CHRISTMAS WISHES TO ALL !

This thought was sent to me last year at Christmas time. I liked it enough to share it with others.

C-is for the Christ Child's Holy Birth

H-is for His time spent here on earth

R-is for the Righteous life he lived

I-is for the Innocence to which he was born

S-is for the Sinless life he led

T-is for This special Time of year to celebrate

his birth

M-is for the Master plan he gave us

A-is for the Atonement, the gift he gave to us

as he hung upon the cross

S-is for the Standardads he set for us to live,

that we might be with him again someday.

The picture of the Twin Falls Temple was taken on Christmas Eve 2008

A FUN PRIMARY ACTIVITY DAY

On November 14th, our Primary had a fun Activity Day. I thought I'd share it with you. We have been memorizing the monthly scriptures all year long. We had to be familiar enough with the scriptures that we could earn the makings for ice cream sundaes. We didn't exclude anyone for not knowing the scriptures, we helped them. Sadly, not very many kids came, but it was fun. Each of the presidency prepared games or pictures that represented the scriptures. We set up 12 different stations. At one station- we earned a bowl, another station-we earned a spoon, another station-we earned a napkin, another station- we earned a brownie, another station- we earned strawberry syrup, another station-we earned chocolate syrup, another station-we earned sprinkles, another station-we earned nuts, another station-we earned maraschino cherries, another station-we earned another scoop of ice cream. I must have forgotten what else we earned because I didn't come up with 12 stations.

One of the stations the kids played hopscotch -guessing the scripture. One of the stations, the kids tossed balls at clues helping them with the scriptures. One station, they built house (pictures) that represented a house built of faith, prayer, etc. One of the stations, the word were all mixed up with pictures that were also clues. They had to unscramble the words with the help of the pictures.

I'm going to include my games. It was a fun day. I hope next year, more kids come.

May Scripture

John 3:5

"Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

June Scripture

Family Proclamation to the World-Paragraph 7

Successful...families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, and forgiveness.

July Scripture

Mosiah 4:13

"And ye will not have a mind to injure one another, but live peaceably."

August Scripture

Matthew 16:19

"I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

CONGRATULATIONS ! ! ! and other info.

I have to give late congratulations to 2 of my nieces for having babies recently. I hope all is well with all 4 of you. Kristen, your son shares a birthday with our youngest granddaughter-Kennedi-Stephanie's daughter.

Oh, I forgot to mention, Mom/Grandma's house finally sold. Her money was deposited into her bank the day after Thanksgiving. That's one less headache that I have to worry about. Thanks! Heavenly Father. I appreciate you always having a hand in things. Even though it appeared that it may not happen, I still had faith that you would help. Thanks again Heavenly Father for always blessing us with what we need.
GUESS WHAT!
I finally learned all of the Ordinance Work in Spanish. I was able to do say the Initiatory Ordinance out load to another Temple Worker. I haven't had the opportunity to say it to a patron yet. I believe I will get to on the 6th of January. I'm subbing on the Spanish evening. I haven't had the opportunity to perform the new name yet. About 3-4 weeks ago, I had the opportunity to help a Spanish sister thru the Veil using the card. That was too hard. I decided it was time to learn it. I was afraid because I knew that I would have to prompt the patron. Well, this last Friday 12-4-09, I had the opportunity to perform my first Spanish Veil. I could see the expression on her face that she was actually understanding me. I even had the opportunity to prompt her. I did it correctly ! ! Thanks Heavenly Father for helping with this. I look forward to many opportunities of using this.

TIME FOR CATCHING UP AGAIN

Since the last time I took the time to post, Rick was admitted - again- into Canyon View exactly one week after being home from there. He spent another week this time. He came home the day before Thanksgiving. We've met with a new counselor-for both of us. We've done that before and will continue to go to our old counselor. He even went to a hypnotist to help with the Depression. I have to give Rick credit. He is as least trying to be part of life now, but it is difficult. He continues to serve at the Temple on Mondays-checking recommends for Repair people and deep cleaning people. That helps. He also has been actually called on a Mission to work at the L.D.S. Employment office. Because of health problems (depression) he's only gone there once. He plans on doing that on Monday afternoons after the Temple. I really don't think this is going to last very long. I'm afraid he won't give it a chance.

Grant, and the twins and Mom (Grandma) came to our house for Thanksgiving. That's the first time Mom had an outing since she moved into the Nursing Home. Grant picked her up on his way. It was difficult getting into his car because it's too high off the ground. I took her home, because our car is lower to the ground. We had a pleasant afternoon.
Since the twins have moved into Grant's house, they have lost a lot of weight. They look a lot better with new teeth and being smaller. I'm enclosing a picture for all to see.

When I took Mom home, I took her out to the Mall.
They have a terrific display of Christmas lights around the parking lot. You just drive the circle. Some guy from Kimberly made them. He welded rebar into many, amazing shapes. He started working on them in August. There's a train with about 8 cars, a huge castle scene with trees and 3 deer, There's Santa Clause reading his list, the nex tpart of the same display is a garage from Rob Green Motors. One stall has a pickup in, the next stall has Santa's sleigh, the next stall has a SUV. There's an elf skiing up & down a slope. There's American Dairy Association with a fountain of milk pouring into a cup. It has a plate of cookies that says for Santa, below it - Christmas bells are shaking back & forth. There's 2 huge polar bears-one playing like he's sliding down a hill-one is standing. There's a motorcycle that appears to be Santa riding and jumping the canyon. There's one with Santa on top of the Perrine Bridge. The next scene he is parachuting off of the bridge. There's another one with an old fashioned Carriage with people and horses pulling it. There's a set of tall candy canes. There's a Chinese Dragon with Santa's hat on. Of course, there's several packages, snowflakes, poinsettias all around the store. Mom & I both really enjoyed the lights.
Last night, we found one street in Filer by the Stake house, that was lit up really cute. Every house was lit up like a Winter Wonderland/Santa's workshop. It was great! I'll have to take Mom there also.

