Izzie's Demise

 It's hard to maintain your composure when the stinkin' wind has blown nonstop!  Oh, Izzie- how I loved thee.  So sad to see her face blown on the steps.

 

 

 

I do love snowmen/snowgirls/snowplows.  Here are a few of my favorite cartoons-

 

 

 

 

Mad Scientist

Miss Additude turned 12!!!!  Brandi now has 3 girls in Young Women's!  Addi LOVES science and so had a Mad Scientist party yesterday-  it blew me away.

 

 

 

 

 

 The girl's had to scan their hands when they came into the laboratory.  The first experiment was outside- putting Mentos in Pepsi.  They all got experiments to take home in their gift bags.

 

 

 

 This experiment was to put dry ice in a cup and then liquid soap.  It made awesome big bubbles and just kept going.  They could feel the cup cold on the bottom and hot on the top so they learned about dry ice properties.

 The girls made a clock out of two lemons and wire.

 

 They put dry ice in their surgical gloves and tied them tight- then took them out into the cold air.  The gloves got really big, then burst.

 
The girl's mixed their own drinks at the bubbling soda laboratory.(everything was in beekers.)  Also they made Addi's cupcakes by adding soda to cake mix.  It went on and on.  What a GREAT party!!!!

I love this girl so much!!!!!!

I miss our dates when she was off track.  Just a year ago is when we went on our Snowman Scavenger Hunt.  I miss our lunches of Teriyaki Chicken at the mall.  I miss our crafts. I've forgotten all the princess movies we used to watch.

 

 

 

 

 

Blast From the Past

For Christmas my kids/kiddos gave me the most unexpected and wonderful surprise.  They had printed (3 books) of my first 2 years of blogging!!!!!  In beautifully bound books!  Oh, how I have loved re-reading life from 10 years ago and hopefully someday as my great-great-greats read it, it can help them know, not just me, but our family.  It's really a record of love.

And I have snorted out loud a few times.  Like when after General Conference and a talk on "the Great and Spacious" building, Ryan and Marci snickered.  Apparently they had recently had a Family Home Evening about it- and later heard Josh talking about the "Great and Suspicious Building."  Marci corrected him and he asked, "What's spacious mean?" Marci said "large and roomy.'"  Josh quickly replied, "You mean like Grandma William's house?"

Oh my.  I will try HARD not to be pointing any fingers!!!!!

Use It or Lose it

Last week, including Martin Luther King day, we had a "Use it or Lose it" timeshare week.  We ended up booking a condo at Coral Canyon (Hurricane by St. George)- and had a great time.
We invited Cathy and Kirk and Joe and Brendalyn.  It's an easy group- we know each other so well so it's lots of laughs-just great friends.

The guys went to the gym and played Racquetball for hours and then hot tubbed.

The gals got pedicures. (Actually Cathy hung out while Brendalyn and I did.)

The guys went golfing several times.

The gals got facials one day.  Actually, Brendalyn got a mani.  Pure pampering.

We all went out to dinner or breakfast several times.

The girls went on several morning walks with serious conversation.  Also went to some great art galleries in St. George.  We thought about renting electric bikes but Cathy isn't fully recovered from arm surgery.  (plus they were EXPENSIVE!)

We all went and saw "The Post."  We all really liked it.  Too bad journalism can't be relied on- even more today.  What is printed is what that paper or stations agenda is and is full of half -truth and much-ado about the wrong things.  But a good movie and popcorn?  That's always a plus for me.  And can I just say- all the deceit about the View Nam war was horrendous!  My brother (who was a medic in Viet Nam- can you even imagine?) and the boys in my age group suffered and still suffer from those decisions....

The girls went to see "The Greatest Showman"- which of course we all loved.  Cathy had already seen it but she saw it again for the team. No one jumped up and danced in the aisles but we all wanted to.....

Played three million games (actually 6 series) of Hand and Foot (until no one was speaking to David and I- so you can guess who won) and some Golf (cards) and Mexican Train. And watched an older movie "Extraordinary Measures."

