Silly Grand Kids

 Hailey eating her Smore.

 What is Austin doing?

 Hannah and Harley acting C R A Z Y.

Hayden and Harrison roasting marshmellows.

Dean and Amie and the kids got here just before I had to leave for church so I took Bailee and Austin and off we went. I taught the CTR4 for the Hatch's and Bailee came in and helped. It was so fun to teach them again. How I love those little kids.

Came home from church to a house full of sleeping people. Nothing better than a Sunday nap. I made Potato Soup to go with the Amish Country Bread I had made in the morning. It was very yummy and hit the spot. We hung out and talked and had to go to Walmart. I know, I'm a sabbath breaker. Shame on me. We were in search of a watermelon that was good.

Amie made her famous Arabic Bread for me so I could see how to do it. It was fabulous. I am going to make it as soon as the one's Amie made are gone. We put cheese in one and broiled it in the oven and the kids devoured it.

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for my family. They melt my heart and make me so happy. I am blessed beyond measure.

Jack in the Box, Oh No its Bailee

 Who could be in this box.

 Whose hand could this be.

 Bailee it is.

She is such a character.

Today I cleaned house, bought two new plants to plant and pulled some weeds.

Heather called and said she was going to the Doctor on Monday and they would induce her again. She is high risk so they are watching her carefully.

Grateful Statement: I am grateful for this fun granddaughter of mine. She is such a fun kid. I am blessed with the very best grand kids in the world.

Bailee and Red

 It's a miracle.

 Bailee is on a horse.

 And she's having fun.

Riding with mom is always the best.

I was supposed to leave for Utah on Friday but I got a call from Heather that they had sent her home from the hospital. Graci just isn't ready to come out into the big world. Change of plans. Bailee was really disappointed because she wanted to go to Utah. 

I went to the Temple today with Sue and Colleen. I forgot my names so we had to do Temple names. I'm putting my box in my Temple bag so I will have it.

After the Temple I came home and grabbed Bailee and we went to Winco to do some shopping. What a job. Janna helped me put it all away. Done for another month or less, depending on how fast the food disappears.

Grateful Statement: I am grateful today for good friends to go to the Temple with. I just love to go. I always get so much peace and feel as if I can truly do this calling. I am so blessed to live 20 minutes away from two Temples.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Let's try to remember what we have done this week. Monday I don't remember but it must have not been much. Oh Yeah, I made Amish Country Bread and Potato Soup for a sister in the ward that had a baby. Tuesday I cleaned my floors and made meat balls and sweet and sour sauce for dinner and more Amish Country Bread. I took the Bailee to YW and they made pillows for camp and I took Austin to the church to drop off his stuff for Encampment. He has to be back at 10am to go with the scouts.
Then I picked up Bailee and Avery and took them home. Watch a little TV and went to bed.
Today I cleaned house some more and met Sue at the Genealogy Library at noon and we worked on getting her up and running on Family Search. I learned some really good stuff about Roots Magic. Couldn't wait to come home and download the new version.
I had my presidency meeting today. We made some changes on visiting teaching and the usual other stuff. Now it's time to relax and do some more genealogy. It really has taken over my free time.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for Roots Magic and the Family Tree. They are making finding my ancestors so very easy. Heavenly Father's hand print is all over this work.

Sitting with the Sunbeams

I had the wonderful opportunity to sit with the Sunbeams today. Church let out one hour early because of the missionary broadcast so I didn't teach a lesson. They are so cute and funny. Next week I will teach a lesson to them.
I spent the weekend having Bailee drive me everywhere. I took dinner to the Seeley's that are moving on Friday night. That was after Bailee and I took the scouts to Hiese for their camp out. They didn't have enough rides so they called me to help. I am always glad to help out.
Then Saturday we went back up and brought them home and went to The Carmel Tree and got some cake bites for Peggy's Birthday. Bailee put in some serious hours driving everywhere.
I came home from church and took a long nap. We had Ward Council so it was a long day but a good one.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to attend church and partake of the Sacrament. The Gospel truly is my life.

Going to the Temple

 Our new fire pit.

 Claraty, Bailee and Harley roasting marshmallows.

 Austin making a hot dog.

Today Sue and I went to the Rexburg Temple. It was so good to have her back. I printed off more pink and blue cards to send to Dean. I called Hailey and she said she would do the baptisms for me so I sent pink to her and blue to Harrison. How I love my sweet grand kids.
I made Amish Country Bread, a Chocolate Cake and Barbecued Chicken for dinner. Yesterday I made Janna a Coconut Cream Pie. It's her favorite pie.
That's about all I accomplished today. When I cook I get really tired fast. Why is it so much work.
Tommy made a fire in our fire pit and the kids roasted marshmallows. I think they had fun but I got orders for chocolate Hershey Bars for smores. Coming right up....
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for good friends like Sue. Best Temple buddy I've had in a long time. She is always ready to go. I am blessed.

Monday and Tuesday Catch Up

 I love Janna's hair.