IT'S BEEN TOO LONG.

Well, life is sure busy. I wish I could find time to do updates more often. I've been finished with my annual season of working for about 1 and 1/2 months. Between serving at the Temple, Primary Presidency commitments, visiting Mom once a week and making sure that my husband meets his appointments and stays alive, I really feel stretched. I'm just barely getting my house slightly cleaned from when we moved mom. I am so-o-o tired of all of this extra mess at my house. I wish I knew what to do with the extra. I'm to the point, where I'm going to just throw away the extra stuff. I just need to find the time.
Life is so busy, that I'm only subbing at the Temple 3 times this month. I have to get the house clean. I said I would sub the morning before Thanksgiving at 4:00 a.m. That was before I knew Mom wanted me to have Thanksgiving meal at my house. I wasn't really planning on it, because my house isn't handicapped accessible. She is really feeling lonely this year and wants it. She practically begged me to do this. She asked me to invite Grant and the twins also. I said o.k. Grant said o.k. I'm not sure how we will get her in the house. We did one other time. We'll figure out how this time also. Now, I wish I hadn't of agreed to sub the morning before at 4:00 a.m. Life would be easier without that commitment.
Mom wants me to have her over for Christmas Eve. The verdict still is out on that. I want to accommodate her, but I'm not sure if it will happen. She says she's adjusting well, but I know she's lonely-especially this time of year. It was 2 years ago yesterday that Dad died. This year, being in the Care Center and the twins not living with her has really made the emotions come to the surface more.
Well, let's see. This is the time of the year that Heather's husband is doing a lot of traveling for work. He's usually gone for 2-3 weeks at a time. She gets pretty overwhelmed with kids and life at this time. Chad makes very good money during this time of year. They need that because his work is warm weather related- seasonal lawn spraying situations. During the winter, he gets unemployment benefits. Heather is worried about her job. Her boss and his wife just filed for bankruptcy. That may affect her job. She plans on trying to get her GED on line during the winter while Chad is home.
Stephanie started back to work at a place that she worked at before she moved to Boise. It's an office job-only 4 people work there--her boss, herself, and 2 "techs". She works from 10:00 to 3:00. She gets paid $10.00 and hour and has benefits. Her boss started the benefits the day that the deal was made-2 weeks before she actually started working. I'm real happy for her. It's the perfect job for her. She can have time to take kids to school before she goes to work and gets done just barely in time to pick kids up from school.
For awhile Mike's oldest daughter was living with them. She has moved back in with her Mom. Now Mike's son has moved in with them. That's still in the "adjustment" stage. Arianna is thinking about maybe moving back home instead of living with her Dad.
Rick has been set apart as the Security Recommend Desk Person at the Temple. This is not the normal calling at the Temple. He only gets to go in on Mondays-when the Temple is closed. That is the day that the repair people come to the Temple. He lets the people in at the back door. Some days, he only has 4 people come in. Some days, he's had about 20 people come. He's been doing this for about a month. Maybe someday it will work up to actually getting to do this on days that the Temple is open. At least it's in the right place. This helps him to not feel totally useless. But when he comes home, then he gets worse depressed until the next week.
This last Thursday, he admitted himself into Canyon View again. He thinks about suicide all of the time. He says he thinks about hanging himself a lot. It was just last February that he had another "meltdown". He should come home this afternoon. I am so-o-o tired of this. These places are just like a jail. The rules change each time this happens. Other times when I've taken him there, the hospital has allowed me to drive him over there. Not this time. A Security Officer (Policeman-basically) escorted him there in their own vehicle. I wasn't even allowed to tell him goodbye once I tot there. Patients aren't allowed to have visitors for 24 hours. There are only certain times that we can call or visit. Saturday, I took him the brand new Ensign issue. (The Conference Report issue.) I hadn't even opened it. The facility made me take the staples out of the magazine. Other places that Rick has admitted himself to has allowed him to keep the staples in the magazines that I took to him. I pretty well lost it. It is so-o-o hard to stay "perky" and in control for his sake. Stephanie had invited us over for a late Anniversary dinner. When Rick admitted himself, she said she wanted me to come anyhow. I called her and told her that I wasn't in the mood to visit.
Besides, I needed to get home and get some rest. I needed to be at church at 7:30 a.m. the next morning. I was filling in for my Primary President at a meeting that I never go to. The power went out at 9:00 on Saturday. I was so worried about it coming on in time to get ready for church at 7:30 that I woke up every hour-looking at the battery clock. After 6 and1/2 hours, the power came on. Then, I slept better, but now it was time to get up. I got to church. The Bishop said that this meeting was supposed to be last week. It was cancelled. I didn't need to be at church at 7:30 a.m. I could have slept longer. It gave me time to get mentally prepared for conducting Primary. Heavenly Father has a way of always watching over us-even when it doesn't seem like it. Thanks!
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. About 2-3 weeks ago, I FINALLY LEARNED ALL OF THE SPANISH INITIATORY ORDINANCE WORDS. THE NEXT DAY, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY IT OUT LOUD-NOT TO A PATRON, BUT TO A WORKER. THAT REALLY HELPED! Now that I know it, I plan on going in on Wednesday nights as a patron a few more times to hear how things are actually pronounced. I'm close on the pronunciation but not all of it. Then, I get to actually serve in the Spanish Initiatory booth-speaking Spanish on Wednesday nights-sometimes. This last Friday night, I was subbing. The Veil Coordinator is my friend. She knows that I've been learning this. She thought that I also knew the Veil Ordinance work. I hadn't even looked at the card yet. Well, I had the opportunity to help a Spanish Sister thru the Veil-reading the Spanish words for her and letting her do her part in Spanish. That was a great opportunity! The next time I go to the Temple, I will check out the Veil-Spanish Ordinance Work. I need to learn that also. I do know the New Name Ordinance work in Spanish.
Well, I have to get busy. I have a lot to do before I bring Rick home this afternoon.

