Week of September 23-29, 2018

Highlights:

Spiritual

Sunday was wonderful! We enjoyed a beautiful Sacrament Meeting today. Dad has  been working along with the deacons to memorize the Sacrament Prayers. I have listened to him over and over. Today, as the prayer was said to bless the bread, I received a great spiritual witness of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and that he died for my sins, and that He wants me to repent and return to him. It was a moving experience for me. We enjoyed a wonderful Primary Program full of beautiful singing and inspired words from the children in the ward. Sunday School was wonderful, and we learned more of ministering in Relief Society. Dad's deacons quorum went well too.

I had choir practice in the afternoon, and then enjoyed a brief Marco Polo with Kaylee, and then a wonderful FaceTime with Anna and Ellie.

I attended a session at the temple on Tuesday morning. Dad attended a session on Thursday evening.

I prepared my calendar for scouts for October, and attended Pack Meeting and a Raingutter Regatta on Tuesday. Dad had a good Deacons Quorum Presidency meeting on Tuesday, and had a good time on Wednesday at their Deacon Activity Game, Nine lives.

I am in Helaman 13 in the Book of Mormon.

I have indexed 14913 records and reviewed 52844 records so far this year. As it turns out, both projects I was working on are nearly complete, so I need to look for and get used to another indexing and reviewing project.

Family

The Wilkins Family

Grace let us know on Sunday that she received her first limited use temple recommend on Tuesday and that she can now perform baptismal ordinances in the temple. We are so proud of her! They celebrated Fall's arrival with their annual Toast to Fall Dinner

On Wednesday evening, I had the most wonderful conversation via Marco Polo with Grace. She was so excited that she was selected to be part of a group to sing the National Anthem next week. She sang both her alto part and the melody part for me. It was fabulous. She also played a few songs on the piano for me. She is becoming better and better each time I hear her, and I can really tell she likes playing. She is doing so well, and teachers at school use her as the example of happiness for others. She truly loves life and her school.

The Ethan Rice Family

This family had a fun week, before Ethan left and when Grandma Liza was visiting. Liz was such a great help to Cameo so she could work while Ethan was away. Here are some fun activities from last week.

Ethan tried for days to help Dad install his printer on his resurfaced computer. So kind of him to help, and so much fun to watch Wade get around while Daddy was helping out. He is the busiest little guy!! He had fed half his burrito to Ruger, and was showing me their amazing pumpkins. Late Saturday night, he FaceTimed me...all by himself on Cameo's phone. Seems the genes run very strong and facial recognition of Cameo means Wade is also recognized. We had a nice visit and he showed me all their wonderful Halloween decorations. He has his own special kitty (skeleton with flashing eyes and disturbing meows) that he adores.

The Doran Rice Family

Last Saturday was Free Museum Day, so they took advantage and went to Mesa to an Air Force Museum.

The originally planned to see the Heard Museum as well, but one museum was pretty tiring.

Doran's new toy...

Doran had a line break in his vehicle, so he had to be towed and is deciding whether to repair himself or just pay a deductible and have someone else fix it.

Morgan

Morgan is enjoying his new job and sent pics of his work station...

Kayty

Kayty had a good work week. She did attend a second interview for American Express...dyed her hair twice, took four unpaid hours off work, and then it was a group interview. She found out the next day she was not selected. She learned that she will inquire about interview types before she loses a half day of pay for nothing. She bought some of her insulin for a discount price from someone on Craigslist. It's not her typical insulin pens, but she already has syringes for just such a need. 

The Nathan Rice Family

Nathan, Jess, and the girls called on Sunday and we got to talk for quite a while. On Wednesday, they went down to harvest their garden, due to a freeze. They kept a ton of carrots and gave away about 40 pounds. Anna even slept with a carrot. (Kind of brings to mind Nathan's snuggle pumpkins when he was in High School). They got to pick their own pumpkins this week. School is still at the adjustment stage for Nathan...trying to establish a routine and help Jessica. She is seeing a bit of improvement but not a lot. 

Dad's Garden

Gardens are going in all over the yard. Tomatoes and snow peas are doing great, and beets, turnips, carrots, cabbage and who knows what else are now in the ground. 

Other highlights

Good runs in the morning. I leave an hour earlier and then exercise when I get home so I am not so concerned about Kayty's glucose levels. I wanted to run to the temple Saturday, but that parking lot was so dark that I didn't venture there.

We moved another cabinet from the garage to the back porch so there is now a work table and I can find a real table to have on the porch to eat at.

