End of Summer

I realized, once again, that I haven't posted things that have happened.  We had a REALLY fun reunion with the Bowler family at Jacob Lake.  I only had two kids there!  Calvin decided to not come with us because he was moving the next few days after we got back and he felt it would be too stressful for him...Here are some of the pictures from that...

Watching the herd of buffalo

The whole group!!!  Jennie and Wes and their 2 kids were the only family not represented.

 They took a day and went to the North Rim.  I didn't feel like going...been there a million times and just wanted to relax, so I got to snuggle with Marcus.  The rest of them got to see a herd of Buffalo.  Dallen LOVED this because we watch nature shows all the time and to see them live was a treat (especially for my animal loving son!).  There were plenty of other things...catching critters, playing with cousins, writing letters to missionaries (we have 4 out in the family!).  We had a movie night, made paracord bracelets.  That was fun!  Lots of games, food, some napping, showers, rain, and a great weekend.  

Megan, Zac, Ashton, Jeremy, Dallen, Paul

Dallen with Aunt Kathie

The "cool" 16 year olds (Emma escaped the picture!)

Movie night...

Dallen writing to the missionaries

Dallen and his buddy

Cami LOVED that Dallen and Ashton wanted to take a picture with her.

It really was a fun time and I'm glad we got to go.  It's always iffy because of the car or work or something else always comes up, but we were grateful we were able to go.

We got home and a couple days later, I ended up heading down to the Valley to move Calvin.  I literally had 24 hours to move him.  I got off work at 3 from my bookkeeping job, got Calvin and all his stuff, said goodbye to Scott, got to Heidi's to spend the night, ran to the mall to buy school clothes for Dallen because he was starting school in less than a week, woke up early the next morning, dropped off Calvin and his stuff and made it back to Taylor 5 minutes before I had to go to work at my other job!  Here are some pictures of that 24 hours :)

Calvin saying goodbye to his dad

Calvin moving his stuff in...

All moved in!

Dallen having a little fun on the drive home.  He and Alec used to do this...put pieces of chips on the end of their fingers and have the wind hold them there.  Entertainment for at least a good hour!

Calvin is doing good there.  He and his roommate are working out the kinks.  It's hard getting used to how others do things.  But, they are learning.  The first week was hard for him.  He didn't have a job and was super stressed because he literally used his last dollar to move into the apartment.  He had to put about $600 or more into his car right before the move and it about killed him!  But, he needed the car and we sacrificed going to St. George to be there for my parent's homecoming, so that we could help him get settled and a little money so that he could buy gas to go look for a job.  I don't think I have ever seen him hit the pavement so hard to look for a job!  He had a job within 5 days.  He is working at "Queen Creek Cafe".  He moved to San Tan Valley and I didn't realize how far south it was from Phoenix.  It took us an hour and a half to get to his apartment from Heidi's house!  That was hard because he was homesick the first week and had no gas money to go visit family.  He survived, though :).  Anyway, his job...he started out as prepping/dishwashing/grunt and within a week, they moved him up to a cook.  He was even training another new kid!  His days at Celebrations and Sonic have really helped him for this job.  Today, he told us that they are now training him as a bouncer!  What?!?  A bouncer?!  I have ALWAYS thought Calvin should do something in law enforcement or something like that.  We even tried to get him a job as a corrections officer at the jail just a 1/2 hour away.  Anyway, he can't do it on his own until he turns 19 because it's against the law for him to work in the bar area until he's 19, but he can train...that's legal.  He said last night he had to break up a Samoan guy and a much smaller guy and he was freaking out!  But, he did it and everything went well.  So, we'll see what happens with all that.  He really is doing good and he's happy.  I love that he calls and tells us.  

The next week, school started.  My parents got home from their mission the same week, also.  They got home on Tuesday, and school started Wednesday.  Actually, my parents got delayed in Rome and missed their flight in Paris, so they didn't get home until Wednesday, but they are home and off visiting grandbabies they haven't seen yet!  

