Halloweenie

Man, Chris and I are getting old!  We ended up not doing anything this year.  I was a party pooper and decided I wasn't up to going to a Halloween party on crutches.  Chris wasn't in the mood either.  CJ was at school working on the play.  Tomorrow is opening night. 

Nathan had dressed up and said he was going to go and hand out candy.  We bought a huge bowl worth.  At the last minute he decided to go the JR's party instead.  No one came to our door all night.  I'm sure they were all at the truck or treat.  We both sat and read and watched TV.  Sad?

Nathan came to the house with a couple of his friends.  They stopped for a pit stop.  They had gone to another neighborhood to trick or treat.  Chris gave all of them a big handfull of candy each to help get rid of it.

Nath said he didn't know what he was.  Just dressing funky.  He made the bow tie out of one of Chris' regular ties.  Talented boy. 

Chili Cook Off

SkyWest is a big fund raiser for cancer.  All through the month of October there are various fund raisers.  This year for the first time they decided to have a chili cook off on Halloween.

We had a great response from all of those in headquarters.  We ended up getting 12 entries.  I entered a turkey chili that I love.  I didn't place, but it was a lot of fun.  It was $2 for a bowl and cornbread or $1 for a taste of all of them.  Most people paid $3.  They tasted all of them, then when they found their favorite they had a bowl of that.
                           
I didn't win, but I made a good showing.  My large crockpot was full to the brim and I only brought about 1/4 of it home.  Not too bad.  All for a good cause.

Holy Ghost

Tonight our FHE lesson was on the Holy Ghost.  Tonight I feel so blessed to have the gift of the Holy Ghost.  It has been such a blessing in my life.  There have been so many times that I have received comfort, inspiration and needed personal revelation. 

For those that read my post on surrendering to Heavenly Father's will, I want you to know that I have had peace.  We still don't have a job, but I'm okay with that for now.  I have received that peace and reassurance multiple times that things will be okay.  I'm just grateful for the reassurance from my Father that he has things in hand.

We also talked about gifts of the spirit.  I felt a confirmation from the spirit of two of those gifts that I have been given.  I have been given the gift of faith.  I have know from a very early age who my Heavenly Father was and that his church was on the earth.  I have never doubted that.  I am so grateful for the testimony that I have and for the sustaining power that gives me through my trials.  I also feel that I have been given the power to heal, to a certain extent.  I am not a doctor, but I feel that I have helped many people over the years with back and shoulder massages and getting rid of headaches.  I have never trained.  Most of what I do has come from the spirit teaching me.  I am grateful that I can do some small part to help other people. 

This lesson was a great reminder to me how blessed I am.  That I am greatful for.

Mobility At Work

Being on crutches in a large building has been a challenge.  It is really hard to carry any thing in my hands.  I need them.  Linda, one of the ladies I work with, pulled a walker out of the basement for me.  It has a seat in it.  I have been using that anytime I need to carry anything or go to lunch. 

Since it is a walker, the manuverability is backwards.  I have to backup everywhere.  It is quite amusing.  I have not run in to anyone, but several people have told me that I ought to have a beeper.  I had to have a picture for posterity.

I have been very grateful for those who open doors and for an elevator.  Thank goodness my 6 weeks are almost up.  Crutches are a real trial, but at least I am mobile.

Flu Shot

Every year for the last 5 or 6 years I have gotten a flu shot since I have really lousy lungs.  I have never had a reaction.  I got my shot Friday at lunch.  Friday night I was up all night coughing.  I woke up yesterday morning and had lost my voice, had the headache, body aches, chills and generally felt lousy. 

I got up and made Chris a shopping list and then went back to bed.  I slept all day.  Ate a light dinner and went back to bed.  I slept almost 24 hours.  I have felt better today.  I have most of my voice back.   I still have the headache.  I have stayed in bed all day.  I have to go back to work tomorrow whether I feel better or not.  I have no time off left. 

Chris asked me how I did it.  I always seem to get sick on the weekend.  He said that as a bad thing.  I think it is a blessing.  I can't miss work, and this way I didn't have to worry about it.  Heavenly Father is watching out for me.

