Beautiful Sabbath

Another beautiful Sabbath. Bailee, Austin and I went to church today. I bore my testimony. I figured I had been in the ward for a year so it was about time. And I taught the lesson to my Sunbeams on taste and smell. We tried all sorts of thing. We had a good laugh watching them taste salt. So funny.
After church I did dishes and rested. I put potatoes in foil and put them in a crock pot. They were done to perfection. Tommy made Corn on the Cob in the microwave. It was so easy and delicious. My brother Johnnie showed him how. We also put a roast in the crock pot but it cooked too long and ended up being too tough. Better luck next time.
There is a beautiful Harvest moon outside. It is so beautiful outside.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for the Gospel and the peace and happiness it gives me. It's good to be a Mormon.

Planting My Flowers

Tonight I am TIRED!! I planted my flower beds in my front yard. I had to add top soil and all kinds of extra stuff. I think we have clay soil here. Hopefully they will grow. I planted a bunch of different flowers to see what I like. I also ordered some Iris' from Holland Bulbs. I can't wait for them to come.
Janna and Harley are going for a ride. They like to do this in the evening when it is so cool.
I took Bailee and Marissa to Walmart so Bailee could get a bathing suit for Monday. It was fun. After we got back from Walmart we went to the Garden Gate Nursery in Rigby to get flowers for my beds. I just wanted all the beautiful flowers. I also have corn coming up and zuchinni. What fun to have flowers and a garden.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for my flowers. What beautiful things Heaven Father has created for us. I am so blessed to be able to enjoy such beauty.

Fenced in Back Yard

 Working hard on the fence for the backyard.

 The dogs love to play with the soccer ball.

 The cat takes the high ground around the dogs.

 Austin has such a serious look on his face.

 Harley is taking the dog for a walk. Maybe!!

Bailee and Destiney riding the four wheelers in the back pasture.

Today Janna and Tommy finished fencing the back yard so the dog can go out and I don't have to worry about them chasing kids. Now they can stay outside on good days. We also went to Home Depot and got some trees. My Willow in my front yard didn't get any leaves on it. We thought it was dead so we bought a new on. But when we dug it up it was still alive. So we are going to plant it somewhere else. I also found some shrubs for $3.33 at Home Depot and I couldn't pass them up.

I also got my hair cut. Melanie is finally figuring it out. Now I'm good for another month.

Grateful Statement: I am grateful for the green grass that surrounds us. So pretty to see. A true blessing.

Harley and Summer

Spent the day working in my garden and going to Home Depot. I planted a row of beans and peas and some cabbage and herbs. I'm planting a little of each to test them out and see how they do. It is so fun to sit in the sun and plant seeds. It made my heart feel so warm and cozy today. I took pictures of Harley tonight getting ready to ride her horse. When I looked over at the goat pen this little goat was setting inside this bucket but when I went over to take a picture he got up. Goats are funny critters.

I also ordered my 2009 blog to be printed. I can't wait to get it and see how it is. I have 2010 ready if it looks good.



Grateful Statement: I am grateful for my garden again today. I love to dig in the dirt and plant things. I am truly blessed...

Home At Last

My Radishes are coming up!

 Two of the hardest working girls I know!

Tommy and I left Dean's at 6am and headed on a dead run for our little house. We got here around 10:15 am and we were greeted by loving grandkids. It's good to have ourselves out of a car. But it truly was a great vacation. So many good memories were made. I was tickled I could visit with Johnnie and Phyllis. He says I'm his favorite sister and I tell him I'm his only sister. Such a cute brother.
My garden survived the rain and cold weather. I think I lost a couple of Strawberry plants so I'll have to replace them. My radishes and lettuce are coming up. I can't wait to learn all about Idaho gardens so I can be successful with mine.
Now I'm tired and ready to go hug my pillow. What a wonderful vacation Tommy and I had. Good memories.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for a safe trip home and the opportunity to visit with family.

