30 Years of bliss

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
TODAY!!

Ok, we've only been married for 29 of those 30 years and bliss is probably not a correct term either.

But I wouldn't change a thing...well, maybe

 I would be more patient

and a better mom

and loved more deeply

and...you get the point.

But I wouldn't trade my family for anything!

Last Friday Doran and I both had the day off so we were going to celebrate Valentines and our Anniversary all in one weekend.

google

We began with a run down the canyon.

This is one of our favorite things to do together.

In Sacrament this Sunday Johnny Hepworth, the High Counsel speaker, mentioned that we need to find our peace or Heaven on earth. I thought about when Doran and I run together, usually in the canyon or on the trails, we can find this peace/Heaven. THAT'S how much we like enjoying the outdoors TOGETHER. After a run like this he will continually say "What a beautiful day and a great way to start the day." Our spirits are always happy.

No pictures here but imagine us holding hands while running. Yes, it does happen sometimes but who can take the picture?

After our run we came home, did some chores, packed, ran errands and headed south.

Finding a hotel on Valentines weekend was nearly impossible but we found one in Provo.

That night we went and played racquetball with Cortney and her friend, Paul.

Then stopped and got a pizza and took it to the hotel.

We gave Cortney Cuties for Valentines so we ate those and cookies my mom made for dessert.

Saturday morning we slept in then went to brunch with Cortney and then daddy and I headed to

Mount Timpanogos Temple.

We have never been there and found it to be HUGE and a lot like Bountiful Temple.

The stained glass windows in the Celestial room were GORGEOUS!

From there we stopped at Sheel's and got me some court shoes.

Then we stopped at Strider's and got Doran some running shoes.

(Valentine and Anniversary gifts?)

We had a romantic dinner date...

at Chick-fil-a...

drive through.

We ended our weekend getting a couple of groceries (pop for Doran) and dinner stuff for Sunday.

I went with Doran to the 8th Ward.

He was the High Counsel speaker along with a couple of returned missionaries, Matt Jones and Brian Williams. They all did a fabulous job.

What a great fun, spiritual weekend!!

Yes, I burned the Turkey Steaks.

Yes, we LOVED them!

LOVE YOUR GUTS, DADDY!!

Relief Society meeting in January we had a

night.

Chelsea came and helped me make homemade breakfast burritos for everyone for the taster table.

Simple
(sort of)

President Jolene Hansen taught us how to fold a fitted sheet.

Simple
(for some)

Then Chelsea and I demonstrated how to involve your whole family in a month of meal planning the quick and easy way.

Simple

We then had a professional house cleaner (Sheila Andreasen) come and speak to us about Simplifying your cleaning using products, chemicals and exercising.

Simple
(uh)

No pictures

Simple

Then End

Simple

Grandfather's Christmas Story

The December 24th Ward Relief Society Meeting was a great success!

First of all this is the afghan that was completed.
We had many square donations and Alice Missledine put the whole thing together.
She had to get pretty creative to make the different sizes work but she did fantastic!

We started out with a soup and salad dinner with a delectable chocolate dessert.

We sat at round tables for great conversation. each table had a beautiful nativity for a center piece.

After dinner we enjoyed a program called "Grandfather's Christmas Story". 

Several members of our ward including our priesthood holders and some of our ward choir sang like angels!

We had a large manger on the stage which made a great impact along with children and adults singing and dressed in the biblical times.

There were pictures and words projected up on the back of the stage. It showed a beautiful scene with words of sacred Christmas songs, so that the audience could join in at certain times. 

The plot was very spiritual with "Grandfather" reading scriptures pertaining to the birth of the Savior, to the children gathered around.

Grandfather McMillan, Hammond, Weeks children & Brianna

The children sang like angels.

In one scene we had Mary sing "Mary's Lullaby".

Then she stepped back while Joseph entered in and cradled Baby Jesus while Mary (and Doran) sang solemnly and reverently "Guard Him Joseph".

Doran Shelley, Mike Jensen (Joseph), Amanda Higley (Mary)

 This part was the most spiritual of the whole night.

Joseph totally surprised us when he actually picked up the baby and lovingly cradled baby Jesus. I'm not sure if there was a dry eye.

Mike Jensen (Joseph), Amanda Higley (Mary)

It was very moving and everyone there enjoyed it!

The Spirit was definitely there that night!

Something Extraordinary

I believe that the women of the Church,

regardless of age or family status,

understand and apply best the words of

James Barrie, the author of Peter Pan:

"Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others

cannot keep it from themselves."

- Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf

November 2012 we had a full evening at our Relief Society Meeting.

Prior to November meeting we were each, or whoever could, asked to make and bring an 8X8 crochet square. It didn't matter what color or size of needle just as long as the finished square was 8X8.

We would then take all of the squares and make them in to one big afghan and given to the Family Support Center in town. This will be finished and displayed at the December meeting.

We were also asked to bring a food item for the local pantry.

Something Extraordinary video was played at the beginning of the meeting.

A few weeks prior to the meeting a list of Service Donation Ideas were handed out.

This was to get us thinking about what kind of service we could donate to another sister.

At the activity we each received a card.

On one side we were to put our name, phone number and two service ideas we were willing to donate. (Only one of the services would be used.)

We then played a "left-right" game using a story of the Relief Society.

At the end of the story/game we (ex: Jan) would find the person (ex: Becky) that filled out the service of the card we ended up with. (Becky) would then write on her card who she is giving service to (Jan) according to which service Jan chose. Then she (Jan) also had the name of the sister that was giving service to her.