MOM'S HOUSE STILL HAS NOT SOLD. THE ORIGINAL BUYER KEEPS ASKING FOR EXTENSIONS. THE HOUSE IS ON THE MARKET FOR OTHER BUYERS ALSO. WE'VE HAD ANOTHER OFFER, BUT IT WAS WAY TOO LOW. WE'RE JUST WAITING FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN. WHOEVER GETS THEIR ACT TOGETHER FIRST.

THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO B E POSTED LAST WEEK-BUT I GOOFED.

Hi every one. Life has been very busy. I'm working 6 days a week 1-12 hours a day. (The 7th day of the week, I'm at the Temple all day long.) Work has been pretty good this year. Even though we started almost a month late, we've worked steady. Since we started, we've only had one NO WORK DAY. That means we get more overtime and that helps the paychecks. I'm grateful Heavenly Father has allowed it to be so steady. I will probably make close to what I usually make in other years in a lot shorter time period. Heavenly Father always comes thru for us.Nothing gets done around the house while I'm working. Rick asked me what I planned on doing when I get done with work. I said that maybe I would get caught up on some things around here. That was a hint for him to help me, but that doesn't happen. All he ever does is sleep. In fact, he slept right thru an appointment the other day. His counselor called him 1/2 hour after he was supposed to be there. His psychiatrist has suggested "shock treatments" but now he wants to hold off and try another medication. It's not working. Friends have told us that "shock treatments" have helped their loved ones. I plan on pursuing the situation as soon as I get done with work. This situation-Rick's "zombie-like" life is just getting worse. I really wished he would have never retired from work. Granted, he quit because of his diabetes, but the depression has only gotten worse each year since he quit working. Well, enough of complaining. It is what it is.Mom/Grandma was doing pretty well with therapy. I was excited she seemed to be getting stronger and showing improvement. She told me last Friday, that it was her last day of therapy. I believe it's a government reason that it's stopped. I get to see her every Friday night after I finish serving at the Temple. I get to visit her more this year-during work-with her being at the Care Center in Twin than I was able to visit her other years during work. She said that she had a nice "write up" in her ward Newsletter. I'll try to include it. I'm not sure if you'll be able to read it.

Oh, I forgot to mention, Mom's house still isn't sold. It was supposed to close on Rick's Birthday-the 21st of August. Then, the buyer had some problem with the financing. The closing date was amended to be this Friday-Sept. 18th. I just talked to the realtor yesterday. It's been postponed again. Now it's supposed to be on or before the 1st of October.I'm still trying learn the Spanish Initiatory at the Temple. I'm almost there. I have a book that is written by a BYU Professor. It's titled Spanish for Latter-Day-Saints. I got it cheap and didn't get the tapes that should have come with it. Well, I have a lot of extra time at work. I've been reading this book. I'm starting to comprehend what I'm reading. One particular sentence, I had I hard time figuring it out. When I did, I asked my co-workers if it basically said: The priests of King Noah either did or wanted to kill the messenger from God. They said I was correct. I've taken the book home and translated Spanish passages into English for Rick. The more I read, the easier it is for me to memorize the Temple Initiatory Ordinance Work. I may never be able to speak the language (except the Temple Ordinance) but someday, I will be able to read it. I'm really enjoying learning this. For just doing this on my own, it feels like a great accomplishment ! !It's late. I need to do some other things.

PART 2 OF AUGUST 11TH POST

I mentioned yesterday in the post that Lake Josepheus near the Scout Bradley campground, is pretty. Here are pictures of that lake. It's at the end of the road, about 17-18 miles off of the main road. It has a few picnic tables and even a restroom there. That was a very unexpected area for those items. The lake is not one for motors, but a very pleasant spot to enjoy the beauty that Heavenly Father created. Someone was fishing when we got there. I don't know if they had any luck.

Our Primary Presidency was basically in charge of the Ward

Pioneer Celebration. It was the Primary Activity Day, but we

included the whole ward. We had a booth where everyone dressed up for family pictures. The secretary of the Presidency is pregnant. Since we are responsible of young children, 2 of of pretended to be holding a baby in the Presidency picture. In the picture of the other couple and us, I was a little disappointed with the outcome. Just a second before the gal took the picture, someone said don't smile because we were holding the frying pans. I quit smiling. I realize that no one else heard the instructions. It would have been better if all were "on board" with the same instructions.

Other things that we did for the Pioneer Celebration: Homemade butter-shaking baby food jars until finished, Hand cranked homemade ice cream, Water melon seed spitting contest, A game of team work -walking on long boards together as a team. It looked kind of hard. There was of course the stick pull game that Joseph Smith always did.

These are cousins in our Primary doing the walking team game. I didn't get a great picture of them in action. Some of the participants had 3 or 4 team members walking the game at the same time. That looked difficult.

Well, things are or not much different with Rick. He's always depressed, sleeps much of the time. That's his way of "checking out" of life. He continues to go to his counselor and doctor. One piece of possible good news for Rick: A few weeks ago, I noticed on our Caller ID that the L.D.S. Church Missions had called. I wondered then what that was about. Well this last Sunday, the Bishop called Rick into his office. The people that are running the L.D.S. Employment office in our area are actually called on a mission to do this. They are from our ward. They want Rick to help them. The Bishop said that it would be about 10 hours a week. It is an official mission. The Bishop has to send in the papers to the church headquarters and wait for the official call to come. We're not sure exactly what he will be doing. However, I'm excited about this. It will give him purpose to get out of bed or to get up and do something. Maybe, he won't feel so hopeless and useless. I can't convince him to make the effort. This will force him to make the effort.

