Ponderizing

I am ponderizing!!

Today is my John's birthday. I called to wish him a happy birthday. He is coming up this weekend to spend a little time with me. Then I can give him his birthday socks.

I also found an app on my phone for Ponderizing. You choose your scripture and it come up morning and night. It changes every week and you choose a new one. I read it a couple of times each day and really think about what it says. I love the phrase "having a perfect brightness of hope". It is the thing I am missing. So I am working on that. 

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for the Scriptures. They truly are our road map to get through this life worth of Eternal Life. I am so blessed to live in this era with Ipads and phones to read them anywhere I want. Blessing abound.

Legal Guardianship

Thumbs Up!

Gracie is not happy!

We all got up and went to the court house so Janna could finish off the legal guardianship for Gracie. We are very glad this is over and done with. Now we can take care of Gracie in every aspect of her life. Janna is the best. So caring and loving.

Tommy and I came home and didn't do anything until it was time to go to dinner for Austin's belated birthday celebration. He is such a funny boy.

Then it was home and doing nothing again. It's been a wonderful day filled with good things.

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for Gracie and that Janna is now her legal gurardian. What a blessing that is. We are truly a blessed family.

My Wonderful Hubby Redoing My Shelves

Tearing it apart

 Finished

Now my gallon jars fit.

I wanted to can all my dry food storage in gallon mason jars but they wouldn't fit on my shelf. So I made the suggestion to my dear hubby that it wouldn't be too hard to pull them apart and redo them. He informed me that it would be a job and it would be hard. But the next thing I knew he was figuring out how much shelving he would have to buy to do the job. Aren't I the luckiest lady in the world to be married to this handyman. 

Now let the canning begin. I am going to replace all my cans as we use them. I can reuse these bottles over and over again. I just put the product in and put the sealer for jars that I bought for my Food Saver and suck all the air out. How easy is that, and you can used the lids over and over again.

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for food storage and that the church has encouraged us to store for years. I have been pretty obedient. Serving a mission at the cannery certainly had it's perks. I am so blessed.

Check Up

 Gracie and her Toy

A-Okay

We went to the doctor this morning so he could look at her ears, nose and throat. Everything is wonderful. She is so good with the doctor. He can do anything and she just lets him. I am so glad everything went well with Gracie's surgery. She so needed to feel good.

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for doctors that can fix our physical ailments and for my Savior that can fix Spiritual ailments. What a blessing I will never be able to fully understand until I meet Him. Please make it so, that I will be worthy to stay with Him!

Going to Broulims with Gracie

Gracie on the front of the cart.

Gracie and I decided to go to Broulims for rolls and potatoes to go with the Chile that is on the stove. She is such a cute thing. She just jumped on the front of the cart and hung on. We also got her some Tootsie Rolls for her reward when she used the potty. Her surgery sort of put potty training on the back burner. We will have to get on it again.

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for this little muchkin that I get to take care of. Some days are hard but at the end of each day I am so blessed to have her in my life.

Visiting Teachers and Home Teachers

My visiting teachers came over at 1pm. Gracie loved playing with their kids. It was good to see Becky and Shannon. They are wonderful visiting teachers.
Then my new home teachers came at 7pm. They prayed before and after and gave a message. Tommy listened. I am so glad they do that. At least it is some spiritual stuff for him to hear.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for my visiting teachers and my home teachers. What a blessing to belong to a church that cares so much for it's members.

Talking In Church

I was asked to give a talk in church on "Increasing Faith by Putting God First", It was hard for me but I did it and wasn't as nervous as I usually am. I felt the Spirit when I was writing my talk and definitely knew he was guiding my thoughts.

I am just glad it is over with and I don't have to stress about it any longer.

Britney taught our class on Fishes. The little kids are so cute. 

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to talk. It always feels better when I do what I am asked. I am blessed.

The Falls with Heather and Gerri

 Heather Helping Me

Heather and Gerri

I got up Saturday morning and ran to Broulims for fruit and muffins for breakfast. Megan and Travis came over to eat with us. It was yummy and easy. Gerri makes a mean fruit salad.