Play Crew

CJ texted his dad today and said he was thinking of signing up to tech for the play Beauty and the Beast that they were putting on in next week.  Chris told him ok.  He didn't come home from school and so Chris texted him to find out where he was.  He replied that he was helping with the play.  He didn't get done and home until about 8:00.  Chris said it would have been nice to know that he decided to do it.

He is apprenticing for audio.  He is helping with the actors microphones and head sets. 

Since this is school related he had a release for us to sign.  He has to keep his grades up to be able to participate.  That made me feel a little more at ease.  I hope he enjoys it.  It is so good to see him try something new.

Chris in Phoenix Oct 16-21st

16th Chris left this morning for Phoenix.  Ann has been going through some hard things and needed her dad. 

17th Chris took Ann's dog Charlie for a run.  They had a blast.  They are new best friends.

After Kelli and Scott got off work he went over to visit with them and the kids.

18th Today Ann had a major panic attack at work.  Ann had her boss call Chris to meet her at the ER.  She is doing fine, but I had to post this conversation.  I copied it off of Chris' Facebook status.  I thought it was hilarious.

Ann: You know what is sad?  Snakes.  They are just face with a tail." 

Chris- So I not fully realizing she was talking through the drugs they gave her was sitting there talking to her trying to analyze what she was saying to me.  "Well Ann, they really aren't just that - they have a lot inside of them."  and I babble on until I realize that this can't be a serious conversation and she is sound asleep.  Yeah, it was one of those moments.

19th Ann took her dad to a Brazilian resturant as a surprise.  They were so excited.  Chris said the salad bar wasn't that great but the meat was fantastic.  That is why he goes anyway so it was all good.

20th Chris and Ann spent the afternoon at Thomas and Jer's.  They ordered pizza for dinner and just hung out with the family.  Chris hadn't been down there for a couple of years so it was good to catch up.

                   Kelli, Ann, Suzi (in front), Trevor, Scott, Mom and Jer

Hayden talked Chris into playing X-box with him. 

21st  Chris came home today.  He walked in right after we got home from church.  It was good to have him home again.

Vietnamese Pho

Tonight I felt food adventurous, and since I'm not really able to cook very well I had to sell the boys on the idea.  We recently had a Vietnamese resturant open up.  I have heard for several years that the Vietnamese have a soup called Pho (pronounces Fuh).  It is basically, in American, a fresh type of Ramen soup. 

I called the boys up and explained that I wanted to try something new.  They were by instinct very wary.  I explained that I wanted to go to a Vietnamese resturant and try Pho.  Then I explained what it was.  I reasoned that they like Ramen, so they should like this.  It is basically a noodle soup with really really good broth and fresh.  Amazingly they both decided that they would come without too much muscle.  I wonder if them not getting dinner had anything to do with it?

When we got there we sat and ordered drinks.  Then came the hard part of deciding what we wanted.  There were about 15 different options with different kinds of meat and combinations of meat.  CJ and I finally decided on beef and Nathan had chicken. 

When they came out, to say that the bowls were huge would have been an understatement.  That is a 24 oz cup that bowl is standing next to. 

They also brought out the small tray of fresh bean sprouts, fresh basil, and a lime wedge to season or add to your soup as desired. 

I added a few bean sprouts and the boys both added a bit of basil.  We all really enjoyed it.  We used a combination of our spoons and chop sticks for the noodles.  I was pleasently surprised that the boys liked it as much as they did.  We all were stuffed when done.  I was able to finish mine.  CJ ate about 3/4 of his and Nathan about 1/2. 

Nathan said he wouldn't want it all the time, but he liked it.  I feel like a good parent tonight.  I told them it was good practice for their missions.  They don't know what they are going to have to eat.  If they try it, they may like it.

Surrender

Throughout the last year there have been a lot of challenges in our lives, Chris being in ER twice, Ann and her health problems, Chris being laid off and my injury. I feel like Heavenly Father has sent me back to school to learn some valuable lessons. Number one, the lesson of surrender.