I'm still trying to learn the Spanish Initiatory at the Temple. The Anointing part is the hard part. I just can't figure out how to say a few of the words. However, I almost have the hard part memorized. I just have one more phrase on this section. The rest will be fairly easy. (When I got so busy with moving Mom, my priorities got rearranged. My heart wasn't into learning it as much as it was a little earlier.) I've gone as a patron in the Spanish Booth more than once. I really like that, because it helps me to hear the words being pronounced. The Shift Coordinator that works on the Spanish Shift says that after I finish work, I can work on her shift 0occasionally in the Spanish Initiatory Booth. That means I would only work the one hour. That would be fun!

A few weeks before the maintenance time of the Temple in June, I subbed on my shift as the Initiatory Coordinator. That is what I was trained to do in the Boise Temple. Officially in July, I started being the Initiatory Coordinator-trading off every other month. I really like that, but I miss officiating in Initiatory because that is where I get my "Spiritual Shot in the Arm" for the week. I glad that I get to trade off.

I will be going back to work for the harvest season any day now. I know not until after Friday, but it could be any day after that. That will mean working 6 days a week, 10-12 hours a day,
the seventh day of the week I'm at the Temple. I should finish work sometime in October. Life will be very busy for awhile. I'm grateful that this year, we started later than some years. I needed the extra time to get everything in order with mom and getting her Medicaid going. I still haven't figured out what to do with everything that is in our kitchen, but it's starting to appear that it's getting closer to being done.
This Saturday if I'm not working, the Relief Society is going rafting near Hagerman and Bliss. I've done it with Grant once. It's not a real exciting float-part of it is fun. I'm hoping to get to go. Other years when the Relief Society goes, I'm always working. It was scheduled for last Thursday evening, but got postponed due to a funeral in the ward.

Well, don't expect to hear from me for awhile. Life is busy.

A GENERAL CATCH UP OF LIFE FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS.

Just in today's paper, I noticed that the 99 year old lady that I talked about in the last post died at the age of 100 on the 8th of August. She accomplished what she needed to do here on earth.

Well, since my Birthday back in April, life has been very busy. That is when it was decided that Mom/Grandma would move into a Nursing Home. Rick & I (mostly me) spent many hours, and hard labor emptying out her house and getting it ready to sell. The Relief Society presidency and one friend helped clean the house. Without the help of the one friend, I don't know how I would have accomplished all that was needed to do. I must also give credit to Heather and Stephanie. They spent 3 days cleaning the house while we were camping. For the record, the closing date is supposed to be on Rick's birthday-the 21st. We are supposed to be getting what the realtor listed it for. I know that Heavenly Father had a "hand" in that.

In fact, I know that He has had a "hand" in helping with many things this summer. Just yesterday, Grant called and said that he finally got word that he will also get paid to take care of Terry. For awhile, it looked like Grant would only get paid for taking care of Jerry. That would not have been enough money for them to get by. I'm not sure when that money will start-hopefully September. Thanks Heavenly Father for always watching over us in life's trials.

Mom is adjusting to living at the care center. She's one of the most popular residents there. Everyone acts like they really like her. She is getting stronger. Two times ago when I was there, I actually saw her stand up by herself. Granted, she didn't get up very fast or very gracefully, but she stood up. Then, she just stood there for 3-4 minutes, occasionally petting her dog on the table but not really holding onto anything. The therapist was standing beside her, in case she needed help. The therapist kind of had to help her set back down. (Mom is now using an electric wheelchair. That makes life seem more normal.) After Mom had a chance to rest, she stood back up 2 more times. These times, the therapist had to help her a little more than the first time and more the last time also. It brought tears to my eyes to see her doing that good.Besides all the moving stuff going on, June is always the month that Heather's kids play baseball. Heather was the assistant coach for "Bekha" and Jacob's team. Tyler is old enough that he is on his own separate team. He has potential to be very good. He was named the most valuable player many times thru out the season. A new one for each game. He got 3 home runs in one of the tournament games. He is a pretty good picture. I honestly believe I like him playing at first base best. Several times either when he was pitching or on first place, he was responsible for a double play. Way to go Tyler ! ! !

I'm going to post a few pictures.

Jacob playing ball.
He doesn't have the attention span that is really needed for this game yet. But, he enjoys life.

"Bekha" batting and coming home. Looking mighty excited that she came home safe. (Heather in the background in the Capri's.)

Tyler getting ready to "whop" it. Usually when he hit his home runs, "BONKA" wasn't able to be there. Tyler tries so hard to make 'BONKA" proud of him.

One of the many great pitches. Tyler pitched several "stike outs".

We went camping during June for almost one week. We hadn't been camping for almost 4 years. We almost had forgotten how. The last time, we went, I decided that we needed an easier trailer for us to get on. During the time that we hadn't been camping, Rick had remodeled our trailer. It was much easier to load and unload the bikes. We also now have 4-wheelers now instead of motorcycles. The older you get, the more you have to find easier ways of life. Rick did take his motorcycle with the intention of him riding that an "Mady" and I driving the 4-wheelers. While we were traveling, his motorcycle tipped over and got oil where it wasn't supposed to be. The engine seized up and he couldn't use it. So, "Mady" ended up being Rick's (BONKA) driver. She hadn't really driven much at all before this trip. She drove over 50 miles in one day and she did great. Another day, she drove around 40 miles. She got my new 4-wheeler (not really new, but newer for us) instead of using Rick's. Mine is easier to shift gears and also is 4-wheel drive. Rick's is only 2-wheel drive. The steering on the 4-wheel drive is easier. So, I was a little disappointed that I didn't get to drive mine and see how I liked it. We had just gotten it a few weeks before we went.