Dallen and Ashton are in high school this year.  It is AWESOME having all my kids in one school again.  It hasn't happened since they were all in Elementary together (Dallen went to pre-school at that school, too!).  Plus, our high school has Fridays off and now all my kids have Fridays off!  If we wanted a 3-day weekend, we could take it!  Anyway, they are really liking their classes this year.  Ashton said his favorite is film and media class.  I could totally see Ashton liking that.  Dallen said he really likes having Seminary last.  He said "I just come home happy!".  I think he's the first of my children to EVER say something like that.  He is happy, though, and if it's because of seminary, then that is even better.  Here is a picture of their first day...

Dallen - Freshman, Ashton - Junior (August 6, 2014)

That's about all the news we have here.  Derrek and Alec are doing well on their missions.  Alec will be turning 20 next week!  I can't believe I'll have another in his 20's.  Those two have sure grown into amazing young men.  I love watching them and am grateful I get to be a part of their life.  Work is going good.  I have realized how to balance things.  I gave a lesson a few months ago in Relief Society and it was about visiting teaching.  There is a great talk from Sister Julie Beck that she gave at a Women's Conference I was able to go to and she gave the analogy of the rocks, pebbles, sand, water and if you don't put the right things as a priority, it will never fit, but if you put the rocks in (the important things, the must do), then the pebbles (the less important, but still need to be done), the sand (the "nice to do" things) and the water (everything left over to do), then you will find you can get it all done.  Anyway, I have a pile of rocks in a jar by my kitchen sink to remind me of this because I knew I get out of balance.  I was way out of balance since starting these two jobs.  I was feeling out of balance and just felt like I wasn't paying attention to the things that I feel should be a priority and I have reorganized myself to take care of those things first.  For me those things are going to the temple, doing my visiting teaching, visiting other sisters that I think of, church, scripture study, etc.  I have demanded time for those and all the other things seem to fall into place.  I have found time to exercise whereas before it was nearly impossible.  I have found time to bake and take things to others.  I have found time to hang out with my kids and be a little more present.  I have found time to go on dates with Scott.  We even found time to go help someone save his corn (story below).  All the while, I have been able to have all my hours at work and do all these things.  It's not all perfect, but I have definitely felt the wisdom from the words of Sister Beck and am grateful for that guidance.  

I just have to show this pretty picture of what we get to see daily here during July and August.  Along with it comes some nasty rain and wind if you are under it! As you can see...someone is getting it!  We had a HUGE storm come through our neighborhood and it was crazy!  A member of our ward planted a large garden this year and when that storm came through, it came so fast that the rain made mud which allowed the wind to blow over his corn.  I got a phone call from a sister asking to send out a text (that's my job in the RS) to all the sisters to see who could help save the corn. We had about an hour before it got dark (he didn't think he could save it and another member of our ward convinced him it could be saved).  It really sounded so funny to me, but I knew it needed to be done.  I love our ward because the minute the sisters got the message, there were 10 cars there!  Scott and I were on our way back from a movie and stopped and grabbed Dallen and went to save some corn (stood it back up and packed dirt/mud around it).  It was definitely a first!  It was fun.  My allergies did not like me, so I came home and took a couple benedryl and went to bed!  But, I would do it all over again :) 

Working hard...

We have been doing good the past few weeks.  Lots of work opportunities in the summer and we are grateful for that.  This last week, Dallen and Ashton have been helping a couple of sisters clean out their mom's house, who passed away a year ago.  The mom was sort of a hoarder and so there is a TON of stuff.  This is good and bad for my boys because I have taught them to find treasure in trash (so to speak) and so while the sisters are throwing things away, my kids are wanting to dumpster dive!  It hasn't been that bad, but close.  They sisters made a deal with the boys.  There is a car there that was their mom's.  It isn't anything fancy and right now it doesn't even work.  They think it is just a dead battery from sitting so long and the mom was a shut-in and never really went anywhere.  It was filled with junk, though!  Anyway, they offered the boys the car for working this last week.  Ashton's eyes were BIG with excitement.  One of the days, the boys were taking a break in the car and the sisters came back from lunch and they asked Dallen and Ashton what they were doing and Ashton with his arm hanging on the steering wheel said "chillin'".  They thought that was funny and said, "well, you haven't earned it yet, so let's get back to work".  It was a good experience for the boys and the sisters have called Scott several times telling him that they really enjoyed the boys over there and that they are good kids and have a pleasant demeanor about them.  So, they finished the job and should be able to try and jump the car this week and at least get it over to our house.  One of the sisters is going to call the DMV and see what needs to be done to transfer it into Ashton's name!  I'm excited for them and it has really been a great experience.  If anything, they can you-tube how to fix it!

