Breakfast with John

 John and Heather

 Plus Gracie

Make Three

We took John out to breakfast on our way back to Idaho. It was so good to see him. I just love him so much. I love to watch him interact with Gracie. He just beams when he looks at her.

After breadfast we hit the freeway and headed home. I slept a lot of the way and Tommy made good time. We got home in less than 4 hours. It was good to get back to my little house and Janna and the kids.

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for all my many blessings, It's nice to come home to my cozy house. I am blessed to have so many riches in my life, the first being my Savior.

Sabbath Day in Elk Ridge

Amie Presents

Today I went to church with Dean and Amie and the kids. It was so strange to be back in my old ward. There was so many people that I didn't know. But I loved seeing all my old friends. What a joy the Gospel is. No matter where you go it's always the same.

After church Amie made Tacos for dinner. They were very yummy. Then Shane and Janece came over to celebrate Amie's birthday. Dean got her a new camera that her mother had recommended. She was so happy. We had Coldstone Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Cake. I had one little piece and it was delicious. 

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for the Gospel. I love going to church and I am glad I have finally realized how very important it is to partake of the Sacrament every week. What a blessing!

General Woman's Broadcast and Amie's Birthday

Waiting in Line

 Beautiful Choir with Voices like Angels

The Cheesecake Factory with Amie and Karen

Amie and Karen both have missionaries in the South Mexico City Mission. They are in pictures together when they have Zone conference. We met another friend of Karen named Karen (would you believe it) and sat together. Of course, I had to go to the bathroom and when I started to come back in they had me go around to the doors on the other side. I was totally lost and finally just had them set me down. Then Amie (my knight in shining armor) showed up to take me back to my seat. I must be getting old.  

It was a Glorious conference with a Glorious message that Heavenly Father and Jesus loves each one of us. He knows our trials and weaknesses and still he love us. I was so uplifted and came away knowing I can do hard things because of my Savior and Heavenly Father. They love me no matter what. What a wonderful message.

After conference was over we walked over to The Cheese Factory but it was packed so we drove to another one on our way home. They sang Happy Birthday to Amie and brought her a little dish of Ice Cream with chocolate sauce and whip cream on top.

I am too tired to move so it's off to bed for me. All the walking was good for me but now it's time to relax.

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for this wonderful Daughter-In-Law of mine. She is the very best. I am glad Dean was smart enough to snag her before someone else did.

Hayden and Soccer [Always a Good Match]

In Payson playing Soccer

We headed out about 9am and drove to Utah. Heather and Gracie went with Tommy and I. We stopped at McDonald's for lunch. I love big macs but I chose their Southwest Salad. It was okay. Then it was on to Springville to drop Heather off and head up to Elk Ridge. I settled in the basement and started sorting all my camera and phone dumps. What a job. I did get most of it done so that was a good start.

We went to see Hayden play soccer int he afternoon. He is really good. It was fun to watch him run his tail off after the ball.

Amie made Penne Pasta with spinach. It was so yummy. She always makes such good stuff for us.

Now it's off to bed.

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for this grandson of mine. Hayden is so sweet and gives me good hugs. I am blessed to have him forever.

Watching Gracie

Grandpa playing with Gracie

I watched Gracie today and made Chicken Noodle Casserole for dinner. I also picked up my house and cleaned my kitchen. I attempted to start packing for our trip to Utah tomorrow but I am just too tired.
Still figuring out the care for Sue Hathaway. Each day it is a new challenge. But I know Heaven Father will tell me each day what is needed.
Now it's off to never land. Good Night!
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for the sweet sisters in our ward that serve each other with a willing heart and helping hands. I see the Savior in each of them.

Poor Little Gracie

Janna and Gracie

We took Gracie to the doctor today. She has been sick since Monday running a fever and just feeling miserable. She has a sores all over on the inside of her mouth so she really doesn't want to eat or drink anything. But she now has antibiotics so she should be on the mend soon.
After Janna came home from work she took Gracie for a ride on the horse. So cute. She loves to ride with Aunt Janna.
I made Tacos for dinner and now it's time for bed.
Grateful Statement: I am so blessed to have this wonderful daughter of mine. She is so full of compassion for everyone and always trying to help people. I am blessed!

Bailee is 16!!!

 Bailee's Balloons

Bailee's Cake

Today was a busy day. I made Bailee's birthday cake, cooked hamburgers for her and went to the store and bought her favorite cereal and fruit snacks. She had a good surprise waiting when she came home from school.

I also babysat Gracie today while Heather worked. Harley watched her for me when I went to the store. She is a good babysitter. Now I am tired and it's time to go to bed. 