We went up to Beaver Creek campground by the Scout camp-Scout Bradley near Stanley. We drove up the main road quite a ways to Josepheus Lake. We thought we had been there before. I guess not, because this was worth the drive. This was much prettier than anything we had remembered. It was sort of 2 lakes really one, but divided with a man made bridge of sorts. "Mady" and I walked across the bridge to the other side. Rick stayed by the 4-wheelers and took our pictures.

"Mady" and me walking across

the so-called bridge. There were some fallen logs laid across the water with a man made railing of smaller logs sort of nailed up.

I wanted to post a few more pictures, but it got late. Maybe I'll post a few more tomorrow -or not- that goes with this post.

THE REST OF THE STORY TO THE LAST POST:

I subbed at the Temple Saturday evening. The attendant to the 99 year old lady that I talked about last time, was working that night. She was sharing the story with some of us.

This 99 year old lady had been moved into an nursing home (finally). She even stopped breathing at one time and saw the "light" as people often say. She felt a warm hand touch her shoulder. She never saw anyone, but heard: "You need to go back. You're not ready to be here yet. You still have unfinished work on the earth." That is when the lady realized that she should be baptized and be sealed to her sons and husband.

THE REST OF THIS POST IS A LATE POST-UPDATE:

This is the Mother's Day card from Rick. It really sounded more like it came from our kids, but it was nice anyhow. That's why I added the words: "and wife".

Heather & Stephanie took me out to lunch for Mother's Day. Since they took their real mother out to lunch on Mother's Day. It was the next Saturday that we had our time together. Heather called me the night before and said to meet them at a place in Buhl at 11:00 a.m. I was a little confused about where she was talking about. The reason: It wasn't there. It had been changed into a mini-mart, then a day-care center, and now it's a place that sells used cars. She decided that we better go to a different place. We ended up going to the Pizza Planet and video shop. They have really good sandwiches. We ended up ordering personal pizzas and cheese sticks. My goodness, this place always gives lots of food. We figured personal pizzas would be about 4 inches around. No! This was about 8 inches across. All of us took food home. Oh, I forgot to mention that "Bekha" (Heather's) and "Kenna" (Stephanie's) were with them also. (The girls' names are not their correct names.) We had a pleasant afternoon.

This is the Mother's Day card from the girls. I'm truly blessed to have two daughters that love me.

I'm grateful to have them and their children in my life.

Guess what ! This Last Friday, Rick finally got a hair cut! He looks so much better. However, neither one of us thinks this gal does as good cutting his hair as does the guy that is also in this shop. (Please, no comments about Rick getting his hair cut. Sometimes, he reads the e-mail before I get to it and some of you are automatically connected to our e-mail.)

Well, I need to get busy. I'm still doing stuff to prepare to move mom (Grandma) into the nursing home on Wednesday. Her new address will be:

Helen Bodily

% Twin Falls Care Center

674 Eastland Drive

Twin Falls, Idaho 83301

The twins will be living with Grant:

1392 Ammon Pocatello, Idaho 83201

Grant's new phone no. is: 208-209-5395

P.S. I tried many times to get the printing by the pictures. No matter how many times I tred to rearrange the page - pictures to go with the correct printing - the computer or site still put them on the page they wanted. Sorry about that.

A GREAT "HAPPENING" AT THE TEMPLE.

I subbed at the temple yesterday. There was a neat experience for one family. Thankfully, I was assigned to be a patron in this particular session. A woman that is 99 years old, got her Endowment. (She was just baptized 2 months ago. The church gave her special permission to waive the one year waiting time to go the temple.) It was neat watching her family ooh and ah over her. She had 2 escorts-one setting on each side of her wheelchair. As we were going from the Endowment room 1 into Endowment room 2, I saw my mentor from the Boise Temple. I realized she was related to this 99 year old lady. I believe her husband is the son of the 99 year old lady and is a Bishop. After the endowment, the 99 year old lady was sealed to her son and also to her deceased son.
Even though I wasn't related to her, I was just about in tears watching the event happen.

I'm continuing to learn more of the Spanish Initiatory ordinance words. Tuesday when I was subbing, I realized that I could figure out what certain words mean. Since Spanish is not a literal translation of English, this new knowledge is helping me to learn more. (This is the "proper language" instead of the "street lingo".)

UPDATE ON MOM (GRANDMA):
We are planning on putting her in the Twin Falls Care Center on the 3rd of June. Grant will be moving the twins home with him. The things that are supposed to be given away, will be at my house. I can't save everything.

MY 53rd BIRTHDAY - - A LATE POST

I really thought this was a cute card from Rick. It's a compliment to me and he doesn't give many. Having him be thoughtful enough to make this compliment is a good thing.

I subbed at the Temple on my birthday at 4:00 a.m. This is about the 3rd time that I've subbed this shift. It seems like I have a lot of "free" time on this shift. So, I've decided that I should put this "free" time to good use. I've been trying to memorize some of the ordinance work in Spanish. (I'm familiar with some Spanish-how to pronounce many words. Thru the years of working with Spanish people, I've learned to sort of read some Spanish. I can usually read the "jist" of whatever I'm reading. I still cannot understand them when they speak-just a few words and small phrases.) Back to my Birthday. We had a sister come into Initiatory that was Spanish. I told her that I had been trying to learn the Spanish ordinances. I asked her if she minded if I practiced with her-telling her that part of it would be in Spanish and the rest in English. She said that would be OK. I only got the opportunity to do it once and only in one booth, but I did good. I'm sure that I didn't sound as good as someone that normally speaks Spanish. The great thing is that she understood me! ! ! That was the best birthday present that I could have given myself.