Glen Canyon Dam

Now I am a brave person to post this picture of me with such a roll of fat around my middle. Maybe I should go on a diet. Hummmm!! We left Taylor this morning at 7am and got to Dean and Amie's at around 4pm. I listened to all three sessions of conference all the way here. It was so good to hear the messages again. 
Amie made Tacos for Hayden's birthday dinner and then we had cake. I spent about 2 hours trying to get my blog printed out for 2009 but it would load it up and then my internet explorer would quit working so I'll try it at home on my big computer. I think I need them printed out so if blogger quits I'll have copies of my journal, and I think it will help me keep this up. I love the thought of all the pictures printed out with the journaling. So we shall see.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for a safe trip home. I am grateful for the words from conference. They made me want to try harder and do better.

My Dear Aunt Marie

Tommy and I left friday morning and drove to Arizona. We went to dinner with Johnnie and Phyllis last night and then went to Johnnie to divide up the coins that mom had kept all these years. It was good to get the job done.
This morning we got up and went to Claysprings to visit my sweet Aunt Marie. It was so good to give her a great big hug and tell her how much I loved her. We spent a couples of hours visiting and then headed over to Johnnie for a visit. We had a delicious dinner of roast, potatoes and corn on the cob Johnnie made. He cooked the corn in the microwave with the husks on and it was delicious.
In the afternoon we went over to Show Low to the cemetery and I visited my mom's grave. I know she is not there so it's not hard on me at all. I hope she was looking down from Heaven and saw how much Johnnie and I love her. The very best mom in the world.
On the way back to Taylor we stopped at Dairy Queen and we all had a banana split. So very good. It was wonderful to visit with my brother. I just love him to pieces. It was a good visit and Phyllis and I agreed the next time I come to see them I'm bringing my Temple bag and we're going to the Snowflake Temple.
We are now back in our motel and Tommy is sleeping. We are getting up early in the morning and going back to Elk Ridge on our way home. I just can't wait to get home.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful to my Aunt Marie. She is the one that made sure all my brothers and I got baptized. I learned about family prayer around her little maple coffee table when Uncle Lester would call us all together to pray before he left for work. I will be eternally grateful for this wonderful woman.

State Finals and Academic All State Award

I went with Amie, Shawn and Hailey to the bleachers at SHHS to take pictures of Hailey in her Cap and Gown with her uniform underneath of course. She is so beautiful and looks stunning in her Cap and Gown. And then we had to take a picture of her uniform under her Cap and Gown. How many time do I get to say Cap and Gown. LOL  Toooooo Cute!!

 Hailey recieved her Academic All State award on the field between the Murray and Roy games. She has received it, I think three times but this was the first time she was able to be there to get it in person. This row of girls all got one too. Smart and athletic, who could ask for anything more.

 What a smile!!

 This is the State Tournament final game against Roy. They beat Murray earlier in the day so this was their second game and the final. They played hard and were wonderful. Hailey hit a home run that was on KSL news that night. They were totally bummed when they lost.

What a day. It was so exciting and fun. I loved watching this girl play. Hannah came to Hailey game looking as cute as ever but I didn't get a picture of her. After the game was over we went to "Texas Roadhouse" for dinner. It was yummy. Now we are tired and ready for bed. Thanks, Hailey for a wonderful three days.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful that Tommy and I were able to come and see these grandkids. They are just the best and I love them all so very much. I truly am blessed...

Graduation On The Ball Field

What a wonderful, exciting day. They won both games and then they had their ceremony on the ball field. I am so proud of my Hailey. National Honor Student and all.
Tomorrow they play in the semi-finals so it's off to Taylorsville and not to Arizona as planned. It has been so much fun. And really the best graduation I've gone to because I got to wear my jeans. Amie's mom flew in and came with us. We just about froze to death in the last game but we did survive. Can't wait for the next one.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for the wonderful young lady Hailey is. She is smart, athletic, beautiful and especially a wonderful Daughter of Heavenly Father. This girl has heart. I am blessed to have had her in my life.

State Tournament

Hailey between games

 Second game started

Hayden playing on Amie's phone

We went to Taylorsville for Hailey ball games. They won the first so they played again in the evening. They won that one too so now we come back tomorrow to play again. Such exciting games. The first game it was so hot and we were sitting in the sun. In beween games Dean took us to The Texas Roadhouse for dinner. Then we went back to the game. The clouds had come in and the weather was wonderful. I even remembered my camera and was able to take a few pictures.