As a woman of faith that lives in the world I often find my head and my heart arguing. My heart feels the promptings, and calmness of the spirit. My head, which often is part of the world, argues that it isn’t rational or that I’m not being practical. 95% of the time I just tell my head to be quiet. The other 5% of the time is when surrender comes in.

For example, when Chris was laid off, other than the initial panic of the primary bread winner losing his job, both of us has felt a peace that things were under control. We received the calmness in our hearts that this was Heavenly Father’s plan and it was going to be okay. We have had several reaffirmations of that calming peace. Now, he has been out of work for about 2 ½ months. Even though 95% of my heart is at peace my head is starting to clamor that we need to find a job fast. That is where the trust and surrender comes in.

Over the last week and a half I have been pondering this principle more and more. As a parent we always want the best for our children. It is really hard to let life happen to them sometimes. Even as they age and become adults we want to protect them. Especially when another acts on their free agency and hurts them through no fault of theirs. It is so hard to watch a child be in pain that you can’t fix. That is where the surrender comes in. As much as we love our children, our Heavenly Father loves them even more. I know that He is the only one that can heal them, when we can do nothing but feel helpless. He can make it better!

If you had asked me a year ago if I was a control freak, I would have said no. The circumstances of the last year have shown that I am more than I ever would have thought. I know without a doubt that my Heavenly Father’s plan for my life is better than I can imagine. I am renewing my commitment to surrender more and fight less. I will trust in his plan for my life and that of my family. His wisdom, timing and love for my family are eternal and infinite. I am so grateful to have this knowledge and testimony.  He sustains me when things are hard.

Sadies

For Sadie's Nathan, his date Brianna, Jordan and his date all went hiking up on the Red Hill.  Afterwards Nathan, Brianna and Jordan came here to play Xbox.  About 6:30 when I was putting dinner in the oven I called Nathan up and asked him what their plans for dinner were.  He didn't know.  I told him I had plenty and Brianna and Jordan were welcome to eat with us.  Jordan had all ready left, but Brianna ate.
As soon as were were done with dinner the guys got their shoes on and got ready to go.  CJ was being picked up, and Nathan and Brianna were picking up Jordan and his date. 

Hoodies and jeans are the traditional attire for Sadie's.  CJ's partner for the dance, Sadie made their hoodies.  I thought they turned out really cute.  It was supposed to be a Halloween theme.  Black hoodies and orange print works.  Brianna and Nathan just used ones they had.  I insisted on a quick snapshot with my camera phone. 

Chris gave them $40 for pictures at the dance though.  I got a quick one of both couples.  They all left a few minutes before 8:00.  Mom and I read and talked while they were gone. 

CJ came in right before 10:00.  We asked him if he had a good time and he was really enthusiastic.  His whole face lit up.  I haven't seen him that excited in a long time.  He had a lot more fun than he thought he would.  He said that he thought they had a good turnout.  He thought there were about 100 people there.  He said he danced almost the whole time.

Mom went to bed after CJ came home and I waited up for Nath.  He stayed until the end of the dance at 11:00 and then took everyone home.  He came in right before he turned into a pumpkin at midnight.  He also said he had a lot of fun. 

Neither of the boys got pictures.  They were $25 a couple and they only had the $40.  They said they wouldn't let them do more than one couple at a time.  I think that price is over the top.  Kids are not made of money.  I was so glad that I had taken a picture before they left.

Chris told me this morning that I didn't need to wait up for them.  I very firmly told him yes I did.  That is my job as a mom.  I want to talk to them when they get home and I want them to know that I will be waiting for them.  Help keep them honest! 

Grandmother Clock

Ever since I was in high school I have wanted a grandfather clock.  Knowing how expensive they are I decided that the next best thing would be a grandmother clock.  About a year ago, mom found one at a yard sale for me.  She brought it up and said that it might need work, but it ran.

It has been sitting in my dining room since then waiting to be put up on the wall.  She and I decided to hang it today.  I love it.  It is keeping the correct time, but the chimes are about 4 hours off.  At 8:00 it rang 4. 

