03/29/15 6 months scanning project...done!!!!

3/29/2015

 I can't believe another week has gone by.  I don't think I took any pictures this week. I'll have to go look and see.

Before...

So it was a busy week at work.  We completed our 6 month project of scanning all the files in the office.  Whew.

Pretty awesome feeling.  I have an assistant Sara (since January); a volunteer Sheron; and a court ordered worker to thank for getting me through this project.  I did lots myself but I probably would have taken at least a year to get it done without their help. We are going to have a thank you/celebration lunch tomorrow.  City is buying pizza.

Piles of files to scan

Thursday we had the relief society birthday party and the girls were invited.  So we ate dinner at church while dad went to work.  It was also the day before Dallas' 20th birthday so he, dad and McKayla went to Carl's for a big burger.  I think it was probably a pretty lame birthday day for him this year.  He worked all day.  McK worked all night so they didn't really see each other.  The girls and I were busy selling girl scout cookies and dad worked.  So he had kind of a quiet evening alone.

Ready to shred

We had a wedding shower for Nick's Ann yesterday.  She is a sweet girl.  And really pretty.  All the usual relatives were there and then some of her friend's from their student ward.  It was at Grandma's house.  It was nice.  They are getting married in 2 weeks.  They seem pretty happy together.  

Katie and Holly had soccer yesterday.  It's getting super hot here lately.  I think it was high 80's.  They also sold more girl scout cookies.  And we still have more to sell.  Sigh.  They just seem to be lasting forever this year.

Incentive chart...colored in the letters as we finished.

The women's broadcast was last night and it was a nice meeting.  There was a lot of singing and a couple of videos along with the talks.  The whole idea of it was that we have a family and we need to work to keep our family intact and we can be happy together as families. At least that is what I got out of it.  And it's true...seems like the world is more and more corrupt with people not getting married, same sex families, divorce.  Just a mess everywhere.  And we need to read and promote the family a proclamation to the world in our own lives and share it with others.   We need to live the gospel, share the gospel and defend the gospel. I think that was what

one of the sisters said.  

After!!!!

Aj came down for the weekend but we've hardly seen each other.  He got in midnight Friday.  Saturday morning he came out right before I was going to the shower.  I came back and he went to lunch with Dallas and then to Dallas' work to fix the brakes on the hyundai.  They came back and I went to church.  I came back and they were out on a date.  I think he's still sleeping now!  

We do plan to have a birthday dinner for Dallas tonight (he requested cafe rio pork and homemade burritos) so that's what we'll do.  

I think today is fast sunday...due to conference next week.  So I will be sure to remember you in my prayers today (I do anyway, but extra!!!)

Holly playing soccer, orange socks

I did do your taxes last night.  I am going to mail them so it will probably take 4-6 weeks before you get your refund.  You will be getting $157 total I believe in 2 deposits from the feds and the state.  I think you are getting $136 from the feds/ $21 from the state.  Something like that. I have it going directly into your SWFCU account.

Holly playing soccer

So I looked and there weren't any pictures this week.  

I hope you are doing well.  I sent your questions to Grandpa L on the relatives but it didn't seem like his response was all that helpful...or was it?   I have never done any research so I feel pretty unable to help answer questions. I keep thinking I might get some time to check it out but it hasn't worked out yet.  Lots going on with the girls all the time and then getting ready for a busy June.  I think I might enjoy it once I find the time to do it.

Someone said they were busy raising their kids and "creating genealogy" right now and when the kids grew up they would work on exploring it further.  That's kind of how I feel.  I want to be as much a part of raising the kids and helping them be their best and I can't get upset with myself for what I'm not doing.  (although I'm sure I do anyway!)

Anyway, I hope you are doing great and enjoying your mission.  Are you liking your new quiet area or is the rural town harder because it is so small? I can see how that would be difficult to find people when there are so few to choose from.  Especially after you had so many to choose from before!  You probably didn't even realize until you left!

Can't wait to hear about your week!  I hope it was a great one.  Let us know if we can do anything for you here.  If you need anything.  

Love you lots!

03/23/15 YW Basketball team plays regionals

3/23/2015

Katie playing ball

Yesterday got super busy and I didn't get your letter written as usual.  

I got called back into YW camp assistant director so we had a meeting yesterday morning.  Sister Rae is the director and Sister Harrison and I are assistants.  Should be fun.  Plus the presidency sounds like they will be up there quite a bit...Sister Clark and Hafen and they are both fun.  