 Austin loves his mom.

 Bailee loves her mom too!

Monday I made cookies and moved food storage with the help of Austin. I changed sheets and did laundry and not much else that I can remember.
Today I was  very tired and didn't do much. I worked on genealogy and found more people that need work done. More cards to print out.
Now it's bedtime for me. I'm pretty tired.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for my sweet daughter. She is such a joy in my life. I am blessed to have her.

PPI with the Bishop

I finished canning the 14 quarts of Black Beans this morning and left them to cool while I went to church and met with the Bishop. He was about 20 minutes late having me come in. Young men stuff. Encampment details. Austin is excited to go.
Sacrament, Sunday School and Relief Society were very good. Esther taught the lesson and really did a great job. It was a good day.
Austin made Black Bean Burritos for dinner and I made a Key Lime pie for Tommy. It was pretty good.
John called me when I was in church so I called him back. His phone won't stay on so he didn't get a text I sent him and he finally got the voice mail I left. Wished him a happy Father's Day and told him I loved him. He's doing good. Dean called dad and he said he would see us in a couple of weeks. They are bringing the kids up spend some time with me. Can't wait to see them. That's been my day.
Now it's time to go to bed and get some sleep.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for the Gospel. So much peace in my life from my knowledge of what we are here for and where I want to go. I love Heavenly Father and know He loves me.

Pinto Beans in the Bottles

 Short and Tall Canners

Finished Pinto Beans-Let the Taco Soup begin.

Got up and canned my 14 quarts of Pinto Beans I had prepared the night before. It took me all morning because mainly I was babysitting the gauge to keep it at 13 pounds. But I did it.

Weeded my garden and planted more lettuce and carrots. Things are coming up all over the place. I'm a happy gardener. Much better than last year.

Went to dinner for Mexican Food. All the kids are with their dad for the weekend so it's just us adults. Janna house is much too quiet without the kids and their funny antics.

Janna and I went to Walmart. She wanted to look at tablets and I had to get milk. So off we went and of course the place was packed.

Came home and prepared 14 quarts of Black Beans so I can get it done and put the canners away. Then I am good to go for another 6 months.

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful that I know how to can. It has been a big blessing in my life to be able to can things and put it on my shelf. Maybe it's from my childhood of going in my Grandma's pantry and seeing the shelves lined with all the things she canned. I am blessed to have had such a wonderful example.

Grinding Wheat

23 year old red wheat and 10 year old white wheat.

I was supposed to go get my toes done with Mary but her husband took a turn for the worse so she had to go to the hospital instead. It worked out good for me. I had lots to do.
I made wheat bread, ribs for dinner in my pressure cooker, and baked some potatoes. We try to eat early so Harley can eat before she has to go to work.
Next on my agenda was grinding wheat. I was all out. So I set up the grinder in the garage and started grinding. I mix red and white wheat in equal parts and grind them together. I canned the Red Wheat in Acton when I lived there. John and Tommy helped me and we canned a ton. Now I only have 14 cans left and I will be using only White Wheat. I used all the red wheat I had stored in large metal cans and some buckets of wheat that were given to me by a friend. Every single kernel was ground and bread made. I hate to waste things. I must get that from my mom.
After all this I was a little tired but I managed to make Peanut Butter Fudge for the house next door.
Now I'm going to bed.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for food storage. I am grateful that I learned long ago how to make wheat bread. I has served me well all these years.

Temple with Colleen

Went to the Temple with Colleen and did the initiatories for the ladies that Nichole had been baptized for. It was a peaceful wonderful morning.
Came home and worked on genealogy again. I have an addiction. It's hunting dead people. I love to track them from census to census and get a glimpse into what their lives must have been like so long ago.
I made Mexican Rice to go with Tacos. I am finally getting it down. The kids love Mexican Rice.
Bailee and I went driving for an hour around the countryside. It was good. She is getting better and better. That was my Thursday.
Grateful Statement: 
I am so grateful for the Temple and the peace I feel there. I feel like I'm almost in Heaven. What a blessing to have two so close.

Summer Rain Storm

 Jon, Alex and Austin

Here come the water balloons.

I straighten up my house this morning and made Mexican Rice for dinner to go along with the Tacos they are making next door.

Off to the doctor for my wellness check. Everything is wonderful. My blood pressure and Cholesterol are all good. I am good for another year.

Came home and had my presidency meeting. It was a good one. I love working with these women. 

As we were having our meeting we looked outside and here were the boys playing with water balloons in between rain storms. I love summer rain storms and my garden really loves them.

Then off to have a transitional meeting with Krista Long who will be coming into Relief Society soon. She had to work so we left the stuff with her mom who used to be in the presidency before. So she will give it to her. Crystal went with me. I gave Harley her bag with the stuff last week so we only have Emily MaKamey left. She has been working hard so we are having a hard time getting with her.

Now it's time to relax.

Grateful Statement: I am grateful for the rainfall we have had today. It makes everything grow so well. What a blessing.