Since then, I have learned the New Name Ordinance, the Initiatory Clothing Ordinance and part of the Confirming of the Initiatory Ordinance in Spanish. It's hard to practice this because we're not supposed to practice the ordinance work out loud or write it down. It's all memorized. When I practice in my head, I feel like I'm getting better. I feel the spirit. One of the brothers that is a sealer in the Temple on my regular shift, speaks Spanish also. He is helping me with the pronunciation. I also intend on going to the Wednesday and Saturday evening sessions for Spanish Initiatory, so that i can actually hear how the words sound. I have some Spanish workbooks and tapes. I have sort of used them before. A friend gave me a new workbook (almost like one I already had). I am really studying them now. This is something that I want to do very much. I was able to teach myself to play the piano without lessons. Therefore, I know that I can do this also. Maybe, I won't be great, but at least enough that someday I will be able to do the ordinance work efficiently in Spanish.

I spent the afternoon visiting with Grandma Bodily (mom). The twins weren't home most of the time that I was there. I didn't have to do any bills that day for Mom. It was just a pleasant day visiting with her.

LIFE

Sometimes I get so frustrated with Rick's mom. She tells Rick how good his long hair looks. I'm all of the time asking him to cut his hair. (He usually gets 2-3 hair cuts a year.) Just about the time I get him convinced that it's time to cut his hair, she speaks up. Then, I have to spend the next few weeks to months talking Rick into it again. Of course, he doesn't want to make his mother upset, so she always wins. The only time in our life that he got regular hair cuts was while he was serving in the Boise Temple. HOWEVER, IS ATTITUDE IS MUCH BETTER LATELY! BOTH OF US ARE TRULY GRATEFUL FOR THE IMPROVEMENT!
Our Primary just had an activity day on Saturday. My President wanted the kids to learn that work can be fun. We volunteered to clean the church. We fashioned the day after the CBS T.V. show - The Amazing Race. We didn't have a lot of kids or parents come (because of Conference and also Stake Conference causing times that they weren't at church to be reminded.) Even though the numbers weren't great, it was a successful event. The kids enjoyed it and so did the parents. We plan on doing it again next year.
I have overscheduled myself this week at the Temple. It's just by accident, but I'm serving 5 shifts this week. Thankfully, one of the shifts is on my regular day so I only have to go 4 times. That day, I just work a double shift. I often do that. In fact, I claim Friday evening (and Thursday day) as my "regular" shifts also. I only have one real regular shift. That's Friday day. Most of the workers at the Temple are assigned 2 regular shifts. I'm not because of my work at Green Giant/Seneca Foods during the harvest season.
Some "interesting" things going on with the twins and Mom. I wish Mom would agree to going in a Nursing Home. She would have better care. She refuses, because of what will happen to the twins when she's gone. Jerry has a girlfriend. She's a niece of my first fiance'-Earl Casper. She is also a client in the same schooling-training that both Terry & Jerry are in. In fact, she has the same "tech" person over her that the twins have. Most everyone is hoping the situation will die down soon. The twins car died. They still owe on it for another 1 1/2 years. They bought an old clunker for another car. Terry still has his job, but quit a few weeks ago because people were making fun of him. Thankfully, his job coach and his "tech" made things better. His health isn't good again. Last summer, he was in the hospital for intestinal problems that could have killed him. He's again having some of the same problems-throwing up blood. I worry about him keeping his job because of this happening so soon after he quit. Time will tell.
Heather just gave Stephanie more hours to work at the cafe that Heather is the main waitress at. That has caused a few ill feelings with the cook and Heather. That's because the waitress that now has less hours is the wife of the cook. Stephanie is enjoying the extra hours and needs the money.
That's pretty much what's going on right now. Rick is still hooked on Sturgeon fishing. He goes at least once a week-sometimes twice.
No new pictures (of anything) today.
I need to get to work on my next Sharing Time for primary.

TAX DAY SNOW

First off, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Danielle !

Today is tax day-15th of April. We don't have typical weather for this time of year. I'm posting a picture to prove to you. Hopefully, the date on the actual picture shows up.

UPDATE

Today was Grandpa Allen's Birthday. (Grandpa Allen is my mom's dad.) I always remember that because sometimes it was on Easter. We visited them one year on his birthday-on Easter. All of us, and the McEntire cousins went hiking up on "Grandpa's hill". (It wasn't really his hill, but we thought it was.) Grant, & Morgan were on top of the cave that the rest of us were in. I was just walking out of the cave as they kicked a rock. It hit the top of my head and I started bleeding. I still have a scar. We were still in our Easter clothes. I'm sure that didn't go over very well with Grandma and Mom.

We went to Stephanie's house Saturday evening to celebrate Kari, Arianna, and "Mady's" birthdays. Kari turned 16 on Easter-12th, Arianna will be 15 on the 28th of April and "Mady" turned 11 on the 7th of April. Kari said she had a dinner date.

Arianna & "Mady" Rodriguez & Kari Otto

Madyson Rodriguez

Kari Otto & Arianna Rodriquez

Rick & I went over to Grandma Bodilys for lunch/dinner after church on Easter. She acted like she really enjoyed having someone other than the twins to talk to. She misses dad especially on Holidays. I'm glad we could be there for her and the twins.

LATE POST FOR EASTER

A friend e-mailed this to me. I thought you might enjoy it. It's about 4 and 1/2 minutes long. It's Elder Jeffery R. Holland speaking. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpFhS0dAduc

ANOTHER UPDATE ON RICK.

Rick is doing much better. We have a different medication combined with one of the old ones. That and also information from a counselor seem to be helping. (The information from the counselor isn't new, but he thinks it is. She told him how to talk himself out of a situation. I've been saying the same stuff forever.)
He continues to go fishing each week with his brother.He's been actually walking a little bit every day. He's worked on my 4-wheeler. (In the winter, he gave up on it-while it was tore apart.) He has the"want to" now. We've had a few things go wrong. Before when that happened, he would fell overwhelmed and fall apart. Now, he just talked himself out of the situations. He's come close to having a few episodes, but didn't. HOORAY ! !