While working, though, Ashton had a couple little accidents.  He did this to his lip (well, actually Dallen threw something at him that was metal and it hit Ashton in the lip and went through!).  We had to go to insta-care because I was afraid of what would happen if food got in it and stuff.  It was big enough to stitch, but the doctor said it would abscess and so he left it open and gave us an anti-biotic to rinse with.  It is starting to heal.  Then a couple days later, he had stepped on a nail and it went into his foot.  Good thing we already got him a tetnis shot from the lip accident and so we are good!  I am not sure I could afford much more of this job!.

Speaking of jobs, Ashton is now officially working at Celebrations as a dish washer.  He is doing what Calvin did.  He works every day this week except Thursday.  That's a lot of dishes to wash!  Anyway, he seems to like it and it will be good for me to not be around him and the other ladies will have to teach him how to do things.  He actually is pretty good and knows what needs to be done.  Dallen will probably help out next week because all the dishwashers will be gone and then he can earn some money.   I am grateful for the opportunities they have been given.

Calvin is going down to Phoenix for a couple of job interviews.  Keep your fingers crossed!!!  One is for Target and I am not sure about the others.  He will be down there while Charity (his cousin) gets ready to leave for her mission this Wednesday!  She will be missed.

at the rodeo!  

We got to go to the Rodeo for the 4th of July.  It was actually held on the 5th.  I worked on the 4th and because nothing was going on in town for the 4th (because it was all being held on the 5th), working wasn't that big of a deal.  The rodeo is always fun.  Except...it's monsoon season and sure enough...the clouds rolled in.  It poured on us.  We usually stay, but it started lightening and I get nervous sitting on the metal bleachers while it is lightening.  I kinda wished we stayed because 10 minutes later, it let up and the rodeo was back on.  We saw most of it.  Just didn't get to see the barrel racing and the bull riding.  Those are my two favorites.  I just have to post this picture of Dallen.  He was so excited to wear his hat and boots.  He is the cutest cowboy :).  I'm glad I got one!  Now I just need one that wants to play sports and then I can die happy!  I might have him convinced about that, too...we'll see.

 Here is another thing that happened a couple of weeks ago.  Ashton managed to get in his first accident.  Luckily it wasn't a bad one, but my car seemed to get the brunt of it!  He was pulling out onto Main and it was dusk.  The other car looked like it was in the far lane and so Ashton turned right into the close lane.  Well, the car wasn't in the far lane and Ashton clipped the guy's back tire (hence the black marks on the bumper).  The guy was really nice about it and Ashton was given a ticket for not yielding.  He has to go to court on Wednesday to see what his ticket will be because that's how they do it here.  I keep wondering if taking them to court helps the kids to be more conscious of what they do.  It seems to be working for my boys!  I have been there with every one except Dallen (Derrek doesn't count because he's never lived here).  Anyway, good thing Ashton has a job and also that it wasn't worse than it could have been!