Christmas projects are going well.

Attended a really nice Ward Variety Show on Saturday night.

Not so highlights

Dad's starter went out on Thursday morning. I was out shopping with Nano, so we hurried back. She kindly offered to put away the groceries if I got them in the house. I hurried home and Dad was off at suppliers the rest of the day. He exchanged for a new one and got it installed that afternoon. 

Week of September 16-22, 2018

Highlights:

Spiritual

We had a pretty good Sunday. Sacrament Meeting was nice, and Dad said Sunday School and Deacons Quorum went well. They grabbed me out of the Sunday School room and put me in the nursery to help since no new leaders have been called.  Choir practice was good. We practiced new songs for October and November. FaceTime was busy in the evening, with me speaking with Nathan, Jessica, Anna and Ellie, and Dad speaking with Ethan, Cameo, Kaylee, Wade and Morgan.

I didn't go to the temple on Tuesday so I could do some ahead preparations for helping at Doran and Ambers the rest of the week. Dad attended a session at the temple on Thursday night.

Cub scouts were Wednesday...it was rough but we did accomplish the things we intended to do. Dad had Court of Honor for his scouts.

I have indexed 14660 and reviewed 49044 records so far this year.

I am in Alma 61 in my Book of Mormon Reading.

Family

The Wilkins Family

Wilkins family had a pretty awesome week. Adam shared video of attending a political rally with President Trump speaking. He said Mike got them tickets, but the venue for the event was too small to hold all those wanting to be inside. Way more turned out. It was awesome!The family made a crazy laser maze to try and crawl through. On Saturday, they went to a favorite place to picnic and hike: Red Rock Canyon...

The Ethan Rice Family

We received a sweet note from Kaylee in the mail on Monday. We FaceTimed a Thank you while they were at the bowling alley. Ethan was in South Carolina training the rest of the week. Grandma Liz came out to help care for the kids. They had a great time!

The Doran Rice Family

Doran and Amber needed help with the kids, originally Wednesday through Friday, while their sitter attended a DoTerra Convention in Utah. I went out early on Wednesday, watched Kooper cook and eat, and played with trucks and watched Scooby Doo movie almost three times while it rained outside, then picked up Kelsie early from school since she was ill.

Kelsie stayed home sick with Kooper on Thursday, and Amber was feeling poorly on Friday so she stayed home. We came by to return Kelsie's phone left in my car and to bring them some ice cream. Kelsie was better, and very excited to earn a 100percent on her science test. 

On Saturday, it was free museum day, so their day was full of fun which included the Heard Museum. Then Mom and Dad went out for an evening with friends...

Morgan

Morgan started his new job on Monday, and spent the morning acquiring all the right paperwork and getting birth certificates faxed.

Kayty

Kayty worked with Abby Belliston on Sunday to prepare and apply for a job at American Express. She had a phone interview and now goes to an in-person interview next week. Her current job she really likes, but they don't have a great workload, and her supervisor is terrible, and not the best communicator. A few weeks ago, it was "I don't know why they still have you working here. We are out of work" with a giggle. Now, it's "We have a great incentive program and a party this week, but it's only for employees so you can't participate or receive any prizes or gifts. We will let you have a piece of pizza the day we buy it though". When she started, she was told by the trainer that all trainees get hired. She has been a top producer (again, she found out why she never could win any gift cards for producer awards. Yep, not to non-employees) They mislead her terribly, and now she is trying to get a job 

The Nathan Rice Family

Jessica is hoping the chiropractor can solve her neck and nerve issues. Nathan spent the last week being Mr. Mom and now has a greater appreciation for all a mother does! Now, he is in school. Fifteen weeks till graduation. Happy Third Birthday to Annalee on Tuesday. They picked apples on Friday to make more juice and an apple pie. He is busy working on his senior project at school as well as keeping up with family. Jessica still isn't able to do a lot, with her spinal issues, so the girls are learning to help out as well.

Dad's Garden

Dad's garden has planted tomato plants, snow peas, and soon carrots, beets, and turnips. All is looking great.

Other highlights

Monday was brutal to jog in, but the rest of the mornings were not bad.

Doctors appointment on Thursday was crazy. I got a call canceling since the doctor (the third one scheduled since my first appointment made in June) I was furious. I had not taken a trip to help Ethan while he was away, and had to postpone mom and helping Amber till all was done, and they canceled. So, I got a bit firm, and she did find a brief appointment for me. And this was with yet another doctor. Not sure about all, but I passed. Chocolate is again in my happy world!