LATE: SPRING BREAK

I know this post is late.

During Spring Break which was the middle of March, Heather needed a built-in babysitter. She asked if the kids could stay with us for a few days. The movie theaters and the radio stations had a great deal for the week. If we wrote down the call letters of the radio for each person going to the matinees, they would get in for 50 cents each. That was such a great deal, that I couldn't pass it up. I took all 3 of the kids to see "Marley and Me". I gave them a choice between that and 2 cartoons. I really wanted to see this, but I gave them the choice. However, if I would have known how the show ended, I would not have gone to it even if someone had paid me to go. Don't get me wrong, this was a good family show. It's just that dogs are part of my family. When Marley died in the show, it brought back many memories of when we had to put Popeye to sleep. I was crying. (Most of the adults were also crying.) Jacob was bored, Tyler was almost bored until he noticed that I was crying, then he started to take notice of the show. "Bekha" was enjoying the show, but didn't start crying until she saw me crying.

Since the show was so cheap to get in, we splurged and bought a huge cannister of buttered popcorn. (Rick & I never do that.) 4 of us got into the movie and bought the popcorn for under $8.00. What a deal! It was a fun thing to do with the grandkids for an afternoon.

Heather's kids are used to getting pop every time they go in a store. We bought lunch at Artic Circle. I ordered water for everyone. Later, when we went inside a store, they said they were thirsty. I took them to the drinking fountain for water. They were a little dissapointed in that situation. I don't think grandma (me) is as fun as other grandmas.

ANSWERS ABOUT RICK'S STURGEON FISHING.

Question: Where does Rick go sturgeon fishing...it is something I would LOVE to do! Plus is it always that good of fishing??!
Answer: It's down near Hagerman and it's always that way. Rick says the river just comes alive when they put the bait in.
Question: So does he have to use a boat or do they fish from the shore? Do you need special bait or fishing poles?
Answer: They fish from the shore. His brother has a larger pole-stronger and heavier line.. His brother's roommate just uses a regular pole and line. It takes about twice as long to bring the fish in with this equipment (about an hour). He says it's more fun with the lighter weight equipment, because they feel the "pull" more. The stronger equipment brings them in much sooner (about 1/2 hour), but you don't feel the "pull" so much. Rick just bought an "ugly stick" fishing pole. The sore said if he's not happy with that, he can take it back and get the larger pole that his brother has. The store employee said that his son caught a 5 foot sturgeon with an "ugly stick" last year. (Walmart has them for $29.96 right now. The larger pole-Berkley- sells for $27.99. That's what the price is right now. His brother bought his a few weeks ago and paid about $10.00 more than these quoted prices.)
They use smaller fish-(boughten at sport stores or Grocery-gas-type stores) as the bait.
I honestly don't know where exactly that they go. I just know it's near Hagerman. Rick checked with the fish & Game and asked if they could give us an estimate of how much they weigh. The closest answer we got was for a fish that was larger than Rick's 5 footer. From what they told us, we're guessing that his weighed around 100 pounds.

NEW DESIGN FOR BLOG.

Many thanks to Lyndsay for her talents. I always love her backgrounds and asked her if she could design a new background for me. I just gave her some ideas of what I thought I wanted. I think she did a great job. I love it (with 1 tiny request).
Lyndsay, Would it be possible to put a picture of both of my dogs on the signature instead of just one of the dogs? (I'll send another picture if you need it.)
The picture of the dogs that is on the bottom of the page, doesn't really show up. I guess my screen isn't big enough. So, the 2 dogs by the signature would be terrific.
THANKS AGAIN LYNDSAY for making my blog actually showing my personality on the background. It's great.

ANOTHER UPDATE ON RICK (and STURGEON FISHING)

WEll, I need to update what is going on with Rick. The medications are being regulated. He does not seem "drunk" with medication anymore. He isn't falling down anymore. He isn't slurring his speech andymore. Things are still not great. (They probably never will be. They haven't been for so long.) During the last 2 weeks, he's had at least 5 episodes of almost having a panic attack. Some of the time, he has taken a pill for it and some of the time he just gets past it. The Dr. is still trying to regulate the medications a little better. He went to church yesterday for the first time since the last hospital visit in February. He even drove the car. That's the first time he's driven since then.

For the last 3 weeks, he has gone sturgeon fishing with his brother and dad. He's had a blast doing this. This last Saturday, he caught the biggest one. It was a 1/2 inch smaller than 5 feet long. On the sturgeon pole, it takes about 1/2 hour to bring the fish in. On a regular pole, it took his dad about an hour to bring the fish in-because they are so strong that the pole or line would break if they were brought in any faster. Sturgeon are protected, so it's catch and release by law, but they still had fun with these "monster-sized" fish. His dad brought one in at the same time he got his in. I'm going to add that picture and maybe more.

Look at how ugly these fish are. They look like pre-historic monsters. (I don't think you actually can see how ugly they are on the pictures. On the pictures at home, I enlarged them and you could see their ugly snouts a lot better.)

Rick and his Dad (and his brother's roommate).

