the house.

James having a serious conversation with Alex.

It was a fun party and we are so grateful we could spend time with family!

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, November 5, 2015

I woke up to snow this morning!

I got up around 5am to find snow all over the ground.  I packed last night for my trip this morning so when I got up I took a shower and got dressed.  Now the fun begins.  I have to go out to the pump house and turn off the pump and water.  My snow boots were on the front porch and filled with snow so I had to use my tennis shoes to go out to the pump house.  The task is done.  Now to load my car.  As I open the garage door I see that my car is covered in 6" of snow! 

 Mud on the bottom, snow on the top.

I also notice that my front passenger tire looks a little low.

Instead of leaving at 6 as I had planned, it is closer to 6:30.
I have an appointment at the arthritis center at 10:15.  Hopefully  will make it on time.
I had to stop in Heber and put air in one of my tires. They got more snow here than we did in Vernon.

I love the trees when they are covered with snow!

I had to make another stop at the Circle K in Star Valley.  I am ten minutes later for my infusion at the arthritis center but no one seems to mind.  They look at me funny when I tell them I had to clean 6" of snow off my car.  

James and I went to lunch at Olive Garden after my appointment.  My new favorite dish is the beef tortolinni.  

It tastes better than it looks

Cathi and Terry have invited us to stay with them and that is where James has been staying since he came down on Tuesday.  I was going to get a motel but they are family and we are welcome in their home.  We have our own room and bathroom and access to an office for our computers.  Who could ask for anything more.  A bonus is their cute dogs, Indy and Ladybug. Thank you Cathi and Terry, we appreciate you so much!

 Ladybug

After lunch we took a nap and got ready for our birthday date with Evan.  He wants to take Joshua and Rowan with him so we go pick them up before heading to the Chandler mall.  

Of course our destination is the Lego store.  

I sure do love this boy!

Grandpa helping Evan

Joshua makes a suggestion

The three boys make individual characters.

 A Star Wars Battleship

After shopping we all went to the food court to get something to eat.  Rowan and Joshua got pizza, I got orange chicken from Panda, and Evan and Grandpa went to Subway.  Evan ate a footlong sandwich.  He was really hungry!

We had such a fun time with these three boys and we are so glad that they are such good friends!  Tomorrow is Evan's actual 9th birthday.