We all went to church in Hurricane then I had pre-made a yummy stew to take to the condo so we had a great Sunday Stay-in.

We ate at Sonny's BBQ in Hurricane which is killer!  We all overloaded on wonderful food.  Great way to end our trip. It's worth the drive.

Kirk and Cathy drove up separately since he had to go on to Las Vegas for business.  J and B and David and I had a nice trip home- stopping to see the new Cedar City Temple on the way!  Beautiful!

 

 

 

Lucky Ducky to have such a great hubby and good friends!

 

Reading friend, J's book called Trail Notes from Under the Juniper Tree- so I felt like I had another friend along in my pocket.

 

"Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth." (quoted in Trail Notes)

 

I also read this wonderful quote:  Today be aware of how you are spending your 1440 moments- and use them wisely.

Trying to Eat Healthy. Okay, healthier....

It's a new year and time to start trying some new recipes.  I saw a Stuffed Primavera Chicken that looked good and delish and healthy from Delish.com  I made a few changes and it was fast and easy and delicious and didn't make you feel a bit guilty afterward!  Recipe on the cooking blog.

Happiness!

 

This snow girl's name is Izzie- after Charm Girl Dawn's grand daughter, Izzie.  They had snow in South Carolina and even a few inches shuts down the roads and schools.  Through Marco Polo, Dawn kept us entertained with Izzie's (age 5) exploits in foreign snow!  She sledded (on a boogie board!) and made snow angels...but I kept waiting for the snowman.  You know how happy they make me.  But after a few days, the snow in South Carolina just wasn't up to snow girl stuff.  I was thinking she had missed her chance.....

then tonight it finally started snowing here!  Beautiful white snow we have been dreaming of and praying for!  As I sat before the fire, reading, the snow just kept calling me along with my new word "Resolve."  Usually every year I sit around and whine until one of my kids or kiddos comes and makes me a snowman.  They are usually very accommodating (since I whine REALLY good!)  I resolved that I can be a maker of my own happiness (and not that I still won't love all kiddo submissions!)- I went outside and made some joy.  Okay, I couldn't find a hat so she ended up with a fan on her head and flowers for arms...but guess what!  I.  Did.  It!  I'm on a roll.  2018 is going to be a GREAT year!  I'm in charge of me.

New Word

Here it is the middle of January and I haven't been on top of this blog.   I do want to share that I have chosen a new word.  You know for years it was "Felicity" but I never quite got that under control.  Last year was "Miracles" and I looked for them and found them and treasured them.  This year instead of resolutions, I am taking a bite out of that elephant and just choosing

"Resolve."

President Uchtdorf (oh man, I love that man and have learned SO much from him and will continue to do so!) (more about that later.  More about the new prophet and the new first presidency coming...)

a quote from his talk- Regret and Resolutions-

Why do we devote so much of our time and energy to things that are so fleeting, so inconsequential, and so superficial? Do we refuse to see the folly in the pursuit of the trivial and transient?

Would it not be wiser for us to “lay up for [ourselves] treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal”?⁵

How do we do this? By following the example of the Savior, by incorporating His teachings in our daily lives, by truly loving God and our fellowman.

We certainly cannot do this with a dragging-our-feet, staring-at-our-watch, complaining-as-we-go approach to discipleship.

When it comes to living the gospel, we should not be like the boy who dipped his toe in the water and then claimed he went swimming. As sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, we are capable of so much more. For that, good intentions are not enough. We must do. Even more important, we must become what Heavenly Father wants us to be.