Grateful Statement: I am so very grateful for this granddaughter of mine. She is growing up so fast. We are blessed to have her in our family. I love her tons!

Took Ruth to the Airport

Ruth

Gracie and Toby having a little drink.

I went to Church and had a wonderful Sabbath experience. I came home and Ruth and I worked on sorting more of Tassey's wedding pictures. Then all too soon it was time to take Ruth to the Airport. Heather and Gracie went with me. It was sad to say goodbye.

After I came home I dealt with some Relief Society stuff. I visited a sister that just had surgery and another sister that needed a map of the ward. It has been a busy weekend figuring out how we are going to take care of the sister who had surgery. But I know the Lord will let me know how it is to be done.
Gracie was outside drink out of a sprinkler when Toby decided to join her. I just had to post this picture Heather took of her. So dang cute.

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for willing sisters that will serve each other. The Lord is merciful to us.

Scrapped and Scrapped and Scrapped

Ruth and I scrapped all day. In between I got a wonderful hair cut from my favorite hair dresser cousins. I also took a picture of Gracie eating Black Beans. What a mess she is. We had black bean burritos for dinner so we could test out our black beans we canned. Absolutely perfect.
We are almost done with Tassey's Wedding Albun.  Her photographer cropped all the pictues in odd sized so she couldn't get them printed out. I think this Album will work good for her.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for this sweet little girl. She just lights up our households. I am so very bless to be able to take care of her,

Rexburg Temple and Hailey is 20 years old!!

 Rexburg Temple

Ruth and I

Ruth and I watched Gracie for Heather in the morning and left to go to the Temple in the afternoon. It was a wonderful session. I love to go to the Temple. Ruth's first time going to the Rexburg Temple. All the Temples are so beautiful inside and out.
Came home and made Taco Soup for dinner and we started scrapping again.
Hailey Dean is 20 years old today. She celebrated her birthday in Mexico City on her mission. What an outstanding missionary she is.

Grateful Statement: I am so very grateful for the Temples that are so close to me. God is so good to me. I am blessed!

Canning Beans and Making Pizza

 Babysitting the Canner

 Best Buds

 Delicious

Finished Product

Ruth and I watched Gracie today and canned 14 quarts of Black Beans. In between beans and pizza we scrapbooked. Ruth is trying to finish Tassey's wedding pictures. We are half way through.

Time is flying way too fast for me. Ruth will be leaving on Sunday. Boo Hoo!

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful that I know how to can for my food storage. What a blessing to be able to do this. I am grateful for the Sabbath Day and the Atonement. Ruth and I talked about that yesterday.

Canning Chicken

Gracie

Packing the Jars

Finished Product

Ruth and I took Gracie and went to the Market for stuff to can chicken. Came home and put Gracie down for her nap and started canning. I bought 3 trays of chicken and it made 12 pints. Now I know what I have to get to put on a canner full. By the end of the day we were tired but so satisfied with our labors. Now we know! Ruth is going home and can chicken with Ethel.

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for my sweet cousins that is so willing to help me with Gracie and Canning and any other thing I need. What a blessing she is to me.

Making Relish and Feeding the Masses

Feeding the Masses

Ruth and I made Relish out of all the extra cucumbers. What a job. This was after we went to Winco and did a little shopping. Hamburgers with corn on the cob and green beans for dinner. Then Ruth and I scrapbooked in between all these projects. How I love this family of mine.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for the Scriptures. I can always find peace in the pages. I just wish I was more consistent in reading them. 

Austins New Calling

Went to Ward Council and came back and picked up Ruth and Austin for church. Austin was called to be the 2nd councilor in the Teachers Quorum. They came and got Ruth and I to witness the setting apart for Austin. He introduced us as his first grandma and his second grandma. What a special young man he is.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for Austin and his desire to do what's right. I know it's not easy for him. I am so blessed to have him.

Waking up in Page

 Waking up!!

Walmart Parking Lot

 Beautiful Sunrise in Kanab

 Putting Ice in the Ice Chest

Ruth and I got up and went to McDonald for breakfast. Then we got in our car (after I found the keys I had lost) and headed to Kanab. We stopped in Kanab and got Ice for our ice chest and headed on down the road. We were headed for Springville to pick up Heather and Gracie and then it was on to Idaho and Home Sweet Home.
We were so happy to pull into our garage and get out of the car. We were so tired from hardly any sleep. But we made it safe and sound and went to bed early.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful to have had a driver. It made the trip easier. I am blessed to have my sweet cousin with me.