We have a new clock repair shop in town.  I will call them Monday and hope they can give me an estimate.  It has three holes for winding.  Mom said one of them was really tight.  Maybe that is the one for the chimes.  Hopefully it won't be too much. 

Apple Festival

Chris, mom and I got up this morning to go to New Harmony to the apple festival.  We invited the boys, but Nathan was going hiking with his Sadie's date and CJ had a friend come over to play Xbox.

The weather was beautiful up there.  I think in the next couple of weeks the leaves are going to start turning.  I saw a couple of trees that were yellow. 

We bought jam, cider and a box of apples.  We had planned on getting Fuji, but they didn't have anymore.  We ended up buying Cameo.  Chris and I both hadn't had one before.  Very similar to a Fuji in taste.  They were wondeful.  Cool and crisp from being outside. 

Came home and turned around and went to Taste of Dixie.  It ended up being nothing.  It was free to the public, but nothing was going on but business booths. They had lots of resturants there, but they were to buy food from.  I had bought Chris and mom tickets for last night for the food demos.  I think that is where all the food was. 

We just came home and had lunch instead.

Sour Cream Lemon Pie

Chris did PF Chang's Shanghi beef for dinner tonight with rice.  We love that one.  It is great that they have them in the frozen section at the store.  We don't live near one of their resturant's and this is the next best thing. 

We had my birthday pie for dessert.  2 years ago when I requested that CJ and Chris were not real thrilled with the idea of lemon pie.  Nathan and I ate that one by ourselves.  Last year they both decided to try it and decided it was pretty good.  Tonight I divided it into 8 pieces.  We all got one.  Everyone was moaning with pleasure.  Chris asked for another piece of the 3 remaining.  The rest of us divided the other two.  We demolished that pie in about 15 minutes.  There were not even many crumbs left.  It went too fast to get a picture!  Mom loved it as much as we did.

Shopping with Mom

I worked my half day and then Chris came and got me.  On the
way home he asked me what the plan was.  I told him that I needed to go shopping for a couple of things.  I wanted to go to Michael's, the dollar store and Walmart.  He said that he would let me do that with my mom.  Too many places listed.

We went to a new sandwich place called Camilla's.  We got a half sandwich and soup.  It was really good.  Unfortunately I couldn't find their coupon when I looked. 

We went to Michael's first.  I was looking for glass ornaments and ornament hangers for Christmas gifts.  They had the ornament hangers for $3.99.  I need 6 of them.  3 for work and 2 for the ladies I VT and my companion.  Maybe I can find them at the dollar store.  They had all of the glass ornament shapes but the one I wanted.  I want the teardrop.  I will have to check back.  They are just starting to get stuff in. 

Mom and I also found some beads for my new bracelet.  I was so excited.  I found a set with a plane, suitcase and a camera.  I couldn't pass that one up.

We went to the dollar store and bought glitter for my ornaments and 5 Christmas village houses for my new Halloween village. 

Then on to WalMart.  There we got paint for the village and spider web, more beads for my bracelet and a couple of pairs of new jeans.  It was so cool just to go shopping and have lunch with my mom.  I wish I could do it more often.   I don't want to leave St. George, but I sometimes really wish my family was closer.  It is so fun to go shopping with another woman.  My friend Carole and I have a hard time scheduling time with both of us working.

Birthday/Mom's Visit

I went in early and worked until 5:30 today.  I was working extra hours because my mom is coming for a visit.  With my surgery I didn't have any time and so I am only taking a half day tomorrow. 

Mom got into town about 5:00.  When we got home she had gone to take her friend that came up with her to her sisters house.  When she got to the house we all went out to Buca Di Beppo for my birthday dinner.

Chris had a lasagna that was at least 4" high, the boys shared a pizza and mom and I shared chicken saltimboca.  Yummy!

                                  

Came home and opened my presents.  Chris got me an iPad and purse to carry it with, the boys a $25 iTunes card, mom a cool bracelet that I can interchange the beads for and Jer sent up a really cool version on Monopoly.  I don't know where she found it but I love it.

Chris had my traditional lemon sour cream pie waiting for me.  We were all so full from dinner no one had room.  We decided to save it for tomorrow night.  I had tons of Facebook birthday wishes that made me feel the love too.