Katie guarding her girl

Saturday Katie's church ball team was in the regional championship.  (a couple teams from several different stakes met up and had playoffs).  She was babysitting during the 9 a.m. game which her team won.  They had another game at 1 p.m. and won again.  They had to play again at 3 p.m.  At that point they were down to 4 girls (preference was that night and a dance competition so some of the girls had to leave).  They were able to round up Rachel Lusk and have 5. Our lil team did awesome.  They lost by only 5 or 6 points but they kept it close the whole game and I think they just ran out of gas.  The other team had at least 10 players so they were able to

keep them fresh and rested.   Pretty exciting.  After that Katie had a soccer game at 5 p.m.  Whew.  She was pretty tired Sunday!

Friday night we had a BBQ with the bishopric. It was fun and nice. We went to Fife's backyard.  Weather was perfect.  Lots of room for kids to play.  

Wednesday night there was a ward auction fund raiser for the youth.  They had stuff and services to auction and a dinner. It was $10/each to get in and they served pulled pork sandwiches and chips and salad.  It was well put together and fun.  I think they made a pretty good amount of money. The ward is starting from $0 since we are brand new and we need camping stuff and manuals and who knows what else.  

Seems like there was something every day this past week for church and this week coming up is shaping up to be similar. There is RS diner Thursday and broadcast Saturday.  I guess they are keeping us out of trouble by keeping us busy!

Tired team won 2nd place!

So, I'm a little worried about you.  Is everything ok? You sounded a little down in your short note to me.  Do you want to elaborate and see if we can work through some stuff together? Or is it just adjusting to the new area and you are ok? Grandma said a beautiful prayer on Sunday dinner blessing you and we are also mindful of you.

Carnevale children at the Bishopric BBQ

Brother Harrison at Ward Auction

Sister Theresa Olsen, Jamie Meacham and Diane Harrison
Entertaining us at ward auction

Holly with Jeffrey Binder

Katie and Brother Harrison

Roger and Laurissa Taylor

Charlie and Diane Harrison

Bishopric BBQ

Sister Jenae Carnevale, Sister Fife, Sister Diane Harrison

BBQ at Fife's house

You are so loved and appreciated.  Keep up the good works!  

Well I better run.  Love you lots!!!  Love mom.

Exciting!!! March 2015 Ensign - Quilt Story Published

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2015/03/small-and-simple-acts-of-service?lang=eng

Quilt Story printed in March 2015 Ensign...this was the final proof.  It was shorted for printing.

Small and Simple Acts of Service

Relief Society sisters can become instruments in the hands of God by

finding small and simple ways to serve.

President Thomas S. Monson has reminded Relief Society sisters: “You

are . . . surrounded by opportunities for service. . . . Often small acts of service

are all that is required to lift and bless another.”1 Lani Axman of Arizona, USA,

has found this to be true (see her story below). “Making a difference in the

world can happen in the day-to-day moments all around us,” she writes. “We

don’t have to look far to find opportunities to lift others. Our service needs only

love to make it powerful.”

Here four Latter-day Saints share experiences from their lives when sisters’

acts of service, both big and small, have comforted and helped them and others

in their time of need.

More Than Quilts

Mom’s cancer had returned and she knew her time was short, but she set a

goal to make a unique quilt for each of her 11 grandchildren. This goal kept her

focused and gave her hope. She spent hours designing each quilt, purchasing

the fabric, and cutting out the pieces. Mom was always so sure she would

complete this project that she had everyone convinced she wouldn’t die until it

was done. And with so many quilts to do, we felt sure she had plenty of time

left.

The first time I heard her admit she might not be able to finish the quilts was

just two weeks before she died. Seeing her weakened condition, the sisters in

her Relief Society came to help her finish what she could not. They gathered up

the quilts and told Mom they would finish them.

I remember Mom calling me to say how pleased she was that each

Ensign/Jan. 2015/Small and Simple/copyedited/page 2

grandchild would have a quilt and how much she appreciated the love of the

sisters in her ward. She was so relieved. Speaking now took a lot of effort, but

she never stopped praising the women who had come to her aid.

When Mom passed away, the quilts were far from done. That evening about

50 sisters set up quilt frames all over the church cultural hall and lovingly tied

and bound each of the quilts. By the day of the funeral, each quilt was finished

and had the name of one of Mom’s grandchildren lovingly embroidered on it. In

the end, our family was left with more than quilts to remember Mom by; we

were left with the Christlike example of love, service, and compassion that these

Relief Society sisters displayed.

Shelly Griffin, Utah, USA

Note

1. Thomas S. Monson, “Three Goals to Guide You,” Ensign, Nov. 2007, 120.

03/15/15 Shinob Kibe and Red Robin

3/15/2015

Proud Holly!

Well, maybe next time she'll get a pin or two?!

Shelly bowling

How was your first week in your new area? So strange to throw it all up in the air and start over?!  First reaction...love it? hate it? How's the adjustment? How bout your new companion?  Good fit?   We got a letter from your mission president telling us you were a district leader.  Congratulations!  So what does that mean for you? Lots to do?  What are your responsibilities?   I'm excited to get your letter...you should have lots to tell us!!!