One last picture. So, Scott had all week off, literally.  It wasn't planned, but he had a lot of extra comp hours that needed to be used and they weren't busy at the mortuary, so Jason said for him to take the week off.  So, Scott took the boys camping in Show low area at Scott's reservoir (fitting, I know!).  They took canoes up there and had a good time.  Calvin even went and we love it when Calvin still wants to do things with the family.  Anyway, I couldn't go because it was in the middle of the week and I needed to go to work.  Scott actually came back one of the mornings so that they could take the cats to get fixed (yay!), but that's beside the point.  Anyway, one of the nights they were gone, I decided to do something from Pinterest.  I love that site and I pin stuff all the time, so every now and then I decide to try stuff that I see.  I was feeling festive and sometimes for work we make cakes and I thought this would be fun since I was head cook on the 3rd and working on the 4th.  But, I needed to see how it looked before I served it to people!  It turned out ok. The cake was from scratch, and I think I would find a different, better tasting recipe.  This one was okay, but tons of butter and I'm not a huge fan of tons of butter.  The boys said it was good.  Anyway, I didn't get to do it for the restaurant because someone had already made another cake, but that's okay...it wasn't perfected at home yet :).  Maybe next year!

Well, that should catch us up for now.  July is already in full gear.  The calendar has the 1st day of school on it already and so it won't be long until we are doing that again!  So excited to have both boys in high school this year.  They have Friday's off and so we can probably do more...well, if I'm not working so much!

Summertime...

We are in full swing as far as summer is concerned.  We've already had some fun activities happen.  First of all, Calvin graduated!!!!  YAY!!!  We weren't sure he was going to make it because he had to finish an on-line math class (not his strongest subject), and having the discipline to do it on-line sometimes is really hard (from experience!).  Anyway, he buckled down and passed the class.  He did really well.  Here are some pictures of us and a couple of his friends on Graduation Day (May 23rd)

Dallen, Calvin, Ashton (they are catching up in height!)

Calvin and parents (I'm pretty sure we have shrunk!)

Calvin with friend, Justin (soon to be roommates)

Calvin's other good friend, J. J.

It was a good evening and then Calvin was off to grad night, which he said was horrible, but he won a "Chrome" plug-in and it's been pretty cool for him.  He was hoping to score big like Alec did last year.  They really need to change things with grad night.  It's really horrible and the reason they do it is so that the kids won't go and drink, but it is so horrible that it makes the kids WANT to drink (not really, but it is that bad!).  Calvin has decided to move down to the Valley.  He wants to get settled and then start school in January.  He doesn't know what he wants to do, so he is taking his time.  He is very money conscious and so he is taking things slow.  He quit his job here at Sonic and so it is official that he is going to move.  They just have to find a place to live.  We'll see what happens in the next week or so.  He will be living with Justin (above) who is already down there working.  It will be a good experience for them.

Ashton just completed his sophomore year.  He will be a Junior now.  He pretty much has a job at Sonic, now that Calvin has left, and so they said they would finalize things with that this week.  Hope it goes well.  It isn't sure until it's for sure!  He was able to go to EFY in Flagstaff.  Here are some pictures of him and his group.  

This is his group and counselor.  His cousin, Zac is in the back (right)

Girls and Guys....Ashton can never be serious!

Jessica caught Ashton's eye :)

This last weekend they had an EFY "reunion" (it's only been a week since they last saw everyone!).  Most of the kids are from Phoenix/Gilbert and surrounding areas.  They went to the temple, breakfast and hung out all day.  I am not sure if they went to the dance that night, but Ashton said it was a possibility.  He came home a different person.  Last year was good, but something changed him this year.  Anyway, it was an awesome experience and one that will definitely stay with him forever!

Dallen has been gone for 2 weeks at Philmont Scout Ranch.  Scott went for one of the two weeks.  He said it was super hard, but the boys had some really fun experiences.  Dallen said he really like rappelling and he also really liked having church out in the middle of no-where.  They had a really spiritual sacrament/testimony meeting and Scott said all the boys were bawling because they were all touched.  It's good to have them home. 

We also have 11 kittens now.  Here are a couple of pictures.  They hopefully will be leaving our home soon.  They are 4 and 5 weeks old (we can't tell them apart, so we have to go by the younger group as to not wean them too early).  They have been fun to play with.  The mama's are getting fixed next week.  No more of this!  

We have 7 black stripe and 4 orange stripe.  They are just starting to get curious and it makes me nervous from childhood experiences of them resting on the wheels or engine of the car...and not surviving!  Anyway, it's fun.  