Visiting Teaching Report

Ashley and I went over to the church and imput the report for visiting teaching. I just wish ALL the sisters knew how important they are to the sisters they teach. That's the vision I guess. I can only motivate so much and then it's up the them. Austin came with me so he could play basketball with Ashley's boys to keep them occupied. It worked out wonderful and we had not one interruption.
When we got home we had lunch and Austin and I were off to Winco for some much needed groceries. Janna and Harley dated all the canned goods and rotated them for me. That was a huge help. Austin and Bailee helped put everything else away. It worked so good. I'm just glad that's over with.
Tommy and I made Biscuits, eggs, bacon and gravy for dinner so we could use up some more eggs. Austin has been selling them so we don't have so many, plus he can earn money. It works out great.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for Austin and how much help he is to me. I am blessed beyond measure.

Harley is a Cooker

 Boiling Pasta

 Draining Pasta

Finished Spaghetti Rolls

Pretty lazy day today. Did laundry and have no idea what happened the rest of the day. Harley came over and made dinner for us. Her first meal and she did a great job. The family loved it. Anything Italian around here is a hit.
Harley ate her dinner and took off to go to her job at Cal Ranch. She is all grown up. Dang. My grandkids are growing up too fast.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful that I have such loving and wonderful grandkids, all of them. My nine are the best in the whole wide world. Heavenly Father loves me.

Beautiful Sabbath

Went to Ward Council and all my meetings. They were very good.
I am getting more comfortable going up to everyone I don't know and welcoming them. This used to be hard for me but now it's easy. Blessing from God to help me.
Came home vegged for the rest of the night.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for my calling. It's hard but so worth it to get to know all the sisters in the ward. I am blessed.

Another Day on the Farm

Horses

Today I got up and made bread for the family. I have to do this every week so I can keep using my wheat. I finally have over a years supply for the 6 of us.
Janna and Harley worked on the farm and Bailee mowed lawns and all the kids pulled weeds. They are worker bees around here.  Janna cracks the whip and they jump. I cleaned a little house and worked on some genealogy. I had to figure out Mary E Ingram. I got all her kids figured out and her second marriage. I love a good mystery and that's what genealogy is. One mystery after another. Thanks to my wonderful son who paid for Ancestry for me I am finding all kinds of people in my database that need their work done.
Bailee and I drove for 2 hours today. We went to Swan Valley and had a square ice cream. She did a good job. Just a tad bit afraid of cliffs and going over. Too funny because there are no cliffs near the road. It was a fun drive.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for my food storage. It just makes me happy to grind and bake.

Bailee is on the Road

 Driving down the road.

Proud recipient of a Learners Permit.

Tuesday I had my presidency meeting and then Janna and I went to Austin's baseball game. It was long. Always a double header.

Yesterday I cooked and cleaned and Denise came over to visit. I really can't remember much else that I did.

Today I went to the Idaho Falls Temple with Colleen and her daughter Nichole so I could have 10 lady baptisms done. Now I need to do the initatories and I will be ready to do their endowments.

When I came home from the Temple Bailee and I went driving for an hour. She is very safe and careful just like Harley was. I can't believe she is driving.

Janna and I went to Austin baseball again tonight. Now I'm tired and ready for bed.

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for this cute granddaughter of mine. I am blessed with the best grandkids in the world.

Hen and Her Chicks

Hen and Her Chicks

I got a start for this plant from Ila when I went to visit last year. I planted it and wasn't sure it was going to make it. But it just came to life. It now has new little plants coming out between the leaves. Now I know why they call it what they call it. I had to take a picture and post it.

I took 5 trips to Rigby today to drive Bailee and Melanie to Drivers Ed. They changed Bailee's time so I had an additional trip. What a day. 

Then I went to catch up on my blog and I couldn't get in. It now has Janna's email so I have to log in with her password. Too weird. We'll have to fix it when I have time.

Now I'm tired and going to bed.

Grateful Statement: I am grateful for all the plants that are on the earth for me to enjoy. So pretty.

Beautiful Sabbath

Got up and got ready to go to church. I wasn't feeling all that good but good enough to go. Sacrament was wonderful. Many testimonies born that touched my heart. One German lady who was visiting bore her testimony about escaping from behind the iron curtain and coming to America. What a strong testimony she had.
Sunday School and Relief Society were very good but I was feeling pretty bad by the end. Could just barely make it to my car and drive the kids home. Then it was on the couch and to bed early. But, by dang, I made it to church so that's what counts.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for the Testimonies of others. They build me up and make me happy.

Sick

Friday I woke up not having any energy and tons to do. By noon I was freezing cold and had a headache. Off to bed I went for two days. I lived on 7up and Coke trying to keep it down. Mostly successful. I started feeling better on Saturday and by Saturday night my ribs were really sore but I felt better. I think I'm on the mend.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for my comfy bed. It made being sick bearable. I am blessed with so much.