Measuring Up

Nathan came up stairs right before bed and asked for a tape measure.  When asking him why he responded that he wanted to see how tall he is. 

I have been under the impression that he was about 6'1".  Chris mesured him and he was only 5'11".  I told time I didn't think that was right.  He remeasured him two more times.  He is 5'11 1/2".  Maybe he seems taller because he is so slender?

Sadie's Invitations.

Chris told me the day before I had surgery that CJ had been invited to Sadie's. I replied that he wasn't 16 yet and couldn't date. He acknowledged that.

He said he thought we ought to let him go to the dance only. He is old enough to go to church dances. This one is at school. The high school dances in Utah tend to be an all day event. If she was willing to just go to the dance then he thought we should let him go. This would be the exception to the rule. He still not dating!

It has taken him this long to let us know it was okay with her. Nathan told us this morning he was just invited. It will be his first official date.

This is really strange. All of a sudden to have dating teens in the house. A new phase of life I guess!

Knee Surgery Update

I went back to work today.  It was good to be up and around.  Even if I am only semi mobile.  Crutches are a pain (literally), but at least I'm not sitting.  I did a lot of that!

Worked on several projects.  Catching up on reading the church magazines, cross stitch "Families Are Forever", reading, games and working one the computer. 

I have several people tell me that they were going to put my name in the temple.  I have felt all of those prayers.  This surgery was a breeze compared to the other one.  I have had very little real pain.  Most of it has just been achey. 

Went back for my follow up today.  I asked Casey if Dr. J drilled.  I wondered since it has been so easy pain wise.  He didn't really answer he showed me a picture of my knee.  They took pictures while they were in there.  They drilled 10 holes.  I couldn't beleive it.  That is major compared to last time. 

I have been so blessed.  I know that my Heavenly Father heard my prayers and the prayers of those in the temple.  It has also been a blessing to have Chris not working so that he could take care of me.  He's a great nurse.  He has really waited on me and done all the house chores on top of it.  I really appreciate it.  I have to admit it has been a little difficult letting go.  (it's good for me)

Doctor said four more weeks of crutches.  (no weight on my knee)  No kneeling, climbing or running or lifting.  That should be pretty easy, right?

Missionary Age Options

In the first session of Conference today President Monson announced a major change for prospective missionaries of the church.

Effective immediately the young men who are worthy and have graduated from high school or the equivalent are now eligible to go out at 18. Also, even bigger they also lowered the age for young women to 19. This is huge!

Nathan and CJ were watching downstairs. We called them up and asked Nathan what he thought and he asked about what. Evidently not really listening. When we told him what he missed he just said "Wow".

It actually won't effect Nathan as Much as CJ. Nath turns 18 the beginning of his senior year. He is one of the oldest ones in his class. He will have to wait until he graduated in May. That is only a difference in 4 months earlier. CJ on the other hand will graduate and then turn 18 the following month.

They said at the press conference that one of the reasons the first presidency started looking at this is the need for more missionaries. There are missionaries from 48 countries now that go at 18 because of mandatory military service. They were asked how much of an increase this will promote and the answer was they just don't know. It isn't mandatory, just an option. They said that there will be some who still chose to wait.

As I heard this announcement from our prophet I felt the spirit so strongly. I began to cry. I know that this is the Lords plan. I am so grateful for a living prophet here on the earth. I am grateful for conference and the blessing of being able to listen to the prophet and living apostles give us direction for our lives. I have learned as I strive to follow the whisperings of the spirit telling me the things I can improve on my life becomes better. I am striving to be like my Father in Heaven and the Savior.

I will give a review of some of my favorite talks in some of the following posts.

Dog Food Sorting

When Chris went shopping for me last weekend he got a new dog food for Shadow.  It is softer than what I get him.  Up until the new food he has been perfectly happy with it.  The old food ran out last night.  This is what greeted me when I came home from work. 

There was the old dog food all around his dish.  He was sorting it.  The old stuff on the floor and eating the new one.  Evidently, he likes the new one much better.  Silly old dog!