This week we are going to Phoenix for Charity's (Heidi's oldest daughter) mission farewell.  She leaves for the Tacoma Washington mission in a week or so and we are so excited for her.  We just got Derrek's release date...September 19th, he'll be flying into Phoenix!  Alec is hitting his 1 year mark soon.  Time seems to have flown by this last year.  

Time management...or lack of it!

I have realized in the last couple months that my time management is WAY out of whack.  Since the last post, there have been changes!  First, ALL the kittens that were born, died.  How sad is that?  The longest one of them lived was 2 weeks.  The mama cats had a cold and the babies caught it and then they died.  It was really sad.  But, never fear...we missed the window of opportunity to have them spayed, and they are both about to give birth again.  Being the first time cat owner, I didn't know when I could have them fixed because on all the websites I looked at, they said wait until the mother has nursed 6 weeks, but I guess I could have done it after all the kittens had died!  Anyway, lessons learned and we are a little excited to try it again.  My friend that has raised cats for 40 years gave me tips and so we'll see if it goes better this time.

I went horse-back riding for the first time in 12 years!

I was able to get two new jobs.  I have been working at one for about 5-6 weeks and the other for about 3 weeks.  I REALLY love my new jobs.  One is for the local restaurant, Celebrations, that Calvin did the dishes for this past year.  I really feels like I am just at a Relief Society function, working in the kitchen and prepping food and serving for an activity or something.  I work Fridays and Saturdays there, either in the morning shift or the evening shift.  I really love to cook and I have already learned some great recipes!  Of course, I can't give them away, but they are GOOD!  The other job came because the mother of the owner of Celebrations needed someone that had done books before, and my first day at Celebrations, she kept bugging Julie (the owner) for my number so that she could steal me.  She didn't even know me!  She called a couple weeks later and Julie is awesome because I didn't want to let her down and I really like working there, so I am able to do the bookkeeping job Monday through Thursdays and then on Friday and Saturday I am working at Celebrations.  I am learning a new program called Infinite Visions and I appreciate that it is a very thorough program and can understand why government agencies and especially schools use it.  It is not as pretty or user friendly as Quickbooks, but I am growing to appreciate it.  We work with all the Grant and Charter schools on the reservations here in the State of AZ.  It brings me back to the days of working at the Multi-cultural Financial Aid office at BYU where I processed and helped collect funds for all the American Indian students there and I feel I am right back there.  That was probably my best job ever and this one is becoming one of my favorites, also.  I am doing payroll and accounts payable and Jim, who has been doing payroll, is really a good teacher.  I really have appreciated his patience and his ability to let go of it and allow me to learn.  He probably has more trust in me than I do in myself, but it helps me to think, "well, if he thinks I can do it, then I probably can!".  Anyway, it is a family business.  Rita is the owner, and her two daughters and son-in-law (Jim) and one other guy work for her.  Anyway, they are all really nice and supportive and it is nice to feel competent again.  I appreciate my old job teaching me about payroll and Arizona taxes, as I didn't know much about that before.  I wasn't going to take the job at Celebrations because I knew the ladies that worked there and I didn't want to ruin anything with that, but felt strongly that I should.  Then I was glad because I liked it and then I got another job because of that job!  I can see that by taking this job and learning this program it is setting me up for the ability to work for schools and is a great asset for me.  I am really grateful for the opportunity and can't believe it is real.

But, this all leads me to time management!  I have not been able to get done the things that I feel are more important than these jobs and that is visiting teaching and temple attendance and focusing more on my calling and helping others.  These things are the things that truly make me happy.  So, this next week, that is my new focus.  I am going to figure out my time and make sure those things are at the top of the list and not the bottom.

Ashton getting his driver's license!