Grateful Statement: I am grateful for this wonderful family. They are so good to me. I hope I get to spend eternity with them.

Utah, Here We Come

We left on Monday and drove to Utah. We stopped in Provo and took John to lunch. A yummy barbecue place. He is doing well. One day at a time, that's my motto. Then we went up to beautiful Elk Ridge. It truly is a beautiful place. Dean and Amie are putting in a new driveway and front yard. Dean is working the Skidster removing all the old concrete so they can pour a new one. My kids and driving skidsters, what's up with that.
I got wonderful hugs from the kids and Amie. I really miss this bunch. We stayed in for the night. I still can't figure out why sitting in a seat for four hours makes you so tired. That's been my day and a good one at that.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for my kids. They truly are such a joy in my life. The time just flew by too fast when they were little. Every year the memories just seem so much farther away. But I'm so blessed to have such good ones...

Garden Boxes DONE!!!

Garden Boxes done and planted

I do love strawberries

Irrigation water coming our way

Building fences

We worked hard today. I shoveled a mountain of top soil with the kids and we finished all six garden boxes. I got them all planted except one which I will be doing tomorrow after church. I was very tired after all that. Janna, Tommy and Harley spent the evening building the Goat pen for Harley's herd. The little kids played with friends and had a fun time. Now this tired person needs to go to bed.

Grateful Statement: I am grateful for Rigby, Idaho and being able to grow things and tend things. Brings me back to my childhood.

More Decorating Done

Here is a picture of my office space. I love to pay my bills and organize paperwork here.
Tommy and I went to IF and got some plants. We worked on our garden boxes and got one planted with Tomatoes and Cucumbers. One at a time and soon we will be all done. I can't wait to go to my garden and pick my salad. I try to remember to take pictures tomorrow and post them.
I made a Honey Basamic Vinegarette that Tommy loves on his salad. It is pretty good. Soon we will have lots of salad at our fingertips. Tomorrow is radishes, lettuce, carrots and green onions. That's my goal, one more box planted tomorrow.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for my garden. It makes me happy to dig in the dirt and plant things. Heavenly Father knows we need to grow stuff. I am blessed.

Life on the Farm

Janna playing with her new drum set.

Janna welding the pipe fence together

Austin going door to door selling "Farm Fresh Eggs"

Harley painting a sign "Farm Fresh Eggs For Sale" for the front

Our setting hen

One of the three calves we are raising.

I can't believe it's been a month since I have posted to my journal. I will try to be better again. I started to Index the 1940 census today. I decided I need to do what I know how. I've indexed for years so I don't think I should quit now. It felt good to know that I'm contributing to Family History Research. And my dear friend Debbie sent me an email, which I didn't open until a month after it came, to say she hadn't seen anything from me since the Court of Honor. When I opened my emails to check for a password I had over 330 emails. I really need to get back into the swing of things. I promise Debbie, I will be better. I'm glad you are still hanging in there and volunteering at the school. I bet they love you for that.
Janna wanted to play the drums so she found a drum set in Blackfoot that we went and picked up. She is having a ball learning how to play. Lots of noise coming from the house next door. And her latest occupation is a welder. She has welded many feet of fence using well drilling pipe Boyd had to make an arena and fence in the goat pen. Lots of work for her. Sometimes I wonder how she does it.
Austin is going door to door selling eggs. He hit six houses and no one answered their doors so he quit. Epic failure. Harley decided to paint a sign to sell eggs and post it in the front yard. We'll see how that goes.
And we have a setting hen who won't get off the nest. We have no fertile eggs to put under her. I think our rooster needs to be replaced. And our newest addition to the farm is 3 of the cutest little calves ever. One was really sick and Harley worked and worked with him until yesterday he was up and roaming the farm. That's why that girl will make a wonderful vet. Well that's a recap of the picture. Now I will try to be more dilligent. Last night I took the kids to YM/YW and worked on this post and watched "Person of Interest".

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for my wonderful grandkids. They truly make my life happy. It's so rewarding to watch them grow and choose the paths they want to take. I love each and every one of them.