A favorite blogger of mine, Marci Coombs, shared this handout that I hope to reflect on throughout the year:

I Resolve to spend more time with those I love

I Resolve to strive more earnestly to become the person God wants me to be

I Resolve to find happiness regardless of my circumstances
 

Angelic Friends

You know I am a girlfriend girl!  Once a week, for about 7 hours I work with the loveliest angel friends- most of whom aren't really girl friends as much as heavenly companions.  I struggle to remember all their names and they struggle to remember mine- and we all laugh since we know without our name tags, for sure we would be lost!  A few weeks ago, our shift had a little lunch get-together.  I am becoming more reclusive and I'm not good at things like this anymore.  When did this happen?  So I invited a new friend, a new temple worker, who JUST HAPPENS TO BE one of my friend, J's, best friends to go together.  She was my security blanket.  We had a lovely time and I loved getting to know Kathy better!

Oh, and insert Kerry who is our wonderful coordinator.

 

She shared a quote during prayer meeting that I thought was so beautiful-

(in a talk by Kent Richards) (speaking about serving in the temple.)

As President Wilford Woodruff said:

“What greater calling can any man [or woman] have on the face of the earth than to hold in his [or her] hands power and authority to go forth and administer in the ordinances of salvation? …

“… You become an instrument in the hands of God in the salvation of that soul. There is nothing given to the children of men that is equal to it.”²¹

He also said:

“The sweet whisperings of the Holy Spirit will be given to [you] and the treasures of Heaven, the communion of angels, will be added from time to time.”²²

“This is worth all you or I can sacrifice [during] the few years we have to spend here in the flesh.”

Elder Richards also shared these thoughts in his talk:

When I serve in the temple—

• I feel “a sense of being closer to my Father and the Savior”;
• I feel “complete peace and happiness”;
• I have a feeling of “being home”;
• I receive “sacredness, power, and strength”;
• I feel “the importance of my sacred covenants”;
• “The temple has become a part of me”;
• “Those whom we serve are close during the ordinances”;
• “It gives me the strength to overcome temptations”; and
• “The temple has changed my life forever.”

 

I agree.  Serving in the temple HAS changed my life forever!!!! And I adore associating with these heavenly companions who love the Lord!

Our Dear Prophet

A brand new year- new beginnings and a fond farewell.  Our beloved prophet, Thomas S. Monson died on January 2.  He was such a wonderful example of love and caring and service.  He was referred to as a "rescuer."  Isn't that a wonderful quality and tribute?  I loved this man.

But he didn't ALWAYS rescue.  David has a personal experience with that.

David was a High Councilman in the Granite Ward- where Sister C., who was President Monson's personal assistant, lived.  Sister C's daughter was either coming or going on a mission and President Monson agreed to speak.  How heavenly!  Since David was sitting on the stand, Sister C. asked David to push the record button on a tape recorder after the sacrament to record President Monson's talk.  After the talk, as President Monson came back to sit by David, David suddenly remembered he had totally forgotten about turning on the tape recorder!  He leaned over to President Monson and said, "You're going to have to help me out here." -then told him what he forgot to do.  President Monson laughed and said, "You're on your own here, buddy!"

Ha-Ha-!  I love that so much!

 

 

Just a clip from one tribute in the paper-

SALT LAKE CITY — More than half a century before he became the 16th president of the LDS Church, Thomas S. Monson, who died at 10:01 p.m. Tuesday in his Salt Lake City home at age 90, was an inexperienced, 23-year-old Mormon bishop with a distressing problem that would define his life.
He had the distinct spiritual prompting to leave a priesthood leadership meeting as his stake president was speaking and visit an elderly member of his congregation in the hospital. It seemed rude to stand, shuffle over 20 people and exit as his presiding leader spoke. Instead, he sat uncomfortably until the talk ended, then bolted for the door before the closing prayer.
At the hospital, he ran down the corridor. He stopped when he saw commotion outside the room of the man he was to visit. A nurse told him the man had died, calling Bishop Monson's name as he passed away. Shattered, the fledgling bishop went outside and wept, sobbing. He vowed then, in the parking lot of the old Veterans Hospital in Salt Lake City's Avenues, that he would never turn a deaf ear to another prompting.rescue.

neel DOWN to pray.  Step UP to serve.  Reach OUT to rescue.

Kneel DOWN to pray.  Step UP to serve.  Reach OUT to rescue.