School gets out this week and the kids are ready.  I can't believe Dallen will be a Freshman and Ashton a Junior!  Calvin is graduating and wants to move out.  He pretty much doesn't live here anyway.  He is planning on moving to an apartment here in town with his friends and going to Northern Pioneer College here until he figures out what he would like to do.  He's been toying with the Army idea, but it doesn't seem to stick, so who knows.  He is really an amazing artist and I hope he is able to find somewhere he can use that talent.  He is truly gifted.  Ashton is looking for a job and gets to go to EFY this year.  Every week he has made plans to go "bug" someone about a job.  It's not necessarily every day, but the fact that he sets weekly goals and follows through is such a great life skill!  Ashton recently got his driver's license and loves running errands for me.  It's nice to be able to have someone take Dallen where he needs to go or run into town to get groceries for me.  I will miss the days when they are all gone :)  Dallen has a summer job with a guy in our ward and goes and helps lay sprinklers and does yard work.  Dallen has always like doing that kind of stuff.  He worked for him last summer and that's how he was able to buy his horse this last year.  He was pro-active, also, and called the guy and asked if he needed help this summer.

Scott finishes his internship in June.  I can't believe we are done and he will be able to do this anywhere.  Jason really wants to make sure we stick around and so he and Scott have been talking about Scott running a second funeral home for him and then he would get experience being a manager and then he would be able to have that on his resume, also.  I told Scott we aren't moving for at least 4 years (until Dallen is gone), but the fact that Jason wants to make sure he does stay, he is making it very difficult for us to want to ever leave!

Autumn

Charity

Other things that have happened in the last few months...Scott's sister, Jennie, had her baby and named her Autumn.  She is really cute and sweet.  A few days after that, we were able to be there with Wes as he was confirmed into the Catholic church.  It was very important to him and we are glad we were able to support him in his decision and be there.  It was important for us to be there.  We got to spend Easter with Scott's family and that was fun.  Charity, Heidi's daughter, is leaving for her mission to Tacoma Washington in July.  We are so excited for her.  We will miss her tons, but it will fly by.  We can't believe that Derrek is coming home (also my Parents!) and Alec has been out for almost a year!

Grant

My sister, Jenette had her baby, Grant, and she is going well.  I am sad I wasn't able to go help her, but I kept feeling like I needed to tell her I couldn't and didn't know why.  Then I got the new job and it started the week she had him.  I then knew why I needed to stay.  I didn't even go to Women's Conference this year which was a big deal, but the whole time I felt at peace and knew this year was not a year I could or needed to go.  We can't wait to meet him!

Henry

 Another nephew we haven't met is Henry.  Kent and Amy had their baby in March and we are so happy for them.  Chris (their oldest son) is getting ready to have his baby (well, wife Christina is) in June.  Can't wait to see their baby.  Anyway, here is a picture of Henry...love all these babies!

 So, as you can see, things are going good for now here in Taylor.  We are healthy and feel very blessed and can't believe we are where we are after the last three years of struggling.  We are grateful to all the family and friends that have helped and for the lessons we have learned.  We have become better people because of it and although I never want to go through that again, I am grateful that it happened.

New Mama...

Well, this week was actually very slow.  Scott was sick with the flu or something for the WHOLE week.  I don't remember the last time he was that sick.  Between the rest of us, we can't tell if we have a touch of what Scott has or allergies or both.  It FINALLY rained a lot yesterday and has helped with the allergies, but there is still some coughing going on, so I assume it was a little of both.  We really enjoyed the whole day of rain.  It has been a long time since we have seen anything.  We maybe had one day of snow up here and that is very rare for this time of year.  As soon as the rain hit, I was driving down the road and there are spurts of green popping up everywhere.  It's a nice change from the dreary brown.  It's amazing what life a little bit of water can do to...well, everything!  We also had a nice surprise yesterday...our cat, named Hooch (I call her "hoochy-mamma" for getting pregnant in the first place!), had her kittens.  Copper, the other cat, is not far behind.  We should have her litter here in a few weeks.  Here are pictures of Hooch with her 5 little kittens.