Andy coming back from a strike!

We googled your little town and address and it looks like you are staying in nice small town america!  It looked like a nice town.  

Katie and Holly waiting their turn to bowl. 

The kids had spring break last week so we are just coming off a week of keeping the girls busy!  Dad had to work quite a bit with baseball starting up and tournaments and soccer stuff too. But we worked some fun in around it.

I worked Monday and Tuesday and then took off Wed - Fri.  That was nice!  Wednesday we went to the rec center with dad.  Katie went to the temple with YW.  Holly and I did the treadmill and bikes and then played air hockey and skee ball and raquetball.  It was fun.  Dad had to work in the afternoon (he was getting his picture taken to go up on a big billboard...you're dad's gonna be famous!!!)  so Gma and pa came with us to do a hike.  We attempted Shinob Kibe but Gpas knee is not the greatest so he turned back and did the flat around the hill with Katie and Gma while I continued on to the top with Holly and the twins.  

Before bumper boat!

We raced down the hill and on the last couple steps Holly turfed it and scraped herself up.  Should have behaved better...shouldn't have been racing!  

Holly chasing down Mom!

We went to Red Robin for dinner with Dallas and McK, gma and pa, the girls and dad and I.  It was nice.  They are expensive though!!!  Even with our free meal for dad's birthday and the girls having kids meals and me sharing with dad, and 3 of us having water to drink...it was still $75!!! What?!  Oh well.  It was fun!!!  Afterward we rented some movies and had movie night.

Shelly loving the boat!

Thursday we took the girls to the new and improved Fiesta Fun.  They moved out of their old building into a bigger better building that has lazer tag and bowling.  It still has all the video games and prizes and the pizza place.  Plus all the stuff outside.  We bowled 2 games and did bumper boats and then called it good.  Thursday night BBQ night.  We had our rebate from COSTCO so did a big shop before we came home and had dinner.

Katie at Fiesta Fun in the bumper boat

Friday dad had to work some more so I took the girls swimming and then we had to do cookie booth for a couple hours.  Dad and I went out with Robert Hoppie and his wife for dinner at a new restaurant on the other side of town.  Katie went to the temple again with gma and pa and Holly went and played with the twins.  

Saturday more cookie booth and dad worked all day.  We just hung around the house and I read a book.  Nice lazy day.  Laundry and house work...boring stuff.  We went and visited the Lunceford's last night (an older couple that's still in the 3rd ward) and they loved it.  She is such a sweet angel lady.  She says every Thursday she goes by our house and says a prayer and blessing on our house on her way to the temple.  They are pretty wonderful people.  They are also praying for "our missionary" -- you!  

We came home and watched Hunger Games on TV.  

And now we are back to Sunday and back to a busy week ahead!  Every night this week there is something going on with church etc.  Should fly by!  

So I hope you are loving your new area and adjusting to all the changes!  Will you get to Canada?  You are so close!!!!  How's the weather?  

Holly and Katie ganging up on mom!
I think she likes it!

quote for the week: “Cultivate an attitude of happiness. Cultivate a spirit of optimism. Walk with faith, rejoicing in the beauties of nature, in the goodness of those you love, in the testimony which you carry in your heart concerning things divine.”

― Gordon B. Hinckley

I love you Bryce!  Can't wait to hear from you!!! Love mom.

Katie, Holly and Shelly...Aaaaaah!  All wet from the bumper boats!

03/08/15 Derrick Shelley's getting a Mrs. Shelley

3/8/2015

It's been a pretty uneventful week here.

Derrick and Julia...the Mrs. Shelley to be!

You need to fill in more details about your creepy stuff going on around your complex last week.  Did they arrest some of your neighbors?

Having a car sounds nice!  Is it hard to find parking in town? Does having a car make your work quicker and easier?  Has the weather cooperated all winter to allow you to use your bikes most of the time?  Are you doing ok warmwise -- your jacket is enough? You about survived it at this point but do we need to send you something more for next winter?

I talked to Derrick last night -- he said he served in area about 3 miles north of where you are.  He said you are in the most depressed (ghetto) area of your mission and wherever you go for the rest of your mission will be nicer...probably a lot nicer than where you are now.  I figure you got sent there due to your size (who gonna mess with a big guy like you?!)  It's also the area he got his bike stolen.  Said his area felt safer but it was so close to the ghetto that the ghetto came and found his bike.