Sitting in Traffic

Ruth and I took off to go to Page after Ruth got off work.  We would have made it to Flagstaff at a reasonable hour if we didn't get stuck in a traffic from an accident. We sat for 2 1/2 hours with no air conditioning at 104 degrees. Can I say I got a little grouchy. Yes I did....
We finally made it to Flagstaff at 10:30 and then we had dinner and drove on to Page to get a motel room. When we went to the first Motel we say I knew we were in trouble. The parking lot was packed. Not one space open. I went in to see if they had a room. There was nothing. The entire town was sold out. And Kanab too. So we went to a Walmart parking lot and slept in the car for the night. What an ordeal.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for the safety Heavenly Father provides for us. I never worried on second. We were blessed.

Kneaders with Bailey and Ethel

Ethel and I hung around all day and took her little granddaughter Bailey to Kneaders in Gilbert. Ruth had to work hard so she could get all her ladies hair done before we took off for Idaho. Ethel and I took it easy and spent the night talking with Priscella.
Grateful Statement: I am so blessed to have these wonderful cousins. I love my family.

Chili's for Lunch

Prescilla, Ruth, Ethel and I went to Chili's for lunch and had us some GOOD food. Ruth decided she wanted to play a game on their electronic kiosk on the table.  When I went to pay they had put $.99 on my check for playing games. We had a good laugh over that and I was happy when the waiter took it off.
One thing about my cousins. We always have fun and laugh alot.
Grateful Statement: I am so blessed to have these wonderful cousins to grow old with. God is good to me.

Temple, Shar's and Pedicure

 Gilbert Temple

 Waiting Room

Ethel

Bagger

Ethel works in the Temple in the Laundry on Tuesday's so I went with her and did a session. It was so beautiful. I love going to the Temple. After the Temple we went to have lunch and went to Ruth's work.

Shar's is one of my favorite stores and it is located next door to Ruth's work. We went in so I could get this bagger for my Whisper Mill grinder. I can grind and not have to empty my bowl all the time.
When I get back Ruth and I are going to try it out. Can't wait to play with my new toy.
Ethel took me to get my toes done in Gilbert. It was so wonderful to have new nail polish and no dry heels. I wish I would have taken a picture.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful today for Joseph Smith. What a wonderful prophet he was. He gave his life for the gospel.

Going Back to Gilbert

Ethel's Front Yard

Ethel and I came home today from Show Low. On the way we went through Star Valley and Ethel thought she saw a flash and then told me they had camera's. Sure enough I got a ticket in the mail for going 56 in a 45. Oh well, such is life.

We stopped and visited with Jake and Della. Della gave us a big bag of string beans from her garden. We made them that night for dinner.

When we got to Ethel's her front yard was full of water from the rains Sunday night. There was water standing everywhere. But no damage to Ethel's house.

Ruth came over and we messed around on her computer. That's all folks!

Grateful Statement:  I am so grateful for my wonderful cousins. I am blessed to be from this family.

Heading for Payson

Johnnie and Phyllis

Ethel talking to Pete about the flooding in Gilbert

Ethel and I went up to Show Low to visit my brother. Phyllis wasn't feeling very good.

Johnnie made us a roast, baked potatoes and corn. Yummy Good. What a kind sweet brother he is. We visited for a long time and finally left around 6pm so Johnnie could get some sleep. He has to be back in the woods to drive truck in the wee hours of the morning.

We checked into the Comfort Inn in Taylor. What a dive. It used to be a nice motel but not anymore. I will be finding me a new place the next time I go to Taylor.

We went to Taco Bell for a salad and then it was off to dreamland for us. I loved seeing my brother. 

Grateful Statement: I am eternally grateful for this wonderful brother of mine. I love and respect him so much. He is a hard worker and so caring of Phyllis. I am so blessed to call him mine.

Kanab to Gilbert

Beautiful

Left Kanab and started the long drive to Gilbert. I have to go through Flagstaff to get there. The roads were really good and my GPS told me exactly where to go. I love that little gadget.

I arrived in Gilbert in the afternoon. It was so good to get out of my car. It was Hot Hot Hot! We just hung around Ethel and made a little dinner. Time to put my head on my pillow.

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for the beautiful scenery I enjoyed on my travels today. God's Hand is everywhere.

Going to Arizona

 Motel

Comfy Bed

Heather and I left at 7:30 to take her to Utah and drop her off and then it was on to Kanab for me. I got there about 5:00 that night and got a motel room,   I had such a relaxing time, just little old me. I went to Pizza Hut and brought a little pizza for dinner and settled in for the night.
Grateful Statement:  I am so grateful for my safe trip to Kanab. I feel Heavenly Father's love for me as I drive and drive and drive. I know he is watching over me.