She had 3 orange ones, which I think are the same as the dad, and 2 black/grey ones like her.  Copper has been a wonderful Auntie and tries to keep them all warm.  She helped keep them clean and keep Hooch clean when things were, well, not so clean.  There are a few things I have learned about cats that I didn't before this whole thing.  It only takes them two months from start to finish to have kittens...they are almost as fast as rabbits and mice!  They actually have a very clean birthing area.  Cats are in heat pretty much any time they aren't pregnant or nursing.  Guess what is going to happen to Hooch in about 7 weeks?!?  Yep...no more kittens for her!  I found out also that the law of incest does not apply to cats after about 6 months of age.  Brother came by and got them pregnant.  So, needless to say, as much fun as this is and all...I'm with Bob Barker...get your cats spayed or neutered!!!  Dallen and Ashton think they need to keep at least one of this litter.  I haven't decided.  They really are good to have around and they haven't been any trouble except for the whole pregnant thing, which is fixable...so we'll see.  Maybe Copper's litter will be cuter?!?  We'll post pictures of their progress.  It is fun to have little ones around again :)  

We also got to be part of the Gilbert Temple Dedication.  We went to the 3:00 pm session for several reasons.  It was good.  Elder Callister gave a really good talk on why temples are important.  It made me want to go right then!  They said that starting on Tuesday and through the month of March, they already have 100 weddings scheduled for the temple and over 140 more with in the next few months!  Good thing they built it big!  Maybe Mesa Temple can have a little breather.  I am glad we got to go through it with the kids.  Did you know there were 33 dedicatory sessions for the Salt Lake Temple?  There are some people that were at all 33!  That's crazy!  I was looking at our Stake President and thought "I wonder if he's been here all day" and then when they said that the SLC had 33, I didn't feel so sorry for the Stake President anymore :).  They also mentioned that as of 1985 there were only 35 operating temples.  The Gilbert Temple make 142 operating temples as of today. It's just amazing.  Another talk that I liked was about finding our ancestor's names.  It was given by Elder Richards.  He explained how he felt there was no genealogy left for him to do because his great grandpa was president of the Genealogical Society for years and then his grandpa or father had a big role like that also.  He said that his ancestor was one of the first major contributors to the family search index.  He then mentioned that with the new technology and the new family search, he has now obtained over 700 family names that are currently being worked on.  He mentioned that he now has a monthly temple day with his endowed children and they do sealings.  I just love that idea.  Anyway, we'll see if that can ever happen, but I have found a new sense of "maybe I can do something" and I plan on having a family home evening with the ward family history person in our ward because she is amazing at all this and what better way to help someone in their calling by allowing them to do it?!?  We'll see if the rest are on board...maybe I will be doing this on my own.  Well, that is all for the week.  We are getting healthy again and we are reminded how blessed we have been because we have been so healthy.  We are grateful that it will go away, as there are those that it is a trial for life.   

Gilbert Temple

We were able to take some time and go down to Phoenix and visit with family and see the Gilbert Temple.  To be honest, it was gorgeous, but I REALLY love the murals that are painted, like in the Snowflake and Draper temples (and others, I'm sure, but these two are my favorite), and this temple doesn't have any of that.  Even still, it seriously was amazing and so beautiful.  I am glad we got to take the kids to go see it.  Calvin didn't want to go, so it was just Dallen and Ashton who went and we were lucky enough to have Mike and Laura and their family with us, too.  Scott tiled Heidi's bathroom (shower and floor) and we were there for "Omelet" with the Bowler clan and we also got to go to the park and hang out with everyone.  It got in some Chipotle, and that makes me very happy!  We had a great time and really didn't want to come back, but we had to.

Monday, when we were driving home, it was just me, Dallen and Ashton.  We stopped at Krispy Kreme on our way home because that is what Ashton wanted for his "birthday cake".  They were pulling them off the line just as they were coming out.  Dallen inhaled 3 before we got out of the parking lot!  Needless to say, it was a fun treat.  Scott stayed to finish the bathroom and I was picking him up the next day.  So, we were driving home and I drove to Payson because Ashton still makes me nervous in the city.  He doesn't seem to pay attention like I need him to and it freaks me out.  He asked if he could drive home from Payson, and I said "sure" because it's pretty much and straight shot.  So, we left Payson and started up the mountain rim and it started to snow, but it was just flurries and the ground was still VERY wet.  We were traveling up the rim and I was explaining to him the different sounds of the road (wet roads vs slushy, etc.).  I said "see, right now it is just water" and then we turned the corner and the roads were WHITE!  There was no in-between. He had to make his own road.  There weren't even any tracks to follow.  It was crazy.  So, I said a quick prayer "Heavenly Father, I need to be calm because if I'm not calm, this will be bad" and so after that, I was able to talk Ashton through it.  It was pure white roads for the next hour (in the dark, mind you!), but he handled it like a champ.  He was glad when it turned back to normal roads...and so was I!  Here are some pictures from the weekend...