Katie playing defense in soccer

Speaking of Derrick Shelley, he's about to get himself a Mrs. Shelley.  He proposed to Julia last night in the photo booth at the mall (that was the location of their first date!)  Funny, huh!  He has some cute pictures cause he paid, they got in and then he popped out the ring.  They are getting married Saturday, June 20 in the St. George Temple at 10:20 a.m.  Same day as Dallas' reception.  So we may be able to get to the sealing but the receptions will probably be at the same time.  They reserved Santa Clara City Hall.  

This was transition week for dad.  Basketball is over and wore him out but baseball started full swing -- huge tournaments going on in town with tons of games.  No rest!  He worked all day yesterday until 4 a.m.  Came to bed and slept maybe 4:30 - 7:30 (due to spring forward time change) and now he is at his bishopric meeting.  He gonna be one tired hombre.  Poor guy.  

Katie in action!

Girls started soccer this week.  Lost both games. Oh well.  It was a sunny beautiful Saturday and they had fun.  I got some nice pictures of them playing.  It felt really nice to be out in the 70 degree weather full sun.  Their games are 12 or 1 and 4 or 5 every week.  I imagine by the end of soccer season it won't be quite so pleasant.  Probably be super hot!

Side note:  Funny from work (or not so funny, really)...I have an older lady who has been working off a DUI out of Santa Clara.  She has worked with me since December so I've gotten to know her pretty well and like her.  She recently told me she hadn't drank since the arrest and was doing pretty well.  I guess she had a relapse because she had only 2 (4 hour) days left to work for me and she didn't show up.  I pulled up the bookings and there is her face.  Sigh.  Made me so sad! Anyway, in the report she failed 2 of her tests and on the third test told the officer -- I can't even do that when I'm sober!    Guess she's not denying that she's drunk!  Haha.  `She may be in jail awhile...I think this is her 3rd DUI in 10 years so she will probably have to serve at least 30 days in jail.

I'm almost done the BOM.  Starting Moroni 1 today.  It's been a good experience.  I have had the phone read it to me -- I think I get more out of it because I listen while I do stuff. (instead of fall asleep and not know what I read!)  Sometimes the kids interrupt and I miss parts but mostly I've been able to find quiet times and listen.  The other thing is I have never really read it so quickly -- it kind of ties together better for me.  It feels like the wars and kings names all just keep repeating themselves over and over.  They are good and then they are bad in not too many years. If you are good you prosper and the Lord will take care of you, if you are evil horrible things happen.  Makes you want to be good for sure! Thanks for the challenge!

Katie playing goalie

I was looking for a quote of the week and found one that made me think of AJ:

I do it because I want to.  I want to because you said I couldn't!  Ha. that sums that kid up!!!

I'm not random, you just can't think as fast of me! (That's funny too!)

Never give up a dream because of the time it will take to accomplish it.  The time will pass anyway.

Ok, there you have it.  My letter for the week.  I hope you are doing great.  We love you and are so proud of your hard works and efforts.  You will be blessed your whole life for the time and sacrifices you are making now.  I'm excited to hear about your week and what adventures you have had or what awaits you.

Love you! mom.

03/02/15 No basketball for Katie this year

McKayla trying on wedding dresses

3/2/15

So we were on the road yesterday so I never did get to write you on Sunday like I normally do. So now its Monday morning and the internet is down at work so I'm trying something new --I'm trying to write you from my phone!

It's been a good week been busy ending the basketball season for dad.  Our teams did good but you'll have to get more information from dad if you want to know about that.

Katie tried out for the basketball team this week she was really disappointed when she didn't make it. She is playing soccer so at least there's that.

Aj showing Katie some of the games
he plays with his "special" kids. 

The girls will be selling girl scout cookies this week. they did pre sell last month and this week they deliver and start doing booths.  busy time of year. We will have to send you a box. What is your preference? Mints? Samoas?

We went to Johnny and they Demas baby blessing yesterday in Salt Lake They had quite a good turnout and a nice gathering afterward-- everybody's growing up and looking good.

Holly plugged in!

Got to spend a day with Becky and Ruth and Katie and Holly. It was good to see the sisters, don't get to spend much time with them. It's cold and rainy here. We actually had some snow last week. We are fortunate to get up to Salt Lake and back without hitting any real bad storms.

Grandpa Laurito at Ruth's house

Becky Chase making pizza at Ruth's house

Dallas working on production for Dad.

Becky and Ruth

Robert and Ruth

Shelly, Becky and Ruth

Whoa!  Gonna start a fire with this birthday!  49 years old!

He did it...mostly!

Andy and Katie

Gma and Gpa Griffin

Eldon and Andy

Ben and Laura

Eldon with Andy getting fresh...
I think Eldon likes it?!

Dallas and McKayla, engaged!

Hope you're doing well hopefully our internet will come back soon so I can get some work done today and don't mind odd strange words. I'll try to proof read this but who knows what I'll miss love you lots, mom