FUNERAL-NOT OF OUR FAITH

I attended a funeral on Friday of a close family friend. I was grateful that I was able to go because I was the only family member there. Our family needed to be represented. I’m thankful that our faith gives funeral services that are more personal than theirs. I felt sorry for the family that they didn’t share good memories of her. This is the 2nd funeral that I’ve attended of this faith. This particular service was a tiny bit more personal than the first one that I attended, but not much.
This is basically the funeral: Someone reads the obituary word for word. Then the preacher gets up and begins his sermon. It is a word for word generic message that has nothing to do with the person that has passed on. The preacher reads one sentence, then the congregation recites (reads) the next sentence. The message has to do with Christ. This goes on for awhile. Then, the congregation sings a song with -no chorister. This format goes on for awhile, changing back & forth from the preacher and congregation readings to more songs. Finally, there’s a small message that slightly mentions the deceased, saying something like: “They know that the deceased knows where they are at now and are much happier”. Now the format goes back to what I’ve already mentioned. There’s a few places where the preacher asks the congregation to stand and pray-word for word. There’s a few more places where the preacher asks the congregation to answer him. Something like: “Live Forever More-Amen”.
I know our faith has funerals that are known to be rather long. However, I still feel the more personal funerals are better.

LIFE

Update on Rick: He visited with both his local doctors -medical and pyschiatrist- on Monday. Both of them said he was truly overdosed with medications. They took him off of 3 of the new 4 medications. I looked at the sheets that talk about drug side effects that Portneuf Medical Center sent home. It said: If you're taking this pill, do not take the other. Another med. sheet said the same thing. Portneuf Medical Center had Rick taking all 3 of those pills together. No wonder he was overdosed and basically "drunk". Today is the first tiime that he's fallen down since Monday morning. Yesterday is the first time that I dared leave him home alone. His folks have been "babysitting" him. His brother took him fishing today. I hope he does o.k.
His medical doctor wants him to have a Cat Scan test on Monday-checking out his brain just in case. The reason: She told him to walk one direction and he walked a different direction than she said. He's disoriented. His speech is still slurred, but not as bad. His blood pressure is slightly lower than normal. That would affect his speech and thinking ability. I'm thinking the dosage of the blood pressure medicine should be smaller. This medicine also helps with his "shaking".

Two nights ago, I looked out into our pasture. It was almost dark. I looked at our calves-making sure all 5 were there. I counted a 6th head. It wasn't a calf. At first, we couldn't tell what it was. It looked sort of like a sheep, but also a goat. It's a goat, but not the typical goat. It's a young goat. It's spotted brown and white. One of our calves is spotted brown and white. I think this goat thought our calf was it's mother. None of our neighbors have goats. We don't know where it came from. It followed Rick to the house yesterday when he fed the calves. The goat followed like a little puppy does. Since we don't have any idea where it came from, we told Rick's niece and her husband that they couold have it. They came and got it lastnight. They have other goats. They said if anyone comes looking for it, they could pick it up at their house. If no one comes looking for it, we at least know it will be taken care of.
A few years ago, someone just left their cat at our house also. We know it was a pet, because it has a collar on. None of our cats have collars, because they are too wild to catch and they live outside. I guess, because we live on an acerage, other people think it's o.k. to just drop their animals off at our place.
Mom wasn't feeling very well this week. I called on Tuesday. She said that she hadn't felt good all week. I asked if the twins had taken her to the doctor. They were taking her to the hospital in Jerome that night. They called later and said that she had an infection. The doctors sent her home with a prescription. I haven't had a chance to visit her this week. (I've been busy with Rick and subbing at the Temple.) I'm going to visit her today.
Life is busy-like always.
Love to all.
Diane

BLOG BOOK

I got my blog book about a week ago. I only printed up 2008 posts. It really wasn't worth my money-because it's a very thin book. Next time, I hope to have more entries. Besides the fact that it's a very thin book, I really think it turned out nice. (I do wish it would have printed the pictures in the same place as the names-like I had on the actual blog.) I like the cover. It's professional looking. I will use this again.

I'm going to add a few pictures.

Front Cover--------Back Cover------------Internal pages-----------------

PICTURES AND CATCHING UP..

Heather's youngest turned 7 years old in mid-February. They had a roller skating party.








Heather's kids: Tyler, "Bekha" & Jacob Price
Jacob wasn't the best skater, but he tried all of the faster contests. Tyler was extremely good. "Bekha" appeared to be better than what I used to be, but not as good as Tyler.






Cousins enjoying each other. Arianna Rodriguez (Stephanie's daughter) and Tyler Price












Stephanie's kids:
Traci Otto & "Mady" Rodriguez-----------Jacob, Kari, & "Kenna" Otto


Traci has lost some extra pounds and is
looking mighty good on the skating floor.
She is also a very good skater.








I took pictures of Heather & Chad skating. Those
pictures didn't turn out very good. That's too bad. Heather
said they don't have a picture of Chad skating at all.









This is "Mady" and Mom (Stephanie). Look at how great
Stephanie is looking. She has lost quite a lot of weight in the last 6 months. I'm darn proud of her! ! !
"Mady" has a bandage on her arm. A few weeks earlier, she accidentally burned it. She laid her arm on the flat surface of
a hair straightener. Stephanie rushed her to the emergency
room. The Dr. said it was good that she went. It was about 6 inches long and about 1-2 inches wide. Thankfully, I don't think she's going to have a very bad scar.
A little more catching up:
Stephanie's youngest has been sick for a couple of weeks. She's doing better now. Heather's youngest had bronchitus last week, but went to school today.
Heather hired Stephanie to be one of her waitresses. (Heather is the main waitress and does the hiring and firing of a small cafe.) Stephanie started today-March 9th. I asked Heather how she liked it. Heather told me to ask Stephanie. I don't know if that's good or not. I hope so.
Update on Rick:
Today seems better, not great, but better. I've made several phone calls to Dr.s. Rick is meeting with his main Dr. in the morning and also with his psychiartrist in the afternoon. His main Dr. also felt like he was overdosed with medications. So far, he's only fell down once today. He's also gone to the bathroom a few times by himself. However, he can't get our of the furniture by himself yet. He doesn't have much balance. He's a little more aware of things.