February Birthday kids...Matt (12), Ashton (16), Emily (18), Abby (9?), Jeremy and Dallen (14)

Dallen hanging out with some of his cousins.

Dallen pushing Brianna with Cami, Hayley, Audrey, and Sam.

Dallen, Sam, and Matt

Gilbert Temple Open House

 Other things that happened this week...

Ashton turned 16!!!  This was the weirdest birthday ever.  He wanted all the money that I spend on his birthday (including cake, ice cream, etc.).  I told him if he does that, then we won't be having anything on his birthday.  He didn't care.  He wanted these headphones for his xbox and they were expensive.  So, he got the headphones, and then found out they didn't work.  He was so bummed.  So, now we have sent them back.  So, on his birthday, he went to school, went to a friend's after, I went to go get Scott, no ice cream or cake...nothing.  We hugged him and said "happy birthday", and that is all.  It was really weird for me, but Ashton didn't seem to mind.  He's so much like Scott in that way.  I guess every child is different.  He was ordained a Priest today and so he will be able to bless the Sacrament next week.  I can't believe he's 16!

I lost my job this week (on Ashton's birthday).  Construction business with no work...I know they will get work, and actually it is a blessing in disguise.  It was time for me to go.  We did okay, but it was like oil and water some days and she needs someone that is more compatible.  The more I am away from it, the more I realize this was best for all involved.  I pray she finds what she needs. So, we'll see what happens.  I just keep praying and hoping that there is something out there because we have been working really hard on keeping on our budget, but it doesn't work too well when a chunk of income is gone.  I applied for a position at the local bank as a teller, but who knows.  I tried to go introduce myself to the manager, but missed her each time.  I guess I'm not supposed to meet her!  But, I heard she is aware of my application and there are a couple friends here that have already called, knowing I need the job, and have told her about me.  I'm feeling loved, for sure!  Even if I don't get that job, I know we'll be okay...we always are.  Some days I just want to know how :).

Calvin started working at Sonic and likes it.  He loves that there is order and everyone knows their jobs and what is expected of them.  I guess he didn't feel the last place had that.  I told him Sonic has been around awhile and they know what works and doesn't work. Glad he is able to work again.

We found out our cat is pregnant.  For months we had been talking about needing to get them fixed and low and behold...she's fat!  We had caught her brother (whom the neighbors adopted) in our garage and didn't know if brotherly love was going to be a factor...well, it was.  We are just hoping it is the one and not both.  So, as soon as she has her litter...guess what is going to happen to her?!?  Never dull with our animals.  Oh, and our stupid chickens (see picture below) who have not laid a single egg, laid 4 of them while we were on vacation.  What the heck?!?  Have they laid any since we got back...NO!  Dumb chickens.

That's all for this week.  Derrek and Alec are doing good (check out their blogs).  Alec is going to see a therapist.  I always said that we shouldn't bother saving for college, but for their psychiatry bills.  I know I did the best I could, but they come from me and Scott, and they have had to deal with our inadequacies.  I am grateful that he is able to help straighten things out.  Therapy has done wonders for me and Scott.  It's just nice to have someone there to take the thoughts that rattle around and help make sense of them and give direction.  We hope that for Alec. I am proud of the boys.  They aren't afraid to face things and they are humble enough to admit when they need help.  I am so grateful for a wise mission President that is able to really listen and help.  It's a process going from a boy to a man, and sometimes I think it's a little harder these days because the boys haven't been required to step up like they are and a world that thinks they are silly to do so.  They are brave and have more to them than they know.