Then it was off to see the falls. What a time getting through the snow to see them. And of course trying to get back on the road I fell to my knees in the snow. Heather and I were laughing so hard I couldn't get up. But I finally make it with Heather's help and it was off to find cool barns to take pictures of in Rigby.

They had to leave as soon as we got home to go by their campsite for Gerri's birthday and get home before dark.

It was so much fun to hang out with these wonderful friends of mine.

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for the friendship we share. Friends are a blessing in my life and I am grateful for them.

Mexican Restaurant with Heather and Gerri

 Taqueria El Rancho

Heather, Gerri and I went to Rexburg to surprise Megan. We had to sneak up to the door to surprise her. But no one answered, so as we started to walk away we could see them walking across the parking lot. We had to run upstairs and hide until they got into their apartment. It was so fun to see how surprised Megan was to see her mom.
We went to dinner at the yummy Mexican Restaurant. It was delicious. Then it was back to my house to talk until 12 midnight. But what a good time we had.
I am also wearing my new sweater that my sweet friend gave me. It is so comfy and fun.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for these two friends of mine. They are so fun. I am blessed to have such good friends.

Doing my Floors and Cleaning

Tommy and I cleaned all my floors today. They were pretty bad. Now they are all shiny. Gracie was our helper. Then I cleaned the rest of the house and got ready for my friends that are coming tomorrow.  I love when friends and family come to visit. It gives me something to look forward to.     Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for my dear hubby who is so willing to help me keep this house clean. He makes it easy for me to keep my floors all clean and shiny. I am blessed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Writing My Talk

Gracie and her Package

On Sunday Brother Neville came into my classroom after primary was over and ask me to give a talk on Increasing "My Faith By Putting God First". I really wanted to tell him no but knew I needed to do what I was asked. So now the nerves are working overtime.
I prayed that I would be able to write this talk today and know what to put on paper. And when I first started writing it and getting quotes and things for LDS.org it felt like I was talking already. I was a nervous wreck. But as the day progressed and I kept plugging away at it, it became easier. I was able to finish it today and it's 10 minutes long. That's as long as it gets for me.
I am always amazed at the power of prayer. It was such a relief to have it done. Now I can relax.
Harley brought in a package that Cha Cha had sent to Gracie. She had so much fun opening everything. I took videos and sent them to her. She is a good grandma to Gracie.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for the power of prayer. What a wonderful gift I have been given. I am blessed.

Gracie's Big Girl Bed

Gracie's Bed

Gracie loves sleeping on Janna's couch. This is her new bed and she loves it. For her nap she will go over to "her" house and jump up on the couch and go to sleep. It is so nice not to have to lay down with her to get her to sleep. She has her Zebbie and her fuzzy blanket and she is set.

She is feeling much better and can drink and eat so we are happy campers around here.

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful that Gracie is finally figuring out how to be a little girl with independence. She is thriving with the love and care of her Idaho family. We are blessed!

Canning Beans and Baking Bread

 Yummy Wheat Bread

Black Beans

I got up this morning and started canning these Black Beans in pint jars for Janna. She wants to be able to open a smaller jar so I canned 14 pints just for her. I also made 4 loaves of Wheat Bread. It is so yummy and everyone really likes it. I am so glad I have a Bosch mixer that makes it so easy to do.

Gracie and I hung out the rest of the day just had a relaxing day.

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful that I love to can and make bread. It is a blessing to know how to do these things.

My Primary Class

 Kade, Klein and Lydia 

Hannah and Chaelo

I brought lots of veggies and fruit to primary today as part of the lesson on being grateful for plants and trees. It was so much fun to see the kids eat cucumber, carrots, apples, popcorn and I don't remember what else. It was so fun and the kids had a great time. 

Britney went home sick so I was alone. We had a melt down again with Bentlee and I finally had to give her to the primary president. I just don't know how to get her to stop crying. She is inconsolable and just won't quit crying or should I say screaming. 