Clear as mud? Well it seemed to work out well.

We were all excited to receive and give of our service.

"We are not only mothers to the youth but many of you, young and older, are truly mothers to those that are still raising their families or those that are grandmothers.

We are one eternal round in loving, supporting, nurturing and serving each other."

For refreshments we had a cookie exchange and made plates of cookies to take to those that were home bound.

Heaven Can Wait

October 2012 was my first Relief Society that I was in charge of.
Actually it was pretty much planned as far as the idea, I just had to contact the speaker and finish the plans.
I also asked the RS Presidency if they would be willing to dress up as angels.
They are such good sports!
They don't know what they did when they called me to this position....muah ha ha ha.

We had Officer David McKay come and speak to us about distracted driving.

He showed us a couple of video's and talked to us about highway safety,

when and when NOT to pull over, etc.
I believe we ALL need a refresher course on road safety more often.
It's not just the texting and drinking while driving that we need to worry about when it comes to road safety.

This is our RS Presidency

Facebook Fannie was called home because she was checking FB while driving.

Radio Rita has been called home early while trying to find a better channel.

Makeup Molly has been called home putting on makeup while driving.

Texting Trina has been called home due to texting and driving.

Fannie Food was called home because she was eating while driving.

We are not eating this week.

I didn't get around to making a menu.

THE END

Tab a Book

Tab a book?

"What a GREAT idea" I said in a comment to Wendy's post.

I am a sucker for books too.

When she reads a book and likes a certain part of a book or a phrase or quote she will tab the page and then she writes them down in her book.

Wendy's blog

I have tried to remember those parts of a book but didn't think to make a little black quote book.
I do believe I should go buy me one and begin.

Years ago I gave away several boxes of books because I just don't have the room for them.

I decided that I would go to the library instead.

But somehow I have acquired more and more books.
I go to the library.
I hit the D.I.
I browse the yard sales. I mean who can pass up a book for $1?

However, I only read LDS novels because I know they are safe.
(without potty words)

I don't mind red lights.
I don't mind being stuck by a train.
I don't mind waiting in line.
Because I ALWAYS have a book in my bag!

I bought a used book shelf this past weekend. Just a small one but still.
My one and only little book shelf is bursting at the shelves.

The most recent book I finished had wonderful stuff in it
and because I didn't write it down I will paraphrase it:
A lady lost her husband a year ago and on his "anniversary" one of the kids said something like "Oh it makes it  seem so long before they can see their dad again."
SHE said, "That is just one year closer until she can see her husband again."
If that ever happens to me I hope I can have that kind of attitude.
I can't imagine how hard that would be but to think you are one more year CLOSER to seeing your loved one again maybe that would make it better.

Welp, off to continue my series (Shadows of Brierley by Anita Stansfield)

Daddy bought these for my birthday.
I read them before (from the library) and I LOVED them, that is why he bought them for me.
I can read a book several times and it is always a new adventure
because my remember-er doesn't work too well.

Too bad I don't have my quote book because I am already half way through the first book.

Did I mention I LOVE books?
I need to just as good about reading my scriptures as I am about novels.

Last Thursday, January 31, we celebrated January birthdays (mine 4th, Jordan 23, my mom's 29th). My brother and his family came down from Idaho and we met them at Maddox. (Insert any picture of your imagination here)

Doran had last Friday off so I left early from work. I can't STAND to be at work when he is off. I hope we can retire the same time.

We did a few errands, made some major changes in our finances then headed to get Doran's hair cut. The older he gets, the shorter his hair gets. What ever happened to my long haired hippie? Then I tell him that I am going to get my hair cut short and he starts giving me the look.

We enjoyed a yummy dinner at Mimi's and headed to the home front.

Saturday morning was a glorious day!

I received a new "Lion House" rolls recipe so I began the process first thing and thought that the dough could rise while we went running. (Because I wasn't going to go very far.)

We began with a run (my first since last November). 

It was such a nice day we ran outside.

Doran and Dawn kept me going and we were able to finish 4 miles. It took me 44 min but I was only expecting to make it a couple of blocks. They are so good to wait for me.

Then when we got home I rolled out the dough and put the rolls on a pan to raise. We hurried and changed clothes and went to play racquetball. The rolls could raise while we were gone.

We enjoyed the sport until someone got hurt (me). Actually after Doran smacked me a good one in the back. I had to wait for a few minutes to catch my breath, stop crying, let the sting wear off a bit and then we continued to play. I earned a welt that turned into a bruise. I would put a picture on here but you didn't even like my toe pictures so I am definitely NOT going to show you my fat back.

Put the rolls in the oven when we got home and they turned out great!

So I hurried and made another batch.

I started some chicken and broth cooking for Family Dinner in a couple of hours.

Cortney showed up and then Doran and Cortney built the homemade noodles for the soup.

DEElish!

While we waited to eat Aunt Cortney made Bananie be a SHEra and do a balancing act.

We also celebrated Ben's birthday that will be in a couple of weeks.

 It's a good thing there were only three candles on the cake because Ryan wasn't much help with blowing out the candles.

Sunday meetings were EXCELLENT!

What a great weekend!!!

It's All About the Food

Monday  - Grilled chicken, quinoa
Tuesday - Beef fajitas
Wednesday - BLT
Thursday - Brupper - Sausage omelet
Friday - Date Night - Kandra reception
Saturday - Pizza
Sunday - Roast