I came home from church and sat in my chair. I was a little tired. 

Grateful Statement: I can never get over how blessed I am to teach these cute little 3 year olds. They are so cute and funny. I am blessed to be their primary teacher.

Playing Zombies

Gracie, AJ, Janna and Harley

I got up early and took Heather to the Shuttle. She said she had to be home today as she had something going on tomorrow. Gracie wouldn't have anything to do with her. She just wanted Janna. I'm sure it hurt Heather's feelings and I felt bad. But Gracie is having a hard time so it's okay if she is crabby and doesn't want anything to do with anyone but Janna.

I came home and didn't do much the rest of the day. I did prepare my lesson for Church tomorrow. It's on being grateful for plants and trees. 

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for my wonderful daughter that takes such good care of Gracie. No wonder Gracie loves her so much. She is always kind and patient with her. She is such a blessing to me.

Grinding Wheat

Grinding Wheat

I spent the afternoon grinding wheat. I mix my old red wheat from 1990 and my white wheat form 2005 together. I only have 4 more cans of red wheat and I will be done. From then on it's white wheat. I haven't canned any red wheat since 1990. It really makes a delicious bed. I love the table Tommy made me for Christmas. It makes this job much easier. I ground a 5 gallon bucket full of mixed red and white wheat and filled up all my jars and tupperware containers and put them in my freezer. 9 batches of bread coming up. 

Gracie is feeling pretty bad again today. Her throat hurts so she doesn't want to swallow. She just drolls all over the place. But we don't care. We just used a million tissues to catch it before it hit the floor.

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for my handy hubby that can make me these wonderful tables and for wheat that lasts 26 years and is still as good as new. Blessing abound in my house.

Gracie's Surgery

 Getting Ready

 Waking up

So Sad

Heather and I took Gracie to the Eye, Ears and Nose Surgical center so Gracie could have her tonsils and adenoids out and have tubes put in her ears. I really hope this helps her stay well. They took her back and we went with her while they got her ready. Then we followed her bed to the room where they put her out. We were only allowed to watch from the hallway. And we couldn't take any pictures. They showed her some games on an ipad and held a mist thing under her nose. Pretty soon she just started getting sleepy and then she was out.
I tried to go to Walgreens and get her prescriptions filled but the pharmacy didn't open until 9 so we decided we would drive thru "The Medicine Shoppe" and get her meds there. She did throw up on the way home. There was blood in her throat and they warned us that she would probably throw up. She was a pretty miserable little girl.
We came home and she took another nap. When she woke up we tried to get her to eat some jello or a Popsicle or drink something. She was having nothing to do with any of it.
She went over to Janna's and she was able to get her to drink a little bit. I was really worried and she wouldn't drink for us. Janna has the magic touch. She slept over at Janna's house and didn't want to sleep with her mom.
Now I am really tired and really want to go to bed.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for Priesthood Blessings that give me comfort and knowledge that Gracie was going to be alright. What a blessing in my life.

Heather Has Arrived

Gracie and Her Kitchen Stuff

Gracie is playing kitchen while she waits to go pick up her mom. Heather is coming on the shuttle and will be here at 5:45. Gracie is excited to see her mom.

She will have her surgery tomorrow so we are spoiling her rotten today. Whatever she wants she gets, including grandma playing kitchen with her.

We picked Heather up and brought her home. She took Gracie to bed about 7:30. I don't think Heather wanted to go to bed that early so she cried for Aunt Nana for a long time. I guess she finally went to sleep. I was exhausted and ready for bed.

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for this little munchkin. She is such a blessing and is where Heavenly Father wants her to be. I am so blessed to have her.

Making Cookies

Gracie and I made cookies today, a pot of pinto beans and cornbread. We made a double batch so we would have lots of cookies. We went to the store to buy eggs. Which irritated me because I have a coop full of chicken that need to get with it and lay more eggs. But all is well. They will start laying any minute now I just know it.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for this little mini farm I live on with my chickens. I love to have fresh eggs. What a blessing!